Homeland Security Dept. Releases Shopping List The Department of Homeland Security has issued its shopping list for new technologies. A broad agency announcement released May 14 asks for proposals in dozens of specific areas for combating terrorism. Responses are due by June 13. “Our primary focus today is to investigate what (technology) is out in America that can be put in the test stage and then into manufacturing,” said Charles McQueary, DHS undersecretary for science and technology, testifying May 21 before the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Science, and Research and Development. “The intent of this BAA is to identify technologies and approaches that provide near-, mid-, and long-term solutions that enhance the capabilities of the US Government to combat or mitigate terrorism,” said the Defense Department’s Technical Support Working Group, which prepared the announcement. The announcement did not say how much money would be available for awards, but a department official had estimated earlier that it would be “several tens of millions of dollars.” (SAA, 3/7) Areas of interest include: •Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Countermeasures; •Explosives Detection; •Improvised Device Defeat (technologies to render terrorist explosive devices safe); •Infrastructure Protection; •Investigative Support and Forensics; •Personnel Protection; and •Physical Security. The BAA package is available at www.bids.tswg.gov. Initial proposals are limited to a one-page Summary Quad Chart or viewgraph. Companies whose proposals are found worthy of further review will be asked for additional details. The announcement said 2.5% of the awards are set aside for small businesses, and an additional 2.5% for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other minority institutions. Contract awards are expected in late 2003 and 2004.