8 steps to award a Phase III sole source contract

Related Phase I SBIR Research - Artificially Intelligent RAMAN Spectrometer to Detect Chemical and Biological Pathogens in a Field Setting

Phase II SBIR - An Artificially Intelligent Raman Spectrometer for Aviation Jet Fuel Quality Testing in a Field Setting

Chemical and biological threats have grown more decentralized. Lone actors, terrorist networks, and rogue scientists can now weaponize agents such as ricin, Sarin, VX, and sulfur mustard using instructions freely available online.

Fielded Raman spectrometers cost between $24,000 and more than $100,000, demand a chemistry background to operate, and cannot learn new threats over time. Interviews at the RDAX CBRNE Experiment found that 86 percent of respondents said a degree in chemistry was needed to run current devices.

Forward Edge AI's Blaise platform closes that gap with a miniaturized, artificially intelligent Raman spectrometer engineered for warfighters, medics, and security forces operating in disconnected and contested environments.

Engineering a custom built Raman spectrometer priced under $800 and weighing under 30 grams, using a double layer disordered metasurface design that removes costly optical components while preserving lab grade performance.

Training a Deep Neural Network, Vision Transformer, and explainable AI engine to classify more than 100 chemical and biological warfare agents, including ricin, Sarin, VX, and sulfur mustard, targeting 95 percent or greater sensitivity and specificity in under six seconds.

Applying Continuous Wavelet Transform preprocessing to sharpen spectral resolution and reduce noise under field conditions.

Integrating the device with the Android Tactical Assault Kit and mesh networking so units can share real time, geospatial threat data without relying on cloud connectivity.

Conducting more than 50 stakeholder interviews with Air Force Special Operations Command, Pararescue units, and the Air Force Security Forces Center to refine device ergonomics, the user interface, and mission fit.

Pararescue teams, Air Force Special Operations Command units, and base defense forces would gain a lightweight diagnostic tool for point of injury care, site exploitation, and perimeter sweeps, without requiring a chemistry background to operate it.

Contracting teams gain a validated pathway toward Phase II and Phase III sole source procurement once feasibility milestones are met.

Analysts tracking the defense industrial base gain visibility into a project addressing an enduring need. More than 124 prior SBIR and STTR funded Raman spectrometer efforts exist, yet none combine artificial intelligence, affordability, and mesh network integration in a single platform.

Military Applications: Supports Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear defense missions across Air Force Special Operations Command, Pararescue, and the 75th Security Forces Squadron, directly aligned with Defense Threat Reduction Agency counter Weapons of Mass Destruction priorities.

Commercial Adoption: The same detection engine extends into food safety inspection, agricultural compliance, border security, and public health surveillance, addressing a Raman spectroscopy market projected to exceed $14 billion by 2030.

Economic Return: Forward Edge AI estimates that every dollar of taxpayer investment in the Blaise Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation effort could return approximately $30 over five years through reduced per test laboratory costs and dual use commercial revenue growth.

Artificial Intelligence (CNN/RNN), Android ATAK, Federated Learning Marketplace, Machine Learning, Microsoft Azure, signal processing (Wavelet and Fourier transformation), Raman Spectroscopy

Contested logistics (fuel and water quality testing), Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) detection, explosives detection, Expeditionary Environments

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