Advanced Stand-Off Detection of Concealed Materials (ASDCM) - SBIR Topic SOC26BZ04-DV004

Funding Amount:

Est. $5,800,000

Deadline to Apply:

August 19th, 2026

ITAR:

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with section 3.5 of the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.

Objective:

The objective of this topic is to develop applied research toward an innovative capability to detect and identify high-risk materials (radiological, chemical, biological, energetic, or threat-associated components) without requiring physical access, line-of-sight, or direct contact with the target. The solution must enable special operations forces to characterize concealed threats in denied, cluttered, or operationally constrained environments using a stand-off, passive detection modality. Solutions already validated in commercial settings that can be transitioned to Special Operation Forces (SOF) use with minimal development are especially encouraged.

Description:

USSOCOM seeks a field-deployable capability to enable detection, discrimination, and triangulation of dangerous or restricted materials without direct sampling, physical breach, or active signal emission. As a part of this feasibility study, the proposers shall address all viable overall system design options with respective specifications to provide SOF elements with real-time awareness of concealed threats, explosives, advanced weapon systems (e.g., Man-portable Air-defense system (MANPADS), optical targeting systems), or radiological materials across mission sets including:

• Over-the-beach reconnaissance and interdiction

• Maritime boarding operations and cargo search

• Route clearance and sniper overwatch detection

• Counter-air asset protection through early threat detection

• Expeditionary medical diagnostics (e.g., cancer, infection, contamination)

• Environmental and infrastructure monitoring for hazardous agents

Key capability attributes include:

• Passive and non-emitting (non-radiative) operation, Low Probability of Interception/Low Probability of Detection (LPI/LPD) or off common frequency acceptable.

• Detection of materials through shielding, barriers, or enclosures.

• Miniaturization for man-portable or unmanned system deployment.

• Ability to support triangulation or multi-sensor cueing.

• Operability in low-light, GPS-denied, and high-interference environments.

• Compatibility with austere, tactical, or maritime conditions.

This topic specifically invites novel sensor modalities or approaches that extend beyond traditional radiation or vapor detection (e.g., those based on material resonance, atomic signature recognition, or other non-contact methodologies). Solutions that identify the presence of a threat based on what it is made of rather than what it emits are of particular interest.

Offerors should propose a research effort to validate the technical feasibility of such an approach, including a clear path toward miniaturization, field ruggedization, and tactical integration.

PHASE I (FEASIBILITY STUDY):

As a requirement of this Direct to Phase II (DPII), proposers must include a feasibility study that assess what is in the art of the possible that satisfies the requirements specified in the above paragraphs entitled "Objective" and "Description."

The objective is to document the results of a thorough feasibility study ("Technology Readiness Level 3") to investigate what is in the art of the possible within the given trade space that will satisfy a needed technology. The feasibility study should investigate all options that meet or exceed the minimum performance parameters specified in this writeup. It should also address the risks and potential payoffs of the innovative technology options that are investigated and recommend the option that best achieves the objective of this technology pursuit.

PHASE II:

Develop, install, and demonstrate a prototype system determined to be the most feasible solution during the Phase I feasibility study. The prototype(s) should be suitable for use in at least one SOF-relevant scenario and provide verifiable detection of concealed or containerized target materials at tactically relevant distances.

The intent is to evolve a commercially-validated baseline into a ruggedized, SOF-ready capability suitable for operational deployment.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS:

This system could be used in a broad range of military applications where this capability is expected to transition to SOF operational units for use in counter-threat identification, special reconnaissance, and sensitive site exploitation missions.

Civilian applications include:

• Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): cargo/container screening, border security, port interdiction.

• Department of Energy (DOE) and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA): radiological material monitoring and nuclear safety enforcement.

• First responders: hazmat detection, bomb squad support, CBRN response.

• Law enforcement: counter-narcotics and weapons detection in vehicles or facilities.

• Public venues: stadium security, transportation hubs, high-traffic event screening.

• Industrial and environmental: non-invasive detection of contamination or hazardous materials at critical infrastructure sites.

Who will win?

If you can achieve the objective above better than any other company on the market, you have a very high-likelihood of success and should apply.

Who is eligible to apply?

Any company that meets the following criteria:

• For-profit company

• U.S.-owned and controlled.

• 500 or fewer employees (including affiliates)

How Can BW&CO Help?

1) End-to-end support including, strategy, writing of the full proposal, and administrative & compliance support.

2) Proposal strategy and review.

3) Administrative & compliance support.

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