N00173-24-R-RJ02_RFI SOW_Attachment No. 1.pdf

RFI NUMBER: N00173-24-R-RJ02

ATTACHMENT NO. 1

Statement of Work

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Remote Sensing Division, NRL Code 7200, has an active program of research in the remote sensing, modeling, and scientific analysis of the Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, land surfaces, and of space (astronomy and space domain awareness). The Division designs, tests, and operates ground-based, space-based, air-based, and surface and subsurface sensors, and develops new remote sensing capabilities and methods of analyzing data.

Current projects include: spectral imaging for the remote sensing of coastal water and of land surfaces; passive polarimetric microwave sensing of the ocean surface (WindSat, APMIR, and follow-on sensors); passive near ultraviolet (NUV), visible and near infrared (VIS/NIR) and passive microwave/millimeter-wave sensing of the atmosphere; synthetic aperture radar (SAR); bistatic radar and reflectometry; radio, IR and optical astronomy and space domain awareness (NPOI, VLITE, and DLITE); remote sensing and modeling of Earth’s ionosphere, magnetosphere, and the solar corona; passive sensing of direct and diffuse near-surface sunlight; laboratory and field studies of hydrosols, aerosols, foam and bubbles; underwater and through water/air interface imaging; autonomous ground, underwater, surface and airborne platforms; and artificial intelligence and machine learning applications to remote sensing. The Division performs modeling, field and laboratory experiments, calibrates and validates sensors, carries out feasibility studies, designs instruments, experiments and algorithms, and performs simulations and scientific analyses.

The Contractor shall provide on/off-site multi-disciplinary scientific, technical and engineering services to support these activities. This may include extended detailing to national facilities operating Government developed remote sensing systems operating in parallel to normal operations.

2.0 SCOPE

The purpose of this Statement of Work (SOW) is to acquire scientific and engineering R&D expertise to support the Remote Sensing Division’s (RSD) development and application of new and existing techniques for remote sensing (including astronomy and space domain awareness). Tasks may include: concept design and feasibility studies;

design, assembly and testing of components, equipment and instrumentation; laboratory, in-field or in-flight (in-air or in-space) maintenance, calibration, validation and operation of ground-based and deployed systems and facilities; analysis of engineering and scientific data; and the development and use of algorithms for analyzing the data. The Contractor shall provide on/off-site multi-disciplinary scientific, technical, operational, engineering expertise and procurement support to these activities.

3.0 REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall provide technical, operational and scientific expertise within the scope of this SOW. Task deliverables will consist of scientific and engineering technical reports, any hardware that is fabricated or purchased under this SOW, scientific and engineering algorithms and software that is developed or purchased under this SOW, and documentation and data as defined by the Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) of the base contract. The tasks shall involve activities both on-site (at either NRL DC or other NRL sites) and off-site, and may require extensive travel. In some cases extended detailing at National facilities operating Government developed remote sensing systems may be required.

The government will provide facilities, and will also consider the use of contractor provided facilities, either owned or procured for this contract, when needed, for field or laboratory experiments, and for assembling, testing, calibrating, and using hardware developed or purchased under this SOW. Facilities may also include government developed systems installed at National facilities operating Government developed systems.

The Contractor shall perform work assignments and provide all necessary personnel to accomplish the work described below.

3.1 General Requirements

The contractor shall perform and document analyses and studies to support the development of new or improved techniques of remote sensing, and shall develop and operate the associated algorithms, databases and equipment for laboratory and field use, including the operation and maintenance of facilities. The studies may include feasibility studies, design studies for equipment or experiments, trade studies, simulations, and analyses of data. The contractor shall conduct research into new and emerging technologies and shall produce reports documenting their features and applicability to ongoing NRL programs. The contractor shall participate in the development and production of proposals for new programs of opportunity that may include special study and research programs in remote sensing.

The contractor shall participate in laboratory and field experiments and operations, maintain databases of results, and support the relevant user communities. The latter activity shall include providing logistical support for NRL-sponsored technical meetings associated with the contractor’s technical tasks. The contractor shall assist in the assembly and configuring and/or calibration of equipment for laboratory and field use.

(In the context of this SOW, “field use” includes ground-based, airborne, in-water, and in-space operation.)

Most of the work will be unclassified, with portions requiring clearance up to TS/SCI level.

Some work will be subject to ITAR or have proprietary restrictions. In the latter case, the contractor will be required to execute a non-disclosure agreement.

The contractor may subcontract or use a consultant for a portion of the efforts defined within this SOW, to obtain specialized expertise. The contractor shall obtain the concurrence of the COR before subcontracting or using a consultant for any effort defined within this SOW.

The contractor shall provide management oversight to deliver the science and engineering expertise and products described herein. The contractor shall provide the logistics, procurement resources, and facilities necessary to purchase, control, and report on the equipment, materials, supplies, and software required for the performance of the efforts defined herein.

To accomplish the work, the contractor shall have (i) office space and meeting facilities within the Washington, DC locale; (ii) document duplication and facsimile transmission resources; (iii) graphic and documentation reproduction resources; and (iv) internet connectivity. Contractor personnel shall have the capability to interact with NRL’s technical and management staff on a daily basis.

Because the successful performance of this SOW requires close coordination, meetings, and interaction with NRL, other Government, military, academic, and private sector organizations, the contractor shall establish the appropriate non-disclosure agreements as needed to ensure acceptable interface support.

The tasks may result in scientific and/or technical publications. All publications resulting from these tasks, as well as presentations to entities other than NRL shall be approved for released through the NRL publication release process. Documentation generated by the contractor and/or its subcontractors (e.g., notebooks, reports, memoranda, presentation materials, technical papers, software simulations, and analytical models) that are not submitted as a contract data deliverable shall be made available to NRL upon COR request.

Any designs, technical data files and software generated in the course of this activity shall be delivered to the Government in computer readable form upon request, and shall not be considered proprietary. Upon request, numerical data shall be provided in a form that can be read by programs written in FORTRAN, C, C++, MATLAB, IDL, Python, or other suitable software packages. The contractor shall deliver documentation on electronic media, and, when required, also in hard copy form.

The contractor shall provide for the creation of illustrations, drawings, and other graphic material required by the activities covered by this SOW, proposals, or technical presentations.

The contractor shall compose technical summaries and reports of surveys, investigations, or fact-finding efforts for tasks performed under this SOW.

The contractor shall describe documents or information reviewed or referenced;

organizations contacted; efforts undertaken; key progress and accomplishments, problems, or findings; and appropriate recommendations, conclusions, and action items.

The contractor shall provide personnel and material resources to support System Requirement Reviews (SRRs), Preliminary Design Reviews (PDRs), Critical Design Reviews (CDRs), Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs), and other technical reviews, and also support presentations at general scientific and engineering conferences. The contractor shall present technical results and other conclusions at these meetings. The contractor shall also participate in periodic and informal working group meetings and discussions held at the direction of NRL.

At the request of the COR, tasks may be divided into sub-tasks, to simplify tracking expenditures from distinct sources of funding, or for technical reasons.

3.2 Specific Tasks

Specific tasking shall depend on programmatic need and on the availability of funding.

Some tasks will have fallow periods. The following list of tasks is indicative of the types of tasks that should be expected.

3.2.1 Task 1— Passive Microwave Remote Sensing

This task pertains to the space-based, airborne, ship and ground-based passive remote sensing of microwave radiation.

The Remote Sensing Division is currently involved in analysis of data from spaceborne sensors such as AMSR-2 and VIIRS, and the development, testing and transitioning of algorithms utilizing this data. Further work involves the development of algorithms for and calibration of other space borne microwave radiometers such as the DoD Weather System Follow-on Microwave sensor (WSF-M) and the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-2 (AMSR2). There is significant interest in all aspects of passive radar, from theory through development of hardware, and collection and analysis of data.

Significant efforts are ongoing into developing algorithms to improve the Navy’s understanding of the Cryosphere, for such products as sea ice concentration, snow cover, and others.

Over oceans, WSF-M will measure ocean surface vector winds, sea surface temperature, sea ice concentration, precipitable water vapor, cloud liquid water, and sea ice concentration. Over land, WSF-M will measure soil moisture, vegetation water content, and snow water equivalent.

NRL also develops smaller microwave and millimeter wave radiometers for ground, tower, and airborne deployment. These systems are used for scientific experimentation and as technical pathfinders.

The Contractor shall develop, maintain, and (where appropriate) run operations software algorithms to process data from the sensors, and scientific data processing algorithms.

The contractor shall develop, operate and maintain software for the calibration and validation of space-based and airborne instruments for the passive polarimetric microwave remote sensing of the ocean, land surface and atmosphere, including – but not restricted to

– the space-based WSF-M, and the airborne and ground-based experiments.

The Contractor shall be responsible for developing, implementing and maintaining strict configuration management for the evolving software and algorithms, for performing routine processing of the WindSat and other data, and for making results available to NRL's government collaborators and to the contractors supporting other Navy, DoD, and other government organizations.

In particular, for WSF-M this activity includes, as appropriate, development and maintenance of software to decode the raw telemetry; development of software to associate geolocation and time with radiometry, software to convert raw radiometric signals to antenna temperatures, and software to compute Faraday rotation. This activity also includes maintenance and further development of software to correct the antenna temperatures to brightness temperatures, to collocate the brightness temperatures, and to reduce them to common resolutions; continued development, validation and documentation of the ocean wind vector retrievals; development, validation and documentation of land and ice retrieval algorithms; software integration, configuration management and in-house data processing activities; and modeling and scientific analysis of the data, including ocean wave, foam and bubble processes that affect the measured signals.

The Contractor shall perform mechanical, RF, electronic, and software design and development of instruments and support equipment for ground-based, airborne, and space-based passive remote microwave sensors.

The Contractor shall perform engineering tasks to test, calibrate, and integrate passive microwave remote sensors and their associated support equipment for installation in host vehicle/platforms.

The contractor shall provide procurement of equipment, materials, as well as logistical support for the execution of existing experiments and the deployment of new instruments.

Typical elements include cryogenic components, compressors, vacuum pumps with related equipment and supplies, mechanical components, batteries, electronic and RF components, detectors, computers and related components.

3.2.2 Task 2 – Synthetic Aperture Radar

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (INSAR) techniques are being used to measure radar backscatter from the ocean surface and from land scenes. The radars are mounted on both ground-based, space borne and airborne platforms.

The contractor shall develop, maintain the radar system component, including hardware and software, and apply algorithms to analyze SAR and INSAR data, and shall develop and evaluate contractor- and NRL-generated candidates for improved and new capabilities for SAR and INSAR.

The contractor shall provide procurement of commercial data and logistical support.

3.2.3 Task 3 – Radar and Reflectometry

The Remote Sensing Division occasionally conducts field experiments involving ground and airborne radar systems. These experiments include monostatic and bistatic radars, as well as passive bistatic systems that utilize signals of opportunity as transmitters.

The contractor shall assist in the preparation, setup, and operation of the relevant sensors and ground-truth instruments.

The contractor shall analyze data from radar and reflectometry experiments.

The contractor shall provide procurement and logistical support.

It is expected that these tasks will be episodic and not exceed three months per year.

3.2.4 Task 4 – Ground Platforms

The contractor shall provide technical, engineering, analytical, and program management support services, which includes but is not limited to the following.

The contractor shall provide technical services to the government project officer as needed to support the management and execution of research projects related to military ground platforms.

The contractor shall provide technical support and expertise to the government project officer in the areas of mobility, drivetrain and suspension, power and energy, and manned/unmanned teaming/robotics. Emphasis is on advanced mobility of wheeled and tracked ground systems that operate across the challenging terrain environments.

The contractor shall provide technical support to the government project officer by assisting with technical planning and review of performer’s progress; overseeing model-scale to full-scale tests; reviewing and analyzing test data; budget development and oversight; briefing development; transition agreement development and implementation;

and communication with the S&T and R&D communities.

3.2.5 Task 5 – Spectral Imaging

The Remote Sensing Division designs, builds, and operates a suite of spectral imaging sensors spanning the wavelength range including UltraViolet, Visible, Near Infrared, Short-Wave Infrared and thermal. The instruments vary from full-frame broadband imagers to fully hyperspectral sensors with ~100 contiguous wavelength bands. These instruments are used in aircraft to cover large areas, and on the ground or on the water, to collect ground-truth measurements and other ancillary data, and in the laboratory for stand-alone programs or calibration. The Division has operated a space-based VNIR hyperspectral system, and plans to do so again. The Division is also developing lightweight sensors to be used on UAV’s.

The contractor shall design, develop, run and maintain computer programs to operate these sensors and to analyze the resulting data.

The contractor shall assist in the preparation (calibration and characterization) and operation of individual experiments using these sensors, and assist in the distribution of data approved for release.

The contractor shall design, develop, validate, and run algorithms to process data from ground-, air- and space-based visible/infrared sensors such as but not limited to, NASA’s MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) and VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer System).

The contractor shall provide procurement and logistical support.

3.2.6 Task 6 – Aerosol and Cloud Processes

NRL is developing and applying improved methods for the remote sensing of aerosols and clouds from surface, airborne, and space borne platforms.

The Contractor shall test, improve and extend computer models of marine aerosols and clouds, and of radiative transfer in hazy atmospheres.

The Contractor shall design, assemble and install special-purpose equipment needed for experiments.

The contractor shall perform laboratory and field measurements to obtain remote sensing and in situ aerosol and cloud data for comparing with the models.

The Contractor shall perform laboratory and field measurements of aerosol and cloud processes and of the effects of aerosols and clouds on natural and artificial optical radiation.

The field measurements shall include surface measurements of sky radiance and direct solar irradiance.

The Contractor shall develop models and perform process studies to develop and evaluate algorithms for the space-based instruments with sensors from visible to microwave, including VIIRS, WSF-M and others.

The contractor shall provide procurement and logistical support.

3.2 7 Task 7 – Upper Atmospheric Processes and Remote Sensing

NRL is developing improved and new techniques of remotely sensing the upper troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, the thermosphere, and the ionosphere, and the scientific study of those regions using data from new and existing instruments. Topics of current interest include the distribution of ozone, water vapor, NO2, and aerosols, volcanic plumes, and the lofting of forest fire smoke into the stratosphere and its subsequent transport, atmospheric radiative transfer, atmospheric photochemistry and fluid dynamics, atmospheric data assimilation, and the use of upper atmospheric data to aid weather forecasting. Also of interest is the assimilation of ionospheric measurements and modeling/forecasts of the ionosphere. New instruments of current interest include the GLO (Gas filter correlation radiometer Limb Occultation) sensor and the GLOTemp sensor which focuses on high altitude temperatures.

The contractor shall develop and apply software for evaluating proposed new techniques, shall develop and apply algorithms for processing and analyzing data, and for modeling and simulating instruments and atmospheric processes, and for calibrating and validating new instruments. Where appropriate, the contractor shall participate in measurement campaigns.

The Contractor shall perform optical, electronic, mechanical, and software design and development of instruments and support equipment for ground-based, airborne, and space-based optical and infrared remote sensing of the atmosphere.

The Contractor shall perform engineering tasks to test, calibrate and integrate visible and IR remote sensors and their associated support equipment for installation in host vehicle/platforms, including satellite platforms.

The Contractor shall perform calibration and analysis on data from airborne and space-based visible and infrared sensors designed to measure upper atmosphere constituents.

The Contractor shall perform calibration and analysis on data from ground-based microwave and millimeter wave spectrometers designed to measure upper atmosphere constituents.

The Contractor shall develop and apply software for evaluating atmospheric data assimilation techniques and for performing atmospheric and ionospheric forecasts.

The Contractor shall acquire equipment required in support of the continuation of existing ground-based microwave measurements, and the deployment of new instruments. Typical elements include cryogenic components, compressors, spectrometers, and motors.

3.2.8 Task 8 – Radio Astronomy and Space Science

NRL is one of the leading organizations worldwide in extending radio astronomy to lower frequencies, where non-thermal emissions become more dominant than at higher frequencies. Radio astronomy at low frequencies will provide essential data on active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and their jets of relativistic electrons interacting with magnetic fields, and on how those jets influence their host galaxies and host clusters of galaxies.

Data at low frequencies will provide new information on the super-massive black hole (SMBH) at the center of our own Galaxy. It will provide data on the cosmological Dark Ages and the subsequent Epoch of Reionization, H-II regions in general, pulsars, sources of transient radio emission, plasma irregularities along various lines of sight in the Milky Way, solar and interplanetary radio bursts (and therefore space weather), planetary radio emissions, and the Earth’s ionosphere. Radio astronomy at low frequencies is as yet poorly developed because it is especially difficult. Ionospheric effects become large, and place a floor on the usable frequencies. At low frequencies radio frequency interference becomes severe. NRL is developing methods of coping with both of these difficulties and to utilize radio astronomical observations as probes of ionospheric structure.

The contractor shall develop techniques and algorithms to advance the state of the art of ground-based, lunar-based and space-based interferometric radio astronomy and ionospheric remote sensing at low frequencies, as well as higher frequencies commonly used in radio astronomy. This task includes design activities, hardware development, simulations, and analyses of potential scientific applications.

The contractor shall participate in building, installing and testing prototype versions of antennas, “tiles”, and related hardware at multiple sites, including that of the Long Wavelength Array (LWA), near Socorro, NM and NRL’s site at Pomonkey, MD, among others. This is a part-time activity, estimated to last up to three months per year.

The contractor shall analyze data from the LWA and from existing interferometric arrays (such as Very Large Array - VLA, Very Large Baseline Array – VLBA and others) on AGN, clusters of galaxies, and other types of sources of radio emission listed in the previous paragraphs. These analyses will frequently require complementary data at other wavelengths, which may require proposing observations from other ground based (optical and radio) and space-based observatories such as Chandra (X-rays), HST (optical) and JWST (IR), and processing and analyzing the resulting data. The contractor shall also analyze data from smaller scale deployable systems (the Deployable Low-band Ionosphere and Transient Experiment (DLITE)) on ionospheric disturbances and irregularities.

The contractor shall support NRL’s VLA Low Frequency Ionosphere and Transient Experiment (VLITE) on the VLA. This includes supporting the VLITE ionospheric data reduction pipeline, as well as related astronomy and transient pipelines. It also includes expanding and improving VLITE capabilities through the development of improved software and hardware infrastructure.

The contractor shall be responsible for processing data from VLITE, DLITE, LWA and other instruments, from its original state to higher level products. The contractor shall also be responsible for using this data to provide instrument quality control and assurance products. This is a part-time activity that can be performed mostly from a remote site and may not exceed three months per year.

The contractor shall provide procurement of equipment, materials, as well as logistical support for the execution of existing experiments and the deployment of new instruments.

Typical elements include computers and related equipment, antennas and related equipment, integrated circuit boards, electronic components and detectors.

3.2.9 Task 9 – IR Astronomy

NRL is active in obtaining and analyzing ground-based, airborne and space-based Infrared (IR) data on astronomical sources. In particular, NRL played a significant role in the optical design of the Herschel space telescope, and is also developing innovative imaging hardware and filters for IR astronomy and space domain awareness applications, using metamaterials, micro electrical machines (MEMs) and lithography. In Galactic IR astronomy, NRL studies planet-forming disks and young stars. In extra-galactic IR astronomy NRL studies star-forming galaxies, interacting galaxies, and AGN and SMBH, with emphasis on applications to Precision Navigation and Timing Applications.

The contractor shall participate in obtaining and analyzing IR data on Galactic and extragalactic astronomical sources, including the types of sources named above, and shall correlate that data with data at other wavelengths.

The contractor shall participate in the design, testing and deployment of innovative imaging hardware and optical components for IR astronomy, and provide support in the procurement of equipment, materials and logistical support.

3.2.10 Task 10 – Interferometric Optical Astronomy, and Astrometry

NRL is one of the leading organizations worldwide in developing interferometric astronomical imaging at optical and infrared wavelengths. Together with the Naval Observatory, NRL develops and operates the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer (NPOI), near Flagstaff, AZ. This instrument, as well as other single telescopes located at the NPOI site, are used for the development of advanced imaging and astrometry techniques, dedicated to improve the Navy capabilities in the areas of precision navigation and timing (PNT). Currently NRL is also developing a densified pupil hypertelescope for imaging geostationary satellites (Amon Hen/ODIN interferometer), fulfilling DoD needs in the area of space domain awareness (SDA).

Interferometric imaging allows large improvements in angular resolution, but is challenging because sub-wavelength mechanical tolerances become more difficult to satisfy when the wavelength becomes small, and also because a sparsely populated unfilled-aperture array collects only a small fraction of the light falling upon the terrain occupied by the array.

The contractor shall provide up to 3 full-time, dedicated, qualified personnel (observers) to operate the NPOI and other telescopes on a nightly basis, under technical supervision of NRL. This shall include the preparation of the instrument for observations, the operation of the instrumentation during the night, closing the facility in the morning and performing all system configuration changes.

The contractor shall provide a facilities manager, responsible for overseeing and performing daily activities at the site. The facilities manager shall be responsible for the performance of regular maintenance of the NPOI, including the upkeeping of the site grounds (13 acres) buildings and array infrastructure, including maintenance of the extensive temperature control, vacuum and nitrogren purge systems, snow removal, suppression of fire hazards, equipment installation and maintenance, cleaning and alignment of high-precision optics.

The contractor shall provide assistance with IT services. This shall include site connectivity, IT security, computer upgrades, data transfer and storage. This is a part-time activity that can be performed mostly from a remote site and may not exceed three months per year.

The contractor shall also provide a part-time on-site electronics technician to handle routine, daily troubleshooting and repair of site electronics, including signal wiring, control paddles, and basic repairs to pc-boards as needed to assist in keeping the NPOI ready for nightly operations.

The contractor shall participate in the development of techniques and algorithms to advance the state of the art of interferometric astronomical imaging at optical and infrared wavelengths. Participation includes design activities, simulations, and analyses of potential scientific applications. These activities shall include the design and execution of observational campaigns and the analysis and interpretation of the data obtained with these observations and archival data. The contractor shall also correlate data obtained with these observations with complementary data at other wavelengths, such as radio, IR and X-ray wavelengths.

The contractor shall assist in designing, developing, installing, testing and operating optical, mechanical and electronic hardware improvements to the NPOI. These are part-time activities, estimated to last three to six months per year.

The contractor shall be responsible for processing data from the NPOI and other instruments at the site, from its original state to higher level products. The contractor shall also be responsible for using these data to provide instrument quality control and assurance products. This is a part-time activity that can be performed from a remote site and may not exceed three months per year.

The contractor shall provide procurement of equipment, materials, as well as logistical support for the execution of existing experiments and the deployment of new instruments in facilities and experiments supported by NRL. Typical elements include internet connectivity, cryogenic components, compressors, vacuum pumps with related equipment and supplies, mechanical components, batteries, electrical and electronic components, lasers, optical mounts, optical components and equipment, detectors, computers, liquid nitrogen and CO2, propane, cleaning products and supplies.

3.2.11 Task 11 – Underwater and through water-air interface detection and imaging

NRL is one of the leading organizations for imaging through turbulent media with extensive experience in the area of atmospheric turbulence correction vertically (e.g.

astronomical observations) and horizontally (e.g. laser beam propagation) by the utilization and development of novel techniques in adaptive/active optics. NRL also has expertise in developing systems and novel optical components for detection and imaging related to tactical applications and the extension of these methods to the underwater and through water-air interfaces. Adaptive/active and novel optical elements (such as fluidic, polymer, flat optical elements, deformable mirrors/lenses) as well as new techniques and applications of state of the art polarimetric, fast framing, low-light and high dynamic range sensors (such as image intensified cameras, event-based sensors, etc.) is at the core of NRL research.

The contractor shall participate in the design and development of systems or components for imaging and detection for underwater and through water-air interface. This includes support during testing systems/components as well as during data collection campaigns.

The contractor shall also provide support on the theoretical modeling, algorithm development as well as data collection and analysis for such research areas. One of these specific areas is the development of custom algorithms for event-based sensors that can be implemented and improved through ongoing research.

The contractor shall also provide modeling, fabrication and testing support on the development of novel optical elements that support the imaging and detection tasks.

The contractor shall provide programming support written in C, C++, Matlab, Python or optical design software such as Zemax/Lumerical upon request.

The contractor shall provide procurement of equipment, materials, as well as logistical support. Typical elements include cryogenic components, compressors, vacuum pumps, mechanical components, electronic components, lasers, optical mounts, optical components and equipment, detectors, computers and related equipment, as well as laboratory equipment.

3.2.12 Task 12 – Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence

NRL is involved in cutting edge research and development related to the application of evolving machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) methodologies fused with remote sensing data to unburden warfighters during critical missions.

The contractor shall make available, on either a full or part time basis, personnel possessing, or willing to efficiently acquire, knowledge and experience related to machine learning and/or artificial intelligence systems and software. Extensive experience with the C/C++ and Python programming languages and associated ML/AI extensions is desirable, along with the ability to configure and utilize the Docker virtualization platform. A background in embedded control hardware and interface electronics is desirable, but not required.

The contractor shall provide expertise, algorithms, and technical assistance to NRL ML/AI teams conducting research and development activities in this field. Deliverables shall include software and analysis products developed either independently, or as part of a focused team.

The contractor shall provide procurement and logistical support. Typical elements include computers and related equipment.

3.2.13 Task 13 – General RF and Electronics Development

NRL is involved in a wide array of research and development activities dedicated to advancing the technological advantage of the Navy and other U.S. military components.

As part of this effort, we produce a diverse array of prototypes and fielded systems to support the modern warfighter.

The contractor shall make available, on either a full or part time basis, personnel possessing, or willing to efficiently acquire, knowledge and experience in electronics design techniques related to the development of scientific instrumentation and military hardware systems. A background in embedded control hardware and interface electronics is desirable, but not required.

The contractor shall provide procurement and logistical support. Typical components include computers, integrated circuit boards, electronic components, detectors and laboratory equipment.

3.2.14 Task 14 – Autonomous Operations

NRL is a leading research institution developing the means of fielding sensors on autonomous platforms, such as underwater and surface vessels and airborne platforms.

The contractor shall participate in the development of techniques, algorithms, and software architectures, such as the Remote Operating System (ROS) to advance the state of the art of collecting scientific environmental information using sensors integrated into autonomous platforms. Participation includes design activities, simulations, and analyses of potential scientific applications.

The contractor shall assist in installing, testing and operating improved software and hardware on existing autonomous platforms. This is a part-time activity, estimated to last three-six months per year.

The contractor shall analyze data from sensors deployed on autonomous platforms in order to evaluate data quality and management and validate data corrected for platform motion.

The contractor shall provide procurement and logistical support.

4.0 CONTRACT DELIVERABLES

The Contractor shall provide deliverables in accordance with Exhibit A, DD1423, Contract Data Requirements List. All documents shall be delivered in electronic form, but, when requested by NRL, documents to be distributed at program reviews shall also be provided in hardcopy form, in sufficient quantity for distribution to the attendees.

5.0 SECURITY

Most of the work will be unclassified, with some portions pertaining to specific tasks raising to the level of Secret and up to Top Secret/SCI. Some work will be subject to ITAR or have proprietary restrictions. In the latter case, the contractor will be required to execute a non-disclosure agreement.

The contractor may subcontract or use a consultant for a portion of the efforts defined within this SOW, to obtain specialized expertise. The contractor shall obtain the concurrence of the COR and NRL Security before subcontracting or using a consultant for any effort defined within this SOW.

Contractor personnel assigned to this contract who require Top Secret access must have a favorably adjudicated DoD Tier 5 investigation; a final Top Secret security clearance prior to submission. Contractor personnel, who require access to Secret information, must have a favorably completed Tier 3 investigation and a final Secret clearance prior to submission.

Contractors issued a DoD interim secret security clearance may ONLY work on unclassified tasks as outlined in the SOW. Unclassified IA or IT positions are NOT authorized with a DoD issued interim secret clearance.

Contract Facility Security Officers (FSOs), and/or NRL CORs, are required to report immediately to Code 1230 any derogatory information regarding a contractor holding an interim Secret clearance, either on- or off-site. FSOs and NRL CORs shall also notify Code 1230 when a contractor’s interim or final clearance has been declined or revoked.

For Contractors working on unclassified task orders and performing at the locations listed in block 8, a favorably completed suitability determination and a submitted T3 investigation is required prior to the start of work. Individual installation access restrictions may apply.

All contractors (including subcontractors) identified in the Statement of Work shall supplement their current security practices by requiring any personnel involved in executing the contract to complete Operations Security (OPSEC) training via DCSA through their CDSE site: https://securityawareness.usalearning.gov/opsec/index.htm; and follow any OPSEC guidance that may pertain to the project.