Commander, Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, Code 230000D, 1 Administration Circle, China Lake, CA 93555-6100

A -- BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA): "SMART" GEOSCIENTIFIC METHODS AND APPLICATIONS OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) SOL N68936-BAA-97-002 DUE 093097 POC Winnie Renta, Grants Officer, (760) 939-4272 or Erica Freeman, Grants Specialist, (760) 939-5427. The U.S. Navy Geothermal Program Office (GPO) located at the Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake, California, is seeking collaborative research proposals related to the "smart" geoscientific methods and applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The term "smart" refers to the fact that individual GIS coverages contain more information than is displayed on the screen or than is found in the input data. Emphasis should be placed on the advancement of GIS tools and techniques as they apply to solving problems involving integrated geological, geochemical, and geophysical databases. No request for proposal (RFP), solicitation or other announcement of this opportunity will be made. This announcement will be open through 30 September 1997. Proposals may be submitted any time during this period. Awards may be made at any time. The Government anticipates award of cooperative agreements or other transactions for research under 10 USC 2358 or 10 USC 2371. Proposal submission is not restricted in any way to any particular entity. Historically Black Colleges and Universities, minority institutions, and small and disadvantaged businesses are encouraged to participate. Before preparing proposals, potential proposers are encouraged to contact Dr. Frank Monastero, Head of the Geothermal Program Office, (760) 939-4046, to determine whether or not their idea might be of interest to the government. After speaking with Dr. Monastero, proposers may contact Winnie Renta, Grants Officer, (760) 939-4272, or Erica Freeman, Grants Specialist, (760) 939-5427, for information about content of a potential proposal. Proposers must state in the proposal that it is submitted in response to this BAA. Award decisions will be based on peer and/or scientific review. Evaluations will be conducted using the following evaluation criteria: (1) overall scientific, technical merits of the proposal; (2) the potential relationship of the proposed research to the Department of Defense mission; (3) benefit to the public; (4) the offeror's capabilities, related experience, facilities, techniques or unique combinations of these which are integral factors for achieving the proposal objectives; (5) the qualifications, capabilities and experience of the proposed principal investigator, team leader or key personnel who are critical in achieving the proposal objectives; (6) realism of the proposed cost and availability of funds. It is anticipated that one or more awards will result from this solicitation, not to exceed about $500,000 in total federal funding. Proposals submitted in response to this BAA may be for a period of performance up to three years. Such proposals should contain a brief summary of the work contemplated for each 12-month period so that the award may be negotiated for an entire 3-year program or for individual one-year increments of the total program. Proposals for a period of less than 12 months will also be considered. Team efforts among academia and/or industry and/or government participants incorporating cost sharing and proposals augmenting ongoing joint efforts are strongly encouraged. Final distribution of awards will depend on quality of proposals and availability of funds. Funds may not be currently available for topics under this BAA. No award will be made until funds are available from which payment can be made. (0122)

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