A -- HIGH ENERGY RESEARCH & APPLICATIONS (HERA) CALL 0002 THEORETICAL & COMPUTATIONAL R&D (TECHNICAL AREA 4)

A. INTRODUCTION. THIS IS AN ADVANCE NOTICE. DO NOT SUBMIT PROPOSALS FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS PROVIDED TO GIVE INDUSTRY ADVANCE NOTICE OF AN ANTICIPATED BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT. The High Power Microwaves Technologies Branch of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Directed Energy Directorate (RD), Kirtland AFB New Mexico, is seeking innovative techniques and approaches for the development of technologies, components, and systems for High Power Microwave, millimeter wave, and other directed energy systems via this High Energy Research and Applications (HERA) program. B. The HERA program intends to develop and enhance present capabilities as well as expand the horizons and search for new opportunities in all aspects of high energy research to include High Power Microwave (HPM), and millimeter wave system and technology development. This program will provide technology and applications research and development (R&D) for pulsed power (PP) and HPMs, making optimum use of AFRL/RDH capital resources, facilities, and experience. This should include, but is not necessarily limited to, R&D on narrow band and wide band HPM loads; associated compact, portable pulsed power supplies suitable to drive such loads including repetitive pulsed power supplies; alternative uses of technology such as high energy particle beams; higher current and energy pulsed power and its applications such as intense ionizing radiation sources, hypervelocity projectiles, material jets, particulate beams; and other innovative developments of and use of pulsed power. In making full use of capital assets located on Kirtland AFB, NM, the contractor is expected to provide R&D service and management of several Kirtland AFB, NM facilities. Sites and buildings housing these assets include the High Energy Plasma Laboratory, the High Energy Microwave Laboratory (HEML), the High Energy Research and Technology Facility (HERTF), portions of Sandia Area 4 used by AFRL/RD, and portions of other AFRL buildings. The pulse power systems contained in these facilities include modular capacitor systems capable of storing several mega joules, and delivering up to 20 megamps with flexible timing and triggering of separate modules (e.g., SHIVA-STAR). As part of this program, contractors will be expected to offer a significant and comprehensive laboratory / facilities service and operations program encompassing all operational, safety, and health aspects. Most contractor personnel will be required to have SECRET level clearances, and some must be clearable for access to RESTRICTED DATA, CRITICAL NUCLEAR WEAPON DESIGN INFORMATION, FORMERLY RESTRICTED DATA, SCI, and Non-SCI. C. The estimated total program budget for these efforts is approximately $60-75M over five years. FY08 - $12-15M; FY09 - $12-15M; FY10 - $12-15M; FY11 - $12-15M; FY12 $12-15M. The resulting contract will be awarded with a not-to-exceed ceiling of $75M. This amount is subject to adjustments that may be appropriate for the government to take full advantage of the contract ordering period. AFRL reserves the right to make no award, a single award, or multiple awards. This includes the possibility of making more than one award within a given topic area. If multiple awards within a topic area do occur, contractors may have to compete with each other for a given task order. If competed, AFRL will evaluate task order proposals on the following criteria, listed in descending order of importance: overall scientific and technical merits, importance to AFRL/RD programs; and affordability. AFRL then will evaluate, for realism and reasonableness, the cost proposal of the contractor selected for negotiation. Technical Areas are described below. TECHNICAL AREA 1. High Power Microwave Development: Preliminary results of the probability and effects testing and scenario modeling has indicated that HPM source power levels greater than 1 GW and average/continuous (CW) HPM systems capable of generating hundreds of kW to few MW are of interest to the HERA program, consistent with antenna gain and distance from target. The thrust of this activity is to -- Identify and explore new or novel sources and reassess existing sources capable of generating greater that 1 GW peak power, and repetition rates in the 10s of hertz; also of interest are sources that can provide average/CW power of hundred of kW to few MW. -- Execute an experimental research program that will fully test sources including fabrication and modification of test equipment and diagnostic equipment, and the evaluation and analysis of test results. -- Downselect, design, fabricate and test the most likely candidate technologies based on modeling and experimental results. -- Coordinate source development with pulse power and antenna development after the downselection process has occurred. Heavy reliance on and coordination between this technical area and the Theoretical and Computation R&D Technical Area 2 is expected. A further aspect of this technical area is to -- Investigate, test, and fabricate antenna and antenna array concepts capable of adhering to volumetric requirements stemming from potential air vehicle concepts while obtaining sufficient gain to reach RF intensity goals on target at specified distances based on scenario development. Consistent with reaching intensity goals is to explore the phenomenon of air breakdown at various altitudes and conditions, and to explore the physics associated with radiating multi-GW RF pulses in space including partially ionized sources in a vacuum and diffraction of antenna patterns by the upper atmosphere. Work in this area may provide distinct, specialized products and fabrication techniques, unique diagnostics, and innovative methods to overcome air breakdown limits. TECHNICAL AREA 2. Theoretical and Computational R&D: The objectives of this technical area are to develop theoretical techniques and computational tools to: -- Advance existing magneto-hydrodynamic codes and plasma modeling codes to verify HPM source concepts and various plasma application experiments. -- Conduct numerical analysis of such devices which typically employs multidimensional (two and three dimensional) computational physics software of various types. Examples include magneto-hydrodynamics (MHD) software, such as Mach2 and Mach3, for dense plasma phenomena; particle-in-cell (PIC) software, such as ICEPIC, MAGIC and SOS, for collisionless charged particle phenomena; computational electromagnetics (CEM) software, such as PARANA and HFSS, for particle-free electromagnetic phenomena; and other software. -- Explore the use of new materials, processes, and methods for improving the HPM source and subsystem performance characteristics, and efficiencies. This task area also encompasses the theoretical and numerical analysis of systems from the prime mover to the radiating structures to demonstrate scientific and engineering feasibility and assess mission effectiveness. -- Gain further understanding of microwave effects on various electronic systems. The objectives are to develop improved modeling and simulation capabilities for microwave effects on electronic systems, and evaluate various scenarios to predict microwave effectiveness in engagements. -- Conduct engagement level Model and Simulation (M&S) to address scale system requirements. For example, use of EADSIM to assess duty cycle impact on mission for airborne active denial. -- Describing the microwave power pattern, electric field, and magnetic field powered by a pulse waveform is highly desired as well as improving codes used in modeling the interaction between a HPM signal and a "target." These interactions include properly handling ground reflections, multi-path interference, side-lobe suppression techniques, and scattering and standing waves, to ultimately determine field quantities at various points in the problem. -- Determine scaling laws for frequency, growth rate, and studies of competing instabilities. TECHNICAL AREA 3. Pulsed Power (PP) and Pulsed Power Systems (PPS) R&D: The goals of this technical area are to research and investigate new, innovative, or promising pulse power technologies, devices, and subsystems. This will involve all aspects of pulse power R&D relevant to HPM and other AFRL/RD applications. The work under this Technical Area includes: -- Hardware design, fabrication, assembly, and test of components associated with multi- megajoule, greater than ten megamp, terawatt, ten microsecond systems. Examples of pulse power devices and components include capacitors, inductors, fixed and dynamic (Electrically Exploded Fuse (EEF) and Explosively Formed Fuse (EFF)) resistors, transformers (air-core, ferrite-core, and partial-ferrite-core), over-volt and triggered switches (gas, vacuum, liquid metal, solid-state, and mechanical), insulators (gaseous, liquid, and solid-state), and diodes (vacuum and solid-state). Examples of pulse power subsystems include capacitor banks, explosive magnetic flux compression generators (FCGs), Marx generators, pulse forming networks (PFNs), pulse forming lines (PFLs), and pulsed power loads. Pulse power loads of interest include vacuum and solid-state HPM sources, implosion devices for intense radiation production, magnetic field compression devices to accelerate charged particles, plasma and hypervelocity projectile accelerators, etc. Particular emphasis will be given to reducing system, subsystem, or component size, weight, efficiency, lifetime and cost, increasing performance, or improving reliability and robustness. This Technical Area also includes the exploration and development of pulse power systems that drive HPM systems, charged particle beam systems, and other pulsed systems at required repetition rates and power levels, and ultimately to reach required volume and mass limits to achieve system requirements that may stem from the various technical areas. The scope of this effort includes -- Designing, fabricating, testing, and integrating various pulse power technologies and prime power systems utilizing systems engineering approach into a compact PPS driver(s) integrated to HPM source(s). Examples of integrated PPS include single-shot flux compression generator-based inductive storage-pulse conditioning systems for narrow-band HPM tube loads, compact, rep-rated Marx-generator based systems for driving narrow-band or ultra-wide-band HPM sources, and conventional capacitor-bank systems with dynamic vacuum implosion loads. Some research efforts are expected to be directed at continuous wave converters, oscillators, amplifiers, phased arrays, and wide-band generators. Further efforts will be devoted towards modifying existing pulse power systems to accommodate new HPM or charged particle beam loads of various impedances. Particle beam load drivers will be used to reliably achieve full current delivery to drive solid armature or solid liner implosion loads. Some of these systems include the use of a main pulse driver with two or more auxiliary pulsed power discharges fired with controlled timing relative to the main discharge, with timing jitters as small as 20 nanoseconds. Additional pulse power system work will include development of explosive magnetic flux compression generators that produce megamps to tens of megamps of current, and megajoules to tens of megajoules of magnetic energy, and the development of high current opening switches in the 10-20 megamp, 5 megajoule range with opening times less than 300 nanoseconds. Pulse power systems work may include -- Fielding remote experiment operations including the pulsed power system and load, fast photography, and radiation diagnostics. This technical area will explore fundamental research into the areas of hardware systems, subsystems, and diagnostic tools/hardware, which in turn will be used to test physical and/or engineering principles. Diagnostics must be capable of measuring at least the current, voltage, and magnetic field in physical areas associated with experiments that produce hostile blast, debris, radiation fields and thermal environments. Unique diagnostics include the ability to radiograph the types of experiments included in Technical Areas 3 and 4, including solid, armature, and solid liner implosion loads, with multiple radiographs at different, controlled times. The timing jitters associated with radiography will of necessity be as small as 20 nanoseconds. Research and experiments will be conducted with the goal of enhancing energy coupling efficiencies, increasing power (trillion watt range) delivered from a PPS driver to an output (experimental) load, mating advanced weapons concept devices to HPM generators, and develop hardware/techniques to characterize system performance. TECHNICAL AREA 4. Prime Power: The goal of this technical area is to explore new, efficient, compact, low-mass, prime sources of power for pulse power systems. This is an enabling technical area and innovative solutions are sought to drive pulse power systems at desired repetition rates to achieve high average power levels over short pulse trains. Areas of research for this technical area include -- Design, development, modification, testing, and use of compact high-peak power limited lifetime devices, high voltage power supplies, compact transformers, motors, generators, batteries, thermal batteries, fuel cells, power conditioning, rotating machines, inverters, energy storage components, and the like. -- Investigation and modification of existing equipment designed specifically for use in or with existing HPM, PP, PPS, and future compact PP system design. TECHNICAL AREA 5. Technology Demonstrator Development, Operation and Testing The objective of this technical area is to develop a full scale prototype once a technology is identified for development. This includes -- Conceptual studies, system designs, design drawings, fabrication of subsystems, system integration, engineering and technician support in servicing (including spares) and operating such prototype for purpose of testing and demonstration. Emphasis should be placed on balancing risk, use of commercial of the shelf (COTS), state-of-the art and/or new subsystem technologies for full system design and development. -- Platforms to be considered for system integration and demonstrator development should include but not be limited to land and airborne systems. TECHNICAL AREA 6. System Integration and Demonstration The objective of this technical area is to develop, simulate, fabricate, test, demonstrate, package and fully integrate HPM aerial and ground systems according to form, fit, and function requirements defined by AFRL/RDH using HPM technology. HPM technology includes but is not limited by, existing sources such as the Advanced Counter Electronic Source (ACES), or newly developed sources such at the Relativistic Magnetron (RelMag). The intentions of this task area are to deliver aerial and ground based HPM weapon systems to the end user that is close to an end product. This task includes: -- For both the ground and aerial HPM system, military feasibility studies of the integrated package, system designs, fabrication of components to fabrication of the majority of the system, survivability studies, testing for EMI/EMC, testing individual components, testing the overall system, operator manuals, engineering and technician support, and demonstrating the system in an operational realistic environment. -- For both the ground and aerial HPM systems satisfying form and fit requirements of the end user by designing or replacing components with more efficient, smaller, or lighter technology. This fit requirement can also be satisfied by a redesign of the overall system or the redesign of the orientation of components to ensure the dimensions and weight is minimized. -- For aerial systems safety of flight and SEEK EAGLE standards should be taken into account for design of the end product. Additionally, survivability, fusing methods, delivery of the platform to one or more three-dimensional points in space, and internal/external modifications to the aerial platform should be taken into account. Due to the nature of the aerial platform, an in-depth understanding of air platforms is required as well as requirements of the United States Air Force concerning these types of systems should be understood. The aerial platform options may include current munition type inventories and/or specifically designed systems for HPM payloads. -- For aerial HPM systems the delivery method includes fighter and/or bomber type aircraft. Detailed knowledge and understanding is required to successfully merge the aerial HPM system to the aircraft. -- For both the ground and aerial HPM systems the goal of the military feasibility studies is to determine the effectiveness and worthiness of the integrated system given the appropriate platform and HPM parameters. This includes studies of the effectiveness against targets sets such as centers of gravities and facilities with electronic systems. -- For both the ground and aerial HPM systems the goal of the survivability studies is to ensure the continued nominal operation of the integrated system in the presence of extremes such as, but not limited to, vibration, pressure, and temperature. The survivability study shall take into account the platform of the integrated system. -- For both the ground and aerial HPM systems the goal of the demonstration phase is to validate military feasibility and worthiness against realistic target sets and collateral effects on subsystems in real world scenarios. The demonstration shall take into account the platform of the integrated system. Platforms considered for system integration shall include but is not limited to airborne and mobile ground based systems. D. GENERAL INFORMATION. The government anticipates awarding an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, Cost-Plus-Fixed Fee completion effort task order(s), but reserves the right to award a procurement instrument best suited to the nature of the research proposal. The contract award is anticipated to be unclassified, and is expected to have a five-year ordering period. In the event the government is unable to conclude negotiations with the apparent successful offeror, the government reserves the right to conduct negotiations with another offeror. If the offeror is a large business, any resultant contract will include a subcontracting plan, which must be submitted prior to award. In addition, AFMC 5352.209-9002, Organizational Conflict of Interest Clause, will be applicable, with probable inclusion of Alternates III, IV, and VI. The successful awardee will be required to enter into a non-disclosure agreement with the AFRL/RDOS support contractor to permit administrative access to proposal and contract data. It is anticipated a DD Form 254, Contract Security Classification Specification with a classification level of Top Secret will be required during the performance of this contract. Foreign-owned firms are excluded from participating. It is expected that contractors may have access to, or generate, data that is unclassified with limited distribution and/or subject to U.S. Export Control laws. Therefore, offerors will need to be certified by the Defense Logistics Information Services (DLIS) prior to award. Contact the US/Canada Joint Certification Office, DLIS, Federal Center, 74 Washington Ave, North, Battle Creek, Michigan 49017-3084 (1-800-352-3572), or logon to http://www.dlis.dla.mil/jcp for further information on certification and the approval process. Also, DD Form 2345, Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement, must be completed by the successful offeror and processed prior to award of a contract. All DOE Federally Funded Research & Development Centers (FFRDCs) and DOD FFRDCs C3I Lab, Lincoln Laboratory or Software Engineering Institute may submit proposals in response to this solicitation. Other FFRDCs or contractors that propose using FFRDCs not discussed herein shall provide rationale in the proposal that research is within the purpose, mission, general scope of effort or special competency of the FFRDC and that the research to be performed would not place the FFRDC in direct competition with the private sector. Offerors must mark their proposals with the restrictive language stated in FAR 52.215-1(e). For the purposes of this BAA, the business size standard is 500 employees, NAICS 541712. The acquisition is unrestricted, full and open competition. All firms responding to the subsequent solicitation shall state whether they are, or are not, a small business, a socially and economically disadvantaged business, an 8(a) firm, a woman-owned business, a hubzone certified small business, a historically black college or university, a minority institution, a veteran-owned small business or a service-disabled veteran owned small business. Foreign owned firms are advised they will not be allowed to participate. There will be no opportunities for foreign owned sub-contractors as well. Technical POC is Mr Jonathan Hull, 505-846-2651. Projected date for release of solicitation is January 9, 2008.

MULTIPLE AWARDS - IDIQ CONTRACT AND INITIAL TASK ORDER ENTITLED "HIGH POWER MICROWAVE SYSTEM MODELING COMPUTATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND DATA HANDLING"

MULTIPLE AWARDS - INITIAL IDIQ CONTRACT AND TASK ORDER ENTITLED "PULSED POWER HIGH ENERGY DENSITY PHYSICS THEORETICAL AND COMPUTATIONAL EFFORTS"

BAA CALL 0003 - Theoretical and Computational R&D - Technical Area 4

BAA CALL 0003 - Theoretical and Computational R&D - Technical Area 4 -Amend 03