Detection of Radioactive Material via Alternative Signatures

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE; there is no solicitation available at this time. No response will be provided to requests for solicitation. THIS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE IS PUBLISHED FOR MARKET RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) seeks information from government, industry, and academia concerning the detection of radioactive materials via alternative signatures. Detection by alternative signatures refers to the detection of a radioactive material by means other than by the direct interaction of gammas or neutrons emitted by the source. In other words, changes to the environment around the source are observed. Of particular interest are alternative signature techniques that offer remote detection or detection at a distance (i.e. standoff detection). Interest spans the gamut of system solutions to utilizing alternative signatures in the detection of radioactive materials. This includes: The actual phenomenon involved in generating the alternative signature, Reliability in correlating the appearance of an alternative signature to presence of radioactive material (i.e. type I and type II error characterization), Characterization of potential sources of noise, both natural and man-made, The potential of identifying radioactive material from the signature, Operational conditions that suppress and/or promote the utility of the signature, System (detector) requirements for signature sensing, Data fusion approaches to combining alternative signatures for enhanced detection and suppressed false alarms. Identifying the adequacy of present technology to fulfill the missions above for a signature is necessary. Information on concepts at any level of technical maturity is being requested; however, it is highly desirable that presentations identify short term (less than 36 month) solutions to shortfalls of present state-of-the-art technologies. Longer term solutions to technology development will be considered to a diminished extent. Responses should elaborate on the underlying physics and foreseen advantages to the technology. Sources having the capability and/or concept to meet these requirements are invited to respond to this notice. Responses should be limited to a two (2) page white paper in 12 point Courier New font for any given concept, not including cover page, cover letter and table of contents. Any proprietary concepts of information should be clearly identified as such. Submitted data and information will not be returned. Input on technical aspects of the responses may be solicited by DTRA from academic institutions, industry, and national laboratories. Any information submitted in response to this Sources Sought Notice is strictly voluntary. This notice is for information planning purposes and the Government will not pay or otherwise reimburse respondents for information submitted. Responses shall be submitted no later than 3:00pm EDT on 11 July 2011. Electronic responses are required and shall be submitted to Ms. Debra Mudd at debra.mudd@dtra.mil. All emails should include in the subject line the RFI number and the submitting organization's name. All documentation shall become the property of the Government. Unless otherwise stated herein, no additional information is available and requests for same will be disregarded. There is no commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation, to make award or awards, or to be responsible for any monies expended by any interested parties in support of any effort in response to this Sources Sought Notice. Information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to solicit or award a contract.