CCAT Creates Transfer Support for First-Responder Technologies

Sea Technology, May 2008

The San Diego, California-based Center for Commercialization of Advanced Technology (CCAT) announced plans last month to award technology transition assistance to small companies with Department of Defense (DOD)-funded technologies. This opportunity is being offered in support of the DOD 1401 Technology Transfer Program initiative to transition DOD technologies to the federal, state and local first-responder communities.

Technologies of particular interest must fit within the Command, Control and Communication focus area, including automated audio, visual and intelligence gathering sensors; voice and data processing technologies; realtime personnel location devices; crossagency vehicle location; display systems engineered for real-time situational monitoring (automated knowledge boards); and biomedical health monitors.

Competitively selected applicants will receive awards, which may include product development funding, market studies, access to investors and other business development services.

All award applications were accepted from April 1 through May 1.

In order to accelerate the commercialization process, all awards will be tailored to the specific needs of each award recipient. CCAT will announce awards by July 1.

In addition to the CCAT San Diego awarded services, selected technologies will be provided opportunities via the separately funded 1401 program initiative to participate in demonstrations and/or beta tests conducted by first responder agencies within the Southern California region. The resulting independent evaluations will be made available to the 1401 program sponsors, first responder agencies and the participating companies.