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In an effort to keep DHS.gov current, the archive contains outdated information that may not reflect current policy or programs.

Advanced Technology Demonstration

The Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Office was established in December 2017 by consolidating primarily the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, a majority of the Office of Health Affairs, as well as other DHS elements.

For current information related to CWMD, please visit the following:

The Domestic Nuclear Detection Office’s (DNDO) Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD) Program seeks to support late-stage, pre-acquisition research and development projects to fill gaps in technologies for nuclear detection and the nation’s technical nuclear forensics missions. The demonstrations build on technology concepts previously demonstrated through DNDO’s Exploratory Research Program or an equivalent demonstration.

The goal of the program is to develop and characterize prototypes, known as Performance Test Units (PTU), capable of providing performance measurements in operational environments. These PTU measurements provide an understanding of the technology’s potential to transition into a government acquisition program or a commercial system for development.

<p><img alt="Graphic city skyline with bridge and skyscraper buildings." rel="caption:" src="/sites/default/files/images/st/Events/21_0217_st_swsx_top.png" style="width: 300px; height: 200px; margin-right: 5px; margin-left: 5px; float: right;" />DHS to Virtually Present at <a href="https://www.sxsw.com/conference/">South by Southwest (SXSW)</a>, March 18, 2021.</p><p>The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&amp;T) is virtually speaking at SXSW, our panel: <a href="https://online.sxsw.com/event/sxsw-online/planning/UGxhbm5pbmdfMzM1Njc1"><strong>Getting Life Back &ndash; Making Research Work for You</strong></a>, is scheduled for March 18 at 6:00 pm CT/7:00 pm ET.</p><p>In the face of emerging threats, DHS is mobilizing innovation teams to enhance security and resilience equity for the country. Investments in science, research and technology development are needed to get the country back on track and save lives. In collaboration with EPA, NSF and our New York City MTA and Queens Borough partners, learn how DHS technology and data solutions are improving the economic, health and security well-being of the country and ensuring no community is left behind during recovery and reopening efforts.</p><h2>Virtual Panel - Getting Life Back: Making Research Work for You</h2><p><img alt="Graphic icon of magnifying glass and upward trending arrow. " rel="caption:" src="/sites/default/files/images/st/Events/21_0212_st_sxsw_virutalpanel.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 180px; margin-right: 5px; margin-left: 5px; float: right;" /></p><ul><li><a href="/science-and-technology/blog/2021/03/15/focusing-floods-and-rd-partnerships-keep-communities-safe-and-resilient">Blog</a></li><li><a href="/publication/st-getting-life-back-making-research-work-you">Virtual Panel Discussion</a><ul><li><a href=“/publication/st-panel-presentation-getting-life-back-making-research-work-you">Panel Presentation and Speaker Bios</a></li></ul></li></ul><p>Learn how S&amp;T is building new partnerships with government and industry innovators to help DHS operations and state and local communities drive-down risks and respond to compounding pressures of natural disasters and the pandemic. See what&rsquo;s possible when we follow the science and work together to build resilience capacity and improve our quality of life in areas of security, health and commerce.</p><h2>Enhancing Public Health Security: COVID-19 R&amp;D Impacts</h2><p><img alt="Graphic icon of a face wearing a mask with corona virus icons floating around.  " rel="caption:" src="/sites/default/files/images/st/Events/21_0212_st_covid_rdiimpacts.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 180px; margin-right: 5px; margin-left: 5px; float: right;" /></p><ul><li><a href=“/publication/dhs-covid-rd-impacts-sxsw-overview">DHS COVID R&amp;D Impacts &ndash; SXSW Overview</a></li><li><a href="/science-and-technology/st-support-covid-19-response">The Science and Technology Directorate&rsquo;s COVID-19 Response</a> </li><li><a href="/publication/st-battling-invisible-enemy">Battling the Invisible Enemy Report</a></li><li><a href="/science-and-technology/news/2020/12/03/feature-article-identity-verification-during-age-covid-19">Feature Article: Identity Verification During the Age of COVID-19</a></li><li><a href="/science-and-technology/news/2021/01/14/feature-article-st-joins-coalition-seeking-flush-out-covid-19-in-wastewater">Feature Article: S&amp;T Joins Coalition Seeking to &lsquo;Flush&rsquo; out COVID-19 in Wastewater</a></li><li><a href="/science-and-technology/office-national-laboratories">S&amp;T Office of National Laboratories</a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&amp;v=Lw62FLLmPVM&amp;feature=emb_logo">Distinguished Lecture with Dr. Paul Dabisch</a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9Xmq3MWlbU">Dr. Shanna Ratnesar-Shumate Webinar</a></li></ul><p>Check out our overview on how S&amp;T&rsquo;s R&amp;D is helping the country reopen, recover and prepare for the &ldquo;next normal.&rdquo; Also, don&rsquo;t miss S&amp;T&rsquo;s Master Question List, custom virus calculators and tools and technologies for emergency responders and frontline workers in public safety and public health.</p><h2>Work with Us</h2><p><a href="/science-and-technology/work-with-st"><img alt="Handshake" rel="caption:" src="/sites/default/files/images/st/Events/21_0212_st_workwithus.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 180px; margin-right: 5px; margin-left: 5px; float: right;" /></a></p><ul><li><a href="/science-and-technology/work-with-st">Work with S&amp;T</a></li><li>View the Homeland Security Startup Studio <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGkC03WYYBs&amp;feature=youtu.be">video</a> and <a href="/publication/homeland-security-startup-studio-2021">flyer</a></li><li>DHS S&amp;T Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP) <a href="/publication/st-silicon-valley-innovation-program">fact sheet</a></li><li>Fill out the <a href=“/publication/st-dhs-industry-outreach-form">DHS Industry Outreach Form</a> to receive news and updates from S&amp;T</li></ul><p>Discover the ways you can partner with S&amp;T to make the homeland more secure, agile and aligned to new opportunities for mobilizing innovation!</p>
The above detection technology is an ATD project prototype that seeks to identify nuclear material even while heavily shielded or masked.

Caption: The above detection technology is an ATD project prototype that seeks to identify nuclear material even while heavily shielded or masked.

Current Technologies in Exploration

  • Compact personal radiation detectors and locators
  • Systems with detection, identification, and localization capabilities at long range distances
  • Technologies that can detect nuclear material even when heavily shielded or masked
  • Systems that network an array of radiation detection systems
  • Aerial detection and sensor systems for wide area searches
  • Wearable detectors that are hands-free and allow for deployment of low profile detection techniques

Solicitations

Vendors are solicited annually through Broad Agency Announcements (BAA). Typically, the primary vendor for this participation would be the industries. However, collaborations with other industry (including small businesses), national laboratories or other federally-funded research development centers, and academia are highly encouraged.

Proposal Evaluation

Full proposals are subjected to a technical evaluation process where each proposal is evaluated by subject matter experts. Annual solicitations are typically issued in the spring timeframe, followed by awards in late summer.

The program anticipates starting a new project each year, with two to three vendors developing a system for characterization.

Additional information

Last Updated: 10/22/2021
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