Notice of Interest concerning the release of a Broad AgencyAnnouncement (BAA)

Notice of InterestDE-AR52-09NA29249

February 18, 2009

This Notice of Interest concerning the release of a Broad Agency
Announcement
(BAA) to solicit research and development (R&D) regarding Nuclear Explosion

Monitoring Research and Development (NEM R&D) is issued in accordance with
10
CFR Part 600 and 48 CFR Part 35.016. Offerors should not submit a proposal
in
response to this Notice of Interest, but may submit a proposal after
release of
the solicitation.

The United States Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the Department
of
Energys National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) are strong
advocates
for the small business community and interested small businesses, small
business-lead teams, and joint ventures that qualify as small businesses
are
especially encouraged to submit proposals under this BAA.

Description: AFRL and NNSA will jointly solicit proposals for R&D to
improve
national capabilities to detect, locate, and identify nuclear explosions.
It
is anticipated that this planned solicitation will be released on or about
March 18, 2009 and close on or about May 7, 2009 seeking proposals with a
period of performance of 1-3 years with awards starting in fiscal year (FY)

2010. Research products developed under this planned solicitation shall
support Air Force requirements for improving the nuclear explosion
monitoring
capabilities.

The objective of this planned solicitation is to enhance U.S. capabilities
in
nuclear explosion monitoring primarily with ground-based systems. This will
be
achieved through advances in the state-of-the-art for nuclear explosion
monitoring, basic and applied research that enhances understanding of the
underlying phenomena, developing new methods of tackling monitoring
problems,
or developing new data for use in nuclear explosion monitoring. Field
experiments may be proposed.

Individual proposals should be directed to only one of the topic sub-areas
described below, but the Offeror may submit proposals in more than one
topic
sub-area. All topic sub-areas are of importance. However, depending on
the
proposals received and programmatic needs, funding may not be distributed
evenly among the topic sub-areas.

Research is being sought in the following topic areas:

TOPIC 1: Radionuclide Studies
TOPIC 2: Regional Seismic Studies
TOPIC 3: Seismic Phenomenology
TOPIC 4: Seismic Methods in 3-D
TOPIC 5: Infrasound Studies
TOPIC 6: Hydroacoustic Studies

Topic 1: Radionuclide Studies
1a. Xenon Measuring Instrument. Proposals are sought for the development
of
compact instrumentation for the quantification of stable xenon as part of a

radioactive xenon monitoring instrument with the objective of determining
the
total amount of stable xenon in a mixed gaseous sample (xenon in nitrogen)
from
independent measures of pressure, temperature and mole fraction of xenon in

order to calculate the stable volume (standard ccs). This measurement is
challenging due to the low pressures (1-100 torr) expected during the
quantification, placing constraints on the binary gas analysis technique
therefore it is expected that new gas sensing technologies will be
developed
under this project.
The combined relative uncertainty (random and systematic) in the reported
volume should be less than 1%. The technology should be robust, field
deployable and not require regular calibration (6 months between
calibration
checks). The anticipated quantity of xenon available for the measurement
is
0.25 cm3 (standard temperature and pressure). The amount of nitrogen is
anticipated to be in the range of 0.25 0.75 cm3 (STP). A desired outcome

from this work would be a compact instrument or technique usable for both
laboratory and automated and unattended field measurements.
1b. Elimination of Radioxenon Memory Effect. Proposals are sought for the
development of detectors, materials and/or components that can be used for
beta-gamma coincident spectrometry gas cells, such as used in the Automated

Radioxenon Sampler-Analyzer (ARSA), that exhibits very low or no
appreciable
memory effect for radioxenon samples in contact with the detector surfaces
for
>24 hrs. A useful detection system will be rugged enough for field use, and
be
possible to obtain in quantity. The materials used in a beta-gamma gas
cell
should allow high detection efficiency at low energy (~30 keV) x-rays and
betas
up to 1 MeV, and also allow for high resolution (
conversion electrons in the range of 100-200 keV.
1c. Portable Xenon Calibration Sources. Proposals are sought for portable
equipment that can be used to produce low activity level, calibrated
radioactive gaseous xenon calibration sources. These sources should be
compatible with commercial low level radioactive xenon detection systems
and
therefore concentrations in the range of 1-10 Bq per sample of radioactive
xenon is the desired range. This research must also address a technique to

verify that the calibrated xenon sources are reproducible to significantly
better than 10% accuracy. Successful proposals will address the production
of
isotopes such as 133mXe and 135Xe, as well as the more common 133Xe.
Production of these xenon isotopes singly and in combinations are desired,
while minimizing the contamination of 133Xe and 131mXe in the samples.
1d. Xenon Sources and Background. Proposals are sought for the study of
source
terms for Xe producing natural, medical, industrial, military and nuclear
processes, the fate and transport of the Xe released and the regional
backgrounds that might be encountered.

Topic 2: Regional Seismic Studies
2a. Velocity Models. Proposals are sought that develop advanced models of
the
Earths velocity structure with predictive capability, especially in
aseismic
regions and in Eurasia. Of particular interest are: new techniques of
determining 3-D, spatially variable velocity models; techniques for
building
models by fitting multiple datasets, especially of different types of data;

techniques to estimate the uncertainty in geophysical models and assess the

tradeoffs between different parameters of the models, as well as the
uncertainty in predicted observables, such as travel times; studies that
compare different methods to show their strengths and weaknesses; and
models
that can predict seismic amplitudes as well as travel times. Consideration
should be given to issues relating to integration of models into
operational
use, such as supplying metadata, including the data used to derive and test
the
model, how the model is represented, resolution and reliability at the
boundary
of the model. Priority will be given to studies of Eurasia. The influence
of
laterally-varying 2-D, 2.5-D, and 3-D structures, including 3-D scattering,
on
the stability of propagation of Pn, Pg, Sn, and Lg phases and how these
phases
propagate to local (less than 200 km) and regional distances (less than
2,000
km) are of interest.
2b. Attenuation Models. Proposals are sought to develop local and regional
attenuation models, with emphasis on their ability to match observed
amplitudes
of Pn, Pg, Sn, and Lg phases, their codas, and surface waves. Proposals to
develop new methods for measuring attenuation, to estimate uncertainty in
attenuation models, and to develop models that fit multiple datasets (e.g.
body
wave and surface wave amplitudes), are of interest.
2c. Location and Discrimination Ground Truth. For seismic location
calibration,
collection of ground truth at a GT5 level (absolute location and depth
errors
less than 5 kilometers) or better, including dedicated explosions, is
sought
for events of magnitude 2.5 and larger. Research on new methods of
acquiring
location ground truth will be accepted under this topic. Studies that
generate
new discrimination ground truth events, along with source geometry and
other
characterizing information, are sought. Waveform data, both the data used
to
define ground truth and any other data generated by the event, are desired.

Calibration of regional coda magnitude is of interest.

Topic 3: Seismic Phenomenology
3a. Seismic Energy Generation. Proposals are sought that complement
existing
efforts to understand how seismic energy is generated from a range of
sources
(explosions, earthquakes, mine collapses, and other modes of rock failure),
and
how energy is partitioned between P, S, and surface waves. Experiments to
improve physical understanding of the generation and initial propagation of

these wave types are of interest. Improved explosion source models, both
empirical and theoretical, which can predict observed P, S, and surface
wave
amplitudes over a wide range of frequencies are sought. New methods of
estimating the yield of fully coupled explosions, how emplacement
conditions
affect the observations, and the effect of multiple simultaneous and
near-simultaneous explosions, are of interest. Proposals for theoretical
and
observational investigations will be accepted under this topic.
3b. Local and Regional Monitoring and Discrimination. Proposals are sought
that
would produce new understanding of the properties of small seismic events
and
their seismic waveforms at local (200 km or less) and regional (2000 km or
less) distances. Innovative methods of event detection that are appropriate
for
local events are of interest. Of particular interest are methods for
estimating
yield, with low uncertainty, of seismic events recorded at local distances.
New
methods for discriminating explosions from earthquakes that have a firm
physical and statistical basis are of interest. Methods that can
discriminate
distributed from single-point explosions are also of interest.

Topic 4: Seismic Methods in 3-D
Methods appropriate for use in 3-D models, including the determination of
such
models, are sought. Methods to calculate travel times that are accurate
(within
0.01 sec), rapid, and complete (all phases without ambiguity), or any
combination of these, are sought; however, accuracy should be at least 0.1
sec.
Proposals that examine such questions as what resolution is needed or
optimal
to obtain a desired accuracy in path travel times or attenuation, and/or
what
the accuracy that can be expected from a given model, will be considered
under
this topic. Rapid and accurate methods to compute synthetic seismograms in
3-D
media that offer significant advantages over current methods, particularly
at
high (> 1 Hz) frequencies are desired. Improved techniques for event
location
in 3-D using models and/or ground truth are sought at local, regional or
near-teleseismic distances, particularly methods that use more than a
single
type of data jointly. Robust estimation of uncertainty is of importance.

Topic 5: Infrasound Studies
5a. Seismo-Acoustics. Proposals are sought on the interpretation of signals

from co-located infrasound and seismic sensors at local and regional
distances.
Improved understanding of the fundamental physics of generation of
infrasound
from underground and near-surface explosions and other sources is desired.
The
maximum infrasound signal expected from events that do not have a surface
component of energy release, such as shallow earthquakes, and the nature of

such a signal (impulsive or emergent) are of interest. Proposals that
examine
scaling of peak frequency and/or amplitude with (effective) source yield at

local or regional distances are sought. Experimental, observational and
theoretical studies are of interest.
5b. Propagation. Propagation of infrasound signals to local and
near-regional
distances (less than 1,000 km) is of interest, particularly the
phenomenology
governing reception and characteristics of infrasound signals within the
so-called zone of silence. Atmospheric conditions that affect detection,
phase
association, yield estimation, and event identification are of particular
interest. Another topic of interest is the uncertainty in azimuth and range

determinations for infrasound signals from seismic events at local and
regional
distances.

TOPIC 6: Hydroacoustic Studies
We do not anticipate funding proposals for hydroacoustic studies, however,
proposals which would significantly enhance nuclear explosion monitoring
through hydroacoustics or which present a unique opportunity in
hydroacoustic
studies may be submitted for review.

***********************END OF TOPICS********************************

AFRL and NNSA reserve the right to determine which procurement instrument
shall
be used. The procurement instrument shall be appropriate to the scope of
work
and procuring organization. NNSA will predominantly issue contracts, but
financial assistance awards may be used under certain circumstances. The
Air
Force will issue contracts only. In the event a contract is issued,
acquisition regulations apply per 48 CFR, and a cost reimbursement type
contract is anticipated. In the event a financial assistance instrument is

issued, 10 CFR 600 applies, a cooperative agreement is anticipated.

The BAA will solicit proposals from all responsible organizations (foreign
and
domestic) including industry, academic institutions, research institutions,
and
non-profit organizations. Federal agencies may submit proposals as
prime/lead
contractors subject to appropriations language but may not partner with
Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC). FFRDCs,
including
NNSA national laboratories, cannot directly respond to this solicitation as

prime/lead participants. FFRDCs, including NNSA national laboratories, may

participate in this solicitation as team members; however, such
participation
must be consistent with the FFRDCs sponsoring agreement. The FFRDC effort
for
any proposal, in aggregate, shall not exceed 50% of the total effort of the

project. Information will be provided in the solicitation on how to
include
FFRDCs, such as NNSA national laboratories, as a team member(s).

Enhancing programmatic value is encouraged. Low-cost proposals focused on
validation or proof-of-principle issues will enhance programmatic value.
Teaming is, also, an interesting way to add value, for example, teaming to
facilitate integration of research products into the Knowledge Base will
enhance programmatic value. Teaming which results in the training of
graduate
students (in particular university/industry teams working on real world
problems with Ph.D. candidates) will enhance programmatic value.
Programmatic
value is anticipated to be one of the selection criteria for proposals. If

teaming arrangements are proposed, a clear statement of the intended
benefit of
teaming must be provided along with the proposed technical approach,
deliverables and costs clearly delineated for individual team members. The

Government reserves the right to award to the team or to individual team
members.

All awards will have an NNSA Product Integrator (subject matter expert)
assigned at the time of award to help ensure the successful transitioning
of
research products to operations, as appropriate. Information about the
NNSA
Nuclear Explosion Monitoring Research and Development (NEM R&D) program
integration of research products into operational form for the Air Force
can be
found online at https://na22.nnsa.doe.gov/KnowledgeBase.

The NNSA and AFRL each reserve the right to fund, in whole or in part, any,
all
or none of the proposals and to award without discussions. This Notice of
Interest is being issued in advance of passage of FY 2010 appropriations to

provide more time for potential offerors to prepare and to allow awards to
be
made as early as practicable within FY 2010. The topics in this Notice of
Interest represent the maximum set of topics that may appear in the
solicitation. The final number of topics and awards, however, are subject
to
the availability of funds.