Commander, Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division, Code 210000D, 1 Administration Circle, China Lake, CA 93555-6100

A -- BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT FOR BIOMIMETIC ALGORITHMS AND TECHNIQUES SOL N68936-00-R-0095 DUE 062100 POC Anita Dale, Contract Specialist, (760) 939-9656, Doreen Robbins, Contracting Officer, (760) 939-9665 The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division seeks innovative proposals leading to the development of biomimetic guidance algorithms and associated hardware for imaging weapons seekers. We are seeking algorithms and techniques derived explicitly from research on the ethology or neural structures and processes of insects such as flies, dragon flies, and bees. Biomimetic approaches to problems such as optical flow, clutter rejection, target recognition, and foe avoidance are of greatest interest. Our intent is to deduce the biological techniques that make insects efficient, effective imaging vehicles for a limited set of applications, and to make these techniques available to weapons guidance systems designers. A successful solution does not necessarily have to faithfully replicate the neural circuits and/or optical systems of insects, but it must demonstrate a clear connection with a biological model and process. The Navy's ultimate goal is to fabricate an imaging system (e.g. a camera) that incorporates biomimetic signal processing techniques and, if advisable, biomimetic optical designs. The imaging system can operate in the visible spectrum, but any proposed optical design, and the associated biomimetically-inspired signal processing, must be transferable to the infrared spectrum/a normally used in military infrared sensors. Successful offerors will be expected to work closely with Navy guidance engineers throughout the life of the task to facilitate transfer of the techniques to weapons systems. Award decisions will be made competitively based on an evaluation of the scientific and technical merits demonstrated by proposals submitted in response to this announcement. The following criteria will be used to evaluate proposals and are listed in order of importance: (1) overall scientific and technical or socioeconomic merits of the proposal; (2) potential relevance and contributions of the proposed effort to the Navy's mission; (3) the offeror's capabilities, related experience, facilities, techniques or combination of these elements that contribute to achieving the proposed objectives; (4) qualifications, capabilities and experience of the proposed Principal Investigator, team leader and key personnel who are critical to achieving the proposed objectives; (5) a proven track record of achievement in neurobiology or ethology of insects, as evidenced by publications and current activity in the field; (6) deliverable algorithms and/or prototype to support proposed objectives; (7) realism of the proposed costs, and availability of funds. Awards may take the form of contracts, cooperative agreements, or other transactions. Multiple awards may result from this full and open competitive requirement. Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Minority Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and small, HUBZone small, small disadvantaged, and women owned small businesses are encouraged to participate. For awards made as contracts, the socioeconomic merits of each proposal will be evaluated based on the commitment to provide meaningful subcontracting opportunities for Small Businesses, HUBZone small businesses, Small Disadvantaged Business, Woman-Owned Small Business Concerns, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Minority Institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities. The standard industrial classification code for this requirement is 8731 with the small business size standard of 750 employees. Proposals submitted by all firms, regardless of size, for contract awards exceeding $500,000 must be accompanied by a Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) Participation Plan citing targets, expressed as dollars and percentages of total contract value, for SDB participation in any of the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Major Groups as determined by the Department of Commerce. The targets may provide for participation by a prime contractor, joint venture partner, teaming arrangement member, or subcontractor; however, the targets for subcontractors must be listed separately. In addition, proposals submitted by large businesses for contract awards exceeding $500,000 must be accompanied by a Small Business Subcontracting Plan in accordance with FAR 52.219-9. Offerors must state in their proposal submissions that they are responding to Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) N68936-00-R-0095. Proposal content should be responsive to the evaluation criteria cited above. Proposal format should include a summary, background, objectives, resumes including publication list, a research plan including methods and predicted outcome, performance schedule and deliverables, and proposed costs. A Certification Package is available upon request from the Contract Specialist (760-939-9656) and should be submitted with your proposal. Before preparing proposals, potential offerors are encouraged to contact the technical representative for this requirement, Dr. David Burdick, at 760-939-2399. This announcement is open until 4:00 PM local time on 21 June 2000. Submit written proposals to Commander, Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, ATTN: Code 210000D (Dale), 1 Administration Circle, China Lake, CA 93555-6100. FAX and electronically mailed proposals will not be accepted. All responsible sources may submit proposals which shall be considered. See Note 26. Posted 05/10/00 (W-SN453505). (0131)

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