MODIFICATION
A -- Special Nuclear Materials at Standoff (SNMS)
- Notice Date
- 8/17/2009
- Notice Type
- Modification/Amendment
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- Other Defense Agencies, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Contracts Management Office, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia, 22203-1714
- ZIP Code
- 22203-1714
- Solicitation Number
- DARPA-SN-09-50
- Archive Date
- 9/1/2009
- Point of Contact
- SN09-50@darpa.mil,
- E-Mail Address
-
SN09-50@darpa.mil
(SN09-50@darpa.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Request for Information (RFI) DARPA-SN-09-50: Indirect Detection of Special Nuclear Materials at Standoff (SNMS) The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Strategic Technology Office (STO) is requesting information on innovative techniques and approaches for the detection of special nuclear material (SNM) at standoff ranges greater than or equal to 5km. The goal of SNMS is to detect and locate containerized SNM (e.g., plutonium, 235U, enriched isotopes of 235U or 233U) in outdoor environments at standoff distances of greater than or equal to 5km. Ultimately the detection approach should be amenable to support SNM sensor payloads on aircraft and satellites. DARPA/STO is not interested in approaches for the detection of primary radiation signatures (e.g., neutrons, gamma rays, alpha and beta particles). Since alpha and beta particles are effectively shielded by containment, innovative concepts and approaches to detect secondary effects associated with neutron and gamma ray emission is of interest. For example, gamma induced ionization of ambient nitrogen emits Ultra-Violet (UV) radiation with the potential for long range detection (cf US patent no 7,317,191 B1). Alternatively, Radiological/Nuclear (RN) sensitive material constructs (composed of naturally occurring or synthetic components) to enhance signal gain, and that may be interrogated remotely, are also worthy of consideration. Under the conditions specified above, detection concepts that exploit passive approaches are anticipated to have greater operational utility. DARPA/STO is interested in exploring innovative, multidisciplinary approaches and unconventional detection concepts that can lead to SNM detection at long range greater than or equal to 5km) with high accuracy (i.e., a high probability of detection and a low probability of false alarm). The overall time to detect need not necessarily occur in a short timeframe however the integration time for readout should be on the order of minutes (less than or equal to 10 min). The detector concept should be able to address mobile or static SNM sources. DARPA/STO encourages non-traditional science disciplines to consider how their field of expertise may contribute to a viable approach for the detection of SNM at long range. Non-traditional disciplines include, but are not limited to: photonics, chemistry, acoustics, life sciences, materials sciences, electronics and advanced signal processing. These can stand on their own or work together with other disciplines to include traditional nuclear physics approaches. ABSTRACT SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS AND FORMAT To respond to this RFI, interested parties should submit a cover sheet and abstract to include information outlined below. The cover sheet and abstract must be submitted by August 31, 2009 by 4:00 p.m. (Eastern) to the following email address: SN09-50@darpa.mil. Abstracts should briefly summarize the technical concepts and approaches within a single page, excluding figures, references and the cover page. No proprietary or classified information should be included in response to this RFI. Format specifications include 12 point font, single-spaced, single-sided, 8.5 by 11 inches paper, with 1-inch margins in either Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format. 1. Cover Page (1 page) Title Organization Respondent’s technical and administrative points of contact (names, addresses, phones and fax numbers, and email addresses) Indication of willingness to attend a potential workshop Indication of willingness to present at a potential workshop 2. Abstract (1 page) Summarize technical concepts, associated technical challenges as well as approaches to address the enumerated technical challenges Respondents are encouraged to be as succinct as possible while providing sufficient detail to adequately convey the technical concepts, challenges and approaches. POTENTIAL WORKSHOP DARPA/STO is considering hosting a workshop to review on-going research and identifying novel standoff detection approaches relevant to this RFI. If a workshop were to be held, the information will be gathered with the objective of developing the capability for detecting containerized SNM at long range. Based on the responses received to this RFI, details on a potential workshop may follow. ELIGIBILITY DARPA invites participation from all those engaged in related research activities and appreciates responses from all capable and qualified sources including, but not limited to, universities, university-affiliated research centers, federally-funded research centers, private or public companies and Government research laboratories. DISCLAIMERS AND IMPORTANT NOTES This is an RFI issued solely for information and new program planning purposes. The RFI and potential workshop do not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Submission of an abstract, and/or attendance at any possible future workshop, is voluntary and is not required to propose to subsequent Broad Agency Announcements (if any) or research solicitations (if any) on this topic. DARPA will not provide reimbursement for costs incurred in responding to this RFI or participating in any potential RFI workshop. NO PROPRIETARY OR CLASSIFIED INFORMATION SHALL BE INCLUDED IN THE RFI RESPONSE. Respondents are advised that DARPA is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted under this RFI. Submissions may be reviewed by the Government (DARPA and partners); Federally Funded R&D Centers; Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) contractors (such as Schafer Corporation and Agilex); government advisors and consultants. MODIFICATION TO SN-09-50: The notice is modified to extend the date of the response to 31 August 2009. POINT OF CONTACT Dr. Derek Tournear, STO Program Manager, DARPA, Email: SN09-50@darpa.mil. ANY INQUIRIES ON THIS RFI AND/OR WORKSHOP MUST BE SUBMITTED TO SN09-50@darpa.mil. NO TELEPHONE INQUIRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED.
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