Rome Laboratory/PKPX, 26 Electronic Parkway, Rome NY 13441-4514

A -- SENSOR FUSION TECHNOLOGY SOL BAA 96-12-PKPX POC Richard Gassner,Laboratory Program Manager, 315-330-3574; Joetta A. Bernhard, Contracting Officer, 315-330-2308. Rome Laboratory is soliciting white papers for innovative approaches in the area of sensor fusion technology that will overcome deficiencies in existing and planned systems to detect, track, tag, and identify small signal targets (aircraft, missiles, ships, ground vehicles, and concealed weapons) operating in a dynamic high clutter and electronic countermeasure environment. Areas of interest include new system architectures, hardware and/or algorithm improvements. In modern warfare, needs arise for near real time views of the battlefield. This can only take place with integration of sensor information derived from the enormous amounts of data generated by individual sensors. This data needs to be processed so the resultant information can be fused and presented in an accurate timely and user friendly manner. Advanced concepts for sensor fusion technology which include multilevel sensor/platform/system resource management, central/distributed fusion management, and database information management need to be developed. Multilevel sensor/platform/system resource management is needed to provide a seamless environment for the user. Many times gaps in coverage occur where sensors with different missions can be called upon to fill these gaps. This involves global resource management where platform cueing and fusion of various sensors, platforms and/or integration of multiple systems will provide extended coverage. Also needed to provide this coverage is cooperative control among various platforms and methods to obtain multi-asset synchronization of data. Concepts such as adaptive management need to be explored where situational changes drive the sensor data requirements and areas of interest so that effective use can be made of the information derived from the sensors. Advanced concepts for central/distributed fusion management may include optimizing data distinctiveness, defining mechanisms for information push/pull, and defining levels of responsibility. This includes sensor complement optimization where a combination of central/distributed fusion management may be appropriate for accomplishing the mission. Database information management needs to be enhanced by concepts of robustness such as model based reasoning. context sensitivity and efficiency. The database support to the algorithms needs to be upgraded by concepts such as client/server relationships that take advantage of object oriented software. Also the new parallel techniques need to be explored to allow implementation of algorithms for real time use. While new methods for multiple sensors to input data from various systems to be filtered and stored in a database are required, more efficient methods are also required to extract this output information and present the appropriate information to multiple users in a user friendly manner. Also from all aspects of sensor fusion technology, measures of performance and measures of effectiveness need to be developed and integrated into these new concepts. This will provide methods for consistent world views. The successful application of these approaches will require a broad spectrum of expertise, covering hardware, software, and systems technology. For example, if multistatic radars operating in concert with advanced Electronic Support Measures (ESM) receivers are to be integrated into existing and planned systems, it will be necessary to develop advanced data fusion techniques that utilize the information from these multiple sources to increase situational awareness. The payoff of this program is to be: (1) Demonstration of enhanced sensor systems performance utilizing fusion data against advanced threats within surveillance volumes and (2) Improved accurate target detection capability for both primary and adjunct sensors when deployed so as to extend the detection range for threat targets beyond the limits of conventional single sensor surveillance volumes. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY SOLICITATION. DO NOT SUBMIT A FORMAL PROPOSAL AT THIS TIME. Offers are required to submit three (3) copies of a five (5) page or less white paper with a cover letter indicating whether the offeror is a large, small, woman-owned small, or small disadvantaged business, or Historically Black College, University, or Minority Institution. The white paper will be formatted as follows: Section A: Title, Period of Performance, Cost of Task, Name of Company, Section B: Task Objective, and Section C: Technical Summary. All responses to this announcement must be addressed to ATTN: Richard R. Gassner, Reference BAA #96-12-PKPX, Rome Laboratory/OCSM, 26 Electronic Pky, Rome NY 13441-4514. Also send one (1) copy of the cover letter only, by FIRST CLASS MAIL (DO NOT SEND CLASSIFIED), to ATTN: Janis Norelli, Director of Small Business, Rome Laboratory/BC, 26 Electronic Pky, Rome NY 13441-4514. Multiple white papers within the purview of this announcement may be submitted by each offeror. 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. Those white papers found to be consistent with the intent of this BAA may be invited to submit a technical and cost proposal. Such invitation does not assure that the submitting organization will be awarded a contract. Complete instructions for proposal preparation will be forwarded with the invitation for proposal submission. Evaluation of proposals will be performed using the following criteria: (1) The overall scientific and/or technical merits of the proposal, (2) The relationship of the proposed research to Sensor Fusion Technology, (3) The innovativeness of the proposal approach and/or techniques, (4) offeror's capabilities and related experience, and (5) cost realism and reasonableness. No further evaluation criteria will be used in selecting the proposals. Criteria (1), (2) and (3) will be used to determine whether white papers submitted are consistent with the intent of this BAA and of interest to the Government. Proposals submitted will be evaluated as they are received. Individual proposal evaluations will be based on acceptability or unacceptability without regard to other proposals submitted under this BAA. Options are discouraged and unpriced options will not be considered for award. Principal funding of this BAA and the anticipated award of contracts will start approximately 1st quarter of FY97. Individual awards will not normally exceed 24 months in duration. Teaming arrangements that highly leverage on-going work and provide complementary and synergistic benefits are encouraged but not required. Total funding for this BAA is $15M. Foreign allied participation at the prime contractor level is permitted. Data subject to export control constraints may be involved and only firms on the Certified Contractor Access List (CCAL) will be allowed access to such data. The cost of preparing proposals in response to this announcement is not 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 in FAR 31.205-18. An Ombudsman has been appointed to hear significant concerns from offerors or potential offerors during the proposal development phase of this acquisition. Routine questions are not considered to be ''significant concerns'' and should be communicated directly to the Contracting Officer, Joetta A. Bernhard, 315/330-2308. The purpose of the Ombudsman is not to diminish the authority of the Contracting Officer or Program Manager, but to communicate contractor concerns, issues, disagreements and recommendations to the appropriate Government personnel. The Ombudsman for this acquisition is Mr. Vincent R. Palmiero, Chief, Policy and Management Division, at 315/330-7746. When requested, the Ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The Ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals or in the source selection process. An informational briefing is not planned. This BAA is open and effective until 30 Sep 2001. To receive a copy of the Rome Laboratory ''BAA & PRDA: A Guide for Industry'', March 1994 (Rev), write to ATTN: Lucille Argenzia, Rome Laboratory/PKR, 26 Electronic Pky, Rome NY 13441-4514, or the Guide may be accessed at http://www.rl.af.mil:8001/Lab/PK/pk-main.html. All responsible firms may submit a white paper, which shall be considered. Respondents are asked to provide their Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) number with their submission and reference BAA #96-12-PKPX. Only Contracting Officers are legally authorized to commit the government. (0267)

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