The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) yesterday announced intentions to award a sole-source contract to TDA Research, Inc. to evaluate the efficacy of decontaminating solution “Super Soap” at removal of Chemical Warfare Agents (CWA) on surfaces that more accurately reflect warfighter relevant environments by supporting the development of protocols for efficacy testing using aircraft panels with a relevant soil load that has been aged.
This acquisition, managed under Solicitation Number: HDTRA1-TDA-SuperSoap, is an extension of previous work performed by the company.
According to the TDA website, the company is developing a water-based solution to decontaminate equipment contaminated with chemical warfare (CW) and biological warfare (BW) agents. The battery-powered portable system for military and first responders uses an electrolytic cell to produce the active species: chlorine dioxide (ClO2) and hypobromite ion (BrO 1). The species are generated only when and where they are needed, creating long-term storage stability for the system.
The electrochemical decon system is also active against biological threats including vegetative bacteria, viruses and bacterial spores. TDA is currently working to carry out tests that will verify efficacy against the Bacillus anthracis and plans to apply for EPA registration of the solution as an effective sporicide against anthrax.
This system is proposed for use by military and first responders for immediate bio-decontamination of vehicles or equipment contaminated with BW or CW agents, and is a candidate for the Joint Portable Decontamination System (JPDS). To date, roughly $1.5M in DoD funding has been received for expanded research and development.
