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

A -- TERAHERTZ TECHNOLOGY FOR SENSING AND SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS SOL BAA 99-15 DUE 022699 POC Gernot Pomrenke, DARPA/ETO, Fax (703) 696-2206 and Edgar Martinez, DARPA/ETO, Fax (703) 696-2206 WEB: http://www.darpa.mil, http://www.darpa.mil. E-MAIL: BAA99-15@darpa.mil, BAA99-15@darpa.mil. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES AND DESCRIPTION: The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting proposals for novel and innovative research in terahertz technology for sensing and satellite communications. The overall goal of the program is to explore terahertz technologies for higher bandwidth communications and sensing for satellite systems and upper atmosphere imagery. More specifically, the objective is the development and demonstration of solid-state terahertz sources and detectors for operation in the range between 0.3 THz to 10 THz, mainly for space-based communications and atmospheric sensing and potentially, short-range terrestrial and airborne communications and near object analysis. Goals are to have all solid-state (a) high detectivity detectors; (b) focal plane detection; (c) high efficiency, high power, directional sources; and (d) fully integrated semiconductor transmitter-receiver sub-systems. Full semiconductor based solutions are sought. Operation limits and compactness for space operations needs to be addressed. Breakthrough approaches are sought in terahertz sources and detectors, which will lead to system demonstrations in potential follow-on programs. A particular successful program would demonstrate the launching and receiving of the terahertz signal. DARPA seeks innovative proposals in the following areas: 1. Terahertz sources, 2. Terahertz detectors, 3. Terahertz imagers, 4. Terahertz transmit/receive links, 5. Physics and limits of operation for terahertz components, and/or 6. Materials and processing for terahertz components. Additional information on these technology areas is provided in the Areas of Interest section of the BAA 99-15 Proposer Information Pamphlet referenced below. PROGRAM SCOPE: Awards totaling approximately $12 million over four years are expected to be made during the first half of calendar year 1999. Multiple awards are anticipated. Collaborative efforts/teaming and cost sharing are encouraged. The technical POCs for this effort are Lt Col Gernot S. Pomrenke, fax: (703) 696-2206, electronic mail: gpomrenke@darpa.mil and Edgar Martinez, fax (703) 696-2206, electronic mail emartinez@darpa.mil. GENERAL INFORMATION: Proposers must obtain a pamphlet entitled "BAA 99-15 Terahertz Technology for Sensing and Satellite Communications, Proposer Information Pamphlet" which provides further information on terahertz technology for space communications and imagery, the submission, evaluation, and funding processes, proposal abstract formats, proposal formats, and other general information. This pamphlet may be obtained from the World Wide Web (WWW) or by fax, electronic mail, or mail request to the administrative contact address given below. Proposals not meeting the format described in the pamphlet may not be reviewed. In order to minimize unnecessary effort in proposal preparation and review, proposers are strongly encouraged to submit proposal abstracts in advance of full proposals. An original and nine (9) copies of the proposal abstract must be submitted to DARPA/ETO, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714 (Attn.: BAA 99-15) on or before 4:00 p.m., local time, Tuesday, 19 January 1999. Proposal abstracts received after this time and date may not be reviewed. Upon review, DARPA will provide written feedback on the likelihood of a full proposal being selected and the time and date for submission of a full proposal. Proposers not submitting proposal abstracts must submit an original nine (9) copies of the full proposal to DARPA/ETO, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714 (Attn.: BAA 99-15) on or before 4:00 p.m., local time, Friday, 26 February 1999, in order to be considered. This notice, in conjunction with the BAA 99-15 Proposer Information Pamphlet, constitutes the total BAA. No additional information is available, nor will a formal RFP or other solicitation regarding this announcement be issued. Requests for the 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 which shall be considered by DARPA. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs) 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 research in terahertz technology. All administrative correspondence and questions on this solicitation, including requests for information on how to submit a proposal abstract or full proposal to this BAA, should be directed to one of the administrative addresses below; e-mail or fax is preferred. DARPA intends to use electronic mail and fax for correspondence regarding BAA 99-15. Proposals and proposal abstracts may not be submitted by fax or e-mail; any so sent will be disregarded. DARPA encourages use of the WWW for retrieving the Proposer Information Pamphlet and any other related information that may subsequently be provided. EVALUATION CRITERIA: Evaluation of proposal abstracts and full proposals will be accomplished through a technical review of each proposal using the following criteria, which are listed in descending order of relative importance: (l) overall scientific and technical merit, (2) potential contribution and relevance to DARPA mission, (3) plans and capability to accomplish technology transition, (4) offeror's capabilities and related experience, and (5) cost realism. Note: cost realism will only be significant in proposals which have significantly under or over-estimated the cost to complete their effort. The administrative addresses for this BAA are: Fax: (703) 351-8616 (Addressed to: DARPA/ETO, BAA 99-15); Electronic Mail: BAA99-15@darpa.mil; Mail: DARPA/ETO, ATTN: BAA 99-15, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714. This announcement and the Proposer Information Pamphlet may be retrieved via the WWW at URL http://www.darpa.mil/ in the solicitations area. Posted 12/14/98 (W-SN279947). (0348)

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