DNDO seeks detailed, advanced research on effects of a nuclear attack

Nearly nine years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) within DHS is requesting information from government agencies, national labs and commercial businesses about their advanced research capabilities related to the response and recovery from a nuclear or radiological attack.

DNDO is focusing on six specific areas:

Prompt Effect – DNDO needs tools to manage the response, characterize the incident, mass evacuation or in-place protection, medical triage, perform site recovery and restore essential functions. DNDO is especially interested in evaluating modern buildings for their blast, thermal and initial radiation effects, studying access routes and evacuation corridors, and “evaluating fire initiation and spread to determine if fires generated from the detonation might coalesce into a mass fire or fire storm…”

Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) – DNDO is interested in research related to the effects of EMP on current communications capabilities and first-responder communications equipment. It would also like to know more about the impact of EMP on the nation’s emergency broadcast system.

Fallout – DNDO wants to examine fallout characteristics, physical properties and radiation levels that might result from a nuclear attack. It is interested in research that would help “analyze fallout pattern to identify principle potential patterns (including direction, length, and shape) to inform response planning.”

Situational Assessment – Tools are sought to rapidly characterize the extent of damage and the fallout from a nuclear detonation as well as methods to stabilize and control impacted areas.

Medical Response and Evacuee Care – Research would focus on providing data to help planners estimate expected injury types and necessary medical countermeasures, to locate the injured and consider extractions, and address personal decontamination issues and the psychological effects on the public from a nuclear attack.

Recovery and Restoration – Studies would provide tools to offer casualty and evacuee care, restore essential functions, and return to service at various critical infrastructure.

“The effective response and recovery from the detonation of a nuclear or radiological device in a United States city requires scientifically-based planning and tools to aid in effectively communicating with the public, performing health care, and managing and mitigating consequences,” says a request for information (RFI) issued by DNDO on July 22. “The ability to make good decisions based on scientific data can make an enormous difference in saving lives and mitigating the overall impact of the event.”

Research organizations have until August 23 to submit the description of their advanced capabilities. “After the receipt and review of a written response, the DNDO may schedule discussion sessions with interested respondents, for further discussion and presentation,” explains the RFI.

Further information is available from Tracy Miller, a DHS contracting officer, at 202-254-7027 or tracy.c.miller@dhs.gov.