Noesis Inc. of Manassas, VA has been awarded a not-to-exceed $25,000,000 Phase III
Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program contract for Topic N01-158 Enhanced Propeller Visibility.
Although the phase III award was made in December of 2005, it all began in May of 2001, with the Navy including this NAVAIR phase I topic in their FY-2001.2 SBIR solicitation. The Navy received 14 submissions on this topic and made 3 phase I awards.
The Noesis Inc. phase I work was a feasibility study to demonstrate new ways to improve the safety of passengers boarding propeller-driven aircraft, as well as the flight deck crews who work in close proximity to these craft in low light, poor-visibility conditions.
Their work was meritorious and the Navy awarded them a Phase II SBIR on this topic. The phase II led to a promising technology that enhanced the visual acuity of stationary and rotating objects during night and low level light operations.
The application of Noesis's technology can come in many forms, such as paint, acrylic mold, peel & stick. It remains visible three times longer than previous technologies and can incorporate reflective properties to work with pin-point light sources. Tactically, it remains undetectable beyond 150 feet.
Successful material testing to ASTM standards has been completed, leading to flight clearance and testing on the Navy E-2C aircraft propeller.
About the Company
Noesis was founded in 1994 and certified as an SBA 8(a) firm. Starting with only a few employees they experienced early success and rapid growth. Noesis participated in the SBA's Mentor/Protégé program and received mentoring from SAIC, for which SAIC won a Nunn-Perry Award, for Mentor-Protégé Performance with Noesis.
SBIR was a major building block for Noesis and they were recipients of the prestigious SBIR Tibbetts Award in 2000, as well as being selected as SBA (Richmond) Minority Small Business of the Year in 2001.
Noesis Becomes Defense Holdings, Inc. (DHI)
In October of 2005, Noesis acquired Defense Holdings, Inc. (DHI), a northern Virginia defense firm. Noesis moved its assets and personnel under the DHI banner, and shortly thereafter sold their
Federal Sector Support (FSS) Services division to the ITS Corporation of Ventura County, California and Arlington, Virginia.
DHI can be contacted at:
Defense Holdings, Inc.
10440 Balls Ford Rd.
Suite 250
Manassas, VA 20109
(703) 369-2924
www.dh-inc.com/
