Points of Contact: John H. Pletl, Program Manager, 315-330-7146, e-mail
[email protected]; Joetta A. Bernhard, 315-330-2308, e-mail
[email protected]. THIS IS A REANNOUNCEMENT of this BAA which was originally published on 27 Nov 98, total funding is increased from $9.9M to a new total ceiling of $24.5M. This reannouncement is for the convenience of industry, and there are no other changes. AFRL/Information Directorate, Rome, is soliciting white papers for various scientific studies and experiments to increase the Information Directorate's knowledge and understanding of the broad range of capabilities required in support of ELINT Collection and Processing. Solutions to basic research and engineering using innovative approaches will be sought. The overall technical objectives of this BAA are the use of Artificial Intelligence applications, as well as enhanced or new digital processing hardware and software and to provide: (1) Dynamic/updatable characterization and correlation databases that use existing multi-source near-real-time collection systems. Measurable and descriptive emitter characteristics should also be used in the database as well as known specific operating characterization values; (2) Enhanced collection system efficiency; and (3) Improved, labor reducing digital signal processing hardware and software analysis with high-capacity capability technology to offset manning reductions at operational units. The scope of this effort concerns several areas and covers a broad range of requirements, which includes, but is not limited to the following: (1) Target specific characteristics identification/correlation; (2) Automated collection, signal ID sorting and first level processing (3) Enhanced digital ELINT processing/analysis technology at both the Intermediate Processing Center (IPC) and Scientific and Technical Intelligence (S&TI) levels; and (4) Miniaturization of systems to allow embedding aboard UAV platforms. Detailed scope and definition of problems follow here: (1) Target characteristic identification/correlation: Battlefield management depends heavily on EW assets to provide current threat analysis for successful deployment of war-fighting resources. One area that supports this analysis is target specific operating characterization and equipment/unit correlation which is normally a "brute-force/labor intensive" effort: (2) Automated collection, signal ID sorting and first level processing. Dense signal environment dictates the need for automated/reduced manual collection, signal ID and sorting, and first-level signal processing. This area should also allow for further discrimination or "flagging" of out-of-limits signals, especially threat systems whose measurable values already lend themselves to characterization. Continual high-resolution sampling of Intermediate Frequency Modulation (IFM), pulse sorting, and deinterleaving processes should be investigated as a means to support flagging and automated efforts; (3) Enhanced digital ELINT processing: Environment complexity as well as advanced collection hardware technology demands growth in the digital ELINT processing arena. Efforts should take into consideration current analysis technology available, reduction in processing of routine activity allowing time to be spent on more critical tasks, and how best to insert these solution(s) into existing systems; (4) System miniaturization: Given current levels of activity, operational requirements, hostile environments, and resources being heavily tasked, collection systems will need to be developed for embedding on UAV-type platforms. Attention to power requirements and payload weight are necessarily essential areas of concern, hence digital receiving and processing systems employing miniaturization techniques are of high interest. Deliverables will be technical reports and, when appropriate, demonstrations. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY SOLICITATION. DO NOT SUBMIT A FORMAL PROPOSAs capabilities, related experience, facilities, techniques, or unique combination of these which are integral factors for achieving the proposal objectives; (2) The qualification, capabilities and experience of the proposed principal investigator, team leader, and other key personnel who are critical to achieving the proposal objectives; and (3) The offeror's record of past and present performance. No further evaluation criteria will be used in selecting the proposals. The technical criteria will also be used to determine whether white papers submitted are consistent with the intent of this BAA and of interest to the Government. Proposals submitted will be evaluated as they are received. Individual proposal evaluations will be based on acceptability or unacceptability without regard to other proposals submitted under this BAA. Options are discouraged and unpriced options will not be considered for award. Principle funding of this BAA and anticipated award of contracts will start approximately FY99. Individual awards will not normally exceed 12 months in duration, with dollar amounts normally ranging from $250K to $350K. Total funding for this BAA is $24.5M. Awards of efforts as a result of this BAA will be in the form of contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or other transactions depending upon the nature of the work proposed. Foreign-owned offerors are advised that they be excluded from participating at the prime contract level. Foreign or foreign-owned offerors should immediately contact the contracting focal point, Joetta A. Bernhard, for information if they contemplate responding. Data subject to export control constraints may be involved and only firms on the Certified Contract Access List (CCAL) will be allowed access to such data. The cost of preparing proposals in response to this announcement is not an allowable expense to the normal bid and proposal indirect cost in AFR 31.205-18. Depending on the work to be performed, the offeror may require a SECRET or TOP SECRET facility clearance and safeguarding capability; therefore, personnel identified for assignment to a classified effort must be cleared for access to SECRET or TOP SECRET information at a time of award. In addition, to qualify as a responsible contractor, the offeror may need to have, or have access to, a certified and Government approved facility to support work under this BAA. An Ombudsman has been appointed to hear significant concerns from offerors or potential offerors during the proposal development phase of this acquisition. Routine questions are not considered to be "significant concerns" and should be communicated directly to the Contracting Officer, Joetta A. Bernhard, (315) 330-2308. The purpose of the Ombudsman is not to diminish the authority of the Contracting Officer or Program Manager, but to communicate contractor concerns, issues, disagreements and recommendations to the appropriate Government personnel. The Ombudsman for this acquisition is Vincent Palmiero, Chief, Policy and Management Division, AFRL/IFK at (315) 330-7746. When requested, the Ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The Ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of the proposals or in the source selection process. An information briefing is not planned. To receive a copy of the AFRL "BAA & PRDA: A Guide for Industry," Sep 1996 (Rev), write ATTN: Lucille Argenzia, AFRL/IFK, 26 Electronics Parkway, Rome, NY 13441-4514, or fax her at FAX 315-330-4728, or the guide may be accessed at: http://www.rl.af.mil/div/IFK/bp-guide.html. This BAA is open and effective until 30 Sep 01. All responsible firms may submit a white paper, which shall be considered. Respondents are asked to provide their Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) number with their submission and reference BAA 99-02-IFKPA. Only Contracting Officers are legally authorized to commit the Government.