A -- SEMICONDUCTOR UNTRAVIOLET OPTICAL SOURCES (SUVOS)

Notice Date

October 5, 2001

Contracting Office

Other Defense Agencies, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Contracts Management Office, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA, 22203-1714

ZIP Code

22203-1714

Solicitation Number

BAA02-03

Response Due

January 22, 2002

Point of Contact

John Carrano, DARPA Program Manager, Phone 000-000-0000, Fax 703-696-2206, Email none

Description

DARPA is soliciting innovative research proposals in the area of semiconductor ultraviolet optical sources (SUVOS) for use in a variety of military platforms. Proposed research should investigate innovative approaches that enable revolutionary advances in wide bandgap photonic materials, ultraviolet emitters, and systems. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice. The development of semiconductor based ultraviolet (UV) light sources is of critical importance to the military. Miniaturized UV light sources have application in biological agent detection, non-line-of-sight (NLOS) covert communications, water purification, equipment/personnel decontamination, and white light generation. It is the goal of the SUVOS program to exploit the unique characteristics of wide bandgap semiconductors to produce optical sources operating in the ultraviolet portion of the spectrum that can be integrated into modules and subsystems to address these applications. DARPA is interested in novel ideas that will result in the demonstration of deep UV (meaning wavelengths greater than or equal to 280 nm) semiconductor optical sources. It is expected that most proposals will focus on exploiting the material qualities of the III-nitrides; however, there is interest in other wide bandgap materials (such as diamond), as well as organic materials. Other particularly novel approaches that do not involve the aforementioned materials will be considered if the end result is an extremely compact UV source compatible with the applications cited above. This program will be conducted in two phases. Phase I will concentrate on the development of ultraviolet photonic materials by exploiting the unique characteristics of wide bandgap semiconductors. Also included in the Phase I effort is the design, fabrication, and characterization of innovative optoelectronic device structures with operating wavelengths in the ultraviolet. In Phase II, the emphasis shifts to the optimization of UV photonic materials and optical sources with operating wavelengths greater than or equal to 280 nm. Also in Phase II is the integration of advanced UV optical sources into testbeds for micro-system performance evaluation. Of specific interest are testbed demonstrations of biological agent detection, and NLOS communications. It is expected that the ultimate goal of sub-280 nm light emission will be achieved through materials development and device innovation initially in the near UV portion of the spectrum (~ 340 nm) as part of the Phase I effort. Based on advances in science, materials, and devices in Phase I, the optimization of devices to meet or exceed Phase II goals will be realized. AREAS OF INTEREST: The SUVOS program will consist of three main thrusts. I. UV Photonic Materials Development; II. UV Emitters (LEDs and Laser Diodes); III. Testbed Development and Demonstrations. Additional information on these technology areas is provided in the Areas of Interest section of the BAA 02-03 Proposer Information Pamphlet referenced below. PROGRAM SCOPE: The SUVOS program consists of a two-year core effort followed by an optional third and fourth year for those efforts that appear to have the greatest potential for production, insertion, transition or overall benefit to DoD. Awards totaling approximately $20 million over two years are expected to be made during the first half of calendar year 2002. Options totaling approximately $25 million may be awarded for the third and fourth years. Organizations wishing to participate in the third and fourth years should include them as options in their proposal (separate options for each year). Multiple awards are anticipated. Collaborative efforts/teaming are strongly encouraged. The program will also support some very innovative individual investigator efforts as well. Cost sharing is not required and is not an evaluation criterion, but is encouraged where there is a reasonable probability of a potential commercial application related to the proposed research and development effort. GENERAL INFORMATION: Proposers must obtain a pamphlet entitled BAA 02-03, Semiconductor Ultraviolet Optical Sources (SUVOS), Proposer Information Pamphlet which provides further information on areas of interest, the submission, evaluation, and funding processes, proposal abstract formats, proposal formats, and other general information. This pamphlet may be obtained from the FedBizOpps website: http://www.fedbizopps.gov, the World Wide Web (WWW) or by fax, electronic mail, or mail request to the administrative contact address given below. Proposals not meeting the format described in the pamphlet may not be reviewed. In order to minimize unnecessary effort in proposal preparation and review, proposers are strongly encouraged to submit proposal abstracts in advance of full proposals. An original and (9) copies of the proposal abstract must be submitted to DARPA/MTO, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714 (Attn.: BAA 02-03) on or before 4:00 p.m., local time, Friday, November 16, 2001. Proposal abstracts received after this time and date may not be reviewed. Upon review, DARPA will provide written feedback on the likelihood of a full proposal being selected and the time and date for submission of a full proposal. Proposers not submitting proposal abstracts must submit an original and (9) copies of the full proposal to DARPA/MTO, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714 (Attn.: BAA 02-03) on or before 4:00 p.m., local time, Tuesday, January 22, 2002, in order to be considered. This notice, in conjunction with the BAA 02-03 Proposer Information Pamphlet, constitutes the total BAA. No additional information is available, nor will a formal RFP or other solicitation regarding this announcement be issued. Requests for the 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 which 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 research in description. All administrative correspondence and questions on this solicitation, including requests for information on how to submit a proposal abstract or full proposal to this BAA, should be directed to one of the administrative addresses below; e-mail or fax is preferred. DARPA intends to use electronic mail and fax for correspondence regarding BAA 02-03. Proposals and proposal abstracts may not be submitted by fax or e-mail; any so sent will be disregarded. DARPA encourages use of the WWW for retrieving the Proposer Information Pamphlet and any other related information that may subsequently be provided. EVALUATION CRITERIA/EVALUATION AND FUNDING PROCESSES: Proposals will not be evaluated against each other since they are not submitted in accordance with a common work statement. DARPA's intent is to review proposals as soon as possible after they arrive; however, proposals may be reviewed periodically for administrative reasons. Evaluation of proposals and proposal abstracts will be accomplished through a technical review of each proposal using the following criteria, which are listed in descending order of relative importance: (1) overall scientific and technical merit; (2) potential contribution and relevance to the DARPA mission; (3) plans and capability to accomplish technology transition; (4) offeror's capabilities and related experience; and (5) cost realism. Note: cost realism will only be significant in proposals which have significantly under or over-estimated the cost to complete their effort. The administrative addresses for this BAA are: Fax: (703) 696-2206 (Addressed to: DARPA/MTO, BAA 02-03), Electronic Mail: BAA02-03@darpa.mil, Mail: DARPA/MTO, ATTN: BAA 02-03, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714. This announcement and the Proposer Information Pamphlet may be retrieved via the WWW at URL http://www.darpa.mil/mto/Solicitations.=20

Web Link

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Record

Loren Data Corp. 20011010/ASOL004.HTM (D-278 SN510129)