SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- Emerging Computing Architectures and Applications
- Notice Date
- 5/14/2014
- Notice Type
- Presolicitation
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AFRL/RIK - Rome, 26 Electronic Parkway, Rome, New York, 13441-4514, United States
- ZIP Code
- 13441-4514
- Solicitation Number
- BAA-RIK-14-05
- Point of Contact
- Gail E. Marsh, Phone: 315-330-7518
- E-Mail Address
-
Gail.Marsh@us.af.mil
(Gail.Marsh@us.af.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- NAICS CODE: 541712 FEDERAL AGENCY NAME: Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AFRL - Rome Research Site, AFRL/Information Directorate, 26 Electronic Parkway, Rome, NY, 13441-4514 TITLE: Emerging Computing Architectures and Applications ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Initial announcement FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: BAA-RIK-14-05 CFDA Number: 12.800 I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION: The Information Directorate, High Performance Systems Branch, of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Rome Research Site, is soliciting white papers under this announcement for innovative technologies to explore and develop computational capabilities with greater sophistication, autonomy, intelligence, and assurance for addressing dynamic mission requirements imposed by Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) applications and Size Weight and Power (SWAP) constrained Air Force platforms. Of particular interest are emerging technologies that can provide revolutionary computational capabilities which enable greater system adaptability, autonomy and intelligence while improving information availability throughout the C4ISR enterprise. This includes quantum algorithms, computing architectures that improve energy efficiency, architectures that support computational intelligence and neuromorphic computing, architectures for embedded processing, architectures for high-performance computing which improve performance & enable increased system functionality, tools to increase the productivity of developing applications, methods and architectures that can provide dramatic improvements in the performance/cost of systems. Also of interest are technologies that can reduce warfighter decision latencies/response time, decrease system costs and system development times. The overall objective of this BAA is to research, develop, and demonstrate emerging computing technologies and applications. This involves performing research and development in the following technical areas: (1) Quantum Computing The objective of this research is to explore the theoretical development of quantum algorithms and their experimental implementation in quantum systems with an emphasis on applications to scientific computing, search, decision, and optimization problems. This research includes but is not limited to: one-way quantum computation using cluster/graphs states, measurement based quantum computation, quantum computing with an emphasis on the utilization of photon-based qubits, quantum algorithms employing cluster/graph states, quantum annealing or adiabatic quantum computation, blind quantum computation, quantum error protection by topological encoding, quantum circuit simulation with an emphasis on modeling experiments, single photon/entangled-photons on demand, quantum integrated optical waveguide circuitry, reduced measurement methodologies for quantum tomography of multi-qubit states, measures of quantum entanglement, and the distinction between quantum and classical information and its subsequent exploitation. Questions regarding this technical area can be directed to: Paul Alsing (315) 330-4960, Paul.Alsing@us.af.mil (2) Nanocomputing The objective of this research is to explore current and emerging nanoelectronics for information processing towards novel super-high-performance computing architectures that utilize ultra-low consumed power. In order to achieve this energy efficient computing performance, this research utilizes bottom-up/top-down synthesis taxonomy based designs for computing (processing) platforms implemented using innovative inorganic and/or organic nanodimensional devices and circuits. The emphasis of this research is on emerging nanomaterials and processes that enable innovative organizations/architectures and assess 2D and 3D technology research involving novel hardware, software, design methods and nanotechnology solutions. Nanoelectronics of interest include, but are not limited to, multidisciplinary development of memristive, spintronic, carbon-based, or hybrid complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technologies in novel architectures. Nanoelectronic architectures that support novel information processing such as spike processing and synthetic neurons in bio-inspired architectures are also of interest. Emerging applications include use in embedded, autonomous systems, as well as brain-computer interfaces. Questions regarding this technical area can be directed to: Joseph Van Nostrand (518) 956-7247, Joseph.VanNostrand.1@us.af.mil (3) Computational Intelligence and Neuromorphic Computing The objective of this research is to advance the understanding and development of emerging computationally intelligent architectures towards increased perception, adaptability, reconfigurability, resiliency, self-optimization, and autonomy for energy efficient agile AF platforms. In order to achieve high levels of intelligence within systems, neuromorphic computing exploits the characteristic behaviors of novel complex materials and structures with advanced processing techniques to achieve very large scale integration within highly parallel neural architectures. Such research includes the multidisciplinary development of beyond Von Neumann-based computers to include memristive systems, hardware-based neural networks, reservoir computing, chaotic systems, and advanced software algorithms, among others. The utilization of recent enabling advancements in computational neuroscience, nanoelectronics, nanophotonics, high performance computing, and material science, is stressed. Emerging applications include pattern recognition and signature analysis, autonomous adaptive operations, human machine collaboration, neural control of complex systems, and self-learning. Questions regarding this technical area can be directed to: Bryant Wysocki (315) 330-7109 Bryant.Wysocki@us.af.mil (4) Resource Analysis of Cognitive Process Flow Used to Achieve Autonomy The objective of this research is to analyze and evaluate the computing and energy resource requirements for autonomous systems. The analysis would help determine complete processing architectures and the energy/performance trade space for the total mission flow performed by an autonomous system. To do so we seek work in determining resource utilization during an operationally complete set of cognitive functions. First, what is desired is the listing of a complete, typical "cognizance flow" for analysis. The first pass at the analysis should focus on the resources used by conventional hardware running conventional, independent applications to perform functionals, (e.g. object recognition). An example list of cognitive primitives required for significant autonomy could include: to perceive, recognize, semantically assign, evaluate against goals, determine a course of action, perform the action and evaluate results. Functionals could be sensing, object recognition and tracking, learning, decision processes and course of action (COA) analysis. AFRL views an autonomic system as a stack of functional layers with horizontal bindings and vertical abstractions that all interact continuously. Significant work has been performed in characterizing resource utilization for individual lower level perception-recognition functions such as object recognition. For example, AFRL has a good idea of what it takes in performance and energy to perform pixel by pixel edge detection and know a Haar wavelet detection operation is much less computationally intensive. Less work has been done in analyzing the resource requirements for the higher level functions and little has been accomplished in analysis of the binding or abstraction functions that flow the results from one functional into the next stage for processing. The second analysis pass is desired to explore the use of non-conventional hardware/software, such as neuromorphic processors, with more integrated flow between functionals. Where can we effectively use non-conventional hardware to reduce the energy/processing required? The third analysis result of interest is a characterization of the energy requirements focused on the flow control operations. How much processing and energy does it take to process the results from say an object recognition and move those results to an object tracking operation, or process and move the results from a learning (semantic assignment) operation to a goal evaluation operation? How much to keep the whole system moving in an efficient streaming flow? AFRL has significant in-house mainframe resources available for use in simulation and emulation. Questions regarding this technical area can be directed to: Thomas Renz (315) 330-3423, Thomas.Renz@us.af.mil (5) High Performance Computing The objective of this research is to explore innovative computing processor architectures and clusters for meeting future Air Force real-time high performance embedded computing applications. The computing architectures of interest include the digital signal processing (DSP) processors, field-programmable gate array (FPGA) devices, Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), Tilera multi-core processors, and advanced processor architectures. At the other end of the spectrum, supercomputing clusters, cloud computing applications and innovative data center computing and power saving strategies are desirable. This research includes but is not limited to: innovative techniques for exploiting multi-core and many-core parallelism, mapping of applications, multi-core software technologies, programming tools and interconnection technologies. The emphasis on the computing processor architectures is based primarily on Size Weight and Power (SWaP) constraints. Basic and applied research in the area of high performance embedded energy efficient computing hardware, software and total systems are of interest. Exploration and concept demonstrations of novel system architectures are desired such as high speed input/output (I/O) devices and heterogeneous systems that ensure best performance across a diverse set of C4ISR applications and algorithms. Questions regarding this technical area can be directed to: Mark Barnell (315) 330-3273 Mark.Barnell.1@us.af.mil (6) Modular Embedded Computing Architectures The objective of this research is to explore innovative modular computing system architectures for meeting future Air Force real-time embedded applications. AFRL's interest is to develop methods supporting modular plug-n-play system design to be used in future weapon and aircraft applications. Applications may include, but are not limited to C4ISR, communication, autonomy and target recognition. Modular design should support interchangeable sensors and other devices, with automatic software reconfiguration based on the set of available resources. Data bandwidth requirements of future systems can be expected to increase, compute and interface methods should be selected that will be scalable. Optimization of Size Weight and Power (SWaP) will be a priority. Questions regarding this technical area can be directed to: Dennis Fitzgerald (315)330-4220 Email: Dennis.Fitzgerald5@us.af.mil II. AWARD INFORMATION: 1. FUNDING: Total funding for this BAA is approximately $24.9M. The anticipated funding to be obligated under this BAA is broken out by fiscal year as follows: FY 14 - $1.4M; FY 15 - $4.5M; FY 16 - $5M; FY 17 - $4.9M; and FY18 - $5M: FY 19 - $4.1M. Individual awards will not normally exceed 36 months with dollar amounts normally ranging between $100K to $1M per year. There is also the potential to make awards up to any dollar value. The Government reserves the right to select all, part, or none of the proposals received, subject to the availability of funds. All potential Offerors should be aware that due to unanticipated budget fluctuations, funding in any or all areas may change with little or no notice. 2. FORM: 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. 3. BAA TYPE: This is a two-step open broad agency announcement. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation. AS STEP ONE - We are only soliciting white papers at this time. DO NOT SUBMIT A FORMAL PROPOSAL. 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 regarding the proposal. III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION: 1. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: All qualified offerors who meet the requirements of this BAA may apply. 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, Gail E. Marsh, Contracting Officer, telephone (315) 330-7518 or e-mail Gail.Marsh@us.af.mil for information if they contemplate responding. The e-mail must reference the title and BAA-RIK-14-05. IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION: All responses to this announcement must be addressed to the Technical point of contact (POC) listed in SECTION VII. DO NOT send white papers to the Contracting Officer. 1. SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES: It is recommended that white papers be received by the following dates to maximize the possibility of award: FY14 by 16 Jun 2014 FY15 by 02 Mar 2015 FY16 by 01 Mar 2016 FY17 by 01 Mar 2017 FY18 by 01 Mar 2018 FY19 by 30 Sep 2019 White papers will be accepted until 2pm Eastern time on 30 Sep 2019, but it is less likely that funding will be available in each respective fiscal year after the dates cited. If any of these dates listed fall on a non-business day, they will be accepted on the next business day. This BAA will close on 30 Sep 2019. 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 submission. 2. CONTENT AND FORM OF SUBMISSION: Offerors are required to submit 3 copies 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: a. Section A: Title, Period of Performance, Estimated Cost, Name/Address of Company, Technical and Contracting Points of Contact (phone, fax and email)(this section is NOT included in the page count); b. Section B: Task Objective; and c. Section C: Technical Summary and Proposed Deliverables. 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, their Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, a fax number, an e-mail address, and reference BAA-RIK-14-05 with their submission. 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). 3. HANDLING AND MAILING INSTRUCTIONS: a. CLASSIFICATION GUIDANCE. All Proposers should review the NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL SECURITY PROGRAM OPERATING MANUAL, (NISPOM), dated February 28, 2006 as it provides baseline standards for the protection of classified information and prescribes the requirements concerning Contractor Developed Information under paragraph 4-105. Defense Security Service (DSS) Site for the NISPOM is: http://www.dss.mil/. b. In the event of a possible or actual compromise of classified information in the submission of your white paper or proposal, immediately but no later than 24 hours, bring this to the attention of your cognizant security authority and AFRL Rome Research Site Information Protection Office (IPO): Bob Kane 315-330-2324 0730-1630 Monday-Friday 315-330-2961 Evenings and Weekends Email: Robert.Kane.7@us.af.mil c. MAILING INSTRUCTIONS. All unclassified responses to this announcement must be addressed to ATTN: Stanley Lis, AFRL/RITB, 525 Brooks Rd., Rome NY 13441-4505. Unclassified electronic submission to Stanley.Lis@us.af.mil will also be accepted. 4. OTHER SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: DO NOT send white papers to the Contracting Officer. a. COST SHARING OR MATCHING: Cost sharing is not a requirement. b. SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (SAM). Offerors must be registered in the SAM database to receive a contract award, and remain registered during performance and through final payment of any contract or agreement. Processing time for registration in SAM, which normally takes forty-eight hours, should be taken into consideration when registering. Offerors who are not already registered should consider applying for registration before submitting a proposal. The provision at FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management (JUL 2013) applies. c. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND FIRST-TIER SUBCONTRACT/ SUBRECIPIENT AWARDS: Any contract award resulting from this announcement may contain the clause at FAR 52.204-10 - Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards. Any grant or agreement award resulting from this announcement may contain the award term set forth in 2 CFR, Appendix A to Part 25 which can be viewed at: http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx? c=ecfr&sid=c55a4687d6faa13b137a26d0eb436edb&rgn=div5&view= text&node=2:1.1.1.41&idno=2#2:1.1.1.4.1.2.1.1 d. ALLOWABLE CHARGES: 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). 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 -- The soundness of approach for the development and/or enhancement of the proposed technology, (2) Related Experience - The extent to which the offeror demonstrates relevant technology and domain knowledge, (3) Openness, Maturity and Assurance of Solution - The extent to which existing capabilities and standards are leveraged and the relative maturity of the proposed technology, and (4) Reasonableness and realism of proposed costs and fees (if any). 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, and 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. 3. ADEQUATE PRICE COMPETITION: The Government may simultaneously evaluate proposals received under this BAA from multiple offerors. In this case, the Government may make award based on adequate price competition, and offerors must be aware that there is a possibility of non-selection due to a proposal of similar but higher-priced technical approach as compared to another offeror. VI. STEP TWO INFORMATION - REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL & AWARD: 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. For additional information, a copy of the AFRL "Broad Agency Announcement (BAA): Guide for Industry," May 2012, may be accessed at: https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=e68f832abb3a7341bb7328547c0e19c0&tab=core &_cview=0 2. ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS: Depending on the work to be performed, 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. This acquisition may involve data that is subject to export control laws and regulations. Only contractors who are registered and certified with the Defense Logistics Information Service (DLIS) at http://www.dlis.dla.mil/jcp/ and have a legitimate business purpose may participate in this solicitation. For questions, contact DLIS on-line at http://www.dlis.dla.mil/jcp/ or at the DLA Logistics Information Service, 74 Washington Avenue North, Battle Creek, Michigan 49037-3084, and telephone number 1-800-352-3572. You must submit a copy of your approved DD Form 2345, Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement, with your Proposal. 3. DATA RIGHTS: a. SBIR RIGHTS. The potential for inclusion of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or data rights other than unlimited on awards is recognized. In accordance with (IAW) the Small Business Administration (SBA) SBIR Policy Directive, Section 8(b), SBIR data rights clauses are non-negotiable and must not be the subject of negotiations pertaining to an award, or diminished or removed during award administration. Issuance of an award will not be made conditional based on forfeit of data rights. If the SBIR awardee wishes to transfer its SBIR data rights to the Air Force or to a third party, it must do so in writing under a separate agreement. A decision by the awardee to relinquish, transfer, or modify in any way its SBIR data rights must be made without pressure or coercion by the agency or any other party. b. NON-SBIR RIGHTS. Non-SBIR data rights less than unlimited will be evaluated and negotiated on a case-by-case basis. Government Purpose Rights are anticipated for data developed with DoD-reimbursed Independent Research and Development (IR&D) funding. 4. REPORTING: Once a proposal has been selected for award, offerors will be given complete instructions on the submission process for the reports. VII. AGENCY CONTACTS: All submissions and any questions of a technical nature shall be directed to the cognizant technical point of contact, as specified below: Stanley Lis 525 Brooks Rd. Rome NY 13441-4505 Telephone: (315) 330-3275 Email: Stanley.Lis@us.af.mil Questions of a contractual/business nature shall be directed to the cognizant contracting officer, as specified below (email requests are preferred): Gail Marsh Telephone (315) 330-7518 Email: Gail.Marsh@us.af.mil Emails must reference the solicitation (BAA) number and title of the acquisition. The provision at DFARS 252.239-7017, Notice of Supply Chain Risk (Nov 2013) applies. In accordance with AFFARS 5301.91, 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 (Nov 2012) will be incorporated into all contracts awarded under this BAA. The AFRL Ombudsman is as follows: Ms. Barbara Gehrs AFRL/PK 1864 4th Street Building 15, Room 225 Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433-7130 FAX: (937) 656-7321; Comm: (937) 904-4407 Email: barbara.gehrs@us.af.mil All responsible organizations may submit a white paper which shall be considered.
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