A -- U.S. Army Simulation, Training and Instrumentation Command and Army Research Institute Broad Agency Announcement

The U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command Simulation and Training Technology Center (formerly STRICOM) publicized Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) N61339-01-R-0023 in the CBD on 01 March 2001. This notice calls for White Paper Submissions in reference to the research interest entitled, - Battlefield Simulation Research: 1-M. Embedded Simulation and Training Technical Points of Contact for this specific white paper submission: Mr. Henry Marshall, RDECOM STTC +1 (555) 000-0000, contact@example.gov (email contact preferred). Contractual Points of Contact: NAVAIR-Orlando-TSD, Ms. Debra Leuschel, Contract Specialist, 12350 Research Parkway, Orlando, FL 32826 or Ms. Vanessa Dobson, Procuring Contracting Officer, 12350 Research Parkway, Orlando, FL 32826. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES AND DESCRIPTION: Demonstrate a field capable mounted/dismounted embedded training systems for the Embedded Combined Arms Team Training and Mission Rehearsal (ECATT-MR) Science and Technology Objective (STO). These systems will lay the groundwork for future Army embedded systems that will provide deployable sustainment training and mission rehearsal for combined arms forces that accurately replicate the Contemporary Operational Environment. These systems will allow mounted/dismounted forces to train and perform mission rehearsal on demand without significant external support. The goal is to move the mounted /dismounted interoperable embedded training technologies to a Technology Readiness Level of 6 (which is a prototype demonstration in a relevant environment). A dismounted squad level unit using these systems supplemented by other embedded dismounted prototypes with one Future Combat System (FCS) Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV) like vehicle will do a mission rehearsal with the system and supporting capabilities such as Mission Walkthrough and After Action Review (AAR). The utility of the system to train, perform mission rehearsal and distributed AAR under likely field conditions will be evaluated. RESEARCH AREAS OF INTEREST RDECOM STTC is interested in those technologies for future mounted/dismounted embedded training. The goal is to focus on the demonstration of a future mounted/dismounted interoperable embedded training solution for FCS Manned Ground Vehicles (MGV) and supporting dismounted forces. The following narrative provides an abbreviated description of the prospective research areas. The description is not meant to be exhaustive, but rather to challenge the reader to create and submit innovative white papers/proposals that have the potential to dramatically expand and enhance the technologies to be pursued in the specific area of interest described below. Any submitted white paper or proposal must be grounded in achievable technology goals: The research area will: - Fully Immersive Man wearable Dismounted Embedded Virtual Simulation - demonstrate a Man wearable virtual simulation that provides effective embedded simulation and mission rehearsal capabilities within the future hardware footprints of a Land Warrior (LW) or Future Force Warrior (FFW) like system. This requires consideration of factors like weight, battery life and man wearable human factors. Other likely technology areas for improvement include; Helmet mounted or other display technologies, Wearable Computers, Movement tracking, and movement control. The system will track the body and weapon movements of the trainee and correlate them to the virtual environment. The system will be able to provide sensor and communication capabilities to coordinate collectively with other dismounted player units and the Mounted Force which will be represented by the Future Combat System (FCS) Infantry Carrier Testbed. The system will implement a limited set of Joint Variable Message (JVMF) messages to perform mounted/dismounted coordination. The offeror will need to deliver between 1 to 4 prototypes of the player units for experimentation. - Creative Low Cost approaches to provide Dismounted embedded virtual and constructive Simulation - Demonstrate alternative dismounted embedded player unit designs to provide effective collective training and mission rehearsal without the complexity of the fully immersive player unit. The player unit will be within the future hardware footprints of a Land Warrior (LW) or Future Force Warrior (FFW) like system. Will have the ability to provide sensor and communication capabilities to coordinate collectively with other dismounted player units and the Mounted Force, which will be represented by the FCS Infantry Carrier Vehicle Testbed. The system will allow the player to engage the enemy with realistic results. The system will implement a limited set of JVMF messages to perform mounted/dismounted coordination. The offeror will need to deliver between 1 to 4 prototypes of the player units for experimentation. - Distributed / Embedded AAR - Demonstrate an AAR concept for embedded simulation. This system will utilize the Dismounted Embedded player units (both immersive and low-cost systems) and the mounted players which are represented by the FCS ICV Testbed to provide and control the AAR. Information will be distributed among the embedded player units allowing them to and participate and understand the exercise flow rather than following a more traditional AAR approach which would occur in a theater. The AAR should be simple to use and focus on usability for a unit in the field. It is envisioned that this effort would be on top of an existing AAR system with the focus being how to distribute and effectively coordinate the AAR using the embedded player units. The system will implement a limited set of JVMF messages to perform mounted/dismounted coordination. - Mission Planning (MP)/Walkthrough for Embedded Simulation - Demonstrate a system to perform mission planning with the embedded mounted and dismounted systems. The system will be easy to use and allow the embedded operators to provide a mission walkthrough before its execution The system will provide a 3D visualization of database, units and key points of the mission/exercise. The system will allow tactical control measures to be visible in the 3D view. Ideally the system will also support a 2D view. The system will look into supporting the behaviors of the OPposing FORce (OPFOR) by downloading OPFOR parameters into OneSAF Testbed Baseline (OTB) or OneSAF Objective System (OOS). - Embedded Architecture Research - Demonstrate improved embedded architectures using FCS common components such as the OneSAF Objective system to build a streamlined embedded simulation engine. The system shall integrate with the ICV embedded test beds in the STTC lab and the dismounted embedded player units. The system shall also provide simulation of FCS robotic systems from the mounted and dismounted player units. - Embedded Augmented Reality (AR) Capability - demonstrate a fully embedded augmented reality (AR) capability on one of the following platforms: (1) A Land Warrior/Future Force Warrior (LW/FFW) - type surrogate, configured completely as man-wearable and untethered from any additional off-board computing and/or sensor infrastructure. All equipment for presentation of AR to the dismounted soldier shall be carried on the soldier system. (2) An FCS like Manned Ground Vehicle (MGV) platform testbed - The system shall provide for the integration of data from Live-Virtual-Constructive (LVC) linkages and present this data as 2D/3D graphics and entities, mixed and injected into the subject field of view (display) of the real environment. Virtual objects would include targets, special weapons effects, CGF, graphical situational awareness data, phase lines, target reference points, etc. The initial demonstration with the AR player units shall be provided in the STTC Lab NLT Fall 05. Final demonstration shall be in the Fall of 06, the goal of this demo is untethered under outdoor conditions. Delivery of one prototype system shall be required. - Intelligent Structured Training - Demonstrate improved embedded training and mission rehearsal capabilities through use of embedded Intelligent Tutoring Systems(ITS) to provide an Intelligent Structured Training capability. This will allow duty station task training in the vehicle without any instructors. The goal of this ITS will be to monitor tactical decision making, in real time, based upon Army Tactics, Techniques and Procedures. The ITS should provide one-on-one feedback, or - tutoring, to the soldier based on the quality of observed behavior. The Intelligent Structured Training technologies shall use either the ICV or the Command and Control Vehicle testbed to integrate their products and conduct initial and final demonstrations. The ITS component will be designed to provide real time feedback to the soldier during training and mission rehearsal by providing dynamic feedback using the capabilities of the system, including the Soldier Machine Interface, 3D Audio and other such mechanisms. The ITS will be capable of dynamically evaluating student decisions such that the scenarios and evaluations do not have to be pre-defined. The ITS will be easy to configure and develop evaluations for real-time mission rehearsal. The ease of authoring new training scenarios is critical. The system should interface to likely FCS components like OneSAF to provide Opposing Force (OPFOR) and friendly Computer Generated Forces (CGF) needed to train the tasks. The effort will require reports describing system design, interfaces, and ITS evaluation authoring tool and any experimental results. PROGRAM SCOPE RDECOM STTC anticipates making awards in each research area with the dollar amounts for the research areas typically ranging between $100,000 to $400,000 for each. The planned method for accomplishing the research in each prospective area is to utilize a phased approach. Therefore, white papers submitted should be structured so that the technical approach/solution for the proposed research area(s) address a Basic Effort (Phase I) and one (1) priced Option Effort (Phase II). The white paper needs to address at least one of the research areas listed above and must include the anticipated period of performance, a technical description of the proposed concepts, the technical objectives and planned approach to accomplish any operational demonstrations as well as a rough order of magnitude (ROM) cost. The ROM cost consists of the total cost plus profit/fee, if any. (See Phase I and Phase II information below for additional requirements). PHASE I. Phase I will be a 12 month effort and funding may consist of approximately $100,000 -$400,000 per research area. The effort will culminate in an initial demonstration in the Simulation and Training Technology Center (STTC) in Fall 2005. The efforts will require reports describing the system description /design, interfaces, findings/conclusions, and any experimentation results. The systems will be Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) interoperable with the FCS ICV Testbed and other player units. A common database(s) using Openflight format will be provided in support of the experiments PHASE II. Phase II will be a 12 month effort and funding may consist of approximately $100,000 -$400,000 per research area. Final Demonstration will be at the ECATT-MR STO Culminating Event in Fall 2006. This event shall demonstrate a field capable mounted/dismounted system moving the mounted /dismounted technology to a prototype demonstration in a relevant environment. A dismounted squad level unit using this system supplemented by other embedded dismounted prototypes with one FCS Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV) like vehicle will do a mission rehearsal with the system and supporting elements like Mission Planning and After Action Review (AAR). The unit would then carry out the actual live training mission. The utility of the system to train and perform mission rehearsal will be evaluated. There will be at least 2 mandatory formal technical interchange meetings during Phase 1. Each proposal shall include a statement that the offeror agrees to: a) the formal exchange of technical information with other ECATT-MR STO Programs, subject to signed non-disclosure agreements and b) participation in the interchange meetings. Reference Documents are provided on the PEO STRI website at www.peostri.army.mil/BAA/ECATT-MR.jsp This announcement constitutes the entire solicitation for this effort. WHITE PAPER SUBMISSION: Any responsible offeror capable of satisfying the needs identified in this announcement may submit a white paper. White paper submissions are encouraged as early as possible but must be received at RDECOM STTC no later than 1600 EDT on 6 Oct 2004. No extensions will be granted. White papers must address requirements for both phases and shall not exceed 10 pages in length, excluding resumes. Only unclassified white papers will be accepted. All white papers must include Phase II as a priced option. The white papers will be reviewed to determine that the proposed effort is within the scope and interest of this solicitation. A proposal will only be solicited from white paper deemed to best meet the program objectives. White papers will be evaluated by a technical review board using the following criteria listed in descending order of importance: (1) The overall scientific and/or technical merits of the proposal. (2) The potential contributions and/or transition of the effort to the Army simulation, training and instrumentation mission and the extent to which the research effort will contribute to high priority Army interests. (3) The qualifications and experience of the proposed principal investigator, team leader, and other key personnel who are critical to the achievement of the proposal objectives. (4) The offeror's capabilities, related experience, facilities, techniques, or unique combination of these which are integral factors for achieving the proposal objectives. (5) The reasonableness and realism of proposed costs and fees, if any, and the availability of funds. Cost reasonableness and realism will be assessed, but this assessment is of a lower priority than the technical evaluation. White papers found to be consistent with the requirements of this announcement and deemed to best meet the program objectives may be invited to submit a technical and cost proposal. To be eligible for award a white paper must be submitted. Offerors will be notified whether or not their white paper was favorably received on or about 28 Oct 2004. Favorable review of a white paper does not constitute selection of the proposed effort for contract award and will not establish a binding commitment for the Government to fund the effort in whole or part. Upon notification, the Government will issue a request for proposal letter with complete instructions for proposal preparation. An invitation to submit a proposal does not assure that the offeror will be awarded a subsequent contract. If proposals are solicited, proposals are due no later than 1600 EDT on 30 Nov 2004. This announcement is an expression of interest only and does not commit the government to reimburse any proposal preparation cost for responding. The cost of proposal preparation in response to this announcement are not considered an allowable expense to the normal bid and proposal indirect costs as specified in FAR 31.205-18. Any request for white paper or submission of a full proposal does not guarantee award. The Government reserves the right to cancel this requirement at any time and shall not be liable for any cost of proposal preparation or submission. Within the meaning of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) at 6.102 and 35.016, this announcement constitutes the Government's solicitation for this effort. There will be no other solicitation issued in regard to this requirement. Offerors should be alert for any BAA amendments that may be published. The white papers should be provided in hardcopy and electronic form. MAIL WHITE PAPERS TO: US Army RDECOM STTC, Attn: Mr. Henry Marshall, 12423 Research Parkway, Orlando, Fl 32826 no later than 1600 EDT on 6 Oct 2004. The administrative addresses for this solicitation are: Technical Points of Contact RDECOM STTC Technical Point of Contact is: Mr. Henry Marshall, +1 (555) 000-0000, contact@example.gov Contracting Point of Contact: NAVAIR Orlando TSD, Ms. Debra Leuschel, Contract Specialist , Code 25353, 12350 Research Parkway, Orlando, FL 32826 ATTN: BAA N61339-01-R-0023 This announcement may be retrieved via the WWW at URL http://www.peostri.army.mil/BAA/home.jsp