The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology S&T Directorate https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology has awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II $1 million award to TDA Research Inc. https://tda.com, a Colorado-based small business. The company is developing a power module to service the current emerging requirements for on-body devices for first responders.
Today, First responders need to carry many more devices in addition to their cell phones, radios, and peripheral devices that require power. Requiring first responders to charge and track battery levels for all of these devices is an additional burden and contributes to a heavy work-load.
According to Sridhar Kowdley, DHS S&T Program Manager, “Although commercial power packs are available, no power packs meet first responder needs. The on-body power modules being developed through the SBIR Phase II award will support wildland fire situations and/or where recharging devices may not be possible to use for an extended time.”
The SBIR Phase II award made through the DHS Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, administered by S&T, was accomplished via their successful demonstration of feasibility for their On-Body Power Module for First Responders technology solution.
With the SBIR, Phase II award, the company will further develop, test, and demonstrate a module that can power, charge, and manage on-body electronics including sensors, communications systems, and peripheral devices to be used in all first responder environments able to meet all the current emerging requirements for on-body devices.
When the 24 month SBIR Phase II contract is completed, Phase III’s goal will be to secure funding from a private or non-SBIR government source and then pursue technology commercialization resulting from their Phase 1 and II efforts.
Go to https://sbir2.st.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/business-opportunities for more information on S&T’s Innovation Programs.