This solicitation closed on May 13, 2026
View current Department of Defense opportunities →Novel Sampling Tickets for Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) of Chemical and Biological (CB) Threat Materials
AI Overview
Develop portable, lightweight SERS sampling tickets to enhance chemical and biological threat detection for military personnel, enabling more sensitive and selective identification of materials with minimal sample requirements compared to current handheld Raman detectors. These innovative coupons address variability challenges in spectroscopic measurements, providing a compact solution for rapid threat assessment in specialized CBRN units.
This summary is AI-generated from the official solicitation.
Key Details
Official Description
The Department of Defense has fielded several handheld Raman detectors over the past 15 years to support specialized chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) units across the services and Special Operations forces. These detectors typically contain very large libraries (in the thousands) of solid and liquid chemicals (including toxins, as chemicals of biological origin) that are identifiable with the device. However, these devices typically require a “bulk” amount of liquid or soli...
Change History
Novel Sampling Tickets for Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) of Chemical and Biological (CB) Threat Materials
Opportunity CBD254-006 no longer available
Novel Sampling Tickets for Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) of Chemical and Biological (CB) Threat Materials
Status changed from Open to Open
Novel Sampling Tickets for Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) of Chemical and Biological (CB) Threat Materials
# Q&A Changes Summary **Q8 was added** with 5 detailed technical questions about SERS coupon specifications: - Target cost range and single-use vs. reusable format - Handheld detector optical/mechanical compatibility parameters - Detection-limit improvement targets for Phase I - Coupon reusability and cleaning protocols - Environmental/handling conditions tolerance **Note:** Q8's answer appears truncated in the updated version ("Topic: Novel Sampling Tickets..."), so the government response to these 5 sub-questions is incomplete/pending.
Novel Sampling Tickets for Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) of Chemical and Biological (CB) Threat Materials
# Q&A Changes Summary **New Question Added:** Deadline clarification—June 3rd is for 2026 solicitation (Release 1), while May 13th applies to the delayed 2025 solicitation (FY25.4 Release 12) covering topic CBD254-006. **Key clarifications on existing topics:** - Cost target: $10 per substrate or less at production scale - Format: Single-use disposable coupons (not reusable) - Substrate compatibility: One platform substrate acceptable; separate regions for 785/830 nm vs. 1064 nm on same substrate allowed
Novel Sampling Tickets for Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) of Chemical and Biological (CB) Threat Materials
# Q&A Changes Summary **New Answer Added:** - **Q1 (Swept-source Raman compatibility):** Government clarified that while swept-source lasers could potentially be used with developed substrates, this topic is **substrate development only** — not alternative detector architectures. **Previously Pending Answer Now Provided:** - **Q7-1 (Cost & Use Model):** Government specified coupons must be **single-use disposable at ≤$10/unit** production cost. **Note:** Q7-2 through Q7-5 remain unanswered in both versions (optical parameters, detection-limit guidance, reusability, environmental conditions).
Novel Sampling Tickets for Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) of Chemical and Biological (CB) Threat Materials
# Summary of Q&A Changes **New Question Added:** - Q1: Inquiry about alternative Raman architecture (multiplexed swept-source Raman) and alignment with topic CBD254-006. Government response clarifies topic scope focuses on SERS substrate development for traditional fielded handheld Raman detectors. **No substantive answer changes** – all previous Q&As (Q2-Q7) remain identical, covering: enhancement mechanisms, market volume (hundreds of thousands/year), multi-wavelength compatibility (785/830/1064nm), Phase I-only submissions, cost target ($10/unit or less), physical specifications (5-15mm size, >100µm laser spot, 2-300mm working distance), and single-use disposable format.
Novel Sampling Tickets for Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) of Chemical and Biological (CB) Threat Materials
Status changed from Pre-Release to Open
Novel Sampling Tickets for Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) of Chemical and Biological (CB) Threat Materials
Close Date changed from 2026-03-04 to 2026-04-29
Novel Sampling Tickets for Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) of Chemical and Biological (CB) Threat Materials
Open Date changed from 2026-02-11 to 2026-04-01
Novel Sampling Tickets for Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) of Chemical and Biological (CB) Threat Materials
Close Date changed from 2026-02-25 to 2026-03-04
Novel Sampling Tickets for Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) of Chemical and Biological (CB) Threat Materials
Open Date changed from 2026-02-04 to 2026-02-11
Novel Sampling Tickets for Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) of Chemical and Biological (CB) Threat Materials
Close Date changed from 2026-02-11 to 2026-02-25
Novel Sampling Tickets for Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) of Chemical and Biological (CB) Threat Materials
Open Date changed from 2026-01-21 to 2026-02-04
Novel Sampling Tickets for Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) of Chemical and Biological (CB) Threat Materials
Close Date changed from 2026-02-04 to 2026-02-11
Novel Sampling Tickets for Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) of Chemical and Biological (CB) Threat Materials
Open Date changed from 2026-01-14 to 2026-01-21
Novel Sampling Tickets for Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) of Chemical and Biological (CB) Threat Materials
Q&A section updated
Novel Sampling Tickets for Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) of Chemical and Biological (CB) Threat Materials
Content updated: description, objective, phase_1_description, phase_2_description, phase_3_description
Novel Sampling Tickets for Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) of Chemical and Biological (CB) Threat Materials
Q&A section updated
Novel Sampling Tickets for Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) of Chemical and Biological (CB) Threat Materials
Content updated: description, objective, phase_1_description, phase_2_description, phase_3_description
Novel Sampling Tickets for Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) of Chemical and Biological (CB) Threat Materials
Q&A section updated
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