SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- Joint Counter Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (JCREW) 3.3 Technologies - Full Announcement ONRBAA11-017
- Notice Date
- 3/8/2011
- Notice Type
- Presolicitation
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Navy, Office of Naval Research, ONR, CODE ONR-02, 875 North Randolph St., Suite 1425, Arlington, Virginia, 22203-1995
- ZIP Code
- 22203-1995
- Solicitation Number
- ONRBAA11-017
- Archive Date
- 7/30/2011
- Point of Contact
- Rebecca Foster, Phone: 703-696-2972, Vera M. Carroll, Phone: 703-696-2610
- E-Mail Address
-
REBECCA.D.FOSTER@NAVY.MIL, vera.carroll@navy.mil
(REBECCA.D.FOSTER@NAVY.MIL, vera.carroll@navy.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Full Announcement ONRBAA11-017 08 MAR 2011 In coordination with the Joint Counter Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (JCREW) Science and Technology (S&T) Board and the JCREW 3.3 Program Office, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) is soliciting applied research proposals to develop and demonstrate technologies to improve virtually all aspects of performance related to next generation JCREW equipment. Full proposals that address hardware, software, technique, or technology developments are sought in the areas identified below. If an offeror does not submit a white paper before the due date and time, it is not eligible to participate in the remaining Full Proposal submission process and is not eligible for Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 funding. A. Antennas New antennas are desired for both mounted and dismounted applications which offer multi-function capability to perform both communications and Counter-Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (C-RCIED) operations and exhibit low profile or low observable characteristics while providing wide-bandwidth frequency coverage with high power output in support of C-RCIED operations. Solutions which maximize bandwidth coverage between mid-Low Frequency (LF) and mid-Extremely High Frequency (EHF), effectively reducing the number of antennas required to cover the mid-LF to mid-EHF frequency range, while decreasing the magnitude of transmitted energy reflected back into the receiver are desired. Additionally, future JCREW antennas will require high efficiencies, high linearity and be capable of supporting high input power on the order of 100's of Watts for mounted and 10's of Watts for dismounted applications. The potential application may require the antenna support techniques for direction finding and geo-location of RF emission sources. Adaptive, dynamic control of antenna parameters including gain pattern, directivity and polarization is also desired. The operational environment will require that antennas be both lightweight and rugged. Techniques for increasing isolation at the antenna between co-located transmit and receive apertures to support simultaneous transmit and receive (STAR) are also desired. Offerors must also quantifiably describe how their approach compares to the current state of the art. B. Receivers/Transmitters This area includes the development of receiver and transmitter subcomponents, as well as components which support scalable system design, including switches, filters, multi-plexers, etc. that would be integral with developed hardware. All receiver and transmitter solutions will require digitally controllable parameters, functions and output levels to facilitate integration into closed loop C-RCIED systems. 1. Receivers JCREW systems require rapid threat detection and response over an extremely wide Radio Frequency (RF) bandwidth. New RF receiver and transmitter technologies are desired which will maximize broadband RF coverage at frequencies between the mid-LF to mid-EHF frequency ranges while maintaining wide instantaneous bandwidth with high dynamic range at 10's of kHz resolutions. Hardware will require reduced size, weight, and power requirements with increased response time over current systems. Low insertion loss, low noise and high linearity will be necessary for all RF hardware. Specifically, receivers which maximize instantaneous bandwidth (> 1 GHz), dynamic range (> 80 dB), and demonstrate adaptable resolution bandwidth (10kHz-100kHz) are desired. Compressive receivers capable of very wide bandwidth detections are also of interest. Offerors must quantifiably describe how their approach compares to the current state of the art. (See Section H. entitled Simultaneous Transmit and Receive for additional information.) 2. Transmitters Transmitters and transmitter components are desired which are capable of supporting >100MHz/channel instantaneous bandwidth, efficiencies > 40%, high linearity, simultaneous transmission of multiple signal and frequencies, 100's of Watts of output for mounted and fixed applications and < 10's of Watts for dismounted applications. Amplifier blanking of < 10 microseconds (us) will be required with prime power draw and power output in < 10 us in order to increase efficiency and reduce Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI). While blanked, transmitter emissions should be >120 dB below peak output. Easily reconfigurable hardware with special consideration for software defined architectures is desired. Offerors must also quantifiably describe how their approach compares to the current state of the art. (See Section H entitled Simultaneous Transmit and Receive for additional information.) 3. Isolation Techniques Receivers will be required to reliably operate in the presence of out of band, co-site, and high power transmitters. Achieving the isolation necessary (> 100dB) for simultaneous transmit and receive will require layered isolation techniques (material, active cancellation, polarization, etc.). Techniques for maximizing isolation either using a single isolation approach or through the layering of multiple approaches are desired. Techniques which maximize the achievable isolation of a particular approach and could potentially be combined with other isolation techniques to maximize overall system isolation are also of interest. Offerors must also quantifiably describe how their approach compares to the current state of the art. (See Section H entitled Simultaneous Transmit and Receive for additional information.) C. Modulators and Techniques JCREW systems require the ability to generate multiple simultaneous and coherent jamming waveforms with low noise in response to detected RF emissions. These jamming responses will require high speed activation at up to GHz bandwidths and digitally controllable parameters and waveform selection to facilitate integration into closed loop architectures. 1. Signal Generators Waveform generators will require the ability to switch between waveforms at nsec speeds to support on-demand signal delivery to transmitters. Direct Digital Synthesizers (DDS), Arbitrary Waveform Generators (AWG), and Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) technologies or some hybrid of these technologies is of particular interest. Multi-function approaches which support the generation of both Electronic Warfare (EW) waveforms and communication waveforms from a common waveform generator are of particular interest. Offerors must also quantifiably describe how their approach compares to the current state of the art. 2. Intelligent Network Jamming As networked threat devices become more sophisticated, so will the JCREW systems need for sophisticated networking jamming techniques. Techniques for jamming individual RF devices participating in a network are desired. Such jamming techniques should not disable the RF network itself and should only affect selected devices participating on the network which are supporting IED operations. Offeror should address anticipated network responses to jamming techniques and robustness of jamming to network self-healing techniques D. Comprehensive Spectral Awareness 1. Extremely Wideband Spectral Mapping JCREW systems require the ability to rapidly map the RF environment in order to provide real-time RF situational awareness to signal processing and assessment tools. JCREW application will require extremely wide bandwidth with consideration for solutions between mid-LF and mid-EHF. Offerors must also quantifiably describe how their approach compares to the current state of the art. 2. Signal Assessment System (SAS) JCREW systems will require the ability to rapidly discriminate hostile RF trigger signals from the background RF emissions, or to legitimize users of the RF spectrum based on assessment of the RF environment and activities. Signal assessment will be required in real-time, and while the JCREW system is on-mission the signal assessment must provide for rapid response to developing threats. This capability seeks to maximize countermeasure effectiveness, as well as to reduce power usage, blue force RF fratricide, and false alarms. 3. Direction Finding and Geo-Location Successful direction finding (DF) or geolocation of threat devices will allow JCREW systems to more effectively focus jamming energy, thereby increasing protection range. Demonstration of capabilities to determine the direction and/or location of received threat emissions is desired with response times on the order of ms, angular accuracy < 35° for Direction Finding (DF) and < 100m accuracy for geolocation. Interoperability between DF/geolocation components and other JCREW components (e.g., Signal Assessment System) is desired. Offerors must also quantifiably describe how their approach compares to the current state of the art. 4. Situational Awareness Data Fusion Sensor systems, including Electro-Optic (EO)/Infrared (IR) and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), operating in a common battlespace with JCREW systems either onboard a common platform or offboard and available via a network can provide valuable situational awareness enhancements to RF spectrum data collected by JCREW alone. Capabilities and techniques are desired for fusing situational awareness data from onboard and offboard sensors with collected RF sensor data. E. Electromagnetic Compatibility 1. Blue Force Comms/Data/Video Interoperability The ability of the warfighter to perform his functions safely and efficiently requires simultaneous operation of JCREW systems, Blue Force communications, and SIGINT activities. Improved JCREW hardware and software are required, which provide interoperability techniques to support the simultaneous and successful operation of these various systems. As a result, the development of methods and/or techniques to mitigate or eliminate interference and/or coordinate operations between functions is desired. Multi-function techniques, subsystems and component technologies which support both communication and EW functionality are of particular interest. 2. JCREW Network Centric Operations The ability for JCREW systems to communicate with one another, as well as to both communicate with other platforms and systems in performance of the JCREW mission and transfer pertinent information, would provide a networked approach that maximizes protection capabilities and resources. Networked operations could be used to geolocate all systems or to easily change JCREW system operating parameters. Networked operations could be used to develop a self-forming network topology or network-based jamming algorithms. Analysis of the topology could be used to recommend placements of JCREW hardware over a wide area for optimized operations. Access to event logs, fault logs, and other diagnostics will allow remote users to determine system readiness and possibly to perform limited repair procedures on failed units. This would also significantly reduce support costs and manpower requirements. Development of a secure, wireless link and associated network is needed to demonstrate this capability. Techniques for cross platform allocation and coordination of JCREW resources to maximize effectiveness and efficiency are desired. Additionally, techniques for cross-platform synchronization which do not rely on GPS are desired. Techniques which improve the protection of JCREW systems and mitigate the effects of network attack on JCREW devices are also of interest. F. Packaging and Cooling A primary consideration affecting JCREW system design is the cooling necessary for the power amplifier and maintaining internal system temperatures within the operational specifications of the electronic components. Advanced packaging and cooling techniques and materials may yield reductions in size and weight, and increases in efficiencies. These methods and techniques should be investigated. Promising techniques should be modeled and demonstrated through prototype fabrication where appropriate. Focus should be towards maintaining internal system temperatures within electronic component specifications under ambient temperatures of 150 degrees F. Conduction cooling techniques for mounted and dismounted systems are preferred. Offerors must also quantifiably describe how their approach compares to the current state of the art. G. Scalable Open Architectures Future JCREW systems will require efficient performance in both single platform and multi-platform operations. As a result, these JCREW systems will require C-RCIED EW architectures which can be networked via Blue Force Communication Links (BFC) links to allow for the distribution of functionality and which are scalable with the number of available platforms, assets and resources. In addition, integration of subsystem components from a wide variety of vendors will require that this scalable architecture be open. The open, scalable architecture will be required to support 1.) coordination of EW functionality over available BFC networks; 2.) closed loop and adaptive parameter control utilizing digital data exchange between subsystems and components (e.g., adaptive instantaneously receive and transmit bandwidth coverage, transmit power, and sector coverage); and 3.) resource control with integrated, government provided, resource allocation management (RAM) tools. Architecture concepts should include techniques and approaches for the real-time distribution of maximum operating spectrum between mid-LF and mid-EHF across available networked JCREW systems and the sub-system distribution of maximum operating spectrum within a single JCREW system. Architectures which facilitate interoperability between communication and CREW functions are of particular interest. H. Simultaneous Transmit and Receive ONR is also seeking disruptive electronics and photonics component technology proposals that will eliminate the necessity of blanking the receiver while transmitting when transmitting and receive from a single aperture. Efforts in this category should focus on either controlling transmitter unintended emissions (see B.2), dramatically increased receiver dynamic range (see B.1.), analog subsections which are capable of achieving >>40 dB of isolation of Tx and Rx over 2 octaves of frequency and with small insertion loss and low ripple (see B.3), and digitally driven interference cancellation techniques (see B.3). Such proposals shall clearly identify how the proposed component technology fits (interfaces) within an overall RF system and impacts interoperability and "cosite interference mitigation" in both the near term as well as longer term. Offerors must also quantifiably describe how their approach compares to the current state of the art. I. Other JCREW Technologies Offeror(s) possessing any additional technology, information, or recommendations that would improve existing JCREW systems are encouraged to submit proposal(s) in response to this BAA. Work funded under a BAA may include basic research, applied research and some advanced technology development (ATD). With regard to any restrictions on the conduct or outcome of work funded under this BAA, ONR will follow the guidance on and definition of "contracted fundamental research" as provided in the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics) Memorandum of 24 May 2010. As defined therein the definition of "contracted fundamental research", in a DoD contractual context, includes [research performed under] grants and contracts that are (a) funded by Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Budget Activity 1 (Basic Research), whether performed by universities or industry or (b) funded by Budget Activity 2 (Applied Research) and performed on campus at a university. The research shall not be considered fundamental in those rare and exceptional circumstances where the applied research effort presents a high likelihood of disclosing performance characteristics of military systems or manufacturing technologies that are unique and critical to defense, and where agreement on restrictions have been recorded in the contract or grant. Pursuant to DoD policy, research performed under grants and contracts that are a) funded by Budget Category 6.2 (Applied Research) and NOT performed on-campus at a university or b) funded by Budget Category 6.3 (Advanced Research) does not meet the definition of "contracted fundamental research." In conformance with the USD(AT&L) guidance and National Security Decision Direction 189, ONR will place no restriction on the conduct or reporting of unclassified "contracted fundamental research," except as otherwise required by statute, regulation or Executive Order. For certain research projects, it may be possible that although the research being performed by the prime contractor is restricted research, a subcontractor may be conducting "contracted fundamental research." In those cases, it is the prime contractor's responsibility in the proposal to identify and describe the subcontracted unclassified research and include a statement confirming that the work has been scoped, negotiated, and determined to be fundamental research according to the prime contractor and research performer. Normally, fundamental research is awarded under grants with universities and under contracts with industry. ATD is normally awarded under contracts and may require restrictions during the conduct of the research and DoD pre-publication review of research results due to subject matter sensitivity. As regards to the present BAA, the Research and Development efforts to be funded will consist of applied research. The funds available to support awards are Budget Activity 2."
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