In a broad agency announcement it said awards would consist of firm fixed price contracts to groups including institutions, private firms and laboratories which are working to enhance safety in mines and will total between $US1 million and $2.5 million.

The specific topics of interest include TTE communication, technology to reduce float dust, battery technology, rapid drilling for mine rescue and technology for the detection of hazardous conditions.

The OMSHR is soliciting the proposals for the purposes of conducting research, exploratory development, testing or evaluations of new technologies, or to adapt technologies from other industries for application in mining environments that could result in improved safety for mine workers.

Proposals to facilitate or expedite commercialization of demonstrated mine safety technologies are also invited.

“The Sago mine explosion underscored the gaps in safety technologies for underground coal mines, and the need to fill those gaps was a significant consideration in the MINER Act of 2006,” the NIOSH arm said.

“Fatality and injury data continue to highlight the need for solutions in underground coal mining and, accordingly, this has been a priority for NIOSH OMSHR, which has been emphasized in this … announcement.

“Although the desire for technology solutions in underground coal continues to be a priority again this year, proposals to utilize technology to improve safety in surface mines are encouraged, as are proposals targeting problems in non-coal mines.”

The OMSHR has established a submission deadline of March 21 at 4.30pm eastern time.

About four to eight awards will be made, with the typical project envisioned to require between $200,000 and $300,000, although proposals for amounts up to $500,000 will be considered.

A full description of the BAA can be found at www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/omshr4u/fundingseekers.html.