Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Contract Management Directorate (CMD), 3701 N. Fairfax Dr., Arlington, VA 22203-1714

A -- MOLECULAR ELECTRONICS (MOLETRONICS) SOL BAA 98-29 DUE 100798 POC B. Gnade, DARPA/ETO, W. Warren, DARPA/DSO, Fax (703) 696-2206 WEB: http://www.darpa.mil, http://www.darpa.mil. E-MAIL: BAA98-29@darpa.mil, BAA98-29@darpa.mil. A -- MOLECULAR ELECTRONICS (MOLETRONICS), SOL BAA 98-29, DUE 100798 POCs DR. BRUCE GNADE, DARPA/ETO, DR. WILLIAM WARREN, DARPA/DSO, FAX (703) 696-2206. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES AND DESCRIPTION: The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative research proposals in molecular electronics (Moletronics). The goal of Moletronics is to demonstrate the integration of multiple molecules and/or nanoparticles into scalable, functional electronic devices that are interconnected to each other and connected to the outside world in a realistic and practical manner. The long-term goal of this effort is to provide moderate computational power and high-density memory in an extremely small, low-power format, which will not require multi-billion dollar fabrication facilities. The desire for molecular electronics is to use molecules and/or nanoparticles to achieve further miniaturization, greater functionality, and faster clock rates for advanced electronic systems that operate under a wide range of temperatures and preferably take advantage of three dimensional (3-D) architectures. The Moletronics program solicits novel device and circuit architectures in order to understand potential performance, density, speed, and cost benefits vs. scaled silicon technology. It is essential to think beyond how one makes a single memory cell or a single diode. Therefore, innovative interconnect and input/output concepts are strongly encouraged. It is also strongly encouraged to consider device and interconnect schemes that can be implemented with techniques such as directed self-assembly. Proposed programs should be no longer than twenty-four (24) months. DARPA seeks innovative proposals in the following areas: I. Logic Devices: the design, synthesis and testing of two interconnected molecular logic gates connected to the outside world, which produce the correct truth table. The devices must operate at room temperature, and the demonstrated configuration must be scalable to densities of greater than 10 to the twelfth power gates per square centimeter. II. Memory Devices: low-power and high-speed device and circuit architectures for high-density memories based on molecular electronics. As a minimum, the proposed team should be able to design, synthesize and demonstrate a functional 16 bit molecular memory connected to the outside world at a density of 10 to the fifteenth power bits per cubic centimeter. The molecular memory should be capable of performing a storage function that is bistable and reversibly driven from one state to the other by an outside signal and operate at room temperature. The demonstrated devices must be consistent with an architecture that can produce terabit level memories. Additional information on these technology areas is provided in the Areas of Interest section of the BAA 98-29 Proposer Information Pamphlet referenced below. PROGRAM SCOPE: Multiple awards are anticipated. Cost sharing is encouraged, but not required. Proposals with cost share may be considered for award under 10 U.S.C. 2371as an Other Transaction. Proposers are encouraged to form integrated collaborative teams (including industry, universities, and/or federal and national laboratories with complementary areas of expertise) to better address the different technological and scientific aspects in the Moletronics program. GENERAL INFORMATION: Proposers must obtain a pamphlet titled "BAA 98-29, Molecular Electronics (Moletronics), Proposer Information Pamphlet" which provides further information on the Moletronics program, the submission, evaluation, and funding processes, proposal abstract formats, proposal formats, and other general information. This pamphlet may be obtained from the World Wide Web (WWW) or by fax, electronic mail, or mail request to the administrative contact address given below. Proposals not meeting the format described in the pamphlet may not be reviewed. In order to minimize unnecessary effort in proposal preparation and review, proposers are strongly encouraged to submit proposal abstracts in advance of full proposals. An original and nine (9) copies of the proposal abstract must be submitted to DARPA/ETO, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714 (Attn.: BAA 98-29) on or before 4:00 p.m., local time, Friday, August 7, 1998. Proposal abstracts received after this time and date may not be reviewed. Upon review, DARPA will provide written feedback on the likelihood of a full proposal being selected. An original and nine (9) copies of all full proposals must be submitted to DARPA/ETO, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714 (Attn.: BAA 98-29) on or before 4:00 p.m., local time, Wednesday, October 7, 1998, in order to be considered. This notice, in conjunction with the BAA 98-29 Proposer Information Pamphlet, constitutes the total BAA. No additional information is available, nor will a formal RFP or other solicitation regarding this announcement be issued. Requests for the same will be disregarded. The Government reserves the right to select for award all, some, or none of the proposals receivedin response to this announcement. All responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government's needs may submit a proposal which shall be considered by DARPA. Proposals identified for funding may result in a procurement contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or other transaction depending upon the nature of the work proposed, the required degree of interaction between parties, and other factors. The offeror must submit a separate list of all technical data or computer software that will be furnished to the Government with other than unlimited rights (see DFARS Part 227). All support contractors are bound by appropriate non-disclosure requirements. Input on technical aspects of the proposals may be solicited by DARPA from non-Government consultants/experts who are bound by appropriate non-disclosure requirements. Non-Government technical consultants will not have access to proposals that are labeled by the offerors as "GOVERNMENT ONLY." Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs) are encouraged to submit proposals and join others in submitting proposals; however, no portion of this BAA will be set aside for HBCU and MI participation due to the impracticality of reserving discrete or severable areas of research in Molecular Electronics (Moletronics). All administrative correspondence and questions on this solicitation, including requests for information on how to submit a proposal abstract or full proposal to this BAA, should be directed to one of the administrative addresses below; e-mail or fax is preferred. DARPA intends to use electronic mail and fax for correspondence regarding BAA 98-29. Proposals and proposal abstracts may not be submitted by fax or e-mail; any so sent will be disregarded. DARPA encourages use of the WWW for retrieving the Proposer Information Pamphlet and any other related information that may subsequently be provided. EVALUATION CRITERIA: Evaluation of proposal abstracts and full proposals will be accomplished through a technical review of each proposal using the following criteria, which are listed in descending order of relative importance: (l) scientific and technical merit, (2) potential contribution of the proposed effort in terms of its impact on future military and commercial systems, (3) relevant expertise and experience, and (4) cost realism. Note: cost realism will only be significant in proposals which have significantly under or over-estimated the cost to complete their effort. The administrative addresses for this BAA are: Fax: (703) 351-8616 (Addressed to: DARPA/ETO, BAA 98-29), Electronic Mail: BAA98-29@darpa.mil, Mail: DARPA/ETO, ATTN: BAA 98-29, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714. This announcement and the Proposer Information Pamphlet may be retrieved via the WWW at URL http://www.darpa.mil/ in the solicitations area. Posted 07/01/98. (0182)

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