N/A -- MESOSCOPIC MACHINES The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announces that a Program Information Package (PIP) on MESOSCOPIC MACHINES is now available to provide proposers with background information and guidance in advance of the release of a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) in January, 1997. For the purpose of this program, mesoscopic machines are defined as those machines that straddle the size range between microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices and conventional machines ("sugar cube" to "fist"). The BAA will request proposals to demonstrate working machines of interest to the Department of Defense and the development of related technologies. The PIP is expected to be extremely useful in writing a proposal in response to the BAA. However, this PIP is for PLANNING PURPOSES only and IS NOT A CALL FOR PROPOSALS. OBTAINING THE PIP: A copy of the PIP may be downloaded from the DARPA Web site at http://dso.sysplan.com/DSO/BAA/MMachines/MMpip.doc. A copy may also be obtained by contacting Ms. Marya Bavis of Strategic Analysis, Inc. at e-mail: mbavis@snap.org or fax: 703-696-3999. FACILITATED TEAMING: It is anticipated that the breadth of expertise required to respond successfully to this program will require the formation of interdisciplinary teams. To assist prospective proposers, a method of capabilities exchange has been set up on DARPA's web site http://dso.sysplan.com/DSO/BAA/MMachines/teaming.html. This assistance is available only through the web site. SCHEDULE: The BAA for this program is expected to be released in January, 1997 with proposals due approximately 45 days later. Potential proposers are encouraged to use the time between the release of the PIP and the BAA to develop teaming arrangements. Technical interchange with DARPA is welcome until the release of the BAA. DARPA TECHNICAL POCS: Dr. Steven G. Wax, 703-696-2281, swax@darpa.mil, Dr. Robert J. Nowak, 703-696-7491, rnowak@darpa.mil, and Dr. William S. Coblenz, 703-696-2288, wcoblenz@darpa.mil.

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