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Description

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) 07-01, STRATEGIC TECHNOLOGIES

INTRODUCTION

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Strategic Technology Office (STO) is soliciting proposals under this BAA for the performance of research, development, design, and testing that directly supports STO. This includes Space and Near-Space Sensors and Systems; Strategic and Tactical Networks; Information Assurance; Counter Underground Facilities; Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Defense; Small Unit Operations; Maritime Operations; and Core Strategic Technologies.

TECHNICAL TOPIC AREAS

Research supporting any of STO's broad mission objectives identified in the Introduction above may be submitted under this BAA.     Topic areas of specific interest include, but are not limited to, the following.

I.       Space and Near-Space Sensors and Systems

a. Active damping and smart materials for precision control
    of space structures
b. Concepts for space systems, sensors, structures,
    components and materials
c. Concepts supporting affordable access - and thus
    proliferation - of high-performance space sensors and
    systems
d. Extremely large space apertures and structures,
    including large space structures that have extremely
    small payload volumes (e.g., rigidized inflatables, isogrid
    composites, etc.)
e. Global tailored tactical surveillance
f.  High performance microsat and picosat systems
g. Innovative sensor systems for space applications
    including extremely large, lightweight and stowable
    aperture technologies
h. Large distributed array remote sensing systems, both
    space-based and ground-based, for space object location
    and identification
i. Lightweight and low-mass active/passive membranes
j. Next generation power generation systems, including
    electrodynamic and momentum tethers, and advanced
    solar systems
k. Next generation space technologies and systems
l.  Novel space-based sensor modalities and systems
m. Novel systems and enabling technologies for high
    resolution, deep sub-canopy imaging
n. Remote optical sensing technologies
o. Technologies supporting next-generation tactical space
    operations, including rapid access, space situational
    awareness, space, robust anti-jam SATCOM, and
    persistent tactical grade sensing approaches
p. Wide-area urban tracking architectures

II.       Strategic and Tactical Networks

a. 100 Gbps free space optical communication system
b. Applications, architecture, control and management, and
    hardware systems for multi-terabit, fiber-optic core,
    edge, and mobile-platform networks
c. Approaches to interconnect wave-division multiplexed
    backbone communications infrastructures with IP-based
    metropolitan networks (may include route
    discovery/distribution and new addressing schemes)
d. Approaches to make tactical networks auto-configuring
    for both voice and data with the goal of reducing the
    manpower requirements (may include the complete
    replacement of IP as the underlying data protocol)
e. Hybrid passive/active RADAR systems that are agile over
    available bandwidth
f. Information and communication technologies to enable
    "power to the edge" for air, land, space, and maritime
    systems
g. Innovative urban sensing systems and networked
    architectures
h. Miniature, low power sensors and networks
i.  Network centric warfare, including novel approaches to
    the development, implementation, and control of
    networked weapons systems
j. Network storage and caching protocols for reducing long
    haul communications loads
k. New approaches to self-forming, wireless, mesh
    networks of over 10,000 devices with high throughput (at
    least 50 Mbps across the network between two
    endpoints).  This may include work on multiple
    frequencies, graph partitioning, and subnet allocations.
l. Novel approaches for the development, implementation,
   and control of heterogeneous networks of human
    decisionmakers and human-operated or autonomous
    sensors and weapons
m. Novel approaches that enable mission-centric network
    enabled real-time service-oriented architectures
    (SOA). Problems of interest include, but are not
    restricted to, dynamic optimization of the allocation of
    network services to the tactical edge based on volatile
    mission objectives, dynamic SOA application
    architecture, automated service-oriented collaborative
    verification and validation, and dynamic instantiation and
    allocation of mobile ad hoc networking technologies that
    optimize the implementation of mission-oriented
    services.
n. Novel approaches to effect collaboration among human
    decision makers in heterogeneous, coalition
    environments
o. Novel approaches to monitor, visualize and recommend
    alternative courses of action in the management and
    defense of massive, heterogeneous wide-area network
    (5 million nodes)
p. Novel still-image and video wireless transport
    communications technology
q. Novel technologies to enable tactical, operational, and
    strategic level distributed operations
r. Reconfigurable transceiver analog front end technology
s. Robust wireless military communication network
    architecture and system technology to enable graceful
    degradation under cross-layer fixes
t.  Signature reduction (low probability of
    detection/intercept)
u. Size-weight-power reduced soldier electronics and
    communications devices
v. Wideband THz communications and networking system
    technology

III.       Information Assurance

a. Autonomous protection or reconstitution of large network
    environments from cyber attacks
b. Computer forensic and software protection technologies
c. Developing secure systems from untrusted components
d. High-speed (40 Gbps to 100 Tbps) optical encryption
    systems that function correctly with fiber amplified cable
    systems
e. Low-cost military grade encryption mechanisms/devices
f.  Novel approaches to derive confidence of identity of
    remote information, users, processes, and devices in
    dynamic, untrusted, networked environments
g. Novel approaches to measure, compare, and assess
    alternative information operations tools and effects
h. Novel approaches to quantify binary code security
i.  Novel methods to deter cyber adversaries
j.  Novel microprocessor/computing architectures to support
    secure computing
k. Trustworthy computing in mobile environments
l.  Wide area network firewalls and proxies, capable of
    dealing with asymmetric data flows and speeds in excess
    of 5 Gbps

IV.       Counter Underground Facilities

a. Close-in and standoff sensor concepts
b. Determining structural layout or locations of specific
    vulnerabilities
c.  Development and demonstration of technologies to find
     unknown facilities, on both strategic and tactical
     timescales
d.  Identification of facility function
e.  Monitoring pace of activity
f.   Enhancing post-attack bomb damage assessment (BDA)
g.  Exploitation algorithms and signal processing
h.  Exploitation of novel observables or substantially
     improved methods of detecting/analyzing observables,
     including active source methods
i.  Improved communications across rugged terrain among
    assets, and for exfiltration uplinks
j.  Improved deployable ground and airborne sensors
k.  New methods for characterizing activities associated
    with tunnels and caves, to include small and unimproved
    sites, in both urban and rural areas
l.  New methods for sensor and system modeling

V.       Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Defense

a. Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and
    environmental sensors and deconflict
b.  Defense against chemical, biological, and radiological
    weapons
c.  Sensing approaches for material identification

VI.       Small Unit Operations

a. Advanced explosives for special operations
b. Advanced sighting systems for tactical operations
c. Detection of indirectly fired mortars and RPGs
d. Direction finding capabilities for urban applications
e. GPS-free guidance and navigation
f.  Low cost (<$100) expendable GPS sensors
g. Low cost standoff concealed weapons detection
h. Miniature, low power sensors and networks
i.  Non-acoustic bullet detection and tracking technology
j.  Noncooperative, low probability of detection (LPD
    building interior imaging systems
k. Non-line-of-sight designation and elimination of urban
    targets
l.  Novel approaches for the development and
    implementation of irregular warfare
m. Novel laser remote sensing, laser RADAR, LADAR, and
     LIDAR systems concepts, techniques and enabling
     technologies
n. Novel methods for tracking, localization, and
    identification
o. Novel miniature, low cost RADAR system concepts
p. Novel precision navigation and real-time targeting
    systems concepts and technologies
q. Novel still-image and video wireless transport
    communications technology
r.  Novel systems and enabling technologies for high
    resolution, deep sub-canopy imaging
s.  Novel technologies to enable tactical, operational, and
    strategic level distributed operations
t.  Personal navigation and high precision targeting
    technology in GPS-denied and GPS-compromised
    environments
u.  Positive detection of urban threats
v.  Signature reduction (low probability of
    detection/intercept)
w.  Size-weight-power reduced soldier electronics and
    communications devices
x.  Soldier survivability materials, systems, and devices
y.  Tactical lighting and imaging devices and technologies
    (including both visible and IR spectrum)
z.   Tactical optical systems that aid and enhance the ability
    of the warfighter

aa. Technologies and systems for the
      detection of suspicious urban vehicles
bb. Underwater vision devices for high silt
      environment military divers
cc.  Vehicle survivability materials,
      systems,and devices
dd.  Wide-area urban tracking architectures

VII.       Maritime Operations

a. High rate-range product underwater communications
b. Maritime surveillance systems and technologies
c.  Miniature, low power underwater (water column and
     bottom mounted) sensors and networks
d.  Novel approaches to significantly reduce the cost of
     undersea warfare, without compromising capability
e.  Novel underwater high-maneuverability propulsion
     system
f.   Underwater vision devices for high-silt environment
     military divers
g.   Unmanned long-duration, high-speed underwater
     vehicles

VIII.       Core Strategic Technologies

a. Advanced 3D image processing, analysis, and feature
    extraction approaches
b.  Advanced electronic vision and situation awareness
    devices, algorithms, and systems
c.  Biofabrication processes for improved nanostructured
    devices and materials
d.  Biomimetic object-vision recognition
e.  Innovative methods to visualize complex, self
     organizing systems
f.   Microelectronic systems comprising advanced system
     concepts coupling electronics, sensors and actuators
     with micro-scale packaging and battery technologies
g.  Novel three-dimensional data visualization and
     projection methods
h.  Power harvesting technologies and devices
i.   Self assembly and/or manufacture techniques

APPROACH

The Government encourages responders to this BAA to submit executive summaries, and receive the Government's feedback thereto, prior to preparing and submitting proposal abstracts or full proposals. The purpose of this is to spare responders the burden of preparing abstracts or full proposals that are unlikely to result in an award under this BAA.     The required formats for all three submittals (executive summary, proposal abstract, and full proposal) are provided in the Proposer Information Pamphlet (PIP) associated with this BAA. For all responses to this BAA, the responder must clearly identify the technical topic area(s) the proposed effort seeks to address.

Responders to this BAA may suggest the award of a Grant, Cooperative Agreement, Procurement Contract, Technology Investment Agreement, Other Transaction for Prototype Agreement, or other such appropriate award instrument. The Government reserves the right to negotiate the type of award instrument determined appropriate under the circumstances.

The Government intends to issue awards based on the optimum combination of proposals that offer the best overall value to the Government. The Government reserves the right to award without discussion. The Government reserves the right to select for award all, some, or none of the proposals received in response to this BAA. The Government also reserves the right to select for award some portion(s) of the proposals received; in that event, the Government may select for negotiation all, or portions, of a given proposal. The Government may incrementally fund any award issued under this BAA.

PROPOSERS

The Government encourages responses from non-traditional defense contractors, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, small businesses, small disadvantaged business concerns, Historically-Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), Minority Institutions (MI), large businesses and Government laboratories. Teaming arrangements between and among these groups are encouraged. However, no portion of this BAA will be set aside for HBCU/MI, small or small disadvantaged business participation due to the impracticality of preserving discrete or severable areas of research in the technologies sought.

Government/National laboratory proposals may be subject to applicable direct competition limitations, though certain Federally Funded Research and Development Centers are excepted per P.L. 103-337 Section 217 and P.L 105-261 Section 3136. Any responsible and otherwise qualified Proposer is encouraged to respond. 

Responders may be foreign firms or may team with foreign firms as long as the firm meets the criteria in this BAA and the Government is otherwise permitted to conduct business with the firm, however, only unclassified proposals will be considered from foreign sources, or where any proposed teaming arrangement involves a foreign source.     Proposers may include foreign personnel as part of their proposed resources as long as these personnel qualify technically, the proposed effort is unclassified, and such foreign personnel sign any and all appropriate non-disclosure agreements prior to participating in the research effort.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

The criteria to be used to evaluate and select offers under this BAA are, in order of descending importance: (a) Overall Scientific and Technical Merit; (b) Offeror's Capabilities and/or Related Experience; (c) Potential Contribution and Relevance to the DARPA Mission; (d) Plans and Capability to Accomplish Technology Transition and (e) Cost Reasonableness and Realism. Each proposal will be evaluated on its own merit and relevance rather than against other proposals in the same general area, since no common work statement exists.     Proposals may be evaluated as they are received, or they may be collected and periodically reviewed.

SUBMITTAL INFORMATION

This BAA will remain open from date of publication through 31 December 2008. DARPA will employ an electronic upload process for Executive Summary, Abstract and Proposal submissions for BAA 07-01. All submissions will be submitted via http://www.tfims.darpa.mil/baa.     (NOTE: University (prime) grant submissions may be made via the Grants.gov web site, http://grants.gov by using the "Apply for Grants" functions. Dual submissions are not required. Performers may find guidance for the submission process at http://www.darpa.mil/sto/solicitations.htm. This announcement and the PIP may be retrieved via the WWW at URL http://www.darpa.mil/ in the solicitations area. The cost of preparing proposals in response to this announcement is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resulting contract or any other contract. Proposers are warned that only Contracting Officers are legally authorized to commit the Government.

ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE

This Announcement, along with the attached Proposer Information Pamphlet (PIP), constitutes a Broad Agency Announcement as contemplated by FAR 6.102(d)(2)(i). All prospective Proposers MUST refer to the PIP before submitting a proposal. Proposers choosing to respond to this BAA may access the PIP at www.fbo.gov and www.grants.gov. University grant submissions may be made via www.grants.gov by using the "Apply for Grants" function. Government Contractors are required to register at the Government's Central Contractor Registration site (http://www.ccr.gov) prior to receiving any award resulting from this BAA. All questions (technical, contractual, administrative) pertaining to this BAA must be submitted to DARPA at the following e-mail address: BAA07-01@darpa.mil.
 

Point of Contact

Patty Matyskiela, Contract Specialist, Phone xxx-xxx-xxxx, Fax xxx-xxx-xxxx, Email Patricia.Matyskiela@darpa.mil