HSC/PKRH, 7909 Lindbergh Drive, Brooks AFB, TX 78235-5352

A -- ADVANCED VIRTUAL ADAPTIVE TUTOR FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL READINESS (AVATAR) SOL NONE POC Shirley Walluk, Contract Negotiator, (210) 536-5775; Joseph Langenderfer, Contracting Officer, (210) 536-5769 E-MAIL: ERROR --, shirley.walluk@pkrccmail.brooks.af.mil or joe.langenderfer@pkrccmail.brooks.af.mil. This is not a Notice of Solicitation. The purpose of this announcement is to inform industry of the Advanced Virtual Adaptive Tutor for Air Traffic Control Readiness (AVATAR) developed by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Brooks AFB, TX and describe the Air Force's desire to transition the Technology. In addition, we are seeking input from the commercial sector in the form of "white papers" on how the Air Force and industry could cooperatively transition this promising technology from the laboratory environment to operational facilities. BACKGROUND DESCRIPTION: The AVATAR incorporates a simulation of a control tower environment to teach students how to perform the duties of ground and local control positions. This instruction method differs from other simulation-based training systems in that it adapts itself in real-time to individual students adjusting the information it presents to the student on-the-fly based on the student's performance and the instructional objectives of the course. Students interact with the tutor through a speaker-independent voice recognition system. The simulation consists of a four-screen display of an airport where aircraft taxi, takeoff and land. The current airport environment is modeled after a fictitious airfield used by the Air Force's Air Traffic Control Course but can be tailored so that the simulation environment can look and operate like a site specific airspace. AVATAR instruction is generated using the Virtual Interactive Intelligent Tutoring System Development Shell (VIVIDS). VIVIDS is a Government developed authoring tool used by instructional developers and subject matter experts to produce and maintain simulation-based adaptive training systems that are delivered via synthetic environments. By using VIVIDS, instructors can rapidly develop AVATAR lessons and scenarios through a point and click interface screen. VIVIDS then uses scenarios to automatically generate and deliver the air traffic control instruction. AVATAR can teach one or two students at a time. The system operates on one Silicon Graphics "Indy" and one Silicon Graphics "Octane" or "Onyx". Research indicates AVATAR is the only Air Traffic Control (ATC) training system with automated instruction built into the simulation. In addition, the typical AVATAR system is expected to be substantially less expensive than other trainers and is therefore expected to be highly attractive to commercial customers. DESIRED OUTCOMES: AFRL is interested in industry partners to assist in development, modification and support of the AVATAR technology as well as marketing the system to appropriate DoD, FAA and other federal agencies. Finally, AFRL is interested in ways to share in the revenues generated by the sale of this technology to non-government agencies, both domestic and foreign. WHITE PAPER FORMAT: AFRL is seeking early industry participation by requesting that interested parties provide a white paper not exceeding 10 pages. The white paper should address how the AFRL could partner with industry to modify and transition AVATAR to any/all DoD, FAA and commercial (including foreign) ATC facilities. In addition, the paper should discuss specific graphic, coding, marketing and support capabilities to support the desired outcomes described herein. Once the white papers are evaluated, an "Industry Day" may be scheduled at Brooks AFB, Texas, to more thoroughly discuss ideas and possible future activities related to transitioning this technology. This would not be expected to occur before Jul 98. Interested parties may submit their white papers within 15 days of the publication of this notice to HSC/PKRH, Attention of Ms. Shirley Walluk or Mr. Joseph Langenderfer, 7909 Lindbergh Drive, Brooks AFB, TX 78235-5352, telephone (210) 536-5769. This announcement is based upon the best information available, may be subject to future modification, is not a request for proposal and in no way commits the Air Force to pursuing a contract award. "Note(s) N/A". (0113)

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