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

A -- SENSOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SOL BAA 99-16 DUE 011299 POC Ms. Hilarie Orman, DARPA/ITO, Fax: (703) 522-7161 WEB: http://www.darpa.mil/ito/Solicitations.html, http://www.darpa.mil/ito/Solicitations.html. E-MAIL: baa99-16@darpa.mil, baa99-16@darpa.mil. This announcement seeks innovative and effective software for producing and communicating sensor information and also for effective and low-cost prototyping kits based on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components and/or government furnished equipment (GFE). The technology development is for a new DARPA program, SenseIT (Sensor Information Technology). Whereas past sensor networks have been single purpose and dependent on a central apparatus for tasking/polling the sensors, the SenseIT program will pioneer a network-based approach in which the sensors can be dynamically multi-tasked from multiple points, i.e. each node will be capable of running multiple simultaneous applications on behalf of different exterior users. In an ideal scenario, queries emanating from one point are automatically routed to the most appropriate sensor nodes, and the replies are collected and fused en route to the designated reporting point(s). Distributed sensor networks for future military and civilian operations have the goal of being easily installed with little or no pre-planning, of being self-organizing, and of being capable of supporting sophisticated processing in the field. The networks will support quick decision making by providing timely and accurate identification of phenomena in the field to users on the periphery and/or at remote locations. Sensors will be tightly integrated with a general purpose CPU, wireless communications, and memory; multiple sensors can be associated with one node. Short-range communication among 10 to 10,000 sensor/computer nodes deployed in an irregular pattern will be supported. The collection of these nodes will form ad hoc distributed processing networks that cooperate to produce high-quality information with minimized resource consumption. Each sensor node will be able to read from and control its local sensor set based on its mission(s) and local conditions. In some cases the local view of a node will be sufficient for an identification decision, in other cases the nodes form a cooperative processing conglomeration for exchanging data and focusing attention. Sensor networks must be robust in the event of individual node failures and/or intermittently connected command, management, or reporting points. The key to this robustness will be redundancy and flexibility in processing/reporting assignments. The technical topic areas described below are technology areas in which significant progress is needed. Proposals must clearly identify which of the technical topic area(s) they are addressing:1. Declarative languages interfaces, 2. Sensor algorithms and applications, 3. Distribution and aggregation technology, 4. Nanocryptography, 5. Prototyping kits, 6. Integration, 7. Other innovative research. 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: In order to minimize unnecessary effort in proposal preparation and review, proposers are strongly encouraged to submit brief proposal abstracts in advance of full proposals. An original and nine (9) copies of the proposal abstract must be submitted to DARPA/ITO, ATTN: BAA 99-16, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714, in time to reach DARPA by 4:00 PM (ET), Wednesday, December 16, 1998, to guarantee review. Upon review, DARPA will make a recommendation to offerors either encouraging or discouraging submission of full proposals. Proposers must submit an original and nine (9) copies of full proposals in time to reach DARPA by 4:00 PM (ET), Wednesday, January 13, 1999, in order to be considered. Proposers must obtain a pamphlet, BAA 99-16 Proposer Information, which provides further information on the areas of interest, submission, evaluation, funding processes, proposal abstracts, 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.darpa.mil/ito/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 99-16 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 select for 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 abstract or proposal to this BAA, must be directed to one of the administrative addresses below by 4:00 PM (ET), Tuesday, January 5, 1999; e-mail or fax is preferred. DARPA intends to use electronic mail and fax for some of the correspondence regarding BAA 99-16. Proposals and proposal abstracts 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 99-16; Electronic Mail: baa99-16@darpa.mil; Electronic File Retrieval: http://www.darpa.mil/ito/Solicitations.html; Mail: DARPA/ITO, ATTN: BAA 99-16, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714. Posted 11/25/98 (W-SN275110). (0329)

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