High-Bandwidth Free-Space Lasercomm

Description

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is seeking innovative solutions for high-bandwidth free-space laser communications (lasercomm) for tactical level digital communications for the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and the United States Navy (USN). Offerors will be asked to develop systems to provide tactical level digital lasercomm systems for integration with USN and USMC networks. Proposed solutions will enable high-bandwidth, jam-resistant communications with a low probability of intercept and detection (LPI/LPD) between tactical edge platforms and users over non-Radio Frequency (RF) communication paths in order to improve the robustness, security, and timely transmission of USN and USMC communications. All solutions offered should minimize reliance on any RF based communication systems to allow communications during Electronic Emission Control (EMCON), Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance (HERO) or other conditions where RF communication systems are unavailable.

The focus of this program is on the development of lasercomm systems capable of connecting to a USN/USMC network and autonomously linking to another USN/USMC network via a lasercomm communication link. Terminals should communicate both in a “direct mode” between two lasercomm terminals and in a Modulating Retro-reflector (MRR) mode where one end of the link is a lasercomm terminal and the other end of the link is an MRR terminal.

Eligible Entities

All responsible sources from academia and industry may submit proposals under this BAA. Federally Funded Research & Development Centers (FFRDCs), including Department of Energy National Laboratories, are not eligible to receive awards under this BAA. However, teaming arrangements between FFRDCs and eligible principal bidders are allowed so long as they are permitted under the sponsoring agreement between the Government and the specific FFRDC.

Available Funds

The amount and period of performance of each selected proposal will vary depending on the research area and the technical approach to be pursued by the selected offeror. The estimated total amount of awards is $16M anticipated to be made available over a five year period. ONR may award less than $16M under this BAA and apply it elsewhere. One or more work orders in this subject area may be awarded to proposals from Navy laboratories received outside this BAA.

Estimated Total Amount of Funding Available ($K):
FY10   FY11   FY12   FY13   FY14   Total
1750   3750  5750   3500   1250  16000

Anticipated Number of Awards
It is anticipated that several proposals will be selected for funding initially, followed by a down selection to one after 18 months (phase 1 demo).
Anticipated Range of individual Award Amounts: As required to perform tasking.
Anticipated Period of Performance: Up to five (5) years.

Cost Sharing

N/A

Facilities and Administrative Costs

Include Fringe Benefits, Overhead, G&A, COM, etc. and their applicable allocation bases. If composite rates are used, provide the calculations used in deriving the composite rates.

Key Dates

Industry Day April 3 2009 10:00 am
Proposals Due May 8, 2009 2:00 pm
Notification of oral presentations May 27 2009*
Oral Presentation of proposals June 5, 2009*

Notification of Navy Evaluations of Oral Presentations June 10, 2009*
Full Revised Proposal Due Date June 17 2009 2:00 pm
Notification of Selection for Award June 24 2009*
Issued Awards October 31, 2009*
*These dates are estimates as of the date of this announcement

More Info + Submissions

Agency: Department of Defense (DOD)
Expires: May 8, 2009

Submissions for this opportunity are not handled by RI STAC or RI EPSCoR. Please follow the link below for more information on the opportunity and how to submit a response.

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