The Department of Homeland Security and the newly-rebranded Department of War are seeking solutions that can stop small watercraft without placing undue risk to U.S. personnel conducting interdictions.

The Problem

Transnational criminal organizations and state actors are using small watercraft to smuggle illicit cargo and aliens across U.S. maritime borders. The vessels are agile, operate in densely populated areas, and operate at night, requiring interdiction strategies “that do not expose the suspect vessel’s operators, civilian bystanders, and law enforcement personnel” to an undue level of risk.

The Solution

DHS and the DoW are looking for solutions that are:

• Non-Kinetic — The solution must be able to disrupt, disable, or prevent the continued operation of a small watercraft or its operator through non-kinetic effects with minimal collateral damage or risk exposure to nearby civilians and the solution’s operators. 

• Novel — The solution could utilize localized, non-kinetic energy (e.g., electromagnetic radiation), or a novel electronic attack method, or other novel means. 

• Singular — The solution must be able to defeat a single high-speed small watercraft at a time.

• Simplicity — The solution must be able to be utilized or deployed from U.S. Coast Guard small boats (25’-45’), must be a stand-alone solution, and must require “minimal technical integration” with the boat. 

• Maturity — The solution must exist in a technically mature state of development. The government wants to assess capabilities within 60 days of award. 

Awards

Financial details were not released, but the Defense Innovation Unit is says its goal “is to award an initial contract within 60-90 days of solicitation closure.”

Submissions

Israeli startups with relevant capabilities can submit their capability for review using this form (scroll all the way to the bottom) Deadline is Sept. 30.

Next Steps

You can get details on the DIU’s “Commercial Solutions Opening” process here. The DIU has also provided some guidance on submitting solutions briefs; refer to our recent video interview with the DIU’s Sarah Pearson here as well.

Difficulty

Simple white paper submission.

Questions

Contact Scott Cohen at The CET Sandbox at scott@cetsandbox.com.