A--Research & Development

This synopsis is being posted to both the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) page located at http://www.fbo.gov and the Navy Electronic Commerce on Line (NECO) site located at https://www.neco.navy.mil. While it is understood that FBO is the single point of entry for posting of synopsis and solicitations to the internet, NECO is the alternative in case FBO is unavailable. Please feel free to use either site to access information posted by the Naval Sea Systems Command. BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) FOR NAVY AND MARINE CORP SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BAA Announcement Improving Targeting Accuracy Posted on 5 July 2007 This publication constitutes a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) as contemplated in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.102(d)(2), the Department of Defense Grants and Agreements Regulations (DODGARS) 22.315(a), or DOD's Other Transaction Guide for Prototypes. A formal Request for Proposals (RFP), other solicitation, and/or additional information regarding this announcement will not be issued. This synopsis is being posted to both the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) webpage located at http://www.fbo.gov and the Navy Electronic Commerce on Line (NECO) website located at https://www.neco.navy.mil. While it is understood that FBO is the single point of entry for posting of synopsis and solicitations to the internet, NECO is the alternative in case FBO is unavailable. Please feel free to use either site to access information posted by the Naval Sea Systems Command. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) will not issue paper copies of this announcement. The NSWCDD reserves the right to select for award all, some, or none of the proposals in response to this announcement. NSWCDD reserves the right to fund all, some, or none of the proposals received under this BAA. NSWCDD provides no funding for direct reimbursement of proposal development costs. Technical and cost proposals (or any other material) submitted in response to this BAA will not be returned. It is the policy of NSWCDD to treat all proposals as sensitive competitive information and not to disclose their contents. All responsible sources from industry and academia may submit proposals under this BAA. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs) are encouraged to submit proposals and join others in submitting proposals. However, no portion of this BAA will be set aside for HBCU and MI participation. Federally Funded Research & Development Centers (FFRDCs), including Department of Energy National Laboratories, are not eligible to bid on this BAA. However, teaming arrangements between FFRDCs and eligible principal bidders are allowed so long as they are permitted under the sponsoring agreement between the Government and the specific FFRDC. This announcement will remain open for one (1) year from the date of publication or until replaced by a successor BAA. Proposals may be submitted at any time during this period. Please note: This is a REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY, NOT A SOLICITATION. Awards under this BAA are expected to take the form of grants, cooperative agreements, other transactions, or contracts. Department of Defense funding for this BAA will be provided in one of the following funding categories: RDT&E (Research Development Test and Evaluation), 6.1. Basic Research, 6.2. Applied Research, OMMC (Operation and Maintenance Marine Corps) or other funds. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division is interested in receiving proposals/ white papers which offer potential for advancement and improvement of Targeting Accuracy Systems. There is an urgent need for components or systems capable of improving targeting accuracy. Current weapon systems are capable of engaging targets with an accuracy that exceeds the limits of the targeting equipment. Technical questions should be directed to Attn: XDS11C, Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren, 17632 Dahlgren Road, Suite 157, Dahlgren, VA 22448-5110, or email to contact@example.gov. Topic Areas of Interest/Objectives The following topics are areas of current interest: Topic: A. Azimuth Sensing System There is an urgent need for a system capable of improving targeting accuracy. Current weapon systems are capable of engaging targets with an accuracy that exceeds the limits of the targeting equipment. Currently only laser designation provides a practical solution to this problem, however, this makes the operator vulnerable to counterattacks. Accurate knowledge of a user location coupled with range, heading, and elevation to target provides a solution where a brief range-finding designation will allow for a target's location to be know well enough to call for a precision strike. Provide a non-magnetic azimuth sensing system for use on man-portable targeting devices such as laser range finders and laser designators. This system shall eliminate well known problems with digital magnetic compasses. his will allow for operation in urban environments, near vehicles, and while wearing body armor. The system will improve on the accuracy of a digital magnetic compass even in good magnetic environments. Reduce Target Location Error (TLE) to be less than 10m, permitting accurate target location at ranges of 10km from observer to target. Due to the needs of the user, the system must work inside a building and be small in size. These limitations rule out the use of all current GPS interferometrics and star finder technologies. The most promising solutions are currently based on gyro-compassing; however, novel ideas are encouraged. The program goals require threshold parameters to be demonstrated within 6 months. After successful completion of threshold parameters the program will take a spiral development approach toward the objective parameters with a total program time of 24 months. The systems characteristic are as follows: Threshold a. Man portable fieldable item b. <1 mil Vertical angle accuracy c. Boresightable to optics d. Volume < 0.1 cu ft e. 6 mils azimuth accuracy f. 5 lbs g. 500 deg/s survivable slew rate (may need recalibration) h. < 200 sec startup time Objective a. Handheld fieldable item b. < 1 mil Vertical angle accuracy c. Boresightable to optics d. Volume no more than 0.25 cu in e. 1 mils azimuth accuracy f. 0.5 lbs g. 1000 deg/s operational slew rate (without recalibration) h. < 30 sec startup time Topic: B. Lightweight Modular Designator The Marine Corps is looking to improve on the weight and usability of current laser designator technologies. Current man portable designator technologies weigh as much as 30 lbs including batteries. Reducing this weight is the primary motivator behind this effort. Recent reduction in output energy requirements and improvements in laser technology have made new opportunities available for laser designators. The specifications listed below are the threshold requirements for this new system. Specifications: -1.064 um wavelength -50 mJ output energy -PRF code capable -Designate at least 5 km -96 - 1 minute designations -No more than 5 lbs including batteries -Designator must boresight to optics Topic: C. Laser Designator Research The Marine Corps is looking for opportunities to help transition research and lab development to fieldable technologies. This opportunity is limited to the field of handheld laser designation. reas of interest include but are not limited to: -Novel laser technologies -Novel seeker technologies -Laser spot imaging technologies -1.54um wavelength laser and seeker technologies Topic: D. Power Solutions for Distributed Operations Current small unit power is focused on BA-5590, BB-2590, or similar battery technologies. The current requirement is to reduce number, weight, and types of replacement batteries required to support electrical needs of a dismounted unit. Current systems limit the ability for a dismounted unit to recharge batteries. New and emerging technologies have the potential to significantly improve the logistics burden incurred by distributed and dismounted small unit operations. Areas of interest include but are not limited to: -Power generation technologies for small, dismounted units as well as squad level -Battery charging technologies for small, dismounted units as well as squad level -Various methods for recharging batteries integrated into one package (ex: hand crank, host country power, DC, solar, etc.) Program goals require initial technology demonstration within 1 year, with a fieldable system demonstrated within 2 years. Application and Submission Process for White Papers All white papers submissions will be protected from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with FAR 15.207, applicable law, and Department of Defense and Department of Navy regulations. Offerors are expected to appropriately mark each page of their submission that contains proprietary information. All white papers received will be maintained for a period not to exceed three years and will be considered as candidate sources for research projects during that period. Offerors may replace, update, or withdraw white paper submissions at any time. ll white papers submitted for topics may be considered. Submissions of white papers under this BAA are expected to be unclassified. However, confidential/classified proposals are permitted with prior/advanced approval from the TPOC. Offerors are expected to appropriately mark each page of their submission that contains proprietary information. The NSWCDD, Code XDS11C must be notified in writing 5 working days prior to submission of any classified proposals. Every classified proposal must be accompanied by an Unclassified Statement of Work (SOW). Alternatives to the format and content identified below may be appropriate depending on the scope and nature of the proposed effort. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division anticipates making multiple awards of contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or other transactions. When appropriate, research grants will be the preferred award method. All white papers received that indicate interest in a particular research/technology area will be reviewed for potential projects in that area. Please identify the area in which your research and/or technology is to be considered. Proposal Evaluation White papers will be reviewed and formal technical and cost proposals may be required from sources whose approaches have been selected for further consideration. An invitation to submit a proposal does not assure subsequent contract award. Formal Cost and Technical Proposals may be required approximately four (4) weeks after notification that NSWCDD has decided to pursue the offeror's approach as identified in their white paper submission. Proposals will be evaluated using the following criteria: (A) Overall scientific, technical, or social-economic merits of the proposal; (B) Potential contributions of the effort to specific Marine Corp missions in target location and acquisition effectiveness and overall reduction in size and weight, as made clear in the proposal. (C) The offeror's capabilities related experience, facilities, techniques, or unique combinations of these which are integral factors for achieving the proposal objectives; (D) The qualifications, capabilities, ! and experience of the proposed principal investigator, team leader or key personnel who are critical in achieving the proposal objectives: (E) Innovativeness in identification of problems and approaches to solutions; and (F) Realism of the proposed cost and availability of funds. White papers should be written in MS Word format, photos and illustration should be in either .jpg or .pdf format. The white paper shall be emailed to contact@example.gov. Hard copies submissions are neither required nor desired. White papers should be formatted as follows: A. Cover Page (one page) - identify offeror by name and address, include point of contact (Office of Sponsored Programs, etc.) with telephone number and email address, include date of submission, indicate that submission is in response to this BAA. B. Overview. The white paper submission must include an abstract encompassing technology being used, not to exceed two type written pages. C. Costing (one page) - provide representative salary costs (hourly rates). In addition, identify and provide all applicable indirect (facility and administration) rates that would be charged on each project; provide name, address, and point of contact, including telephone number, of applicable government auditor and, where applicable, government Administrative Grants Officer/Administrative Contracting Officer. D. Specific Research Area Information [one page for each research/technology area (listed above) in which you have interest/capability to conduct research projects] - provide specific capability information applicable to the research area to supplement information provided in the overview; identify/discuss specific human resources expertise, specific facilities or equipment relevant to the research area, offeror's prior participation in related research projects, and any other relevant information. DO NOT submit a specific research proposal unless requested. Please identify the topic area applicable to your white paper submission. Questions regarding this announcement may be submitted to Attn: XDS11C, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren, 17632 Dahlgren Road, Suite 157, Dahlgren, VA 22448-5110, or email to contact@example.gov. This announcement will remain open and white papers will be accepted through 3 July 2008. Awards may be made at any time after this notification is published, but only those offerors who have submitted white papers will be considered. Early submissions are encouraged. This notice constitutes a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Scientific and Engineering Research for Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, and, as such, solicits the participation of all offerors capable of satisfying the Government's needs. This BAA should not be construed as a commitment or authorization to incur costs in anticipation of a grant, cooperative agreement, other transaction, or contract; the Government is not bound to make any awards under this announcement.