Firearms Automatic Threat Detection Call & Briefing Event

Further to the Cross-Government briefing day on R&D requirements for Detection Technologies, which was held on 23 May, we would like to announce that the Research Call on Firearms Automatic Threat Detection (ATD) algorithms is now open through SBRI for Phase 1.  £2m will be available over two years.

Closing date: 31 August 2016.

Firearms are a key threat to the UK and science and technology has a key role to play in protecting the UK from this threat. This open call, part of a wider firearms programme, will offer a step change in detection technology and help to further increase the UK’s ability to detect firearms, their components and ammunition at the border across all modes of importation. This will be achieved through the development and implementation of an effective automatic threat detection (ATD) algorithm which will be added to X-ray scanning equipment and will enable fast detection capability while alleviating the burden on scan operators. 

Phase 1 is for proof of concept projects (TRL 3) in the order of £50,000 per contract, although higher bids will be considered with justification and those who have higher TRL offerings can submit a zero or low costed Phase 1 bid which outlines their capability and what support they require from HMG.

Full details of the requirements and process can be found here. 

Home Office Briefing Day:

A detailed Briefing Day will be held on Thursday 7 July 2016 in a Central London location (applicants will be informed of the location no later than 1 July 2016).

Whilst not essential, it is recommended that you try and make the briefing event. Given the short notice for this activity, if you are unable to attend, we would be grateful for you to consider an alternative attendee.  The day will consist of talks covering:

• Policy context
• Call specifics
• Application and commercial aspects
• Operational users

To register, please click on this link: Home Office – SBRI Automated Detection of Firearms

For any questions about the event, please contact the organiser: Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN)