NOTE: THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT. Idaho National Laboratory (INL), operated by the Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA) under contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is offering the opportunity to license, develop, and commercialize new technology to ensure secure, encrypted wireless communications and financial transactions. The system, commonly called the Wireless Sentinel, also secures designated use areas - detecting unauthorized cell phones and permitting only authorized wireless devices to operate in the zone. License rights may be issued on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis and may include specific fields of use. INL may also be available to partner(s) to assist in further research and development of the technology under a sponsored research agreement or CRADA program. ***Background: The proliferation of cell phone technology is adding to the growing challenge of industrial and government espionage. Cell phones can be triggered remotely to become eavesdropping devices. In response, governments and corporations often ban wireless devices from sensitive areas. While this addresses security, it limits productivity and hinders access to business critical communications. Also, as smart phones become electronic wallets, information theft and malicious tampering become serious threats. Securing daily communications, including financial transactions, is a must. ***Description: The security application of the Wireless Sentinel system can be configured differently for corporations, military or mobile commerce users. For systems installed for national or corporate security purposes, an organization can use the Wireless Sentinel to detect a compromised or unauthorized cell phone and alert physical security officers or surveillance systems. By using the Wireless Sentinel to discover and authenticate wireless devices approved for entry into sensitive areas, an organization can allow approved device use while simultaneously discovering and disallowing non-approved devices. The Wireless Sentinel also detects cell phone break-ins and reports suspicious changes in the phone's operating system to its network. Identification and authentication software is installed on each device. When the system interrogates a wireless device within its monitored area, the device must respond with the proper credentials. ***Development Status: INL researchers have a working proof-of-concept of the Wireless Sentinel. This technology requires additional development. ***Intellectual Property: INL has filed a portfolio of U.S. patent applications and may file for foreign patent rights covering this technology. ***Commercial Opportunity: INL is seeking industry partners to help further develop and commercialize this technology. The ideal partner would have some or all of the following qualifications: 1. Experience in a related business 2. Demonstrated ability to bring inventions to the market 3. Resources to make an investment in the further development and commercialization of this technology for commercialization 4. An interest in performing and funding cooperative research at the INL 5. Substantial manufacturing and research operations in the United States. NOTE: THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT. Companies interested in commercializing the Wireless Sentinel should provide a written statement of interest (may be submitted by e-mail) no later than August 25th, 2008. The statement of interest should include the following information: 1. Company Name and address 2. The name, address, and telephone number of a point of contact 3. A description of company's qualifications relevant to commercializing this technology 4. A description of the company's motivation for pursuing this opportunity. Companies deemed appropriate will be provided with further information on the technology. Such information may require an executed Nondisclosure Agreement. Respondents wishing to enter into negotiations for a commercial license may be required to submit a business plan for the commercialization of the technology prior to licensee(s) selection and negotiations. Written responses should be directed to: Charity Follett, Commercialization Manager, Phone 208-526-9353, Fax 208-520-0876, e-mail: Charity.Follett@inl.gov, P.O. Box 1625, Idaho Falls, ID 83415-3805
