Education and Employment for Technology Excellence in Aviation, Missiles and Space Grants for Colleges and Universities Consolidated Grant Announceme

FEDBIZOPPS: FBO DAILY ISSUE OF JANUARY 31,2002 FBO#0060

SOL DASG60-02-2001

DUE 012903

POC Belinda Williams, (256) 955-3440 POP US Army Space and Missile Defense Command, Deputy Commander ATTN SMDC-CM-CT, P.O. Box 1500 Huntsville AL
35807-3801 US

(1) The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC), U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) have identified strong common technical interests that can best be advanced through consolidated grants to colleges and universities having exceptional expertise in or understanding of one or more of the technical areas as they relate to the missions of these agencies. Proposals submitted should include new ideas and advanced and innovative concepts for current and emerging principles.

The technology proposal categories are:

A. Advanced Propulsion and Hypersonic Systems: NASA’s MSFC has the lead role for defining and developing future generation reusable launch vehicles as part of the Integrated Space Transportation Program (ISTP). MSFC is currently prioritizing technologies for investments in making second, third and fourth generation space vehicles safer, more reliable and less expensive. In addition to earth-to-orbit and on-orbit propulsion, MSFC is also looking for in-space propulsion that may not contain solid or liquid propellants as we currently know them. SMDC is responsible for development of defense against missiles that may carry weapons of mass destruction. Current ballistic missile defense interceptors use kinetic energy in the form of missile-to-missile body impact at supersonic velocities as the destruction mechanism. Interceptors require a variety of hypersonic and propulsion technologies in a missile that must be extremely fast, agile, accurate and affordable. AMCOM has two very important mission areas in fixed/rotary wing aircraft and tactical missiles. Both areas require special forms of propulsion and hypersonic technology and both are very important to the ongoing transformation of the Army. Several of AMC OM’s aviation and missile systems will be part of the transformation objective force. Aviation platforms require advanced turbo-machinery propulsion for heavier lift, better reliability and lower life-cycle costs. Tactical missiles such as the Common Missile and the Compact Kinetic Energy Missile may require smokeless insensitive propellants, smaller and lighter packaging envelopes, and in some cases, hypersonic velocities to achieve desired lethality.

Potential research areas for Advanced Propulsion and Hypersonic Systems are: 1. Advanced Materials and Innovative Structures 2. Combustion Devices 3. Turbomachinery 4. High Speed Turbines 5. Aerothermodynamics 6. Jet Interactions 7. Advanced Propellants 8. Solid/Hybrid Propulsion 9. Scramjets 10. Electric Propulsion 11. Propellantless Propulsion 12. Biosensors 13. Electromagnetic 14. High Energy Systems 15. Innovative Concepts and Systems

B. Robotics: MSFC, as NASA’s lead center for the ISTP will explore the possibilities of robotics for several applications to gain safer, higher reliability and lower cost access to space and on-orbit or space exploration operations. Areas of interest will include auto mated extravehicular activities, autonomous maneuver control and space docking operation, advanced manufacturing techniques for exotic materials, and automated on-orbit satellite replenishment and servicing systems. SMDC, as the lead organization for the Army’s role in space and missile defense will share some of the applications of robotics with NASA in that on-orbit satellite rendezvous, maneuvering, docking and servicing will be required for future space assets. Also, future missile defense will need lower cost logistical footprints and maintenance costs, part of which may be addressed by use of robotics handlers, loaders launchers and diagnostic devices. Another area of interest will be the application of some robotics-related technologies for next generation low-cost miniature ballistic missile and cruise missile interceptors. AMCOM will have an interest in future Army robotics capabilities. These include a host of leap-ahead technologies in autonomous/cooperative decision making for and threat target recognition, autonomous secure perimeter surveillance and reporting and routine maintenance and ability to accomplish routine inspection tasks like missile handlers, loaders and launcher resupply will also be of interest to reduce battlefield logistics timelines and costs.

The potential areas of robotics research include: 1. Autonomous Decision Making 2. Perception 3. Man-Robot Interfaces 4. World Modeling and Representation 5. Cooperative Behaviors 6. Visual Signal Processing 7. Scene Understanding / Pattern Recognition 8. Innovative Communications 9. Coupled Spacecraft Control 10. Innovative Sensor Schemes 11. Miniaturization of Robotics Parts 12. Miniature Inspection Robots 13. Other Applicable Systems Technologies

C. Novel Power/Energy Sources: MSFC will be seeking novel power/energy sources to support third and fourth generation reusable launch vehicles and novel ways of powering space exploration platforms and probes (e.g. the Pluto/Kuiper Belt Rendezvous mission). Ultra-efficiency solar cells and thermal energy collectors will power onboard devices and perhaps augment in-space propulsion systems. There will also be a need for compact electromechanical/electrostatic/electromagnetic stores such as ultra-capacitors. SMDC and AMCOM both have needs for novel on-board-missile power/energy sources. Lighter, more efficient, lower cost devices and longer shelf life are key issues with all missiles. Novel power sources may also power autonomous robots or unmanned aerial or ground vehicles in the future battlefield. Future military space operations of SMDC may call for energy/power sources for applications similar in scope to those of NASA. Miniaturized interceptors could likewise take advantage of technological advance in this area of research.

Potential research areas for novel power/energy sources include: 1. Solar Energy 2. Storage/Conversion Concepts 3. Reactive Chemicals/Compounds 4. Harvesting Surplus Human Energy 5. Compact Electrochemical/Electrostatic/Electromagnetic Stores 6. Non-thermal Batteries/Thermal Batteries 7. Cold Fusion

D. Broad Spectrum Vision Sensors MSFC had long been a developer and user of multi-spectrum sensors for the great observatories like Chandra and the Hubble Space Telescope. These sensors have been used for optical alignment and calibration as well as astronomical observations of the universe. Broad spectrum visions sensors refers to the simultaneous real-time imaging of events or phenomena in multi-spectral regimes. In addition to observations of the universe such sensors might be used in non-invasive or non-destructive evaluation of flight components for satellite docking and servicing, or for passively or actively imaging distant objects for purposes of tracking, classification and recognition. SMDC has many multi-spectral sensor applications ranging in complexity from exo-atmospheric discrimination of real ballistic missile reentry vehicles from penetration aids, to over-the-horizon cruise missile detection against a highly cluttered background. Broad spectrum vision sensors which can image a target, might be used onboard a missile interceptor, or as part of an observation, acquisition, tracking and target discriminating sensor package platform that is ground-based, airborne, or space-based. AMCOM uses many forms of multi-spectral sensors in helicopter and fixed wing battlefield reconnaissance and surveillance systems, missile targeting using semi-active target designation, passive visible and imaging infrared sensors onboard missiles, and in automatic target recognition, classification and aimpoint selection. Broad-spectrum imaging sensors could make maximum use of the radiation phenomenology that is the most prevalent to obtain the highest contrast picture of potential targets for each of these applications, thus avoiding friendly targets while recognizing and classifying unfriendly targets.

Potential areas for broad-spectrum vision sensors are: 1. Lightweight, Compact IR and RF Seekers 2. Conformal Multispectral Seeker Radomes 3. Real-Time Processing of Hyperspectral Data 4. Object Recognition 5. Sensor Aperture Sharing Techniques 6. Imaging Infrared (I2R) Sensors 7. Multi-Spectral Computer-Aided Tomography 8. Automated Target Recognition

(2) Pursuant to 32 CFR Sec. 22.315 and Sec. 22.320, this announcement is open only to eligible U.S. colleges and universities.

(3) The proposal shall not exceed 10 pages (8? x 11 single-spaced), in English text. Pitch requirements are 12 pitch with 1 inch left, right, and bottom margin and 1?-inch top margin. The proposal may be submitted in electronic format as MS Word for Windows document for the text and MS Excel for Windows for cost information. The first page of the proposal must be an executive summary of the proposed technical and management approaches and must identify the technology category and research area(s) under which it is being submitted. The proposal shall include full discussion of the scope, nature, objectives of the proposed research effort, rationale for the technical approach and methodology, expected results and any state-of-the-art technology advancements. The proposal should discuss the offeror’s capabilities and qualifications including discussion of key personnel, relevant offeror experience and adequacy of offeror’s facilities and instrumentation. The proposal should discuss the potential contribution of the proposed research to the SMDC, AMCOM and/or MSFC missions. The offeror should provide the necessary scheduling and planning documentation that fully describes the proposed program, which should include the offeror’s approach for controlling expenditures and labor hours. All proprietary material should be clearly marked.

(4) Multiple grant awards are anticipated. Proposals may be considered for funding for a period of up to 12 months. Issuance of this Announcement does not obligate the Government to pay any proposal preparation costs or to award any grants. Offerors will be initially notified approximately 8 weeks after government receipt of the proposals. The government reserves the right to select for award any, all, part, or none of the proposals received, subject to availability of funding.

(5) EVALUATION FACTORS: Selection of proposal(s) for award will be based on an assessment of those which are most advantageous to the assistance program and availability of funds. The principal elements (of approximately equal weight) to be considered in the evaluation are relevance to SMDC/AMCOM/MSFC missions, intrinsic merit, and cost. A. Relevance and potential relationship of the proposed research to the SMDC/AMCOM/MSFC missions. More weight will be given to proposals that address common technical areas. B. Evaluation of intrinsic merit includes the consideration of the following factors of equal importance: 1. Overall scientific or technical merit of the proposal or unique and innovative methods, approaches, or concepts demonstrated by the proposal. 2. Offeror’s capabilities, related experience, facilities, techniques, or unique combinations of these, which are integral factors for achieving the proposal objectives. 3. The qualifications, capabilities, and experience of the proposed principal investigator, team leader, or key personnel critical in achieving the proposal objectives. C. Evaluation of the cost of a proposed effort includes the realism and reasonableness of the proposed cost and available funds.

(6) This announcement will remain open through close of business 29 January 2003 and consist of four evaluation periods. In order for proposals to be considered for award in the first evaluation period, they must be submitted by 4:00 pm CST on 29 February 2002. Only proposals addressing the categories noted above will be accepted. Proposals accepted will be evaluated approximately every 3 months and awards made, subject to availability of funds. Meritorious proposals that do not receive awards will be given consideration during subsequent evaluation periods

(7) For planning purposes, grants are expected to be awarded ranging in value from $100,000 to $200,000 with a period of performance not to exceed 12 months.

(8) Title and frequency of reports: Quarterly R&D Status Report – This report shall keep the Government informed of Grantee activity and progress toward accomplishment of Grant objectives and advancement in state-of-the-art on the research and development involved. Final Technical Report – This report, due upon completion of the Grant, shall document the results of the complete effort. (9) Point of contact: Belinda Williams at the U. S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, Contracting and Acquisition Management Office, ATTN: SMDC-CM-CT, PO Box 1500, Huntsville, AL 35807-3801 or at telephone (256) 955-3440 or fax (256) 955-42 40, E-mail belinda.williams@smdc.army.mil WEB: Army Single Face to Industry http://acquisition.army.mil

Posted 01/29/02 (fbodaily.com SN00020172). (0029)