Defense Supply Service-Washington, 5200 Army Pentagon, Washington, D.C. 20310-5200

A -- BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT - U.S. ARMY RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR BEHAVORIAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCE'S BASIC PROGRAM POC Point of Contact, Mr. James J. Church on 703/697-6258; Contracting Officer, Ms. Joyce E. Rose on 703/695-2564 I. The Research and Advanced Concepts Office (RACO) of the U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) solicits new proposals for its Fiscal Year 1997 contract program of fundamental research in behavioral science. The purpose of the research is to add new, fundamental knowledge to behavioral science subdisciplines and discovon (DIS) and virtual reality in training. Research is sought thatwill provide a theoretical basis for the development of simulation and virtual reality in individual and team training. This research should address issues such as the conditions that promote transfer from simulated to real tasks,the use of feedback in training,and the effects of spatial abilities. (Because of limitations in funds and to reduce the duration of research projects,ARI will not be able to support fully the building of virtual reality environments.Offerors must be able to show that they have such a facility,have access to such a facility,or do not require such a facility). 3. Individual Performance. The smaller size of the Army and new missions such as peacekeeping and counter-terrorism may require increased use of reserve forces,and require that soldiers do more and perform at higher levels than before. We seek research to provide the foundations for developing high levels of individual performance through more rapid training,training that provides more skill flexibility,improved job design and personnel selection,training that is more resistant to forgetting and the effects of stress,fatigue,and distractions,and training that may result in better arousal and anxiety he formal proposal must include institutional endorsement, signature of the proposed principal investigator,time frames for all phases of the project,and detailed accounts of proposed work and budget. The technical section of the formal proposal must be no greater than 25 pages in length,single spaced. Additional materials may include budget,vitae, references,and institutional information. Five copies must be submitted. They will be reviewed by scientific peers according to the following criteria(in order of importance): (1)Importance of the research to ARI's mission and Army concerns.(2)Scientific significance of the issue and originality. (3)Technical merit,appropriateness, and feasibility of the proposed approach.(4)The qualifications,capabilities,and experience of the proposed principal investigator and key personnel;and institutional resources and facilities. Moreover,successful proposals must have proposed costs that are both affordable and realistic for the proposed effort. The evaluation of proposed cost is subordinate to the technical evaluation. The primary basis for selecting proposals for acceptance shall be technical merit,importance or relevance to Army programs, and funds availability. Also,past performance and prior research and research and development contracts to include timely completion and cost effectiveness will be considered. V. Concepts papers. ARI invites potential Offerors who 617-5572; InternationalResearch Programs (all applicants from outside U.S.): Contact Dr. Michael Strub, Chief European Science Coordination Office, 44-171-514-4903, London, U.K. E-Mail addresses: Drillings@ari.fed.us or drillings@alexandria-emh2. army.mil Lawton@ari.fed.us or lawton@alexandria-emh2.army.mil Psotka@ari. .fed.us or postka@alexandria-emh.2 army.mil Mistrub@army.ehis. navy.mil; ARI maintains a web page where this announcement may be seen at http:// www.ari.fed.us or http://205.130.63.7/ baa97.html. (0239)

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