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

A -- DATA INTENSIVE SYSTEMS SOL BAA 99-03 DUE 120498 POC Dr. Jose L. Munoz, DARPA/ITO, Fax: (703) 522-7161 WEB: http://www.ito.darpa.mil, http://www.ito.darpa.mil. E-MAIL: baa99-03@darpa.mil, baa99-03@darpa.mil. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) often selects its research efforts through the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) process. The BAA will appear first in the Commerce Business Daily, published by the U.S. Government, Department of Commerce. The following information is for those wishing to respond to the Broad Agency Announcement. The purpose of the Data Intensive Systems (DIS) program is to develop a new memory architecture for computing systems that allows "data-starved" applications to run up to two to three orders-of-magnitude faster than they will on contemporary virtual memory systems. The new memory architecture will allow these applications to manage the placement and flow of their data. In addition, applications will be able to manipulate data in the memory subsystem itself. The performance of many Defense applications, for example model-based ATR, will be constrained not by the processing speed or memory but rather by the ability of their memory systems to deliver the data ina timely fashion. Similarly there are instances of object-oriented database systems where the processors are idle for 90+% of the time. Major challenges facing data-starved applications are inadequate memory bandwidth and sub-optimal use of cache (high speed memory) to do complicated (i.e. irregular) memory access patterns. To address these problems applications must be able to manipulate data within the memory itself and control the movement of data within the memory hierarchy. The DIS program solicits research to define, develop and accelerate the adoption of a new class of computing, memory, cache and I/O sub-systems. The DIS program will produce a hybrid computing/memory system that to the na ve user will appear to be a standard COTS computer, complete with all of the COTS software products normally associated with such machines. However, it will also allow application programmers to choreograph the movement of data within the memory hierarchy in addition to enable applications to process the data in-place when appropriate. This will allow new applications, for example Dynamic Databases, to begin with existing software products and then evolve them to perform orders-of-magnitude faster by exploiting this intelligent memory hierarchy. Of particular interest to this solicitation are the following technical topic areas: 1.Intelligent DRAM memories: DRAM memories which contain an instruction processing capability that is programmable, enabling a new programming model where some of the program is sent to the data; 2.Smart caches: Configurable caches that would enable applications to precisely control the movement and placement of their data within the memory hierarchy; 3. Clever devices: Logic at the I/O devices and sensors that would enable applications to execute logic down at the device or sensor. 4. Algorithmic techniques that exploit these new technologies and enable them to be efficiently and effectively utilized; 5. Applications and demonstrations incorporating currently available, or soon to be available,logic-in-memory devices. 6. Other DIS areas: Topics are not limited to those listed above, but proposals should be for research that substantially contributes towards the DIS goals stated. PROGRAM SCOPE: Proposed research should investigate innovative approaches and techniques that lead to or enable revolutionary advances in the state-of-the-art. Proposals are not limited to the specific strategies listed above and alternative visions will be considered. However, proposals should be for research that substantially contributes towards the goals stated. Research should result in prototype hardware and/or software demonstrating integrated concepts and approaches. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvement to the existing state of practice or focuses on a specific system or solution. Integrated solution sets embodying significant technological advances are strongly encouraged over narrowly defined research endeavors. Proposals may involve other research groups or industrial cooperation and cost sharing. GENERAL INFORMATION: Proposers must submit an original and nine (9) copies of full proposals in time to reach DARPA by 4:00 PM (ET), Friday, December 4, 1998, in order to be considered. Proposers must obtain a pamphlet, BAA 99-03 Proposer Information, which provides further information on the areas of interest, submission, evaluation, funding processes, and full proposal formats. This pamphlet may be obtained by fax, electronic mail, or mail request to the administrative contact address given below, as well as at URL address http://www.ito.darpa.mil/Solicitations.html. Proposals not meeting the format described in the pamphlet may not be reviewed. This Commerce Business Daily notice, in conjunction with the pamphlet BAA 99-03 Proposer Information, constitutes the total BAA. No additional information is available, nor will a formal RFP or other solicitation regarding this announcement be issued. Requests for same will be disregarded. The Government reserves the right to selectfor award all, some, or none of the proposals received. All responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government's needs may submit a proposal that shall be considered by DARPA. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and Minority Institutions (MI) 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 this research for exclusive competition among these entities. Evaluation of proposals will be accomplished through a scientific review of each proposal using the following criteria, which are listed in descending order of relative importance: (1) overall scientific and technical merit, (2) potential contribution and relevance to DARPA mission, (3) offeror's capabilities and related experience, (4) plans and capability to accomplish technology transition, and (5) cost realism. All administrative correspondence and questions on this solicitation, including requests for information on how to submit a proposal to this BAA, must be directed to one of the administrative addresses below by 4:00 PM (ET), Friday, November 27, 1998; e-mail or fax is preferred. DARPA intends to use electronic mail and fax for some of the correspondence regarding BAA 99-03. Proposals may not be submitted by fax; any so sent will be disregarded. The administrative addresses for this BAA are: Fax: 703-522-7161 Addressed to: DARPA/ITO, BAA 99-03, Electronic Mail: baa99-03@darpa.mil, Electronic File Retrieval: http://www.ito.darpa.mil/Solicitations.html, Mail: DARPA/ITO, ATTN: BAA 99-03, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714. Posted 10/16/98 (W-SN262885). (0289)

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