Novel Sampling Tickets for Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) of Chemical and Biological (CB) Threat Materials
SBIR Opportunity Analysis
The Department of Defense is seeking SBIR proposals for novel sampling tickets that use surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy to improve detection of chemical and biological threat materials with handheld Raman detectors. The work focuses on developing physically semi-porous, flexible coupons with plasmonic nanoparticles, including substrate selection, fabrication, and patterning approaches that can better identify trace amounts of targets and mixtures from operational surfaces. Key considerations include compatibility with 785 nm, 830 nm, and 1064 nm Raman systems, improved selectivity and sensitivity against impurities, and in Phase II, prototype testing with dilute targets or surrogates, statistical variability data, and delivery of at least 50 substrates for independent analysis at DEVCOM Chemical Biological Center. The opportunity is open now, with applications due by May 13, 2026 at 4:00 PM UTC.