Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Contract Management Directorate (CMD), 3701 N. Fairfax Dr., Arlington, VA 22203-1714

A -- SOFTWARE-ENABLED CONTROL SOL BAA 99-08 DUE 012599 POC Dr. D. Helen Gill, DARPA/ITO, FAX: (703) 522-7161 WEB: http://www.ito.darpa.mil, http://www.ito.darpa.mil. E-MAIL: baa99-08@darpa.mil, baa99-08@darpa.mil. This solicitation seeks innovations in software-enabled control technology to facilitate a new range of system types and scales. In the past, control strategies were limited by constrained processor, memory, and communication capability. This DARPA effort seeks entirely new approaches to control systems, for example, techniques that leverage new memory capacity to implement extremely large mode and state spaces. The goal of this DARPA research is new technology that will enable new applications that are impractical or intractable using current approaches. Applications that challenge our current control engineering capability include: autonomous extreme-performance air vehicles; tightly-integrated guidance, navigation, and vehicle management systems; coordinated multi-vehicle systems that must operate in close proximity or with precise positioning; robotics; and coordinated devices for remote surgical and medical care. Examples of research challenges include the use of software to provide: transition management for very large mode and state spaces; predictive management of uncertain transitions; management of variable sensor and actuator effectiveness; and control and coordination of multiple systems, including both decentralized and highly coupled systems. Software-Enabled Control (SEC) research will break new ground in control technology, drawing from control theory and engineering and from computer science and software. Interdisciplinary teams that combine control and computer science expertise are strongly encouraged. Public domain reference implementations and aggressive technology integration efforts are required. The technical approach proposed must describe not only algorithms, but also control implementation strategies that provide for their deployment within the context of open control systems. SEC technologies will be developed in coordination with, and for technology insertion into the SEC open control platform(s) and the ITO Runtime Environments for Networked, Embedded Systems (BAA 99-04). The technical rationale section of each proposal must clearly explain (1) the new control capability that would result from the research, (2) how it will be exploited in an open control environment, and (3) strategies for evaluation and experimentation that would aid in assessing the improvement contributed by the approach over current approaches and in demonstrating the new capability. Research is sought in the following technical topic areas: (1) Active State Models, (2) On-Line Control Customization, (3) Coordinated Control, (4) Open Control Platform, (5) Other Innovations in Software Enabled Control. Proposals for open control platforms should propose only that technical topic area. Proposals in other areas may address one or more of those areas; however, proposals that address more than one area should be structured with separable options. During the course of the program selected proposers will be expected to adopt one of the open control platforms for implementation, demonstration, and evaluation purposes.PROGRAM SCOPE: Proposed research should investigate innovative approaches and techniques that lead to or enable revolutionary advances in the state-of-the-art. Proposals are not limited to the specific strategies listed above and alternative visions will be considered. However, proposals should be for research that substantially contributes towards the goals stated. Research should result in prototype hardware and/or software demonstrating integrated concepts and approaches. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvement to the existing state of practice or focuses on a specific system or solution. Integrated solution sets embodying significant technological advances are strongly encouraged over narrowly defined research endeavors. Proposals may involve other research groups or industrial cooperation and cost sharing. GENERAL INFORMATION: In order to minimize unnecessary effort in proposal preparation and review, proposers are strongly encouraged to submit brief proposalabstracts in advance of full proposals. An original and eight (8) copies of the proposal abstract must be submitted to DARPA/ITO, ATTN: BAA 99-08, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714, in time to reach DARPA by 4:00 PM (ET), Tuesday, December 8, 1998, to guarantee review. Upon review, DARPA will make a recommendation to offerors either encouraging or discouraging submission of full proposals. Proposers must submit an original and eight (8) copies of full proposals in time to reach DARPA by 4:00 PM (ET), Monday, January 25, 1999, in order to be considered. Proposers must obtain a pamphlet, BAA 99-08 Proposer Information, which provides further information on the areas of interest, submission, evaluation, funding processes, proposal abstracts, and full proposal formats. This pamphlet may be obtained by fax, electronic mail, or mail request to the administrative contact address given below, as well as at URL address http://www.ito.darpa.mil/Solicitations.html. Proposals not meeting the format described in the pamphlet may not be reviewed. This Commerce Business Daily notice, in conjunction with the pamphlet BAA 99-08 Proposer Information, constitutes the total BAA. No additional information is available, nor will a formal RFP or other solicitation regarding this announcement be issued. Requests for 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 that shall be considered by DARPA. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and Minority Institutions (MI) 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 this research for exclusive competition among these entities. Evaluation of proposals will be accomplished through a scientific 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 DARPA mission, (3) offeror's capabilities and related experience, (4) plans and capability to accomplish technology transition, and (5) cost realism. All administrative correspondence and questions on this solicitation, including requests for information on how to submit a proposal abstract or proposal to this BAA, must be directed to one of the administrative addresses below by 4:00 PM (ET), Tuesday, January 19, 1999; e-mail or fax is preferred. DARPA intends to use electronic mail and fax for some of the correspondence regarding BAA 99-08. Proposals and proposal abstracts may not be submitted by fax; any so sent will be disregarded. The administrative addresses for this BAA are: Fax: 703-522-7161 Addressed to: DARPA/ITO, BAA 99-08, Electronic Mail: baa99-08@darpa.mil, Electronic File Retrieval: http://www.ito.darpa.mil/Solicitations.html, Mail: DARPA/ITO, ATTN: BAA 99-08, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714 Posted 11/02/98 (W-SN267182). (0306)

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