CFDA Number: 12.800 DATES: It is recommended that white papers be received by the following  dates to maximize the possibility of award: FY 07 should be submitted by 29  Nov 06; FY 08 by 1 May 07; FY 09 by 1 May 08 and, FY 10 by 1 May 09. White  papers will be accepted until 2:00 p.m. Eastern time on 30 Sep 2009, but it is  less likely that funding will be available in each respective fiscal year  after the dates cited. FORMAL PROPOSALS ARE NOT BEING REQUESTED AT THIS  TIME. See Section IV of this announcement for further details.  I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION: Sensors as Robots represents the next evolutionary step in sensor  development. The program proposes an autonomous constellation of autonomous  sensors utilizing advanced knowledge-based algorithms that leverage knowledge  of the environment, targets and past experiences to provide performance gains  of orders of magnitude in interference rejection, target detection,  identification and tracking. Unlike existing fielded monolithic systems,  Sensors as Robots strives to produce sensors that augment existing  capabilities by optimally utilizing all available resources in a pervasive and  anticipatory manner. It is also envisioned that this technology will  facilitate sensing missions that humans are not capable of or available to  conduct. In addition, further goals extend to the development of concepts and  technology for future weapons systems that eliminate the possibility of  involuntarily placing the warfighter and supporting staff in harms way. Achieving such a lofty goal requires development of new technology and future  roadmaps for that which cannot be developed in the initial phase of this  program. Technology development must focus on the following five areas, in  ascending order of importance; net-centric sensing for Net-Centric  Warfare/layered sensing/distributed sensing, proportional engagement and  predictive resource allocation. Due to the broad scope of this program, white  papers should strive to minimize duplication of efforts within the Department  of Defense. Therefore, it is imperative that all parties submitting white  papers be aware of existing and emerging capabilities. Those of relevance  should be leveraged in submitted white papers to reduce development time of  the final product.  The U.S. Air Force has set an ambitious goal to be able to anticipate, find,  fix, track, target, engage, and assess ? anything, anytime, anywhere.  Achieving a multi-faceted goal of this nature requires a solution not limited  by traditional approaches, since conventional radar and other sensors are  not sufficient. The current norm advocates larger more powerful antennas,  utilizing existing detection processing and power-aperture products. Instead,  what is needed, is a distributed network of heterogeneous sensors (RF, EO/IR  and acoustic transducers) utilizing advanced signal processing techniques and  system concepts. Through this manner, we can achieve order of magnitude  performance gains over existing and planned systems.  Waveform diversity is currently perceived to be the current state of the art  in radar technology. Recent research incorporates adaptivity into the  transmitted waveform for multi-mission multi-mode simultaneous SAR and GMTI,  integrated sensing and communication. Focus on the joint design of antenna and  waveform systems by the Air Force for integrated sensing has led to  distributed apertures being considered as a generalization of classically  designed multi-static radar system concepts. This abstraction resulted in  fine angular resolution aspects of distributed apertures being investigated,  with orthogonal waveforms and frequency diversity applied for the suppression  of grating lobes. Such systems are being proposed for precision engagement,  as well as for ground moving target indication and identification  applications. At the same time, others are extending traditional multiple- input multiple-output techniques with frequency diversity for radar  applications. And by exploiting spatial diversity in lieu of bandwidth, radio  frequency tomography is demonstrating improved resolution using a variety of  waveforms, including multi-band and ultra-narrow band signals. A unified  approach of waveform design combined with spatial diversity is also advancing  the state-of-the-art. No longer are the signals radiated from each element  assumed to be identical within a phase shift, and this lead to new  capabilities. One of such is frequency diverse arrays, which have the  potential to generate beam patterns that vary direction of focus with range. A new capability that is of particular interest is simultaneous multi-mission  multi-mode operation. Multi-mode radars have existed for many years, but  these systems typically employ sequential or interleaved modes of operation,  often changed on a mission to mission basis rather than a true simultaneous  capability. This can create problems when, for example, a ground moving  target indication system is tracking a target which stops moving. Unless  other (imaging) sensors are within the region of interest, the target may be  lost. This traditional approach clearly does not lend itself to the ambitious  goal to find, fix, and track ? anything, anytime, anywhere. If we are going  to adhere to this goal, then our distributed/layered sensors need to be able  to go anywhere at anytime. In addition, they must be able to function  autonomously or as a seamlessly integrated system capable of conducting  intelligent surveillance and reconnaissance to support military efforts  against new threats. Through Sensors as Robots technology, the Air Force will  be able to automatically predict the optimum positioning of sensors (air,  ground and space) at the right times to facilitate these needs. Therefore,  Sensors as Robots is seen as the next logical step in the development of Net  Centric Sensors for Net Centric Warfare. It is also considered to be  essential for successful development of distributed and layered sensors that  are complementary to the AF triad (AWACS, JSTARS and River Joints). Such  platform's onboard sensors stand to gain optimized flight profiles through  unobtrusive network interaction. Sensing modalities (especially waveforms),  inter/intra-platform sharing of signals and data, communications and  electronic warfare are in a position to reap the benefits of leveraging this  technology's infrastructure. These gains do not even take into account the  flexibility provided from the logical extension of existing and future assets  that will become available. Additional applications and further musings may  be found in the motivational discussion in reference [1]. AFRL/SN seeks detailed concepts and plans for the realization of Sensors as  Robots as a future technology foundational to next generation systems.  Experimental demonstration of all critical aspects of this technology,  especially signal, image and data processing algorithms are essential.  Systems of systems level simulation analysis demonstrating performance metrics  and improvements over existing approaches are also required. Innovation is a  trademark of AFRL; hence all submissions should strive to emphasize novel  ideas to distinguish themselves. [1] Wicks, M., "Sensors as Robots" IEEE International Conference on Waveform  Diversity and Design" Kauai HI, Jan 2006. II. AWARD INFORMATION: Total funding for this BAA is approximately $4.9M. The anticipated funding to  be obligated under this BAA is broken out by fiscal year as follows: FY 07- $1.25M; FY 08-$1.25M; FY 09-$1.25M and FY10-$1.15M. Individual awards will  not normally exceed 36 months with dollar amounts normally ranging between  $300K to $850K per year. Awards outside this range may also be made. Awards  of efforts as a result of this announcement will be in the form of contracts,  grants or cooperative agreements depending upon the nature of the work  proposed.  III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION: 1. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: All potential applicants are eligible. Foreign or  foreign-owned offerors are advised that their participation is subject to  foreign disclosure review procedures. Foreign or foreign-owned offerors should  immediately contact the contracting office focal point, Lori L. Smith,  Contracting Officer, telephone (315) 330-1955 or e-mail [Please use the link below]  for information if they contemplate responding. The e-mail must reference the  title and BAA 07-02-IFKA. 2. COST SHARING OR MATCHING: Cost sharing is not a requirement. IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION: 1. APPLICATION PACKAGE: THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY  SOLICITATION. WE ARE SOLICITING WHITE PAPERS ONLY. DO NOT SUBMIT A FORMAL  PROPOSAL AT THIS TIME. Those white papers found to be consistent with the  intent of this BAA may be invited to submit a technical and cost proposal, see  Section VI of this announcement for further details.  For additional information, a copy of the AFRL/Rome Research Sites "Broad  Agency Announcement (BAA): A Guide for Industry," Aug 2005, may be accessed  at: http://www.if.afrl.af.mil/div/IFK/bp-guide.doc. 2. CONTENT AND FORM OF SUBMISSION: Offerors are required to submit one soft  copy of a 3 to 5 page white paper summarizing their proposed  approach/solution. The purpose of the white paper is to preclude unwarranted  effort on the part of an offeror whose proposed work is not of interest to the  Government. The white paper will be formatted as follows: Section A: Title,  Period of Performance, Estimated Cost of Task, Name/Address of Company,  Technical and Contracting Points of Contact (phone, fax and email)(this  section is NOT included in the page count); Section B: Task Objective; and  Section C: Technical Summary and Proposed Deliverables. Multiple white papers  within the purview of this announcement may be submitted by each offeror. If  the offeror wishes to restrict its white papers/proposals, they must be marked  with the restrictive language stated in FAR 15.609(a) and (b). All white  papers/proposals shall be double spaced with a font no smaller than 12 pitch.  In addition, respondents are requested to provide their Commercial and  Government Entity (CAGE) number, a fax number, and an e-mail address with  their submission. All responses to this announcement must be addressed to the  technical POC, as discussed in paragraph five of this section.  3. SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES: It is recommended that white papers be  received by the following dates to maximize the possibility of award: FY 07  should be submitted by 29 Nov 06; FY 08 by 1 May 07; FY 09 by 1 May 08 and, FY  10 by 1 May 09. White papers will be accepted until 2pm Eastern time on 30 Sep  2009, but it is less likely that funding will be available in each respective  fiscal year after the dates cited.  4. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS: The cost of preparing white papers/proposals in  response to this announcement is not considered an allowable direct charge to  any resulting contract or any other contract, but may be an allowable expense  to the normal bid and proposal indirect cost specified in FAR 31.205-18.  Incurring pre-award costs for ASSISTANCE INSTRUMENTS ONLY, are regulated by  the DoD Grant and Agreements Regulations (DODGARS).  5. OTHER SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: DO NOT send white papers to the  Contracting Officer. All responses to this announcement must be submitted  electronically to rrs.sensors.as.robots@rl.af.mil. Respondents are required  to provide their Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)  number with their submittal and reference BAA 07-02-IFKA. Electronic submission must be made to rrs.sensors.as.robots@rl.af.mil to be  accepted.  V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION: 1. CRITERIA: The following criteria, which are listed in descending order of  importance, will be used to determine whether white papers and proposals  submitted are consistent with the intent of this BAA and of interest to the  Government: (1) Overall Scientific and Technical Merit -- Including the  approach for the development and/or enhancement of the proposed technology and  its evaluation, (2) Related Experience - The extent to which the offeror  demonstrates relevant technology and domain knowledge, (3) Openness/Maturity  of Solution - The extent to which existing capabilities and standards are  leveraged and the relative maturity of the proposed technology in terms of  reliability and robustness, and (4) Reasonableness and realism of proposed  costs and fees (if any). Also, consideration will be given to the capacity  and capability to achieve the objectives of this BAA. No further evaluation  criteria will be used in selecting white papers/proposals. Individual white  paper/proposal evaluations will be evaluated against the evaluation criteria  without regard to other white papers and proposals submitted under this BAA.  White papers and proposals submitted will be evaluated as they are received.  2. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS: Only Government employees will evaluate the  white papers/proposals for selection. The Air Force Research Laboratory's  Information Directorate has contracted for various business and staff support  services, some of which require contractors to obtain administrative access to  proprietary information submitted by other contractors. Administrative access  is defined as "handling or having physical control over information for the  sole purpose of accomplishing the administrative functions specified in the  administrative support contract, which do not require the review, reading, or  comprehension of the content of the information on the part of non-technical  professionals assigned to accomplish the specified administrative tasks."  These contractors have signed general non-disclosure agreements and  organizational conflict of interest statements. The required administrative  access will be granted to non-technical professionals. Examples of the  administrative tasks performed include: a. Assembling and organizing  information for R&D case files; b. Accessing library files for use by  government personnel; and c. Handling and administration of proposals,  contracts, contract funding and queries. Any objection to administrative  access must be in writing to the Contracting Officer and shall include a  detailed statement of the basis for the objection.  VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION: 1. AWARD NOTICES: Those white papers found to be consistent with the intent  of this BAA may be invited to submit a technical and cost proposal.  Notification by email or letter will be sent by the technical POC. Such  invitation does not assure that the submitting organization will be awarded a  contract. Those white papers not selected to submit a proposal will be  notified in the same manner. Prospective offerors are advised that only  Contracting Officers are legally authorized to commit the Government. All offerors submitting white papers will be contacted by the technical POC,  referenced in Section VII of this announcement. Offerors can email the  technical POC for status of their white paper/proposal no earlier than 45 days  after proposal submission.  2. ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS:  At this time all of the work that will be conducted under this BAA will be  unclassified. But depending on the work proposed, the offeror may require a  SECRET facility clearance and safeguarding capability; therefore, personnel  identified for assignment to a classified effort must be cleared for access to  SECRET information at the time of award. In addition, the offeror may be  required to have, or have access to, a certified and Government-approved  facility to support work under this BAA. Data subject to export control  constraints may be involved and only firms holding certification under the  US/Canada Joint Certification Program (JCP) (www.dlis.dla.mil/jcp) are allowed  access to such data. Offerors submitting white papers are required to submit a  statement stating that they can meet the above requirements.  3. REPORTING: Once a proposal has been selected for award, offerors will be  required to submit their reporting requirement through one of our web-based,  reporting systems known as JIFFY or TFIMS. Prior to award, the offeror will  be notified which reporting system they are to use, and will be given complete  instructions regarding its use.  VII. AGENCY CONTACTS: Questions of a technical nature shall be directed to the cognizant technical  point of contact, as specified below:  2Lt Tsu Kong Lue  Telephone: (315) 330-4812  or  Paul Antonik  Telephone: (315) 330-7057  Email: rrs.sensors.as.robots@rl.af.mil Questions of a contractual/business nature shall be directed to the cognizant  contracting officer, as specified below:  Lori Smith  Telephone (315) 330-1955  Email: [Please use the link below] The email must reference the solicitation (BAA) number and title of the  acquisition. In accordance with AFFARS 5315.90, an Ombudsman has been appointed to hear and  facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and  others for this acquisition announcement. Before consulting with an  ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues,  disagreements, and/or recommendations to the contracting officer for  resolution. AFFARS Clause 5352.201-9101 Ombudsman (Aug 2005) will be  incorporated into all contracts awarded under this BAA. The AFRL Ombudsman is  as follows:  Amy Smith  AFRL/PK  Building 15, Room 225  1864 Fourth Street  Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433-7132  (937) 255-3079 All responsible organizations may submit a white paper which shall be  considered.