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

A -- STRUCTURAL AMORPHOUS METALS SOL BAA00-44 DUE 102600 POC Dr. Leo Christodoulou, DARPA/DSO, fax: (703) 696-3999 STRUCTURAL AMORPHOUS METALS; SOL BAA00-44; DUE 102600; POC: DR. LEO CHRISTODOULOU, DARPA/DSO, Fax: 703-696-3999, Email: lchristodoulou@darpa.mil, URL: http://www.darpa.mil/baa. PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is interested in receiving proposals for research, development and demonstrations of Structural Amorphous Metals (SAM) to enable improved, new, or unique systems for military utility. The overall objectives of this initiative are to 1) establish the science and technology bases for discovering, synthesizing, producing and using amorphous metals; 2) identify and demonstrate material system(s) with compelling performance, low cost and environmentally benign constituents in example challenge problems; and 3) generate a detailed technical plan for transition of the most promising materials into DoD systems. SAM are primarily defined as bulk, structural, metallic materials whose microstructure in the solid state, unlike that of conventional metals is,non-crystalline, amorphous or "glassy." Also included in the primary definition of SAM are metallic materials whose crystalline microstructure is formed from an amorphous or glassy condition or is synthesized/derived from an amorphous metal and exhibits combinations of crystalline and amorphous micro-architectured features. Two classes of awards are anticipated under this initiative; industrially-led collaborative efforts and university-based team activities. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: Each proposing team (both industrially-led and university-based) should: 1) identify a specific challenge problem application which should form the focal point for targeting the proposed research; 2) develop understanding about structural amorphous metals discovery, synthesis, production, fabrication and use; and 3) define a program encompassing research to identify useful compositions; synthesize bulk amorphous metals; determine useful micro-structural evolution pathways from the amorphous state; develop models and/or tools to predict amorphous alloy formation; establish mechanisms and models of deformation and fracture; achieve revolutionary improvement in attainable combinations of mechanical properties within a mechanically/structurally capable material; develop and extend basic understanding of mechanical properties and their dependence on composition, micro-architectured features; characterize properties; demonstrate fabrication and processing methodologies suitable for any of sheet, wrought, castings or net shape products inclusive of appropriate joining techniques. Industry-led teams should additionally show feasibility for production and other processing as applicable to the chosen challenge problem, take the materials through to demonstration items in the application environment, define requirements for scale-up and develop a transition plan to DoD applications. University team efforts should focus on the basic science issues and plan to collaborate with industry and DoD organizations as appropriate to their chosen challenge problem. A scale-up and transition plan is not required from university teams. GENERAL INFORMATION: Proposers should obtain the Proposal Information Pamphlet (PIP), BAA00-44 for required forms, submission format details, detailed evaluation criteria and other background. Proposals not following the specified format may not be evaluated. This pamphlet may be requested from the World Wide Web (www) at URL http://www.darpa.mil/dso under the solicitations section, or by writing, faxing or e-mailing your request to DARPA/DSO, Attn: BAA00-44, 3701 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22203-1714, fax: 703-696-3999, email BAA00-044@darpa.mil. The technical point of contact (POC) is Dr. Leo Christodoulou, DARPA/DSO. In all correspondence, reference BAA00-44. Early submission of proposals is encouraged. Selections for awards may be made at any time during the evaluation process. Proposals will not be returned. All proprietary material should be clearly marked and will be held in strict confidence. Restrictive notices notwithstanding, proposals may be handled, for administrative purposes only, by a support contractor. All support contractors are bound by appropriate non-disclosure requirements. Input on technical aspects of the proposals may be solicited by DARPA from non-Government consultants/experts who are bound by appropriate non-disclosure requirements. Non-Government technical consultants will not have access to proposals that are labeled by the offerors as "GOVERNMENT ONLY." The proposed research programs should be no longer than 36 months. Proposals should be phased as outlined in the PIP. Multiple awards are expected. Both industry-led and university team efforts are anticipated. Cost sharing is desired but not required. FULL PROPOSALS: Full proposals shall consist of two volumes, technical and cost. Offerors should submit one (1) original and eight (8) copies of the full-proposal due no later than 1600 ET 26 October 2000 to the address shown below. Facsimile transmissions or electronic media transmissions will not be accepted. Separate attachments such as institutional brochures, reprints, disks, or videotapes will be ignored. Volume 1: Technical. The technical volume is limited to a maximum of 35 pages, including the special cover sheet, all figures, references, tables, charts and appendices. The technical proposal shall consist of: 1) an executive summary (two pages or less); 2) an application domain section including an explicit statement of the specific challenge problem that would demonstrate compelling benefits from the use of SAM and implications of the challenge problem on the research to be conducted; 3) a clear definition of objectives and deliverables including specifics of demonstrations and quantitative claims of the potential impact of the materials investigated if research is successful and how the proposed research advances the state of the art and why that is so; 4) a technical approach section that includes a description of the proposed SAM system to be investigated, its attributes, relevant synthesis, formation, micro-structural evolution, processing and fabrication methods and routes, materials characterization, and property determinations; 5) a concise statement of work; 6) a collaboration section indicating the nature of collaborations in addressing the challenge problem(s); 7) a time-phased schedule-milestones chart for the full program proposed; 8) a section on applicable expertise, facilities and equipment; 9) a summary of relevant prior work; 10) short resumes, levels of effort and specific roles and qualifications of key individuals. The proposal should be divided into sections corresponding to the above list. Failure to follow this format may result in elimination of the proposal from consideration. Volume 2: Cost. The cost volume shall contain a summary cost breakdown and a detailed cost breakdown. The summary cost breakdown should be shown to the level of major tasks and should indicate manpower levels of effort, equipment and supplies, travel, and miscellaneous expenses for the tasks of the entire program, broken out by performer and time. Details of the cost sharing to be undertaken by the offeror (if applicable) must be included in the summary section of volume 2 of the proposal. All proposals should identify any specific collaboration activities integral to the proposed program that are required from DoD entities. The cost of any such activities should be included in the overall cost of the proposed effort. EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS: Evaluation of the proposals will be based on the following criteria in decreasing order of importance: 1) the scientific and technical merits of the proposed effort; 2) the impact of the successful development of SAM systems on defense applications; 3) the offeror's capabilities and recent related experience, including personnel, facilities, equipment, and data to meet the objectives; and 4) cost realism. More details on the evaluation criteria can be found in the accompanying BAA00-44 PIP. BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT: This Commerce Business Daily (CBD) notice, in conjunction with the BAA00-44 PIP, constitutes the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) as contemplated by FAR6.102 (d) (2). A formal RFP or other solicitation regarding this announcement will not be issued. Requests for the same will be disregarded. Evaluation and selection of proposals for award will be made to those offerors whose proposal is considered most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The Government reserves the right to select for award all, some, or none of the proposals received in response to this announcement. Proposals identified for funding may result in a procurement contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or "other transactions," 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 responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government's needs may submit proposals that will be evaluated if received in the correct format by the closing date. Because of the technical breadth implied in this solicitation, no portion of this BAA will be set aside for HBCU and MI participation. However, these organizations are encouraged to apply and/or team with other proposers. ADDRESS FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS: DARPA/DSO, Attn: BAA00-044, 3701 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22203-1714. Posted 07/28/00 (W-SN479966). (0210)

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