The Government is developing large aperture active and passive hull arrays for submarine sonars to supplement or replace existing systems. This effort is developing state-of-the-art arrays and signal-processing techniques that will take advantage of the large horizontal and vertical apertures provided by these arrays. Specific goals of the effort are: (1) To take advantage of the vertical distribution of ambient noise. (2) To provide accurate signal arrival path direction in horizontal and vertical dimensions. (3) To be compatible with Acoustic Rapid COTS Insertion (A-RCI) and VIRGINIA-Class submarine non-propulsion electronics systems. (4) To require small footprints and low heat generation. (5) To build and install arrays at a cost less than $500/channel. Supporting this developmental effort, the Program Executive Office for Integrated Warfare Systems (PEO IWS5) in Washington, DC is soliciting proposals for: (1) Innovative large aperture active and/or passive hull arrays designs. (2) Innovative ideas for small footprint, small thickness, moderate power, low cost (<$100/channel) mid and high frequency broadband projectors. (3) New approaches for constructing large aperture hull array acoustic baffles. (4) Advanced decoupling materials necessary to optimize performance (e.g., materials with frequency-selective transmissivity). (5) The design and development of an electrical infrastructure that includes both outboard (i.e., low-cost small acoustic sensors with directional response) and inboard electronics. (6) The manufacturing production, integration and installation of a large aperture hull array Advanced Development Model (ADM) or prototype. (7) High-sensitivity T&E measuring, recording and data analysis equipment needed to support any of the above efforts. The expected result of this BAA is affordable, high performance sonar systems including low power electronic infrastructure and a processing system that will enable the design, development and integration of a large aperture hull array into the overall submarine sonar suite. PROPOSALS Proposals may be submitted in the form of a Formal Proposal (described below) or White Paper (described later). White Papers will be evaluated, and if it is in the best interests of the Government and sufficient funds are available, a Formal Proposal will be requested. PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL INSTRUCTIONS: a.Proposed efforts may address the entire scope of this BAA or may be limited to specific areas or component items where offerors wish to participate. Offerors may submit multiple or separate proposals on any or all areas of interest. The Government reserves the right to select all, some, or none of the proposals received in response to this announcement. b.Where multiple areas are proposed, offerors should structure proposals so that each area is separately delineated. c.Contractors may submit study proposals. Studies, if proposed, should identify innovative solutions, technologies, cost drivers, and development approaches that will result in a suitable demonstration within 24 months from award. d.Proposed efforts must have the potential for demonstrating the required performance and/or affordability improvement against defined threats in specified environments. e.To be considered, proposals must present an estimated cost and a specific period of performance or timeline defining completion date. f.This BAA will be open for 6 months from the date of the announcement. Proposals may be submitted at any time within that period. g.Industry, small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, educational institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities and minority institutions are encouraged to participate. h.Contracts, grants, cooperative agreements and "other transactions" (as appropriate) will be awarded depending upon availability of funds. i.The combined FY05 and FY06 funding projection is estimated to be $3,000,000. Early submission of proposals is encouraged. The Navy desires to make initial awards no later than 15 February 2005. j.Offerors must certify they have an appropriate facility clearance to meet the security requirements of work proposed. Key personnel must be certified as holding an appropriate clearance. Proposals shall consist of two separately bound volumes. Volume I shall provide the technical (5 paper copies and 1 electronic copy using Microsoft Office 2000 or earlier) and Volume II shall address cost (1 paper copy). Volume I length is limited to 20 pages exclusive of the Statement of Work, which has no page limit. Pages are to be 8.5 x 11 inch, single sided. Minimum font is 10 point. Volume II has no page limit. Succinct proposals are desired. Proposals should be submitted to: Commander Naval Sea Systems Command; ATTN: SEA 0263 (Jim Watts); 1333 Isaac Hull Avenue, S.E.; Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. 20376-2050. Contracting Point-of-Contact is Jim Watts, telephone +1 (555) 000-0000, facsimile +1 (555) 000-0000 and e-mail contact@example.gov. Volume I shall include the following sections, each starting on a new page: Part A - Cover Page: cover page includes proposal title, technical and administrative points-of-contact along with the telephone and facsimile numbers, followed by a letter signed by the authorized officer specifying the proposal validity period (at least 120 days). Part B - Overview: summarize proposed technologies and/or concepts as well as any innovative claims for the proposed research, and how technologies/concepts will contribute to large aperture hull arrays and support the objectives of a technology evaluation and demonstration. Part C - Deliverables: summarize deliverables including data associated with the proposed research. Part D - Schedule: present schedule and milestones for the proposed research that can be traced to the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). Part E - WBS: present WBS level 1 and level 2 (level 3 if space permits). Part F - SOW: a succinct Statement of Work clearly detailing the scope and objectives of the work and any specific contractor requirements (e.g., If any portion of the research is predicated upon the use of Government-owned resources of any type; the contractor shall clearly identify the resources required, the date the resource is required, the duration of the requirement, the source from which the resource may be acquired and the impact on the research if the resource is not provided). Part G - Technical Arguments: substantiate claims made in proposal Part B and present technical approach description consistent with the deliverables and schedule presented in proposal Parts C and D (Technical arguments should also address any major risk areas). Part H - Goal Accomplishment: a description of the results, products, and transferable technology expected from the contract. Part I - Corporate & Personnel Experience: a brief discussion of past performance detailing previous accomplishments and work in this or closely related research areas; previous cost and schedule performance; specific past contracts and points of contact; and the qualifications of key personnel. Volume II shall include the one-page work breakdown structure, a cost summary, and a detailed breakdown of costs (no page limit) with appropriate supporting data for the effort presented in Volume I . EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS WILL BE BASED ON THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA: (1) The overall scientific and technical merit of the proposed approach as it relates to the large aperture hull arrays effort (innovative aspects of the proposed effort are important considerations). (2) The offeror's capabilities, past performance on related projects, experience of key personnel critical to program success, facilities and/or techniques that are integral components for achieving the proposed objectives. (3) The realism of estimated costs and schedules and the potential affordability impact on the Navy, including total ownership costs, if applicable. These criteria are presented in descending order of importance for evaluation purposes with Factor (1), Scientific and Technical Merit, being significantly more important than any of the other evaluation criteria. WHITE PAPERS Content- Cover Page - The cover page shall be labeled - WHITE PAPER, and shall include the BAA number, proposed title, technical points of contact, with telephone number, facsimile number, and e-mail address. Technical Concept - A description of the technology innovation and technical risk areas. Schedule - An estimated schedule. Cost - A rough order of magnitude estimate of the proposal cost. White papers will be accepted and evaluated throughout the BAA period. Those offerors whose white papers show merit and are judged to be in the best interests of the Navy may be asked to submit a formal proposal as discussed above. This synopsis constitutes a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) per FAR 6.102(d)(2)(i); there will be no formal request for proposals (RFP) or other solicitation in regard to this announcement.*****
