| A -- DEFENSE SCIENCES RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY |
| Program Summary |
 |
| Title: |
A -- DEFENSE SCIENCES RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY |
| GovCB Opps ID : |
ADP11962978330001375 |
| Document Type: |
Modification to a Previous Notice |
| FSC Code: |
A - Research and development
|
| Solicitation No.: |
BAA07-21 |
| Source: |
http://www1.fbo.gov/spg/ODA/DARPA/CMO/BAA07%2D21/Modification%2011.html |
Posted Date:
|
Nov 28, 2007 |
| Last Update: |
Feb 04, 2008 |
| Due Date: |
Feb 14, 2008 |
|
| Description |
|
General Information
| Document Type: |
Modification to a Previous Notice |
| Solicitation Number: |
BAA07-21 |
| Posted Date: |
Nov 28, 2007 |
| Original Response Date: |
Feb 14, 2008 |
| Current Response Date: |
Feb 14, 2008 |
| Original Archive Date: |
Feb 29, 2008 |
| Current Archive Date: |
Feb 29, 2008 |
| Classification Code: |
A -- Research & Development |
| Naics Code: |
541710 -- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (NAICS 2002) |
Contracting Office Address
Other Defense Agencies, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Contracts Management Office, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA, 22203-1714, UNITED STATES
Description
REALNOSE; BAA 07-21, Addendum 8; Full Proposals Due: February 12, 2008, no later than 4:00PM ET. Technical Point of Contact: Dr. Amy Kruse, DARPA/DSO; Ph: (571) 218-4338, Email: BAA07-21@darpa.mil; URL: http://www.darpa.mil/dso/solicitations/solicit.htm; Website Submission: http://www.sainc.com/dsobaa/
DESCRIPTION
(Note: This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Addendum 8 is submitted as a Special Focus Area as described in the original BAA, 07-21.)
Despite the recent development of a wide variety of chemo-sensors, the accurate detection and identification of known and unknown chemicals and mixtures of chemicals (i.e., explosives, chemical and biological weapons) remains a critical military need. The limited performance range on current detection methods, with regard to odorant identification, odorant recognition in mixtures, and chemo-sensing across multiple classes of compounds, stands in stark contrast to the innate ability of the mammalian olfactory system - specifically the canine system - to handle these challenging tasks with ease. The canine olfactory system is able to detect thousands of chemicals with high selectivity and specificity using only biological components.
Recent breakthroughs in the genetics of the olfactory system and in expression systems for mammalian olfactory receptors have presented the opportunity to create a ?nose? constructed from biologic components. The goal of the DARPA RealNose program is to build a ?nose? constructed from actual olfactory receptors that further leverages the components of the canine olfactory system to create a breakthrough detection system with potential capabilities beyond that of a canine. The key to the program concept is that by simulating the entire mammalian olfactory system (from air intake to pattern recognition), revolutionary detection capabilities will be created, demonstrating canine-comparable specificity, distance, and detection thresholds.
RealNose efforts should model, design, and develop a novel sensor inspired by the canine?s olfactory system to include: air/odor intake, a detector layer (which includes olfactory receptors), a rapid (within seconds) signal transduction methodology, and a signal processing/pattern recognition methodology for identifying odors and odor classes. Note that with the exception of the olfactory receptors themselves, components of the RealNose system do not need to be derived from biologics; bio-inspired, biomimetic, and other approaches are suitable. The integration of these components into the resulting RealNose device will produce a revolutionary olfactory capability for chemical identification.
The first phase of the program focuses on the development of the individual component technologies and their integration into a breadboard system with limited odorant identification testing. The second phase focuses on the development of a brassboard sensor system with identification of an increasing number of odorant molecules, mixture testing and classification of unknowns. The specific Phase I/II milestones are presented under the Program Goals and Milestones section.
DARPA requests proposals for the full scope of development (e.g., an end-to end system) designed by a team of multidisciplinary research organizations including a lead-integrator for scientific and programmatic continuity. DARPA is not aware of any single company or institution capable of spanning the requisite technical breadth and anticipates that a highly interdisciplinary team will be required to perform the effort. Appropriate teaming will be a critical element in responding to the DARPA RealNose solicitation. A teaming website, http://www.sainc.com/RealNoseTeaming, will facilitate the formation of teams with the necessary expertise. Additionally, an Industry Day is being planned for January 15, 2008, to facilitate technical exchange between interested entities and full details will be announced via separate posting.
BACKGROUND
DARPA seeks innovative proposals that address the following technical areas listed below. Note that a successful proposal must address (but is not limited to) ALL components listed, as well as system integration.
Odorant Intake
Develop an odorant intake system that mimics the capabilities of the canine nasal cavity. Modeling of the canine nasal cavity may be necessary to understand the cavity?s flow profiles and the relationship to the spatial distribution of receptors and temporal component of odorant/receptor interactions.
Detector Layer
Develop an appropriate detection layer that may include a nasal mucosal layer, odorant separation technique, and an olfactory receptor layer (required). It has been demonstrated that the mucosal layer acts similarly to a gas chromatograph by partially separating molecules in complex mixtures prior to interacting with olfactory receptors. Identification of coding sequences for specific olfactory receptor proteins of interest should continue to enable detection of as many chemicals as possible in a final system. The spatial distribution of individual odorant receptor genes within the epithelium should also be considered. Note that only systems that utilize olfactory receptors as detectors will be considered. The device must be designed to work in outdoor air and be capable of handling particulates, moisture, and aerosolized or gaseous contaminants.
Signal Transduction Methodology
Develop a signal transduction methodology that can transduce odorant binding to a receptor and that mimics/utilizes the second messenger cascade of the mammalian olfactory system. Methods that harness or replicate this second messenger signaling cascade and signal amplification are critical to developing a usable readout for the RealNose device. This readout capability may generate optical or electrical signals. Methods that utilize gene-expression as an output are not preferred.
Pattern Recognition Methodology
Develop a pattern recognition methodology for specific odorants and odorant/chemical classes through a sophisticated data analysis approach. This may include neural-networks, high-dimensional data approaches or other novel methods. This methodology should mimic the signal amplification and pattern recognition aspects of the olfactory neural pathway to enable a highly sensitive and specific RealNose device. Both spatial and temporal components of the network and biological signal processing schemes should be considered to enable odorant identification that approaches the canine capability. Any proposed solution must eventually be capable of identifying an unknown analyte based on comparison with a library of known chemicals.
Successful responders to the above listed technical areas must be able to quantitatively and analytically express how their solutions will meet the goals stated above and provide previous experimental evidence, if applicable. Proposers should plan for the test and evaluation of their components and device within each phase length (i.e., breadboard, brassboard, and prototype). Please note that proposals addressing only individual component-level technologies may be considered noncompliant to this BAA Addendum.
PROGRAM GOALS AND MILESTONES
The goal of the DARPA RealNose program is to build a prototype ?nose? that simulates the entire canine olfactory system to create a breakthrough detection system for known and unknown odorants with potential sensitivity and specificity beyond a canine?s.
Program Phases
The RealNose Program will be separated into three phases. The goal of Phase I is to develop requisite component technologies and demonstrate the ability of a breadboard RealNose device to detect and identify 5 individual chemicals at the canine level of detection threshold for each molecule. The goal of Phase II is to demonstrate detection and identification of individual chemicals within a mixture of 5 to 10 chemicals, and classify 1-3 unknowns with a brassboard system. The goal of Phase III will be to develop a functional prototype system that can detect and identify 25 known and unknown chemicals - with direct application to transition customer(s).
Phase I should not exceed 15 months and Phase II should not exceed 12 months. Note that shorter duration efforts are strongly encouraged.
A successful proposal will thoroughly discuss all details for meeting the milestones set forth for both Phase I and Phase II. Proposals should encompass both Phase I and an optional executable Phase II, including detailed budgets for both phases, as well as a brief discussion of the pathway towards a Phase III prototype. At the end of each phase, performance will be evaluated based on achievement of the stated milestones. Successful completion of Phase I does not guarantee selection to proceed to Phase II.
Program Milestones
The RealNose Phase I milestones are:
1. Demonstrate methods for high throughput identification of olfactory receptor genes of interest, stable expression of receptor proteins, and maintaining olfactory receptors in a stable and functional state.
2. Demonstrate methods for reliable ?read-out? of analyte binding to/interacting with receptors via direct measurement.
3. Develop a breadboard system composed of each RealNose system component: air/odor intake, a detector layer, signal transduction methodology, and a signal processing/pattern recognition methodology.
4. Phase I Go/No-Go Metric: Demonstrate the breadboard?s ability to detect and identify 5 individual chemicals, potentially in a chemical mixture. The device should operate/identify at the canine level of detection (LOD), at a probability of detection greater than 80% (PD greater than 80%), and be able to distinguish relative chemical concentrations. Potential chemicals include, but are not limited to, those listed below in Table 1.
Table 1. Potential Phase I Compounds
No. 1: Cyclohexanone, Canine LOD = 10 ppb
No. 2: Methyl Benzoate, Canine LOD = 10 ppb
No. 3: 2, 4 DNT, Canine LOD = 0.5 ppb
No. 4: n- Amyl Acetate, Canine LOD = 2 ppt
No. 5: Limonene (+/-), Canine LOD = 10 ppm
The RealNose Phase II milestones are:
1. Develop and demonstrate an integrated brassboard RealNose system.
2. Demonstrate the ability to classify unknown chemicals within a mixture based on previous interactions with known molecules using the brassboard system.
3. Phase II Go/No-Go Metric: Demonstrate the brassboard?s ability to detect and identify 10 individual odorants/chemicals, with a portion contained in a chemical mixture. The chemicals should be detected at the canine level of detection (LOD), at a probability of detection greater than 90% (PD greater than 90%), and distinguish relative chemical concentrations. Additional chemicals include, but are not limited to, heptanal, acetophenone, eugenol, ethyl vanillin, and 2-heptanone. The LOD for the potential chemicals will be provided in Phase II.
FULL PROPOSAL SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
All proposals submitted electronically by means of an Electronic Business Application Tool or proposal submission web site (not including Grants.gov) must be encrypted using Winzip or PKZip with 256-bit AES encryption. Only one zipped/encrypted file will be accepted per proposal and proposals not zipped/encrypted will be rejected by DARPA. An encryption password form must be completed and emailed to BAA07-21@darpa.mil at the time of proposal submission. See https://www.tfims.darpa.mil/baa/ for the encryption password form.
The word ?PASSWORD? must appear in the subject line of the above email and there are minimum security requirements for establishing the encryption password. Failure to provide the encryption password may result in the proposal not being evaluated. For further information and instructions on how to zip and encrypt proposal files, see https://www.tfims.darpa.mil/baa/.
Note: the TFIMS website listed above will not be used for DSO proposal submissions. After visiting the TFIMS link for encryption instructions, please use the following website for all DSO white paper and proposal submissions: http://www.sainc.com/dsobaa/. The zip and encryption instructions can also be found on the DSO website listed in this paragraph. Regardless of submission channel, a password form will need to be filled out and sent in via a different channel than the proposal.
Full proposals will be due February 12, 2008, NO LATER THAN 4:00PM ET. Proposals submitted by fax will not be accepted. Note that a full proposal may be submitted at any time before the close of the solicitation. Additionally, white papers are not encouraged, but discussions with the DARPA Program Manager, Dr. Amy Kruse, may be requested.
As described in BAA 07-21, full proposals shall consist of two volumes: Technical and Cost. Follow the general guidelines for full proposal format and content provided at: http://www.darpa.mil/baa/BAA07-21pt2.html.
In addition to the guidelines found at the link above, the Technical section of the research proposal must contain the following information:
1. Concept Definition: Clearly describe the proposed components for RealNose: air/odor intake, a detector layer, signal transduction methodology, and a signal processing/pattern recognition methodology. Proposals MUST describe an end-to-end solution for a RealNose device. The proposer team must have demonstrated expertise in ALL pertinent technical areas.
2. Supporting Technical Analysis: Provide a detailed analysis of the technical rationale that supports the proposed RealNose concept, including systems performance estimates.
3. Research Plan: Provide a detailed research plan that describes the methods for achieving the milestones for each phase as specified in this BAA Addendum. Provide several specific, quantitative milestones at intermediate stages of the program to assess program progress towards the Phase I and Phase II milestones.
4. Management Plan: Provide a detailed plan for coordination of RealNose effort, including justification for inclusion of key personnel, personnel qualifications and explicit roles for each collaborator/subcontractor. Risk-management approach should be included.
5. Brief list of relevant references.
Animal Welfare
Any Recipient performing research, experimentation, or testing involving the use of animals shall comply with the rules on animal acquisition, transport, care, handling, and use in: (i) 9 CFR parts 1-4, Department of Agriculture rules that implement the Laboratory Animal Welfare Act of 1966, as amended, (7 U.S.C. 2131-2159); (ii) the guidelines described in National Institutes of Health Publication No. 86-23, "Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals"; (iii) DoD Directive 3216.01, ?Use of Laboratory Animals in DoD Program.?
For submissions containing animal use, proposals should briefly describe plans for Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) review and approval. Animal studies in the program will be expected to comply with the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/olaw.htm.
All Recipients must receive approval by a DoD certified veterinarian, in addition to an IACUC approval. No animal studies may be conducted using DoD/DARPA funding until the USAMRMC Animal Care and Use Review Office (ACURO) or other appropriate DoD veterinary office(s) grant approval. As a part of this secondary review process, the Recipient will be required to complete and submit an ACURO Animal Use Appendix, which may be found at https://mrmc.amedd.army.mil/AnimalAppendix.asp.
Conflict of Interest
Awards made under this BAA are subject to the provisions of the FAR Subpart 9.5, Organizational Conflicts of Interest. Consequently, all proposers and proposed subcontractors must, therefore, affirm whether they are providing scientific, engineering and technical assistance (SETA) or similar support to any DARPA technical office(s) through an active contract or subcontract, either sponsored and awarded by DARPA through the Contracts Management Office (CMO) or through an outside Contracting Agent acting on behalf of DARPA (i.e., Army, Navy, Air Force issued contract award). All affirmations must state which office(s) the proposer supports, and identify the prime contract numbers.
Export Licenses
(1) The contractor shall comply with all U. S. export control laws and regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120 through 130, and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730 through 799, in the performance of a resulting contract. In the absence of available license exemptions/exceptions, the Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining the appropriate licenses or other approvals, if required, for exports of hardware, technical data, and software, or for the provision of technical assistance.
(2) The Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining export licenses, if required, before utilizing foreign persons in the performance of this contract, including instances where the work is to be performed on-site at any Government installation, where the foreign person will have access to export-controlled technical data or software.
(3) The Contractor shall be responsible for all regulatory record keeping requirements associated with the use of licenses and license exemptions/exceptions.
Evaluation of Proposals
Evaluation of the proposals will be in accordance with BAA 07-21. For general administrative questions, please refer to the original FEDBIZOPPS solicitation, BAA07-21, of February 14, 2007: http://www.fbo.gov/spg/ODA/DARPA/CMO/BAA07%2D21/SynopsisP.html, http://www.fbo.gov/spg/ODA/DARPA/CMO/BAA07%2D21/Attachments.html.
All proprietary information should be marked on the full proposal. It is the policy of DARPA to treat all proposals as competitive information and to disclose their contents only for the purpose of evaluation. Standard proprietary disclaimers notwithstanding, proposals may be reviewed by non-Government technical experts who have signed a nondisclosure agreement with DARPA, unless the specific phrase ?TO BE REVIEWED BY GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES ONLY? appears on the cover sheet. In any case, personnel under exclusive contract with DARPA who have completed the appropriate nondisclosure agreements will handle the proposals for administrative purposes.
Web Address for Proposal Submission: http://www.sainc.com/dsobaa/.
Address for Proposal Submission:
DARPA/DSO
ATTN: BAA 07-21, Addendum 8, Dr. Amy Kruse
3701 North Fairfax Drive
Arlington, VA 22203-1714
General Information
In all correspondence, reference BAA 07-21, Addendum 8
Technical Point of Contact
Dr. Amy Kruse, DARPA/DSO; Phone: (571) 218-4338; Email: Amy.Kruse@darpa.mil
Original Point of Contact
Barbara McQuiston, Deputy Director, DSO, Phone 703-526-4759, Fax 703-248-1916, Email Barbara.McQuiston@darpa.mil
Current Point of Contact
Brett Giroir, Director, DSO, Phone (000) 000-0000, Fax (000) 000-0000, Email DSO-BAA@darpa.mil
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