United States Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, Phillips Research Site, 2251 Maxwell Ave, Kirtland AFB, NM, 87177

A -- BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) SET-ASIDE FOR DIRECTED ENERGY AND SPACE VEHICLES RESEARCH BY HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES/MINORITY INSTITUTIONS (HBCU/MIS) SOL BAA-99-02 POC Debbie Chisenhall, Contract Specialist, Phone 505-846-1326, Fax 505-846-2481, Email chisenhd@plk.af.mil -- Debbie Chisenhall, Contract Specialist, Phone 505-846-1326, Fax 505-846-2481, Email chisenhd@plk.af.mil WEB: Visit this URL for the latest information about this, http://www.eps.gov/cgi-bin/WebObjects/EPS?ACode=P&;ProjID=BAA-99-02&Loc ID=1122. E-MAIL: Debbie Chisenhall, chisenhd@plk.af.mil. Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Set-Aside for Directed Energy and Space Vehicles Research by Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions (HBCU/MIs). THIS IS PART OF A MULTIPART DOCUMENT. COMPLIANCE WITH ALL PARTS OF THIS BAA IS REQUIRED. Directed energy and space vehicles research. Contracting Point of Contact (POC): Debbie Chisenhall, Buyer, 505-846-1326. Technical POC: varies, as shown, for each requirement area below. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) -- Phillips Research Site (PRS) is interested in receiving proposals on research to advance its capability in directed energy and space vehicles. This BAA is not intended to provide "infrastructure assistance" as defined in 10 U.S.C. 2323(c)(3). Proposals (technical and cost) should reflect research efforts in the areas described below. However, any potential offeror should be aware that AFRL's budget is fluctuating and can change in any or all areas with little or no notice. Therefore, it is essential that each potential offeror contact the applicable technical point of contact prior to committing resources to the proposal writing process to check the latest funding availability information and need for the type of effort to be proposed. This announcement does not constitute authorization to begin work prior to contract award. 1. Requirements: (a) AFRL/Directed Energy Directorate (DE). BAA Contact Point: Dr. W. P. Latham, AFRL/DEOB, 505-846-1776. Anticipated funding is $20-$100K per year. The specific areas of interest for AFRL/DE are: (1) Advanced Imaging Efforts. Investigate methods to remove distortion from images of objects in adverse environments. These methods include computer post-processing techniques such as speckle and hybrid imaging and real time optical processing approaches with adaptive optical systems. These techniques should be applicable to atmospheric-compensated satellite imaging, as well as other dual-use imaging applications. Research interests include modeling methodologies developed from first principles and from empirical data, active and passive imaging simulation methods and techniques, and parallel processing for simulated/actual imaging correlation. (2) Laser Technology. Investigate advanced technologies related to diode lasers, diode-pumped solid-state lasers, and Iodine lasers including methods to enhance laser performance (better efficiency, increased tunability or frequency agility using non-linear frequency conversion techniques, improved optical quality), to develop novel pumping mechanisms, and to coherently couple multiple laser devices. These improvements might be made by identifying better material or fabrication techniques, or by improving on the laser system design. (3) Applied Nonlinear Optics (NLO) Technology. Research into laser beam cleanup of system-induced distortions, correction of aberrations due to optical system imperfections and medium distortion effects for imaging applications, specific frequency generation of high energy laser systems, laser device scaling through coherent coupling of multiple devices, laser device frequency shifting using NLO frequency conversion techniques, and novel nonlinear optical processing techniques for automatic target recognition, related tactical system applications, or for dual-use technology application. This investigation might include identification of better NLO materials or improvements to existing NLO systems. (4) Electromagnetic Effects. Conduct basic research in the interaction of electromagnetic waves with electronic and/or electro-optic devices. We seek new and innovative approaches in planning and conducting experiments to better understand the coupling mechanisms and predict the upset/burnout levels of electronic and/or electro-optic systems operating in an electromagnetic environment. We also seek innovative computational approaches for predicting electromagnetic penetration into large bodies and interaction with internal electrical components. Research is directed towards computationally assessing survivability/vulnerability of weaponsystems against all threats, current and emerging. This includes lasers, nuclear threats, and non-laser directed energy weapons. Other interests include laser effects modeling and experiment, including laser materials interaction. (5) Electromagnetic Applications. Research is sought for the application of electromagnetic technology to aircraft self-protection, suppression of enemy air defense, and other applications which involve degradation, disruption, or damage of electronic components. We also desire to understand and evaluate the electromagnetic effects on systems and to incorporate these effects into simulations used to assess mission effectiveness. (6) Pulsed Power Technology. Research proposals are solicited on the following topics: pulsed power physics and engineering, the development and application of explosively driven pulsed power generators, compact power conditioning/voltage transformers, compact capacitive storage, sub-microsecond plasma switches, fuse and opening switch technology, and the computational modeling of such devices. (7) Electromagnetic Sources and Antennas. Research is sought for the development of high power, wide- and narrowband microwave sources, mode converters and antennas. We desire to understand and evaluate the generation, emission and propagation of high power microwave energy. Novel technologies for small, compact sources is also sought as the theoretical and computational modeling of these phenomena. (b) AFRL/Space Vehicles Directorate (VS): BAA Contact Point for Areas (1) through (10) below: Ms. Casey DeRaad, AFRL/VSOT, 505-846-5797 or Mr. Marko Stoyanof (Alternate), AFRL/VSOP, 505-846-6510. Anticipated funding is $50K per year. The areas of interest for AFRL/VS are: (1) Computer designs and research including radiation hardening and three-dimensional stacking for lightweight/compact space applications. (2) Radiation Effects in Infrared (IR) Focal Plane Components. Program to research, analyze, design, fabricate and test radiation-hardened infrared detectors, readout circuitry, and device processes for space sensors. (3) Basic and Applied Research into Radiation-Hardened Microelectronics for Space and Missile Systems. Research areas of interest include basic radiation effects in electronic devices and advanced devices that are or can be hardened for the space environment. Research areas of interest include total dose, dose rate, and single event effects in electronics, optoelectronic devices, and fiber optic systems. (4) Space Subsystems Technology. Exploration and technologies development for next-generation space-based radar. Goal is to develop advanced transmit/receive (T/R) modules, lightweight antennas, photonics, power and energy storage systems, and signal/data-processing subsystems. (5) Cryocooler development, low weight, long life, low vibration, and high reliability are key characteristics. (6) Advance high efficiency, high sensitivity IR sensor research and detector development in the 12-25 micrometer wavelength regime. Research and develop multispectral focal plane arrays and novel readout concepts. (7) Satellite Control Software. Software research into low cost, hardware independent, and flexible intelligent ground control systems and autonomous satellite operations that make use of artificial intelligence techniques such as expert systems, neural nets, and model-based reasoning, to produce systems that reduce acquisition costs, maintenance costs, and manpower skill levels and numbers. This requirement, like all others in this announcement, includes ONLY efforts which involve basic and/or applied research and that part of development NOT related to the development of a specific system or hardware procurement...(see FAR 35.016(a). (8) Active Space Sensors. Develop key supporting technologies for space-based broad area surveillance in the areas of phenomenology database development, modeling and simulation, signal processing algorithms, and large antenna development. (9) Smart Structure Research. Exploration of new techniques and technologies to sense and dampen vibrations of structural members of space platforms and antenna. Exploration of innovative techniques for isolating precision components from unwanted vibration. Development of control methodologies which require little or no modeling information. (10) Advanced Concepts. Development and demonstration of innovative methods for satellite technology integration, parametric technology trades, specialized devices and data distribution for small satellites. Development of micro-engineering technologies. BAA Contact Point for Areas (11) through (13) below: Dr. William Blumberg, AFRL/VSB, 781-377-3602. (11) Smart Weapons Performance Prediction Techniques. Investigation of the weather sensitivities of smart weapons to develop techniques (weather impact decision aids) to use weather and scene background parameters of the battlefield to predict the effectiveness of smart weapons. (12) Solar and Space Weather. For regions of space that are important to the Air Force, measure and model the transfer of energy from the sun through interplanetary space to the earth. Apply the results to the development of operational models for the specification and prediction of environmental hazards relevant to DoD space operations. (13) Ionospheric Specification and Prediction. Develop remote sensing techniques to determine on a global basis the phase and amplitude scintillation conditions that disrupt Air Force communications and surveillance systems. Develop models to specify and predict anywhere on the globe the parameters important to define the operational limitations of these systems. Posted 04/07/99 (D-SN317258). (0097)

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