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

A -- AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY SOL SS 97-01 DUE 121396 POC Dr. Jonathan Bornstein, DARPA/TTO, fax (703) 696-2204. Autonomous Systems Technology, IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: SS 97-01, TECHNICAL POC: Dr. Jonathan Bornstein, DARPA/TTO, fax (703)696-2204, BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TECHNICAL/RESEARCH AREA: DARPA is conducting a feasibility assessment of enabling technologies required to produce intelligent, robotic platforms/systems that can directly support troops conducting military operations in urban environments. The objective of this announcement is to seek information that will assist DARPA to better understand the current status, research trends and potential breakthroughs in those technologies and to assess the impact upon the operational capabilities of resultant military robotic systems. DARPA is seeking information to define enabling technologies to be utilized in warfighting experiments. Specific roles envisioned for those systems are (1) gathering of reconnaissance information, to include the location of unfriendly forces and non-combatants, and the detection and identification of military obstacles, (2) supporting the initial entry of forces into buildings and other structures present in urban terrain. It is anticipated that the primary technologies to be addressed are:(1)enhanced vehicle mobility/locomotion, (2)navigation through the interior of buildings, (3) perception employing both imaging and non-imaging sensors, (4) control systems and man-machine interfaces. LISTING OF INFORMATION SOUGHT: Organizations responding to this announcement should submit information to the Tactical Technology Office (TTO). This information should address enabling technologies and operational concepts, including discussions of feasibility, practicability, and relevance to military operations in urban terrain. DARPA seeks ideas and concepts that are both innovative and realistic. Information provided should be supported by available literature, prior demonstration, or analytical analysis whenever possible. Interested potential sources should respond by providing information on the maturity, effectiveness, flexibility of applications, and cost of hardware and/or software products that address this topic area. It is the intent of DARPA to conduct follow-on discussions of these technology areas during the first quarter of calendar year 1997. WHERE TO SUBMIT INFORMATION: Offerors are invited to submit information regarding applicable technologies to Dr. Jonathan Bornstein DARPA/TTO, ATTN: Sources Sought Announcement SS 97-01, 3701 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714. WHEN TO SUBMIT INFORMATION: All documentation should be submitted on or before 4:00PM Eastern Time on 13 December, 1996. FORM FOR SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTATION: Offerors are invited to submit an original and five (5) copies of information papers, printed on 8 1/2'' x 11'''' pages regarding applicable autonomous systems technology. There is no restriction on the length or format of the information submitted, however, potential sources are encouraged to be as concise in their descriptive summaries as possible. A soft copy of information papers may be submitted with copies of the original. Information papers should not be submitted by FAX or e-mail. Offerors submitting technical papers will not be reimbursed by the Government for any expenses incurred. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION NOTICE: Potential sources are discouraged from submitting any proprietary information, however, if a potential source elects to submit proprietary information, it must be clearly marked and will be held in strictest confidence. Restrictive notices notwithstanding, information submitted may be handled, for administrative purposes, by two DARPA support contractors (SAIC and SRS Technologies). These contractors are prohibited from competition in DARPA technical research on this topic area and are bound by appropriate nondisclosure agreements.NOTICE REGARDING SOLICITATIONS: This announcement is for information and planning purposes only, and does not constitute a BAA, IFB or RFP. Nothing in this notice shall be construed as a commitment by the Government. (0306)

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