Introduction

This Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) competition is seeking proposals that enhance the testing of suspected 'drug drivers'. Currently drivers suspected of being over the specified limit for specified 'drugs' can be subject to a roadside screening test, which following a positive indication, requires the subject to be taken to a Police station where an evidential blood sample can be taken. The sample is then sent to an approved laboratory for forensic analysis. It can take many months to generate a formal conclusion able to determine if a prosecution should be launched. The offence is contrary to Section 5A road Traffic Act 1988, with subsequent sections setting out other legislative powers and requirements.

The aspiration is to create a roadside forensic test capable of being administered at the time the driver is stopped and then generating a robust indication that meets UK court standards in a swift but sure manner. Ideally a result would be obtained at the roadside within 10 minutes. The competition would also welcome the submission of equipment that could generate a similar swift analysis from a device that is based at a Police station and is capable of circumventing the need to take an evidential blood sample that requires sending the sample away for analysis; this would be a huge improvement on current practice. This will speed up processing of suspects, enabling Police to deal with offenders at pace freeing up officers to return more quickly. Victims injured by drug drivers will be made aware of charging descisions more quickly.

The competition is funded by Department for Transport with the support of The Home Office and Police as we look to work across Government to tackle the problem.

This dial-in session provides further detail on the problem space from the competition team, with a chance to ask questions in an open forum.

How to apply

Submission deadline:

12:00hrs on Tuesday 16th April 2024 (GMT)

Where do I submit my proposal?

Via the DASA Online Sumission Service for which you will be required to register.

Only propsals submitted through the DASA Online Submission Service will be accepted.

How many proposals will DASA fund?

We expect to fund a number of proposals of up to £350k (excluding VAT) each in value.

For further guidance

Click Here for more information on our competition process and how your proposal is assessed.

Help: Contact the DASA Help Centre

Competition queries including on process, application, commercial, technical and intellectual property aspects should be sent to the DASA Help Centre at [accelerator@dstl.gov.uk], quoting the competition, please email the DASA Help Centre.

While all reasonable efforts will be made to answer queries, DASA reserves the right to impose management controls if volumes of queries restrict fair access of information to all potential innovators.

Mobile Evidential Drug Testing Instrument (MEDTI) Demonstrator