FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DHS S&T: John Verrico, (202) 254-2385
CBP: Roland Filiault, (202) 325-1486
ONDCP: Peter Hoffman, (202) 881-8063
USPIS: Andrea Avery, (202) 268-3700
WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) in partnership with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) will announce the winning technologies in the Opioid Detection Challenge at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 12, 2019 at the DHS Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL) in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. The Challenge was a $1.55 million global prize competition for rapid, nonintrusive detection tools that will help find and intercept illicit opioids in international mail.
Earlier this year, eight finalists received $100,000 each and advanced to the second stage of the competition. Since June, finalists continued to develop their plans into prototypes which underwent vigorous testing at TSL. Winners will be selected by a judging panel of experts in forensic science, postal operations, drug interdiction, and industrial engineering using specific selection criteria to identify technologies that will help disrupt the flow of opioids through international mail.
The grand prize winner, who will win $500,000 and runner-up, receiving $250,000, will be announced, and finalist technologies will be on display and available for demonstration.
Thursday, December 12, 2019
11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. EST - DHS Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Under Secretary for Science and Technology Willian N. Bryan, CBP Deputy Commissioner Robert E. Perez, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Jim Carroll, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service Chief Postal Inspector Gary Barksdale, will announce and demonstrate the winning technologies for the $1.55 million global Opioid Detection Prize Challenge for rapid, nonintrusive detection tools that will help detect illicit opioids in international mail.
Transportation Security Laboratory
Building 315e
Atlantic City International Airport
Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey 08405
For additional information about the Opioid Detection Prize Challenge and other S&T prize competitions, visit https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/Challenge-Updates.
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Credentialed media wishing to attend must RSVP with full name and organization no later than 5:00 p.m. ET, December 4, 2019 to Stacey.levitt@associates.dhs.gov to ensure security access. U.S. citizens only. Valid I.D. must be shown upon arrival.