Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), Contracts Management Office (CMO), 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714

A -- ULTRA-PHOTONICS SOL BAA 96-10 DUE 060796 POC R. F. Leheny, ARPA/ETO, FAX (703) 525-3794. The Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) is soliciting proposals in the area of Ultra-Photonic device technologies. Proposed research should investigate innovative approaches that enable revolutionary advances in science, devices, or systems to meet future requirements for components enabling high capacity computers and communications systems. Specifically excluded is research which primarily results in evolutionary improvement to the existing state of practice. PROGRAM OBJECTIVE AND DESCRIPTION: The objective of the ARPA Ultra-Photonics device technologies program is to develop and demonstrate photonic device and module technologies advancing the state of practice in photonic technologies for information systems by enhancing the performance of sub-systems that process and communicate information. This objective will be met with innovative device technology projects, demonstration of novel photonic device physics concepts, and advances in materials and materials processing for realizing novel photonic devices. ARPA seeks innovative proposals in the following areas: (1) Photonic Devices and Integrated Module Technologies for Exploiting High Density Space Multiplexing, Very High Speed Time-Division Multiplexing, and Multiwavelength Techniques in Information Systems, (2) Materials and Materials Processing Technologies for Photonic and Optoelectronic Integration, and (3) Research Exploring the Role of Photonics in Emerging Nano-Electronics for Information Systems Applications. While these are the major areas of interest to the Ultra-Photonics program, offerors may propose in other areas that satisfy the overall Ultra-Photonics goals and objectives. Additional information on these areas is provided in the Areas of Interest section of the BAA 96-10 Proposer Information Pamphlet described below. PROGRAM SCOPE: Awards totalling approximately $15 million over three years are expected to be made during the second half of calendar year 1996. Multiple awards are anticipated. The technical POC is Dr. R. F. Leheny, fax: (703) 696-2206, electronic mail: rleheny@arpa.mil. GENERAL INFORMATION: Proposers must obtain a pamphlet, BAA 96-10 Proposer Information Pamphlet, which provides further information on areas of interest, the submission, evaluation, and funding processes, and proposal and proposal abstract formats. This pamphlet may be requested by fax, electronic mail, or mail request from the administrative contact address given below. Proposals not meeting the format described in the pamphlet may not be reviewed. In order to minimize unnecessary effort in proposal preparation and review, proposers are strongly encouraged to submit brief proposal abstracts in advance of full proposals. An original and eight (8) copies of the proposal abstract must be submitted to ARPA/ETO, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714 (ATTN: BAA 96-10), on or before 4:00 PM, March 15, 1996. Proposal abstracts received after this date may not be reviewed. Upon review, ARPA will provide written feedback on the likelihood of a full proposal being selected and the date and time for submission of a full proposal. Proposers not submitting proposal abstracts must submit an original and eight (8 ) copies of the full proposal to ARPA/ETO, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714 (ATTN: BAA 96-10), on or before 4:00 PM, June 7, 1996 in order to be considered. This notice, in conjunction with the pamphlet, BAA 96-10 Proposer Information, constitutes the total BAA. No additional information is available, nor will a formal RFP or other solicitation regarding this announcement be issued. Requests for same will be disregarded. The Government reserves the right to select for award all, some, or none of the proposals received. All responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government's needs may submit a proposal which shall be considered by ARPA. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs) are encouraged to submit proposals and join others in submitting proposals, however, no portion of this BAA will be set aside for HBCU and MI participation due to the impracticality of reserving discrete or severable areas of research in Ultra-Photonic technology. All administrative correspondence and questions on this solicitation, including requests for information on how to submit a proposal abstract or proposal to this BAA, should be directed to one of the administrative addresses below, e-mail or fax is preferred. ARPA intends to use electronic mail and fax for correspondence regarding BAA 96-10. Proposals and proposal abstracts may not be submitted by fax or e-mail, any so sent will be disregarded. EVALUATION CRITERIA: Evaluation of proposal abstracts and proposals will be accomplished through a technical review of each proposal using the following criteria, which are listed in descending order of relative importance: (l) overall scientific and technical merit, (2) potential contribution and relevance to the ARPA mission, (3) plans and capability to accomplish technology transition, (4) offeror's capabilities and related experience, and (5) cost realism. Note: Cost realism will only be significant in proposals which have significantly under- or over- estimated the cost to complete their effort. The administrative addresses for this BAA are: Fax: 703-525-3754 (Addressed to: ARPA/ETO, BAA 96-10), Electronic Mail: BAA96-10@arpa.mil, Mail: ARPA/ETO, Attn.: BAA 96-10, 3701 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714. (0036)

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