WIRELESS INFORMATION NETWORK CYBER-DEFENSE

s time period. The areas of interest include: 1) Development of integrated multi-layer techniques for the protection of mobile, ad-hoc wireless info networks, detection of attacks on them, and the reaction of the network nodes to these attacks once they have been detected.; 2) The broad range of physical, data link and network layer techniques to assure the availability, integrity, and confidentiality of the wireless networks, which will consist of both commercial and DoD specific assets, to include an assessment of the threats that may be presented to each of the layers; 3) Development of programmable, interoperable, common physical layer algorithms and link and network protocols that self-adapt to time-varying jammers, provide Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) capabilities and adapt to varying Quality of Service (QoS) requirements; 4) Hardware prototyping and proof-of-concept development/demonstration systems; 5) The broad range of innovative physical layer techniques for interference mitigation to assure availability. Specific technology and support programs include: 1) Application of new high-efficiency spread spectrum waveforms and interference mitigation algorithms to Mobile Radio Multiple Access networked systems to provide "on-demand' Anti-Jam/Low Probability of Intercept (AJ/LPI) capability; 2) Responsive, adaptive Link Control/Authentication Techniques; 3) Network layer protocols to utilize, secure, and connect to commercial wireless networks, and that assure security of routing updates and are resistant to spoofing; 4) Digital Watermarking for authentication of data; 5) Robust protocols for the transmission of ATM packets over wireless links; 6) Smart Networking Radio/DARPA GloMo technologies; emphasis is placed on the integration and insertion of advanced wireless information assurance technologies into existing and emerging networking infrastructures and systems and the extension of such capabilities into a larger network. Deliverables will be technical reports and, when appropriate, demonstrations. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONSTITUTES THE ENTIRE SOLICITATION. DO NOT SUBMIT A FORMAL PROPOSAL AT THIS TIME. EVALUATION CRITERIA: Proposals will be evaluated using the following criteria in descending order of importance: (1) overall scientific and technical merit; (2) potential contributions/relevance to the Air Force and DoD; (3) capabilities and experience; (4) plans and capabilities to accomplish technology transfer; and (5) total cost and cost realism. (NOTE: Cost realism will be used as an evaluation criterion only in proposals, which have significantly under or over estimated the cost to complete the effort). In addition, the Government will consider other factors, such as past and present performance on recent Government contracts and the capacity to perform the requirements of the effort. Offerers are