“Bioinformatics and Assays Development” (BIAD) Program, BAA 04-03 :A critical area of focus for DHS is the protection of the homeland from the release of a biological agent as demonstrated by systems such as the currently deployed BioWatch surveillance system. Under a previous solicitation, RA03-01, HSARPA initiated a program to develop new sensor technologies to significantly enhance the BioWatch system while simultaneously reducing its cost of operation (see www.hsarpabaa.com for details about this past solicitation). As a complement to the technology program initiated under RA03-01, HSARPA is initiating the Bioinformatics and Assays Development (BIAD) program to extend the existing family of detection and forensics assays as well as to develop next generation assays and new tools for assay development. The BIAD program addresses five Technical Topic Areas: 1) Extension of baseline protein and nucleic acid assays, 2), Assays for new, emerging or engineered threats, 3) Bioinformatics tools, 4) Assays and tools for forensic analysis, and 5) Methods to characterize extraction and preparation methods. A bidder’s conference to discuss this BAA will be held on April 28, 2004 in Washington DC. See www.hsarpabaa.com for registration in details.

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