AFMC, Air Force Research Laboratory/IFK, 26 Electronic Parkway, Rome, NY 13441-4514

A -- C3 ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS/SIGNAL PROCESSING TECHNIQUES FOR SMART RADIO SOL BAA 98-04-IFKPA POC Siamak S. Tabrizi, Program Manager, 315-330-4823; Joetta A. Bernhard, Contracting Officer, 315-330-2308 Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Rome, is soliciting white papers for various scientific studies and experiments to increase AFRL Rome's knowledge and understanding of the broad range of capabilities required in support of both Adaptive Signal Processing, automatic Radio Link Control and Flexible Interfaces to Networked Communications Systems for military and dual use commercial applications. Solutions to basic research and engineering using innovative approaches will be sought. The scope of this effort concerns several areas and covers a broad range of requirements which includes: strategic, tactical, land, air and space, secure, survivable low probability of intercept (LPI) and jam resistant (AJ) capabilities in support of system Network operations. AFRL Rome requires solutions sufficient to meet the needs of theater deployable communications mobile radio requirements for operation in a high interference, high throughput, dynamic, clear and covert environment for the late 90's post 2000 time period. The areas of interest include: 1) Development of programmable, interoperable, common module systems, which are self adapting to time-varying Anti-Jam (AJ), Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) and traffic requirements for link and network; 2) Communications system capability assessments, studies and analyses; 3) Development of network control concepts; 4) Modeling and simulation; 5) Hardware prototyping and proof-of-concept development/demonstration; 6) Broad range of innovative communications related adaptive signal processing and networking applications; and 7) Development of RF/IF techniques for multiband multimode radio. Specific communications technology and support programs include: 1) Application of new high efficiency spread spectrum waveforms to Mobile Radio Multiple Access networked systems; 2) Responsive, adaptive Link Control Techniques; 3) Network interface to utilize, secure, and connect to commercial celluar phone/data networks; 4) Applications of Acoustic Charge Transport (ACT) technology for use in promising communications signal processing areas; 5) Development of Digital Signal Processing (DSP) hardware/software modules to facilitate modeling, simulation and rapid prototyping programmable communications signal processing functions for AFRL Rome's signal processing workstation; 6) Investigation of application of artificial Neural Network techniques for adaptive communication signal processing; 7) Investigation of Wavelet Transform techniques for adaptive waveform processing and waveform basis function application; 8) Development of advanced (such as Frequency Domain) Spread Spectrum Acquisition techniques; 9) Investigation of temporal and spatial linear and non-linear control techniques for optimal communications signal processing applications; 10) Low Cost, Lightweight, Highly Mobile Terminals/Systems; and 11) Development of a signal multiband, HF to UHF, RF/IF module having capability of simultaneous waveform operation. Emphasis is placed on the integration and insertion of advanced transmission technologies into existing and emerging networking infrastructures and systems and the extension of such capabilities into a larger network. Deliverables will be technical reports and, when appropriate, demonstrations. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONSITUTES THE ONLY SOLICITATION. DO NOT SUBMIT A FORMAL PROPOSAL AT THIS TIME. Offerors are required to submit five (5) copies of a four (4) page or less white paper with a cover letter indicating whether the offer is a large, small, women-owned small, or small disadvantaged business, or Historically Black College, University or Minority Institution. The white paper will be formatted as follows: Section A: Title, Period of performance, Cost of Task, Name of Company; Section B: Task Objective; and Section C: Technical Summary. All responses to this announcement must be addressed to ATTN: Siamak S. Tabrizi, Reference BAA #98-04-IFKPA, AFRL/IFGC 525 Brooks Road, Rome NY 13441-4505. Also small businesses only should send one (1) copy of the cover letter only, by First Class Mail (DO NOT SEND CLASSIFIED) to ATTN: Janis Norelli, Director of Small Business, AFRL/IFB, 26 Electronic Parkway, Rome NY 13441-4514. Multiple white papers within the purview of this announcement may be submitted by each offeror. The purpose of the 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 this BAA may be invited to submit a technical and cost proposal. Such invitation does not assure that the submitting organization will be awarded a contract. Complete instructions for proposal preparation will be forwarded with the invitation for proposal submission. Evaluation of proposals will be performed using the following criteria: 1) Effectiveness in Enhancing Communications System Performance to the System Mission; 2) Relevance to the military communications and dual use applications; 3) Uniqueness of the Approach; and 4) Cost effectiveness. No further evaluation criteria will be used in selecting the proposals. The technical criteria will also be used to determine whether white papers submitted are consistent with the intent of this BAA and of interest to the Government. Proposals submitted will be evaluated as they are received. Options are discouraged and unpriced options will not be considered for award. Individual awards will not normally exceed thirty-two (32) months in duration, with dollar amounts normally ranging from $100K to $1M. Awards of efforts as a result of this BAA will be in the form of contracts, grants, cooperative agreements or other transactions depending upon the nature of the work proposed. Total funding for this BAA is $10.5M. Foreign-owned offerors are advised that their participation is subject to foreign disclosure review. Foreign or foreign-owned offerors should immediately contact the contracting focal point for information if they contemplate responding. Data subject to export control constraints may be involved and only firms on the Certified Contractor Access List (CCAL) will be allowed access to such data. For further information on CCAL, contact the Defense Logistic Service Center at 1-800-352-3572.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. The work to be performed may require a SECRET facility clearance and safeguarding capability; therefore, personnel identified for assignment to a classified effort must be cleared for access to SECRET information at time of award. In addition, to qualify as a responsible contractor, the offeror may be required to have or have access to a certified and Government approved facility available to support work under this BAA. This BAA is open and effective until 30 Sep 2000. An Ombudsman has been appointed to hear significant concerns from offerors or potential offerors during the proposal development phase of thisacquisition. Routine questions are not considered to be "significant concerns" and should be communicated directly to the Contracting Officer. 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, Deputy, Contracting Division, at 315-330-7747. When requested, the Ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The Ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals or in the source selection process. To receive a copy of the AFRL Rome "PRDA & BAA: A Guide of Industry" (Sep 97) write to ATTN: Lucille Argenzia, AFRL/IFKR, 26 Electronic Parkway, Rome NY 13441-4514, or the Guide may be accessed at the following WEB address: http://www.rl.af.mil/Lab/PK/bp-guide.html. All responsible firms may submit a white paper which shall be considered. Respondents are asked to provide a FAX number, an e-mail address and their Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) number with their submission and reference BAA 98-04-IFKPA. An information briefing is not planned. Proposers are advised that only Contracting Officers are legally authorized to commit the government. (0349)

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