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Current National Threat Level is elevated

The threat level in the airline sector is High or Orange. Read more.

Homeland Security 5 Year Anniversary 2003 - 2008, One Team, One Mission Securing the Homeland

Research Grants

Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency (HSARPA) Solicitations

HSARPA manages a broad portfolio of solicitations and proposals for the development of homeland security technology. HSARPA performs this function in part by awarding procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or other transactions for research or prototypes to public or private entities, businesses, federally funded research and development centers, and universities. HSARPA invests in programs offering the potential for revolutionary changes in technologies that promote homeland security. It also accelerates the prototyping and deployment of technologies intended to reduce homeland vulnerabilities.  For HSARPA Broad Agency Annoucements visit the HSARPA website.

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S&T Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Solicitations

The Science and Technology Small Business Innovation Reserach (SBIR) program was initiated in 2004.  Two solicitations are issued per year.  Generally, they will be issued in November and May.  Solicitations topics are developed by program managers in each of the Science and Technology Divisions, and from time to time, by the Offices of Innovation and Basic Research.  The annual solicitations consist of topics that are relevant to the following divisions:

  • Chemical and Biological
  • Borders and Maritime
  • Human Factors
  • Explosives
  • Infrastructure and Geophysical
  • Command, Control and Interoperability

SBIR topics generally address the needs of seven Department Operational Units - U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and U.S. Secret Service -- and First Responders.  

Phase I awards are typically made within 90 days of selection.  Invited Phase II projects will be reviewed and awards will be made incrementally. The Phase II proposal invitation process expeditiously identifies those Phase I awardees deserving Phase II awards. 

For more information about the program visit SBIR. For specific information about the program, please contact Vincent Schaper at 202-254-6119 or email  vincent.schaper@dhs.gov or Lisa Sobolewski at 202-254-6768, email elissa.sobolewski@dhs.gov.

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Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) Nuclear Detection Research

Recognizing the risks associated with the potential use of a nuclear weapon within the United States, the Department of Homeland Security has integrated all nuclear detection research, development, testing, evaluation, acquisition, and operational support into a single office, DNDO.  This office will develop a global nuclear detection architecture; conduct research and development; and acquire and support the deployment of domestic nuclear detection systems.

Business Opportunities

All opportunities can be found on Federal Business Opportunities (Fed Biz Opps)

Office of Assessments (OA)

  • A — Advanced Technology Demonstration for Intelligent Personal Radiation Locator (IPRL)

Office of Systems Development and Acquisition (OSDA)

  • 58 — Human Portable Radiation Detection System (HPRDS)
  • A — Cargo Advanced Automated Radiography System (CAARS)

Office of Transformational Research and Development (OTRD)

Direct all business inquiries to DNDOInfo@dhs.gov

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DHS funded awards through the Technical Support Working Group (TSWG)

The S&T Directorate has been coordinating research and development projects to combat terrorism with the Technical Support Working Group (TSWG). Several DHS-funded tasks addressing DHS S&T requirements were recently funded through TSWG.

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This page was last reviewed/modified on September 9, 2008.