Matthew Nelson
The Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate has asked industry to submit field portable drug detection technologies as part of a collaborative effort with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to enhance the monitoring of synthetic opioids in the U.S.
The partnership is looking for equipment that could help first responders and government law enforcers determine if unknown samples contain illicit drugs through the use of spectral libraries, DHS said Friday.
Technologies covered by the effort include ion mobility, fourier transform infrared, raman, high-pressure mass and gas chromatograph spectrometers.
The team will evaluate the instruments' capability to identify cutting agents, illicit drugs and fentanyl and associated compounds. Selected vendors will receive updated reference spectra for approximately 50 substances controlled by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Responses to the request for information are due Jan. 15.
