The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is actively seeking members and organizations within the scientific and technical communities to propose research and development projects that will support national security. This recent announcement comes in the form of a Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (LRBAA) released on Aug. 13, inviting individuals and groups to submit proposals for 23 research and development areas.
The LRBAA serves as an open invitation for innovators to contribute to advancing the nation’s scientific and technical knowledge while also enhancing operational environments. Dusty Lang, the program manager of LRBAA, emphasized the importance of this opportunity, stating that it allows DHS to explore unique ideas and potential innovative solutions from industry and academia to address pressing security challenges. By engaging with innovators early on, the process aims to reduce the effort and expense of creating a full proposal.
The 23 research and development areas outlined in the LRBAA are categorized by specific mission areas, including counterterrorism and homeland security threats, secure U.S. borders and approaches, secure cyberspace and critical infrastructure, preserve and uphold the nation’s prosperity and economic security, and strengthen preparedness and resilience. Among these areas, secure borders, cyberspace, and critical infrastructure have the most interest, with topics such as air-based technologies, maritime domain awareness technologies, screening at speed, trustworthy and responsible artificial intelligence, and shared cyber resilience.
In addition to these focus areas, the LRBAA also includes topics related to emerging technologies, threat prevention, public safety tools for lithium-ion battery incidents, and technology acceptance. These diverse areas of interest reflect the broad scope of research and development opportunities available for those looking to contribute to national security efforts.
To provide further information and answer questions about the topics outlined in the announcement, the DHS will be hosting a hybrid „Industry Day“ on Aug. 21. This event will allow industry members to engage with DHS representatives, gain insights into the research and development areas, and explore potential collaboration opportunities.
Overall, the DHS Science and Technology Directorate’s call for research and development proposals through the LRBAA presents a valuable opportunity for members of the scientific and technical communities to contribute their expertise towards enhancing national security. By fostering collaboration and innovation, these efforts aim to address critical security challenges and advance the nation’s capabilities in safeguarding against threats.
