Message from the IDHS Executive Director

In the last newsletter, IDHS announced the planned Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) Industry Outreach Conference on March 30 and 31, co-sponsored with the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Advanced Systems and Concepts, as an event not to be missed. I am delighted to report that the event indeed was a success beyond our highest expectations. Comments from participants were uniformly positive, with multiple requests for follow-on meetings later in the year. New members were added to the IDHS Industry Affiliate Program (IAP), and a number of new technology opportunities were introduced that are currently being explored. As a result of the excellent reviews by the attendees, we plan to continue these and other outreach efforts several times each year.

Also discussed in the last newsletter was the pending creation of the Homeland Security Institute to provide technical and analytic support to the Department of Homeland Security. DHS has announced that Arlington-based Analytic Services, Inc. has been selected to develop and staff the new institute. IDHS extends its sincere congratulations to ANSER and to its president, Dr. Ruth David, for their success. We look forward to a long and mutually productive relationship in support of our nation's most urgent homeland security requirements.

Finally, the next IDHS Industry Roundtable is scheduled for May 27 in the Richmond area, with details listed below. Please consider yourself invited and most welcome.



CIT, IDHS and DOD Host ACTD Industry Outreach Conferences

The Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Advanced Systems and Concepts (DUSD/AS&C), held the ACTD-Industry Outreach Forum, March 30 and 31, 2004, providing attendees with two single-day sessions devoted to the Advanced Concepts Technology Demonstration (ACTD) program. The conference, co-hosted by CIT, IDHS and DOD, was intended to increase industry's understanding of ACTD program and to identify mature or maturing technologies that could be rapidly transitioned to the nation's warfighters.

In addition to providing a better understanding of the structure and management of the ACTD program, the conference provided details on the ACTD proposal process, including the military requirements systems, and provided strategies for targeting customers and joint capabilities.

The conference also gave attendees an opportunity to meet with officials from the office of the DUSD/AS&C to discuss the processes used to generate defense needs and the technology-based solutions available to meet those needs. AS&C representatives were on hand to discuss a range of technical research and engineering programs under way in the Department of Defense.

The capacity crowd included approximately 200 representatives from technology companies as far away as Ottawa, Seattle and the United Kingdom, along with a solid representation from Virginia and the mid-Atlantic states.



IDHS Industry Affiliates Program Roundtable Set for May 27 in Richmond

The Greater Richmond Technology Council and CIT/IDHS will co-host another Industry Affiliates Program (IAP) Roundtable in Richmond on Thursday, May 27, 2004, at the J. Sargeant Reynolds Workforce Development Center at North Run on Parham Road. The event will run from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM and will include a working lunch.

The IAP is an integral part of IDHS's strategy for bringing solutions to bear on federal, state, and regional defense and homeland security needs. The Richmond roundtable is for both IAP members and for companies interested in joining IDHS. Businesses wanting to learn more about IDHS and possible contracting and partnership opportunities in the Defense and Homeland Security markets are encouraged to attend.

Cost: $35 (includes lunch)

What To Wear: Business casual

Registration: Register here (deadline 1:00 PM May 26)

Contact: Marianne Frederick at mfrederick@cit.org or (703) 689-3010.

Prospective applicants for full, regular membership in IAP must be for-profit research- and technology-intensive organizations engaged in the provision of products or services directly related to U.S. defense and homeland security objectives. Members should view participation as an opportunity for access to requirements for Science and Technology initiatives of Defense and Homeland Security agencies, with the potential to engage in collaborative applied R&D efforts with partner universities and federal laboratories and leading to product commercialization. The complete list of benefits will be made available to members in this category. Associate memberships are also available with limited benefits.

Complete details regarding eligibility, benefits, fees and an on-line application form can be found on the IDHS website.




IAP Member Profiles

National Security Research, Inc. (NSR) was established in 1983 to conduct objective research and analysis on issues related to national security policy. The Chairman and CEO of NSR is Dr. William R. Graham, former Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy during the Reagan and Bush administrations. NSR provides advanced research, policy analysis, strategic assessment and planning, and tailored technical support for senior-level policymakers in government and industry. NSR specializes in assisting government and corporate clients in meeting the challenges presented by the intersection of policy and technical issues across a wide range of homeland security disciplines including: critical infrastructure protection, emergency preparedness and response, continuity of operations, non-lethal/less lethal technology support, and strategic planning and assessment.

The Potomac Institute for Policy Studies is an independent, non-partisan, 501(c)(3) public policy research institute. The Institute identifies and aggressively shepherds discussion on key science and technology policy issues facing society. Its goal is to provide an open, academic forum for the study of related policy issues. From these discussions and forums, Potomac Institute develops meaningful policy options and ensures their implementation at the intersection of business and government. Current endeavors include analysis on terrorism and asymmetry, emerging threats and opportunities, science and technology forecasting, national security, national health policy, technology transition, privacy and civil liberty implications of technology, robotics and nanotechnology, biosurveillance techniques, and cyber defense.

Ricciardi Technologies, Inc. (RTI) provides cost-effective systems development for customers, in both the private and public sector, to meet their growing needs for dependable embedded and distributed systems/software solutions. RTI has a rich product suite and a proven track record of providing turnkey solutions, as well as IT management consulting and engineering support. Product include: RTI's Active Knowledge Environment (RAKE) , a fully integrated set of java-based tools to manage and build distributed Web-based system information system, and SensorView, an embedded integration product that provides a configurable command, control, and monitor system for multiple distributed chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) sensors. SensorView is currently deployed at three military bases, and RAKE was used to build a Web-based logistic system that monitors six military bases that use CBRNE systems.


IAP Members in the News

LAS, Memex Team up To Enhance Law Enforcement and Counter-Terrorism Tools
Language Analysis Systems announced a partnership with Memex, Inc. to improve the name searching and matching capabilities of many law enforcement agencies. (Business Wire, April 27, 2004)

Who Moved My CEO? The Board of Directors Guide to Managing Operational Risk
In this article, 1SecureAudit LLC's Peter Higgins explains what the board of directors can do to make sure that their CEO is focused on mitigating operational risks. What is needed is a process approach for establishing, implementing, operating, monitoring, maintaining and improving the effectiveness of an organization's operational risk enterprise architecture. (Mondaq, April 26, 2004)

Gibbs & Cox, Inc. Team Awarded NSWC SeaPort Enhanced Contract
Gibbs & Cox, Inc. has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Navy to lead one of the industry teams under the $41.8 billion, 15-year Naval Surface Warfare Centers' SeaPort Enhanced contracts for Engineering, Technical and Programmatic Support. (PR Newswire, April 22, 2004)

Living On A Bootstrap Budget, Luna Is Proud Parent To Five Spinoffs
Luna Innovations opened a manufacturing plant in Danville, Va., to make nanoparticles for its latest spinoff. The company plans to put $6.5 million into the project and ultimately hire 54 workers. But that achievement was just the latest in Luna's long push into wireless sensors, new materials and nanotech-related products. (Small Times, April 19, 2004)

SAIC Team Awarded Contract to Support SPAWAR System Center
A team led by Science Applications International Corporation announced it has won a contract from the U.S. Navy's Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center San Diego. SAIC and its teammates will support information assurance and radio frequency engineering systems and programs. IAP member American Systems Corporation, based in Chantilly, Va., is a member of the SAIC team. (PR Newswire, April 19, 2004)

ManTech Awarded Engineering/Technical and Support Services Contract from Naval Sea Systems Command
The Seaport Enhanced contract will support Naval Surface Warfare Centers, Naval Undersea Warfare Centers, NAVSEA and all field activities The ManTech-Seaport Enhanced team includes IAP members American Systems Corporation and The Sigmon Group. (Business Wire, April 15, 2004)

Nanomaterials Production Weaves Job Growth in Former Textile Town
Luna is investing nearly $6.5 million to retrofit a 400,000-square-foot tobacco warehouse for high-volume production of nanomaterials based on its patented Trimetaspheres, which are hollow carbon molecules that enclose various metal and rare earth elements. (Small Times, April 13, 2004)

LAS Software Parses Names
Language Analysis Systems Inc. is developing a product called LAS NameTransliterator that can intelligently search names and their spelling variations across databases containing documents written in foreign languages. (Federal Computer Week, April 12, 2004)

Forest, Va., Wireless Technology Firm Asks Congressman for Federal Help
Executives with Innovative Wireless Technologies in Forest gave U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-6th, a tour of their office and lab Tuesday, briefing him on some of their activities and pleading for help in obtaining federal funding. Innovative Wireless Technologies is working with local universities to develop an on-campus learning lab for engineering and wireless development. (News & Advance, April 7, 2004)


Call for Columns and Company Profiles

The IDHS Newsletter features brief, one-paragraph profiles of IAP members. These profiles will also be posted on the IDHS website to provide further exposure for IAP members. IAP members should send their profiles to Hap Connors at hconnors@idhs.org.

The IDHS Newsletter occasionally features a "Thought Leadership" column written by an industry or university partner. The Thought Leadership column gives IDHS partners an opportunity to voice their views on the issues, challenges, and opportunities facing industry and academia in connection with their participation in security and defense initiatives. IAP members who wish to contribute should email Hap Connors at hconnors@idhs.org.


Homeland Security Resources

Homeland Security Information Center
The National Technical Information Service offers this resource for scientific and technical information from the federal government, grouping the information into five categories in health and medicine, food and agriculture, biological and chemical warfare, preparedness and response, and safety training. The Hot Topic: Homeland Security & Fighting Terrorism page provides and alphabetical list of the homeland security-related technical and research reports NTIS received in the last month.

The Lessons Learned Information Sharing System
The Department of Homeland Security's new portal will allow authorized emergency and homeland security officials to share validated expertise on effective planning, training and operational practices. The site will publish detailed content developed in consultation with subject-matter experts and practitioners and evaluated through peer review. LLIS.gov is the national network of Lessons Learned and Best Practices for emergency response providers and homeland security officials. LLIS.gov's secure, restricted-access information is designed to facilitate efforts to prevent and respond to acts of terrorism across all disciplines and communities throughout the United States.


Broad Agency Announcements

IDHS members can access summaries of recent Broad Agency Announcements in the members-only section of the IDHS website. Those IAP members who have not received their password, should email Hap Connors, IDHS business development director, at hconnors@idhs.org.


Upcoming Events

May 10-12, 2004
Arlington, VA
Homeland Security Contracting Forum
BNA is holding its second annual forum "Contracting with the Department of Homeland Security." Featured speakers for the event include DHS Chief Procurement Officer Gregory Rothwell, DHS Chief Information Officer Steven I. Cooper and DHS Director of Domestic Preparedness C. Suzanne Mencer. For more information, visit http://www.homeland-directory.com/conference.htm

May 11, 2004
Harrisonburg, VA
Research Symposium - Information And Infrastructure Assurance Projects
The Institute for Infrastructure and Information Assurance at James Madison University is hosting a Research Symposium Tuesday, May 11. Researchers will present on a variety of Information and Infrastructure Assurance projects currently under way as collaborative projects with JMU and several other Virginia universities. For more information, contact Dr. Ruben Prieto-Diaz at prietodiaz@cisat.jmu.edu.

May 26, 2004
Chantilly, VA
NGA Industry Day
The theme, "National Security, Geospatial-Intelligence and Information Technology: Beyond the Next Two Years" reflects the focus of this conference. NGA’s future vision will be discussed, and Intelligence Community officials will dialogue on issues related to geospatial intelligence and various Homeland Security applications. For more information, visit http://www.afcea.org/nga.

May 27, 2004
Richmond, VA
IDHS Industry Affiliates Program Informational Roundtable
The IAP is an integral part of IDHS's strategy for bringing solutions to bear on federal, state, and regional defense and homeland security needs. The Richmond roundtable is for both IAP members and for companies interested in joining IDHS. Businesses wanting to learn more about IDHS and possible contracting and partnership opportunities in the Defense and Homeland Security markets are encouraged to attend. For more information, visit http://www.idhs.org/events.html.

June 22-23, 2004
Charlottesville, VA
2004 Virginia Nanotechnology Showcase
The showcase will explore research and commercialization in nanomanufacturing. For more information, visit http://www.cit.org/nano.

September 13-15, 2004
Virginia Beach, VA
The First Annual Government Sensors Expo & Conference
This event addresses the specific educational, product development and resource needs of civilian and defense agencies. It features the latest sensor technologies and sessions covering technologies, applications and programs. For more information visit http://www.hamptonroadssensors.com/.

September 26-28, 2004
Norfolk, VA
COVITS
The COVITS 2004 theme is “Virginia – Portal to the Emerging Global Marketplace.” The COVITS 2004 program will examine the state of the Information Age through those public and private organizations dealing with defense, medical, government, communications, manufacturing, education, and IT industries…and more importantly, identifying what’s to come. For more information, visit http://www.covits.com

Send events of interest to hconnors@cit.org.


Virginia's Homeland Security in the News

DHS Funds Homeland Security Institute
The Department of Homeland Security has selected Arlington-based Analytic Services Inc. (ANSER) to manage the Homeland Security Institute, a federally funded research and development center. The Institute will provide technical and analytical support for setting priorities and guiding projects and investments. It will focus on policy and security matters, where scientific, technical, and analytical expertise is required -- such as threat and vulnerability assessment. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the Institute will operate at the highest levels of classification as it conducts a variety of studies. These analyses will include operational assessments, systems evaluations, technology assessments, and resources and support studies. (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, April 23, 2004)

Hager Leaving Security Position
John H. Hager, a Republican named by a Democratic governor as Virginia's first homeland-security director, is resigning at the end of April. George W. Foresman, Hager's deputy, will succeed him as director of the Office of Commonwealth Preparedness. (Richmond Times-Dispatch, April 20, 2004)

Commonwealth Information Security Center Awards Five Grants And Hosts Grantee Presentations
Last spring, the Commonwealth Information Security Center (CISC) solicited proposals from Virginia-based technology firms for potential technology transfer, commercialization, or related activities that could ultimately impact the success of the information security industry in Virginia. CISC has announced that five grants were awarded, and that four of these grantees will be making presentations at James Madison University on May 11th. The winners are Cigital Labs (Cigital, Inc.), Engedi Technologies, Inc., Netarus, LLC, RichmondAir, LLC, and the Virginia Technology Incubator in Harrisonburg. (Shenandoah Valley Technology Council, April 2, 2004)

DOD Awards $43.5 Million to Universities for Research
The Department of Defense today announced plans to award $43.5 million to academic institutions to support the purchase of research instrumentation. The awards are being made under the Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP). The 213 awards to 92 academic institutions are expected to range from about $50,000 to $900,000 and average $205,000. There were eight awards to Virginia universities. The complete list of winning proposers can be found online. (U.S. Department of Defense, March 18, 2004)

Biodefense Researchers Invent Process to Help Create Biofriendly Products
A U.S. patent was recently granted to George Mason University for a unique cell replication process created by Charles Bailey and Ken Alibek, National Center for Biodefense executive directors. Although the invention doesn't directly apply to biodefense research, the inventors say it holds promise for a variety of commercial applications. Bailey and Alibek are exploring the multitude of potential uses of their unique process. Tests are under way to grow mycorrhizal fungi, an organic fertilizer that is environmentally friendly and cheaper to produce than products currently on the market. (George Mason University, April 12, 2004)





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