A -- Advanced Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Range and Vibrational Sensing, Imaging Coherent Optical Radar (ICHOR)

ADVANCED ELECTRO-OPTICAL/INFRARED (EO/IR) RANGE AND VIBRATIONAL SENSING, IMAGING COHERENT OPTICAL RADAR (ICHOR) The Electro-Optical Technology Division of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is interested in industry, government and university Modeling, Test and Evaluation (MT&E) capabilities in the areas of advanced electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) range and vibrational sensing. Potential military applications include mine detection, concealed target identification, masked aircraft detection and other relevant applications that can leverage this technology. The information will be used to identify capabilities to be used in the test and evaluation of ICHOR components and systems developed under the ICHOR Program described in DARPA BAA 04-02, 17 November 2003. The proposed capability must be able to support testing of systems and components to include the levels set forward in the go/no go criteria as provided in the referenced BAA. It is expected that components to be tested could include: detector material structures and geometries, laser sources and optics, read out designs and structures. Established software models and algorithms that support development of ICHOR technologies are of interest, including signal processing concepts. Of additional interest are test ranges/ facilities that can support system and subsystem level testing in operational scenarios. Information you supply in response to this RFI should describe your existing capability/qualifications in sufficient detail to determine your organization's ability in terms of: 1) test ranges (i. e. ground truth, meteorological data, target availability, etc. ), 2) test facilities (i. e. test equipment, calibration standards, clean room, space, environmental, etc. ), 3) modeling and simulation (i. e. hardware, relevant models, etc. ), 4) personnel (resumes), 5) capacity to respond in a timely manner, 6) previous relevant experience, and 7) ability to handle classified material as required. Gathered information will be used to expand the knowledge base of available MT&E facilities suitable for ICHOR purposes. The government will also use the information to build a potential capabilities list to support MT&E efforts in advancing the state of the art in imaging coherent optical radar and related technologies. Interest in an advantageous capability will be followed by subsequent inquiries and/or visits to the contributor. Organizations that have contributed to similar solicitations to other DOD branches or Government agencies should respond here as well to assure exposure of their capability to the ICHOR Program. This announcement is a request for information and no contract will be awarded pursuant to this announcement. There is no bid package or solicitation document associated with this announcement. The requested information is for planning purposes and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a procurement will be issued. However, DARPA will utilize the information for technical and acquisition planning, to support decisions in the early May 2004 time frame. It is recognized that any cost information provided by the contractor is a preliminary estimate for planning purposes; the contractor will not be bound to these estimates. The government also invites comments and ideas related to the ICHOR Program and future commercial and military applications. If there is a GSA or other contract vehicle already available for the capability being proposed, please include this information in the response. Questions concerning this announcement should be referred to the Technical POC below. Submissions should be provided NLT 2 April 2004. Electronic submissions in Microsoft Office format are required. White papers in contractor format are acceptable. There are no limitations in number of pages; however an executive summary is required. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: This announcement is UNCLASSIFIED. Information received in response to this RFI may be CLASSIFIED up to the SECRET level. Nonproprietary information is desired, however, any information received in response to this RFI which is marked or designated as corporate or proprietary information will be fully protected from release outside the government. Support contractors will provide analysis of this effort as part of the government team; the government encourages non-disclosure agreements. It is not the intent to reimburse providers for the cost of submitting information in response to this RFI. Technical POC info: Robert Muse, voice: +1 (555) 000-0000 ext. 240, fax +1 (555) 000-0000, email: contact@example.gov. Security POC info: Frederick Heitkamp, voice: +1 (555) 000-0000 ext. 271, fax +1 (555) 000-0000, email: frederick.heitkamp@ wpafb.af.mil.