A -- REMOTE OPTICAL IMAGING THROUGH CLOUDS

Notice Date

February 7, 2001

Contracting Office

Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AFRL -- PL "Directed Energy Directorate", 2251 Maxwell Ave, Kirtland AFB, NM, 87117

ZIP Code

87117

Solicitation Number

Reference-Number-F29601-00-C-0240

Point of Contact

Sandra Maes, Contract Specialist, Phone 505 846 4635, Fax 505 853 3398, Email Sandra.Maes@kirtland.af.mil -- David Hooker, Contract Negotiator, Phone 505-846-4626, Fax 505-853-3398, Email David.Hooker@kirtland.af.mil

E-Mail Address

Sandra Maes (Sandra.Maes@kirtland.af.mil)

Description

The Air Force Research Laboratory, Contracting Directorate, on behalf of the Air Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy Directorate/DEBI, Kirtland AFB, NM, intends to award a sole source modification in accordance with FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b)(1) to the University of Washington, contract F29601-00-C-0240, for an on-going effort. The contemplated effort extends the current contract for an additional 12 months. STATEMENT OF WORK: 1.0 OBJECTIVE -- The objective of this task is to identify and evaluate key physics issues, technologies, and concepts that govern imaging through clouds using optical radiation in a remote sensing geometry (i.e., where the sensor and/or target may be a long distance away from the cloud). The emphasis of this task is to identify and evaluate imaging approaches that provide the highest spatial resolution for long range optical imaging. Special emphasis is to be placed on fundamental physics limitations that govern the achievable spatial resolution. 2.0 SCOPE -- The scope of this task includes theoretical analyses of issues involved in remote optical imaging through clouds. Existing computer programs such as those that solve the radiative transport equation and other computer programs may be used and may be further developed under this effort. All types of optical imaging systems can be considered, including those that use lasers for illumination as well as those that use light generated by or ambient reflected by objects to be imaged. 3.0 BACKGROUND -- The Air Force Research Laboratory has made significant contributions to the science and technology necessary to image through atmospheric turbulence over long distances. In addition, AFRL has also made notable contributions to imaging technologies for imaging in turbid media such as human tissue. It is now desired to explore the confluence of these two technologies to image through obscurants such as clouds over long distances. 4.0 TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS -- The contractor shall: (1) Analyze relevant issues for imaging through scattering media using unscattered photons and minimally-scattered photons (so-called snake photons) such as: what are the properties of minimally-scattered photons? can they be used to produce images with much higher resolution than using all the scattered photons? how do a pulse's properties evolve as a function of time (polarization, mean scattering angle, and other relevant properties)? if minimally-scattered photons cause too much blurring compared to the unscattered photons, is it possible to discriminate against them to obtain just the unscattered photons in an imaging system that uses light reflected off of an opaque target that has depth to it? what intensity levels are provided by these photons as a percentage of the total beam energy? how do we discriminate unscattered and minimally-scattered photons from all the rest of the scattered photons? possible methods: heterodyne techniques, nonlinear detection systems, polarization in what ways can time gating be used as a discriminate for detection when the imaging system uses active illumination that is reflected from the target of interest? The end application of the research is to determine the feasibility of overcoming cloud scattering effects for systems whose field-of-views (FOV) are on the order of a few degrees and whose spatial resolutions are on the order of microradians to milliradians. Therefore, the contractor shall concentrate his efforts in this research program to answer questions relevant to these types of systems. (2) Work in concert with the task officer to provide validation of the task officer's computer simulation code that models light propagation through clouds using a Monte-Carlo approach. The contractor shall determine means to accomplish this validation and provide results from its own research to carry out the validation. (3) Work in concert with the task officer to generate realistic simulated imagery showing the blurring effects brought about by clouds with the minimally-scattered photons. The simulated imagery shall include as many physical effects as possible including the increased blurring as a function of time, means of detecting minimally-scattered photons, and others as relevant. (4) Identify and evaluate other relevant issues for imaging through clouds and ascertain their limitations and potentials. Prior to carrying out any evaluations, the contractor shall discuss the identified issues with the task officer. 5.0 SCHEDULE AND DELIVERABLES -- Start work: date of approval; End of technical work: start work + 11 months; Final report: start work + 12 months; 6.0 TASK OFFICER -- Dr. Charles Matson, AFRL/DEBI, (505) 846-2049. OBJECTIVE: A contract modification will be awarded to the University of Washington provided other sources cannot provide the services at more favorable terms. Respondents are required to provide a statement of capability concerning their ability to begin performance immediately upon contract award (approximately 16 Mar 01) to meet program targets and schedules in order for the project office to make a determination that the requirements can be met. Technical effort will take place at the contractor's facility. The statement of capability shall contain specific information addressing the following areas: (1) Experience: An outline of previous projects, specific work previously performed or being performed relevant to the subject effort. (2) Personnel: Name, professional qualifications and specific experience of scientific, engineering and program management personnel who might be assigned to work in areas of the subject effort. (3) Facilities: Availability and description of special facilities required to performing the technical areas under consideration. Statements of capability are limited to fifteen pages including program plan, resumes, attachments, diagrams, etc. Any responses not addressing all requirements will be rejected. Submit statements of capability to Sandra M. Maes, Det 8 AFRL/PKDP (Directorate of Contracting), 2251 Maxwell Ave SE, Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5773, no later than 4:00 p.m. Kirtland AFB local time, fifteen calendar days after the date of publication of this synopsis. The proposed contract action is for services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1). This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, the Government will consider all statements of capability received within fifteen calendar days after the date of publication of this synopsis. The determination of the Government not to compete this proposed contract action based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Foreign owned firms are advised to contact the Contracting Officer or Project Manager before submitting a proposal to determine whether there are restrictions on receiving an award. Firms responding are to indicate whether they are or are not a small business, a small disadvantaged business, a HUBZone small business concern, a woman-owned business, a historically black college or university, a minority institution, an 8 (a) firm, an intra-government organization, a large business, or an educational/nonprofit organization. To be considered a Small Business, the following applies: NAICS code 541710, Size Standard 500 employees. An Ombudsman has been appointed to hear concerns from offerors or potential offerors primarily during the proposal development phase of this acquisition. The purpose of the Ombudsman is not to diminish the authority of the Program Director or the Contracting Officer but to communicate contractor concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations to the appropriate government personnel for this procurement effort. Before contacting the Ombudsman, potential offerors should first communicate with the contract specialist. In those instances where offerors cannot obtain resolution from the contract specialist or contracting officer, they are invited to contact the Ombudsman at the Air Force Research Laboratory: Mr. Eugene DeWall, Director of Contracting, Det 8 AFRL/PK, (505) 846-4979, 2251 Maxwell Ave SE, Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5773. When requested, the Ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The Ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals or in the source selection process. Please direct any questions about this synopsis to Sandra M. Maes at (505) 846-4635 or e-mail sandra.maes@kirtland.af.mil. See Numbered Notes 25 and 26.

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Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010209/ASOL009.HTM (D-038 SN50D0B3)