Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)U.S. Department of Defense
Website: DARPA
Biography
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) agency charged with seeking breakthrough concepts and technologies with broad applicability against threats to national security.
DARPA invests primarily in the early technology development phases of programs and the demonstration of prototype systems.
DARPA works to complement the DoD CBRN Defense Program by anticipating threats and developing novel defenses against them. The agency coordinates with the services and other agencies, including the Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for CBD and DTRA Chemical & Biological Technologies Directorate (DTRA-CB) to avoid duplication of efforts and to maximize effectiveness of resources.
DARPA’s programs are conducted under the oversight of six technical offices: the Defense Sciences Office, the Information Innovation Office, the Microsystems Technology Office, the Strategic Technology Office, the Tactical Technology Office, and the agency’s most recent addition, the Biological Technologies Office.
In 2014 DAPRA merged components of several program offices into a new Biotechnology Technologies Office (BTO) to foster innovations related to biological sciences. BTO’s investment portfolio goes far beyond life sciences applications in medicine to include areas of research such as human-machine interfaces, microbes as production platforms, and deep exploration of the impact of evolving ecologies and environments on U.S. readiness and capabilities.
The agency supports approximately 240 government employees, about half of whom are program managers. Its research is conducted by a wide array of public- and private-sector performers via 2,000 contracts, grants and other agreements.
Notes
Editor’s Picks: Articles related to DARPA. Links may lead to external sites.
- Pentagon’s AI Program to Find Hidden Nuclear Missiles (Jul 2018)
- DARPA Awards IMPROV 2 Contract to Two Six Labs (May 2018)
- SIGMA Program Completes Testing of Ambulance-Mounted ‘Dirty Bomb’ Detectors (Mar 2017)
- DARPA Academic Research Roundtable (Jan 2017)
- Modeling Adversarial Activity to Counter Weapons of Mass Terrorism (Oct 2016)
- DARPA Field Tests Networked Radiological Detectors with NY Port Authority (Aug 2016)
- Portable Device Produces Biopharmaceuticals on Demand (Jul 2016)
- DARPA Awards SIGMA Contract to Proportional Technologies (Jul 2016)
- DARPA Brings Down the HAMMER on Malaria (May 2016)
- DARPA Wants To Transform Chemical War Sites Into Fertile Soil (May 2016)
- DARPA INTERCEPT Program for Biodefense Countermeasures (Apr 2016)
- DARPA’s Biotechnology EZ BAA Streamlines Proposal Process (Mar 2016)
- Arktis Radiation Detection System Passes DARPA Design Review (Sep 2015)
- Intense and Compact Neutron Sources (Apr 2015)
- SRI Biosciences DARPA Fold F(x) Synthetic Polymers Contract (Feb 2015)
- Agnostic Compact Demilitarization of Chemical Agents (Feb 2015)
- Robots Learn To Perform Tasks by “Watching” YouTube Videos (Jan 2015)
- Speedy, Agile UAVs Envisioned for Troops in Urban Missions (Dec 2014)
- ElectRx Has the Nerve to Envision Revolutionary Therapies for Self-Healing (Dec 2014)
- DARPA Biotechnology EZ BAA Cuts the Red Tape (Nov 2014)
- Using Light Frequencies to Sniff Out Deadly Materials from a Distance (Oct 2014)
- DARPA CHIKV Challenge to Address Threat of Chikungunya (Aug 2014)
- DARPA Award to Agentase for Wearable CBRN Surveillance Suits (Apr 2014)
- DARPA Launches Biological Technologies Office (Apr 2014)
- Mighty Micropumps: Small But Powerful Vacuum Pumps Demonstrated (Jun 2013)
- Rapid Threat Assessment Could Mitigate Danger from Chem-Bio Warfare (May 2013)
675 North Randolph Street Arlington VA 22203-2114
Defense Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL)
Defense Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL)
Website: DSTL
Biography
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) is a science and technology center for the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), employing approximately 3500 personnel including some of the top scientists and engineers in the country.
DSTL’s work covers a range of applications and disciplines including social science, mathematics and engineering and includes research, advice, consultancy, technical and systems risk management, and related activities.
Extensive CBRN, life science and infectious disease research programs are ongoing, to include a number of collaborations and contracts with the United States government. The CBR S&T research drivers include CBRN Disablement, Biological Detection and Countermeasures, CB Force Protection, and CB Exploitation.
DSTL was established as an Executive Agency in 2001 and has operated as a Trading Fund since that date. As a Trading Fund, DSTL covers its operating costs and aims to generate a surplus by charging customers for their services.
Notes
Editor’s Picks: Articles and resources related to DSTL. Links may lead to external sites.
- Liposomal Ciprofloxacin as Broad-Spectrum Bioterrorism Countermeasures (Oct 2016)
- UK Removes Final Chemical Weapon Components From Libya (Sep 2016)
- Development of Chemical Warfare Agent Detector Paper (Aug 2016)
- Inside Britain’s Secret Weapons Research Facility (Jun 2016)
- Airborne Biological Hazards and Urban Transport Infrastructure (Jun 2016)
- The Truth About Porton Down (Jun 2016)
- DSTL Hosts 18th Chemical Weapons Demilitarization Conference (June 2015)
- Center for Defense Enterprise Enduring Challenge Competition Update (June 2015)
- DSTL Bristow Trial Develops Future Protection Against Hostile UAS (May 2015)
- Dstl hosts 19th Chemical Weapons Demilitarisation Conference (May 2016)
- Dstl to Make Laser Weapon System Demonstrator Announcement (May 2016)
- Dstl Decontamination Device Available for Licensing (Mar 2016)
- DSTL Advancing Infrared Detection Technologies (Mar 2015)
- Ultra-Sensitive Detection of Explosives and Chemicals (Feb 2015)
- Technology: Helmets Designed with Closeable Air Vents (Feb 2015)
- Porton Down at Front Line of UK’s Ebola Prevention Efforts (Aug 2014)
- DSTL Introduces Cutting Edge Robot to Test CBRN Suits (Apr 2014)
- DSTL Seeks Smart Materials for Defense and Security (Apr 2013)
Porton Down SP4 0JQ
Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)
Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)U.S. Department of Defense
Website: Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Biography
The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is the intellectual, technical and operational leader for the US Department of Defense (DoD) and the U.S. Strategic Command in the effort to combat biological, chemical and nuclear threats.
While the DTRA Chemical and Biological Technologies Directorate (DTRA CB) is not part of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA); it is DARPA’s focal point for chemical and biological scientific and technical expertise. DTRA CB is also “dual-hatted” as the Joint Science and Technology Office for Chemical and Biological Defense (JSTO-CBD) under the Department of Defense Chemical and Biological Defense Program (CBDP).
DTRA CB serves two key roles in support of DoD CBDP: Funds Manager and Joint Science and Technology Manager. The joint S&T management responsibilities include:
- Development and integration of S&T programs
- Programming, planning, and budgeting documentation for chemical and biological defense S&T programs
- Working with the JPEO-CBD to ensure effective transition of S&T efforts to advanced development
- Participating in Armed Services Biomedical Research Evaluation and Management (ASBRED) Committee meetings to ensure organizational coordination between medical and non-medical S&T liaisons such as DARPA, industry, academia, and other government agencies
- Support for DoD CB Defense S&T international programs
- Management and integration of CB Defense Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrations
DTRA and JSTO-CBD use extramural endeavors such as Broad Agency Announcements to identify, adopt, and adapt emerging and revolutionary sciences that may demonstrate high payoff potential to counter-WMD threats. Companies with applicable novel or revolutionary concepts or products are encouraged to contact DTRA.
The DTRA International Cooperative Biological Engagement Program (CBEP) works to counter threats posed by select agents, related materials, expertise, other emerging infectious disease risks, and to prevent these agents from reaching any state or non-state actors who may use them against the United States or its allies.
The CBEP mission is achieved through Biological Safety & Security capacity building; Disease Surveillance, Detection, Diagnosis, and Reporting; and Cooperative Biological Research. Through these areas CBEP aims to secure dangerous pathogens; promote open and active disease reporting and response; and advance transparent research to understanding pathogens and developing potential countermeasures. CBEP also works with partner countries to improve disease surveillance and response systems.
Notes
Editor’s Picks: Articles and resources related to DTRA. Links may lead to external sites. Read all of CBRNE Central’s DTRA articles.
- Raytheon Awarded Philippines WMD Proliferation Prevention Contract (Apr 2018)
- Numerate, CUBRC Awarded DTRA Contract for ToxTool System (Feb 2018)
- SRC Awarded Contract to Integrate DREAM into the Joint Effects Model (Jan 2018)
- Chimera Secures DTRA WMD A&AS Contract (Jun 2017)
- Leidos Awarded DTRA Weather Prediction Contract (May 2017)
- Virginia Tech to Build Simulation System for CBRN Decision Informatics (Mar 2017)
- New Biosensor Could Help Search for Nuclear Activity (Feb 2017)
- General Dynamics Support to International Nuclear Monitoring System (Jan 2017)
- DoD, DHS Conduct Large Scale Chemical Hazard Modeling Trials (Jan 2017)
- DTRA Threat Working Group Contract Awarded to Apogee-SSU JV (Dec 2016)
- Ebola Vaccine Backed by DTRA Moves Closer to Being Licensed (Oct 2016)
- DoD to Study Omadacycline as Countermeasure for Plague, Anthrax (Oct 2016)
- DTRA/SCC-WMD Hosts the 15th C-WMD Global Synchronization Conference (Sep 2016)
- ‘Second Skin’ Protects Soldiers from Biological, Chemical Agents (Aug 2016)
- The CREATIVE Decontamination System Performance Model (Jul 2016)
- FLIR Awarded DTRA Chemical Decontamination Assurance Contract (Jul 2016)
- DTRA Awards 3.4M Contract for Ebola Countermeasure (Jun 2016)
- DTRA Seeks Proposals for Technical Support Group Services (Mar 2016)
- Coatings to Enhance Chem-Bio Agent Resistance (Mar 2016)
- JIEDDO to JIDA to JIDO: Improvised-Threat Defeat Org Moves to DTRA (Feb 2016)*
- Autonomous Search Capabilities for Radiological-Nuclear Materials (Mar 2016)
- One-Handed Environmental Surface Sampling Device (Mar 2016)
- Nuclear Weapons International Monitoring System Operations (Feb 2016)
- Urban Subsystem CBRN Dispersion Modeling (Jan 2016)
- DTRA Seeks Blue Team Survivability Assessments (Dec 2015)
- In Pictures: DTRA CBD S&T Conference (Jul 2015)
- Adding Chem-Bio Detection to the PackBot (Mar 2015)
- Fundamental Research to Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction (Mar 2015)
- DTRA Creates Nuclear-Focused Directorate (Mar 2015)
- Technologies to Combat Ebola BAA (Jan 2015)
- DoD Threat Reduction Agency Builds Anti-Ebola Capacity (Dec 2014)
- We Have Military Research to Thank for Ebola Vaccines (Nov 2014)
- Micro-Rockets Can Destroy Chemical Weapons (Oct 2014)
- DTRA Awards Contract for Nuclear Treaty Verification Dialogues (Oct 2014)
- Botulinum Neurotoxin Countermeasure Discovery (Oct 2014)
- DTRA Chem-Bio BAA Contract Awards (Oct 2014)
- DTRA Seeks Counter-WMD Research Support Services (Aug 2014)
- BSL 3 Research Laboratory Opens in Kazakhstan (Aug 2014)
- Mapp Biopharmaceutical Award from DTRA for Ebola Drug (Jul 2014)
- Technology Review Shows Past and Future of Biodetection (Jul 2014)
- Cubic Awarded DTRA CBRNE Support Contract (Jul 2014)
- DTRA RFI – Nuclear Test Ban Verification Technologies (Jun 2014)
- Chem-Bio Coatings: More Than Just a Fresh Coat of Paint (Jun 2014)
- DTRA Funds Harvard Development of Biodefense Diagnostics (Mar 2014)
- BAA – New Initiatives for Nuclear Technologies Detection (Mar 2014)
- RFI – Chemical and Biological Agent Blast Environments (Feb 2014)
8725 John J. Kingman Road Stop 6201 Fort Belvoir VA 22060 United States
Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO)
Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO)U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Website: DHS DNDO
Biography
The Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) is the primary entity in the U.S. government for implementing nuclear detection efforts for a coordinated response to radiological and nuclear threats, as well as integration of federal nuclear forensics programs.
DNDO focuses on increasing detection capabilities in key mission areas as part of a comprehensive strategy to protect against radiological and nuclear threats: At Ports of Entry; Between Ports of Entry; Small Maritime Vessels; General Aviation; and Domestic Interior.
Additionally, DNDO is charged with coordinating the development of the global nuclear detection and reporting architecture, with partners from federal, state, local, and international governments and the private sector.
Directorates within DNDO include:
- National Technical Nuclear Forensics Center—Provides national-level stewardship, centralized planning and integration for an enduring national technical nuclear forensics capability.
- Architecture and Plans Directorate—Determines gaps and vulnerabilities in the existing global nuclear detection architecture, then formulates recommendations and plans to develop an enhanced architecture.
- Product Acquisition & Deployment Directorate—Carries out the engineering development, production, developmental logistics, procurement and deployment of current and next-generation nuclear detection systems.
- Transformational & Applied Research Directorate—Conducts, supports, coordinates, and encourages an aggressive, long-term research and development program to address significant architectural and technical challenges unresolved by R&D efforts on the near horizon.
- Operations Support Directorate—Develops the information sharing and analytical tools necessary to create a fully integrated operating environment. Residing in the Operations Support Directorate is the Joint Analysis Center, which is an interagency coordination and reporting mechanism and central monitoring point for the GNDA.
- Systems Engineering & Evaluation Directorate—Ensures that DNDO proposes sound technical solutions and thoroughly understands systems performance and potential vulnerabilities prior to deploying those technologies.
- Red Team & Net Assessments—Independently assesses the operational performance of planned and deployed capabilities, including technologies, procedures, and protocols.
DNDO was founded in 2005 as a jointly-staffed, national office organized under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) comprised of detailees and liaisons from:
- Department of Energy
- Department of Defense
- Department of Justice/Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Department of State
- Nuclear Regulatory Commission
DNDO also works with and has detailees from other DHS components such as the U.S. Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, Transportation Security Administration, and state and local entities.
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Editor’s Picks: Articles and resources related to the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office. Links may lead to external sites.
- DHS Awards 17.2M Contract for Human Portable Tripwire Program (Nov 2017)
- DHS, DNDO Small Business Innovation Research Program (Jan 2017)
- DNDO Seeks Advanced Radiation Detection Methodologies and Technologies (Dec 2016)
- Wayne Brasure Nominated Domestic Nuclear Detection Office Chief at DHS (Oct 2016)
- US Gets Serious about Portable Nuke-Detector Prototypes (Aug 2016)
- DHS Prototypes Wearable Nuclear Detection Devices (Aug 2016)
- Smartphone-Sized Nuclear-Radiation Detectors (Aug 2016)
- Radiation Tech: Security for Global Ports? (Jul 2016)
- City of Houston to Add Radiation Detection to Crime Fighting Tools (Jun 2016)
- DNDO Supports the Nuclear Security Summit (Apr 2016)
- New Nuclear Forensics Capability at INL (Dec 2015)
- RadiaBeam Awarded Contract Supporting Nuclear Counter-Terrorism (Aug 2015)
- Starfire Industries Awarded DNDO Contract (Aug 2015)
- Leidos Awarded Radar Container Inspection System (Aug 2015)
- Radiation Monitoring Devices Inc. Awarded DNDO Contract (Aug 2015)
- Radiation Awareness and Interdiction Network ATD (Oct 2014)
- RFI – Backpack Radiation Detection Systems (Jul 2014)
- BAA – Preventing Nuclear and Radiological Terrorism (Jul 2014)
- Securing Radiological Materials: Examining the Threat Next Door (Jun 2014)
- The Global Nuclear Detection Architecture
- Minimizing the Nuclear Threat: A Local Law Enforcement Strategy
- Countering Nuclear Terrorism: How DNDO Supports Detection and Forensics
245 Murray Lane SW Washington DC 20528-0550
Dugway Proving Ground (DPG)
Dugway Proving Ground (DPG)U.S. Army
Website: Dugway Proving Ground
Biography
The U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground (DPG) serves as the chemical and biological defense proving ground for the United States. It is in a remote, closed post on nearly 800,000 acres of land in the Great Salt Lake Desert – about 85 miles southwest of Salt Lake City, Utah.
The West Desert Test Center (WDTC) is the testing area for DPG specializing in chemical and biological defense testing. The site hosts numerous Technology Readiness Evaluations (TREs), and has been a critical partner in a number of chemical and biological programs including the Critical Reagent Program, Joint Biological Point Detection System, Joint Biological Early Warning System, and the Joint Services Lightweight Standoff Chemical Detection Program.
Areas of expertise include chemical and biological defense, smoke and obscurants, materiel and delivery systems, munitions and incendiary devices, meteorological research and modeling, environmental characterization and remediation technology testing, and technology transfer to include specialized hands-on chemical biological training for military and civil support teams.
WDTC’s divisions include:
- Chemical Test Division
- Data Management Division
- Life Sciences Division
- Meteorology Division
- Special Programs Division
DPG employs about 1,200 military, government civilians and support contractors.
Notes
Editor’s Picks: Articles and resources related to Dugway Proving Grounds. Links may lead to external sites.
- Dugway’s Chem-Bio Test Grid Safari Instrumentation System (Feb 2017)
- Dugway Upgrades Environmental Testing Facilities (Nov 2016)
- Deadly Pathogens Repeatedly Dispatched by U.S. Labs to Unsecure Sites (Sep 2016)
- GAO: Live-Pathogen Blunders More Common Than Reported (Sep 2016)
- Army Goes Aerial in Search for Bio-Chem Threats (Sep 2016)
- Army Explores Use of Unmanned Vehicles to Detect Chem-Bio Threats (Aug 2016)
- What It’s Like to Race at a Test Center for Chemical and Biological Defense (Jul 2016)
- Dugway Declassified: A Rare Look at the Mysterious Utah Site’s Experiments (May 2016)
- Military Labs Are Too Careless with Deadly Diseases: Report (May 2016)
- Project JUPITR Early Warning System Can Save Lives (Dec 2015)
- Chlorine Test Concludes Safely with Five Successful Trials (Oct 2015)
- Spider Webs on Front Lines of Biowarfare Detection (May 2015)
- JUPITR Undergoes Tech Demo at Dugway, Heads to South Korea (Apr 2015)
- RFI – Dugway Biological Testing Facilities Water Analysis (Apr 2015)
- Test Chamber Upgrades Benefit Warfighter (Feb 2015)
- Tighter Security Checks on DPG for Visitors (Feb 2015)
- Dugway to Expand Biodefense Life Science Test Facility (Aug 2012)
- Lost Army ‘Nerve Agent’ Found After Utah Base Lock Down (Jan 2011)
Dugway UT U.S. Army