Post 9/11 IDIQ Contract Expedites Access to Bio-terrorism Detection Equipment Recently Certified by Department of Homeland Security

08:18 GMT, October 20, 2009 LOS ANGELES | Universal Detection Technology (www.udetection.com) (OTCBB: UNDT), a developer of early-warning monitoring technologies and counter-terrorism training programs to protect people from bioterrorism and other infectious health threats, announced today that it is preparing for inclusion in the H.I.R.E. (Hazardous Incident Response Equipment) contract, a special IDIQ contract vehicle established in New York State post 9/11.

“Universal Detection Technology’s addition to H.I.R.E. allows states and municipalities to quickly equip first responders and law enforcement agencies with the tools needed to combat bioterrorism threats,” said Jacques Tizabi, CEO of Universal Detection Technology. “By including UNDT’s handheld bio-weapons detection kits in the H.I.R.E comprehensive catalog, we are not only saving vital monetary resources and time spent on individual procurement requests, but we are also rapidly and efficiently supplying the vital resources needed to keep the public safe,” continued Tizabi.

UNDT’s addition to H.I.R.E. has been approved by the contract manager for New York State’s Office of General Services and is pending final approval from the State’s Comptroller.

As an H.I.R.E. product, Universal Detection Technology’s 5 agent biodetection kits will be available through current UNDT distributor Strategic Response Initiatives, a New York based defense firm specializing in all phases of emergency preparedness planning for a wide range of defense contracts, public and private sector organizations. SRI's customers include Department of Homeland Security, US State Department, US Marine Corps Chemical Biological Incident Response Force (CBIRF) and NATO forces in Afghanistan.

SRI’s founder and CEO Robert L. Domenici, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, is credited with charting H.I.R.E. in 2005 while he served on the WMD Task Force. Established in the wake of September 11th, H.I.R.E. addresses the problems associated with numerous individual procurement requests requiring sensitive grant money for approved products. With H.I.R.E., state and municipal entities can procure equipment without a formalized bid process, resulting in discounted manufacturer costs and a comprehensive, ready-to-order catalog contract with a variety for products, manufacturers and competitive pricing.

In addition to New York State, the contract is reciprocal in 14 other states, including California, Virginia, Massachusetts, Florida and Arizona.

Universal Detection Technology’s kits, recently certified by DHS as an “Approved Product for Homeland Security” under the Support Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies (SAFETY) Act of 2002, are the industry’s only hand-held assay designed to detect and identify up to five separate threats using one sample in a single, easy-to-use device. The kits equip first responders with an effective tool for the rapid onsite detection of up to five biological warfare agents: anthrax, ricin, botulinum toxin, Y. pestis (plague) and Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B (SEB). Detection time is under three minutes.