--Biometric Collection, Analysis, Fusion and Transmission Technology Demonstrations

Military applications of biometric exploitation to date have largely focused on the use of fingerprints to identify personnel for entry into controlled areas. Biometrics has an expanded role in military operations such as combat identification (frie nd, foe, or neutral); offensive operations (intelligence support to targeting); force protection (base access); detention operations; civil-military operations (track target members of a population); and personnel recovery and identification. In addition, biometrics can be utilized to improve business functions such as physical and logical access controls and privilege management applications like health care benefits, finance, and time reporting. U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) is currently s eeking proposals through its Broad Agency Announcement W911NF-07-R-0001, Topic 2.63, added via Amendment 1, found at http://www.arl.army.mil/www/DownloadedInternetPages/CurrentPages/DoingBusinesswithARL/research/07_r_0001_amendment1.pdf , to develop and tr ansition new methodologies, tools, technologies and techniques that advance the state-of-the-art across the spectrum of the biometrics infrastructure to provide users with new and enhanced capabilities. ARL solicits proposals focusing on the development a nd demonstration of functional models and the assessment of biometric functionality across any of the Focus Areas described below. Demonstrations and assessments will be performed in coordination with the Department of Defense (DoD) Biometrics Task Force. Results should include technical performance measurements and analysis from actual testbeds and laboratory environments. Research Concentration Areas: In order to address these challenges, the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL), on behalf of the DoD Biometrics Task Force, is soliciting proposals in the following areas. These are suggestive of topic areas that will enable future DoD systems to move toward full spectrum, biometric capabilities. They are not in priority order and are meant to stim ulate ideas for perspective proposals. Other novel and creative solutions are strongly encouraged. a. Ability to sense and collect biometric b. Ability to enhance biometric data c. Application and processing algorithms d. Biometrics and all sources data fusion e. Biometrics database and communications architectures Proposals must show, and will be expected to deliver, a functional model package that will include usable hardware/software methodologies, models archetypes, and/or t ools that can be tested and incorporated into DoD R&D programs. An open framework environment will be provided by ARL where tools and products may be deployed and allowed to interact in real-time, interactive, evolutionary and interdependent means, allowi ng rigorous testing of new technologies, methodologies and theories in support of the DoD Biometrics Task Force. While Topic 2.63 will remain open throughout the period covered by BAA W911NF-07-R-0001, funding is currently available under this topic for up to ten procurement contract awards. The funding level for these awards is not anticipated to exceed $750,000/year per award. To be considered for this years funding, white papers in accordance with PART III  SECTIONS 3-4 of the ARL BAA must be received by 21 March 2008. Each white paper must be submitted with a single PowerPoint chart, in landscape mode, divided into four equal quadrants. The upper left quadrant shall contain a graphic representing the approach or product described in the whit e paper. The lower left quadrant shall contain a brief description of the approach and the expected product described in the white paper. The upper right quadrant shall contain a brief description of the approach and the expected product described in the white paper. The lower right quadrant shall contain an estimate of the proposed cost for each major milestone described in the white paper. Use no smaller th an 18 point Arial font. This chart will not count against the white paper page count. In approximately 2-3 weeks after receipt of white papers, offerors submitting proposals of interest to ARL will receive an invitation to submit a complete propos al in accordance with PART III  SECTIONS 5-6 of the ARL BAA. Complete proposals will be due approximately 3-4 weeks from issuance of the invitation letter. The proposed schedule for initial proposals/awards is: White papers due: 21 March 20 08 Proposal Invitations: 15 April 2008 Proposals Due: 9 May 2008 Awards: 10 July 2008 Point of Contact Dr. Keith Aliberti, contact@example.gov, (301)-394-2320.