Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Contracts Management Office (CMO), 3701 N. Fairfax Dr., Arlington VA 22203-1714

A -- WARFIGHTER VISUALIZATION SOL BAA 96-37 DUE 111596 POC E.C. Urban, DARPA/ETO, FAX:(703) 696-2206. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting proposals for research and development of visualization technologies for warfighters. Approaches that provide demonstration plans are of particular interest. Specifically excluded are research efforts that primarily result in evolutionary improvements to the present state-of-the-art. PROGRAM OBJECTIVE AND DESCRIPTION: The objective of the DARPA Warfighter Visualization program is to revolutionize and accelerate the availability of technology and systems that allow warfighters to see, feel, hear and interact with time-critical information while operating in real-world military operations. The goals of the Warfighter Visualization program are to: (1) enhance individual warfighter situational awareness and decision-making ability by providing unique ways of receiving and interacting with spatially correct, timely information in both individually served and shared environments, (2) develop enabling technologies for combining an individual warfighter's real view of the world with geospatially registered computer-generated information using graphics, virtual icons and/or location-based text information that is based upon the user's current activities or mission time, and (3) develop novel mechanisms to present information to human sensory systems that match information content to human cognitive abilities for quick reaction responses. DARPA seeks innovative proposals in the following areas: (1) Visually Coupled Systems, (2) Geospatial Registration Technologies, and (3) Enhanced Human Interface Technologies. Each technology should be demonstrated in at least one end product that can be integrated into Warfighter Visualization demonstrations which will occur with each selected application. Selected applications may include: submarine/ship, tank/armored vehicle, aircraft, and a dismounted warrior. Additional information on these technical areas is provided in the Areas of Interest Section of the BAA 96-37 Proposer Information Pamphlet described below. PROGRAM SCOPE: Multiple awards totalling approximately $20 Million over the next three years are expected to be made during FY 97. Collaborative efforts/teaming and cost sharing are encouraged. The technical POC for this effort is Mr. E. C. Urban, fax: (703) 696-2206, electronic mail: eurban@darpa.mil. GENERAL INFORMATION: Proposers must obtain a pamphlet, BAA 96-37 Proposer Information Pamphlet which provides further information on areas of interest, the submission, evaluation, and funding processes, and full proposal as well as proposal abstract formats. This pamphlet may be obtained 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 proposal abstracts in advance of full proposals. An original and five (5) copies of the proposal abstract must be submitted to DARPA/ETO, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714 (ATTN: BAA 96-37), on or before 4:00 PM, September 20, 1996. Proposal abstracts received after this date may not be reviewed. Upon review, DARPA will provide written feedback on the likelihood of a full proposal being selected and the time and date for submission of a full proposal. Proposers not submitting proposal abstracts must submit an original and five (5) copies of the full proposal to DARPA/ETO, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714 (ATTN: BAA 96-37), on or before 4:00 P.M., November 15, 1996, in order to be considered. This notice, in conjunction with the pamphlet, BAA 96-37 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 Governments's needs may submit a proposal which shall be considered by DARPA. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and Minority Institutions (MI) 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 warfighter visualization technologies. All administrative correspondence and questions on this solicitation, including requests for information on how to submit a proposal abstract or full proposal to this BAA, should be directed to one of the administrative addresses below, e-mail or fax is preferred. DARPA intends to use electronic mail and fax for correspondence regarding BAA 96-37. Proposals and proposal abstracts may not be submitted by fax or e-mail, any so sent will be disregarded. DARPA encourages use of the World Wide Web (WWW) for retrieving the Program Information Package and any other related information that may subsequently be provided. EVALUATION CRITERIA: Evaluation of proposal abstracts and full 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 DARPA 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) 351-8616 (Addressed to: DARPA/ETO, BAA 96-37), Electronic Mail: BAA96-37@darpa.mil, Mail: DARPA/ETO, Attn: BAA 96-37, 3701 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714. This announcement and the Proposer Information Pamphlet may be retrieved via the WWW at URL http://www.darpa.mil/ in the solicitations area. (0228)

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