Commander, Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, Code 230000D, 1 Administration Circle, China Lake, CA 93555-6100

A -- BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA): GEOLOGICAL EVOLUTION RESEARCH FROM MIOCENE TO RECENT FOR THE NORTHEASTERN MOJAVE DESERT AREA. SOL N68936-BAA-97-001 DUE 093097 POC Winnie Nelson, Grants Officer, (760) 939-4272 or Erica Freeman, Grants Specialist, (760) 939-5427. The U. S. Navy Geothermal Program Office (GPO) located at the Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake, California. is seeking collaborative research proposals related to the geological evolution from the Miocene to the Recent of the area east of the Sierra Nevada and west of Death Valley including the northeastern Mojave Desert. Emphasis should be placed on the hydrothermal systems that existed there in the past and that exist there at present, and the role of crustal extension in how those systems evolved. No request for proposal (RFP), solicitation or other announcement of this opportunity will be made. This announcement is open through 30 September 1997, and proposals may be submitted at any time during this period. Proposals submitted after 30 September 1997 will be returned to the offeror without evaluation. Awards may be made at any time. The Government anticipates award of cooperative agreements or other transactions for research under 10 USC 2358 or 10 USC 2371. Proposal submission is not restricted in any way to any particular entity. Historically Black Colleges and Universities, minority institutions and small and disadvantaged businesses are encouraged to participate. Before preparing proposals, potential proposers are encouraged to contact Dr. Frank Monastero, Head of the Geothermal Program Office, (619) 939-4046 to determine whether or not their idea might be of interest to the government. Proposers must state in the proposal that it is submitted in response to this BAA. Proposers may contact Winnie Nelson, Grants Officer, (760) 939-4272 or Erica Freeman, Grants Specialist, (760) 939-5427 for more information about content of a potential proposal. Award decisions will be based on peer and/or scientific review. Evaluations will be conducted using the following evaluation criteria: (1) overall scientific, technical merits of the proposal; (2) the potential relationship of the proposed research to the Department of Defense mission (3) benefit to the public (4) the offeror's capabilities, related experience, facilities, techniques or unique combinations of these which are integral factors for achieving the proposal objectives; (5) the qualifications, capabilities and experience of the proposed principal investigator, team leader or key personnel who are critical in achieving the proposal objectives; (6) realism of the proposed cost and availability of funds. It is anticipated that one or more awards will result from this solicitation, not to exceed about $500,000 in total federal funding. Proposals submitted in response to this BAA may be for a period of performance up to two years. Such proposals should contain a brief summary of the work contemplated for each 12-month period so that the award may be negotiated for an entire 2 year program or for individual one-year increments of the total program. Proposals for a period of less than 12 months will also be considered. Team efforts among academia and/or, industry and/or government participants incorporating cost sharing and proposals augmenting ongoing joint efforts are very strongly encouraged. Final distribution of awards will depend on quality of proposals and availability of funds. Funds may not be currently available for topics under this BAA. No award will be made until funds are available from which payment can be made. (0098)

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