Office of Naval Research, 800 North Quincy Street Arlington, VA 22217-5660

A -- NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC TECHNOLOGY POC Point of Contact: R. Jacobson, ONR 321 (703) 696-4121. National Oceanographic Technology Broad Agency Announcement (BAA #SENS) Development and application of a cost-effective remote semi-autonomous underwater oceanographic and environmental measurement capability. This capability is to be achieved through the development of oceanographic sensors, controlled on a distributed mobile network of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) operating in the littoral oceanographic environment. The overall goal of this capability is to significantly improve sampling by reducing the temporal and spatial aliasing of oceanographic data over a minimum duration of two weeks. Essential components of this AUV-based sampling system are oceanographic sensors, precise underwater navigation, subsurface acoustic communication, and an above-surface radio link for control and data telemetry. The ocean sampling network should be accessible through Internet while operating. This envisioned capability will support the conduct of mine countermeasure operations through the collection of necessary detailed underwater information for large areas of shallow water coastal regions in potentially hostile waters. Interested offerors are requested to submit a pre-proposal, the purpose of which is to preclude unwarranted effort by an offerer in preparing a full technical and cost proposal not considered to be responsive. Invitation to submit a full proposal based upon pre-proposal screening does not assure award of a grant or contract. A pre-proposal is a three to five page document that outlines the scientific and technical issues, defines the technical approach, and describes the anticipated results in sufficient detail to determine whether a formal proposal is warranted. On additional pages as necessary, provide a budget estimate by cost and time (total and broken down by year for multi-year efforts) as well as curriculum vitae of the principal investigator(s). Up to $10 million may be available in 1995. ONR anticipates funding multiyear efforts at approximately $300-$500K per year. This soliciation is targeted primarily at academic institutions. Cooperative pre-proposal submissions with Navy Laboratories and industry are encouraged but not required. Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Institutions, as determined by the Secretary of Education to meet the requirements of 34 CFR Section 608.2 and 10 U.S.C. Paragraph 2323(a)(1)(C), are encouraged to participate. Eight copies of the pre- proposals will be due at the address for the technical point of contact below by 28 April 1995. Faxed proposals will not be accepted. Pre-proposals received after that date will not be considered. If a confirmation of receipt of the pre-proposal is desired, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope and a form letter in the submitted package. Responses to these pre-proposals will be provided by 15 June, 1995. Evaluations of the pre-proposals and follow-on full proposals will be conducted using the following selection criteria: (1) Overall scientific and technical merits, (2) Potential contributions of the effort to the specific mission and goal as outlined above, (3) The offeror s capabilities, related experience, facilities, techniques or unique combinations of these which are integral factors for achieving the proposal objectives, (4) The qualifications, capabilities and experience of the proposal Principal Investigator, team leader or key personnel who are critical in achieving the proposal objectives, (5) Realism of the proposed cost and availability of funds. Depending upon funding availability, specific requests for proposals will be made sometime in June. Proposal format requirements will be provided at this time. This announcement constitutes a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) as contemplated in FAR 6. 102(d) (2). No request for proposal (RFP), solicitation or other announcement of this opportunity will be made. For more information regarding technical issues relating to this BAA questions should be directed to: Dr. Randall S. Jacobson, ONR 321, Ballston Towers One, 800 N. Quincy St., Arlington VA 22217-5660, (703) 696-4121, (703) 696-2710 fax, jacobsr@onrhq.onr.navy.mil. Questions regarding business issues and legal matters relating to this BAA should be directed to: Office of Naval Research, Attn. Mark J. Kurzius (Code 252A), Ballston Towers One, 800 N. Quincy St., Arlington, VA 22217- 5600, (703) 696-2610. (0068)

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