The Department of Homeland Security is soliciting proposals via Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) to develop new or improved diagnostic tests to rapidly screen and detect high consequence biological pathogens and toxins.
DHS S&T requires the rapid detection (within 30 minutes) of biothreat and select agents, specifically, biological toxins, and bacterial and viral antigens. DHS is seeking methods that are novel, yield rapid results, are easy to use, reasonably priced (< 5-10 dollars/test), with high sensitivity and specificity for both environmental and clinically relevant amounts of target species, and based on immunological methods.
The following methods will not qualify for funding under this BAA call for proposals:
- Enzyme Linked Immuno-Sorbet Assays (ELISA)
- Latex, polystyrene, or magnetic based
- Antibody coupled, suspension bead systems
- Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR)
- RAMAN Spectroscopy
- Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS)
- Photonics
- Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR)
Acceptable methods could include biological readout (not in an animal), living cell, or cellular component based methods, which are capable of providing the rapid detection of biothreat agents, with easily interpretable and readable results.
The technology may be laboratory based but must be based on an economical and inexpensive platform and technology. Proposers are encouraged to submit their proposal for platforms and systems that are under development, and which fulfill the requirements listed in this BAA. The platform to be proposed should be capable of eventually being CLIA-waivable.
Although subject to official fiscal appropriation and availability, it is anticipated that approximately $444,106 of Fiscal Year 2015 funds will be available for any resultant awards under this BAA Call.
Further details are available via Solicitation Number: HSHQDC14RB0009OBAA14003Call5. The response deadline is March 23, 2015.
