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

A -- PHOTONIC WAVELENGTH AND SPATIAL SIGNAL PROCESSING (PHOTONIC WASSP) SOL 99-32 DUE 111899 POC Dr. Elias Towe, DARPA/MTO, FAX (703) 696-2206 WEB: http://www.darpa.mil/, http://www.darpa.mil/. E-MAIL: baa99-32@darpa.mil, baa99-32@darpa.mil. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting proposals for technical research in the area of Photonic Wavelength and spatial signal processing (Photonic Wassp). Sensing, adaptation, and recognition are central to the way many living organisms perceive their environment. Humans, more than any other living things, have been successful at extending their range of sensory perception by technological innovations that allow them to sense and perceive where nature has not endowed them with the ability to do so. One of the most fundamental ways to extend the human capability for sensing and perception is to utilize light (photons). There are many military and commercial applications that can benefit from further innovations in the use of light for sensing and imaging. Among these are spectroscopic sensing for species identification and, imaging for target identification and recognition. The limitations of current techniques in sensing and spectral imaging are that they tend to generate large data sets that take an inordinate amount of time to process and digest. While these systems may be appropriate for some strategic applications, they are not generally suitable for immediate tactical needs. The objective of the Photonic Wassp program is to develop innovative optoelectronic device and module technologies that will allow the dynamic manipulation of both the spectral and spatial attributes of light for adaptive sensing, image pre-processing, and pattern recognition. Proposed research should investigate innovative approaches that enable revolutionary advances in science, devices, or systems. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements in existing state of practice. This program aims to demonstrate the integration of the devices into large arrays that can be assembled and heterogeneously packaged into modules/subsystems for use in signal processing systems. A major feature of the program will be to demonstrate that the functionality of the desired modules/subsystems is derived by the simultaneous manipulation of both the wavelength and spatial attributes of light. This is a fundamental shift from traditional applications of optics in this arena where the emphasis has usually been on one or the other of the two attributes of light, at a time. Additional information on the technology areas of interest is provided in the Areas of Interest section of BAA 99-32 Proposer Information Pamphlet referenced below. PROGRAM SCOPE: There are two specific application arenas of interest. The first is the detection, identification, and classification of chemical/biological agents whose spectral signatures fall in the band between 350 nm and 18 m. The second arena is (passive and active) spectral imaging for identification and recognition of targets and objects that are otherwise obscured from viewing by conventional methods. To support the development of such systems, research in the following areas is required: (1) integrated micro-optical elements (modules) for beam forming, focussing, and spectral filtering; (2) photon detector arrays covering the spectral band from 350 nm to 18 m; (3) advanced semiconductor light sources in the infrared spectral region from 3 to 18 m, and from 450 nm and below; (4) hardware-embedded algorithms for inclusion in (analog/digital) electronic interfaces to the sensing and imaging modules; and (5) proof-of-concept demonstrations where the components developed above are integrated into modules and subsystems to demonstrate the simultaneous use of the spectral and spatial attributes of light in adaptive sensing and imaging. While truly innovative individual investigator efforts will be supported in all these areas, teaming of system/subsystem developers and integrators, component developers, and researchers (e.g., university and industrial researchers) is strongly encouraged to ensure that both technologically innovative and manufacturable designs that meet appropriate system specifications are pursued. Members of proposed teams should have experience and expertise in active and passive optoelectronic component development, special purpose analog and digital signal processing chipsets, micro-optical elements (modules), and other relevant experience and expertise. Offerors should be capable of demonstrating applications of the Photonic Wassp technologies in military and commercial sensing and spectral imaging systems. The program scope does not include field insertion, but rather, a concept demonstration. Awards totaling approximately $35 million over four years are expected to be made during the first quarter of calendar year 2000. Multiple awards are anticipated. Collaborative efforts/teaming and cost sharing are strongly encouraged. The technical POC for this effort is Dr. Elias Towe, fax: (703) 696-2206, electronic mail: etowe@darpa.mil. GENERAL INFORMATION: Proposers must obtain a pamphlet entitled "BAA 99-32, Photonic Wavelength and spatial signal processing (Photonic Wassp), Proposer Information Pamphlet" which provides further information on areas of interest, 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/MTO, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714 (Attn.: BAA 99-32) on or before 4:00 p.m., local time, Tuesday, September 7, 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 and nine (9) copies of the full proposal to DARPA/MTO, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714 (Attn.: BAA 99-32) on or before 4:00 p.m., local time, Thursday, November 18, 1999, in order to be considered. This notice, in conjunction with the BAA 99-32 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 Photonic Wassp. 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 99-32. 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/MTO, BAA 99-32), Electronic Mail: BAA99-32@darpa.mil, Mail: DARPA/MTO, ATTN: BAA 99-32, 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 07/23/99 (W-SN358446). (0204)

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