Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), Contracts Management Office (CMO), 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714

A -- ADVANCED NONDESTRUCTIVE EVALUATION SOL BAA95-33 DUE 082495 POC Thomas J. Moran, POC, ARPA/DSO, FAX: (703)696-2201. The Defense Sciences Office, Materials Science Division of the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) is soliciting proposals to develop advanced Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) systems, equipment or sensors for application to either of two areas: (1) the monitoring and characterization of materials during manufacturing and processing and (2) detection of defects and characterization of the condition of aging military systems and structures. The DoD needs improved/innovative NDE technology in order to maintain its capabilities and to reduce its costs. These requirements are driven by many factors. It is expected that materials and components which will be used in retrofit as well as new applications can be produced at lower costs with improved reliability using new NDE methods and systems which provide on-line monitoring of the material properties and geometric features during manufacturing and processing. Aging systems naturally require additional inspections over time. Failure mechanisms which were not accounted for in either the design or the logistics planning are frequently encountered. Many systems are operating past design lifetimes with increasing periodic inspection requirements. In addition, new missions assigned to old systems stress the structures and engines beyond design parameters inducing problems of corrosion and fatigue induced damage. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES AND DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this program is to develop more affordable, efficient and reliable NDE capabilities which enable on-line, accurate assessments of material properties or component serviceability. Successful proposals will incorporate either novel, new sensor technologies which would provide information on the material's chemical and mechanical properties during manufacturing and processing, or novel combinations of existing sensors, computational methods, and hardware-related technologies such as displays, robotics, etc. which would permit both rapid defect in-situ detection and assessment of structural condition/serviceability. It is expected that proposals will include demonstrations of the developed technology on components and materials that are relevant to the DoD. Historically, DoD has seen the greatest benefit from this kind of research investment when manufacturers of NDE systems, equipment and/or sensors team together with research organizations having complementary expertise in materials development, testing and manufacturing as well as with end-users of the technology. However, small, focused programs will be also be considered. Programs should be proposed in compact phases with specifically defined milestones leading to demonstrations of key elements of the new methodologies prior to prototype. Milestones should include the near-term demonstration of any advanced sensors, displays, computational methods, etc. using existing systems as test beds or data derived from such systems. GENERAL INFORMATION: EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS - A merit-based evaluation process will be used. Evaluation criteria, listed in order of decreasing weight, are: (1) technical excellence and innovation of the proposed ideas and approach, (2) cost impact on manufacturing of military components or reliable detection of defects or weaknesses in aging military systems, (3) qualifications of proposed personnel and adequacy of facilities, (4) commitment of proposers to actually implement any successes of the proposed effort, (5) realism and reasonableness of the proposed costs. It is anticipated that projects will conclude within three years, but longer term options may be proposed. Bidders having the management and technical capabilities, facilities and experience necessary to conduct this program are invited to submit brief pre-proposals to describe their technical approach, management concepts, personnel, participants, relevant experience, and estimates of the overall cost and timing of the project. This procedure is intended to minimize unnecessary effort in proposal preparation and review. Pre-proposals should not exceed 20 pages of text plus a one page work breakdown structure for the program and a proposed task schedule chart. Eight single sided hard copies, each 8.5 by 11 inches should be submitted. The closing date for pre-proposals is 4PM 10 July 1995. Within approximately seven (7) business days of receipt, ARPA will acknowledge receipt of the submission and assign a control number that should be used in all further correspondence regarding the pre-proposal. ARPA intends to respond to pre-proposals within 30 days of receipt with a recommendation of whether or not to submit a full proposal. Regardless of the recommendation, the decision to propose is wholly the responsibility of the proposer. All submitted proposals will be fully reviewed regardless of the disposition of any pre-proposal. The deadline for receipt of full proposals is 4PM 24 Aug 1995. Proposal Format - All those who submit full proposal must submit eight single-sided hard copies, each 8.5 by 11 inches. They should have 1.25-inch margins, and a font size not smaller than 12 pitch. The address and point of contact for the response should be clearly and prominently identified in the proposal. Non-conforming proposals may be rejected without review. Proposals shall consist of two volumes, a technical volume and a cost volume. The first page of both the technical and cost volumes should clearly indicate the title, the prime and subcontractors or partnership members proposed, the principal investigator name, phone number, and fax number, period of performance, and first year and total cost of the effort. Volume 1 of submitted proposals shall include an Executive Summary, a Program Description, a Program Plan, a Statement of Work, a Milestone Chart, a Facilities and Equipment description, a description of Relevant Prior Work, a Management Plan, and Resumes of Key Individuals. The page count of Volume 1 shall be limited to a maximum of 60 pages, which includes all figures, references, tables, and charts. Volume 2 of submitted proposals shall contain a summary cost breakdown and a detailed cost breakdown. The summary 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 phases and time. The summary shall be no longer than 6 pages, but the detailed cost breakdown is not limited in page count. This CBD notice itself constitutes the Broad Agency Announcement as contemplated by FAR 6.102(d)(2). No portion of this BAA will be set aside for HBCU and MI participation due to the impracticality of reserving discrete or severable tasks relating to advanced nondestructive evaluation technology, however, HBCUs and MIs are encouraged to apply. In cases where evaluation of proposals is substantially equal, preference for awards will be given to those proposals which include HBCU's and MI's. ARPA is anticipating that $25M will be available through FY99 to support this program. It is anticipated that multiple contracts ultimately will be awarded as a result of this solicitation. ARPA expects the response to this solicitation to be large, therefore, telephone inquiries are strongly discouraged. All questions regarding this solicitation must be submitted in writing to Dr. Thomas J. Moran, ARPA/DSO, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington VA 22203-1714 or via FAX # 703-696-2201 or e-mail: tmoran@arpa.mil. (0157)

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