A -- 2001ST BAA 01 -- (PART 4 OF 5)

Notice Date

June 27, 2001

Contracting Office

Commercial Acquisition Department, Bldg 11, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport, Code 59, Simonpietri Dr., Newport, RI 02841-1708

ZIP Code

02841-1708

Solicitation Number

BAA 01-01

Response Due

June 30, 2002

Point of Contact

G. Palmer, Contract Negotiator at (401) 832-1645; FAX (401) 832-4820

E-Mail Address

Gerald Palmer, Contract Negotiator (palmerge@npt.nuwc.navy.mil)

Description

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (PART 4 OF 5) TORPEDO DEFENSE (MODELING AND SIMULATION) Acoustic and magnetic properties within various surface ship wakes. Acoustic and magnetic surface reverberation. Acoustic and magnetic multiscatter effect within various wakes. High-speed torpedo operation at shallow depths within various wakes. Models addressing operation in a shallow water environment (propagation loss, multiple bottom types, performance prediction tools, etc.). Models and concepts addressing Terminal Defense issues, fuze influence technologies, and advanced countermeasure operations and tactics. Low-cost, modular, portable stimulators for on-board training. COUNTERMEASURES TECHNOLOGY Technology supporting mobile and stationary surface and submarine launched jammers and countermeasures (CMs) capable of operating in layered defense scenarios and in open ocean and/or littoral environments. Improved countermeasure systems, transmit waveforms, beam patterns, sound pressure levels, endurance, in-situ design, and classification smart adaptive processing, mobility, fuze influence technologies, and acoustic communication links. Passive/active signal processing techniques for countermeasure application especially the following technologies: wavelet theory, time frequency distributions, full spectrum processing, transients, digital signal processing, parameter/feature extraction, neural networks, curve fitting routines, clustering algorithms, fuzzy logic, field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), smart adaptive processing, and active signal processing for detection, classification, and localization (DCL). Ocean physics simulation and analysis including: broadband environmental acoustic modeling shallow water; blue water; low, sonar, weapon, high, and very high frequency; wake physics acoustic properties of wakes; nonacoustics, i.e., electromagnetic, laser. Undersea material technology: small expendable high-energy primary batteries metal hydrides, polymer, and lithium ions. Countermeasure (CM) system engineering including packaging, versa module European (VME) extension instrumentation (VXI), simulation based design tools, commonalty, modular, rapid prototyping, and CM device operation in multiple device environment including CM data acquisition systems in support of CM development and testing in laboratory and at sea. Computer-based warfare modeling, simulation, and analysis including synthetic environments, analysis methodologies using advanced processing techniques and integration to NUWCDIVNPT's various simulation bed facilities. To specifically include engagement modeling; a CM test bed providing for CM signal design and assessment, CM logic design, real-time algorithm development, and on-line threat database; High Level Architecture (HLA) Runtime Infrastructures (RTI) to integrate to major weapons analysis facilities; advanced displays; and software development tools to support state-of-the-art CM development. Dual-use (sonar and torpedo) countermeasure that fits in existing launchers. THERMAL AND ELECTRIC PROPULSION (FOR TORPEDO, TARGET, UUV, MOBILE MINE AND COUNTERMEASURE APPLICATIONS) High-energy fuels and oxidants for internal and external combustion engines, hot gas expander engines, and gas turbines for use in torpedoes, targets, mobile mines, and unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs). Emphasis is on propellants and combustion products that have minimal safety restrictions, personnel hazards, and environmental impact as well as low overall system life cycle costs. Battery, semi-fuel cell, and fuel cell technology including a) high rate primary and secondary batteries for high-speed underwater vehicles and b) low rate rechargeable energy systems for long endurance missions in unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). Systems should be energy and power dense, safe, free of environmental impacts throughout the cycle from production to disposal, and have reduced life cycle costs. Rapidly rechargeable secondary systems and smart chargers for high and low rate applications are also desired. Analytical models to perform in-depth optimization analyses on electric propulsion systems, including secondary and primary high energy density battery systems together with permanent magnet, brushless, DC motors. Analytical models to perform in-depth optimization analyses on thermal propulsion systems, including fuels, oxidizers, combustion systems, thermal engines, and heat exchangers. Analytical models to evaluate the transient behavior of aluminum aqueous battery and semi-fuel cell systems applicable to high energy density torpedo and/or UUV applications. Studies and assessments of primary and rechargeable battery systems regarding, but not limited to, the energy and power density, cycle life, affordability, and safety as appropriate to torpedo, target, mobile mine, countermeasure, and UUV systems. Electric motors and controllers for undersea systems including main propulsion, auxiliary thrusters, and other functions. Systems should be compact, lightweight, efficient, low cost throughout their life cycle, and have very low torque ripple and structural vibrations. (The power ranges of interest are 10-40 hp and 100-500+hp.) Affordable propulsion systems for three-inch and six-inch countermeasure devices. Novel propulsion concepts, including hybrid power cycles. This includes systems involving novel fuels/oxidizers as an energy source for efficient energy conversion via both thermal expanders or electrochemical cells. Novel liquid phase fuels for consideration as a source of hydrogen to be considered for low temperature direct oxidation liquid phase-fuel cells. Integrated motor/propulsor combinations, and quiet, efficient flooded motor concepts. Flow of conducting fluids in the presence of strong electric and/or magnetic fields. Effects of electrolytic bubbles, chemical reactions, and electromagnetic forces should be considered either theoretically and/or experimentally. Applications include flow in aqueous battery systems, magnetohydrodynamic propulsion, and electromagnetic flow control. Studies and assessments of propulsion system technology on the performance of tactical scale undersea vehicles (torpedoes, targets, UUVs, and countermeasures). Micro electro magnetic system (MEMS) devices for energy conversion and micro-sensor and controller applications. High-strength, rare earth permanent magnet materials and fabrication processes. Studies and assessments of advanced torpedo, target, mobile mine, and UUV propulsion system production and life cycle costs. Novel high-power (10-50 hp) propulsion concepts for small diameter (< 12") UUVs. MATERIALS Engineered coatings. High surface area per unit volume (nanostructure) materials, and/or synthesis thereof, for consideration as electrode substrates within electrochemical cells. This includes synthesis and application of nano-scale metallic and metal oxide particles. Cost engineering in advanced material manufacturing. High-strength, lightweight, low cost, corrosion resistant, metallic material. High-strength, lightweight, low-cost, flame-resistant, non-metallic materials. High-strength, rare earth permanent magnet materials and fabrication processes. Lightweight, nonferrous, shielding of electromagnetic energy. Low multisignature materials (e.g., radar and infrared low observable materials). Acoustic signature reduction materials including hull, mount and coating technologies, material property measurement and characterization processes and procedures. 1-3 piezo electric composites for high frequency (HF) sonar transmit and receive. Note: See materials requirements listed in other technological areas. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE (CNS) OR OTHER EMERGING/LEAP-AHEAD TECHNOLOGIES THAT OFFER TO DRAMATICALLY ADVANCE SUBMARINE SONAR AND/OR OTHER ADVANCED UNDERWATER SYSTEMS Applications to state-of-the-art underwater Fully Automated Systems Technology (FAST) involving:  Automatic sonar detection, classification and/or localization of diverse acoustic sources.  Autonomous guidance and control.  Autonomous perception, data fusion, analysis and decision-making.  Adaptive reasoning. Applications from on-going research in:  Biologically-based visual and auditory systems.  Architectures involving autonomous agents.  Improved computational models based on biologically accurate neurons.  Sub-neuronal computations.  Network of network computing.  Information transfer to/from human using multiple senses for input to human and multiple methods of human input to system (five senses for input; voice, feet, hands, eyes, etc. for input to system). BIOEFFECTS Basic and applied research on the biochemical and physiological effects of underwater sound and other environmental stressors on the organ systems of humans and undersea mammals. Development of safe exposure guidelines and damage risk criteria for exposure to water-borne sound below one MHz. Mathematical modeling of the mechanisms responsible for the physical effects of exposure to sound or other environmental stressors. Mathematical modeling and development of methods for characterizing sound fields in hyperbaric chambers, tanks, pools, small lakes, and other confined environments. Mathematical modeling and development of methods of simulating or producing sound fields with open-water characteristics in confined environments. Development of physiological and psychological monitoring and performance tests for humans and other organisms to evaluate the effects of exposure to underwater sound. Development and evaluation of techniques and equipment for protection from underwater sound or other environmental stressors. Medical diagnosis and treatment procedures for sound-related injuries. Development of underwater sound measurement techniques, methods, and equipment. AUDITION AND COMMUNICATION Develop virtual reality 3D display with voice recognition/voice command module. Develop tactical awareness module/virtual reality 3D display with voice recognition. Model human operator's tactical strategies and embed in 3D display system. Physical and psychophysical modeling of spatial hearing for use in binaural and virtual-reality displays. Psychophysical measurement and modeling of auditory performance with auditory displays for simulations or under conditions of multiple sensor inputs and high workloads. Design and evaluation of auditory signal-attenuating headsets and communications systems. Assessment of speech communication and voice recognition. Assessment of applicability of otoacoustic emissions for use in hearing conservation programs. Assessment of hearing risk and auditory performance in diving environments. Assessment of auditory and nonauditory effects of noise. Design and assessment of passive and active noise reduction technologies; design and evaluation of automated information systems for reduced shipboard manning. Design and evaluation of auditory signal enhancement algorithms and auditory interface techniques; development of auditory models of detection and classification; design and evaluation of noise reducing medical equipment (stethoscopes, etc.); development and testing of underwater sound measurement. GRANTS AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS Included in the policies and procedures stated herein for BAA 01-01 and in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2371, 31 U.S.C. 6304, and 31 U.S.C. 6305, the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport will entertain proposals for grants and other transactions. For proposals for grants and other transactions, the certifications in Appendix A and B of the DOD Grants and Agreements Regulations (DoDGARs) apply. These certifications are available on the computer internet or may be obtained from the Contracting Office. All grant awards require certifications of compliance with national policy mandates. Statutes and Government-wide regulations require some certifications to be submitted at the time of proposal rather than at the time of award. These certifications are set forth at Appendix A to 32 CFR Part 25 regarding debarment, suspension, and other matters; Appendix C to 32 CFR 25 regarding drug-free workplace; and Appendix A to 32 CFR 28 regarding lobbying. Proposers are to incorporate these certifications by exact reference to the CFR, as cited above. The proposal must include the following: "By signing and submitting the proposal, the proposer is providing the: (1) Certification at Appendix A to 32 CFR Part 25 regarding debarment, suspension, and other responsibility matters; (2) Certification at Appendix C to 32 CFR Part 25 regarding drug-free workplace requirements; and (3) Certification at Appendix A to 32 CFR Part 28 regarding lobbying." The proposal must be signed and dated by an authorized official of the organization. The proposer should also include the applicant organization's taxpayer identification number (TIN). (PART 4 OF 5)

Web Link

Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport (http://www.npt.nuwc.navy.mil/contract/)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010629/ASOL012.HTM (W-178 SN50Q299)