A Q&A With the Sci-Tech Boss

August / September 2005 Volume 3 Number 4

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TechComm asked Dr. Charles E. McQueary, under secretary for science and technology at the Department of Homeland Security, for an update. Here are his responses.

What is the role of the Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency and how is it working?
The role of HSARPA is to fund development and research projects in the private sector and wherever we find a wellspring of innovation, of efficiency and of effectiveness. America's businesses, universities and independent laboratories are a tremendous source of new ideas, new concepts, new methods and new technologies to protect the homeland.
We know competition works. Competition is the "juice" of both business and academia. It drives bright minds and energetic entrepreneurs to invent, to re-think, to take measured risks, to see things with new eyes, and to press forward for better performance, lower cost and faster deployment.

Is the 2005/2006 budget for S & T adequate to carry out the very important mission? Last year, in TechComm [February-March, 2004], you wrote about an "unsurpassed R & D capability" at DHS? Are there any examples of how that has been put to use in the past year to bolster security?
Over the last two years, in sixteen public competitive solicitations for research and development, we have spent more than $127 million in the private sector to develop:
—€ More sensitive radiological and nuclear detectors
—€ Ingenious bioassays to identify designer toxins
—€ Broad spectrum sensors that warn of chemical or biological attack
—€ Advanced computer-aided methods to reduce the human burden of security surveillance
—€ An advanced cargo container security device
—€ Methods to protect and secure the internet
—€ Novel, multi-function materials for protective suits and equipment
—€ Advanced radiation detection portals
—€ Better methods for managing first responders on the scene.

How can the private sector, national laboratories and other science and technology types do more—€”in a broad sense—€”to help secure the homeland?
If you have a better idea, a new concept, a more tractable technology or perhaps just a way to make what we have in the field today perform better, we want to work with you.

Here's how:
Follow the money.
We want companies, laboratories, incubators, regional hubs and
universities to know: The solicitations posted on our website at
www.hsarpabaa.com are fully funded and represent our highest priority development needs. Winners of those solicitations will enter
negotiations for contract awards. If you see anything there that fits
your skill set, please submit a white paper. Follow the directions,
concentrate on the technical approach, and listen to our white paper feedback. Look at other companies and universities on the teaming site for each solicitation—€”often there is a partnership that presents a more powerful opportunity for you and for us. Sometimes a team can best provide an improvement to what is available now, or a component rather than a concept, or even an entirely new system.
And we offer a List Serve function to notify you of new postings. If you are a small business, follow the link to our SBIR site. Our SBIR program is active, well funded, and vigorously led. SBIR at DHS is fully integrated with our mainline research and development solicitations. If you participate in the SBIR and do well, you are on the way to potential future work in the same area in our unrestricted R&D competitions.
In short, our business is funding research and development with your business or organization. Join us in working together to produce the 21st century equipment, tools, systems and devices that will be truly effective in the war on terror.