Department of the Navy, Naval Sea Systems Command, 2531 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22242-5160

A -- BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT FOR CONFORMAL ACOUSTIC VELOCITY SONAR (CAVES) PROJECT SOL N00024-00-R-6316 DUE 032301 POC 02632C, Ms. Cynthia Miller, 703-602-7707 Broad Agency Announcement for Conformal Acoustic Velocity Sonar (CAVES) Project: The Program Executive Office for UnderSea Warfare (PEO(USW)), Advanced Systems and Technology Office (ASTO), Arlington, VA is soliciting new and innovative designs and concepts for use in the Conformal Acoustic Velocity Sonar (CAVES) Project: The Government is currently developing CAVES, a velocity sensor based hull array sonar technology as an alternative to pressure sensor arrays that require heavy and expensive signal conditioning and support structures. The expected result is a lighter, more affordable (on a per sensor channel basis), easier to install, and scaleable hull mounted sonar technology. The project includes development and demonstration of: velocity sensors (accelerometers) and fiber optic telemetry, pressure release decouplers, structural acoustic measurement and analysis, array design, spatial filter (beamformer) design and optimization, manufacturing, installation, and fabrication processes. The current interest is primarily upon sensor and telemetry implementation. This interest specifically includes the relationship between proposed CAVES fiber-optic sensor and telemetry to potential follow-on fiber-optic sensor and telemetry implementations for towed array applications. The scope of this BAA is limited to sensors, telemetry, and related manufacturing issues. Funding for FY00, subject to availability, will not exceed $7.8M for all awards. Proposed effort must have the potential for demonstrating the required performance and/or affordability improvement against the defined threats in the specified environments. This BAA will be open for 1 year from the date of the announcement. Proposals may be submitted at any time within that period. Contracts, grants, cooperative agreements and "other transactions", as appropriate, will be awarded limited by funding availability. Therefore, early submission of proposals is desirable and encouraged. The Navy desires initial awards no later than June 1, 2000. Contractors may submit study proposals. Studies, if proposed, should identify innovative solutions, technologies, cost drivers, and development approaches suitable for demonstration within 24 months from award. No award can be made without a proposal to perform a specific effort within an estimated cost and time period. Industry, Small Businesses, Small Disadvantaged Businesses, educational institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Institutions are encouraged to participate. Proposals should be submitted to the Cognizant Contracting Activity whose address is: Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command, ATTN: Code 0263, James Watts 2531 Jefferson Davis Highway Arlington, VA 22242-5160 Contracting Point-of-Contact is Cynthia Miller, telephone (703)602-0951 x612, facsimile (703)602-7023 and e-mail millercb@navsea.navy.mil . This synopsis constitutes a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) per FAR 6.102(d)(2)(i); there will be no formal request for proposals (RFP) or other solicitation in regard to this announcement. Offerors may submit their technical proposals (5 paper copies and 1 electronic copy using Microsoft Office 97 or earlier) and cost proposals (1 copy) within the 1 year period of this announcement. The Government reserves the right to select all, some, or none of the proposals received in response to this announcement. Offerors must be able to certify that they have an appropriate facility clearance to meet the security requirements of work proposed, and key personnel must be certified as holding an appropriate clearance. Proposals shall consist of two separately bound volumes; Volume I shall provide the technical proposal and management approach and Volume II shall address cost. Although length is not specified, succinct proposals are desired. Volume I shall include the following sections, each starting on a new page: A. A cover page, including proposal title, technical and administrative points-of-contact along with the telephone and facsimile numbers, followed by a letter signed by the authorized officer specifying the proposal validity period (at least 120 days). B. A one-page overview of the proposed technologies and/or concepts as well as any innovative claims for the proposed research, and how they will contribute to CAVES and support the objectives of a technology evaluation and demonstration; C. A one-page summary of the deliverables including data associated with the proposed research. D. A one-page summary of the schedule and milestones for the proposed research which can be traced to the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). E. A one-page WBS. F. A succinct Statement of Work clearly detailing the scope and objectives of the work and, if any, specific contractor requirements. If any portion of the research is predicated upon the use of Government-owned resources of any type, the contractor shall clearly identify: the resources required, the date the resource is required, the duration of the requirement, the source from which the resource may be acquired, if known, and the impact on the research if the resource is not provided. G. Technical arguments that substantiate claims made in the overview (proposal section B) and a technical approach description consistent with the deliverables and schedule (proposal sections C and D). Technical arguments should also address any major risk areas. H. A description of the results, products, and transferable technology expected from the contract. I. A brief discussion of past performance detailing previous accomplishments and work in this or closely related research areas, previous cost and schedule performance, and the qualifications of the previous key personnel. J. A brief discussion of the overall approach to the management of this effort, including brief discussions of total organization, use of personnel and their qualifications, project/function/subcontractor relationships, technology transition plans, government research interfaces, and planning, scheduling, and control practices. Volume II shall include the one-page work breakdown structure, a cost summary,and a breakdown of cost for the effort. Evaluation of proposals will be based on the following criteria: (1) the overall scientific and technical merit of the proposed approach to the CAVES effort including the innovative aspects of the proposed effort, (2) the offeror's capabilities, related experience, experience of the key personnel who are critical to program success, facilities and/or techniques that are integral factors for achieving the proposed objectives, (3) the realism of estimated costs and schedules and the potential affordability impact on the Navy, including total ownership costs if applicable, and (4) past performance. These criteria are in descending order of importance for evaluation purposes with technical merit significantly more important than either of the other evaluation criteria. Posted 03/24/00 (W-SN438042). (0084)

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