About the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office

Mission

The Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) is a jointly staffed agency within the Department of Homeland Security.  DNDO is the primary entity in the U.S. government for implementing domestic nuclear detection efforts for a managed and coordinated response to radiological and nuclear threats, as well as integration of federal nuclear forensics programs.  Additionally, DNDO is charged with coordinating the development of the global nuclear detection and reporting architecture, with partners from federal, state, local, and international governments and the private sector.

Strategic Objectives

• Develop the global nuclear detection and reporting architecture
• Develop, acquire, and support the domestic nuclear detection and reporting system
• Characterize detector system performance before deployment
• Facilitate situational awareness through information sharing and analysis
• Establish operational protocols to ensure detection leads to effective response
• Conduct a transformational research and development program
• Provide centralized planning, integration, and advancement of U.S. government nuclear forensics programs

Organization and Leadership

Mr. Warren Stern is Director of DNDO. DNDO and its Directorates are organized towards addressing key mission areas while meeting the functional objectives outlined in its founding Presidential Directive.

Directorates

• Architecture Directorate—Determines gaps and vulnerabilities in the existing global nuclear detection architecture, then formulates recommendations and plans to develop an enhanced architecture.

• Mission Management Directorate—Manages DNDO programs in key mission areas, including: Ports of Entry, general aviation, maritime, and the domestic interior.

• Product Acquisition & Deployment Directorate—Carries out the engineering development, production, developmental logistics, procurement and deployment of current and next-generation nuclear detection systems.

• Transformational & Applied Research Directorate—Conducts, supports, coordinates, and encourages an aggressive, long-term research and development program to address significant architectural and technical challenges unresolved by R&D efforts on the near horizon.

• Operations Support Directorate—Develops the information sharing and analytical tools necessary to create a fully integrated operating environment. Residing in the Operations Support Directorate is the Joint Analysis Center, which is an interagency coordination and reporting mechanism and central monitoring point for the GNDA.

• Systems Engineering & Evaluation Directorate—Ensures that DNDO proposes sound technical solutions and thoroughly understands systems performance and potential vulnerabilities prior to deploying those technologies.

• Red Team & Net Assessments—Independently assesses the operational performance of planned and deployed capabilities, including technologies, procedures, and protocols.

• National Technical Nuclear Forensics Center—Provides national-level stewardship, centralized planning and integration for an enduring national technical nuclear forensics capability.

Business Opportunities

Current Business Opportunities with the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office.