Active

Contract Opportunity

Opportunity:

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS), LLC under contract no. DE-AC52-07NA27344 (Contract 44) with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is offering the opportunity to enter into a collaboration to further develop and commercialize its novel Active Shooter Alarm System for an Enclosed Space.

Background:

Determining the exact location of an indoor shooter(s) has been a technical challenge for companies that develop sensors intended for law enforcement and national security applications. And with the increased number of high-profile mass shootings, whether in schools, military bases, or shopping malls, there is an urgent need for more accurate indoor shooter detection systems that are also low-cost since many institutions that would benefit are budget-constrained.

False alarms could cause an emergency evacuation and armed response. Not only is there a risk for accidental shooting by law enforcement to a nonevent, having multiple false positives would undermine overall confidence in the system (e.g. building occupants become complacent to an alarm event).

Presently, there are no successful technologies available in the market that could detect and locate the shooter(s) indoors in a real-time manner, which could enable first responders to respond quickly and mitigate further violence. However, LLNL researchers have developed a very inexpensive local stand-alone active Shooter Alarm System (SAS) by incorporating micro-sensors that can be used to solve the shooter detection/localization problem while simultaneously alert first responders (e.g. security, police, medical personnel) and provide them with critical information in near real-time.

Description:

LLNL’s SAS technology embedded within a facility is developed to sense, detect, localize, alert, and communicate an active shooter(s) to first responders. It relies on three integrated compact sensors that detect sound, infrared light (from the muzzle blast) and vibrations emanating from a gunshot. Fusing the data from these detectors minimizes false alarms.

Once a gunshot(s) is detected, notifications on the whereabouts of the shooter could be sent to first responders in near real-time. Local alarms could also be initiated (e.g. strobe lights, sound) to raise awareness of the location where the most recent gunshot was detected.

Advantages/Benefits:

LLNL’s SAS system has numerous advantages over current available systems, such as:

1. Integration of three sensors creates extremely high accuracy that does not exist at a low price point.


2. SAS is very robust and performs well in complex environments. The system’s very high success rate is due to its embedded sensor suite, which enables data validation through the fusion of infrared and vibration measurements with microphone measurements.


3. Near real-time information for first responders and tracking ability can mitigate further violence.


4. Low-cost technology allowing institutions with constrained budgets to acquire this technology and improve the safety of their indoor facilities.


5. Micro-sensors used are very cost-effective, extremely small in size and can be hidden.

Potential Applications:

Shooter Alarm System (SAS) has been designed to be installed in many types of buildings (e.g. public school, universities, government, commercial/retail, transportation centers like airports).

If a gunshot is detected, SAS can provide first responders with near real time information such as the location of where the firearm was discharged as well as locations of any subsequent discharges, which may indicate the shooter is moving within the building or perhaps multiple shooters are involved.

Development Status:

LLNL has filed for patent protection on this technology.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 11538322 Event detection unit published 12/27/2022

Current stage of technology development: TRL 8

LLNL is seeking industry partners with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Moving critical technology beyond the Laboratory to the commercial world helps our licensees gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. All licensing activities are conducted under policies relating to the strict nondisclosure of company proprietary information.

Please visit the IPO website at https://ipo.llnl.gov/resources for more information on working with LLNL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process.

Note: THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT. Companies interested in commercializing LLNL's Shooter Alarm System should provide a written statement of interest, which includes the following:

1. Company Name and address.

2. The name, address, and telephone number of a point of contact.

3. A description of corporate expertise and/or facilities relevant to commercializing this technology.

Written responses should be directed to:

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Innovation and Partnerships Office

P.O. Box 808, L-779

Livermore, CA 94551-0808

Attention: IL-13587

Please provide your written statement within thirty (30) days from the date this announcement is published to ensure consideration of your interest in LLNL's Shooter Alarm System.

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