Basic Scientific Research Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction
Eight topic Areas include: Radiological and Nuclear Detection Material Science; Novel High Energy Materials and Processes for Counter WMD; Particulate and Agent Dynamics in Multipurpose Turbulent Reacting Flows; Understanding Network Response to Attack; Adversarial Social Network Theory; Biodosimetry Biomarkers for Mixed Radiation Exposure; Thermal Bionanosensor Material Science; Novel Methods of WMD Explosives Detection; Sample Projects include: Control of grain boundaries and defects in nano-engineered transparent scintillator ceramics; Radiological and Nuclear Detection Material Science - Investigation of Overpressure Related Brain Injury Mechanism; Polymer-Inorganic Nanohybrid Materials for High-Sensitivity Radiation Detection; High-Energy-Density Structural Energetic Materials for Counter WMD Applications; Fundamental Particle Combustion Kinetics Measurements in the Shock Tube in Support of Enhanced Blast Weapons Development; Coarse-grained Dynamics and Robustness of Networks: An Equation-free Approach; Framework for Adversarial Social Networks; Integrated Adversarial Network Theory; Discovery and Validation of Proteomic Biomarkers for Radiation Exposure; Composite-Nanoparticles Thermal History Sensors; Macrophage-Derived Receptors as Novel Detectors of Explosive-Released Chemicals.
- Fundamental Research to Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction
- Fundamental Research to Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction
- FY2011 2016 Basic Research for Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction (C-WMD) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)
- DTRA FY2009 2011 Basic Research for Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)
- Biological Threat Reduction with Global Partners Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)
The Department of Defense provides the military forces needed to deter war and protect the security of the United States through five major areas: peacekeeping and war-fighting efforts, Homeland Security, evacuation and humanitarian causes.
Program Accomplishments
Initiated a new start program in FY 07 via Broad Agency Announcement BAA. 174 white papers from 86 US Universities were received and down selected via the technical criteria in the BAA to 75 invitations for full proposals. Ninety-three peer-reviewers external to DTRA performed the evaluations, again using the technical criteria in the BAA. Based on their evaluations and other factors, including budget limitations and balance of the entire portfolio as set forth in the BAA, 33 grants were awarded to 27 Universities.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Uses and restrictions are specified in individual program BAAs and award documents issued by and codified regulations applicable to awards.
These are submitted at the time of proposal or prior to award, as specified by executive agents.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
As stated in individual program BAAs.
Generally, competitions are open to private and public educational accredited institutions of higher education that carry out science and engineering research and/or related science and engineering education on a non-profit basis.
Some awards are made to non-profit, commercial or federal laboratories that conduct basic research.
Awards are not made to individuals.
Beneficiary Eligibility
None.
Credentials/Documentation
If the award is a grant, cooperative agreement or other transactinal agreement the applicant must not appear on the non-procurement, debarred or suspended list for DoD. Recipient eligibility is contingent upon submission of representations and certifications that are required by federal statues and Executive Orders (EO). Costs will be determined in accordance with 2 CFR Part 220 (formerly OMB Circular No. A-21). The administrative requirements of OMB Circular Nos. A-102, A-110, A-128 and A-133 apply. Patents, inventions and rights in technical data and computer software are subject to 48 CFR 227 and 252, as amended, and 37 CFR 401.14.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
Eligible applicants may submit proposals in response to relevant BAAs published on www.FedBizOpps.gov under "Other Defense Agencies - DTRA", which will advise potential applicants what activities or research topic areas will be supported, and how to apply.
Award Procedures
Award decisions are based on evaluations of proposals, using technical merit, peer and/or scientific review. Evaluation criteria are contained in the relevant Broad Agency Announcement. If selected for award, the proposal is the basis for the award document and the applicant agrees to perform the research or research related activities described therein.
Deadlines
Deadlines for submitting proposals are specified in the individual relevant Broad Agency Announcements.
Authorization
10 U.S.C. 2358, as amended (R&D Projects), 10 U.S.C. 2371 (OTA), 10 U.S.C 2413 (Cooperative Agreements), 10 U.S.C. 2361 (Grants and Contracts to universities-competitive)
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Award times will be identified in the relevant BAA. Typically, decisions are made within 90-120 days of receipt of proposal for which funding is authorized.
Appeals
None.
Renewals
Re-application with new proposals is permitted.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
There are no statutory formulas. Cost-sharing or matching, when required, is specified in the individual BAA.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Since this is a research and technology program, the assistance is generally for the period of performance as stated in the individual grant, agreement or OTA. Funding is usually provided incrementally in accordance with a payment schedule contained in the award document.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Awardee is expected to publish or otherwise make results of work publicly available.
Copies of reports are furnished by the awardee to a prescribed list of addressees as set forth in the grant, agreement or OTA.
Technical and financial reporting requirements are in accordance with terms and conditions of award documents and with Department of Defense implementation of applicable OMB Circulars A-110 and A-102.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in OMB Circular No. A-133.
Records
Each awardee will maintain accounting records, in accordance with Department of Defense implementation of OMB Circular A-110, which will permit determination that the funds were used for the grant purposes.
Financial Information
Account Identification
97-X-0400.34HQ.
Obigations
FY 07 $13,298,000; FY 08 $38,000,000; and FY 09 est not reported.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Average $450,000.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature sources are specified in the individual relevant Broad Agency Announcements.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Defense Threat Reduction Agency BE-BC, 8725 John J. Kingman Rd - MS 6201, Ft. Belvoir, VA 22060-6201.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Generally, the principal evaluation and selection criteria are the technical or socio-economic merits of the proposal and potential long term contributions of DTRA's specific mission. Other selection criteria vary with the nature of the specific research or research-related activity. Typically, these inculde the qualifications, capabilities, and experience of the proposed Principal Investigator and/or key personnel who are critial in achieving the proposal objectives; adequacy of cureent or planned facilities, and equipment; and reasonableness and realisn of the proposed costs.
Social Entrepreneurship
Spotlight
Prisons and Social Enterprise
Getting Out and Staying Out, co-founded by Tony Smith of the VSA Consulting Group, works to reduce recidivism rate among men at Rikers Island, New York City. The recidivism rate significantly dropped from 60-plus percent to under 20 percent, with more than a thousand men over a span of eight years.
