311th HSW/PKR, 8005 9th St, Bldg 626, Brooks AFB, TX 78235-5353

A -- BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) HBCU/MIS 98-1 FOR RESEARCH IN THE AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY (AFRL), HUMAN EFFECTIVENESS (HE) DIRECTORATE TECHNOLOGY AREAS.!! SOL HBCU/MIs 98-1!! DUE 031799 POC Ms Carmen Stewart, (210)536-6348, Research and Development Contracting Division!! WEB: click here for additional information regarding this, http://www.brooks.af.mil/HSC/PKA/rfp.htm. E-MAIL: click here to contact the contracting specialist via, carmen.stewart@mirage.brooks.af.mil. A -- BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) HBCU/MIs 98-1 FOR RESEARCH IN AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY (AFRL), HUMAN EFFECTIVENESS (HE) DIRECTORATE TECHNOLOGY. POC: Ms. Carmen Stewart, (210) 536-6348, Research and Development Contracting Division. INTRODUCTION: The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Human Effectiveness (HE) Directorate, announces a special program for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Institutions (HBCU/MI). This acquisition is a 100 percent set-aside for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Institutions (HBCU/MI) as defined in DOD FAR Supplement (DFARS) 226.7003. The offeror must represent and certify as part of its offer, that it is a HBCU/MI as shown in DFARS provision 252.226-7001. The HBCU/MI submitting an offer shall agree that at least 50 percent of the cost of the contract performance incurred for personnel shall be for the employees of the HBCU/MI. AFRL/HE is interested in receiving research abstracts with a preliminary cost estimate on multiple human-centered technology research areas. Research abstracts in response to this BAA shall be submitted to Ms. Sandra Griffin, AFRL/HEOA, 2509 Kennedy Circle, Brooks AFB TX 78235-5118. This announcement is open and effective until 99 MAR 17. Research abstracts in response to this announcement may be submitted anytime during this period, however, early responses are strongly encouraged. Research abstracts must be received at the designated office by 4:00 p.m., Central Time, 99 MAR 17. There will be no other solicitation issued and offerors should be alert for any BAA amendments that may be published. (2) Deliverable Reports (a) Annual and Final Technical Reports (b) Informal Technical (c) Reporting Financial Information. Computer software proposed for delivery will include source code. (3) Security Requirements: None. (4) Other Special Requirements: (a) Research Abstracts. Offerors are to submit three copies of a five-page or less research abstract with a cover letter referencing BAA number HBCU/MIs 98-1 and certification that the offeror is a Historically Black College or University or a Minority Institution as shown in DFARS provision 252.226-7001. The research abstract shall be formatted as follows: Section A -- Title, Period of Performance, Estimated Cost, and the Name of the University/Institution; Section B -- Task Objective; and Section C -- Technical Summary. The purpose of the abstracts is to preclude unwarranted effort on the part of an offeror whose proposed work is not of interest to the Air Force. Those research abstracts found to be consistent with the intent of this BAA may be invited to submit a technical and cost proposal. Such invitation does not assure that the offeror will be awarded a grant agreement. Offerors who do not submit an abstract(s) are not precluded from submitting technical and cost proposals. Complete instructions for proposal preparation will be forwarded with either the invitation for proposal submission or upon offeror's written request; (b) Ada Language: Ada is the preferred programming language for science and technology software developments and is utilized in all cases except when the nature of the effort is such that use of Ada is not feasible or would adversely affect the development. Research abstracts that envision software development shall provide a rationale for justification for use of other programming languages. (c) Computer software models and databases will be provided in automated form (e.g., 3.5 high-density diskettes, or via modem). (d) Research involving the use of human subjects must comply with Title 32, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 219, Federal Policy for Protection of Human Subjects. Indicate in the submitted abstract/proposal that the effort will involve human subject research if applicable. (e) The following article will be included in all awarded grants: As a condition for receipt of funds available to the Department of Defense (DOD) under this award, the recipient agrees that it is not an institution that has a policy of denying and that it is not an institution that effectively prevents the Secretary of Defense from obtaining for military recruiting purposes (a) entry to campuses or access to students on campuses, or (b) access to directory information pertaining to students. If the recipient is determined, using procedures established by the Secretary of Defense to implement section 558 of Public Law 103-337 (1994), to be such an institution during the period of performance of this agreement, and in breach of this article, the government will cease all payments of DOD funds under this agreement and all other DOD grants and cooperative agreements; and, it may suspend or terminate such grants and agreements unilaterally for material failure to comply with the terms and conditions of award. B-OBJECTIVE: (1) Technical Description: The AFRL/HE directorate conducts basic exploratory research in major research areas: Development, integration, and transition science and technology products for selecting and training personnel, protecting and sustaining the crew member, and improving human interfaces with weapon systems to assure the preeminence of US air and space forces. The offeror may propose research in one or more of the following technical areas, but a separate proposal should be submitted for each different topic. BAA TECHNICAL NUMBER: 99-1-HEA-3HB, Technical POC: Winston Bennett, Jr., Ph.D., AFRL/HEA, 6001 S. Power Rd, Bldg 561, Mesa AZ 85206-0904, COM: (602) 988-6561, Ext 297,FAX: (602) 988-6285, Email: winston.bennett@williams.af.mil Structured Learning and Proficiency Assessment Methods and Technologies. The objective of this area shall be to conduct exploratory research to develop reliable and valid methods for assessing structured learning and proficiency and for empirically linking proficiency to subsequent job performance. A significant problem in evaluating operational training programs is related our ability to develop and use valid and reliable measures of change in skill and proficiency due to learning. With the advent of advanced simulation and intelligent training systems, existing methods for assessing learning and proficiency are not capable of assessing and portraying increases in skill and proficiency, or the development of expertise, in a reliable and valid manner. Activities to be accomplished in this topic shall address the following research issues. The first issue is related to the development and application of innovative measures of structured learning and proficiency. Structured measures of trainee knowledge, skill and proficiency are important because they permit an empirical examination of the ways in which novices and experts perceive interrelationships amongst related concepts that are reflective of their understanding or knowledge of those concepts. In addition, structured learning measures present some unique measurement advantages in terms of their capability to assess and represent proficiency and understanding of relationships or concepts at a given point in time and the evolution of that proficiency and expertise over time or resulting from an intervention. For our purposes, we are interested in the impact of interventions such as mission rehearsal, training, or hands-on experience on learning, skill and proficiency. A second issue is related to the development of systematic procedures for gathering such measures to increase their validity and reliability for potential use as evaluation criteria. A final research issue is related to determining the extent to which changes in skill, proficiency and domain understanding, which are the focus of a training program, are actually manifest in subsequent job performance. That is, the linkage between changes in measures of learning and future work-related performance can be demonstrated and predicted. Research addressing these critical issues shall be conducted in primary laboratory and field research studies. BAA TECHNICAL AREA NUMBER: 99-1-HEA-5HB Technical POC: Richard Thurman, Ph.D., AFRL/HEAA, 6001 S. Power Rd. Bldg 558, Mesa AZ 85207-0904, COM: (602) 988-6561, COM: (602) 988-6285, Email: Richard.Thurman@williams.af.mil Design and Evaluation of Virtual Reality-based Training Environments. Virtual reality (VR) is the popular term for an interactive experience in which individuals perceive and engage a synthetic (i.e., simulated via computer) environment by means of a particular set of multisensory human-computer interface devices and interact with synthetic objects in that environment as if they were real. The concept of VR and the wave of development accompanying it are creating new forms of simulation that may lead to fundamental improvements in simulation-based training. Research in VR can lead to an increased understanding of modeling and simulation as a training tool, as well as multisensory human-computer interface design and development. Unfortunately, very few training studies use this medium. While it is possible to utilize previous research, particularly training simulator studies, as a basis for designing and developing VR-based training, our overallunderstanding of the requirements of VR-based training systems is still limited. Most published VR research and development articles deal only with the technology aspects of the field. While this is a necessary part of the process of developing a training media, it is not sufficient. It is also necessary to examine the interaction of the medium with the user, and the methods one can use to assess training performance within a VR system. Research in this could include determining effective instructional strategies for training within a VR system, determining when and/or where VR should be incorporated into training, or determining effective ways to evaluate VR as a training medium. BAA TECHNICAL AREA NUMBER: 99-1-HEC-1HB, Technical POC: Daniel W. Repperger, Ph.D., AFRL/HECP, WPAFB OH 45433-7022, COM: (937) 255-3671, FAX (937) 255-7596, Email: drepperger@al.wpafb.af.mil Failure-Tolerant Studies for Teleoperation and Robotic Devices. During combat and in various teleoperation scenarios which have to be performed due to the hazardous nature of an environment remote from the human operator, certain robotic manipulators or slave type devices will assist the military personnel in the performance of his task. The slave device that operates in the untoward environment is subject to damage and it may be difficult to access or repair this assistant. Studies are required in failure tolerant systems in the sense that the remote slave system may sustain some damage, yet still perform the task at the remote site with small degradation. A damaged fault tolerant system can be operated, albeit in a somewhat degraded capacity, to complete the assigned task without compromising the working environment. This type of design concept can be directly implemented in software or hardware so that the remote slave system can have maximum dexterity and maneuverability even after sustaining some damage. A need exists to study mechanical systems that have kinematic structures and designs resistant to the problem of failure. Computer simulations of specific systems are a viable method to study the design of slave systems to be used in hazardous environments. BAA TECHNICAL AREA NUMBER: 99-1-HEC-2HB, Technical POC: Timothy R. Anderson, Ph.D., AFRL/HECA, WPAFB OH 45433, COM: (937)-255-8914, FAX: (937) 255-8914, Email: tanderson@al.wpafb.af.mil Advanced Audio Interfaces. A requirement exists for effective audio command, control, and communications systems that are based on natural, intuitive interfaces using innovative abilities and requiring no learning or training for efficient operation. The intuitive interfaces facilitate operator task performance, lessen mental & physical workload, reduce fatigue, and improve personnel safety. These intuitive interface technologies include, but are not limited to: 1) auditory system modeling and neural networks for robust signal processing of speech, 2) digital audio technology to allow integration into aircraft systems, 3) noise-induced hearing loss protection, 4) active noise reduction, 5) three-dimensional auditory display for spatial awareness and communications, 6) high-performance noise canceling microphones, and 7) voice communications countermeasures/counter-countermeasures. Innovation (e.g. auditory system modeling and neural networks) is needed in order for these technologies to be effective in high-noise (in some cases in excess of 140 dB) and high-stress environments characteristic of military operations. This topic represents an opportunity for innovative ideas to be applied to individual components, the integration of multiple components, and the application of these to address current Air Force and DOD deficiencies in audio command, control, and communications and man-machine interfaces. These issues will be even more important in the future within the reduced force structure environment. The offerors' submission should propose an innovative interface concept, analyze operator performance and technology feasibility, and produce and deliver a proof-of-concept demonstration, including performance analysis. BAA TECHNICAL AREA NUMBER: 99-1-HED-1HB, Technical POC: Sherwood Samn, Ph.D., AFRL/HEDB, Bldg 175E, 2503 Gillingham, Brooks AFB TX 78235-5102, (210) 536-5708, FAX: (210) 536-3977, Email: sherwood.samn@hedb.brooks.af.mil Simulation of Three-Dimensional Electromagnetic Wave Scattering from Dispersive Target Models. The Air Force needs to develop analysis tools for investigating the effects of electromagnetic radiation to support the development of safety standards. Research is needed to provide innovative and practical methods to simulate three-dimensional propagation and scattering of electromagnetic waves at microwave frequencies in Dispersive media. These methods should be capable of addressing a wide variety of waveforms including sinusoid, square-wave, and triangular waveforms. Implementation of these methods should result in FORTRAN codes. The codes need to produce results within reasonable time so as to be practical when operating on high performance UNIX-based workstations or parallel computerarchitectures. C-ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: (1) The cost of preparing research abstracts and proposals in response to this announcement is not considered an allowable charge to any contract, grant, or cooperative agreement awarded under this BAA. It may, however, be an allowable expense to the normal bid and proposal indirect cost as specified in FAR 31.205-18 or OMB Circular A-21 or A-122. (2) Offerors are advised that only contracting officers are legally authorized to commit the government to an award under this BAA. (3) Every effort will be made to protect the confidentiality of the research abstract and any evaluations. The offeror must mark the research abstract with a protective legend IAW FAR 52.215-12. (4) Offerors should briefly address whether the research proposed will result in and how the offeror will assure compliance with environmental statutes. Unnecessarily elaborate brochures or proposals are not desired. (5) Type of Award and Funding. Through mutual agreement of the parties, awards under this BAA will be a grant agreement. The dollar amount of individual awards may range from $25,000.00 to $125,000.00 with a period of technical performance not to exceed 12 months and up to 2 months to complete/process final report. The Air Force reserves the right to select for award, all or part, or none of the proposals received. (6) Compensation Arrangement. Grant agreements will be awarded on a Cost, No Fee basis. (7) As defined in DFARS 252-22-7013, all technical data and computer software shall be delivered with unlimited rights. All exceptions will be identified in offeror's proposal. (8) Technology sharing and transfer are encouraged. D-BASIS FOR AWARD: (1) Evaluation Factors. Proposals submitted will be evaluated as they are received. Each proposal will be evaluated on its own merits or non-acceptability without regard to other proposals submitted under this announcement. Proposals submitted will be evaluated under the following criteria listed in descending order of important (a) Scientific and technical merit of the proposal with an emphasis on novel and creative solutions; (b) soundness and clarity of technical approach; (c) demonstrated technical qualification and capabilities in research areas; (d) relevance to the Air Force mission; and (e) availability of funding. Criteria (a) and (b) will be used to determine whether the research abstracts submitted are consistent with the intent of this BAA and of interest to the Air Force. No further evaluation criteria will be used in selecting the proposals and research abstracts. (2) Proposal classifications. Evaluated proposals will be classified into one of the following categories: (a) Category I -- Well conceived, scientifically and technically sound proposals pertinent to program goals and objectives, and offered by a responsible contractor with the competent scientific and technical staff and supporting resources needed to ensure satisfactory program results. (b) Category II -- Scientifically or technically sound proposals that may require further development and can be recommended for acceptance, but are at a lower priority than Category I. Proposals in this category are not always funded. (c) Category III -- Proposals not recommended for award under this announcement. E-POINTS OF CONTACT: Questions on the research areas should be directed to the identified technical point of contact. Questions on proposal preparation and contracting/cost issues should be directed to Carmen Stewart, (210) 536-6348. An Ombudsman has been appointed to hear concerns from offerors, or potential offerors during the proposal development phase of this acquisition. The purpose of the Ombudsman is not to diminish the authority of the project manager or the contracting officer, but to communicate contractor concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations to the appropriate government personnel. Potential offerors are encouraged to first communicate with the contracting officer before contacting the Ombudsman. When requested, the Ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The Ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals or in the selection process. Interested parties are invited to call Human Systems Wing Ombudsman, Mr. Emile Baladi at (210) 536-2903. See Numbered Note 5. Posted 02/12/99 (W-SN298122). (0043)

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