Today we will be featuring a discussion from Burr Zimmerman, Program Manager and Proposal Manager with ITECS.

Working “Over the Horizon”

Highly innovative ideas often involve nascent markets. Government-sponsored R&D in particular can be forward-looking (even looking ‘over the horizon’). There may be no clear competitors, no established customers, and very unclear customer requirements. Value chains may not even exist. The exact nature of the need may be emergent – or even pre-emergent. How can your innovation initiative succeed in such an undefined marketplace?

When markets and products are not well-developed, understand industries.

Innovations are rarely completely disconnected from other markets. When building ‘over-the-horizon’ innovation strategies for our clients, ITECS analyzes related industries and value systems to predict innovation pathways in emerging markets. We select related markets by finding intrinsic commonalities in product, customer, maturity, or other dimensions. By mapping related industries and assessing cross-cutting similarities and differences, ITECS creates a projection of where, how, and by whom value might be created in nascent markets. This insight helps ITECS clients to create actionable, practical strategies for innovation in over-the-horizon, yet-to-emerge markets.

Novel Strategic Partnerships

ITECS’ approach also identifies novel, unexpected opportunities for strategic partnership. As our clients shift their focus from “here” to “over-the-horizon”, ITECS’ process can uncover entities with complementary skills that are well-aligned with the emerging opportunity. Identifying a broad array of firms with the right skills and culture (not just firms with similar products) allows ITECS to build creative, effective, innovative partnerships that you – and your competitors – never saw coming.

Conclusion

In emerging markets, where value systems and market players are not well-defined, ITECS focuses on understanding related industries, focusing on value drivers. Our process creates insight that enables us to create roadmap for over-the-horizon innovation, and identifies novel strategic partnerships that accelerate your innovation.

National Centers for Systems Biology (P50)– The purpose of this FOA is to promote the use of Systems Biology approaches for studying complex biological phenomena, where these phenomena are relevant to the NIGMS mission. The Centers of Excellence mechanism (P50) is intended to facilitate pioneering research, research training, education, and outreach programs in this emerging area and therefore stimulate the field as a whole. The NIGMS mission includes research portfolios in the areas of bioinformatics and computational biology, molecular and cell biology, biophysics, genetics and developmental biology, biological chemistry, pharmacology, anesthesiology, basic social and behavioral sciences, and human physiology in the areas of shock, trauma, burn, wound healing, inflammation, and multi-organ system failure. Successful Centers will be characterized by unique, exceptional contributions to existing areas of systems biology research, and/or by extension of systems approaches into emerging areas of opportunity. LOI: September 23, 2012; September 23, 2013; September 23, 2014. Application: October 23, 2012; October 23, 2013; October 23, 2014.

NIGMS intends to fund an estimate of two to four awards, corresponding to a total of $10 million, for fiscal year 2013. An applicant may request a budget in direct costs up to $2 million per year. Application budgets need to reflect actual needs of the proposed project. Funds for initial large equipment may be requested in excess of the $2 million limit if prior approval is obtained from staff responsible for Scientific/Research issues.

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: PAR-12-187

Issue Date: 5/16/12

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Synthesis and Preclinical Evaluation of Medications to Treat Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) (R01)– NIDA is soliciting grant (R01) applications to support the synthesis and preclinical evaluation of new molecular entities as potential treatments for Substance Use Disorders (SUDs). Responsive applications may include synthesis, identification, optimization and preclinical efficacy and/or safety assessment of lead compounds. Applications must provide timelines and decision-trees with go/no-go criteria to advance or discontinue testing a compound. Possible new molecular entities include, but are not limited to, small molecules, enzymes, antibodies, and vaccines. The goal is to identify candidate compounds and advance them towards Investigational New Drug (IND) submission. LOI: July 15, 2012. Application: August 15, 2012

The NIDA intends to commit $2,500,000 in FY 2013 to fund 2-4 awards. Budgets for direct costs of up to $1,000,000 per year and a project duration of up to three years may be requested for a maximum of $3,000,000 direct costs over a three-year project period.

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: RFA-DA-13-004

Issue Date: 5/15/12

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Pre-solicitation Vascular Intervention/Innovations and Therapeutic Advances (VITA) Program Coordinating Center– The NHLBI anticipates the issuance of RFP-NHLBI-CSB-HV-2013-04-JS on or about May 29, 2012 to acquire the services of a program coordinating center (PCC) for the Vascular Interventions/Innovations and Therapeutic Advances (VITA) Program. The overall objective of the VITA Program is to enable and accelerate the development of promising diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for vascular diseases, thrombotic disorders, and pulmonary hypertension. Proposed project areas of interest may include peripheral arterial disease, aortic aneurysms and dissections, pulmonary vascular disorders, venous and arterial thrombosis, thromboembolic disorders, and disorders of the lymphatic system. Not included as specific topics in this program are diseases of the coronary and intracranial arteries. The VITA Program will provide support for early-stage translational development of diagnostic and therapeutic product candidates. In this program, “product candidate” refers to new diagnostics, new therapeutic agents, or novel applications of existing agents and/or therapeutic interventions. The product candidate(s) under study and development can include, but are not limited to: small molecules, small peptides, proteins or antibodies, imaging probes, devices, diagnostic tests, genetic markers, and cell or gene agents. Companion to this RFP solicitation, is a BAA solicitation to award up to six (6) contracts, to enable and accelerate development of promising diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for certain diseases within the purview of the NHLBI. The BAA solicitation will be synopsized in a separate pre-solicitation notice (BAA-NHLBI-CSB-2013-02-JS). VITA is designed to fund proposals that fall under one of two broad early stages of product development: 1.) those projects seeking support for experimental research in the window between discovery and the demonstration of “proof of principle (POP) in the form of various preclinical efficacy assessments and preliminary safety evaluations, and 2.) those proposals for further development and testing of product candidates with established proof of principle, such as studies that are required to support an application for the initiation of human clinical trials (such as an IND or IDE application). Response Date:

May 29, 2012

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: RFP-NHLBI-CSB-HV-2013-04-JS

Issue Date: 5/15/12

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Pre-solicitation Vascular Interventions/Innovations and Therapeutic Advances (VITA) Stage-A (Concept to Proof of Principle) & Stage B (Proof of Principle to IND or IDE)— The NHLBI anticipates issuance of BAA-NHLBI-CSB-HV-2013-02-JS on or about May 29, 2012 to acquire the services of a program coordinating center (PCC) for the Vascular Interventions/Innovations and Therapeutic Advances (VITA) Program. The overall objective of the VITA Program is to enable and accelerate the development of promising diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for certain diseases within the purview of the NHLBI. In that context, the NHLBI has identified two “opportunity gaps” in the early stages of the development process by which new medical research is translated into new medical products. The first gap occurs between the conceptualization of potential medical advances and the experimental validation of those concepts as medical product candidates (designated as the “Concept to Proof-of-Principle” stage or Stage-A). The second gap resides between the demonstration of proof of principle and the completion of studies required for the assessment of a product candidate in human clinical trials (designated as the “Proof-of-Principle to IND/IDE” stage or Stage-B). The term “product candidate”, as it concerns the VITA Program, is also used to refer to new diagnostics, new therapeutic interventions (agents or devices), or novel applications of existing therapeutic interventions. The product candidate(s) under study and development can include, but are not limited to: small molecules, small peptides, proteins or antibodies, devices, diagnostic tests, imaging probes, genetic markers, and cell or gene agents. The VITA Program will provide support for early-stage translational development of product candidates in the fields of vascular disorders, thrombotic diseases, and pulmonary hypertension. Proposed project areas of interest may include peripheral arterial disease, aortic aneurysms and dissections, pulmonary vascular disorders, venous and arterial thrombosis, thromboembolic disorders, and disorders of the lymphatic system. Not included as specific topics in this program are diseases of the coronary and intracranial arteries. This solicitation will seek proposals for two (2) different study stages e.g. concept to proof of principle (POP) [Stage-A] and proof of principle to investigational new drug (IND) or Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) [Stage-B]. Companion to this BAA solicitation, is a request for proposals (RFP) solicitation for a Program Coordinating Center (PCC) to award a single contract to provide project management, meeting coordination, and regulatory advice for the awarded BAA contractors that require such services. The RFP solicitation for the VITA PCC is synopsized in a separate pre-solicitation notice (RFP-NHLBI-CSB-HV-2013-04-JS). Response Date: May 29, 2012

A total of $5.8M is available for this BAA round. Up to six (6) contracts (with up to 3-year duration each) are planned for the Stage-A awards and up to three (3) contracts (with up to 3-year duration each) are planned for the Stage-B awards.

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: BAA-NHLBI-CSB-HV-2013-02-JS

Issue Date: 5/15/12

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Role of Environmental Chemical Exposures in the Development of Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome (R21)– This FOA, issued by the NIEHS, encourages grant applications to understand the role of environmental chemical exposures in the development of obesity, type 2 diabetes and/or metabolic syndrome. Applications must link an environmental exposure to the increased incidence of weight gain, type 2 diabetes and aspects of metabolic syndrome in animal models or human studies. While any exposure window is acceptable it is anticipated that the most sensitive time for exposures to affect the disease outcomes will be during development e.g., in utero and/or neonatal or early childhood. For human studies developmental exposures (in utero and early childhood) should be linked to early biomarkers of disease onset. Animal studies should focus on identifying new environmental chemicals that alter weight gain, insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance and altered lipid metabolism indicative of obesity, type 2 diabetes and/or metabolic syndrome. Expiration Date:

September 8, 2015. See solicitation for due dates.

Application budgets are limited to $275,000 in direct costs over 2 years, with no more than $200,000 in direct costs allowed in any single year.

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: PA-12-184

Issue Date: 5/11/12

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Role of Environmental Chemical Exposures in the Development of Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome (R01)– The FOA, issued by the NIEHS, encourages grant applications to understand the role of environmental chemical exposures in the development of obesity, type 2 diabetes and/or metabolic syndrome. Applications must link an environmental exposure to the increased incidence of weight gain, glucose tolerance/insulin sensitivity and aspects of metabolic syndrome in animal models or human studies. While any exposure window is acceptable it is anticipated that the most sensitive time for exposures to affect the disease outcomes will be during development e.g. in utero and/or neonatal or early childhood. For human studies developmental exposures (in utero and early childhood) should be linked to early biomarkers of disease onset. Animal studies should focus on identifying environmental chemicals that alter endpoints indicative of affecting disease development and the site and mechanism(s) of the effects that lead to the increased disease incidence. Expiration Date: September 8, 2015. See solicitation for due dates.

Application budgets are not limited, but need to reflect actual needs of the proposed project. The maximum period is 5 years.

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: PA-12-185

Issue Date: 5/11/12

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National Institute on Aging Analysis of Alzheimer’s Disease Genome Sequencing Project Data [U19]—This FOA is issued by the NIA in response to a Presidential Initiative on Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).  The overarching goals of the research are to:  (1) identify new genes contributing to increased risk of developing the disease,  (2) identify new genes contributing to protection against developing AD,  (3) provide insight as to why individuals with known risk factor genes escape from developing AD, and  (4) identify potential avenues for therapeutic approaches and prevention of the disease.  This study of human genetic variation and its relationship to health and disease involves a large number of study participants and will capture not only common single nucleotide variations but also rare copy number and structural variants that are increasingly thought to play an important role in complex disease.  The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) Large-Scale Sequencing Program (LSSP) will produce the sequence data and potentially variant call data, which will be made available to the scientific community through an NIA approved data repository.  Analysis of the sequencing data is anticipated to identify new genetic risk and protective factors in older adults at risk for AD.  Both fundamental scientific discovery and leading edge analytical approaches will likely be needed to achieve the research goals.  Therefore awards funded under this FOA are anticipated to involve research conducted by multidisciplinary teams of investigators.  The proposed study should describe a comprehensive plan to develop leading edge innovative approaches for the analysis of whole genome sequencing data to extend previous discoveries that may ultimately result in new directions for AD therapeutics.  Grant applications will be evaluated and funded based on the strongest potential to reveal novel genetic markers for AD based on comprehensive analytical methods.

NIH intends to fund an estimate of 1-3 awards, with up to $2,000,000 direct cost per award for fiscal year 2013. Maximum project period of four (4) years.

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: PAR-12-183

Issue Date: 5/11/12

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Identifying Health Outcomes Associated with Changes in Use of Illicit Drugs (R01)– NIDA is soliciting grant (R01) applications to test the hypothesis that reductions in illicit drug use are associated with improved health outcomes in patients. This FOA will support both prospective and retrospective studies, which may include, but not limited to, identification and characterization of beneficial health outcomes that are associated with reduced levels of drug use. Such studies may focus on identification and or validation of strategies, methods, and tools (including biomarkers) that can assess the salutary consequences resulting from reduced use of a particular illicit drug. These objectives may be achieved either by developing new or validating currently available methodologies that will monitor a health outcome associated with changes in use of a particular illicit drug. Further, identifying health outcomes associated with changes in drug use will stimulate translational research by providing additional measures of health effects linked to drug abuse, and may also be useful in evaluating the efficacy of new therapeutic agents for treating substance use disorders (SUDs). The ultimate goal of this FOA is to provide evidence that will enable regulatory authorities to accept reductions in illicit drug use as a valid outcome measure in clinical trials of pharmacotherapies for the treatment of SUDs. LOI: July 22, 2012. Application: August 22, 2012

NIDA intends to commit $3,000,000 in FY 2013 to fund 3-5 awards. Budgets for direct costs of up to $500,000 per year may be requested for the R01 project. The maximum period is 3 years.

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: RFA-DA-13-007

Issue Date: 5/11/12

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SBIR E-learning for HAZMAT and Emergency Response (SBIR [R43/R44]) –This FOA encourages SBIR grant applications from small business concerns that propose to further the development of Advanced Technology Training (ATT) Products for the health and safety training of hazardous materials (HAZMAT) workers, emergency responders, and skilled support personnel. These products would complement the goals and objectives of the Worker Education and Training Program (WETP). The major objective of the NIEHS/WETP is to prevent work related harm by assisting in the training of workers in how best to protect themselves and their communities from exposure to hazardous materials. There is a need to ensure that learning and training technologies are further developed, field tested and applied to real world situations. It is the intent of this FOA to support the development of emerging technologies to improve worker preparedness through training and education enhancements and methodologies, and to support e-collaboration, e-teaching, and e-learning in safety and health training for workers engaged in hazardous materials response. The financial support for this initiative comes directly from NIEHS Worker Education and Training Branch SBIR funds. This FOA is for SBIR applications only. LOI: June 27, 2012. Application: July 27, 2012

NIEHS/DERT/WETP intends to commit $550,000 in FY 2013 with an estimated six awards being supported.

Eligibility: Small Business

Solicitation #: RFA-ES-12-005

Issue Date: 5/9/12

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RFP Mentored Career Development Award to Promote Faculty Diversity/Re-Entry in Biomedical Research (K01)– This FOA issued by the NHLBI invites applications to increase the number of highly trained investigators, from diverse backgrounds underrepresented in research areas of interest to the NHLBI or who wish to re-enter their research careers (e.g., after a hiatus due to family circumstances). It is targeted toward individuals whose basic and clinical research interests are grounded in the advanced methods and experimental approaches needed to solve problems related to cardiovascular, pulmonary, and hematologic diseases in the general and health disparities populations.

This FOA invites applications from Institutions with eligible faculty members to undertake special study and supervised research under a mentor who is an accomplished investigator in the research area proposed and has experience in developing independent investigators. Candidates who are faculty members at an institution must have research experience and be committed to developing into independent biomedical investigators in research areas relevant to the mission of the NHLBI (i.e., cardiovascular, pulmonary, hematologic, or sleep disorders research). LOI: June 9, 2012; January 7, 2013; January 7, 2014. Application: July 9, 2012; February 7, 2013; February 7, 2014. PUT LATEST DATE IN THE APPROPRIATE SPOT… INCLUDE THE FULL INFO IN NOTES.

NHLBI intends to fund eight to ten new awards in FY 2013, 2014, 2015, corresponding to a total of $1.2 million for new grants per fiscal year.

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: RFA-HL-13-019

Issue Date: 5/9/12

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Sources Sought Synthesis and Distribution of Drugs of Abuse and Related Compounds– The NIDA is seeking capability statements from small businesses with the capability to synthesize and distribute drugs of abuse and related compounds. The NIDA Drug Supply Program has played an important role in promoting and supporting the drug abuse research by providing to the drug abuse research community a wide variety of authentic and pure controlled drugs and other chemical compounds (both unlabeled and labeled with deuterium, tritium, carbon -14, and iodine-125 isotopes) for basic research. These drugs and research chemicals are either: very expensive to buy, or are controlled by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) or commercially unavailable. They are generally procured by chemical synthesis through contract mechanism. In order to continue to supply authentic and pure drugs and research chemicals, NIDA intends to maintain the drug supply inventory, periodically check chemical purity and supply to research investigators according to the NIDA drug supply guidelines.

Specifically, NIDA plans to continue: (1) to acquire, synthesize and maintain several radio and deuterium labeled and unlabeled drugs of abuse and other chemical substances in its drug supply inventory and distribute them to research investigators upon approval; (2) to check their stability and purity periodically and produce updated chemical data sheets; (3) to replenish existing drug supply inventory with depleted drugs and research compounds; (4) to identify, acquire, and update the drug supply inventory with newly discovered chemical compounds useful for drug abuse research, and (5) to use, maintain, and update the NIDA drug supply data base, known as Drug Inventory Supply Control System (DISCS). Response Date: May 23, 2012

Eligibility: Small Business

Solicitation

Issue Date: 5/9/12

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Sources Sought Clinical Trials Research Coordination Center– NIDA is seeking capability statements from small businesses having in-house capability to provide technical and scientific expertise to provide coordination support, development and dissemination of scientific information, logistical support for scientific meetings, and coordination of joint efforts between Government and non-Governmental entities. This contract is to provide the Government a resource to assist in the management of a research portfolio in substance abuse. Information sent should be relevant and specific in the area under consideration, on each of the following qualifications: 1. Experience with arranging logistical support for scientific meetings as well as symposia at national conferences. 2. Capability to provide graphic arts, editorial, and scientific writing services to support the development and dissemination of drug abuse treatment research related information, articles, or publications. 3. Experience developing and/or maintaining databases with administrative and programmatic information. 4. Experience in identifying and procuring expert, scientific consultant services. Response Date: May 23, 2012

Eligibility: Small Business

Solicitation #: HHS-NIH-NIDA-SBSS-13-003

Issue Date: 5/9/12

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Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH)– This FOA is issued by the NIGMS in conjunction with the other Institutes/Centers of the NIH and the Indian Health Service (IHS).The purpose of this FOA is to encourage grant applications for new or continued Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH). The purpose of the Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) initiative is to reduce health disparities, enhance partnerships and reduce distrust of research by American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities while developing a cadre of AI/AN scientists and health research professionals. The AI/AN Tribal nations and communities have long experienced disparities in health compared with other Americans. Health disparities of AI/ANs are related to a complex set of factors and the paucity of health research within these populations may contribute to the situation. One approach that combats this distrust is to ensure that Tribes and Tribal Organizations are the managing partners in research and training that involves them. To that end, NIH in collaboration with IHS has issued the NARCH funding opportunity announcement in which collaborations between Federally recognized AI/AN Tribes or Tribal organizations (including national and area Indian health boards, and Tribal colleges meeting the definition of a Tribal organization as defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603(d) or (e)) and institutions that conduct intensive academic-level biomedical, behavioral and health services research will be supported to conduct research and training in AI/AN communities. LOI: June 10, 2012. Proposal: July 10, 2012

NIH/IHS intends to fund an estimate of five to fifteen awards, corresponding to a total of $100,000–$1,100,000 per grant for fiscal year 2013.

Eligibility: AI/AN organization

Solicitation #: PAR-12-182

Issue Date: 5/8/12

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Pre-solicitation: Repository for Storage, Monitoring, and Distribution of NICHD Biological Specimens – NICHD continues to have a need for storage, monitoring and distributing blood, urine, tissue and other samples collected currently by 53 NICHD research projects. The Division of Epidemiology, Statistics, and Prevention Research (NICHD) intends to negotiate a modification to its current contract no. HHSN275200900009C entitled “Repository for Storage, Monitoring, and Distribution of NICHD Biological Specimens.” There are approximately 4 million vials of biological specimens that have been collected under various research protocols. Adequate storage space will be required for 1,000,000 vials stored at -20 degrees C; 2.6 million vials at -70 degrees C; 160,000 vials stored in Liquid Nitrogen (LN2); and 40,000 samples stored at ambient temperature. The collection currently occupies 13 LN2 freezers, 100 ultra-low freezers and 1 walk-in freezer at -20 degrees C.  This is not a request for proposals. However, if any responsible source believes it can perform the above requirement, they may submit three (3) copies of their capability statement for consideration by the NICHD. Response Date: May 18, 2012.

Solicitation #: PreSolNotice2012-0009
Issue Date: 5/4/12

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RFP: Exploratory/Developmental Clinical Research Grants in Obesity (R21) – This FOA issued by the NIDDK, NHLBI, NCI, NCCAM, and NICHD encourages research grant applications from institutions / organizations that propose to conduct exploratory/developmental clinical studies that will accelerate the development of effective interventions for prevention or treatment of overweight or obesity in adults and/or children. Exploratory epidemiological research with a goal of informing translational / clinical research will also be supported within this program. Expiration Date: May 8, 2015. See solicitation for proposal dates.

Direct costs are limited to $275,000 over an R21 two-year period, with no more than $200,000 in direct costs allowed in any single year. F&A costs requested by consortium participants are not included in the direct cost limitation.

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: PA-12-179

Issue Date: 5/2/12

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Pre-solicitation: National Children’s Study Vanguard 2.0 — NICHD is planning to issue a solicitation for multiple Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) Task Order contracts for the National Children’s Study (NCS) – Vanguard 2.0 Study. It is also anticipated that up to two task orders will be issued at the time of the contract award. The goal of the National Children’s Study is to improve the health and well-being of children by contributing to understanding the influence of multiple factors, both negative and mitigating, on health and disease. As the research progresses, findings from the Study will be made available to researchers and to the public to facilitate further study and to guide health practice and policy. The National Children’s Study (NCS) principles are to be data driven, evidence based, and participant and community informed. The goals of the solicitation will be to implement the next phase of the NCS Vanguard Study with a focus on the activities of data collection and evaluation, participant retention, study visit development and assessment and formative research on methods to address specific questions or needs. The solicitation will be issued on or about May 16, 2012.

It is anticipated that at least two (2) Cost Reimbursement, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contracts will be awarded on or about 9/28/2012 for a period of five years. It is also anticipated that up to two severable tasks will be issued at the time of award. Each task will consist of a one year base and four (one year) option periods.

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: NIH-NICHD-NCS-SBSS-2012-07

Issue Date: 5/2/12

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Pre-solicitation: Clinical Research Products Management Center (CRPMC) – The purpose of this contract is for the continued operation of Clinical Research Products Management Center (CRPMC) to support the NIAID Division of AIDS clinical research trials networks and programs in HIV/AIDS and its comorbidities, as well as tuberculosis and hepatitis C, in the United States and international locations. The CRPMC will provide cognitive pharmaceutical services including evaluating draft protocols; reviewing site pharmacy audits, maintaining a site audit pharmacy report database; providing study product storage and stability information, guidance in research pharmacy practice and study product management activities to clinical site pharmacists; and conducting cGMP audits of manufacturing facilities. Additionally, the CRPMC will provide technical expertise for the receipt of study products; storage under GMP; validate containers for the shipment of study products; evaluate orders, distribute study products; design and label of study products and product kits; package and repackage of study products under GMP; monitor product inventories and expiration dates; recall and process of study product returns, and maintain a database to track study product activities. The CRPMC will train staff in critical procedures and under limited circumstances, purchase drugs. The CRPMC must have the capabilities to carry out the scope of work both domestically within the United States (U.S.) and internationally, including countries in Africa, Asia, South America, the Caribbean, and Europe. This RFP will be available electronically on/about May 15, 2012.

It is anticipated that one cost reimbursement, term type contract will be awarded for a 1-year Base period plus six 1-year options for a possible total period of performance of 7 years beginning on or about May 1, 2013.

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: RFP-NIAID-DAIDS-NIHAI2011444

Issue Date: 5/1/12

Conformal Ablative TPS Manufacturing Scale-up-

June 8, 2012

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: CONFORMALRFI-L

Issue Date: 5/11/2

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ROSES 2012: Cryospheric Science – This solicitation calls for proposals to understand the mechanisms of change in polar regions and their implications for global climate, sea level, and the polar environment. Proposed studies should use space-based, aircraft based, and other remote sensing techniques to understand the factors controlling the retreat and growth of the world’s major sea- and land-based ice sheets and their interactions with the ocean, atmosphere, solid Earth, and solar radiation. Field studies are considered if closely tied to remote sensing efforts. Proposal: Jun 01, 2012.

Expected program budget for first year of new awards ~ $1M. Number of new awards pending

adequate proposals of merit: ~ 10. Maximum duration of awards: 3 years

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: NNH12ZDA001N-CRYO

Issue Date: 5/7/12

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CUBESAT Mission: New and Innovative Propulsion Systems–This RFI openly solicits potential partners by requesting specific information that will be used to offer teaming relationships with industrial partners for developing MSFC proposals in response to NASA BAA NNA12ZD0001K, OMB Approval Number 2700-0085. This is from the Edison Small Satellite Flight Demonstration Missions, Office of the Chief Technologies. Potential Industrial partner(s) will be selected from the responders to this request. One or more of these potential partners will be provided specific competition-sensitive requirements for flight hardware and ground support equipment and asked to produce information on their approach to meeting the particular requirements. The BAA contains language informing the community that if a Government Principal Investigator is selected, NASA reserves the right to award a contract to the industrial partner(s) under the authority of the BAA selection. MSFC envisions a teaming arrangement where the selected industrial partner(s) will act as a subcontractor and will be responsible for providing at least one of the following; 1)Three flight-heritage CubeSat buses, 2)Low-Toxicity monopropellant (ADN-based) 3) A complete propulsion system suitable for integration into a CubeSat, based on the low-toxicity propellant (ADN-based). Response Date:May 17, 2012

Solicitation #: RFI-MSFC-EDISON-SMALLSATS

Issue Date: 5/7/12

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Sources Sought: Space Qualified Optical Encoders– The NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is currently seeking potential vendors capable of delivering a qualified optical encoder and additional copies for the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) and future NASA Goddard projects. JPSS is a joint NASA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) program that provides data for climate and weather forecasting. This RFI is to solicit specific capability information from industry for this critical technology. This RFI is being used to gather market research for NASA to make decisions regarding procurement strategies for the development of space-qualified optical encoders. NASA anticipates several future JPSS missions which will require instruments similar to those presently under development for the JPSS-1 mission. Several of those instruments, and many other NASA missions, utilize optical encoders. Over the past decade, the procurement of these encoders has resulted in numerous schedule delays, cost overruns and the acceptance of flight risks as a result of inadequate design implementation, electronic parts obsolescence and workmanship issues in the delivered product. This RFI is intended to help NASA understand the challenges and opportunities associated with the development of a suitable optical encoder. Development of this qualified encoder would be done under a NASA contract; however, it is highly likely that, as part of this contract performance, the encoder vendor would need to engage in technical discussions with various JPSS instrument suppliers such as Exelis, Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems (RSAS), and Ball Aerospace Technology Corporation (BATC). Response Date: July 1, 2012

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: 472-04-27-2012

Issue Date: 5/1/12

Lightweight Carbon Fiber Pultrusion for Airfield Matting

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: SS-TYN-LGCB_LightweightCarbonFiberPultrusionforAirfieldMatting
Issue Date: 5/11/12

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Deployable Continuous Hot Mix Asphalt Plant-- The Air Force Research Laboratory, Airbase Technologies Division , Pavements Research Group is developing a capability for expedient and contingency repairs of AOS using hot-mix asphalt (HMA). The purpose of this RFI is to determine the capability of industry to provide a deployable (mobile) continuous mix HMA plant that could be integrated into a complete deployable system. The deployable continuous mix HMA plant (truck mounted or trailer mounted with a tow vehicle) will provide rapid production and delivery of HMA for airfield repairs and agile combat support using pre-packaged (pelletized) asphalt binder and fines with prepackaged or locally-available coarse aggregate. Response Date: Jun 08, 2012

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: SS-TYN-LGCBB
Issue Date: 5/10/12

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A Pilot Institute for the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI)– This announcement is to solicit proposals to initiate and sustain an Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute, the first institute to be launched within the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI). On March 9, 2012, President Obama announced the NNMI to establish a pilot Institute and up to fourteen subsequent institutes for manufacturing innovation around the country. The Institutes will bring together industry, universities and community colleges, federal agencies, and our states to accelerate innovation by investing in industrially relevant manufacturing technologies with broad applications to bridge the gap between basic research and product development, provide shared assets to help companies – particularly small manufacturers – access cutting-edge capabilities and equipment, and create an unparalleled environment to educate and train students and workers in advanced manufacturing skills. Each Institute will serve as a regional hub of manufacturing excellence, providing the innovation infrastructure to support regional manufacturing hubs. When established, each Institute for Manufacturing Innovation will be a public-private partnership and part of the NNMI. A Request for Information (RFI) for future institutes and the structure of the national network has been issued separately from this solicitation (https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/05/04/2012-10809/request-for-information-on-proposed-new-program-national-network-for-manufacturing-innovation-nnmi). This BAA is only intended for the pilot Institute which will serve as a proof-of-concept for the potential subsequent institutes. The Government is seeking proposals to this BAA which shall provide detailed example applied research project focus areas, technology transition plans for DoD and DOE applications, proposed infrastructure and a sustainable business plan. The technical focus area of the pilot Institute will be Additive Manufacturing, a revolutionary suite of manufacturing technologies for building up parts, and potentially entire systems, in a layer-by-layer fashion, placing material precisely as directed by a 3D digital file. A Proposer’s Day for this solicitation will be held on May 16, 2012. Proposal: June 14, 2012

The Institute is intended to be funded initially to a $60M level, of which $30M is multi-agency U.S. Government funding, and an additional $30M is strongly desired to be provided as cost share, both direct and in-kind.

Eligibility: Universities, Non-profits

Solicitation #: BAA-12-17-PKM

Issue Date: 5/8/12

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Addressing Information and Communications Technology Requirements – This is a RFI only, published to solicit information about Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), Manufacturing Readiness Levels (MRLs), capabilities and market information related to the identified technologies of interest for planning purposes. Of particular interest are potential technical, manufacturing and market barriers to establishing a viable business for the technologies of interest. The DPAC is requesting information on each of the following areas and would like as much quantitative data as possible that supports statements made (e.g., nature of trust, domestic parts availability, energy efficiency, resiliency of equipment to cyber attack) and letters of support from appropriate Government acquisition personnel, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), suppliers, etc: Next generation pure optical networking, Decentralized next generation wireless network equipment, Network architectures and protocols for future networks, Operating System Software (OSS) and Network Management Software (NMS) for software defined networking (SDN), Advanced microelectronic/photonic components, and, Leveraging COTS. Response Date: Jun 8, 2012

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: RFI-12-19-PKM

Issue Date: 5/8/12

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Pre-Solicitation: Multi-INT Exploitation and Correlation — The overall technical objectives of this BAA are to develop innovative, disruptive technologies and methods for the automatic and dynamic cueing and collection of intelligence for situational awareness and assessment, with an emphasis on Machine-to- Machine (M2M) capabilities. Technologies, such as artificial intelligence, ontological reasoning, and knowledge-based processing will be used to: (1) Automate the exploitation of collected, processed, and stored information in support of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) within air, space and cyberspace for on-going US missions; (2) Enhance the US exploitation system efficiency, to include multi-platform collections, multi-intelligence correlation, and resource optimization and management; (3) Dynamically characterize and correlate raw sensor data from existing multi-source, multi-platform, real-time collection systems; and (4) Automate knowledge-based exploitation for Effects-Based Operations (EBO) through assessment, cueing, electronic attack, and battle damage assessment, as a means to achieve mission objectives. These capabilities will enable both automated and “man-on-the-loop” (MoTL) concepts to address the increased volume of data and the increased time criticality of analysis – both of which are necessary to support dynamic exploitation and real-time EBO. The general focus areas of this BAA are to: (1) Dynamically characterize and correlate data sources on existing multi-source, multi-platform, real-time collection systems; (2) Enhance collection system efficiency to include multi-platform collection for dynamic exploitation; (3) Automate knowledge-based assessments to cue sensors and recommend opportunities to achieve mission objectives; and (4) Automate exploitation of collected, processed, and stored information in support of ISR and Information Operations for current and future US missions. White Papers will be accepted on or before Jun 5, 2012. Proposals will be accepted on or before Jul 9, 2012.

Total funding for this BAA is approximately $49.9M. The anticipated funding to be obligated under this BAA is broken out by fiscal year as follows: FY 12 – $4.0M; FY 13 – $9.3M; FY14 – $12.9M; FY15 – $11.6M; and FY16 – $12.1M. Individual awards will not normally exceed 36 months with dollar amounts ranging from between $100K to $5M per fiscal year.

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: BAA-RIK-12-04
Issue Date: 5/4/12

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Sources Sought: Signal Environment Awareness Monitoring Suite– This Sources Sought by the USAF Space and Missile Systems Center, Space Superiority Systems Directorate, seeks industry feedback on development of a time-sensitive spectrum survey and signal-monitoring subsystem. SMC solicits industry’s questions, comments, and areas/ideas for the Government to consider potential technical solutions. The objective of SEAMS is to achieve a hardware and software architecture that adheres to open system concepts through a design that is modular, scalable, and extensible by using Commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) and Government-off-the-shelf (GOTS) components to the greatest extent possible. Functionality and design considerations will place significant emphasis on criteria that balance capability-based requirements against architectural qualities that reduce subsystem life cycle costs. SEAMS will be evaluated in three key performance areas: Automatic Signal Monitoring and Alarm, Enhanced Operator Situational Awareness, and Signal Verification and Correlation. Response Date: May 17, 2012

Solicitation #: 12-71
Issue Date: 5/2/12

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RFI: Free Space Optical (FSO) Communication System– The United States Air Force Air Combat Command is seeking information from interested parties on a free space optical communication system with a backup system capable of operation when optical communication is unavailable (e.g., due to weather). Initially, ACC requests information on technologically mature systems which integrate with existing fiber-based systems for point-to-point or point-to-multipoint ground-based communication across an active military runway at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. Cost is a major consideration; therefore, the Government is interested in cost information for individual requirements defined in paragraph 1 – Capability Information Sought. Initial estimates will not be binding nor will they constitute a bid. The Government plans to conduct an Industry Day where the Government can elaborate on the requirements and cost constraints. Response Date: Jun 04, 2012

Solicitation #: FSO_5_4_2012
Issue Date: 5/4/12

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BAA: Capabilities Integration– The USAF Electronic Systems Center’s (ESC) XR functional (XR) has responsibility for capability integration at ESC, encompassing capability planning, developmental planning, and technology planning for ESC’s Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems. It is intended that programs under this BAA include research and technology based theories in a broad range of technical areas that support C4ISR and network-centric operations to enable a competitive warfighting advantage. The R&D conducted under this BAA should explore unique and innovative approaches to technologies supporting C4ISR allowing for integration into service-oriented architectures which are needed to transform Air Force operations towards net-centric capabilities. Technology projects may include empirical research, prototypes, test beds, and proof of concept demonstrations. Projects should provide insight to ESC/XR personnel to understand the maturity of technological innovations, prepare for concepts to enter the developmental planning process, support network-centric experimentation venues, and produce technology roadmaps in support of existing Joint and Air Force programs of record. Results should be capable of productization. Joint and Coalition use are encouraged. Proposals that involve interdisciplinary teams are especially encouraged. Response Date: Oct 31, 2012

Eligibility: ALL

Solicitation #: R2295

Issue Date: 5/2/12

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Sources Sought: Weather Analysis and Forecasting, 3DVAR – The Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Agency have been tasked to solicit for and award a contract for the Air Force Technical Applications Center. This request for information is to gain knowledge of interest, capabilities, and qualifications of various companies to research and develop, test, and evaluate (RDT&E) mesoscale and storm-scale data assimilation enhancements compatible with the current AFTAC Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Three Dimensional Variational (3DVAR) system. Response Date: May 08, 2012

A firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract is anticipated for a one-year contract period.

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: FA7022-12-T-0005

Issue Date: 5/1/12

FY2012 Unconventional Gas and Oil Technologies – The intent of this DOE, NETL FOA is to select and award projects in FY12 that focus on improving recovery from liquid-rich shale reservoirs and to advance the development of “next generation” carbon dioxide (CO2) enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technologies. This announcement is a critical component of the DOE portfolio to advance the sustainable development of domestic gas and oil resources and it will support ongoing programmatic efforts to (1) improve our understanding of the occurrence, producability, and environmental impacts of unconventional shale resources and (2) expand the use of a greenhouse gas to increase the recovery of domestic oil resources. This FOA explicitly excludes any project that would include active hydraulic fracturing. Proposed research must address one of the Topic Areas: Topic Area 1 – Reservoir Characterization and Development Optimization for Liquid-Rich Shale Reservoirs; Topic Area 2 – Improved Horizontal Drilling and Hydraulic Fracturing Effectiveness for Unconventional (Liquid-Rich or Gas) Shale Plays; and, Topic Area 3 – “Next-Generation” CO2-EOR. Application: 06/28/2012

Approximately $1,250,000 is available for new awards in FY 2012 and an additional $5,000,000 is expected to be made available during FY 2013. No maximum award amount. DOE anticipates that the award size will be up to $1,500,000 total project value (including cost share); up to$3,000,000 for total project value if field project(s) are selected.

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: DE-FOA-0000724

Issue Date: 5/14/12

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Material Handling and Backup Power Targets for Early Market Fuel Cell Applications—This is an RFI only, issued solely for information and program planning purposes. The DOE, EERE, Fuel Cell Technologies Program, is issuing an RFI seeking input from stakeholders on proposed technical and cost targets for fuel cells designed for backup power and material handling applications. Feedback on proposed performance, durability and cost targets, as well as on current status, for these two early market fuel cell applications is sought from developers, manufacturers, end users, and other stakeholders. The targets are intended to meet end user expectations, and are not driven by the operating parameters or constraints of specific technologies. Responses: June 30, 2012.

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: DE-FOA-0000738

Issue Date: 5/11/12

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Novel Sensing and Monitoring Technologies for Subsurface Detection of CO2—This NETL FOA requests applications that develop deep subsurface monitoring sensor technologies to ensure secure geologic storage of CO2. This topic seeks to develop novel sensor techniques that embed in, monitor through, attach to the injection and/or monitoring wells casing, enabling the development of “smart” wells. Sensors to monitor injection performance (including but not limited to temperature, pressure, fluid pH, and flow of CO2) and the condition of the well and casings (including but not limited to well bore and casing integrity and degradation due to corrosive liquids) are of interest. Approaches that utilize wireless telemetry and/or remote activation are of importance.  Robust sensing approaches with reasonable cost, along with sensor survivability for the life of the injection well, are goals of this topic.  Densely distributed monitoring within a well will reduce risk, enable optimized injection performance, and support the concept of intelligent injection.  For monitoring wells, the requirements to support long-term monitoring (monitoring timeframe could be as long as 20 years) include pressure front, plume migration, and above zone leak detection of CO2.  It is envisioned that awards under this action will be structured as two to three year awards with decision points.  Project continuation will be determined through continuation applications at the end of each budget period for all projects.

Application: 06/18/2012

Approximately $5 million is expected to be available for new awards under this announcement. It is estimated that Federal funding would be between $800K and $1.3MM for each project.

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: DE-FOA-0000732

Issue Date: 5/10/12

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National Nuclear Security Administration: National Laser Users’ Facility (NLUF) Program – The National Laser Users’ Facility (NLUF) program is part of the Joint Program in High Energy Density Laboratory Plasmas, which is sponsored jointly by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Office of Defense Science, and the Office of Fusion Energy, Office of Science. The NLUF FOA provides access to the OMEGA Laser Facility for qualified University and Industrial Scientists to conduct university and industry-led experiments in high-energy-density (HED) and Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF). Approximately 15% of the OMEGA and OMEGA EP operating time will be available for the NLUF in Fiscal Years 2013 and 2014. UR/LLE researchers are available for scientific collaboration and for assistance with user experiments. Principal Investigators are encouraged to collaborate with UR/LLE staff members. The technical scope of the NLUF Program is to encourage trained U.S. scientists and industrial specialists (by making available unique research tools and resources) to conduct state-of-the-art “basic research” in the following topical research areas: Laser–matter interactions; ICF/HED physics; and Diagnostic and experimental platform development.  Application: June 11, 2012.

The Administration has requested approximately $1,600,000 in FY 2013 and in FY 2014 (Total 2 years – $3,200,000) for this program. Award maximum: $500,000

Eligibility: Universities; Domestic  Companies

Solicitation #: DE-FOA-0000681

Issue Date: 5/9/12

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Hydrogen Storage Targets for Early Market Applications– The purpose of this RFI is to solicit feedback from stakeholders on the proposed performance, durability, and cost targets of the hydrogen storage sub-system for material handling equipment and portable power fuel cell applications.  This RFI is intended to be “hydrogen storage technology neutral” (i.e. metal hydride, chemical hydride, sorbent, etc.), with a focus on verifying the “appropriateness” of the proposed targets.  The proposed hydrogen storage targets should meet the end-user’s needs and the application requirements necessary to facilitate successful market transformation in a competitive environment.   The DOE Fuel Cell Technologies (FCT) Program seeks to advance the development and deployment of fuel cells for power generation in a variety of stationary, portable, and transportation applications.  In support of this goal, DOE funds a broad range of hydrogen and fuel cell research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) activities.  The Hydrogen Storage sub-program within the FCT Program has focused on onboard automotive hydrogen storage materials and systems and has developed performance and cost targets to guide these applications.  Response date: June 15, 2012.

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: DE-FOA-0000735

Issue Date: 5/10/12

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Clean Cities – Implementation Initiatives to Advance Alternative Fuel Markets – The DOE’s EERE is seeking applications that address and assist in reducing multiple barriers to alternative fuel vehicle adoption and use. Overall, this FOA, issued on behalf of EERE by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), aims to decrease the nation’s dependence on petroleum and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by accelerating the deployment of alternative fuels. Efforts should focus only on the alternative fuels defined by the Energy Policy Act of 1992, as amended by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and further augmented by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The expanded use of alternative fuel vehicles and domestically produced alternative transportation fuels can create and retain jobs, stimulate and support domestic economies, and help protect the environment. The Clean Cities program has identified the following four critical areas that provide significant obstacles to alternative fuel vehicle use: 1) Policies, 2) Barrier Reduction, 3) Safety and Training, and 4) Market Development/Outreach. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities program wishes to fund projects that target and remedy these specific obstacles to alternative fuel vehicle adoption and use in local, regional and/or statewide sectors and niche markets. This FOA, is fuel neutral; therefore applications should focus on one or more alternative fuels, depending on what fuels and technologies make the most sense for the proposed geographic area and activities to be performed under the proposed project. Proposed efforts regarding the use of biodiesel should not include blends less than 20% biodiesel (B20), and efforts regarding the use of ethanol should not include blends less than 70% ethanol (or below the current American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) specification for E85). Application: 06/18/2012

Approximately $5,000,000 is expected to be available for new awards under this announcement. Maximum award: $ 1,000,000

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: DE-FOA-0000708

Issue Date: 5/8/12

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Special Notice: Rapid Response Technology Partnerships Program at Sandia National Laboratories– Sandia National Laboratories, a government-owned/contractor-operated, Federally Funded Research and Development Center, wishes to provide notice of its active Technology Partnerships Program. Sandia’s mission through science and technology, people, infrastructure, and partnerships, is to address national needs in five key areas: Nuclear Weapons, Energy and Infrastructure Assurance, Nonproliferation, Defense Systems and Assessments and Homeland Security. Sandia has many collaborations with industry, small business, universities and government agencies on emerging technologies that directly support our mission. Additionally, Sandia works closely with industry to bring Sandia technologies to the marketplace. Interested parties may enter into various partnerships agreement types under Sandia’s Technology Partnerships Program, per the requirements of Sandia’s Management and Operating Contract with the U.S. Department of Energy. In addition, If a Sandia partner is eligible to enter into an Umbrella CRADA with Sandia and desires to establish a Rapid Response (RR) Project Task Statement (PTS), by setting aside a certain amount of advanced funding, wherein the Partner then places a RR request for Sandia to render immediate assistance in responding to an extremely urgent situation, i.e., life-threatening, or national security threat, or an urgent situation, i.e., significant programmatic impact, with quick DOE approval, Sandia can respond within two hours for an extremely urgent situation, or within two days, for an urgent situation. Response Date: Jul 04, 2012

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: 12_374
Issue Date: 5/4/12

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RFP: Development of LWR Fuels with Enhanced Accident Tolerance – The DOE, Office of Nuclear Energy, Idaho Operations Office, is seeking applications from eligible entities to facilitate the development of accident tolerant fuels (ATF) for light water reactors (LWRs). The goal of this FOA is to promote the development of novel fuel and cladding concepts with the potential to replace the current zircaloy-UO2 fuel system with ATF. All work performed under this FOA must be tied to the ability to support the future irradiation of pins or assemblies into a commercial reactor within 10 years. For the purposes of this FOA, LWRs are defined as Light Water Reactors with the standard UO2 fuel -Zircaloy cladding/matrix. The U.S Government is particularly interested in the development of fuels that incorporate the following attributes for enhanced accident tolerance: – Improved Reaction Kinetics with Steam – Slower Hydrogen Generation Rate – Improved Cladding Thermo-Mechanical Properties – Improved Fuel Thermo-Mechanical Properties – Improved Fission Product RetentionLOI: May 17, 2012. Application: June 15, 2012

Approximately $10M is expected to be available for new awards under this announcement. Maximum amount for an individual award made under this announcement: $6M (including 20% cost share). In the event, an applicant proposes more than a 20% cost share, the maximum amount for an individual award may exceed $6M; however, theGovernment’s portion shall not exceed $4.8M.

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: DE-FOA-0000712

Issue Date: 5/1/12

Child Injury Prevention National Action Plan—

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: 2012-N-14308

Issue Date: 5/10/12

Quiness: Macroscopic Quantum Communications– DARPA is soliciting innovative research proposals in the area of macroscopic quantum communications (proposals which can combine the security of quantum communications with the distances/rates of macroscopic telecommunications). Proposed research should investigate innovative approaches that enable revolutionary advances in secure quantum communications. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice. Closing Date for Applications: Jul 19, 2012

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: DARPA-BAA-12-42

Issue Date: 5/15/12

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System F6 On-Orbit Demonstration Testbed– The goal of the System F6 program is to develop and demonstrate the enabling technologies for fractionated spacecraft architectures. This solicitation seeks the development, integration, and operation of four cost-effective spacecraft, each able to host or provide a shared resource payload for a 6-month demonstration mission to launch in early to mid-CY2015. Fractionated spacecraft are a class of disaggregated satellites, wherein the functionality traditionally provided by a single, large, “monolithic” satellite is delivered by a cluster of wirelessly-interconnected modules (spacecraft) capable of seamlessly sharing a variety of resources (e.g. computation, storage, communication links, mission sensors) over a network with real-time, multi-level security, and fault tolerance guarantees. Such an architecture has the potential to significantly enhance the adaptability and survivability of space capabilities, while also shortening development timelines for complex space systems and reducing the barrier-to-entry for participation in the national security space industry.Proposer’s Day: 05/03/12.  Proposal Due Date: 06/25/12

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: DARPA-BAA-12-32

Issue Date: 5/10/12

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Dialysis Like Therapeutics (DLT) Integration— DARPA is soliciting innovative proposals to integrate the component technologies developed in the Dialysis Like Therapeutics (DLT) program. The goal of DLT is to develop a portable device capable of controlling relevant components in the entire blood volume on clinically relevant time scales. Reaching this goal is expected to require the integration of various components that include sensors, complex fluid manipulation architectures, separation technologies, and closed-loop controllers. The envisioned device would save the lives of thousands of military patients each year by effectively treating sepsis and associated complications. Proposal: July 13, 2012

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: DARPA-BAA-12-36

Issue Date: 5/10/12

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Space Enabled Effects for Military Engagements (SeeMe)– The goal of the SeeMe program is to provide useful on-demand imagery information directly to the lowest echelon warfighter in the field from a very low cost satellite constellation launched on a schedule that conforms to DoD operational tempos. The need for on-demand information imagery is driven by availability gaps in situational awareness information prior to, during, and after military engagements, due to inconsistent and infrequent location-specific imagery. There is significant military utility in closing this information gap with persistent coverage and on-demand delivery, driving up mission success probability and driving down personnel risk. SeeMe will provide reliable and persistent information by using small, short-lived, very low cost satellites at very low altitudes, networked to existing fielded communications systems and handheld platforms. The DARPA challenge is to provide full constellation coverage over a selected latitude band at a system price point that is consistent with a fraction of airborne costs (including launch), translated to a satellite unit cost point of no more than $500,000 each, exclusive of launch and ground operations. Questions: May 23, 2012. Proposal: June 29, 2012

Total amount of money to be awarded – Approximately $45M.

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: DARPA-BAA-12-35

Issue Date: 5/9/12

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Workshop/Proposer’s Day/Industry Day: Deep Exploration and Filtering of Text (DEFT) Proposers’ Day — DARPA will conduct a briefing in support of the anticipated broad agency announcement (BAA) for the DEFT program. It is anticipated that the DEFT BAA will be published in mid-May 2012. The Deep Exploration and Filtering of Text (DEFT) program seeks to develop the ability to see through language to meaning in text, to make use of key information contained in text documents, to cue up information sources that contain new developments for analysts, and to automate the initial stages of report writing. The DEFT program aims to enable analysts to investigate orders of magnitude more documents and to discover implicitly-expressed, actionable information. This aim requires the development of automated deep natural language understanding technology. Technology developed in DEFT is expected to provide the capability to identify and interpret both explicit and implicit information from highly ambiguous and vague narrative text, and integrate individual facts into large domain models for assessment, planning and prediction. The goal of DEFT is to create an end-to-end system which will assist the warfighter and intelligence analyst at every stage – from searching through data to identifying threats and then formulating analyses. The DEFT System will enable analysts to move from limited linear processing of insurmountable amounts of data to a nuanced, strategic exploration of all available information. The Proposers’ Day will be held on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 in Arlington, VA. Please note attendance is limited to two (2) representatives per organization and will be based on order of registration. The registration cutoff date is May 14, 2012 or once attendance capacity is met, whichever comes first. There will be no on-site registration.

Solicitation #: DARPA-SN-12-41

Issue Date: 5/2/12

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BAA: Video Synthetic Aperture Radar (ViSAR) – DARPA is soliciting innovative research proposals in the area of compact flyable Extremely High Frequency (EHF) electronics (including exciters, receivers and power amplifiers), SAR scene simulation software, and advanced algorithms for an EHF-band Video Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) to provide high resolution imagery at high frame rates while minimizing Size Weight and Power (SWAP). Proposed research should investigate innovative approaches that enable revolutionary advances in science, algorithms, components or systems. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice. Proposer’s Day Date: 04/30/2012. Proposal Abstract Due Date: 05/10/2012. Proposal Due Date: 06/18/2012.

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: DARPA-BAA-12-41

Issue Date: 5/1/12

There is a lot of news this Presidential election year, and the debate will intensify as November approaches.  At the same time, the Federal budget deficit will create pressure on agency budgets as all government spending will come under scrutiny.  In regards to Federal R&D funding, priorities will need to be established in order to make the most of scarce resources.

What does this mean to companies who are seeking to partner with government labs and agencies to leverage external resources, expertise, and funding to drive essential innovation which is essential to their success, and with it, the success of the US economy as a whole?

While the debate goes on in political circles, there are themes which have remained over time which are likely to continue to be priorities.  The US Federal R&D budget is now and will remain north of $100B, by far the largest single source of R&D funding globally.  In order to remain competitive, the US as a whole will need to better coordinate its R&D resources to develop the next generation of technologies to address critical healthcare, renewable energy, and sustainable materials while fueling economic growth.  The missions of the various government agencies will remain despite budget pressures, meaning that the agencies themselves will seek opportunities to leverage external resources to stretch their R&D dollars.

New technologies that benefit society are commercialized by industry, not government.  That translates into economic development including job creation and retention.  Only industry has the resources to pull technologies into the market, which in turn creates leverage for government spending.  Therefore, government-industry collaboration and partnerships are more important than ever to all stakeholders including taxpayers, shareholders, and the general public who will benefit from these innovations.

Around timing, the Federal budget year begins October 1 of this year, and priorities going forward will be established by Congress during the lame-duck session directly following the November elections.  Therefore, now is the ideal time to develop a strategy and be ready to engage Federal labs and agencies in the Fall.

Feasibility of Mapping and Marking Underground Utilities by State Highway Agencies— The purpose of this synopsis is to announce the FHWA’s intent to issue a solicitation for a Full and Open Competition to procure the services of a contractor to provide non-personal technical support for Feasibility of Mapping and Marking Underground Utilities by State Highway Agencies. In fulfilling this objective, the following issues shall be addressed: 1. Determine the willingness of both SHAs and utility owners to have SHAs be the central repository of utility data within their ROW. 2. Determine the potential cost to a SHA to collect and maintain 3D utility location data, as well as to mark utilities with RFID (or similar) technology. 3. Identify barriers SHAs may encounter in collecting, storing and maintaining utility location data, as well as recommended ways to overcome these barriers. 4. Document the potential benefits of having accurate utility location and characterization data available during the delivery of highway projects. The solicitation will be issued on or about May 30, 2012. Response Date: May 30, 2012

The FHWA intends to award a single Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract. The anticipated period of performance shall be within 24 months from the effective date of the contract.

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: DTFH61-12-R-00036

Issue Date: 5/15/12

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Research in Transportation, Safety, and Logistics Related Programs with Respect to: Modeling, Safety, Security, Technology, Policy and Conservation– The U.S. DOT, Research and Innovative Technology Administration, Volpe Center, issues this RFI to assist the Government in its acquisition strategy. The Volpe Center seeks to conduct research in transportation to verify new technologies, automation and decision support tools and advanced human-machine interfaces in transportation systems. The research is needed to address issues that could affect the integrity of vehicles, human-vehicle systems, network of manned/unmanned vehicles and workstations, and to develop preventions and mitigations. The research may include: • Testing of human subjects using simulators relating to transportation safety and planning; • Testing of human subjects relating to teamwork, team interaction and communication principles enhance transportations operations; • Testing of the resilience of air and ground transportation systems to cyber security threats to operations, command and control and communications systems, and, • Modeling pollutant migration and predicting cleanup actions. Response Date: May 21, 2012

Eligibility: All

Solicitation #: DTRT57-12-SS-00009

Issue Date: 5/9/12

PTSD Research Project – 

This will be a new firm-fixed-price agreement for six months.

Solicitation #: VA24112Q0643

Issue Date: 5/8/12