Post Doctorial Support

RFI# DNDO- TAR-16-0001 RFI to Academia for Postdoctoral Support for the Office of Transformational and Applied Research and Development (TARD) Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD) I. Background The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is committed to using cutting-edge technologies and scientific talent in its quest to make America safer. DHS has been tasked to ensure that the United States remains safe from attack by the illicit nuclear or radiological device. This mission has been given to the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) in DHS, which will develop the global nuclear detection architecture, conduct research and development, and acquire and support the deployment of the domestic radiological/nuclear detection system. To support this vision, DNDO has established the Office of Transformational and Applied Research and Development (TARD) to conduct, support, coordinate and encourage aggressive, expedited transformational programs of exploratory research and advanced technology development that will dramatically improve national capabilities to detect radiological/nuclear threats. TAR engages scientific and industrial communities to develop these capability advances. II. Request for Information TAR seeks two postdoctoral fellows to support DNDO Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD) and other programs to develop maturing rad/nuc detection technology. The fellows would hold a Ph.D. (or equivalent doctoral degree) in Nuclear Engineering or Physics. They would be employees of a university and will work with that university and DNDO to investigate new cross-cutting techniques that will enhance our nation's capability to detect and interdict nuclear or radiological threats outside of regulatory control, and otherwise help prevent nuclear terrorism or radiological attacks. The nature of the work requires that the fellows would be U.S. citizens and able to pass a DHS suitability check before working at the DNDO office. TAR seeks to provide opportunities for these postdocs to learn both in the academic setting at a home institution, as well as in the DNDO offices in Washington, DC. Thus, TAR envisions a 60/40 split in time between DNDO and the home university. However, TAR is open to other suggested divisions of effort. Travel costs, both between DNDO office and the home institution, as well as to DNDO contractor or test sites, would be reimbursable. This RFI is limited to interested universities. Responses should include, but are not limited to, the following: - A brief description of institutional credentials to support DNDO's mission - A brief description of plan how to select and to train postdocs to participate - A rough order of magnitude (rough cost estimate) for 36 months. Interested universities should submit a white paper - no more than five pages - to DNDOERP@hq.dhs.gov by July 1, 2016. III. Conditions of the RFI This RFI does not constitute a Request for Proposals (RFP), Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), or promise to issue a Solicitation for supplies or services. The Government will not pay for costs associated with developing a response to this RFI. Respondents to this RFI should not anticipate feedback regarding their submissions, other than acknowledgment of receipt. This RFI does not commit the Government to enter into any contractual agreement, nor will the Government pay for information requested hereunder. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitation. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. All submissions in response to this RFI become the property of the Government and will not be returned.