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

A -- ELECTRO-ACTIVE POLYMERS AND DEVICES SOL BAA98-06 DUE 041698 POC Dr's. Robert Crowe, Dennis Healy, Francis Patten, DARPA/DSO, Fax (703) 696-3999 Electro-Active Polymers and Devices: BAA#98-06, DUE by 4:00 p.m. ET, 16 April, 1998. POC's: Dr's. C. Robert Crowe, Dennis Healy, and Francis Patten, DARPA/DSO, FAX (703) 696-3999, e-mail: BAA98-06X@darpa.mil. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is interested in receiving proposals to develop advanced electro-active polymeric materials and devices. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES AND DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this program is to develop electro-active polymers suitable for use in the fabrication of devices of interest to the Department of Defense (DoD). Three areas are of particular interest: 1) electro-active polymers which exhibit muscle-like behavior and are suitable for use as actuators in small robotic devices; 2) electro-active polymers and devices which can be synthesized with microstructures that can function as analog computation devices, especially for analog image processing computations such as filtering and optical flow computation, and 3) electro-active polymers and devices which can interact with electromagnetic (em) radiation to change em wave/material interaction characteristics under active control. Proposals for projects which focus on materials synthesis, characterization, and development of other secondary processes needed for fabrication of devices are also desired. Demonstrations of device feasibility and evaluation of potential utility to the DoD are of interest as well. The program for this solicitation is planned to be approximately 48 months in duration and at least $25 M of funding. Multiple awards are expected. Integrated, collaborative efforts or teaming arrangements among universities, federal laboratories, original equipment manufacturers, component suppliers, and material suppliers are suggested. Thus, a vertically integrated team for the execution of the technical portions of this program is strongly encouraged. Cost sharing is also encouraged, but not required. Substantive cost sharing will increase the attractiveness of proposals. Proposals with cost share will be considered for award under U.S.C. 2371 as an Other Transaction. EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS: Evaluation of proposals will be accomplished using the following criteria, which are listed in descending order of relative importance: (1) demonstrated technical and scientific merit of the proposed project, (2) impact of the successful development on the performance of fabricated devices, (3) potential benefit of the devices to enhance national security, (4) offeror's capabilities and recent related experience, including personnel, facilities, equipment, and data, and (5) realism of cost, cost share commitment, and quality of cost share (cash, including IRAD, is more compelling, as it customarily reflects a greater commitment than in-kind contributions). Previous investments and "sunk-cost" are not considered as eligible cost share. The government reserves the right to select for award all, some, or none of the proposals received. PROPOSAL FORMAT: Ten single-sided hard copies, each 8.5 by 11 inches, must be submitted. They should have 1.25-inch margins, and a font size not smaller than 12 pitch. Non-conforming proposals may be rejected without review. Proposals shall consist of two volumes; a technical volume and a cost volume. The first page of both the technical and cost volumes should clearly indicate the title, the prime and subcontractors or partnership members proposed, the principal investigator name, phone number, fax number, email address, period of performance, and first year and total cost of the effort. The address and point of contact for proposal correspondence, if different from the principal investigator, should be clearly and prominently identified on the first page of both volumes of the proposal. Volume 1 of submitted proposals shall include an Executive Summary, a Program Description, a Program Plan, a Statement of Work, a Milestone Chart, a Facilities and Equipment description, a description of Relevant Prior Work, a Management Plan, and Resumes of Key Individuals. The page count of Volume 1 shall be limited to a maximum of 40 pages, which includes all figures, references, tables, and charts. Volume 2 of submitted proposals shall contain a summary cost breakdown and a detailed cost breakdown. The summary breakdown should be shown to the level of major tasks and should indicate manpower levels of effort, equipment and supplies, travel, and miscellaneous expenses for the tasks of the entire program, broken out by performer and time. Details of the cost sharing to be undertaken by the offerer must be included in the summary section of volume 2 of the proposal. The summary cost breakdown shall be no longer than 6 pages, but the detailed cost breakdown is not limited in page count. All proposals are due by 4:00 p.m. ET, 16 April 1998. Early submission of proposals is encouraged. Within approximately seven (7) business days of receipt, DARPA will acknowledge receipt of the submission and assign a control number that should be used in all further correspondence regarding the proposal. BROAD AGENCY ANOUNCEMENT: This CBD notice itself constitutes the Broad Agency Announcement as contemplated by FAR 6.102 (d) (2). A formal RFP or other solicitation regarding this announcement will not be issued. Requests for same will be disregarded. Evaluation and selection of proposals for award will be made to those offerors whose proposal is considered most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. All responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government's needs may submit proposals which will be evaluated if received by the closing date. Because of the technical breadth implied in this solicitation and hardware demonstration required, no portion of this BAA will be set aside for HBCU and MI participation. However, these organizations are encouraged to apply. Technical POC's are: Dr's. C. Robert Crowe, Dennis Healy, and Francis Patten, DARPA/DSO. All questions concerning this BAA should be submitted in writing to the technical P.O.C's at Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Contracts Management Office (CMO) 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714 or transmitted by FAX: (703) 696-3999 or by e-mail at: BAA98-06@darpa.mil. (0310)

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