Opportunity Information: Apply for DHS ST 18 108 FR02 SUPPLEMENTAL
The Protective Equipment for Responders opportunity is a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology-focused supplemental funding award aimed at finishing and strengthening a specialized powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) designed specifically for wildland firefighters. The core project centers on a wildland firefighter respirator (WFR) that has already been developed to deliver HEPA-level protection against particulate matter, while also meeting Class II protection requirements under NFPA 1984:2022 for certain chemical vapor hazards. In practical terms, the effort supports respiratory protection that addresses both smoke particulates and relevant vapor exposures encountered in wildland fire environments, with an emphasis on meeting the latest applicable NFPA performance expectations.
The description indicates the recipient has already completed substantial in-house work tied to a prior notice of funding opportunity. That earlier work included aligning the respirator's carbon bed performance to comply with NFPA 1984:2022 requirements, redesigning or modifying the battery pack so it better resists heat exposure and reduces flammability risk, and building a compartmented backpack system intended to properly house and support the WFR in the field. Together, these improvements speak to real operational constraints wildland firefighters face: high heat, rugged movement, long shifts, and the need for equipment that can be carried, protected, and deployed quickly without creating additional hazards.
A notable part of the progress described is the completion of three operational field assessments in FY22 and FY23. These assessments involved experienced wildland firefighters using the WFR during realistic wildland simulation exercises, then providing direct evaluator feedback. According to the opportunity summary, that feedback was overwhelmingly positive, especially in areas that typically make or break respirator adoption in the field: battery life, airflow, noise level, mounting systems, and the ability to communicate while wearing the unit. Those points matter because PAPRs can fail operationally even if they perform well in a lab; if they are too loud, interfere with radios or speech, shift uncomfortably during line work, or do not last through operational periods, responders often will not use them consistently. DHS is highlighting that this WFR has demonstrated both compliance and practical usability in a way that commercially available PAPRs currently do not.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary award using a cooperative agreement instrument, reflecting that DHS expects to remain meaningfully involved in oversight and project direction rather than simply issuing a pass-through grant. The activity category is science and technology and other research and development, and the CFDA/Assistance Listing number provided is 97.108. The award has an anticipated ceiling of $750,000 and DHS expects to make one award under this supplemental announcement, indicating the funding is narrowly tailored to a single ongoing project rather than an open competition for multiple teams.
Eligibility is restricted: only TDA Research, Inc. may apply. The opportunity is explicitly described as supplemental funding tied to a recipient that was previously selected under the First Responder Group Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) 13-012, Solicitation Call 0005, within the DHS Science and Technology Directorate. The original selection was peer-reviewed for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate Scientific Review Group following standard peer review policies, and this supplemental package continues that pathway rather than reopening the topic to new applicants. Applications for the supplemental funding are to be submitted through GrantSolutions, and the listed original closing date is July 24, 2024. The awarding office is identified as the Office of Procurement Operations, Grants Division.Apply for DHS ST 18 108 FR02 SUPPLEMENTAL
- The Office of Procurement Operations - Grants Division in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Protective Equipment for Responders" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 97.108.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-06-24.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-07-24. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $750,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Protective Equipment for Responders (DHS S&T) - FAQ
What is the "Protective Equipment for Responders" grant opportunity?
This opportunity is a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology-focused supplemental funding award intended to finish and strengthen a specialized powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) built specifically for wildland firefighters.
What is the main project being funded?
The core project centers on a wildland firefighter respirator (WFR) that has already been developed. The effort supports completing and improving the WFR so it provides HEPA-level protection against particulate matter and meets Class II protection requirements under NFPA 1984:2022 for certain chemical vapor hazards relevant to wildland fire environments.
What problem is this project trying to solve for wildland firefighters?
The project targets respiratory protection needs in wildland fire settings where responders can face smoke particulates and certain chemical vapor exposures. It emphasizes meeting the latest applicable NFPA performance expectations while also addressing real field constraints like high heat, rugged movement, long shifts, and the need for equipment that can be carried and deployed without creating additional hazards.
What protections does the WFR aim to provide?
Based on the opportunity description, the WFR is designed to provide:
- HEPA-level protection against particulate matter (for example, smoke particulates)
- Class II protection requirements under NFPA 1984:2022 for certain chemical vapor hazards
How is NFPA 1984:2022 relevant to this award?
The opportunity references NFPA 1984:2022 as the performance standard guiding portions of the respirator's protective capabilities, including Class II requirements for certain chemical vapor hazards. The project work described includes aligning respirator components (such as the carbon bed) to comply with those requirements.
What work has already been completed prior to this supplemental funding?
The recipient is described as having completed substantial in-house work tied to a prior notice of funding opportunity. The completed work includes:
- Aligning the respirator's carbon bed performance to comply with NFPA 1984:2022 requirements
- Redesigning or modifying the battery pack to better resist heat exposure and reduce flammability risk
- Building a compartmented backpack system intended to properly house and support the WFR in field use
Why is the battery pack mentioned as a focus area?
The opportunity notes that the battery pack was redesigned or modified to better resist heat exposure and reduce flammability risk, reflecting the high-heat operational environment wildland firefighters work in.
What is the purpose of the compartmented backpack system?
The compartmented backpack system is described as being built to properly house and support the WFR in the field, aligning with the need for gear that can be carried, protected, and deployed quickly during rugged operations.
Has the respirator been tested in field-like conditions?
Yes. The opportunity summary states that three operational field assessments were completed in FY22 and FY23. These assessments involved experienced wildland firefighters using the WFR during realistic wildland simulation exercises and then providing evaluator feedback.
What were the results of the operational field assessments?
According to the opportunity description, feedback from the field assessments was overwhelmingly positive, especially regarding battery life, airflow, noise level, mounting systems, and the ability to communicate while wearing the unit.
Why do factors like noise level and communication matter for PAPRs?
The opportunity emphasizes that PAPRs can fail operationally even if they perform well in a lab. If they are too loud, interfere with radios or speech, shift uncomfortably during line work, or do not last through operational periods, responders may not use them consistently. The WFR is highlighted as demonstrating practical usability across these factors.
How does DHS describe this WFR compared with commercially available PAPRs?
DHS highlights that this WFR has demonstrated both compliance and practical usability in ways that commercially available PAPRs currently do not, based on the project progress and operational assessment feedback described in the opportunity.
What type of award is this?
This is described as a discretionary award using a cooperative agreement instrument.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
The opportunity indicates that DHS expects to remain meaningfully involved in oversight and project direction rather than issuing a pass-through grant.
What is the activity category for this funding?
The activity category is described as science and technology and other research and development.
What is the CFDA/Assistance Listing number for this opportunity?
The CFDA/Assistance Listing number provided is 97.108.
How much funding is available?
The anticipated award ceiling is $750,000.
How many awards does DHS expect to make?
DHS expects to make one award under this supplemental announcement.
Is this an open competition?
No. Eligibility is explicitly restricted, and the funding is described as narrowly tailored to a single ongoing project rather than an open competition for multiple teams.
Who is eligible to apply?
Only TDA Research, Inc. may apply.
Why is eligibility limited to a single organization?
The opportunity is described as supplemental funding tied to a recipient that was previously selected under the First Responder Group Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) 13-012, Solicitation Call 0005, within the DHS Science and Technology Directorate. The supplemental package continues that pathway rather than reopening the topic to new applicants.
What prior program or solicitation is this supplemental funding connected to?
It is connected to the First Responder Group Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) 13-012, Solicitation Call 0005, within the DHS Science and Technology Directorate.
How was the original recipient selected?
The opportunity states the original selection was peer-reviewed for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate Scientific Review Group following standard peer review policies.
How do applicants submit an application?
Applications for the supplemental funding are to be submitted through GrantSolutions.
What is the listed closing date for the opportunity?
The listed original closing date is July 24, 2024.
Which DHS office is identified as the awarding office?
The awarding office is identified as the Office of Procurement Operations, Grants Division.
Is this funding described as supplemental, and what does that imply here?
Yes. The opportunity is described as supplemental funding, meaning it is intended to continue and complete work already underway by the previously selected recipient rather than launching a new, open solicitation for new applicants.
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