The focus of this proposal is to perform a feasibility study by researching our technological solution of synthetic DNA for possible use cases across the Air Force regarding firearms tracking. We will engage Air Force stakeholders to identify the equipment/ firearm types, locations, and biggest needs for the USAF to track firearms and potentially larger weapons and munitions. We will start by engaging stakeholders, such as the Air Force Security Forces Center in San Antonio & USAF Small Arms Depot, LCMC Small Arms Division at Robins AFB. We will discuss how our solution can provide covert and unremovable product identifiers to secure mission-critical equipment against counterfeiting, diversion or adulteration for AF firearms. Safe Traces synthetic-DNA can be applied in a manner which is invisible to the human eye, thus providing a covert and long-lasting DNA marker that can be analyzed in field conditions on a randomized or as-needed basis. This solution will enable Air Force organizations with firearms to track weapons safely and securely without creating any unintended exposure risks via radio signals associated with RFID tags. Synthetic DNA tags are safe, non-toxic, odorless, colorless, using only FDA GRAS materials that can be encapsulated in tracers that meet the stakeholders requirements for storage, shelf life, transport conditions, etc. Additionally, Safe Traces Serially Controlled Firearms Product Identification & Authentication (SCFPIA) leverages the companys patented combinatorial DNA-based technology to generate unique part or assembly identifiers that can be created on-site as needed by the USAF. Our solution has excellent technical merit that draws upon our proven synthetic DNA-based tag technology which will be modified for application to critical parts, weapons, and munitions. The tags are invisible, counterfeit resistant, and can be added upon at different points during production/ assembly. A challenge for this solution would be to research and develop a stable tag solution that can be universally applied to various surfaces of interest and be easily detectable and decoded by the end user only.
