BAA Development and Demonstration of Mine Safety and Health Technology

A Broad Agency Announcement from NIOSH will be issued on or around October 8th in support of Demonstration and Development of Mine Safety and Health Technology. This BAA is similar to the current NIOSH BAA which is set to expire on 09/30/2008. The BAA will be open till 04/30/2009 and offerors are to examine the BAA for open periods for submittal of concept papers. Offerors are to download the solicitation when issued as paper copies will not be sent and offerors need not be on any list requesting the BAA. The following is a listing of the anticipated areas of interest for NIOSH. 1. Mine Escape Technologies Proposals in this area should focus on any technology or devices that can aid miners in escaping an underground mine following an explosion, sustained mine fire, equipment fire or gas or water inundation. Proposals can address oxygen supplies, location or directional aids, safe haven or refuge chamber concepts or strategies, or any other approach that addresses escape from the underground environment. 2. Mine Rescue Technologies (Trapped Miner Location Systems are Excluded from Consideration) Proposals in this area should focus on technology or devices that aid first responders and mine rescue teams to assess the underground conditions, locate miners, minimize the risks and hazards to mine rescue teams, and any other concepts that have the potential to reduce the time needed to rescue miners and/or reduce the risk to rescue teams. Trapped Miner Location Systems are not of interest for this announcement. 3. Technology for Reducing Injuries During Construction, Maintenance, and Repair Operations (Mobile Lifting Systems are Excluded from Consideration) Construction, maintenance, and repair operations at surface and underground mining sites contribute to a significant number of injuries to mine workers. Technologies that can be developed or implemented to prevent or reduce injuries during these particular operations are of interest. Improved lifting systems are not of interest for this announcement. 4. Technology for Reducing Injuries from Equipment, Machinery and Powered-Haulage (Proximity Warning Systems are Excluded from Consideration) The operation of large-size equipment and machinery and the extensive use of powered-haulage systems for transporting mined materials away from the mining sections contribute to a large number of injuries and fatalities at mining sites. Technologies that can be developed or implemented to reduce or eliminate injuries from these systems are of interest. Proximity warning systems are not of interest for this announcement. 5. Communication Systems Using Through-the-Earth Technologies A variety of contracts and research projects are underway for the development of new communication and tracking systems for underground coal mines. One area that is of particular interest for underground mine communication systems is a "true" through- the-earth system that does not require the installation of an infrastructure within the mine. A through-the-earth system would allow for communication from any point in the mine to the surface.