DOD seeks industry input on combating terrorism

DOD seeks industry input on combating terrorism
WASHINGTON — In a sign of just how difficult the war on terrorism will be, the U.S. Department of Defense issued a press release on Thursday (Oct. 25) seeking ideas from industry on combating terrorists attacks.

The statement said worthy proposals could end up in the field in as little as a year after a contract is signed.

The notice to industry, known as a "broad agency announcement," was issued as government officials scrambled to cope with a spreading anthrax attack on government offices and several local postal facilities in the embattled capital.

The DOD announcement said it is seeking proposals for "combating terrorism, defeating difficult targets, conducting protracted operations in remote areas and developing countermeasures to weapons of mass destruction."

Military planners said they want to begin collecting industry responses in late December, identify promising concepts and develop and deploy them in the field within 12-to-18 months.

More information on the anti-terrorism program is available online at www.bids.tswg.gov.