The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking innovative solutions through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program to develop a lightweight and cost-effective response kit for the rapid detection, decontamination, and containment of Novichok contamination. The objective is to create materials that can quickly identify and neutralize this highly toxic nerve agent, which poses significant risks to public safety and first responders, particularly in the event of its use in public locations. This initiative is crucial for enhancing the capabilities of HAZMAT and Civil Support Teams to manage hazardous materials effectively and minimize remediation time for critical infrastructure. Interested parties should note that the solicitation is currently closed, with the application due date having been set for October 16, 2024. For further details, applicants can refer to the official solicitation documents available at the DOD SBIR website.

OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Biotechnology OBJECTIVE: Develop materials that can be incorporated into a small, lightweight, an inexpensive kit that can quickly detect, neutralize, and prevent the spread harmful Novichok contamination. DESCRIPTION: Highly toxic nerve agents have been used by foreign state actors in public locations to poison and assassinate political opponents. VX Nerve Agent was used to kill a person in a crowded Kuala Lumpur airport terminal (NG, 2017). The highly toxic Novichok nerve agent was used to poison a father and daughter in Salisbury, UK. The agent later poisoned two members of the public, killing one, and poisoning a law enforcement first responder. (Grafton-Green, 2021). The use of these toxic materials in public locations, including key infrastructure sites puts the public and first responders at risk. HAZMAT and Civil Support Teams required the capability to quickly detect, differentiate, detoxify, and contain the spread of these materials. A kit with minimal Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP), low cost is needed to contain these materials and thus reduce the remediation time to recover important infrastructure assets. Low-cost, long shelf life, lightweight, low or no power detection methods are sought to determine the presence of these materials. Low-cost, long shelf life, lightweight, low or no power decontamination methods and materials are needed. The use of decontaminants that require mixing, corrosive or otherwise hazardous decontaminants are not desired. Liquid decontaminants that could spread the toxins may also be inappropriate. Low-cost, long shelf life, lightweight, low or no power containment for contaminated items to prevent the spread of toxins are needed. These items should be combined into a response kit that is able to quickly respond to the release of a 3.4oz (100 ml) quantity of these toxins. The kit must be easy to use and deploy by first responders in appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). PHASE I: During Phase I, studies to identify basic components of the response kit will be conducted. Detection technique studies will address agent purity and the impact of potential synthetic impurities. Proposed decontamination materials should quickly detoxify nerve agents without spreading the contamination. Material compatibility with common building materials should be considered. Damage to surfaces that do not absorb the toxins should be avoided. Containment methods for items that may have either contained or been exposed to the toxins are needed to prevent the spread of contamination. These containment materials should include the ability detoxify contamination to reduce the risk of disposal and or future exposure. PHASE II: During Phase II both laboratory and form, fit, and function considerations should be addressed. Laboratory response kit testing, and evaluation will be conducted on appropriate simulants and toxins. Detection technique validation against toxins, less than pure materials, and impurities and will be performed or appropriate data referenced. Decontamination methods will be tested and validated to neutralize toxins, breakdown products will be considered, and toxic decomposition products will be avoided. Test considerations will include evaluation with potential impurities and their impact of neutralization performance. Containment methods and materials and will be characterized for appropriate environmental conditions for use, strength, and ability to prevent release of toxic materials. Breadboard and Prototype response kits should be evaluated for ease of use in protective equipment. PHASE III: Complete development, including all needed test data to allow approval and use by Federal agencies, state, and municipalities. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The use of military grade toxins by state actors in public locations requires an ability to remediate these materials by both the U.S. Military but also trained HAZMAT first responders. REFERENCES: 1. Eilee NG, October 3, 2017, “Post-mortem: VX poison killed brother of North Korean leader” Associated Press (https://apnews.com/general-news-90e425dbaf1e44d1ba77e2eea890fc67) 2. Grafton-Green, Patrick, 21 September 2021; “The Salisbury Novichok poisonings: A timeline of events as third Russian is charged”, LBC News (https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/the-salisbury-novichok-poisonings-a-timeline-of-events-as-third-russian-is-charg/) KEYWORDS: Novichok, nerve agent, contamination, detection, toxin, decontamination

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