PROPOSERS’ DAY CONFERENCE: The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Advanced Technology Office (ATO) will host a Proposers’ Day Workshop in support of the High-Precision Long-Range Laser Designator/Locator (HPLD) program on October 20, 2004 at the Hilton Arlington & Towers, 950 North Stafford St., Arlington, VA 22203 beginning at 8:30am and lasting until 2:30pm. The purpose of this Conference is to provide information on the HPLD program, promote additional discussion on this topic, address questions from potential proposers and provide a forum for potential proposers to present their capabilities for teaming opportunities. The objective of the HPLD program is to develop and demonstrate new target-in-the-loop active optics (AO) approaches and novel high accuracy pointing methods. This new technology will be demonstrated in an affordable, small, laser-target-designator/locator package that will enable the user to observe, track, and designate a target at operationally significant ranges. DARPA anticipates that these new target-in-the-loop active optics (AO) approaches and novel, high-accuracy pointing methods could enable a single operator to precisely determine, within a 1m spherical error, the Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates of a target up to 10 km away. The AO and associated processing of the device will be capable of controlling the spot size and correcting/stabilizing the beam and image line-of-sight for atmospheric turbulence and platform jitter. These capabilities will vastly improve the performance of small handheld and UAV optical systems. These new target-in-the-loop AO approaches will be different than the current astronomic-based systems. There will be a long horizontal path at ground level with significant turbulence along the entire path. The target has real extent, depth, and surface roughness, and there is no compliant beacon or guide star to aid atmospheric compensation. These features, coupled with the additional requirements that the system be small, power-efficient, and affordable, force a new set of solutions. These new optical components, control methodologies, and digital processing required to operate in this environment are at the core of this solicitation. To focus the design effort, DARPA has selected a handheld laser target designator/locator system as the target application and demonstration vehicle for the HPLD technology. This device will be used by ground combat elements that conduct terminal attack control (TAC) and call for fire (CFF). Therefore, it should be designed to support their full range of operations and deployment methods, and be able to survive in a harsh environment for long periods of time with minimal maintenance. At a minimum, the device must be capable of day and night operation, target observation, designation and location at 10 km, and communication with other devices. Once the position is precisely determined, the operator should be able to observe, track, and laser-designate the target as required, using a single device. The system might consist of the device, tripod, and any other components necessary to achieve the required pointing accuracy calibration. Once calibrated in a location, the device should be able to operate without any outside aid other than GPS. A Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is anticipated to follow soon. REGISTRATION INFORMATION Please send an e-mail to
[email protected] not later than October 12, 2004 if you plan to attend. In your e-mail, please include your name, company name, phone number, e-mail address, and citizenship. Foreign nationals should complete and return a DARPA Foreign National Visitor Request (DARPA Form 60) not later than October 12, 2004 if they wish to attend the Conference. The DARPA Form 60 will be sent to you based on declaration of citizenship. The Proposers’ Day will be unclassified and open to all potential bidders. The HPLD program may be subject to U.S. Export Controls (International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)) and National Security regulations. All performers must meet the requirements for participation set by those regulations. The Proposers’ Day is voluntary. Attendance is not required to propose to any potential BAA that may be issued on this topic. Proposers’ Day conference fee is $60. This information will also be available through the HPLD website: http://www.darpa.mil/ato/solicit/HPLD/index.htm. Additionally, attendees who would like to present company overviews during the conference, discuss their technology expertise, and/or discuss teaming opportunities in scheduled presentations at the conference may request to do so. Presentations may contain 2-4 slides and are limited to five (5) minutes each (including logistical issues). Proposers desiring to reserve a time to present at the Proposers’ Day Conference should request to do so in their registration e-mail to
[email protected] as soon as possible, but no later than October 12, 2004. After the conference, there will be an opportunity to meet individually with the HPLD Program Manager to clarify aspects of this Proposer's Day. Please request to schedule an individual session in your registration e-mail to
[email protected]. Expect these clarification sessions to be 20 minutes. All material to be displayed at the conference must be approved in advance by both the organization that funded the research and by the DARPA program manager. The DARPA Program Manager will screen the proposed material for controlled unclassified material and approve in advance any presentations. It is the presenter’s responsibility to ensure that all material they plan to present at the HPLD Proposers’ Day Conference has been approved by the funding organization in advance. The HPLD Proposers’ Day Conference will be open to the public. An electronic copy of all material to be presented must be provided to the DARPA Program Manager for review through
[email protected] by October 12, 2004. There will be no exceptions to this requirement. NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE CONTRACTING OFFICER IDENTIFIED BELOW WITH RESPECT TO THIS PROPOSERS’ DAY ANNOUNCEMENT, BUT INSTEAD ADDRESS ALL INQUIRIES AS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED HEREIN.