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

A -- THREE DIMENSIONAL IMAGING SENSORS SOL 99-29 DUE 101899 POC Mr. Raymond Balcerak, DARPA/MTO, FAX (703) 696-2206 WEB: http://www.darpa.mil/, http://www.darpa.mil/. E-MAIL: baa99-29@darpa.mil, baa99-29@darpa.mil. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting research and development proposals addressing innovative technology for electro-optical three-dimensional imaging sensors for a wide range of military missions. The overall goal of the program is to explore sensor technologies required to produce a high-precision range image within an imaging frame time. Single-laser-pulse imaging sensors are desired, although other approaches will also be considered. The laser receiver sensors will consist of multi-element detector arrays capable of receiving laser returns and resolving the range at each picture element of the array. The receiver array will respond to radiation in the "eyesafe" wavelength band, but spectral agility to longer wavelengths is desired to penetrate atmospheric obscurants. Technology critical to success includes detectors and amplifiers with high bandwidth and gain to respond to the small signal expected from the return pulse, unique signal processing to accurately resolve range, and optical components for filtering and preprocessing the information. Systems that demonstrate this technology will collect the range image in as short a time as possible, and avoid the use of scanning mechanisms to illuminate the target scene or to record the range image. The emphasis of this program is on the 3D receiver and signal processing electronics-not on the laser transmitter. The short timelines allowed by some laser radar applications suggests that the laser transmitter must illuminate the entire sensor field of view (FOV) with a single "flash" and the returned energy must be collected on a focal plane array (FPA) where each picture element (pixel) measures range. The flash approach is also desirable because of its low probability of intercept in applications for special operations forces. An FPA that records and reads out a range value for each pixel stresses the technology for detector sensitivity, detector bandwidth, electronic readout circuitry, and signal processing algorithms. The 3Dimaging receiver should produce a range image in which each pixel corresponds to the distance from the sensor to a small part of the sensor FOV. The 3D system should operate to a range of 6 km for tank-sized targets. Range resolution should be less than 30 cm. The time required to produce the range image should be short enough so that rapid movement of the 3D sensor or the target during the range image collection time should not cause blur in the range image. The goal is to operate near the eyesafe wavelength of 1.5 micrometers, with the flexibility to image at longer wavelengths to overcome limitations imposed by weather. The size, weight, and electrical power requirements of a candidate 3D sensor are critical issues. DARPA is seeking breakthrough approaches in detector sensitivity, electronics bandwidth, and signal processing that will lead to system demonstrations. DARPA is soliciting innovative research proposals in two areas: (1) integrated detector/signal processor and (2) supporting technologies. Additional information on these technology areas is provided in the Areas of Interest section of the BAA 99-29 Proposer Information Pamphlet referenced below. PROGRAM SCOPE: Awards totaling approximately $15 million over three years are expected to be made during the first half of calendar year 2000. Multiple awards are anticipated. Collaborative efforts/teaming and cost sharing are encouraged. The technical POC for this effort is Raymond S. Balcerak, fax: (703) 696-2206, electronic mail: rbalcerak@darpa.mil. GENERAL INFORMATION: Proposers must obtain a pamphlet entitled "BAA 99-29, Three-Dimensional Imaging Sensors, Proposer Information Pamphlet," which provides further information on areas of interest, the submission, evaluation, and funding processes; proposal abstract formats; proposal formats; and other general information. This pamphlet may be obtained from the World Wide Web (WWW) or by fax, electronic mail, or mail request to the administrative contact address given below. Proposals not meeting the formatdescribed in the pamphlet may not be reviewed. In order to minimize unnecessary effort in proposal preparation and review, proposers are strongly encouraged to submit proposal abstracts in advance of full proposals. An original and nine (9) copies of the proposal abstract must be submitted to DARPA/MTO, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714 (Attn.: BAA 99-29) on or before 4:00 p.m., local time, Wednesday, September 1, 1999. Proposal abstracts received after this time and date may not be reviewed. Upon review, DARPA will provide written feedback on the likelihood of a full proposal being selected and the time and date for submission of a full proposal. Proposers not submitting proposal abstracts must submit an original and nine (9) copies of the full proposal to DARPA/MTO, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714 (Attn.: BAA 99-29) on or before 4:00 p.m., local time, Monday, October 18, 1999, in order to be considered. This notice, in conjunction with the BAA 99-29 Proposer Information Pamphlet, constitutes the total BAA. No additional information is available, nor will a formal RFP or other solicitation regarding this announcement be issued. Requests for the 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, which shall be considered by DARPA. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs) 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 research in Integrated 3-D Imaging Sensors. All administrative correspondence and questions on this solicitation, including requests for information on how to submit a proposal abstract or full proposal to this BAA, should be directed to one of the administrative addresses below; e-mail or fax is preferred. DARPA intends to use electronic mail and fax for correspondence regarding BAA 99-29. Proposals and proposal abstracts may not be submitted by fax or e-mail; any so sent will be disregarded. DARPA encourages use of the WWW for retrieving the Proposer Information Pamphlet and any other related information that may subsequently be provided. EVALUATION CRITERIA: Evaluation of proposal abstracts and full proposals will be accomplished through a technical review of each proposal using the following criteria, which are listed in descending order of relative importance: (l) overall scientific and technical merit, (2) potential contribution and relevance to DARPA mission, (3) plans and capability to accomplish technology transition, (4) offeror's capabilities and related experience, and (5) cost realism. Note: cost realism will only be significant in proposals that have significantly under or over-estimated the cost to complete their effort. The administrative addresses for this BAA are: Fax: (703) 351-8616 (Addressed to: DARPA/MTO, BAA 99-29), Electronic Mail: BAA99-29@darpa.mil, Mail: DARPA/MTO, ATTN: BAA 99-29, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714. This announcement and the Proposer Information Pamphlet may be retrieved via the WWW at URL http://www.darpa.mil/ in the solicitations area. Posted 07/08/99 (W-SN351731). (0189)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0009 19990712\A-0009.SOL)