--Software Technologies targeting Interoperability for Systems of Systems

Interoperability and the management of complexity are chief challenges to harness in meeting the DoDs future needs for its information and control infrastructure. The US Army Research Laboratory is focused on these needs for future Army technology . For example, the Armys Future Combat System (FCS) will be a joint architecture made up of 18 individual systems plus the network and Soldier. It will be an ensemble of manned and unmanned systems designed to provide a multi-functional, multi-mission r econfigurable system of systems. FCS will bring together a multitude of components within each individual system and require interoperability amongst the major systems. Software is the necessary component which will tie together all the pieces as well as guarantee nonfunctional system attributes such as adaptability, dependability, flexibility and agility. The difficulties of real world networking and communications will also provide great challenges to assure and secure the information flow. FCS and ot her future DoD systems will still be required to interface and integrate with legacy systems and provide methodology for integrating future functional enhancements. U.S. Army Research Laboratory is currently seeking proposals through its Broad Agency Announcement DAAD19-03-R-0017, Topic 1.15 found at http://www.arl.army.mil/main/main/ to develop and transition new methodologies, tools, technologies and techniques that improve the quality, dependability and interoperability of software for large, net-centric system of systems. Key in this effort is to develop and establish principles of interoperability and complexity management as a foundation for developing a service -oriented architecture for these ultra large scale systems. These principles will enable the precise description of components, their construction and their acceptable interactions (e.g., to enforce performance and security requirements), leading to new approaches for building and assembling systems. Research Concentration Areas: In order to address these challenges, the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) under the auspices of the OSD Software-Intensive Systems Producibility Initiative (SISPI) is soliciting proposals in the following areas. They are suggestive of topic areas which will enable future DoD systems to move towards net-centric environments. They are not in priority order and are meant to stimulate ideas for prospective proposals. Other novel and creative solutions are strongly encouraged . a. Domain-specific modeling languages and semantics b. Model-based design and development/engineering for system of systems architectures and ultra large scale software intensive architectures. c. Models which support reflective (self-referential) capability d. Principles and ontology development for organization of components, their design and construction e. Verifiably correct generators and models f. Re-engineering and Integration technologies (methods, tools, metrics, models, etc.) for legacy systems Proposals must show and will be expected to deliver a functional model package which will include usable software methodologies, models archetypes, and/or tools which can be tested and incorporated into DoD R&D programs. The Software and Systems Test Trac k (managed by the Air Force Research Laboratory), another component of the OSD SISPI will provide an open framework environment where tools and products may be deployed and allowed to interact in real-time, interactive, evolutionary and interdependent mean s, allowing rigorous testing of new technologies, methodologies and theories in support of the OSD Software-Intensive Systems Producibility Initiative. While Topic 1.15 will remain open throughout the period covered by BAA DAAD19-03-R-0017, funding is currently available under this topic for up to THREE awards. Cooperative agreements, under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2358, are anticipated to be awarded f or a period of three yea rs, to include a one year basic period of performance and two one year options. The funding level for these awards is not to exceed $700,000/year for all awards. It is anticipated that award(s) will be made to academic institutions; however proposals may include performance by other than academic institutions, so long as such institutions are willing to perform under a cooperative agreement. To be considered for this years funding, white papers in accordance with PART IV - Section 3 of the ARL BAA must be received by 25 May 2006. Papers must be submitted in no smaller than 12 point font and may not exceed 5 pages double-spaced. In approximately 2-3 weeks after receipt of white papers, offerors submitting proposals of interest to ARL will receive an inv itation to submit a complete proposal in accordance with PART IV - Section 4 of the ARL BAA. Complete proposal will be due approximately 3-4 weeks from issuance of the invitation letter. The proposed schedule for initial proposals/awards is: White Papers due: 25 May 2006, Proposal Invitations: 15 June 2006, Proposals Due:10 July 2006, Awards: 10 August 2006