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

A -- VIRTUAL ELECTROMAGNETIC TESTRANGE SOL BAA 00-28 DUE 060700 POC Dr. Dennis Healy, DARPA/DSO, Fax (703) 696-3999 VIRTUAL ELECTROMAGNETIC TESTRANGE SOL: BAA 00-28, DUE: 06-07-00 POC: Dr. Dennis Healy, Jr., DARPA/DSO, FAX: (703) 696-3999 EMAIL: BAA00-28@darpa.mil, URL: http://www.darpa.mil/dso/. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) seeks innovative mathematical modeling and algorithmic research leading to significant advances in capability for fast, accurate computational electromagnetic modeling (CEM) in support of DARPA's Virtual Electromagnetic Testrange (VET) initiative. VET seeks to develop and demonstrate CEM innovations enabling dramatic reductions in cost and time associated with accurate predictions of radar cross section (RCS) for full-size air vehicles with realistic material treatments and details/components including cavities, thin edges, and embedded antennae. Significant technical challenges are posed by the required extension of current candidate fast and accurate CEM algorithms to scattering problems involving realistic material treatments, by the need to further improve the speed of these algorithms, and by requirements posed by complicated geometries such as those associated with edges, cracks, and ducts. A major systems level challenge is posed by the need for integration with existing Computer-Aided Design (CAD) systems into an easily used design tool. To meet these challenges, DARPA is soliciting significant algorithmic advances with the following features: a) Well-conditioned problem formulation; b) High-order convergence; c) Fast, scalable computation; d) Memory-efficiency; e) Mathematical error control; and f) Automatic (as much as possible) numerical discretization scheme(s) for complex configurations. DARPA intends to transition successful innovations from this research into an associated advanced development activity as results reach an appropriate level of maturity. DARPA is particularly interested in proposals addressing VET program goals and requirements through research in one or more of the following topics. Topic 1- Wide Band CEM Techniques: Novel fast, accurate time-domain CEM techniques are sought in order to enable wideband applications of Department of Defense (DoD) interest. Issues include formulation and its effect on stability of discretization, fast and accurate means for enforcing boundary conditions of a finite computational domain, and fast schemes for dealing with special geometries and structures. Topic 2- Geometry Representation and Discretization for High-Order Methods: Innovations in mathematical geometry representations and meshing strategies are needed to provide dramatic reductions in time and cost of geometry preparation and discretization for fast and accurate, high-order analysis codes. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to: a) Elimination of geometry and topology artifacts while observing constraints of actual singularities of a scatterer; b) Generation of body-conforming surface grids to accommodate higher order methods; c) Generation of volume grids to accommodate high-order volume elements for anisotropic and inhomogeneous volume materials modeling; d) Generation of mixed surface and volume grids for improved geometry handling flexibility; and e) Assignment of material property to individual grid cells. Topic 3 -- Fast Solvers for Volume Scatterers: General utility CEM codes should handle both perfectly conducting surface regions and penetrable material volume regions of a scatterer. Innovative techniques and mathematical analyses are sought to address issues posed by controllable accuracy requirements in prediction of scattering from large volume regions filled with arbitrary materials. In particular, the investigation of the volume integral equation using fast solvers is of interest. GENERAL INFORMATION: Proposers must obtain a Proposer Information Pamphlet (PIP) which provides detailed information on program objectives, areas of interest, submission, evaluation, funding processes, proposal formats, and other program information. This may be obtained by fax, electronic mail (e-mail) or mail requests to the administrative contact address given below, or from the World Wide Web (WWW) at URL: http://www.darpa.mil/dso/. TEAMING: Emphasis will be placed on integrated approaches, i.e., efforts developing innovative CEM technologies that substantively address the requirements of specific DoD applications and of the VET program, as detailed in the PIP. To ensure that advances in computational mathematics closely address DoD needs and can be readily integrated into useful practice, proposers may wish to consider teaming arrangements. To assist this process, an interactive web site has been established at URL: www.sainc.com/darpa/vet. Individual researchers and organizations with specific, applicable expertise or capabilities may provide non-proprietary descriptions of their capabilities and interests. The web site will remain active from the date of issuance of this Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) until June 7, 2000. Specific information content, communications, networking, and team formation are the sole responsibilities of the participants. DARPA will not participate in these activities other than to provide the web site forum to enable others to initiate communications. WHITE PAPERS: Submission and review of white papers are intended to minimize unnecessary effort in proposal preparation and review. All white paper submissions will be evaluated for responsiveness to the stated goals and objectives of this BAA. Those meeting the criteria of this BAA will be asked to submit a full proposal. Proposers must submit an original and five (5) copies of the white paper to DARPA/DSO, ATTN: BAA 00-28, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714 on or before 4:00 PM ET, March 22, 2000. White papers must meet the objective and format guidelines as described in the PIP in order to be considered. White papers are limited to eleven (11) pages including cover sheet and should contain: 1) Concepts for addressing the technical topics of this VET solicitation; 2) Program plan with technical milestones for developing algorithm components; 3) Integration of these components into CEM systems for DoD applications, 4) Projected impact of these developments on DoD applications; 5) Proposed funding level for the effort; and 6) Descriptions of experience and expertise of prime contractor and sub-contractors. Within ten (10) business days, DARPA will acknowledge receipt of white papers and assign a control number that should be used in all further correspondence. Recommendations for full proposal submission will be made within approximately thirty (30) days of receipt. All full proposals will be evaluated regardless of the disposition of the white paper. FULL PROPOSALS: Proposals should provide a detailed description of a coherent effort addressing one or more of the specific topics of interest in a manner consistent with the overall program goals. Proposers must submit an original and five (5) copies of the proposal to DARPA/DSO, ATTN: BAA 00-28, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714 on or before 4:00 PM ET, June 7, 2000. Full proposals must meet the objective and format guidelines as described in the PIP. Each proposal should present the following technical content: 1) Description of the proposed algorithmic and system developments, technical rationale, approach, demonstrations, and plan for accomplishment of program goals; 2) Detailed discussion of the major technical innovations and their responsiveness to VET program goals and criteria; 3) Discussion of software development and tests needed to implement the proposed CEM algorithm components; 4) Discussion on the development of supporting technologies needed to achieve operational impact in DoD CEM applications; 5) Description of testing and validation procedures that will adequately evaluate algorithmic components under development; 6) Discussion of technology transition plan for incorporating program developments into actual military systems; and 7) Elaboration of the capabilities and role of each of the team members. Proposals shall consist of two volumes; a technical volume and a cost volume. Both volumes should be printed on 8-1/2 by 11 inch pages with 1-inch margins and type not smaller than 12 point. Further details on specific content and format are found in the PIP. Volume 2, the cost proposal, should be valid for a period of six (6) months after the date of submission. Where the effort consists of multiple portions that could reasonably be partitioned for purposes of funding, these should be identified with separate cost estimates for each. Details of any cost sharing should also be included. EVALUATION PROCEDURES: Within approximately ten (10) business days of receipt of full proposals, DARPA will acknowledge receipt of the submission and assign a control number that should be used in all further correspondence regarding the proposal. DARPA reserves the right to select for award specific sections of any proposed effort and/or to encourage teaming between competing proposers. DARPA's intent is to review proposals as soon as possible after they arrive. Evaluation of white papers and full proposals will be accomplished through a technical review of each proposal using the following criteria: (l) Scientific and technical merit of the proposed program; (2) Impact of the successful development on defense systems; (3) Offeror's capabilities and past related experience, including personnel, facilities, equipment and data; and (4) Cost realism. Cost sharing is encouraged and collaboration with other existing research activities that complement the proposed research is encouraged. All proposals and white papers will be reviewed by Government officials only. Input on purely technical aspects of white papers and proposals may be solicited by DARPA from non-Government consultants/experts bound by appropriate non-disclosure requirements. Non-Government technical consultants will not have access to submissions that are labeled by the offerors as "GOVERNMENT ONLY." Restrictive notices notwithstanding, white papers and proposals may be handled, for administrative purposes only, by a support contractor. The contractor is bound by appropriate non-disclosure requirements. Early submission of proposals is encouraged; selections may be made at any time during the process. Not all proposals deemed selectable may be funded. Proposals may be considered for funding for a period of up to one year. The Government reserves the right to select for award all, some, or none of the proposals received. Proposals identified for funding may result in a contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or "Technology Investment Agreement (TIA)," depending upon the nature of the work proposed, the required degree of interaction between parties, and other factors. The offeror must submit a separate list of all technical data or computer software that will be furnished to the Government with other than unlimited rights (see DFARS Part 227). All administrative correspondence and questions on this solicitation, including requests for information on how to submit a proposal to this BAA, should be directed to DARPA/DSO, BAA 00-28, fax: (703) 696-3999, electronicmail (e-mail): BAA00-28@darpa.mil or mail: DARPA/DSO, ATTN: BAA 00-28, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714, e-mail or fax is preferred. Proposals submitted by fax or e-mail will be disregarded. This notice, in conjunction with the BAA 00-28 PIP, 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. 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 HBCUs and MIs specifically. Posted 02/10/00 (W-SN424286). (0041)

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