Commander, Marine Corps System Command, Code CTQ, 2033 Barnett Avenue, Ste 315, Quantico, VA 22134-5010

A -- RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR NON-LETHAL TECHNOLOGIES SOL BAA-98-R-0016 DUE 063098 POC M. A. Norris, Contracting Officer, (703) 696-0919 Broad Agency Announcement for Non-Lethal Technologies. The Marine Corps Systems Command, supporting the Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate, is interested in industry submission of new non-lethal technology ideas, which may include the assimilation of both new and/or existing technologies. The requirement is for one to two year concept demonstration projects that will be funded up to the $700K level. These projects will have very specific deliverables such as proof-of-principle demonstration, delivery of a prototype, or a feasibility report. All proposals selected for funding will be required to submit monthly status reports to include financial data as well as a comprehensive report to be delivered at the end of the project. At the conclusion of each project, an evaluation will be made as to whether or not to pursue this technology further as an official acquisition program. The goal of this solicitation will be to explore new non-lethal capabilities in application of measured, selectable force thatwill reduce risks in both noncombatant and combatant casualties, friend and foe, and damage to collateral equipment and structures. Emphasis is placed on developing systems that provide a "leap ahead" capability from what is currently available with blunt trauma type munitions such as rubber bullets. Consideration will be given only to proposals that address one or more of the following capabilities: 1) Capabilities to provide the individual user with a non-lethal dispenser/tool that can be adjusted/selected -- a "rheostatic" or "tunable" quality -- and employed in order to provide a varying degree of measurable non-lethal force. This weapon design must require an absolute minimum of additional hardware and a minimal increase in equipment load. The use of existing launchers and weapons systems is encouraged. A single weapon whose effects are tunable across the entire force spectrum (from no effect up to lethal effect) is desired. 2) Capabilities to effectively employ non-lethal technology beyond effective small arms engagement (greater than 100 meters). In addition to traditional tactical application of these non-lethal technologies, there is interest in expanding the NLW capabilities to include the use of non-lethal weapons in the battle space of major regional conflicts. 3) Capabilities to both deploy and employ non-lethal technologies without sacrificing other critical offensive and defensive capabilities and options. This employment will allow for the control and/or isolation of personnel, equipment, and areas through the use of new non-lethal operational techniques or equipment. The following prioritized list of operational capabilities are desired: (a) Incapacitate Personnel -- For the purposes of this BAA, incapacitation is defined as either physical inability (real or perceived) or mental disinclination to resist or pose a threat to friendly forces. (b) Seize Personnel -- This includes systems that allow individuals to be brought under control and should be capable of operating independent of whether they are fleeing or attacking. (c) Denial of Area to Vehicles -- This capability applies to denial of areas to vehicles whether they are land, sea, or air vehicles. There is no reversibility requirement for anti-materiel systems, although the use of such systems should not cause permanent injury or death to any personnel who may be operating the vehicles. (d) Clear Facilities of Personnel -- This capability will facilitate military operations on urbanized terrain (MOUT) by reducing the risks of noncombatant casualties and collateral damage while simultaneously minimizing the advantages accruing to an enemy defending a built-up area. (e) Denial of Area to Personnel -- This can include the use of physical barriers or of systems which cause discomfort to those who enter the denied area. (f) Disable/Neutralize vehicles, aircraft, vessels, and facilities -- This capability encompasses a wide range of subcategories based on the variety of equipment types to be targeted. Again the use of these systems should not cause permanent injury or death to personnel in the vicinity. 4) Capabilities that allow for replacement of lethal Anti-Personnel Landmines (APLs) with non-lethal alternatives that produce the same desired effects of APLs such as delaying, hindering, and even incapacitating individuals without producing lethal or irreversible damage. These non-lethal replacements could have varying degrees of effects which would allow for a layered defense that would have the least severe systems on the front line with increasingly severe systems present should the intruder continue to advance. Desired qualities for any non-lethal system proposed to address the above four capabilities are: (a) Enhance Operations -The ability to provide more flexibility to the individual soldier by increasing response options without causing an undue logistics burden or requiring him to leave behind equipment in order to carry the system. (b) Augment Lethal Force -- The non-lethal system should not take away from the soldier's ability to use lethal force when necessary. (c) Expeditionary -- The system should be easily transportable, rugged, and easy to maintain. The use of compressed gases, combustible fuels such as gasoline, etc. should be avoided. (d) Reversible Effects -- Anti-personnel non-lethal systems are required to have reversible effects (no permanent damage will be accepted). The desire is for the weapon effects to disappear with the simple passage of time. Proposals will be considered within the scope of the guidance provided above. Respondents shall submit a one to five page "white paper" summarizing the proposed effort along with a cost estimate. The white paper must address the following topics; 1) Description of proposed concept to include how this concept will be used to address one or more of the capabilities listed above, 2) Background information (Technical, Historical, etc.), 3) Description of work to be done under this effort (to include technical details), 4) Discussion of risk areas, 5) Description of the deliverables associated with this effort, and 6) Cost estimate for both materials and labor. These presentation/concept papers should be supported, if available, by drawings and/or initial experimentation results/test data. Working presentation/concept papers shall be submitted in original form and three copies to only the following address: DIRECTOR, JOINT NON-LETHAL DIRECTORATE, 3097 RANGE ROAD, QUANTICO, VA 22134, REF: BAA-98-R-0016. Offerors will be requested to submit in-depth proposals should the Joint Non-Lethal Directorate deem the proposed working presentation/concept papers of scientific and technical merit as well as military utility. In-depth proposals shall be divided into three sections: (1) a technical section which will clearly state the objectives, technical approach and methodology, supporting technical data/information noting the proprietary aspects of the effort, and plan of execution to include milestones; (2) a management section which will identify key expertise, experience, facilities, resumes of key personnel; and, (3) a cost section providing detailed work/cost breakdowns of the proposed effort. Options and assumptions shall be clearly identified, defined and discussed in detail. The proposal evaluation effort and final award decisions will be based equally upon the technical approach and best value that can be achieved within the funds available. Key evaluation considerations are: 1) Applicability to BAA -- Does the proposed idea address one or more of the desired capabilities identified in the BAA? 2) Clear Objectives and Deliverables -- How well defined are the proposal objectives? Is there a clear systematic program plan which leads to clearly defined deliverables? 3) Advancing state of the art -- Has this idea been done before? How successful were prior attempts to implement the proposed idea, and if there was a technical problem does the proposal address the problem and present an innovative solution? 4) Ability to achieve proposed technical objectives -- This criterion addresses the technical feasibility of the proposed idea. In other words, How likely is it that the stated technical objectives can actually be met? 5) Offeror's expertise in the technology area -- Has the offeror been working in this technology area for several years? Does it seem that the offeror has the appropriate technical background to successfully meet the objectives? 6) Ability to meet schedule -- How likely is it that the developer can accomplish the technical objectives within the proposed time frame? 7) Reasonable cost -- Does the cost seem appropriate for the proposed idea? 8) Logistically Supportable -- How logistically supportable is the proposed concept? Would it be repairable in the field? How is it powered (does it use gas, diesel, batteries, solar power)? Will it be hand-held or platform mounted? How would it be transported? 9) Acceptable Risk to user and/or environment -- For anti-personnel NLWs, is the user of the system at risk to its effects? For anti-material NLWs, are there potential risks to the human users? Does the proposed system present a hazard to the environment? 10) Countermeasure Offset Risk -- Can the effect of the proposed system on the target set be easily countered? 11) Reversible Effects Risk (for Anti-Personnel Only) -- The desired mechanism for reversible effects is simply the passage of time (anywhere from minutes to hours). How likely is the weapon to have reversible effects on humans? 12) Risk to Personnel (for Anti-Material Only). There is no requirement for anti-material weapons to have reversible effects, however the anti-material weapon should not cause irreversible effects to personnel in or around the intended target. How likely is the weapon to have adverse impact on personnel in or around the intended target? White papers will be received until 1700 June 30, 1998. Evaluations will follow receipt of white papers, and solicitation for in-depth proposals from selected white papers will occur by July 31, 1998. The in-depth proposals will be due by August 31, 1998, and selections will be made by September 30, 1998. Negotiations and awards are anticipated by first November 1. This BAA is not an authorization to incur cost in anticipation of a resultant contract. Information provided herein is subject to amendment and in no way binds the Government to the award of a contract. Technical questions must be addressed in writing to Mr. John Busic, (703) 784-2997 x232, Fax (703) 784-3178, E-mail busicj@quantico.usmc.mil Address Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate, 3097 Range Road, Quantico, VA 22134. Contractual questions may be addressed to M. A. Norris, (703) 696-0919. (0128)

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