Research Feasibility Study & Technical Approach Development

The contract seeks a technical feasibility study to develop and evaluate a novel method for speciating particulate matter across the ultrafine to coarse range in real-world field environments. The work requires designing a robust experimental framework, implementing practical data collection protocols suited for outdoor or complex operational settings, and establishing a clear validation strategy to ensure accuracy and reliability of the speciation results. The approach must address technical challenges inherent in measuring and distinguishing particle sizes and compositions under variable environmental conditions, with emphasis on field applicability rather than laboratory-only solutions. This is a subcontract under a Total Small Business Set-Aside, restricted to small businesses with fewer than 500 employees, aligned with the SBIR/STTR mandate and classified under NAICS code 541715 for scientific research and development services. The solicitation is issued by the Defense Health Agency within the U.S. Department of Defense, indicating a focus on applications relevant to operational health or protective measures for personnel exposed to airborne particulates. Proposals must be submitted by July 8, 2026, with the research intended to support future development of monitoring systems or health risk assessments in operational environments where traditional methods may be insufficient.