Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AFRL -- Eglin Research Site, 101 West Eglin Blvd, Eglin AFB, FL, 32542-6810

A -- BAA -- ARMAMENT TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH SOL BAA-00-0001 DUE 043001 POC Brenda Soler, Contracting Officer, Phone (850)882-3399, Fax (850)882-9599, Email solerb@eglin.af.mil -- Brenda Soler, Contracting Officer, Phone (850)882-3399, Fax (850)882-9599, Email solerb@eglin.af.mil WEB: Visit this URL for the latest information about this, http://www.eps.gov/cgi-bin/WebObjects/EPS?ACode=P&ProjID=BAA-00-0001&L ocID=1362. E-MAIL: Brenda Soler, solerb@eglin.af.mil. PART I OF II U.S. AIR FORCE AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY MUNITIONS DIRECTORATE BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT 2000 ARMAMENT TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH Published in the Commerce Business Daily on _________________, MNK-00-0001 Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate Contracting Division, AFRL/MNK, 101 West Eglin Boulevard, Suite 337, Eglin AFB FL 32542-6810 Direct inquiries to the Technical focal points listed in each research area; or to Ms. Brenda Soler, Contracting Officer, (850) 882-4294, ext. 3399, e-mail: solerb@eglin.af.mil TABLE OF CONTENTS: Abstract Part 1 Research Interests A. Introduction B. Mission C. Research Requirements Part II Proposal Evaluation Part III Proposal Preparation ABSTRACT: The Munitions Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory, Eglin AFB FL is interested in receiving research proposals in the areas of: High Surface Area Electrodes Flight Vehicles Integration Autonomous Target Recognition Biomimetic Signal Processing and Control Hardware-in-the-Loop Technology Navigation and Control Weapon Design and Analysis Methodology Laser Radar and Components Proposals should describe scientific study and experimentation to increase knowledge and understanding in these areas. This Broad Agency Announcement consists of three parts: PART I -- Research Interests PART II -- Proposal Evaluation PART III -- Proposal Preparation The cost of preparing proposals in response to this announcement is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resulting contract or any other contract. It is, however, an allowable expense to the normal bid and proposal indirect cost specified in FAR 31.205-18. Companies responding to this announcement are cautioned that only a Contracting Officer may obligate the Government to any agreement involving expenditure of Government funds. This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) constitutes a solicitation for proposals under the provisions of PL 98-369, the Competition in Contracting Act of 1984. The BAA describes research requirements and methods for preparing and submitting proposals. PART I RESEARCH INTERESTS A. INTRODUCTION This is the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) of the Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate (AFRL/MN) under the provisions of paragraph 6.102(d)(2) of the Federal Acquisition Regulation which provides for the competitive selection of research proposals. Proposals submitted in response to the BAA that are selected for award are considered to be the results of full and open competition and in full compliance with the provisions of PL 98-369, the Competition in Contracting Act of 1984. For purposes of this announcement, research is defined to be scientific study and experimentation directed at increasing knowledge and understanding in relation to long term national security needs. It is an enhancement to related exploratory and advanced development programs. AFRL/MN contracts with educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and private industry for research in armament technology. This BAA is intended to cover, in general nature, all research areas of interest to this Directorate. Persons contemplating submission of a proposal to AFRL/MN should not only carefully examine this BAA, but are also strongly encouraged to contact the appropriate AFRL/MN scientist identified in this publication to ascertain the extent of interest which AFRL/MN may have in a specific research project. Proposals may be submitted at any time during the period the BAA is open. However, prior to submitting a formal proposal, offerors are required to submit a two to three page white paper on their proposed research topic, identifying the key AFRL/MN staff members who have been identified and contacted for each area of interest. Submit white papers to the following address: Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate Contracting Division, AFRL/MNK, Attn. Ms. Brenda Soler, 101 West Eglin Boulevard, Suite 337, Eglin AFB FL 32542-6810. The purpose of the white paper is to preclude unwarranted effort on the part of an offeror whose proposed work is not of interest under this BAA. Those offerors submitting white papers found to be consistent with the intent of this BAA will be invited to submit a proposal. Such invitation does not assure that the submitting organization will be awarded a subsequent contract or assistance instruments (grant, cooperative agreement, or other transaction). Proposals submitted may be evaluated as they are received. A contract or assistance instrument could be awarded as a result of this BAA, as appropriate. We expect most awards with universities and non-profit organizations to be grants. Note that there is no inherent funding associated with this BAA, and any contract/assistance instrument will depend on availability of funds from other sources. Our goal is to award ten percent (10%) of the contracts to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and thirty percent (30%) to small businesses, which includes ten percent (10%) to Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDBs) and Woman-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB), over the life of the BAA. The SIC code for this BAA is 8731 with a Small Business size standard not to exceed 500 employees. In the event sufficient acceptable proposals are not received to fulfill these goals, awards will be made to those proposals received which are acceptable regardless of source. This BAA will remain open until superceded. It will be reissued periodically and may be amended at any time. The descriptions of the technical areas are organized by scientific discipline, and the reader will note some overlap between sections. To contact an AFRL/MN staff member by mail, include branch or division symbol and write: Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate 101 W. Eglin Blvd. Eglin AFB FL 32542 B. MISSION The Munitions Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory is the primary Air Force organization concerned with conventional munitions. The Munitions Directorate plans and executes research, development, and test of conventional munitions, and supports conventional munition System Program Offices. There are three divisions within the Munitions Directorate which conduct research and development. They are the Assessment and Integration Division, the Ordnance Division, and the Advanced Guidance Division. ASSESSMENT AND INTEGRATION DIVISION (MNA) The Assessment and Integration Division is responsible for assessment of lethality, effectiveness, and utility of weapon technologies, and evaluation of expected weapon performance by simulation. The Division directs and conducts research and exploratory and advanced development in weapon/missile airframes, submunition dispensing, and weapon carriage and release concepts. The division also integrates optimal subsystems, performs tests, and conducts flight demonstrations. MNA maintains in-house facilities and capabilities in the areas of aeroballistics, weaponry aerodynamic performance analysis, and mechanical integration. The Division consists of the Computational Mechanics Branch (MNAC), the Lethality and Vulnerability Branch (MNAL), and the Flight Vehicles Integration Branch (MNAV). ADVANCED GUIDANCE DIVISION (MNG) The Advanced Guidance Division conducts research and directs exploratory and advanced development in electrooptical, millimeter-wave, and radio-frequency seekers for air-to-air and air-to-surface conventional weapons and submunition guidance. The Division performs laboratory, field, and captive flight tests of seeker concepts. The Division also operates and maintains a hardware-in-the-loop seeker evaluation facility, an image processing laboratory, a radio-frequency signal processing laboratory, a laser radar facility, and an electrooptics laboratory. The Division consists of the Seeker Image and Signal Processing Branch (MNGI), the Guidance Simulation Branch (MNGG), the Navigation and Control Branch (MNGN), and the Seeker Branch (MNGS). ORDNANCE DIVISION (MNM) The Ordnance Division directs and conducts research and exploratory and advanced development of fuzes, warheads, bombs, submunitions, ammunition, aircraft guns, feed systems, and explosives. Air launched munitions should consider fighter, bomber, and UAV aircraft as the launch platforms. MNM operates high-explosives R&D facilities that support munitions programs. MNM also provides technical evaluation and consulting services to other government agencies and industries concerned with munitions technology. MNM consists of the Energetic Materials Branch (MNME), the Fuzes Branch (MNMF), the Ordnance Integration Branch (MNMI), and the Damage Mechanisms Branch (MNMW). C. RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS To support the missions of AFRL/MN, research is required in the areas described in this section. These descriptions are not meant to exclude other research topics which are consistent with the mission of the Munitions Directorate and its Divisions. These descriptions furnish specific examples of areas of interest and Directorate focal points associated with these technology areas. FLIGHT VEHICLES INTEGRATION RESEARCH The goal of this work is to perform flight vehicles integration research in the areas of: weapon airframe design, alternate flight control, submunition design dispensing technology, and compressed carriage missile design. Applications include high angle-of-attack missile and air-to-surface weapon airframes, rapid response weapon concepts for use on time-critical targets, hypersonic platform and space operating vehicle weapon integration/dispensing, and uninhabited combat air vehicle (UCAV) weapon integration/dispensing. Research interests also include advanced carriage and release equipment design for application to both internal and external carriage, especially as applied to small size and weight munitions on high speed advanced aircraft. Another area of interest is active and passive control of air vehicles through the use of innovative technologies such as adaptive smart structures, microelectromechanical (MEMS) systems, micro blowing, synthetic jets, etc. With an increased emphasis on miniature and even micro munitions, the goal of this effort is a low-cost, highly compact control actuation device that provides the control performance and response equal to or better that conventional actuators. Dr. Mike Valentino AFRL/MNAV 850-882-8879 ext 3331 Fax: 850-882-4793 email: valentin@eglin.af.mil BIOMIMETIC SIGNAL PROCESSING AND CONTROL Both biological systems and smart munitions are required to collect space, time, and color information from the environment, process it, and make some decision. The decision may be that of detecting, recognizing, tracking, or intercepting an object. The decision may also be that of changing position or direction of motion for vehicle navigation or for better viewing of a target. A clear understanding of how the natural systems collect and process information to make these kinds of decisions may lead to revolutionary seeker concepts for autonomous weapons, as well as other machine vision applications. Therefore the Seeker Image and Signal Processing Branch has interest in signal processing and control methods that use natural concepts found in biological systems. Our focus in biomimetics (the science of mimicking biological systems) is on leveraging efforts previously aimed at understanding how life forms collect and process environmental information. We want to use what is understood about the natural seekers to build small and affordable autonomous munition seekers. As biologically inspired seeker system concepts mature and exploit commercially available technology, the resemblance to the original biological system may diminish or even disappear. This consequence reflects our focus on building affordable, capable seekers for smart munitions. Proposed concepts should support the mission of the Munitions Directorate and Advanced Guidance Division as well as the munition product systems described in the current Conventional Armament Technology Area Plan found on our home page. Mr. Paul McCarley AFRL/MNGI 850-882-3910 ext 2325 Fax: 850-882-3344 e-mail: mccarley@eglin.af.mil AUTONOMOUS TARGET RECOGNITION The Seeker Image and Signal Processing Branch (MNGI) is interested in investigating all aspects of Autonomous Target Recognition (ATR) technology as it applies to seekers for conventional guided weapons. Interests range from basic signal/image processing foundations through tower and flight test of advanced real time ATR/host signal processor implementations. ATR systems (and related technologies) designed for use with all relevant weapon system sensors (MMW Radar, SAR, IIR, LADAR, Dual Mode combinations, etc.) are of interest. Dr. Timothy J. Klausutis AFRL/MNGI 850-882-3838 ext 2294 Fax: 850-882-3344 e-mail: klausutin@eglin.af.mil HARDWARE-IN-THE-LOOP REAL-TIME TESTING TECHNOLOGIES The Guidance Simulation Branch (MNGG) is interested in investigating technologies related to hardware-in-the-loop testing of advanced missile designs. MNGG exercises complete missile hardware-in-the-loop simulations to verify the signal processing, image processing, and guidance performance including terminal homing accuracy. Strategic and Theater Missile Defense concepts developed under the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) as well as Tactical Munition subsystems developed within WL/MN are tested. Weapons tested typically include visible, imaging infrared, and/or LADAR seeker subsystems. Research emphasis will be placed on advancement of scene projection technologies, real-time target scene generation techniques, and high bandwidth motion simulators as they apply to the test of advanced weapon guidance systems. Mr. Tony Thompson AFRL/MNGG 850-882-4446 ext 2273 Fax: 850-882-2363 e-mail: thompsra@eglin.af.mil LASER RADAR COMPONENT RESEARCH The Advanced Guidance Division has an interest in developing the components and systems necessary for imaging and non-imaging laser radar systems. These include, but are not limited to, optical sources, detector systems, beam pointing and beam scanning systems, detection schemes, and discrimination, ranging, and acquisition systems. Interests range from complete systems and devices to basic materials and components. These include the following: Optical Sources: Opticalsources of various wavelengths from the visible to the mid-infrared (< 5 microns) are desired. These devices may be diodes, diode or flashlamp-pumped solid state lasers, or optical parametric oscillators (OPOs). The systems can operate at moderate output powers at pulse repetition rates ranging from a few Hz to greater than 1 MHz. Technologies of interest include, but are not limited to, novel laser and OPO operating schemes, laser and OPO systems and designs, optical coatings, laser materials, and non-linear materials. Associated technologies, such as diode drive electronics, output power control and stabilization, wavelength tuning and stabilization techniques, rapid pulse generation, optical shutters and Q switches, polarization and phase controllers, and optical coupling techniques are also of interest. Detector systems: Single element and array detectors sensitive in the visible to mid-infrared wavelength range are desired. Rapid rise times (approaching a nanosecond) are desired, as is operability without cryogenic cooling. Technologies of interest include, but are not limited to, detector systems, detector materials, amplification and biasing electronics, temperature control systems, wavelength selection (filters, gratings, etc.), and readout technologies (for array detectors). Beam pointing and beam scanning systems: Systems that can rapidly steer a laser beam as well as the field of view of the detector are desired. Systems capable of search/track modes and variable fields of view are also desired. Technologies of interest include, but are not limited to, controlled mirror sets, microlens assemblies, gratings, acousto-optical devices, and liquid crystal devices. Associated technologies such as scanning drives and controllers, beam direction monitoring techniques, and pointing stabilization techniques are also of interest. Detection schemes: Various incoherent and coherent detection schemes are of interest. Such schemes include, but are not limited to, direct detection of reflected radiation, return detection of a modulated signal, detection of laser-induced fluorescence, and detection of raman scattered radiation. Possible methods for coherent detection include amplitude, frequency, phase, or polarization modulation. Discrimination, ranging, and acquisition systems: Systems which can discriminate the signal from the background environment, condition the signal, and store the data are required. These systems should be able to resolve time differences as small as or smaller than a nanosecond, dynamically adjust the gain of any amplification stages, allow variable timing/ranging techniques, and/or minimize range uncertainty. A variety of discrimination techniques are of interest, including nth pulse detection, constant fraction threshold detection, variable threshold detection, and others. Capt Brian A. Smith AFRL/MNGS 850-882-1724 x109 Fax: 850-882-1717 e-mail: smithba@eglin.af.mil NAVIGATION AND CONTROL TECHNOLOGY The Navigation and Control Branch (MNGN) is interested in developing inertial sensor components, GPS anti-jam and antenna technology, and advanced guidance and control techniques. Inertial sensor technology should be focused on developing technologies with the goal of achieving at least tactical grade performance with the potential for significantly reduced costs and size (less than $2K and 15 cubic inches per inertial measurement unit respectively). Inertial sensor technologies of interest include micromachined and optical. GPS technologies of interest are anti-jam techniques including spatial (beam forming and/or null steering) and temporal anti-jam technologies, and miniature GPS antenna technologies. Advanced guidance and control technologies of interest include: guidance law and autopilot designs that minimize redesign with each new weapon application, methodologies capable of identifying and tracking dynamic changes in the attitude of air-to-air targets, and integrated weapon guidance. Integrated weapon guidance includes guidance-autopilot integration, guidance-seeker-fuze-warhead integration, guidance-seeker integration, and total system integration to include hardware sensor integration. Mr. Pete Wise AFRL/MNGN 850-882-2961 ext 3337 fax: 850-882-2201 email: wisej@eglin.af.mil or Dr. Robert Murphey AFRL/MNGN 850-882-2209 ext 3453 fax: 850-882-2201 email: murphey@eglin.af.mil HIGH SURFACE AREA MATERIALS RESEARCH High surface area (HSA) materials are substances having a high degree of microscopic porosity or surface roughness and exhibiting greater than 100 sq. meters/gram active surface area when gas absorption testing is employed. Catalysts in HSA form can accelerate rates of chemical reaction. Electrically conductive HSA materials can serve as high-capacitance electrodes in double layer charge storage devices or as dimensionally stable anodes required for processing corrosive liquids. Basic research in the area of conductive HSA materials is needed to provide a stronger basis for future high energy density capacitor design. HSA explosive initiator materials are also of interest for development ofadvanced slapper detonators. Dr. Scott Roberson AFRL/MNMF 850-882-9257 ext. 257 Fax: 850-882-2707 e-mail: roberson@eglin.af.mil or Dr. Duane Finello AFRL/MNMF 850-882-9257 ext. 227 Fax: 850-882-2707 e-mail: finello@eglin.af.mil WEAPON DESIGN AND ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY RESEARCH The performance assessment and development of advanced conventional weapon systems requires the capabilities to model and evaluate complex weapon/target interaction phenomena and to predict environments produced by impacting, penetrating, and detonating warheads. Modeling may be achieved with Posted 03/23/00 (D-SN437506). (0083)

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