The MINER Act of 2006 and Related NIOSH Activities

MINER Act-Related Contract Activities
Back to: The MINER Act of 2006 and Related NIOSH Activities

In response to the MINER Act of 2006, NIOSH issued a number of Requests for Proposals and Broad Agency Announcements covering a variety of technology focus areas. These resulted in the following awards, which include:


Table 1:  Broad Agency Announcement Awards
  Title Contract # Duration Contractor Objective Focus Area
Development of a Wireless Test and Measurement Tool for Use in Mines 200-2008-24620c 5/14/08 - 5/14/09 Helium Networks Design and develop a tool for mapping wireless coverage areas in underground coal mines Emergency Communications and Tracking
Fiber Optic Sprinkler Head Emergency Communications 200-2008-26293 8/5/08 - 8/5/09 CSIRO Evaluate the feasibility of a fiber optic sprinkler head emergency communications system for use in underground mines Emergency Communications and Tracking
Leaky Feeder Mine Communications System 200-2007-20064 3/15/07 - 12/31/08 Pillar Innovations LLC Investigate techniques to increase the survivability of leaky feeder communications systems Emergency Communications and Tracking
Leaky Feeder to Wireless Media Converter Device Technology Development 200-2008-26815 8/14/08 - 4/13/09 Rajant Corporation Develop a media converter device to interface wireless handheld radios with leaky feeder communication systems Emergency Communications and Tracking
Magneto-Inductive Through-the-Earth Communications 200-2009-31292 8/25/09 - 5/25/10 Ultra Electronics Canada Defence, Inc. Fabricate and test through-the-earth communication devices in an underground mine Emergency Communications and Tracking
Mobile Adaptable RF/IT Infrastructure - Experimental (MATRIX) 200-2008-27444 9/1/08 - 8/14/09 CERMUSA Test the efficacy of deploying a vehicular satellite communication system for use during mine rescue and other emergency events Emergency Communications and Tracking
Passive Fiber Optic System for Locating, Tracking, and Communicating with Personnel in Coal Mines 200-2008-24502 3/18/08 - 2/28/09 US Sensor Systems Inc. Develop and demonstrate a modified, fiber optic-based perimeter security system to track personnel in underground coal mines Emergency Communications and Tracking
Supplementary Technologies for Advance Mine Communication Networks 200-2008-24628 8/19/08 - 12/31/09 Foundation Telecomm. Inc. Develop a Universal Signal Evaluation Package for 75 and 150 MHz bands, adapt a passive magnetic amplifier for 900 MHz, and investigate energy harvesting technologies Emergency Communications and Tracking
Through-The-Earth Wireless Real-Time Two-Way Voice Communications 200-2008-25720 8/1/08 - 12/31/09 Alertek, LLC Develop a battery-powered, through-the-earth wireless voice communication system for overburdens of up to 600 feet Emergency Communications and Tracking
TTE Communication & Trapped Miner Beacon System 200-2007-22843 9/11/07 - 7/31/09 Lockheed Martin Corporation Develop and demonstrate a two-way, through-the-earth communication system for mines Emergency Communications and Tracking
Two-Way, Through-the-Earth Emergency Communication System for Trapped Miners and the Surface 200-2009-32117 9/4/09 - 12/4/10 Stolar Research, Inc. Design, fabricate, and test a prototype, two-way, through-the-earth emergency communication system. Emergency Communications and Tracking
Ultra Low Frequency Through the Earth Communication Technology 200-2008-26818 8/13/08 - 11/30/09 E-Spectrum Technologies Adapt an existing ULF through-the-earth system for communication and tracking of underground miners Emergency Communications and Tracking
Modernization and Further Development of the NIOSH Mine Emergency Response Training System (MERITS), Phase 1 200-2008-23858 12/01/07 - 6/30/09 Orion International Technologies, Inc. Develop an improved version of NIOSH's Mine Emergency Response Interactive Training Simulation Emergency Response Plans
Dynamic Decision-Making in Mine Emergency Situations 200-2009-31403 9/01/09 - 12/31/11 Carnegie Mellon University Develop practical guidelines and tools for decision-making in mine emergencies Escape Training
Mine Escape Vehicle 200-2008-24826 4/28/08 - 2/28/09 Raytheon UTD Inc. Develop a conceptual design for a vehicle to facilitate rapid escape from an underground coal mine in case of emergency Escapeways
Technical Solutions for Enhancements to Mine Safety Using Barricade II Fire Blocking Gel 200-2008-24618c 3/1/08 - 1/31/09 Northwest Barricade LLC and Barricade International Assess the potential of Barricade II Fire Blocking Gel to prevent, retard, and fight underground mine fires Fire Fighting
Development and Demonstration of the Battelle Barrier Survival System 200-2007-22067 8/30/07 - 10/30/08 Battelle Memorial Institute Develop a prototype advanced mine barrier survival system Refuge Chambers
Development of a Severe Injury Surveillance System for Hazard Identification and Guiding Technological Interventions 200-2008-24858 5/1/08 - 10/31/09 University of Arizona Identify risk factors for severe injuries and fatalities in mining as well as hazardous work processes that are amenable to technological interventions Risk Analysis and Management
Design of Underground Mine Seals Under Explosive Events 200-2007-22541 8/31/07 - 8/31/09 West Virginia University Establish guidelines for mine seal design under static and dynamic loading conditions from gas and/or dust explosions within sealed areas Seals
Safe and Economical Inerting of Sealed Mine Areas 200-2008-24811c 3/31/08 - 5/30/09 On Site Gas Systems, Inc. Design and construct an in-mine mobile gas generation plant to extract nitrogen from sealed mine areas to maintain a safe environment Seals
Strengthening an Existing 20-PSI Mine Seal with PPG's Polyurea Coated Retrofit 200-2007-20426 5/27/07 - 8/29/08 PPG Industries Develop a spray applied polyurea coating system that can upgrade existing 20 psi approved mine seals to withstand blast pressures greater than 60 psi Seals
Remote Methane Sensors 200-2008-24373c 3/3/08 - 10/31/09 Ion Optics, Inc. Integrate a micro electro mechanical system into specialized electronics to measure methane in underground coal mines Ventilation
The Role of Gas Desorption in the Energetic Failure of Coal 200-2008-25702 6/26/08 - 7/31/10 The Pennsylvania State University Evaluate the role of gas desorbing on the failure of coal and the resultant influence on dynamic failures Ventilation


Table 2:  Interagency Agreements (IA)
  Title IA # Duration Agency Objective Focus Area
Develop a Means to Model Network Performance Using Network Simulation Tools 08FEB898345 2/15/08 - 8/15/09 U.S. Department of Commerce, NIST Develop modeling and simulation tools to evaluate the performance of underground mine wireless communications networks Emergency Communications and Tracking
Mine Communications Engineering and Compatibility Guidelines 08FED898353 5/21/07 - 9/30/09 DISA Joint Spectrum Center Develop guidelines for safe and efficient use of the limited radio spectrum in underground mines Emergency Communications and Tracking
Subterranean Wireless Electronic Communication System 07FED717801 10/1/06 - 5/19/09 U.S. Army CERDEC Adapt a subterranean wireless communications system for use in underground mines Emergency Communications and Tracking
Atmospheric Analysis of Refuge Alternatives 08FED898354 10/01/08 - 4/30/10 NASA Ames Research Center Provide an evaluation of CO2 and CO scrubbing and thermal modeling of refuge chambers Refuge Chambers
Development of a High-Speed Drilling System 08FED898349 5/14/08 - 4/30/10 Sandia National Laboratories Assess the adaptability of Sandia's ultra high-speed drilling system for use in mine rescue drilling operations Rescue Technology
Modeling Natural Gas Explosions for Coal Mine Safety 08FED898342 1/1/08 - 9/30/10 U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Use numerical modeling techniques to simulate and analyze natural gas explosions in mine tunnels Risk Analysis and Management
Structural Analysis and Design of Seals for Coal Mine Safety 08FED898343 1/23/08 - 9/30/10 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Adapt defense sector technology to improve the design and construction of coal mine seals Seals


Table 3:  Miscellaneous Awards
  Title Contract # Duration Contractor Objective Focus Area
Design and Demonstration of a Location Tracking System for Underground Coal Mines (award 1) 200-2007-21249 7/25/07 - 3/25/08 Extreme Endeavors and Consulting Develop a miner tracking system based on inertial navigation and reverse RFID correction Emergency Communications and Tracking
Design and Demonstration of a Location Tracking System for Underground Coal Mines (award 2) 200-2007-21250 7/25/07 - 11/30/09 L-3 Global Security & Engineering Solutions Develop a miner tracking system based on ultra-wideband technology and reverse RFID correction Emergency Communications and Tracking
Development of Guidelines for Safely Managing Electrical Equipment and Systems in Underground Mines During Mine Emergencies and Other Abnormal Circumstance 200-2008-26556 8/13/08 - 9/30/09 Foster-Miller, Inc. Develop guidelines for safe management of electrical equipment and systems during a mine emergency or other abnormal circumstance Emergency Communications and Tracking
Performance and Safety Investigation of Emergency Backup Batteries and Battery Charging Systems for Underground Mining Applications 254-2008-27024 9/4/08 - 9/8/09 Foster-Miller, Inc. Develop recommendations for battery selection, use, and charging in underground coal mines Emergency Communications and Tracking
System Reliability and Environmental Survivability 200-2008-26864 9/1/08 - 10/31/09 Foster-Miller, Inc. Develop a method to evaluate the reliability and survivability of underground communication, tracking, and atmospheric monitoring systems Emergency Communications and Tracking
Wireless Mesh Mine Communication System 200-2007-20388 5/25/07 - 2/27/09 L-3 Global Security & Engineering Solutions Design, install, and evaluate a wireless mesh communication and tracking network in an underground coal mine Emergency Communications and Tracking
Redesign of the MFIRE 2.20 Mine Ventilation Software 200-2009-30794 9/1/09 - 8/31/10 Applied Sciences Group, Inc. Redesign the DOS-based MFIRE 2.20 as a class library with discrete event simualtion capabilities that can be used to build new simulation programs to model mine ventilation and fires Fire Fighting
Refuge Alternatives in Underground Coal Mines 200-2007-20276 4/11/07 - 2/20/09 Foster-Miller, Inc. Develop guidelines for the location, construction, and application of refuge alternatives Refuge Chambers
Conduct Numerical Modeling to Meet the Requirements of the 2008 Congressional Appropriations Bill Per the Attached Statement of Work 200-2008-24752 4/22/08 - 9/1/09 West Virginia University Refine the numerical simulation model LaModel to improve rock mass response and pillar loading input parameters Risk Analysis and Management
Contract with MTS Services to Provide Digital Control System for the Mine Roof Simulator 200-2008-24535 3/14/08 - 9/14/09 MTS Services Replace the aging analog control system on NIOSH's Mine Roof Simulator with a digital control system Risk Analysis and Management
Deep Mine Safety 200-2008-25438 6/5/08 - 12/31/09 The University of Utah Examine the susceptibility of mines to seismic activity and identify technology to protect deep mine workers Risk Analysis and Management
Assessing the Safety Culture of Mines 254-2009-M-29054 2/27/09 - 3/1/12 Human Performance Analysis, Corp. Train a NIOSH research team in methods specific to safety culture analysis; assist in the analysis of the safety culture at several coal mines Safety Culture
Safety Culture Assessment in Underground Coal Mining 254-2006-M-17202 7/10/06 - 9/30/07 Human Performance Analysis, Corp. Conduct a pilot implementation of a Safety Culture Assessment Methodology at a small underground coal mine Safety Culture

Page last updated: October 13, 2009
Page last reviewed: May 7, 2009
Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Mining Division