20220831 BAA ITC IPAC Atch 6 SOO.pdf

BAA FA5209-22-S-0001

Attachment 6

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES

18 APR 2022

1. INTRODUCTION

The International Technology Center Indo-Pacific and Air Force 374CONS are seeking fundamental research proposals in the engineering, physical, life, and information sciences with the goal to Operationalize Science for Transformational Overmatch. The research sought generally align with (but are not limited to) eleven Foundational Research Competencies: Biological and Biotechnology Sciences (BBS); Electromagnetic Spectrum Sciences (EMSS); Energy Sciences (ES); Humans in Complex Systems (HCxS); Mechanical Sciences (MS); Military Information Sciences (MIS); Network, Cyber and Computational Sciences (NC&CS); Photonics, Electronics, and Quantum Sciences (PE&QS); Sciences of Extreme Materials (SEM);

Terminal Effects (TE); and Weapons Sciences (WS). These competencies are structured to create discovery, innovation, and transition of technologies for transformational overmatch. Proposals are sought from institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, foreign organizations, foreign public entities, and for-profit organizations (i.e., large and small businesses) for scientific research in mechanical sciences, mathematical sciences, electronics, computing science, physics, chemistry, life sciences, materials science, network science, and environmental sciences among others. Proposals are expected to be for cutting-edge innovative research that could produce discoveries that would have a significant impact on enabling new and improved operational capabilities and related technologies. The specific research areas and topics of interest described in this document should be viewed as suggestive, rather than limiting.

2. FOUNDATIONAL RESEARCH COMPETENCIES

CORE COMPETENCY CORE COMPETENCY DESCRIPTION

Bio Synthesis for Precision Materials

Research related to producing hierarchical and hybrid materials using synthetic biology and biotechnology for acceleration of the discovery-to-product timeline.

Control in Military Environments

Research related to understanding and controlling living materials in military environments w ith an emphasis on speed of functional effect synchronized to operational timeframes.

Incapacitating Effects

Multi-disciplinary research into novel mechanisms that modulate cognition and physiology of Soldiers. Fundamental understanding and controlled manipulation of the structure-property-function of brain components for development of performance enhancing technologies.

Synthetic Biology Tools

Multidisciplinary research related to understanding, controlling, and testing biological constructs and modifications for the creation of new functionality in materials, devices, or subsystems w ithin military environments and specialty applications.

EW

Research related to new methods and concepts for electronic attack, electronic protection, and electronic w arfare support through integration of concepts, underpinning hardw are, and algorithm development.

RF Technology Research related to the development, modeling, and characterization of RF sensor components, sensor concepts, antenna design, and RF phenomenology.

Battery Science Research related to electrochemical energy storage technologies; design, development, characterization and analysis of battery materials and interfaces; and hybrid pow er systems technology.

Directed Energy Research related to materials, optics understanding, and atmospheric transmission effects for the delivery of and protection from highly focused energy.

Expeditionary Pow er Research related to emerging and disruptive technologies in energy materials, compact pow er subsystems, alternative energy sources, energy scavenging, and long-lived pow er ideas.

Pow er Integration and Architecture

Research related to pow er control, generation, distribution, conditioning, conversion, and thermal management.

Bi-Directional Human- System Communication

Research underpinning effective and efficient real-time multimodal communication betw een Soldiers and systems.

Estimating and Predicting Humans in Complex Systems

Research to develop novel approaches to sense, interpret and predict human state changes across time scales to enable effective and eff icient technology adaptation and inference of operational environment context.

Human-Guided System Adaptation

Research underpinning novel approaches for Soldiers to effectively and efficiently guide the adaptation of intelligent technologies to create new or upgraded human-system capabilities.

Human-System Team Interactions

Research underpinning an understanding of dynamic team interactions and leveraging emergent team properties to enhance human-system team performance.

Hybrid Human-Technology Intelligence

Anti-disciplinary research aimed at uncovering foundational hybrid approaches to enhance human-system teams in multi-domain operations.

Neuroscience and Neurotechnologies

Research to harness the pow er of the human nervous system to enable neuroscientif ic principles to maximize Soldier performance and to drive the understanding and development of novel computational approaches necessary for creating future intelligent systems.

Platform Design and Control

Basic and applied research to establish interdisciplinary scientif ic foundations to enable maneuverable, adaptive, tactical platforms through advances in theoretical mechanics, machine-enabled and conceptual design, and non-classical mechanical systems and actuators.

Vehicle Propulsion Sciences

Fundamental research to understand and exploit energy conversion and pow er transfer mechanisms to enable extended reach, endurance, and readiness of Army platforms.

Humans in Complex Systems (HCxS) multi-disciplinary non-medical approaches to understand and modify the potential of humans situated in and interacting within complex social, technological, and socio-technical systems

Mechanical Sciences (MS) science of novel mechanics, mechanisms and control to enable manned/unmanned ground and air vehicle concepts

Energy Sciences (ES) science of mechanical and electrical power generation, storage, conditioning and distribution; and energy conversion; and emerging concepts for lasers, DE, DE protection and propagation

COMPETENCY

Biological and Biotechnology Sciences

(BBS)

biological related disciplines, including synthetic biology, biological materials, biolological / abiological interfaces and biological effect

Electromagnetic Spectrum Sciences (EMSS) novel approaches to sensing and operating across the entire electromagnetic (EM) environment; counter-sensing across the EM spectrum;

protection from EM effects;

emerging concepts for RF, radars, and EW

CORE COMPETENCY CORE COMPETENCY DESCRIPTION

Artif icial Reasoning for Intent and Discourse

Theories, methods, algorithms and experimental approaches to enable computer systems, autonomous physical systems, and humans to reason about available data and interactions betw een those entities; to understand the intent and meaning of the communicated information; and to conduct discourse over time w here communications depend on history of previous interactions and situational conditions.

C-4 for Multi Domain Operations

Theories, methods, algorithms and experimental approaches to enable distributed teams of humans and intelligent agents (softw are and robotics) to integrate a broad range of dynamic, complex, and disparate information arriving from the multi-domain battlespace; comprehend situational implications;

generate and recommend effective decisions; and monitor/assess decisional effects.

Complex Behaviors for Ground Autonomy

Theories, methods, algorithms and experimental approaches to enable ground autonomous systems to coordinate, collaborate and execute goal-driven and tactically appropriate behaviors and activities that comprise multiple actions in complex ground environments.

Comprehensive Spatiotemporal Scene Understanding

Theories, methods, algorithms, sensors and experimental approaches to enable intelligent systems to understand the content, meaning and implications of complex situations and events unfolding in physical environments over space and time; and to identify and label mission-relevant elements of the observed scene and actions performed w ithin the scene.

Data Science Enablers

Theories, methods, processes, algorithms, framew orks and experimental approaches to identify, characterize, extract and integrate entities, patterns, relations, insights and ultimately know ledge from collections of diverse types of structured and unstructured data.

Heterogeneous Characterization & Sensing of Atmospheric State & Constituents

Methods, algorithms and empirical approaches that couple diverse sensing modalities w ith new theories of near-surface atmospheric processes and predictive models to understand the physical environment and enable Warfighters and intelligent systems to tactically exploit environmental impacts.

Low SWAP ML and graph neural netw orks (GNN)

Theories, methods, processes, algorithms, and experimental approaches to create machine learning models that acquire ability to perform complex tasks by self-modifying from experience w ithout being explicitly programmed. Of particular emphasis are low size w eight and pow er (SWaP) enabled methods and algorithms suitable for tactical edge operations; and often use graphs and netw orks that function by passing messages betw een the nodes and storing information w ithin links and nodes.

Robotics and Physical Autonomy

Fundamental research tow ard embodied systems capable of executing tasks in complex environments through the use of artif icial intelligence and machine learning.

Cyber-defense/Cyber-security

Theories, models, optimized algorithms, experimentation for prevention, detection, mitigation, monitoring, and prediction of adversarial activities and their impacts w ithin cyber space; development of cyber deception and counter-deception strategies to provide resilience and defenses against adaptive and sophisticated adversaries. Scope includes traditional enterprise level and tactical information netw orks as w ell as non- traditional netw orks such as communication buses found on vehicle platforms.

Interactions of Earth Terrain w ith EM Communications

Theories, experimental studies, and models to characterize the combined effects of the EM propagation channel, multipath, dif fraction, ground impedance, terrain, vegetation, infrastructure and meteorological inf luences on the source signature . Full-w ave and other modeling tools to characterize effects at local and urban scale, resulting in high-f idelity models informing netw orking protocols.

Netw ork Structure, Dynamics & Protocols

Theories, methods, algorithms, and experimental approaches to enable resilient communications in complex and contested environments via novel communication modalities, multi-layer adaptive protocols for robust information delivery (including storage, computing, and communications), emerging quantum netw orks, interpretable and adversarial machine learning to enable autonomous control of heterogeneous netw ork structures and dynamics for resilience to adversarial attacks.

Novel Computing Architecture

Theories, models, analyses and development of advanced and unconventional computing architectures and algorithms optimized to run on such systems and application-specif ic computing architectures, including lightw eight, non-von- Neumann and other emerging architectures, distributed/decentralized communication and energy-efficient computing, and scalable computing.

Predictive Computational Modeling of Complex Physical Systems

Development of mathematical algorithms, deterministic and stochastic models, multi-scale methods and uncertainty quantif ication to simulate complex, physical systems for the purpose of understanding variability, predicting system evolution w ith quantif ied confidence, and enabling exploitation of those predictions in both high-performance and limited-compute settings.

Network, Cyber and Computational Sciences

(NC&CS)

sciences to enable and ensure secure resilient communication networks for distributed analytics in multi-domain operations

Military Information Sciences (MIS) underpinning sciences, physical autonomy and enablers required to provide timely, mission-aware information to humans and systems at speed and scale for all-domain and coalition operations

COMPETENCY

CORE COMPETENCY CORE COMPETENCY DESCRIPTION

Advanced Electronics

Research related to electronic, photonic, and electro-optical materials, devices, circuits, and subsystems w hose functionality is derived from electron transport, rectif ication, amplif ication, storage, and interaction w ith solid-state, gases, vacuum, and energy including underpinning theory, design, modeling, fabrication, characterization and analysis.

Integrated Photonics

Research related to materials development, device design, and processes necessary to achieve extremely complex optical processing in highly integrated and compact low -pow er form factors, capable of high bandw idth signal processing of optical and traditional electronic functions modulated to optical frequencies.

Quantum Components and Technologies

Research related to exploiting nonintuitive aspects of quantum mechanics in atoms, materials, and nanophotonics for advancements in sensors (e.g.

magnetic, gravimetric, and RF), precision timekeeping, communications, and information processing.

Sensing

Research related to sensor physics, non-traditional sensing, processes and analysis of sensor design, multi- modal sensing integration, sensor/environment modeling and experimentation, sensor netw orks, and insertion of sensors onto platforms.

Advanced Manufacturing Sciences

Fundamental understanding and process development of modular, on-demand and by design, material and shape agonistic manufacturing. Manufacturing from the “bottom up” w here a structure can be built into its designed shape to create capabilities for unique military needs.

Functional Materials Discovery of multifunctional materials w ith tailored properties or properties that change in a controlled fashion by external stimuli (temperature, electric/magnetic f ield, etc.).

High Strain Rate Materials Response

Characterizing the strain-rate sensitive deformation and failure of materials under ballistic and blast loading.

Materials and Data Science

Discovery and application of materials via the merging of materials science, computational science, and information science w ithin an integrated design framew ork. Exploitation of these specif ic opportunities to accelerate materials design and deployment.

Mechanics of Materials Fundamental understanding of solid objects subjected to stress and strain used to predict the response of structures to various types of loading, and to analyze the vulnerability of these structures to various failure modes.

Novel Synthetic Molecular Systems

Design and discovery of stable structure and synthetic routes of designer molecules to be employed for the novel and eff icient production of military relevant chemicals, fuels and materials.

Structural and Ballistic Materials Synthesis, Processing, and Characterization

Exploration and evaluation of fundamental properties for design and creation of defense critical materials to mitigate ballistic (high-temperature, high-rate, impact and blast) loading.

Armor Mechanisms and Countermeasure

Discovery and advancement of techniques to minimize or eliminate lethal effects at minimum space, w eight and pow er.

Mechanisms for Human Injury and Protection

Quantitative understanding of the mechanics and physics that effect human structure and function; fundamental understanding of human injury to high-intensity loading (ballistic, blast, electro-magnetic f ield). The exploitation of this understanding to protect or degrade soldier function.

Mechanisms for Lethal Target Interactions

Discovery and advancement of w eapon/target interactions to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of munitions to provide lethal overmatch across all calibers and platforms.

Terminal Effects Mechanics, Modeling and Simulation

Quantitative understanding of structural and material response due to ballistic, blast and highly energetic events. High-fidelity experimentation closely coupled to development and validation of theory, algorithms and computational techniques that enable the reduction of this understanding to technology concepts for protection and lethality.

Aerodynamics and Control Understanding the dynamic interaction of solid bodies w ith air. Optimization of interactions to control motion of projectiles and aerial systems.

Discovery, Synthesis, and Formulation of Energetic Materials

Propose, create and validate ingredients that can undergo rapid release of energy on demand. Formulation of novel energetic materials to optimize performance, manufacturing processes, and stability for explosive and propellant applications.

Guidance and Navigation of Weapon Systems

Guidance, Navigation, and Control algorithms, electronics, and design of gun launched and/or missile guidance systems. This includes the evaluation of new sensing modalities (Inertial, Magnetic, GNSS, Vision, etc.) to improve the performance of navigation and terminal homing accuracy for w eapons systems in challenged or degraded spaces.

Gun and Rocket Propulsion

Explore the art-of-the-possible to substantially increase range and velocity w hile radically reducing w eight and form factor of future w eapon systems (all calibers) and armaments for next generation manned or unmanned (small-to-large air and ground) platforms.

Modeling, Simulation, and Experimental Characterization of Energetics

Deliver exploitable know ledge through the creation and application of physics-based theoretical models to design advanced energetic materials for increased lethality and extended range munitions and to predict their performance in system concepts.

Photonics, Electronics, and Quantum Sciences

(PE&QS)

materials (and related manufacturing methods) and devices intended for achieving photonic, electronic, and quantum-based effects

Sciences of Extreme Materials (SEM) materials and related manufacturing methods focusing on mechanical response and performance extremes, including active, adaptive, and flexible/soft materials; novel manufacturing science for energetic materials

Terminal Effects (TE) sciences and applied research of weapon target interactions

Weapons Sciences (WS) internal, transitional and external ballistics; launch, flight, control and navigation of guided weapons and aerial systems; development of novel weapon concepts

COMPETENCY

3. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

Each award will have an anticipated PoP to be between 6 to 60 months.

4. DELIVERABLES

To be determined per award. See list of CDRLs attached to BAA.

5. SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

5.1. Operations Security (OPSEC)

The contractor shall participate in all activities associated with the disciplines of the organization’s Industrial Security, Information Security, Personnel Security, Operations Security (OPSEC), and Antiterrorism programs, following appropriate measures in each program as required for this particular contract. Security measures are required to reduce program vulnerability from successful adversary collection, exploitation of critical information, and violations of export control requirements. The prime contractor shall ensure all subcontractors, if applicable, conform to these requirements as required by the prime contractor.

5.2. Program Protection Plan (PPP) Requirements

Any potential critical program information (CPI) generated as part of this effort will be reviewed todetermine the need for a PPP or to be included as part of an existing PPP.

6. GENERAL INFORMATION/OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

6.1. Contractor Employees

Personnel shall meet or exceed the following requirement: Contractor shall not hire employees of the United States Government and/or employees otherwise under contract for service to the United States Government if employing such persons would create a conflict of interest, or appearance of a conflict of interest as determined by the contractor. Contractor shall not employ any person who is an employee of DoD, unless such person seeks and receives approval according to DODR 5500.7, Standards of Conduct.