The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a new Request for Information (RFI) in support of the BioWatch program to determine the current state of technologies that can provide a cost-effective, portable biological identifier capability to the program.
A portable biological identifier is an analytical platform to be used by field or facility personnel for onsite analysis of either surface (e.g., swabs or wipes) or aerosol samples (e.g., filters or liquid).
A successful candidate technology will:
- Identify multiple potential biological agents of concern simultaneously
- Discriminate between target organisms and near-neighbors or background organisms
- Demonstrate a high degree of confidence (i.e., sensitivity, specificity)
- Demonstrate a low rate of false positives and false negatives
- Analyze multiple samples within one hour (time includes sample preparation and analysis)
- Allow for frequent moves with simple field set-up and calibration
- Be lightweight and portable to allow a single individual to handle and operate
- Transmit results and system status and enable operator manipulation electronically
- Require minimal periodic maintenance and calibration
Responses to this RFI will assist DHS in understanding the number and nature of available solutions. Current demonstrated ability to meet all desired capabilities is not necessary.
Further details are available via Solicitation Number: HSHQDC-15-I-11104. The response deadline is January 30, 2015.
Companion BioWatch RFIs were also simultaneously released for related areas including: Autonomous Indoor Sampling Systems, Trigger/Detector, Aerosol Collection and Alternatives to PCR Detection.
