Supply Department Indian Head Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center, 101 Strauss Ave, Indian Head, MD 20640-5035

A -- BAA 97-003 -- MICROELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS (MEMS) FOR EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS SOL BAA 97-003 POC Renee M. Brown, Code 1143E, (301) 743-6635 E-MAIL: BAA 97-003, 1143e@supply.ih.navy.mil. The Indian Head Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center (IHDIVNAVSURFWARCEN) in collaboration with the Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division (NAVEODTECHDIV) is soliciting concepts for innovative research and development projects, utilizing piezoelectric Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) technology, to increase Explosive Ordnance Disposal's (EOD) mission capability. Development of piezoelectric MEMS-based EOD technologies is being pursued to provide new capabilities and enhancements to existing EOD technologies to reduce equipment costs, improve reliability, and increase the availability of sophisticated equipment for the field use by EOD technicians. This BAA consists of the following three parts: Part I -- Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Background and Mission Area, Part II -- White Paper preparation and Submission, and Part III -- White Paper Evaluation. Part I. The following are general mission areas where MEMS enhancement of EOD capabilities will be considered: 1. Mine Countermeasures capability in Very Shallow Water (MCC/VSW Program) littoral areas along coastlines; 2. Combating terrorist threats against the US has become a high priority. Solutions are sought to improve the Counterproliferation capabilities to detect the presence of nuclear, chemical, and biological materials; and 3. Render Safe Procedures (RSP) capability on increasingly complex and sophisticated ordnance devices (including underwater ordnance) and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have contributed to a greater threat to life and property. New Ordnance and IEDs consistently employ innovative technology to sense and detect targets, arm and detonate explosive payloads. These advances in technology make EOD render safe procedures increasingly risky. Within the general mission area capabilities stated above, specific areas of consideration identified for MEMS technology application include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. Explosive Ordnance Detection -- This area is to apply MEMS technology improving the state-of-the-art for detecting threat improvised and conventional ordnance devices; 2. Underwater Acoustic Explosive Firing Device -- For reduction of size, weight, and improvement in reliability of signal processing, timing, arming, and interface components; 3. Minimally intrusive/detection surveillance/reconnaissance equipment -- Apply MEMS technology for reduction of size, weight, and improvement in sensing and collecting visual, ultrasonic, infrared, and RF information; and 4. Weapons of Mass Destruction detection and identification equipment -- This area will apply MEMS technology to improve the size of packaging and the capability of detecting, identifying, and assessing the threat of nuclear, chemical and biological devices. If there are technical questions concerning this BAA contact Dave Keene at (301) 743-6850 ext. 224. Part II. Persons submitting white papers are cautioned that only the contracting officer may obligate the government to any agreement involving expenditure of government funds. HBCU/MI Set Aside: In an attempt to maximize participation of Small Businesses and Historically Black Colleges, Universities (HBCU), and other Minority Institutions (MI), 2.5% of total dollars awarded under the listed mission areas will be set aside for HBCU/MI and 2.5% of small businesses for a total of 5%. Upon examination of white papers, if set-asides are not possible, total dollars expended will no longer be subject to any set-aside restrictions. White Paper proposals submitted in response to this BAA may be for a period of performance of one year. Contents of White Papers (Proposal Abstracts): 1. The white paper shall briefly describe the objective approach, period of performance and cost estimate; 2. White papers shall be submitted no later than 29 Aug 1997; 3. Submission procedures are as follows: An original and three (3) copies of all white papers shall be submitted and reference BAA 97-003 and the research number and title from Part I of this BAA. Each offeror shall also submit a3.5" disk (ASCII or WordPerfect or MS Word) containing white paper contents (text only) as submitted in hard copy. All information submitted to IHDIVNAVSURFWARCEN shall be considered government property. BAAs shall be submitted to Indian Head Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Attn: Renee M. Brown, Code 1143E, 101 Strauss Avenue, Indian Head, Maryland, 20640-5035. White papers shall be unclassified and limited to five pages (including figures, charts and tables) on single-sided, double-spaced pages, font to be not smaller than 12 point, 1" margins left/right/top/bottom. White papers shall contain a rough order of magnitude cost estimate. Acknowledgment for receipt of white papers will not be made nor will white papers be returned. Telephone inquires concerning the status of white papers will not be entertained; 4. Offerors whose status is either a Small business or HBCU/MIs, shall certify their status in the submission of the white paper. Part III -- White Paper Evaluation: White papers submitted in response to this BAA will be evaluated in accordance with the following criteria: 1. Overall scientific and technical merit of the technology for the EOD missions; 2. Understanding of EOD requirements; 3. Proposed cost of technology and reasonable schedule for program execution; 4. Potential for transition to the Fleet; 5. Offeror's capabilities, related work experience, and facilities; and 6. Offeror's qualifications, experience and capabilities of leaders and key personnel who are critical in achieving the proposed objectives. Following evaluation of white papers, the government reserves the right to request full proposals within 60 days notification. Such notification will confirm that the offeror's white paper addresses areas of interest and relevance and the offeror has a reasonable chance for a competitive award based on subsequent evaluation of the offeror's full proposal. Proposals submitted within twelve months after publication of this BAA will be considered for award if funding is available. The government reserves the right to select for award all, some, or none of the proposals received in response to this announcement. It is the policy of IHDIVNAVSURFWARCEN to treat all proposals as competitive information and to disclose the contents only for the purpose of evaluation. The government will not cover any costs associated with proposal preparation, nor pay, as a direct expense preparation cost on awarded contracts. (0203)

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