U.S. Army Research Office, AMXRO-AAA, P.O.Box 12211, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2211

A -- BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT FOR CONDUCT OF SPECIAL STAFF RESEARCH SOL DAAG55-98-R-BAA5 DUE 050698 POC Contracting Officer, Janet Lockhart, (919) 549-4267 E-MAIL: Click here to contact the contracting officer via e-mail, lockhart@aro-emh1.army.mil. The U.S. Army Research Office (ARO) solicits proposals from universities in support of the conduct of special research by members of the scientific staff of the ARO in areas of interest to the U.S. Army. The objectives of the special staff research are to maintain the competence of the scientific staff, to contribute to specific areas of interest to the U.S. Army and to encourage interaction of ARO personnel with other members of the scientific community. Proposals submitted in response to this BAA that are selected for award are considered to be the result of full and open competition and in full compliance with the provisions of PL 98-369, "The Competition in Contracting Act of 1984." Awards will be made via basic contract agreements between the ARO and the host institutions for a period of five (5) years. Multiple awards may be made. Separate delivery orders under the basic contract will be awarded for selected individual staff research projects. Staff research is conducted, directed and managed by an ARO scientist at university laboratory facilities. The staff research should enhance the ARO scientist's capability to perform research, publish results and present at scientific forums. A scientific manager, who is a member of the university faculty, may be associated with the staff research conducted by the ARO scientist. The role of a scientific manager, if appointed, would be consistent with the needs of the ARO researcher and the requirements of the university. The scientific manager could serve as a liaison on administrative issues and other matters between the university department and the ARO scientist. The scientific manager may also assist the ARO scientist in performing the research and in supervision of graduate students and post-doctoral researchers during periods when the ARO scientist is not present at the university. Research tasks will be in the range of $25,000 to $95,000 per year for each ARO scientist performing staff research. The higher level of funding is intended to apply in special circumstances, e.g., staff research conducted by ARO scientific and professional (ST) employees or projects in which National Research Council (NRC) associates/post-doctoral researchers participate. Funds will be used to cover the following elements: 1. Salary cost for the university scientific manager (maximum one summer month); 2. Graduate research assistant or post-doctoral usual and customary expenses, e.g., tuition, stipend; 3. Fringe and overhead costs; 4. Supplies and materials; 5. Equipment; 6. Parking charges; 7. Other direct costs, including travel, publication, and computer time. The university will make no direct cost reimbursement to the ARO staff scientist performing the research. AREAS OF INTEREST The areas of interest, along with technical points of contact, are described in the ARO Annual Broad Agency Announcement for Fiscal Years 98-99-00, available on the internet at www.aro.ncren.net. CONDITIONS This competition is open to all educational institutions with graduate programs in one or more of the areas of interest referenced above, located within a 75-mile radius of the ARO and having adequate facilities and equipment in which the ARO scientist can perform his/her special research. The ARO scientist to perform special staff research must be appointed an adjunct professor at the host institution, but will not participate in any management related activities. A final report will be required for each individual staff research project awarded. CONTENT OF PROPOSALS: The proposal must: 1. Identify the areas of interest in which graduate programs are offered and describe the general and special facilities and equipment available for the ARO scientist to use in performing his/her special research; 2. Provide the percentage of fringe benefits and indirect costs that will be assessed the basic research agreements; 3. Describe the extent of the educational institution's participation and support for the staff research program; 4. Describe parking facilities to be made available for the ARO scientist when performing his/her research at the host institution; 5. Describe the facilities and support to be made available for the National Research Council (NRC) Associates. This support is to include: a. A library card and library privileges; b. A key to the laboratory where the investigators will conduct research; c. Office space suitable for a post-doc; d. Access to general university computer facilities; e. Laboratory space as needed; f. Access to document reproduction facilities; g. Access to a mailbox; and h. Access to parking facilities. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION An original and four (4) copies of the proposal, no more than 10 pages in length and signed by appropriate university officials, must be received no later than 4:00 p.m., 6 May 1998 at the following address: US Army Research Office ATTN: AMXRO-ICA (DAAG55-98-R-BAA5) 4300 South Miami Blvd. PO Box 12211 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2211 Electronic or facsimile submissions are not authorized. Proposals received after the due date will be handled in accordance with FAR 52.215-1(c)(3). EVALUATION Each proposal for basic contract agreement will be evaluated using the following evaluation criteria: (1) relevance of proposal to areas of special interest, (2) the adequacy of facilities and equipment available for the performance of special staff research, and (3) reasonableness of proposed cost arrangements. A telephone help line is available at (919) 549-4375 for inquiries related to this solicitation. (0093)

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