2023 Call for Proposals

SENTRY Vision and Mission

We strive to ensure the existence of safe, secure public spaces by creating functional and adaptable solutions to detect and mitigate targeted violence. The SENTRY mission is two-fold: to conduct stakeholder-informed research to better secure soft targets and crowded spaces; and to educate the current and future homeland security workforce in this space.

The cornerstone of SENTRY’s vision and mission is the development and deployment of a Virtual Sentry Framework (VSF). The VSF has elements similar in structure to command and control centers and situational awareness platforms. SENTRY envisions the Virtual Sentry Framework as real-time decision support systems enabling actionable situational awareness leading to more effective threat assessment, preparedness, mitigation, and response for soft targets and crowded places. A summary of this concept can be found at: https://sentry.northeastern.edu/overview/#VSF.

Announcement Summary

Announcement

SENTRY 2023-2024 Call for Proposals

Funding Partner

SENTRY, A Department of Homeland Security S&T OUP COE, led by Northeastern University
sentry.northeastern.edu

Research Areas

Research that contributes to addressing the challenge of developing novel engineered methods and solutions to protect a wide range of soft targets and crowded places (STCPs). The research may be focused on the following topics related to developing our Virtual Sentry Framework:

1.  Distributed Information, Layered Security and Control Systems for Management of Crowds in Crisis

   • Novel methods and models for multi-layer security, including physical features, access control systems, and sensor deployments, especially when facing intelligent and adaptive adversaries.
   • Methods and models for effective emergency response and crowd management strategies, based on real-time data.

2. New Sensor Types for Situational Awareness

   • Methods and sensors that may be used to detect people with malicious intent and for specific threats and weapons.

3. Integration of Risk Communication and Threat Assessment

   • Methods for layered security including displacement, deterrence, and risk and threat assessment.
   • Methods and strategies to assess and counter complex multi-pronged attacks on soft targets and crowded places (e.g., those causing or exploiting temporary disruptions to attack vulnerable targets).

4. Stakeholder Adoption and Use of Real Time Decision Support Systems

   • Methods and tools to present and/or translate data to stakeholders such as first responders and people located at a STCP.
   • Methods to promote human acceptance of countermeasures to terrorist attacks on STCP.

In addition to the specific topics listed above, the call is also open to proposals related to our center mission and current research areas. For more information on our current research portfolio, please visit: https://sentry.northeastern.edu/research

Eligibility

U.S. Colleges and Universities

Funding Range

$100,000-$150,000 including indirect costs

Project Length

1 year with the potential for future work

Proposals Deadline

September 7, 2023

Submission Link

Submit your SENTRY RFP Application

Contact Information

e. sentry-proposals@northeastern.edu

p. 617-373-5110

Submission Requirements:

Proposals should be submitted via our online portal. The proposals should contain the following components:

PART I. Submitter Details

A list of the proposed project PI and relevant senior research personnel including current 2-page bio-sketch and contact information.

PART II. Project Description

A 3-5 page description of the proposed project including:

• Project Title
• Identification of relevant SENTRY RFP Research Areas
• Abstract
• State of the art synopsis
• Research Methodology
• Technology and/or research gaps
• Milestones, Performance Metrics and expected
• Relevance to DHS
• Potential for transition of investigations beyond SENTRY, including a pathway to specific DHS

PART III. Technical References

A list of technical references which includes 3-5 project relevant publications authored by the project PI and team members.

PART IV. Proposed Budget

• Budget and Budget Justification showing itemized direct costs as well as indirect costs for one year of effort.

*Note that additional reference information or supporting documentation (in any format) may be requested following submission. All proposals submitted should be unclassified and in the non-CUI/SI domain.

The Submission window will start July 31, 2023 and end on September 7, 2023.

SENTRY expects to make 3-4 awards depending on the program funding available. The selection committee will announce awards on or before November 1, 2023 for anticipated start date of January 1, 2024.

Evaluation Criteria and Review Process:

Reviewers from the academic/research community and DHS will evaluate the proposals.

The following evaluation criteria will be used to determine the awards to be made. Reviewers will be asked to rate how the proposal addresses the following criteria, posed as questions. Reviewers will rate applications using numerical ratings of 1 to 5 (poor to excellent) and apply the percentage-weighting factor as indicated for an overall rating.

Scoring Definitions

Excellent (5) — Exceeds in all factors outlined in the criterion

Very Good (4) — Exceeds in some factors outlined in the criterion

Good (3) — Meets the factors of the criterion

Fair (2) — Partially meets the factors of the criterion

Poor (1) — Does not meet the factors of the criterion

Originality and/or Innovativeness (25%)

• Is it original, e.g., does the proposed effort challenge and seek to shift current research or paradigms by utilizing novel, theoretical concepts, approaches, or methodologies?
• Is it innovative, e.g., is the proposal a novel refinement, improvement, or new application of theoretical concepts?
• Are inter-disciplinary/multi-disciplinary approaches or methodologies proposed?
• Does this research have the potential to generate influential publications in the scientific community or lead to new discoveries or areas of investigation?

Proposed Approach/Methodology (25%)

• Is the proposed methodology practical, cost effective, and technically defensible, e., supported by evidence?
• Is the proposed research methodology designed with rigor, technical soundness, and creativity?
• Has the research team acquired, or developed a plan to acquire, the appropriate data and/or intellectual property to implement the proposed methodology and test hypotheses and outcomes?
• Have the researchers indicated how suitable progress will be made within planned milestones in testing theories and hypotheses? Have they identified performance metrics suitable and appropriate for defining progress and are objective data available from those metrics to measure progress?

Relevance to SENTRY Mission (20%)

• Does the proposed project address a knowledge gap?
• Have the researchers demonstrated an understanding of related studies and pertinent literature?
• Does the research team have the required knowledge of the relevant fields, e.g., credentials in the appropriate disciplines, expertise, and experience, to carry the proposed research to a successful conclusion?

Transition Plan (10%)

• Does the proposed project address a knowledge gap that has been identified by the homeland security enterprise?
• Have the researchers demonstrated an understanding of the requirements of potential end-users?
• Have researchers proposed a pathway to commercialization or identified potential partners?

Qualifications of Personnel & Facilities (10%)

• Have the researchers published this research in peer- reviewed publications? If not, does the research have the potential to generate peer-reviewed publications?
• Does the team have the credentials and experience to conduct and complete the proposed research?

Budget (10%)

• Are the resources and facilities suitable for the proposed research?
• Does the investigative team have prior experience in similar efforts, and do they clearly demonstrate an ability to deliver products that meet the proposed technical performance within their proposed budget and schedule?
• Is the proposed research cost appropriate and reasonable?