AutoHarvest, DHS, TARDEC In Tech Collaboration
DETROIT -- The AutoHarvest Foundation announces that it has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science & Technology Directorate and the Department of Defense, U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center.
AutoHarvest, DHS S&T and TARDEC have identified a framework for partnership to promote the adaptation of automotive-related technological innovation for use at the federal, state and local levels. This framework provides for more efficient communication of publicly available requirements, capability gaps, technology and information to the private sector.
Both DHS S&T and TARDEC require an awareness of cutting edge advancement in the mobility industries in order to fulfill their missions. AutoHarvest's role is to assist the U.S. Army and DHS by enabling their respective participation in an online portal where interested private sector entities can learn about DHS and U.S. Army needs, resources, and missions.
"Collaboration with industry and academia is vital to our efforts at TARDEC," said Jennifer Hitchcock, TARDEC interim director. "The MOU with AutoHarvest is a great way to make new connections and begin sharing ideas and information that will help bring new technology to our Warfighters."
"This Memorandum provides for a centralized and convenient clearinghouse for information exchange between the DHS, TARDEC, first responders, end-users, and the private sector," said AutoHarvest co-founder and chairman David E. Cole.
"It sets forth the terms by which DHS, TARDEC, and AutoHarvest will work towards furthering research, product development, commercialization, and facilitating economic development," added Jayson D. Pankin, AutoHarvest co-founder, president and CEO.
All parties involved in this initiative will benefit from cost savings, technology awareness, and enhanced relationships. The federal government will benefit by being made aware of technology solutions and services that fit the expressed needs of homeland security and U.S. Army end users. Furthermore, the private sector will benefit by being made aware of specific, publicly available, DHS and TARDEC requirements and capability gaps.
"This agreement provides an opportunity to partner with recognized organizations such as the U.S. Army, TARDEC and AutoHarvest," said Deborah Determan, director of research and development partnerships for the Department of Homeland Security S&T. "Public-private partnerships like this provide us with valuable insight into the many activities and development projects of TARDEC and AutoHarvest members. These relationships are invaluable to DHS S&T's technology foraging efforts that seek to more rapidly identify innovative solutions to challenges faced across the homeland security enterprise."
And U.S. Rep. Hansen Clarke, D-Detroit, added: "In order to sustain America's competitive and innovative capacity, it is crucial that we support this type of information exchange between the public and private sectors. These partnerships help to create jobs and develop and streamline the best technologies. As a member of the House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security, I am excited to see the innovation that will come from the partnership between AutoHarvest, DHS, and TARDEC.
