A -- POLYMORPHOUS COMPUTING ARCHITECTURES (PCA)

Notice Date

September 19, 2000

Contracting Office

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

ZIP Code

22203-1714

Solicitation Number

BAA00-59

Response Due

December 8, 2000

Point of Contact

Mr. Robert Graybill, DARPA/ITO; FAX: (703) 522-7161

Description

POLYMORPHOUS COMPUTING ARCHITECTURES (PCA), SOL BAA 00-59, DUE: 12/08/00; POC: MR. ROBERT GRAYBILL, DARPA/ITO; FAX: (703) 522-7161. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting proposals for research on various aspects of polymorphous computing in support of DARPA basic research programs and the Polymorphous Computing Architectures (PCA) program. Polymorphic is defined as having, taking, or passing through many different forms or stages (i.e. many + form). The emphasis of the PCA program will be on polymorphous computing architectures and supporting application development environments. This BAA solicits the first phase of research and development for a new class of computing architectures and processing system that will result in a revolutionary approach to implementing embedded computing systems to support reactive multi-mission, multi-sensor, and in-mission retargetable applications. The PCA program will establish the ability to effectively span a broad dynamic application space by implementing a polymorphic layer between an application program and PCA developed malleable micro-architecture elements. These elements will be implemented via a family of novel malleable micro-architecture processing elements to include compute cores, caches, memory structures, data paths, network interfaces, network fabrics with incremental instructions, operating system (OS), and network protocols. These elements will have the ability to morph to match changing mission and scenario demands. This will enable software implementation and malleable hardware optimization to be pursued in a cooperative constraint sensitive environment instead of in a limiting hardware first and software last paradigm. The resulting embedded computing systems will enable optimization across a broad range of applications and the ability to react to dynamic mission requirements. A set of metrics will support processing system design and optimization to include size, weight, energy, performance, and time (SWEPT). Research is sought in the following technical areas consistent with phase 1 goals of exploration, simulations, early prototyping, initial design concept development, and experimental evidence collection. The PCA program will be accomplished through development across four critical research areas. (1) Polymorphic System Characteristics, Scenarios, Constraint Metrics and Abstraction Test Suites. Define critical reactive computing requirements and critical micro-architectural features. This will include the development of a set of measurement metrics supporting processing system design and optimization to include size, weight, energy, performance, and time (SWEPT). (2) Polymorphous Computing Research. a) Explore, develop, prototype reactive polymorphous computing concepts; b) morphware stable interface, granularity, composition, and standardization concepts; c) runtime software and PCA tools; and d) explore, develop, prototype multi-dimensional verification and validation techniques. (3) Proof-Of-Concepts Experimental Testbeds. Support early concept experimentation through the use of architecture simulations and critical element prototyping testbeds. (4) Morphware Stable Interface. Definition facilitation, experimentation, and reference platform development/test suites. (5) Other (Identify). PROGRAM SCOPE: Due to the revolutionary and comprehensive nature of this 5-year program, a 24-month phase 1 polymorphous computing architecture research phase is planned followed by a 36-month phase 2 fabrication and proof of concept demonstration. The PCA phase 2 program, not included as part of this BAA, will conclude with proof-of-concept PCA system architectures, tool suites, and validation and demonstration approaches to be demonstrated for selected high value DoD applications. Proposers must address critical research areas 1, 2, and 3 listed above. Area 4, if addressed, should be proposed as a stand alone effort; however, a clear outline of how this activity would be coordinated with the teams addressing areas 1, 2, and 3 is critical. Phase 1 program efforts will pursue the identification of high value dynamic embedded computing mission characteristics, application functionality, initial polymorphous computing concepts and implementations, and early concept experimentation and prototyping. Proposers must target and quantify revolutionary advances to be accomplished and quantify how these advances critically impact at least two distinct DoD missions. As a result of the critical interplay of technical areas 1,2 and 3, comprehensive integrated teams of researchers from multiple disciplines and backgrounds that propose complete PCA approaches and responses will receive the highest consideration. It is envisioned that there will be multiple phase 1 research awards. Phase 2 will be pursued via a separate follow-on PCA BAA that will draw on phase 1 results. Proposed research should investigate innovative approaches and techniques that lead to or enable revolutionary advances in the state-of-the-art. Proposals are not limited to the specific strategies listed above and alternative visions advancing the concepts of polymorphous computing will be considered. However, proposals should be for research that substantially contributes towards the development and advancement of polymorphous computing. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT: Responses that develop teams incorporating academic, defense industry, and commercial industry participants for more complete solutions are strongly encouraged. The constitution of PCA development teams needs to incorporate the research and development areas identified above as critical to the PCA program in order to provide a complete and viable DoD as well as commercial industry solution set. The ultimate long-term transition plan is to both leverage industry developments and capabilities while incorporating PCA developments within a set of commercial products assessable for DoD applications. Cost sharing is highly encouraged in all proposed research areas. While teaming is strongly encouraged it is not one of the evaluation criteria. Research should result in prototype hardware and/or software demonstrating integrated concepts and approaches. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvement to the existing state of practice or focuses on a specific system or solution. Integrated solution sets embodying significant technological advances are strongly encouraged over narrowly defined research endeavors. Proposals may involve other research groups or industrial cooperation and cost sharing. GENERAL INFORMATION: The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/Information Technology Office (DARPA/ITO) requires completion of a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Cover Sheet Submission for each Proposal, by accessing the URL below: http://www.dyncorp-is.com/BAA/index.asp?BAAid=00-59. After finalizing the BAA Cover Sheet Submission, the proposer must submit the BAA Confirmation Sheet that will automatically appear on the web page. Each proposer is responsible for printing the BAA Confirmation Sheet and submitting it attached to the "original" and each designated number of copies. The Confirmation Sheet should be the first page of your Proposal. Failure to comply with these submission procedures may result in the submission not being evaluated. Detailed information and instructions are outlined within the Proposer Information Pamphlet (PIP). ABSTRACT FORMAT: In order to minimize unnecessary effort in proposal preparation and review, proposers are strongly encouraged to submit brief proposal abstracts in advance of full proposals. An original and 4 copies of the proposal abstract and 11 electronic copies (i.e., 11 separate disks) of the abstract (in Microsoft Word '97 for IBM-compatible, PDF, Postscript, or ASCII format on one 3.5-inch floppy disk or one 100 MB Iomega Zip disk). Each disk must be clearly labeled with BAA 00-59, proposer organization, proposal title (short title recommended) and Copy ___ of 11). The proposal abstract (original and designated number of hard and electronic copies) must be submitted to DARPA/ITO, ATTN: BAA 00-59, 3701 N. FairfaxDrive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714, in time to reach DARPA by 4:00 PM (ET) Friday, October 20, 2000, to guarantee review. Upon review, DARPA will make a recommendation to offerors either encouraging or discouraging submission of full proposals. PROPOSAL FORMAT: Proposers must submit an original and 4 copies of the full proposal and 11 electronic copies (i.e., 11 separate disks) of the full proposal (in Microsoft Word '97 for IBM-compatible, PDF, Postscript, or ASCII format on one 3.5-inch floppy disk or one 100 MB Iomega Zip disk). Each disk must be clearly labeled with BAA 00-59, proposer organization, proposal title (short title recommended) and Copy ___ of 11). The full proposal (original and designated number of hard and electronic copies) must be submitted in time to reach DARPA by 4:00 PM (ET) Friday, December 1, 2000, in order to be considered. Proposers must obtain the BAA 00-59 Proposer Information Pamphlet (PIP), which provides further information on the areas of interest, submission, evaluation, funding processes, proposal abstracts, and full proposal formats. This pamphlet may be obtained by fax, electronic mail, mail request to the administrative contact address given below, or at URL address http://www.darpa.mil/ito/Solicitations.html. Proposals not meeting the format described in the pamphlet may not be reviewed. This Commerce Business Daily (CBD) notice, in conjunction with the BAA 00-59 PIP and all references, constitutes the total BAA. No additional information is available, nor will a formal RFP or other solicitation regarding this announcement be issued. Requests for same will be disregarded. The Government reserves the right to select for award all, some, or none of the proposals received. All responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government's needs may submit a proposal that shall be considered by DARPA. 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 HBCU and MI participation due to the impracticality of reserving discrete or severable areas of this research for exclusive competition among these entities. Evaluation of proposals will be accomplished through a scientific review of each proposal, using the following criteria which are listed in descending order of relative importance: (1) Overall Scientific and Technical Merit: The overall scientific and technical merit must be clearly identifiable. The technical concept should be clearly defined and developed. Emphasis should be placed on the technical value of the development and experimentation approach. (2) Innovative Technical Solution to the Problem: Proposed efforts should apply new or existing technology in a new way such as is advantageous to the objectives. The plan on how offeror intends to get developed technology and information to the user community should be considered. (3) Potential Contribution and Relevance to DARPA Mission: The offeror must clearly address how the proposed effort will meet the goals of the undertaking. The relevance is further indicated by the offeror's understanding of the operating environment of the capability to be developed. (4) Offeror's Capabilities and Related Experience: The qualifications, capabilities, and demonstrated achievements of the proposed principals and other key personnel for the primary and subcontractor organizations must be clearly shown. (5) Plans and Capability to Accomplish Technology Transition: The offeror should provide a clear explanation of how the technologies to be developed will be transitioned to capabilities for military forces. Technology transition should be a major consideration in the design of experiments, particularly considering the potential for involving potential transition organizations in the experimentation process. (6) Cost Realism: The overall estimated cost to accomplish the effort should be clearly shown as well as the substantiation of the costs for the technical complexity described. Evaluation will consider the value to Government of the research and the extent to which the proposed management plan will effectively allocate resources to achieve the capabilities proposed. All administrative correspondence and questions on this solicitation, including requests for information on how to submit a proposal abstract or proposal to this BAA, must be received at one of the administrative addresses below by 4:00 PM (ET) Friday, December 1, 2000; e-mail or fax is preferred. DARPA intends to use electronic mail and fax for some of the correspondence regarding BAA 00-59. Proposals and proposal abstracts MUST NOT be submitted by fax or e-mail; any so sent will be disregarded. The administrative addresses for this BAA are: Fax: 703-522-7161; Addressed to: DARPA/ITO, BAA 00-59; Electronic Mail: baa00-59@darpa.mil. Electronic File Retrieval: http://www.darpa.mil/ito/Solicitations.html. Mail to: DARPA/ITO, ATTN: BAA 00-59, 3701 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20000921/ASOL001.HTM (W-263 SN498140)