Funding-DOD --
COLIFORM BACTERIA AND ESCHERICHIA COLI BACTERIA DETECTION; March 10, 2014
Agency
US
Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity
Description
USAMMDA,
located at Fort Detrick, Maryland, develops new drugs, vaccines, and medical
support devices that enhance readiness, ensure provisions of the highest
quality medical care to the DoD
and maximize the survival of medical casualties on the battlefield. USAMMDA is
seeking technology that can improve upon available field tests for rapid
identification of coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli in water. Currently
available technology requires water samples to be incubated for up to 24 hours;
USAMMDA wishes to identify new technology that can greatly reduce analysis time
and improve other operational characteristics. The new technology will be used
by US Army Preventive Medicine personnel to analyze both treated and untreated
water. To represent substantial improvements over available technologies, we
are seeking technology with the following characteristics that can detect the
presence/absence of both coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli:
(1) Comparability of results to US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)
reference methods. The proposed technology must be able to meet testing
requirements under the US EPA's Alternative Test Procedure, for use in drinking
water applications covered by the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Total
Coliform Rule. The new technology results must be comparable to those of US
EPA-approved reference methods (40 CFR Parts 136 and 141) and be suitable for
use with chlorine-stressed bacteria. Reference methods for coliform bacteria
and Escherichia coli bacteria include Standard Methods for the Examination of
Water and Wastewater method numbers 9221B and 9221F, respectively.
(2) Response time. The proposed technology should be able to demonstrate that a
water sample contains less than one coliform or E. coli bacteria in 100
milliliters of water in 12 hours or less. Immediate indication should be
provided when a sample is found have higher coliform or E. coli concentrations
or when sample testing demonstrating non-contamination is complete.
(3) Size and weight. A hand-held device is desirable; in no case should the
weight of the proposed technology exceed 42 pounds.
(4) Ease of operation. The proposed technology should require minimal operator
training for sample preparation and technology operation. Further, the technology
(including both sampling and testing apparatus) should be simple to operate
with a minimum of parts and accessories.
Announcement
Number:
ALB-1-2014
Closing
Date:
March 10, 2014
Link
to Full Announcement
Contact
Information
Amanda
Best, 301-619-1187
US Army Medical Research
Acquisition Activity