SBIR / STTR #DTR27BZ02-NV005

DTRA SBIR R&D for Defense Technologies and Domestic Scintillator Materials

DTRA is seeking small-business R&D proposals across six defense technology topics, including domestic production of advanced radiation-detection materials. - Government buyer: Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), Department of War (DoW), DTRA SBIR/STTR Program. - OEMs and vendors: No OEMs, vendors, or commercial suppliers are named. - Requested R&D topics: - Remote UAS-based EOD precision aiming in CBRN environments and remote UAS-based X-ray assessment. - Adaptive sensor tasking and routing for subsurface hazard detection. - Validation of computational models of battlefield blast injuries. - Domestic synthesis, purification, and quality assurance for high-purity scintillator precursors, including LaBr:Ce, GGAG:Ce, CLYC, and CLLB. - Domestic scalable growth of large-format pixelated CZT crystals. - Notable requirements include remote operation in CBRN environments, explainable edge AI, rigorous model validation, reproducible high-purity materials, and resilient domestic or allied supply chains. The precursor topic calls for a Phase I laboratory batch of 50–100 g and Phase II pilot-scale production, generally 1–5 kg, with crystal and detector evaluation. - Phase I is generally feasibility and proof-of-principle work; the specified DTRA topic allows seven months and a base funding cap of $250,000, excluding TABA. Phase II may continue development, testing, validation, or scale-up, with a general ceiling of 24 months and $1,500,000, excluding TABA.

Description

The solicitation seeks proposals concerning domestic fabrication of high-purity precursor materials for advanced radiation detection scintillator crystals. It is a Department of War SBIR topic administered by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. Proposals are submitted through DSIP; the DTRA instructions specify a Phase I period of seven months and a base amount not exceeding $250,000, excluding Technical and Business Assistance. The topic is in pre-release status, with the response deadline listed as January 6, 2027.

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