DHS seeks enhanced imaging technology for non-intrusive inspection of shipping containers
Posted by John Keller
FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz., 6 Jan. 2010. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in Washington is asking industry to submit proposals for new kinds of non-intrusive inspection technologies to enable DHS Customs and Border Protection agents to inspect cargo containers on trucks, ships, trains, and aircraft for dangerous contraband without opening the containers.
The intent is to develop and deploy imaging technology with better penetration, resolution, contrast sensitivity, throughput, and automated material identification capability than is available today that will enable a detailed inspection of vehicles as well as interiors of large cargo and air shipping containers.
This DHS project is called CanScan, which seeks to improve on existing X-ray and gamma-ray technologies that Customs and Border Protection agents use to inspect incoming shipping containers.
The U.S. Department of the Interior's National Business Center at Fort Huachuca, Ariz., issued the CanScan broad agency announcement (BAA 10-CANSCAN) Tuesday on behalf of the DHS Science and Technology Directorate. The BAA involves non-intrusive inspection and automated threat recognition technologies.
International terrorists and smugglers may use hidden compartments or other ways to hid contraband across the U.S. border, DHS officials say. To counter this, DHS wants improved non-intrusive detection systems to enhance screening, examination, and detection of contraband, hidden compartments, materials for weapons of mass destruction, and human stowaways.
Those interested must submit proposals no later than 17 Feb. 2010. The entire BAA is available in .pdf form at http://www.aqd.nbc.gov/solic/uploads/BAA%2010-CanScan.pdf.
More information is available online at https://www.fbo.gov/notices/a460844edb00b11e3e03fb4c192fd266
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