DNDO to purchase two boat-mounted radiological / nuclear detectors

The Domestic Nuclear Detection Office within DHS wants to acquire two radiological / nuclear detection devices that can be mounted on small boats, for delivery to the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, WA.

Gamma detection modules would be mounted on the port and starboard side of each detector boat, which would range in size from 25 to 45 feet. A neutron detection module would be installed inside the boat’s cabin, according to a set of technical specifications released by DHS on August 31.

“Systems need to have a minimum footprint and be capable of being mounted on the exterior of the boat without interfering in other mission areas or safety aspects of the boat such as hand rails, RADARs, or navigation systems,” says the specification document.

The system ought to be able to identify specific radiological sources within 90 seconds of detection, says the DNDO spec.

DHS expects that the detection systems should be “commercially available” or “production ready” systems that would require no further engineering development.

The procured devices must be delivered to the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland within 45 days of contract award, where two days of on-site training will be offered to PNNL staff members.

Further information is available from Willie Lindsey, a contract specialist, at 202-254-7008 or willie.lindsey@dhs.gov.

One year ago, more than 300 trained maritime law enforcement and first responder personnel from federal, state, local and tribal agencies participated in an operational maritime exercise in Puget Sound. Maritime law enforcement and first responders conducted non-intrusive small vessel radiological screenings at three Puget Sound security zones located at Admiralty Inlet, Bellingham Bay and North Skagit Bay. 

The exercise was part of a pilot demonstration funded by DNDO to evaluate radiation detection sensors and operational protocols for the small vessel maritime environment. Small vessels are considered watercraft under 300 gross tons, such as recreational boats, yachts and small commercial vessels.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory coordinated activities with the Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection, and many other state, local and tribal agencies for the two-day event. Team members used radiation detection equipment ranging from portable hand-held sensors to boat-mounted systems. 

The Puget Sound was selected for the pilot demonstration because it is home to the third largest commercial and naval port in the U.S, hosts the nation's largest ferry system and sees significant small vessel traffic regularly entering U.S. waters, across the 125 miles of open maritime border.

"Our goal was to coordinate efforts by DHS and regional partners to prevent illicit radiological or nuclear materials from entering Puget Sound waterways by way of small vessels," said PNNL Maritime Project Manager Bill Peterson, in a press statement issued in September 2009. "The exercise allowed us to operationally assess these advanced technology systems and protocols."

The pilot directly supported the DHS Small Vessel Security Strategy, which serves to reduce potential security and safety risks on our waterways and at our nation's many ports, said the release.