DHS seeks better bioforensic tools
The federal government’s forensic specialists, who would be called to the scene of a suspected bio-agent attack, want better tools to identify the agents they find and to compare those agents with other bio-agents they might collect at a suspected terrorist’s home laboratory.The goal is to improve the government’s ability to capture, indict and prosecute the perpetrators of a bio-crime.
To that end, the DHS science and technology directorate has issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) that seeks one or two companies that can perform groundbreaking research on what’s called "bacterial population genetics" and transform that research into improved algorithms and analytical tools that could enable forensic investigators to perform their jobs more effectively.
"Current forensic analysis of biological threat agents is impeded by lack of knowledge of the underlying population genetics and ecology of the pathogens," explained the BAA, which was made public on March 12.
The envisioned bioforensic research would be targeted at eight specific threat agents:
• Bacillus anthracis (Anthrax);
• Yersinia pestis (Plague);
• Clostridium botulinum (Botulism);
• Francisella tularensis (Tularemia);
• Brucella sp. (Brucellosis);
• Escherichia coli 0157:H7 (Foodborne illness);
• Burkholderia mallei (Equine Glanders);
• Burkholderia pseudomallei (Equine Glanders)
Work of this nature currently is being carried out by the National Bioforensics Analysis Center (NBFAC), which was set up in response to Homeland Security Presidential Directive 10, titled Biodefense for the 21st Century. The NBFAC is part of the Department of Homeland Security, but works in partnership with the FBI, which is the lead investigative agency for acts of terrorism.
Unlike human DNA, which deals with only one species, bacterial threat agents are more varied and more complex, experts say, making the interpretation of their genomic data much more difficult. This makes it challenging for investigators to compare one set of bio-agents to another. "In other words, can reliable inferences be made when a biological threat agent found at a crime scene is compared to a sample found at a suspect’s home laboratory or place of employment?" asked the BAA.
The science and technology directorate envisions a two-phase research effort. During Phase I, which will run no more than 12 months, organizations will be expected to produce paper studies; during Phase II, which will not exceed 18 months, they’ll perform experimental studies and develop new algorithms.
A total of $1.1 million is available for Phase I, said the S&T directorate, which could be shared by two winning contractors. The funding available for Phase II has not yet been specified.
Winners of Phase II awards who elect to perform laboratory-based experiments will be required to have access to BSL-3 laboratory facilities, said the BAA.
Initial white papers are due by April 18 and full proposals are expected by May 30.
The point of contact for interested parties is , contracting officer, at 202-254-5676.
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