PositiveID Corp. and ENSCO win DHS contract for SenseNet program

PositiveID Corp., a developer of biological detection and diagnostics solutions, announced on Oct. 10 that it, in conjunction with its partner, ENSCO, Inc., has been awarded a SenseNet program contract from the U.S. Department of the Interior, on behalf of the DHS Science & Technology Directorate.

The goal of this SenseNet award is to implement faster, less expensive bio-threat detection systems, using existing infrastructure where possible, to provide an added level of security.

As part of this award, PositiveID will offer its Firefly Dx system, which is a point-of-need system designed to deliver molecular diagnostic results using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) chemistry. Firefly is designed to derive results from a sample in less than 20 minutes at the point of sampling, compared to two to four hours for a lab device, which would enable accurate diagnostics leading to more rapid and effective treatment than what is currently available with existing systems, helping to save lives. ENSCO will be responsible for the systems integration and decision support.

“We are pleased to work with ENSCO on this effort for the Department of Homeland Security’s SenseNet program,” said William Caragol, chairman and CEO of PositiveID. “We believe our Firefly Dx system, coupled with ENSCO’s systems expertise, can provide an ideal solution for the biological detection capabilities that DHS is pursuing.”