LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - January 07, 2009) -
Universal Detection Technology
(
www.udetection.com) (OTCBB:
UNDT) (FRANKFURT: PO8), a developer of
early-warning monitoring technologies to protect people from bioterrorism
and other infectious health threats and provider of counter-terrorism
consulting and training services, reported today that it has responded to a
Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from the Department of Homeland Security.
The BAA will provide funding in three phases for companies that lead
innovative research in the
biological weapon
countermeasures field.
The Homeland Security Act of 2002 states that Department of Homeland
Security Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T) will support basic
and applied homeland security research to promote revolutionary changes in
technologies; advance the development, testing and evaluation, and
deployment of critical homeland security technologies; and accelerate the
prototyping and deployment of technologies that would address homeland
security vulnerabilities.
The BAA provides funding for companies that lead innovative research in biological
analyses and countermeasures, including improved characterization and
prioritization of threats, development and detection systems
for early attack warning that minimize exposure and speed treatment of
victims, new forensic methods to support attribution, and novel concepts
for decontamination and restoration, agro-defense, and food security.
UNDT seeks $1.5M to be allocated in three phases for the further
development of the BSM-2000 airborne
anthrax monitor. UNDT also plans to utilize part of the allocation for
the development of a compact, battery-operated BSM-2000 system
that is intended for use by first responders in the field. UNDT licensed
the detection technology used in the BSM-2000 through a technology transfer
program with NASA's JPL. The system is capable of detecting abnormal levels
of bacterial spores in the air and the technology has been featured in
several peer reviewed scientific journals and has been evaluated by the
Government Accountability Office (GAO).
A report released earlier this month by the Commission on the Prevention of
Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism says urgent
security measures need to be taken soon or the world is likely to undergo
an incident of terrorism using weapons of mass
destruction within the next five years. "Unless the world community
acts decisively and with great urgency, it is more likely than not that a
weapon of mass destruction will be used in a terrorist attack somewhere in
the world by the end of 2013," the report states in the opening sentence of
the executive summary. The report also emphasizes the need of the new
administration to prepare the nation against a future bioterrorist
attack.
"The alarming report by the U.S. Congress on the WMD threat to the nation
in the coming years makes it imperative for the nation to be ready for a
potential bio-terror attack using the latest technologies," said Mr.
Jacques Tizabi, UNDT's Chief Executive Officer. "We plan to take advantage
of funding opportunities from all government agencies that are looking for
innovative technologies in the field of bio-detection," he added.
For more information, please visit our website at www.udetection.com or
Email us at info@udetection.com.
About Universal Detection Technology
Universal Detection Technology is a developer of monitoring technologies,
including bioterrorism detection devices. The Company on its own and with
development partners is positioned to capitalize on opportunities related
to Homeland Security. For example, the Company, in cooperation with NASA,
has developed a bacterial spore detector that detects certain biohazard
substances. The Company is also a reseller of handheld assays used for
detection of five bioterrorism agents, radiation detection systems, and
antimicrobial products. For more information, please visit
www.udetection.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this
news release are forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown
risks and uncertainties, which may cause the Company's actual results,
performance and achievement in the future to differ materially from
forecasted results, performance, and achievement. The Company undertakes no
obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these
forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or
circumstances after the date hereof, or to reflect the occurrence of
unanticipated events or changes in the Company's plans or expectations.
