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

A -- SMART MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES DEMOSTRATIONS SOL BAA96-27 DUE 081696 POC Dr C. Robert Crowe, DARPA/DSO, fax (703) 696-3999. Broad Agency Announcement BAA#96-27: Smart Materials and Structures Demonstrations: DUE by 4:00 pm, August 16, 1996. POC: Dr. C. Robert Crowe, DARPA/DSO, FAX (703) 696-3999. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is interested in receiving proposals to demonstrate the application of smart materials to military and dual-use systems. Smart materials are a new class of materials which have the capability to both sense and respond to environmental stimuli with active control of their response. Theories, design tools, characterization of collective behavior, integration technology, and development of the active constituents such as shape memory alloys, electrostricter ceramics, fiber optic sensors, among others, have been developed in a previous DARPA sponsored program. Integration of the active materials into composite structural materials, control algorithms and signal processing technology are the enabling technologies. Such ''smart materials'' offer many new and enhanced capabilities to DoD systems, particularly in performance, durability, and reliability. Smart materials will provide designers and engineers with significant new capability to control geometric shape, material movement, aerodynamic and hydrodynamic flow, damping and vibration, and other capabilities which can be designed attributes of the material/structure system. In the previous DARPA initiative, the development of the materials processing science to produce affordable new smart materials showed that a broad range of mission performance payoffs can be expected from the application of smart materials. Application of smart materials to submarines could provide vortex wake control, improve propulsor performance, and acoustic signature reduction. In turbine engines, smart material applications to airflow control could improve efficiency and reduce IR signature. In aircraft, the use of smart materials in a mission adaptive wing might lead to improvements in the lift to drag ratio which has the potential to increase payloads and maneuverability. Application of smart materials to helicopter blades may reduce noise and vibration and provide real time active blade tuning. This could increase the speed of helicopters as well as extend life and reduce maintenance, saving many millions of dollars and increasing fleet readiness. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES AND DESCRIPTION. The objective of this program is to demonstrate the potential performance gains in DoD system applications based on the technology developed in the previous DARPA effort, thereby providing a means to accelerate the introduction of smart materials into DoD system applications. The total program is planned to be approximately 36 months in duration and at least $30 M of funding. Multiple awards are expected. Vertically integrated collaborative efforts or teaming arrangements among original equipment manufacturers, component suppliers, and material suppliers are suggested. An integrated product development approach is STRONGLY ENCOURAGED. Substantive cost sharing will increase the attractiveness of proposals. Original equipment manufacturers, systems houses, and materials suppliers should be linked in vertically integrated arrangements for execution of the technical portions of the program. GENERAL INFORMATION. This CBD notice itself constitutes the Broad Agency Announcement as contemplated by FAR 6.102 (d) (2). A formal RFP or other solicitation regarding this announcement will not be issued. Requests for 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. All responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government's needs may submit proposals which will be evaluated if received by the closing date. Because of the technical breadth implied in this solicitation and hardware demonstration required, no portion of this BAA#96-27 will be set aside for HBCU and MI participation. However these organizations are encouraged to apply. EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS - Evaluation of proposals will be accomplished using a technical review process whereby each proposal will be ranked using the following criteria, which are listed in descending order of relative importance: (1) demonstrated technical and scientific merit of the proposed program, (2) impact of the successful development on the potential performance of DoD and dual-use systems, (3) offeror's capabilities and recent related experience, including personnel, facilities, equipment, and data to perform the work, and (4) realism of cost, cost share commitment, and quality of cost share (cash, including IRAD, is more compelling than in-kind contributions). Previous investments and ''sunk-costs'' are not eligible cost share. The government reserves the right to select for award all, some, or none of the proposals received. Proposal Format - Ten single sided hard copies, each 8.5 by 11 inches, must be submitted. 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 40 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 performer and time. Details of the cost sharing to be undertaken by the offerer must be included in the summary section of volume 2 of the proposal. The summary shall be no longer than 6 pages, but the detailed cost breakdown is not limited in page count. Bidders should submit proposals to: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Defense Sciences Office, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714, REF: RA#96-28. All proposals are due by 4:00pm, August 16, 1996. Within approximately seven (7) business days of receipt, DARPA will acknowledge receipt of the submission and assign a control number that should be used in all further correspondence regarding the proposal. Technical POC is Dr. C. Robert Crowe. All questions concerning this BAA#96-27 should be submitted in writing to the technical POC at the address above or transmitted by FAX: (703) 696-3999 or by e-mail at: bcrowe@darpa.mil. (0155)

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