--Broad Agency Announcement for Research and Development on Clothing, Equipage, Subsistence, and Other Individual Military Needs

NA The U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center (NSC) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) identifies scientific and technical areas of interest for research and/or exploratory development. This solicitation can be viewed on the Internet at http://www3.natick.army .mil under the Business Opportunities heading. This BAA is conducted using full and open competition. In an effort to minimize proposal preparation cost, this BAA will utilize a two-step process. The first step will be the submission of a concept paper. O fferors that submit concept papers that are consistent with the intent of the BAA, and are of interest to the government will be invited to submit a proposal (step two). Such an invitation does not assure that the submitting organization will be awarded a contract. Instructions for the submission of concept papers and proposals are contained in the BAA. The submission of a concept paper is required prior to the submission of a proposal. Failure to follow this two-step process may preclude the chance for aw ard. Proposals submitted in response to the BAA will be evaluated in accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth in the BAA. Technical evaluations will employ a peer or scientific review process. A proposal's technical evaluation, its importance to agency programs, and fund availability are primary bases for contract award. Cost realism and reasonableness shall also be considered to the extent appropriate. Concept papers will be accepted continuously through 28 February 2003. This BAA will remain open continuously through 31 March 2003. The BAA technical areas of interest are divided into the following groups: 1. Combat Ration Research and Development; 2. Military Operations in Urban and Restricted Domains (objectives focus on military operations in urban and restricted domains and unmanned aerial and ground vehicles (UAV/UGVs) for urban operations); 3. Food Service/Field Service (objectives focus on combat food service equipment for individual and group feeding, and unit/organization equipment); 4. Warrior Systems Technologies (objectives focus on ballistic protection for individuals, individual laser eye protection, flame and thermal protection for the individual soldier, chemical/biological protection for individuals, counter surveillance, body worn smart materials, head mounted, hand held, body-worn systems and smart-lightweight electronic components/modules for information management, biomechanics, materials nanotechnology, wearable solar cells, anthropometry, advanced protection and integratio n technologies and systems, and warrior performance); 5. Tentage, Fabric Structures and Rigid Wall Shelters; 6. Airdrop - Advanced Personnel and Cargo Airdrop Systems; 7. Textile Technologies; 8. Modeling and Simulation (objectives focus on individual and small unit performance and survivability, airdrop system combat worth simulation, and analytic 3D soldier system prototyping & testing); 9. Biosystems Technology Program Research and Development; and 10. Pathfinder Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration . All technical questions may be directed to the respective technical/administrative POC listed under each subject/technology area of the BAA.