NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) — PositiveID and Ensco have been awarded a SenseNet Program contract for an undisclosed amount from the US Department of the Interior on behalf of the US Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, Positive ID said today.
Under the contract, Delray Beach, Fla.-based PositiveID will offer its Firefly Dx system for point-of-need molecular diagnostics using real-time PCR. Firefly is designed to provide results from a raw sample in less than 20 minutes. Meantime, Ensco, an international technology-development firm headquartered in Falls Church, Va., will be responsible for systems integration and decision support.
The goal of the SenseNet program is to implement faster, less-expensive biothreat detection systems using existing infrastrcutrue where possible, PositiveID said. A spokesperson for the company declined to disclose the amount or term of the award, but noted that it is the first phase of a longer-term project.