The Department of Defense, through the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), is seeking proposals for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program focused on the statistical analysis of neutron relative biological effectiveness (RBE) in the context of nuclear detonation effects. The primary objective is to develop a statistical or computational model that accurately calculates neutron RBE for lethality based on historical experimental data, which is crucial for assessing radiation impacts on human health. This initiative is significant for various government sectors, including the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and Combatant Commands (COCOMS), as accurate neutron RBE values are essential for casualty and performance capability calculations. Interested parties should note that the solicitation is currently closed, with the application due date having been set for June 12, 2024. For further details, potential applicants can visit the official SBIR website at https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/topics-app/.

## Description

In a nuclear detonation, gamma and neutron radiation is released. This radiation can have detrimental effects on a human body. Methods to calculate casualties, fatalities, and performance capabilities due to radiation effects require combining the gamma and neutron doses. This is done by multiplying the neutron dose by a factor called the neutron relative biological effectiveness (RBE), and adding that value to the gamma dose. Neutron RBE is part of every radiation injury calculation which is important to many areas of the government from NIAID to COCOMS. It is then important to have an accurate neutron RBE value. Unfortunately, experimentally measuring neutron RBE is very difficult. Neutron RBE is dependent on many biological and physical factors such as tissue type, energy, gamma to neutron ratio, and dose rate. This makes comparing experimental data sets challenging. There have been tens of thousands of experiments probing neutron RBE dating back from the 1950s producing a large dataset. Although these experimental setups differ or their methods are lacking compared to modern abilities, they all are probing the same physical and biological processes. We believe that this data should not be disregarded, and applying modern machine learning or statistical or other computational techniques to this historical data, a model can calculate neutron RBE accurately. Based on time limits of SBIR, we would limit the scope to calculating neutron RBE to lethality endpoint.

## Objective

To develop a statistical or computational model to accurately calculate neutron relative biological effectiveness for lethality based on historical data

## Phase I

Phase I will focus on collecting experimental data in a searchable database that will aid in the model development. Offerors should be able to understand the previous experiments and how they differ from each other. Phase I deliverables will include a final report and a demonstration of the architecture. The report should include statistical analysis of the experimental data.

## Phase II

Phase II effort will focus on the model construction from the collected data. Phase II deliverable will be a prototype demonstration and a final report. The demosntration will showcase calculating lethal neutron RBE value with confidence intervals. The final report should include explanation on the model including advanatages, disadvantages and assumptions made, and it can include suggestions for experimental data that can improve the results. The performer will include details about user interfaces (if applicable), any associated executables, and software requirements.

## Phase III: Dual Use Applications

The performer should refine the model based on feedback from the demonstration. The data need to be updated according to the newest research. Maintenance and update will be performed in phase III.

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