Naval Research Laboratory, Attn: Code 3230, 4555 Overlook Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20375-5326

A -- INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR ORGANIC MINE COUNTERMEASURES SOL BAA 99-004 DUE 043099 POC Mr. Brian Glance, Contract Specialist, ONR Code 252, (703) 696-2596 E-MAIL: click here, glanceb@onr.navy.mil. The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is interested in receiving white papers for innovative concepts that will enhance existing mine countermeasure (MCM) systems or emerging organic MCM systems or will form the scientific foundation for future (circa 2015) organic mine countermeasures systems of systems. These novel concepts and approaches must support the future naval warfare directions of sea and area control, power projection, and engagement and deterrence. Special emphasis continues to be placed upon the need to detect, classify, identify, and neutralize all mine types in all environments and on the ability to breach mines and obstacles. Concepts applicable to mine and obstacle detection should emphasize unmanned, modular approaches which make maximum use of remote sensors, environmental information, and data and information networking. Ideal offerings will provide the technological framework for future, flexible, developmental systems compatible with the warfighting need. They should enable selectively graduated levels of response to meet the dynamic, unpredictable, and often asymmetric challenges facing future naval forces. The scientific and technological concepts and approaches sought in this offering will lead to future mine warfare systems which will minimize exposure to sailors and marines, provide decision makers with a complete real-time tactical picture, enable commanders to select the appropriate level of response to maintain an unencumbered operational tempo from the sea to the objectives ashore, and reduce total ownership costs and logistics tails. ONR is interested in the following areas: 1) innovative concepts to address far-term solutions to the organic "force after next" system of systems. 2) innovative concepts to address mid-term solutions associated with current organic mine warfare acquisition programs. 3) innovative concepts will be considered which address increasing the efficiencies of current dedicated mine warfare assets. To further inform the science and technology communities regarding missions of interest and in so doing promote more responsive white papers, the ONR is establishing a World Wide Web site (http://www.onr.navy.mil/sci_tech/ocean/baa) which contains links to several relevant documents describing the operational background. In addition it is planned to conduct a one day public briefing at the U. S. Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Quantico, Virginia on 20 January, 1999. This will provide a forum for potential offerors to obtain information regarding mission operating environments and constraints and obtain a better understanding of the advanced capability requirements necessary to effectively enable operational maneuver. Offerors who wish to attend this briefing must respond with notice of intent using the form provided on the web site no later than three weeks after the date of publication of this BAA, so that adequate meeting facilities can be provided at the Quantico Marine Base. All expenses for attendance must be borne by the potential offeror. Additional information regarding the meeting format, local hotels, security procedures and other relevant information is available at the above web site. Proposers must recognize that this offering is distinct from the Diver and UUV VSW/SZ BAA (ONR BAA 98-008) in that this BAA addresses organic mine countermeasures including neutralization and clearance in support of operational mobility in the littorals and amphibious operations moving from ship to shore. The earlier BAA focused exclusively upon near to mid term (2-7 year) applications of mine countermeasures in the VSW and SZ and was largely in support of diver and special warfare operations. White papers are initially sought to preclude unwarranted effort on the part of an offeror in preparing a full proposal. To be considered for Fiscal Year 1999 funding, white papers are due by 16:00 hours, 1 March 1999. Offerors submitting the most promising white papers will be invited to submit a full technical and cost proposal on all or part of their white paper submission. However, any such invitation does not assure a subsequent award. Full proposals are due by 16:00 hours, 30 April 1999. Approximately $15,000,000 of exploratory development (6.2) funds are anticipated to be available over a three year period beginning May, 1999 to conduct these research and development efforts. Awards may be in the form of contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or other transactions as appropriate. The maximum length of an award will be 3 years. This BAA announcement does not preclude an offeror from submitting a full technical and cost proposal or white paper after published due dates. White papers received after the published due dates may not be considered for funding under the Fiscal Year 1999 program, but may be considered for funding in FY00 or FY01. Submittals in response to this BAA received after 31 December 2000 will not be considered. The Government reserves the right to select for award all, some, or none of the submissions. White papers should include the following items: 1.(A) Cover page, clearly labeled "WHITE PAPER", including BAA title and date, title, administrative and technical points of contact along with telephone and fax numbers, 2.(B) White papers are to be limited to seven pages, 3.(C) White papers shall consist of three primary sections: Technical, Managerial, and Cost. 4.(D) The Technical section shall consist of clear descriptions of the systems/technologies being proposed, objectives of the proposed effort, technical issues to be resolved to accomplish objectives, approach to resolving these issues, assessment of advance and advantage over current technological capability with successful effort, and specific prior experience of offeror in the technology areas being proposed. The Management portion shall include key personnel, experience, facilities, and a plan of action with milestones. The Cost section shall include a one page cost breakdown of the effort being proposed. One page curriculum vitae for the Principal Technical Investigator, Project Manager, and other key personnel should be submitted. The vitae will not count toward the seven page limit. To be considered for FY99 funding, eight copies of the white papers are due at the submittal address listed below by 1 March 1999. Format for full proposals will be posted at http://www.onr.navy.mil/sci_tech/ocean/baa. White papers and full proposals will be evaluated using the following criteria which are listed in descending order of importance: (1) overall scientific, technical, and socioeconomic merit; (2) technical/scientific innovation and risk to develop affordable successful solutions for future naval capabilities in organic mine countermeasures; (3) potential to enhance organic mine countermeasures capabilities through the application of advanced technologies; (4) potential for transition to fleet capability; (5) the offer's capabilities, past performance and related experience, facilities, techniques or unique combinations thereof that are integral factors for achieving the proposed objectives; (6) the qualifications, capabilities and experience of the proposed Principle Technical Investigator, Project Manager, and other key personnel critical in achieving the proposed objectives; (7) budgetary cost and availability of funds; Offerors must state in their white paper and full proposals that it is submitted in response to this BAA. Eight hard copies of each white paper must be provided. White papers and full proposal submissions will protected from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with FAR 15.413, applicable law, and DoD/DoN regulations. This BAA provides no funding for white paper or subsequent proposal development purposes. All white papers will be acknowledged. White papers will not be returned after evaluation. This CBD notice itself constitutes the BAA as contemplated by FAR 6.102(d)(2). Unless otherwise stated herein, neither additional written information is available, nor will a formal RFP or other solicitation regarding this announcement be issued. Requests for the same will be disregarded. For awards made as contracts, evaluation of the socioeconomic merits will include the extent of commitment in providing meaningful subcontracting opportunities for small business, small disadvantaged businesses, woman-owned small business concerns, and historically black colleges and universities and minority institutions. Ultimately, contract proposals which are selected for award that exceed $500,000 submitted by all but small businesses, will require a Small, Small Disadvantaged and Women-Owned Small Business Subcontracting Plan in accordance with FAR 52.219-9. The Standard Industrial Classification code is 8731 with the small business standard of 500 employees. No portion of this BAA has been set aside for HBCU and MI participants, though their participation is encouraged. White papers and Proposals should be submitted by the due dates cited in the BAA to: Office of Naval Research, Organic Mine Countermeasures BAA, ONR Code 32, BCT-1, Room 407, 800 N. Quincy Street, Arlington, VA 22217. Use Kim Coleman, at (703)696-5122 for express mail purposes ONLY. Questions regarding business and legal matters relating to this BAA should be directed to: Office of Naval Research, Attention Brian Glance (Code 252), Room 720, Ballston Towers One, 800 N. Quincy St., Arlington, VA 22217-5660, (703) 696-2596. Information regarding technical matters is available on the World Wide Web http://www.onr.navy.mil/sci_tech/ocean/baa. The due date for submissions is 30 April 1999. Posted 12/09/98 (W-SN278581). (0343)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0005 19981211\A-0005.SOL)