United States Special Operations Command, ATTN: SOKO-Z, Bldg 102, 2418 Florida Keys Ave, MacDill AFB, FL 33621-5316

A -- BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT FOR C4I TECHNOLOGIES. SOL BAA95-001 (Part 1 of 2). POC N/ This BAA is effective upon release and remains in effect for two years from August 1995 through July 1997, unless cancelled by USSOCOM. This announcement constitutes the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Program Managers for Intelligence and Communications Systems and Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities (TENCAP) programs under FAR 6.102(d)(2) to solicit proposals for basic and applied research for innovative technology solutions. USSOCOM will issue the solicitation, as unrestricted to academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, and private industry. USSOCOM may make awards at any time throughout the year. USSOCOM will base award(s) on a competitive selection of proposals from a peer/scientific review consisting of government and contractor support personnel. Prospective offerors may request the BAA solicitation/booklet by writing to USSOCOM, ATTN: SOKO-Z (BAA95-001), 7701 Tampa Point Blvd, MacDill AFB, FL 33621-5323 or fax a request to (813)840-5481. Please be sure to reference the BAA number. USSOCOM technical points of contact will be identified in the BAA solicitation/booklet for both intelligence and communications. Offerors must contact the appropriate USSOCOM technical point of contact identified in the BAA solicitation/booklet to determine the extent of interest in a specific research project before the submission of a proposal. The intent is to first validate the offeror's idea by verbal communications, which in turn will be followed by the offerors submission of a white paper. After the white paper is evaluated by USSOCOM offerors would then submit their proposal. The purpose of this three step process is to save the resources of a potential offeror. Proposals must reference this announcement and specifically identify the research area to which the offeror is responding. Offerors may submit proposals any time during the effective dates of this BAA. Evaluations and awards will, however, predominantly occur twice during the fiscal year. Offerors must submit their proposals for evaluation no later than 31 October for January awards, and no later than June 30 for September awards. USSOCOM may award multiple contracts. The following is a description of the Research required for this BAA. Special Operations Forces Unique Applications for Intelligence and Communications in the following areas: Radio frequency (RF) waveforms; Multi-level security data bases and access methodologies; Concurrent updating of multiple data bases; Small, lightweight, portable, high power density power sources; High speed data compression algorithms; Multi-spectral vision enhancement devices; High reliability speaker identification algorithms; Flexible, lightweight, high efficiency photovoltaic cell; Antennas; TENCAP Initiatives; and Improved geolocation capability. Explanation of USSOCOM C4I Research Objectives. RF waveforms: Techniques/methodologies/circuitry/engineering development models (EDM) that will enable or demonstrate the transmitting and receiving of Low Probability of Intercept (LPI)/ Low Probability of Detection (LPD) RF waveform signals by small, lightweight, tactical manpack and handheld transceivers operating in the High Frequency (HF), or Very High Frequency (VHF), or Ultra High Frequency (UHF) bands. Improvements desired include the reduction of transceiver weight, power consumption, and antenna size as compared to current waveform LPI/LPD technology; the maintenance or extension of reliable operating range as compared to current waveform LPI/LPD technology while reducing equipment weight, power consumption, and antenna size; and the increased reliability, smaller size, and lower power consumption of any newly developed or proposed LPI/LPD circuitry compared with current conventional or LPI/LPD circuitry. Possible future applications may include LPI/LPD rescue beacons and navigation beacons, personal Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system, emergency communications links in high density or noisy electromagnetic or RF environments, and handheld or personal communications system. Compatibility with SINCGARS LPI/LPD technology is not necessary, but a possible solution. Multi-level security data bases and access methodologies. Techniques/methodologies/ circuitry/software/studies which will allow or enable multiple data base or system users of varying security clearance levels to have access only to data authorized by that clearance and lower, but not data of higher classification. The solution must work with either relational or conventional data bases containing data of varying classification levels for any particular subject matter or function; a solution that works with both types of data bases is preferable. The solution must comply with DoD Intelligence Information System (DoDIIS) and Joint Deployable Intelligence Support System (JDISS) standards established by the Defense Intelligence Agency and the Armed Services. The solution must be 100% reliable under a wide variety of conditions and scenarios. Concurrent updating of multiple data bases. Techniques/ methodologies/circuitry/software/models which will allow or enable multiple data bases or systems containing the same or parts of the same data stored in a standard format to be updated concurrently from one and also from multiple authorized producers. Data bases and systems include permanent fixed site, temporary fixed site, and mobile categories world wide. The solution must include a data update logging mechanism to alert the user about missing data, and a methodology for requesting missing data. Small, lightweight, portable, high power density power sources. Technologies/manufacturing processes and techniques/materials/EDM which radically reduces the current requirement of portable tactical communications and processing system for large numbers of heavy, expensive, and unreliable batteries, and for fossil fuel internal combustion generators. Areas of research should include, but are not limited to: new battery electrolytes; hydrogen ion-permeable membrane fuel cells; low signature chemical fuel cells; wind, hydro, and solar powered generators and trickle chargers; small, lightweight, human powered mechanical generators, etc. High speed data compression algorithms. Software/circuitry/techniques/methodologies/models that radically increase the degree of compression of various types of digital based data/files/messages/graphics/maps/charts/imagery for transmission by medium and high speed (8KB/s and greater) communications links. The solution must have error correction of 3 x 10-9 or better and work on both encrypted and un-encrypted communications links. The goal of this research must be to reduce the burden on current communications capabilities imposed by digital grey tone and 24-bit color imagery, and digital color Mapping, Charting & Geodesy (MC&G) products while maintaining current resolution, fidelity, and accuracy standards. (See Part 2 of 2 for continuation of this BAA Announcement). (0234)

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