JOINT FIELD TRIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS DETECTORS 1 The Joint Program Office for Biological Defense (JPO-BD) will be conducting Joint Field Trials (JFT-IV) on biological detection technology components/systems. JFT-IV is an opportunity for developers to both demonstrate their instruments' potential for inclusion in current and future biological detection programs, and to obtain unique performance data that can be used in their development work. 2 The JFT is an internationally recognized forum; instruments participating in JFT-IV will become visible to a number of U.S. and foreign agencies. JFT-IV will assess candidate technologies for potential inclusion or transition into at least two systems: the Joint Biological Point Detection System (JBPDS) Block II, and the Joint Biological Remote/Early Warning System (JBREWS). 3 Components/systems will be evaluated for their functionality as triggers, collectors, detectors or identifiers. Triggers continuously monitor the air, and alert the system to unusual background changes. Collectors gather adequate quantities of suspect aerosols for later analysis. Detectors classify the aerosols. Identifiers then provide presumptive identification of biological warfare agents. Instruments may perform more than one function, for example, mass spectrometers may continuously monitor the air for significant changes (trigger), and classify suspect aerosols by broad category (e.g., bacterium, proteinaceous toxin, etc.) (detect). 4 Field testing using biological simulants is scheduled for October 1997 at Dugway Proving Ground, Utah. Lab testing, also with simulants, is scheduled for the following January. JPO-BD will provide antibody samples for component characterization prior to testing. 5 To be responsive to this announcement and receive a copy of the entrance criteria letter, developers/sponsors must supply the following in writing to JPOBD no later than close of business March 14 1997: a synopsis of their component/system and its capabilities; how long it has been in development/production; and your latest testdata. Developers/sponsors who have participated in JFT-II or JFT-III will automatically receive their entrance criteria letters and need not reply to this CBD announcement E-MAIL: technical pont of contact, swansont@jpobd.osd.mil.

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