Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) - Profiles

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is the intellectual, technical and operational leader for the US Department of Defense (DoD) and the U.S. Strategic Command in the effort to combat biological, chemical and nuclear threats.

While the DTRA Chemical and Biological Technologies Directorate (DTRA CB) is not part of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA); it is DARPA’s focal point for chemical and biological scientific and technical expertise. DTRA CB is also “dual-hatted” as the Joint Science and Technology Office for Chemical and Biological Defense (JSTO-CBD) under the Department of Defense Chemical and Biological Defense Program (CBDP).

DTRA CB serves two key roles in support of DoD CBDP: Funds Manager and Joint Science and Technology Manager. The joint S&T management responsibilities include:

• Development and integration of S&T programs
• Programming, planning, and budgeting documentation for chemical and biological defense S&T programs
• Working with the JPEO-CBD to ensure effective transition of S&T efforts to advanced development
• Participating in Armed Services Biomedical Research Evaluation and Management (ASBRED) Committee meetings to ensure organizational coordination between medical and non-medical S&T liaisons such as DARPA, industry, academia, and other government agencies
• Support for DoD CB Defense S&T international programs
• Management and integration of CB Defense Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrations

DTRA and JSTO-CBD use extramural endeavors such as Broad Agency Announcements to identify, adopt, and adapt emerging and revolutionary sciences that may demonstrate high payoff potential to counter-WMD threats. Companies with applicable novel or revolutionary concepts or products are encouraged to contact DTRA.

The DTRA International Cooperative Biological Engagement Program (CBEP) works to counter threats posed by select agents, related materials, expertise, other emerging infectious disease risks, and to prevent these agents from reaching any state or non-state actors who may use them against the United States or its allies.

The CBEP mission is achieved through Biological Safety & Security capacity building; Disease Surveillance, Detection, Diagnosis, and Reporting; and Cooperative Biological Research. Through these areas CBEP aims to secure dangerous pathogens; promote open and active disease reporting and response; and advance transparent research to understanding pathogens and developing potential countermeasures. CBEP also works with partner countries to improve disease surveillance and response systems.