OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Materials OBJECTIVE: The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) seeks to promote responsive, best value supplies of related materials, components, and systems to Department of Defense (DoD) customers and other DoD stakeholders. DLA investigates advancements in technologies and business processes for new and improved materials, more efficient means of their production, and competitive domestic supply chains which will lead to greater innovation in current and future defense systems combined with benefits to other commercial and government applications. Electronic seal locking tracking devices provide near real time tracking of high value sensitive cargo with the added benefit of tamper detection of the shipment to determine supply chain integrity. Different types of materials utilized in indicative and conductive seals provide real time tamper detection. DLA is interested in the testing, evaluation and analytics of indicative and conductive seals used for tamper detection. Proposed solution must include testing and evaluation of various seal materials and analytics derived from situational data coming from tamper signals of various tracking and locking devices using indicative and conductive seals. Results will be used to calculate the probabilities of false detections of various indicative and conductive seals used in electronic seal locking and tracking devices. DESCRIPTION: Tamper-indicating seals plays a key role in supply chain management particularly in customs, nonproliferation, law enforcement, and counterterrorism. Several reports indicate that in 2023, there were 1,183 incidents of cargo theft in the United States with losses averaging around $586,917 per case which is a 67% increase from 2022. About 49,366 cargo crimes were reported across Europe, the Middle East and Africa in just the first nine months of 2023. However, many tamper-indicating seals currently available today, tend to provide false positives and can be quickly and easily spoofed by almost anyone. DLA seeks SBIR project opportunities in new and innovative materials, processing, analytics, and manufacturing of indicative and conductive seals for near real time tamper detection. Proposed solution must include testing and evaluation of various seal materials and analytics derived from situational data coming from tamper signals from actual locking and/or tracking devices. Actual electronic seal locking device data from transcontinental surface (truck and rail) and ocean (vessels) of containerized and vehicle shipments must be produced by the performers for the analytical study. DLA desires SBIR opportunities with small businesses that has relevant experience with DLA Troop Support Construction and Equipment and United States Army Corps of Engineers. Respondents must be ITAR-certified to qualify for submission of a proposal and receive any subsequent data for this project. PROJECT DURATION and COST: Proposals exceeding these limits will not be evaluated. PHASE I: Not to exceed a duration of 12 months and cost of $100,000. PHASE II: Not to exceed a duration of 24 months and cost of $1,000,000. PHASE I: Phase I will demonstrate proof-of-concept of the automated calculation of confidence level of tamper signals coming from locking and tracking devices using advanced indicative and conductive electronic seals. Actual electronic seal locking device data from transcontinental surface (truck and rail) and ocean (vessels) of containerized and vehicle shipments will be sourced by the performers of the analytical study. A technology development and commercialization roadmap will be produced along with a preliminary business case analysis for transition and industrial scale up. Strong DLA Troop Support Construction and Equipment and United States Army Corps of Engineers relevant experiences will be ideal. PHASE II: Depending on Phase I results, Phase II will consist of establishing pilot scale of successfully demonstrated analytics in Phase I. Additional activities may include further materials and processing testing, characterization, demonstration in military operational environments, and further calibration of the accuracy of tamper detection of indicative and material seals. Development of a detailed business case analysis and commercialization plan will be required. Innovative materials and processes, and commercially viable sources of indicative and conductive seals shall be developed with the goal of transitioning readily towards production in support of DLA and Military Services supply chains. PHASE III Phase III is any proposal that derives from, extends or completes a transition from a Phase I or II project. Phase III proposals will be accepted after the completion of Phase I and or Phase II projects. There is no specific funding associated with Phase III, except Phase III is not allowed to use SBIR/STTR coded funding. Any other type of funding is allowed. Phase III proposal Submission. Phase III proposals are emailed directly to DLA SBIR2@dla.mil. The PMO team will set up evaluations and coordinate the funding and contracting actions depending on the outcome of the evaluations. A Phase III proposal should follow the same format as Phase II for the content and format. There are, however, no limitations to the amount of funding requested, or the period of performance. All other guidelines apply. Transition Plan 1. Period of Performance: TBD 2. Budget: $ TBD This Phase of the project should include: 1. Delivery of a production level product to J68 ready for integration into the overall DLA Enterprise system. 2. Develop a sustainment plan to support the delivered system for the lifetime of the program. REFERENCES: 1. Johnston, Roger G., Tamper-Indicating Seals: Practices, Problems, and Standards, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM. KEYWORDS: electronic seals, indicative and material, false positives, tamper indicating seals, near real-time detection.
