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

A -- TRANSLINGUAL INFORMATION DETECTION, EXTRACTION, AND SUMMARIZATION SOL BAA 99-26 DUE 072699 POC Dr. Ronald L. Larsen/Dr. Gary W. Strong, DARPA/ITO, Fax: (703) 522-7161 WEB: http://www.darpa.mil/ito/Solicitations.html, http://www.darpa.mil/ito/Solicitations.html. E-MAIL: baa99-26@darpa.mil, baa99-26@darpa.mil. The Defense Advanced Research Agency (DARPA) is soliciting proposals for research on machine translation and algorithms for Translingual Information Detection, Extraction, and Summarization (TIDES). TIDES will develop the capability to retrieve, summarize and extract tokenized information occurring in multiple languages of DoD interest using English natural language interfaces. Information can be both structured (tables, charts, diagrams, published text) and unstructured (prose, transcriptions of speeches, email). The TIDES program goal is to dramatically reduce the amount of time it takes to perform cross-lingual retrieval, information extraction, summarization and interpretation, and machine translation of a new language. Metrics-based evaluation will be used to measure progress. Proposers are strongly encouraged to include in their proposals a process and resources to conduct metrics-based evaluation. Research is solicited in the following three technical topic areas: 1) Machine Translation: Apply corpus-based analysis or other groundbreaking techniques to the problem of rapid development of machine translation for new languages of interest. DARPA will select several dozen DoD-relevant languages to be used for demonstrating query translation, document translation and query refinement (relevance feedback). 2) Information Access and Management Systems: Test the hypothesis that information access and management can be substantially enhanced by interactions among otherwise serial components. An example of one such interaction would be extraction of facts within native languages followed by translation of resulting templates as a way to produce results rapidly. Other examples of interactions are topic detection and interaction, name and event correlation, and multi-document summarization. Interest extends to interfaces for multi-modal queries over high bandwidth connections with large, high-volume multi-media and multi-lingual data. 3) Tools and Resources: Develop corpus analysis tools (e.g., statistical, linguistic, inter-lingual based, hybrid) that enable the automated extraction of grammar and vocabulary from parallel and comparable corpora in multiple languages. Develop tools for rapidly building parallel and comparable corpora, and related linguistic tools for rapid analysis of language. Develop annotated multilingual spoken and written language resources in support of technical topic areas one and two, listed above. Develop architectures for modular approaches to provide interoperability of components. 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 researchthat 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 eight copies of full proposals in time to reach DARPA by 4:00 PM (ET), Monday, July 26, 1999, in order to be considered. Proposers must obtain a pamphlet, BAA 99-26 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.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 99-26 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 to this BAA, must be directed to one of the administrative addresses below for receipt by 4:00 PM (ET), Monday, July 19, 1999, e-mail or fax is preferred. DARPA intends to use electronic mail and fax for some of the correspondence regarding BAA 99-26. 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 99-26; Electronic Mail: baa99-26@darpa.mil; Electronic File Retrieval: http://www.darpa.mil/ito/Solicitations.html; Mail: DARPA/ITO, ATTN: BAA 99-26, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714. Posted 06/09/99 (W-SN340831). (0160)

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