Technology Awards

E. J. Krause & Associates, Inc., is sponsoring a Maritime Security Technology Competition in conjunction with their 2008 Maritime Security Expo, to be held in Long Beach, California, on November 18-19, 2008. The competition provides Expo exhibitors the opportunity to resolve some of the Department of Homeland Security's highest priority technology needs. Competition winners will have their proposals presented to the Department's Science and Technology Directorate leadership by Mr. Norman Polmar, Chairman of the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Advisory Committee (HSSTAC). Mr. Polmar is considered a leading expert on Maritime Security issues. Mr. Polmar will lead a panel of maritime security experts to judge the competition.

The judges are:

Chairman: Norman Polmar, Chairman, Science and Technology Advisory Committee, Department of Homeland Security
Laura Johnston, Instructor, Defense Information School, Fort George Meade, former Director of Conferences, U.S. Naval Institute
VADM D. Brian Peterman, USCG (RET.)
George Pollitt, Mine Warfare Analyst
Justin Russell, Director, Maritime and Border Security, General Dynamics

How the competition works:

The 2008 Maritime Security Expo seeks to recognize new technology ideas and original, actionable product/service solutions that can help improve the security posture of the United States and the world maritime transportation system. Specifics of the Competition Rules and Guidelines:

• Purpose: To solicit creative technology solutions from the international community of Expo exhibitors and academia for four of the highest priority technology needs for the Department of Homeland Security, according to the Department's web site.

• Technology Topics:
  • Maritime Border Security:
    
    • Detection, tracking, and classifying of threats along the maritime border
      
    • Non-destructive tools for inspection of hidden or closed compartments in ships and boats
      
    • Non-lethal means for law enforcement officers to compel compliance of individuals aboard ship (i.e. portable by RHIB)
      
    • Non-lethal means for law enforcement officers to allow the safe interdiction of ships or small craft without boarding

  • Cargo Security: Infrastructure Protection:
    
    • Improved non-intrusive systems to detect or identify contraband items hidden in break-bulk cargo [everyone is looking at container security]
      
    • Improve non-intrusive systems to detect non-liquid objects in bulk fuel containers
      
    • Detect and identify WMD materials (chemical, biological, and radioactive) hidden in ships and small craft (with and without boarding)

  • Counter-IED:
    
    • Non-intrusive capability to detect improvised explosive devices while screening people on ships and small craft
      
    • Protective measures to reduce damage and prevent catastrophic failure of high-consequence infrastructure assets subject to IED attacks

  • Infrastructure Protection
    
    • Analytical tools to quantify interdependence and cascading consequences as disruptions occur across critical infrastructure sectors
      
    • Effective and affordable blast analysis and protection for critical infrastructure
      
    • Advanced, automated, and affordable monitoring and surveillance systems; in particular, decision support systems
      
    • Rapid mitigation and recovery technologies to quickly reduce the effect of natural and manmade disruptions and cascading effects

• Competitor Categories:
  • Exhibitors: Anyone who purchases a booth at the Expo
    
  • Academia: Full-time university professors or students (undergraduate and graduate levels)

• The following timeline and requirements must be followed:

  September 1, 2008 - Interested companies and individuals provide a 200-word abstract providing an overview of their product, technology or solution.

  The abstract should follow the following format:
  a. Cover Sheet
  b. Description of the product, solution or technology
  c. Photo of the product, if appropriate
  d. POC, including Name/Competitor Category/phone/e-mail

  September 15, 2008 - Submission of actual Technology Competition Award nomination

  The submission should include the following format:
  a. Cover Sheet
  b. Detailed Description of the product, solution or technology (not to exceed 2,000 words)
  c. Photo, graphs and test results as appropriate
  d. POC, including Name/Competitor Category/phone/e-mail

  October 15, 2008 - Competition Winners Selected by MSE 08 Technology Competition Judges

  November 18, 2008 - Awards presented by Capt. David Newton, USCG, Deputy Chief of Science & Technology Directorate, Department of Homeland Security, and Mr. Norman Polmar, Chairman, Science and Technology Advisory Committee, Department of Homeland Security

  Opportunity at MSE 08 for Award Winners to discuss their product, technology, or solution.

  Following the Expo, Mr. Polmar will present the winning results to the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, Department of Homeland Security.

Submission Info: Abstracts and actual submissions shall be sent to:

Ms. Anna Ferris
E.J. Krause & Associates
6550 Rock Spring Drive
Bethesda, MD 20817
Tel# 301-493-5500
FAX# 301-493-5705
If sending electronically, ferris@ejkrause.com.