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

A -- OPTICAL PROCESSING BAA 97-06 SOL BAA 97-06-PKPX POC Joetta A. Bernhard, Contracting Officer, (315) 330-2308; Paul Repak, Laboratory Project Engiineer, (315) 330-3146. BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT #97-06-PKPX SOL BAA 97-06-PKPX POC JOETTA BERNHARD, C, 315/330-2308 Joetta Bernhard, Contracting Officer, (315)330-2308 Paul Repak, Laboratory Project Engineer, (315)330-3146. Rome Laboratory is soliciting white papers for various scientific studies and experiments to increase RL's knowledge and understanding in the area of optical processing. Areas of interest include: analog and digital optical processing, photorefractive devices and other non-linear optical devices to implement processing algorithms without the necessity of optoelectronic conversion, microwave/millimeter wave processing aimed at antenna phased array control, interconnects for large radio frequency (RF) antenna systems, conversion of light energy to RF energy, and coherent RF photonic techniques, digital optical processing to include optical interconnects for high performance computers, architectures, algorithms, switching and logic, non-linear optics aimed at low power systems which process totally in theoptical domain with minimal or no electronic conversion, high rate sources/detectors/modulators for analog and/or digital operation, network optical processing for multi-gigabit per second transmission, and integrated optoelectronic circuits (OEICs) and integrated optomicrowave circuits (OMICs) for future low cost reproducible implementation of advanced photonic systems. Deliverables will include technical reports and, when appropriate, technology demonstrations to prove out the concepts proposed. Principal funding for proposals selected from this announcement begins in FY98. Deadlines for white papers for funding by FY are as follows: FY 98 -- 31 Aug 97; FY 99 -- 30 Apr 98; FY00 -- 30 Apr 99. Individual awards will not normally exceed twenty-four (24) months in duration, with dollar amounts normally ranging from $100,000 to $2,000,000. Total funding for the BAA is $6,500,000. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY SOLICITATION. DO NOT SUBMIT PROPOSALS AT THIS TIME. Offerors are required to submit three (3) copies of a two (2) to three (3) page white paper on their proposed research topic to Paul Repak, Rome Laboratory/OCPC, 25 Electronic Pky, Rome NY 13441-4515, Reference BAA 97-06-PKPX and one copy of the cover letter only (by FIRST CLASS mail) to Ms Janis Norelli, Rome Laboratory/BC, 26 Electronic Parkway, Rome NY 13441-4515, Reference BAA 97-05-PKPX. The white paper should be formatted as follows: Section A: Title, period of performance, cost of effort, and name of company; Section B: Task Objective; and Section C: Technical Summary. Multiple white papers addressing different research areas may be submitted by each offeror. The purpose of this 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 the BAA and of interest to the Government may be invited to submit a technical and cost proposal. Complete instructions for proposal preparation and submission will be forwarded with any proposal invitation. Such invitation does not assure that the submitting organization will be awarded a subsequent contract. Proposals submitted will be evaluated as they are received. Individual proposal evaluations will be based on acceptability or non-acceptability without regard to other proposals submitted under this announcement. Evaluation of proposals will be performed using the following criteria: (1) The overall scientific and/or technical merits of the proposal, (2) The innovativeness of the proposed approach and/or techniques, and (3) Cost Benefits. No further evaluation criteria will be used in selecting the proposals. Criteria (1) and (2) will be used to determine whether the white papers submitted are consistent with the intent of this BAA and of interest to the Government. Options are discouraged and unpriced options will not be considered for award. Respondees are requested to provide their Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Number and reference BAA-97-05-PKPX with their submissions. Foreign or foreign-owned offerors are advised that their participation is subject to foreign disclosure review procedures. Foreign or foreign-owned offerors should immediately contact the contracting focal point, Joetta A. Bernhard, Rome Laboratory/PKPX, 26 Electronic Parkway, Rome NY 13441-4514, or phone at (315)330-2308, for information if they contemplate responding. 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 Vincent Palmiero, Chief, Policy & 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 the proposals or the source selection process. All responsible organizations may submit a white paper, which shall be considered. This announcement is open and effective until 00Sep30. Proposers are advised that only contracting officers are legally authorized to commit the Government. For more information contact Paul Repak, (EMAIL repakp@rl.af.mil) Project Engineer, at (315)330-3146. Rome Laboratory/PKRD, 26 Electronic Pky, Rome NY 13441-4514 Go to http://www.rl.af.mil/Lab/DO/BC/BAA/baa-main.html to download a copy of the Rome Laboratory "BAA and PRDA: A Guide for Industry" (Sep 1996)(REV) or write to Ms. Lucille Argenzia, Rome Laboratory/PKR, 26 Electronic Parkway, Rome NY 13441-4514. EMAIL: ADDRESS: bernhardj@rl.af.mil DESC: Click here to contact the Contracting Officer. (0191)

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