Army to request proposals for biological agent detection system
The Army is set to begin requesting proposals for the initial phase of its Joint Biological Standoff Detection System Increment 2 (JBSDS 2) program at the end of March; the program’s objective is to procure fully functional biological detection systems; JBSDS 2 is designed to provide devices capable of detecting, tracking, and identifying biological warfare clouds; the program specifies that the devices should be capable of identifying any biological agent, organism, or poison that is capable of killing, incapacitating, or impeding a large force
As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance biological detection capabilities, the Army is set to begin requesting proposals for the initial phase of its Joint Biological Standoff Detection System Increment 2 (JBSDS 2) program at the end of March.
The program’s objective is to procure fully functional biological detection systems and will unfold in two phases.
The first phase aims to identify and develop potential prototypes for JBSDS 2. This phase includes the building of all hardware and software as well as testing of the prototypes.
The second phase will produce the selected devices in limited quantities for final review and also includes a second request for proposals.
The Army says that it will award three contracts in the initial phase.
JBSDS 2 is designed to provide devices capable of detecting, tracking, and identifying biological warfare clouds. The program specifies that the devices should be capable of identifying any biological agent, organism, or poison that is capable of killing, incapacitating, or impeding a large force.
Biological agents are often hard to detect, highly potent, and relatively easy to deploy. These agents include viruses like smallpox, bacteria like anthrax, and viral toxins like ricin.
Army officials from the Natick Army Contracting Division in Natick, Massachusetts are expected to issue the request for JBSDS 2 proposals on behalf of the Army’s project manager of biological defense.
