distributed and collaborative intelligent systems and ... · unclassified unclassified the...

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED The Nation’s Premier Laboratory for Land ForcesUNCLASSIFIED The Nation’s Premier Laboratory for Land Forces

UNCLASSIFIED

Distributed and Collaborative Intelligent Systems and Technology

(DCIST)

Collaborative Research Alliance

(CRA)

Opportunities Day

1 March 2017

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED The Nation’s Premier Laboratory for Land Forces

Agenda

0830-0900 Registration/Check-in (B205 Lobby)

0900-0910 Meeting Logistics – Dr. Piekarski

0910-0930 Welcome and ARL Introduction – Dr. Harper

0930-1015 DCIST CRA Overview & Program Organization – Dr.

Piekarski

1015-1045 DCIST CRA Research Areas - Dr. Sadler

1045-1115 CRA Cooperative Agreement Vehicle – Ms. Fox

(Collection of Questions)

1115-1200 Lunch Break (ALC Cafeteria)

1200-1300 Question & Answer

1300 Adjourn

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Lobby

Registration

Breaks

Auditorium

All Briefings

All Poster

Sessions

Cafeteria

Lunch

Bld 202

No Access

Bld 204

No Access

Ve

nd

ing

Men’s

restroom

Woman’s

restroomCredit

Union

ATM

Meeting Logistics

UNCLASSIFIED


• Please ensure that your BLUETOOTH, WIRELESS, CAMERA OR

MICROPHONE is disabled on all your Portable Electronic Devices.

• In the event of a MEDICAL EMERGENCY contact the Security

Control Office located on the first floor of the lobby, Room 1A001 or

call 394-1117.

• In the event of a FIRE ALARM exit facility using the nearest

available emergency exit and report to South Parking Lot to right of

building 205 as you exit for safety and accountability.

• No food or drink in auditorium.

• Write questions on index cards or submit via chat option on DCS

• We will capture and post on-line.

• We will collect after the morning session and answer after the

lunch break during question and answer period.

Meeting Logistics

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Research Area (RA) Topics:

RA 1 - Distributed Intelligence: Establish the theoretical foundations of multi-faceted

distributed networked intelligent systems combining autonomous agents, sensors,

tactical super-computing, knowledge bases in the tactical cloud, and human experts.

DCIST Vision and Topic Areas

Vision:

Develop the underpinning science to extend the reach, situational awareness, and

operational effectiveness of Intelligent System/Soldier teams against dynamic threats

in complex and contested environments and provide technical and operational

superiority through fast, intelligent, resilient and collaborative behaviors.

RA 2 - Heterogeneous Group Control: Develop

the theory and algorithms for control of large

autonomous teams with varying levels of

heterogeneity and modularity across sensing,

computing, platforms, and degree of autonomy.

RA 3 - Adaptive and Resilient Behaviors:

Develop theory and experimental methods for

heterogeneous multi-agent groups to carry out tasks

in the physical world.

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Award Instrument: This Program Announcement is expected to result in the

award of a cooperative agreement (CA) to a Consortium of entities that may

include institutions of higher education, and industrial and non-profit entities.

CRA Leadership:

• The Consortium must be led by an institution of higher education charged with

spearheading a focused 6.1 basic research program, this organization will be

designated as the Lead Research Organization (LRO).

RA 1 – LRAO 1 &

Subawardees

RA 3 LRAO 3 &

Subawardees

RA 2 – LRAO 2 &

Subawardees

LRO

The Consortium

• Each Research Area of the CRA will be led

by a different Lead Research Area

Organization (LRAO), one of which could

also be the LRO.

• LRAOs can be institutions of higher

education, industrial (large and small

businesses) and non-profits entities.

• Together the LRO and LRAOs make up the

Consortium leadership.

• The CA may also include other organizations

that support each RA as subawardees to

the LRO.

DCIST Organizational Structure

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Lead Research Organization

Lead Research Organization (LRO):

• The LRO must be an institution of higher education.

• Manages the day to day activities within Consortium.

• Participates in the monthly Technical Management Group meetings

• Leads the development of the CRA Initial and Bi-Annual Program Plans

• Coordinates the Consortium input to the Annual Technical and scheduled

Research Management Board reviews.

• Promotes collaboration and transition of research amongst the Consortium

and with ARL and ARL stakeholders.

• Distributes Government funding to Consortium Members and subawardees in

accordance with the approved IPP/BPP under the CA.

• Responsible for timely billing (invoicing) of executed research for itself and

the other Consortium Members to ensure proper disbursement of funds.

• Hosts a web based repository of information from the CRA that is accessible

by ARL, Consortium members, and CRA stakeholders for the duration of the

CRA. This repository will include programmatic and review material. It will

also serve as a vehicle for software and dataset sharing.

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Lead Research Area Organization

Lead Research Area Organization (LRAO):

• Can be institutions of higher education, industrial (large and small

businesses) and non-profits entities.

• Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC) may be

included as Consortium Members (LRAOs) or subawardees

• Provides research leadership for a specific Research Area

• Supports the LRO in managing the day to day activities within Consortium.

• Participates in the monthly Technical Management Group meetings

• Supports the development of the CRA Initial and Bi-Annual Program Plans

• Supports the Annual Technical and scheduled Research Management Board

reviews.

• Performs research within the CRA.

• Promotes collaboration amongst the Consortium and with ARL and ARL

stakeholders.

• Promotes transition of research

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Subawardees and FFRDCs

Subawardees:

The Consortium may be augmented with subawardees to meet the

research objectives of the CRA, especially for the conduct of new and

innovative research for which they are particularly qualified.

Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs)

Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC) may

be included as Consortium Members (LRAOs) or subawardees in a

Proposal under this PA, but an FFRDC may not be the LRO. FFRDCs

may propose effort as allowed by their sponsoring agency and in

accordance with their sponsoring agency policy.

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The Alliance

ARL’s Internal Program

The Consortium

The Alliance

• Collaboration between Consortium and Government researchers is integral to

the execution and success of the CRA.

• The Consortium and ARL together form the Collaborative Research

Alliance.

• Creation of an environment that is conducive to collaboration and joint

research is therefore a critical element in managing the CRA and establishing

the Alliance.

• ARL will fund in-house staff and align in-house research to foster highly

collaborative partnerships between Consortium and Government researchers.

Expectations:

• Sharing of Data

• Staff Rotations

• Joint Experimentation

• Joint Publications

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Alliance Leadership Positions

PM

RAL 1 RAL 2 RAL3

CAM

RAL 1 RAL 2 RAL 3

Chief Scientist

Consortium ARL

DCIST CRA Technical Management Group

Alliance

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DCIST CRA Management

Groups and Boards

Technical Management Group (TMG)

Chaired by the CAM

Includes the PM, the three RALs, as well as the corresponding

three RA Government technical leads and the DCIST Chief

Scientist.

Meets monthly and as needed via teleconm or in-person as

needed.

Assists the CAM and the PM in carrying out their duties

concerning the DCIST CRA

TMG will be responsible for the management and integration of

the Alliance’s efforts under the CRA including programmatic,

technical, reporting, financial, and administrative matters.

TMG will steer the technical vision and content of the CRA

through development of the DCIST CRA IPP and BPP.

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Consortium Leadership Positions

Program Manager (PM).

Will be designated by the LRO and must be a member of that organization.

Consortium's scientific representative charged with the Consortium’s overall

responsibility for programmatic, technical, and fiducial management and

guidance of the CA.

Management of the CRA is expected to be the primary responsibility of the

individual assigned as PM and a commitment of time commensurate with this

responsibility is also required.

The PM is required to be an eminent scholar in the field of DCIST and have

the stature, experience and leadership skills to successfully execute the CRA

program.

The PM will serve, in collaboration with the CAM, in providing overall

leadership for the CRA and within the TMG.

Leads development of the CRA Initial and Bi-Annual Program Plans

Promotes collaboration and transition of research amongst the Consortium


Represents the program to external organizations and media.

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Research Area Lead (RAL):

Will be designated by the LRAO and must be a member of that

organization.

Represents and coordinates activities under the LRAO during CRA

planning, program reviews, and technical and fiducial execution.

Management of the RA is expected to be a significant responsibility of the

individual and a commitment of time commensurate with this responsibility

is also required.

The RAL is required to be an eminent scholar or technical leader in the field

of DCIST and have the stature, experience and leadership skills to

successfully lead a RA within the CRA.

Serves as a member of the TMG.

Supports development of the CRA Initial and Bi-Annual Program Plans

Promotes collaboration and transition of research amongst the Consortium


Represents the RA to external organizations and media.

Consortium Leadership Positions

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Government Leadership

Positions

Collaborative Alliance Manager (CAM).

The CRA established under this PA will be planned, defended, executed, and

reviewed as part of ARL’s mission program.

Overall scientific management and fiscal responsibility for the CRA will reside

with a senior ARL scientific manager designated as the CAM

The ARL Grants Officer will receive recommendations from the CAM and will

be the ultimate legal authority empowered to make formal adjustments to the

CA.

DCIST Chief Scientist.

The DCIST Chief Scientist (Government scientist) will assist the CAM with the

overall scientific management of the CRA, working with the TMG to

continuously shape the strategic direction and an innovative and scientific

approach for the program.

ARL Research Area Leads:

• Government counterparts to each Consortium RAL. Will work with the PM,

CAM, and RALs in CRA planning and execution and serve as a member of the

TMG.

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DCIST CRA Planning and

Review Cycle

IPP/BPP Approval

Annual Technical Review

Workshops Bootcamps New Topics

TMG Strategic Planning Meeting

BPP Development

RMB/CRA Update

• RMBs held in years: 1, 3, 4

(extension decision), 6, 8

• CRA Management update

in off years

• Capstone Event in year 10

if extended

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Program Plans

Initial Program Plan (IPP)

• Within 90 days after award, the Alliance (through the TMG) will jointly

prepare an Initial Program Plan (IPP) to cover the first 12 months of

performance.

• The IPP will be based substantially on the Proposal received from the

Consortium.

• IPP will provide an executive summary of the proposed research, overview

of the management plan, Research Area overviews, and detail task

descriptions covering the first year of research and anticipated work through

the first BPP.

Biennial Program Plan (BPP).

• Eight months after award, the Alliance (through the TMG) will jointly prepare

a proposed Biennial Program Plan (BPP) scoped to cover in detail the

next two fiscal years.

• BPP will provide an executive summary of the proposed research, overview

of the management plan Research Area overviews, and detail task

descriptions covering the next two years of research.

• The CAM will approve the BPP and formally submit the approved BPP to

the Grants Officer for incorporation into the CA.

• This process will continue through the life of the CA.

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DCIST CRA Management

Groups and Boards

Technical Management Group (TMG)

Chaired by the CAM

Includes the PM, the three RALs, as well as the corresponding three RA

Government technical leads and the DCIST Chief Scientist.

Assists the CAM and the PM in carrying out their duties concerning the

DCIST CRA

TMG will be responsible for the management and integration of the Alliance’s

efforts under the CRA including programmatic, technical, reporting, financial, and

administrative matters.

TMG will steer the technical vision and content of the CRA through

development of the DCIST CRA IPP and BPP.

Research Management Board (RMB)

Established by ARL

The RMB will be chaired by the CAM and will include representatives from

Army, other service organizations and other government agencies with

interest, expertise in the technologies related to the CRA.

RMB will identify and develop collaborative opportunities, review program and

provide advice on the BPP planning process, provide recommendations to

the CAM for the decision for a CRA 5-year extension, and facilitate

transitions.

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Reviews

Annual Technical Review:

Each year, the Alliance must organize a CRA Collaboration and Technical

Review meeting where Alliance researchers engage in face-to-face

technical discussions.

Overall goal of this meeting is a technical review of the CRA for ARL, ARL

stakeholders, Army leadership, and Consortium leadership to provide input

into the BPP planning process.

It is also intended to foster interactions and collaborations among

researchers. The emphasis is on collaborations (especially multi-

disciplinary, cross-Research Area collaborations),

experimentation/validation plans, and possible transition opportunities.

Planning for the Collaboration and Technical Review Meeting will be

executed through the PM and the CAM. Additionally, it is anticipated the

Alliance will participate in other ARL/Army program reviews.

Capstone Review:

• If the five year extension is granted, a Capstone event will be held at the

conclusion of the program to highlight and document the accomplishments

of the program.

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ARL’s relevant organizations follows

• Computational and Information Sciences Directorate (CISD)

• Vehicle Technology Directorate (VTD)

• Human Research and Engineering Directorate (HRED)

• Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate (SEDD)

• Weapons and Materials Research Directorate (WMRD)

• Army Research Office (ARO)

https://www.arl.army.mil/www/default.cfm?page=20

ARL’s relevant organizations follows

• Sciences-for-Maneuver

• Information Sciences

• Human Sciences:


https://www.arl.army.mil/opencampus/ResearchAreas

ARL’s Open Campus

• Research Areas

Partnering with ARL

Specific collaborative projects not necessary on day one or in Whitepaper or Proposal but

vision, potential topics, and approach to collaboration need to be evident.



https://www.arl.army.mil/opencampus/ResearchAreas

UNCLASSIFIED


Provide fundamental science

underpinnings of autonomous

systems for the Army

From micro-systems to combat vehicles

Soldiers/Unmanned System

Teaming:

• Combat multiplier

• Team member

• Heterogeneous groups

• Following commander’s intent

21

ARL Intelligent Systems

Robotics

CTA

MAST

CTA

Internal ARL

Research

ARO

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Intelligent Systems Center

Decision-Making beyond

Human Op-Tempo

Adaptable to

New Environments

Comprehensive World Model

Common Sense Reasoning

Dynamic Learning

Self-organizing Robot Teams

Distributed Computing &

Autonomous Networking

Robust Physical Agents

Real-time Planning

Socially Cognizant Behaviors &

Adversarial Reasoning

Desired Attributes of Army Intelligent Systems

Mobility & Manipulation | Perception | Adaptive Control

• Cognitive Architectures

• Artificial Intelligence

• Reasoning/Knowledge Engineering

• Natural Language

• Semantics

• Big Data Analytics

• Machine Learning

• Distributed Computing (HPC)

• Game Theory• Process & Task Allocation

• Information Bandwidth Management

• Cooperation

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Manned-Unmanned Teamingrobots as wingmen or out in front

Force Projection & Augmentation

through Intelligent Vehicles

MAINTAIN OVERMATCH & ENHANCE EXPEDITIONARY CAPABILITIES

Develop technologies to

• Understand the tactical environment

• Reason like soldiers

• Learn from experience

• Build transparency and trust

Air-Ground Collaborationfor improved SA or combined effects

Many Soldiers

One Machine

Many Soldiers

Many Machines

As a team

One Soldier

Many Machines

Research to create software algorithms that

• Semantically label objects & behaviors

• Enable cognitive reasoning & life-long learning

• Create common ground through human behavior models

• Enable intuitive communication between man & machine

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CURRENT

RESEARCH

TOPICS

FUTURE TECHNOLOGY

Information understanding

to extract and combine data from

disparate information sources transforming

information into Soldier-useable formats.

Information fusion to integrate

data from human and physical sensors by

incorporating contextual and semantic

information; providing Soldiers

with trustworthy, high quality

actionable intelligence.

Automated intelligence to support

Soldier perception, reasoning, planning,

collaboration, and decision making.

Acting Intelligently in a Dynamic Battlefield

of Information, Agents, and Humans

Optimize Human Performance; Maximize Demand Reduction and Improve Reliability; Maintain Overmatch; Enhance

Expeditionary Capabilities; Accelerated Data to Decision; Human Performance Enhancement

Provide the theory and techniques to synergistically integrate information with intelligent agents acting upon the world, augmenting the Soldier to accomplish tactical missions.

• Pervasive information availability

• Distributed cognitive computing

• Virtual staff

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• Contextually-aware robot/agent interaction

• Localized computational scalability and information access

• Semantic interoperability between systems for teaming

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Program Funding

Funding

Category

Core Research Program ($M)

Fiscal Year

FY18* FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25 FY26 FY27 Total

(10yr)

Basic Research

(6.1)

3.6 5.8 5.9 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.3 6.3 6.2 5.8 58.5

Core Total 3.6 5.8 5.9 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.3 6.3 6.2 5.8 58.5

• This PA is issued subject to the availability of funds.

• Estimated funding levels are for the Basic Research (6.1) Core Research

Program

• The funding levels provided in the PA are for Whitepaper and

Proposal preparation purposes only. The actual funding level of the

CA will be updated annually as part of the appropriation process.

*The DCIST CRA is expected to be awarded in September 2017.

Thus, a very small amount of FY17 funding may be provided to

initiate the award. However, applicants should only use the funding

levels listed in Table above for cost proposal preparation.

Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost sharing is not required under this PA.

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Program Funding

Enhanced Research Program

• Should additional funding for the DCIST CRA become available from OGAs, an

Enhanced Research Program Funding provision is included in this PA will be

included in the resulting CA. (See PA for definition of Budget Activity 1 and 2)

• Provides a mechanism for growth and enhancement within the CRA.

• May be basic and/or applied research dollars.

• This Enhanced Research Program will leverage and/or transition the research,

technology and capabilities from the Core CRA Research Program.

• In response to this PA, Applicants are NOT to include any discussion of the

Enhanced Research Program in the Whitepaper.

• Proposal is required to provide detailed information to address the entire

funded Core CRA Research Program, Applicants are asked only to provide a

general discussion of possible additional research that could be pursued

should funding be received for the Enhanced Research Program.

Enhanced Research Program ($M)

Basic Research

(6.1)

1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 10.0

Applied

Research (6.2)

2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.2 20.7

Enhanced Total 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.2 30.7

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Period and Place of Performance

Period of Performance:

• Period of performance of five years

• Optional five-year extension period

• After the fourth year, a comprehensive program review will be conducted

as directed by ARL and the RMB to provide ARL leadership a

recommendation on the proposed extension.

• Review will consider cumulative performance metrics, accomplishments

of the program to date, the Consortium’s vision for the additional five-year

period of performance, funding availability, and the current research

needs and goals of the US Army.

Place of Performance:

• No limitation on the place of performance

• Given the collaborative nature of the program, significant staff rotations, of both

short and long-term durations amongst the Alliance are expected, including a

Consortium presence located with ARL.

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http://www.arl.army.mil/www/default.cfm?page=2357

ALC Open Campus

•Open sharing of world-class ARL facilities and research opportunities for all

partners, including foreign nationals

•Synergistic relationships with the international, academic, and entrepreneur

communities

• Investment in and strategic sharing of human capital and state-of-the-art facilities

and technical infrastructure across government, industry and academia

•Enhanced defense research environment that fosters innovation, collaboration and

scientific/engineering growth and provides an incubator for rapid transition of

technologies into products by entrepreneurs

http://www.arl.army.mil/www/default.cfm?page=2357

UNCLASSIFIED


• On approximately two (2) acres, a

75,000 SF building will consist of

flexible laboratory space in

support of collaborative research

• Located proximate to ARL’s world

class laboratory facilities

• Enhanced Use Lease (EUL)

Acquisition.

Engages private sector to fund

construction or renovations on

federal property by allowing a

private developer to lease

underutilized property.

• ALC EUL Timeline

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

working to develop Request for

Proposal (RFP)

• Advertisement of RFP is

anticipated for early 2017

• Award expected in the summer of

2017

ALC Open Campus

New Construction

Open Campus Phase 1

Opening 2019

UNCLASSIFIED


Joint Experimental Testing

Infrastructure – Building 507

UNCLASSIFIED


Additional ARL Autonomous

Systems Infrastructure

UNCLASSIFIED5

Purpose: To provide off-road and urban like environments for development of robotics related technology

Fort Indiantown Gap

Robotics Research Facility

Fort Indiantown Gap


UNCLASSIFIED28

Fort Indiantown Gap

Adjacent Facilities

Fort Indiantown Gap

Adjacent Facilities

• Combined Arms Combat Training Facility

(CACTF)

• Urban environment for troop training located approximately 1 kilometer distantcontaining– Road network

– Buildings (interior/exterior)

– Tunnels/ sewer systems

• Phase 1 to be completed in Spring 2009

Ft Indiantown Gap PA

Spesutie Island, APGUNCLASSIFIED32

• Indoor Research Facility for small robot, Micro

Systems, and UAV technology development

Robotics Research Facilities

at ARL Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Robotics Research Facilities

at ARL Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

UNCLASSIFIED3

ARL Robotics

Experimental Facilities

ARL Robotics

Experimental Facilities

Robotics Research Facility at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Purpose: To provide a brief overview of current experimental facilities employed by ARL for robotics related research

Blossom Point Culvert Test Site

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Indoor Arena with Motion

Capture

• Indoor arena (W 27ft L 48ft H 27ft )

• Vicon System is currently running Nexus 2.3 and Tracker 2.2 software versions

• 30 Vicon cameras including portable cameras on tripods

• Vicon on wireless network and a separate guest network is available for external access

• Projection screen and camera (to be installed)

• Safety net on two sides of the test arena. Floors are concrete.

• There is a portable netted test section (W 13ft L 14ft H 14ft) which can be moved outside,

if desired.

UNCLASSIFIED


Airfield Test Area

• Airfield landing strip (W 100ft L

500ft)

• Standing area (concrete pad) for

airfield (W 25ft L 45ft)

UNCLASSIFIED


Transonic Experimental Facility

Rodman Materials

Research Laboratory

Rotorcraft Survivability

Assessment Facility

Pulse Power Facility

Access to Partner

Facilities

Zahl Physical Sciences LaboratoryShooter Performance

Facility

DSRC & Scientific Visualization Facility


Vertical Impulse Measurement

Facility

Environment for Auditory

Research

Fuel Reformation

Laboratory

Novel Energetics Research Facility

Electromagnetic Vulnerability Assessment

Facility

Microsystem Indoor Testing Grounds

Specialty Electronic Materials and Sensors Cleanroom

Vehicle Research Laboratory

Technical Infrastructure

Academia Industry

Impact Physics

Laboratory

UNCLASSIFIED


Infrastructure &

Capabilities: Zahl

Power Device Characterization

Power Conditioning

High Power Electronics RF and Acoustic Anechoic Chambers

Material Characterization/

Microanalysis

High Voltage Battery

Materials Dry Room

7 Molecular Beam Epitaxy

(MBE) MachinesNEMS and MEMS FabricationUnique Electric Field Cage

for Sensor Evaluation

Nanobiotechnologies

Flexible electronics

Advanced specialty

electronics material growth

Nonlinear material research &

characterization

Power electronics

UNCLASSIFIED


Rodman Infrastructure and

Capabilities

Materials Processing

and Fabrication

CharacterizationARL Center for Advanced Polymer Processing (ACAPP) Infrastructure

Synthesis

Modeling and Simulation

Center for Cold Spray Research and

Development

Additive Manufacturing Science Center

UNCLASSIFIED


Two Stage Process:

• Whitepaper stage and a Proposal stage

• The Government’s decision to invite a Proposal will be based upon the

evaluation results of the Whitepaper submission.

• Only the most highly rated Whitepapers will receive an invitation from the

Government to submit a Proposal.

• An Applicant that does NOT receive an invitation from the Government

to submit a Proposal is NOT eligible to submit a Proposal and will NOT

receive feedback or a “debriefing” on their Whitepaper.

• An Applicant invited to submit a Proposal will receive feedback on their

Whitepapers in order to improve their Proposal submission.

• Applicants should note there are page limitations and other requirements

associated with the submission process for both the Whitepaper and the

Proposal.

Submittal Process

UNCLASSIFIED


Whitepaper

A Whitepaper should address:

• Identify specific scientific challenges and research barriers

• Technical merit and innovation of proposed approaches to solve challenges

• Research strategy and vision to be employed to advance the state-of-the-art

• Description and justification for near-, mid-, and far-term research goals

• Technical discussion of the background and objectives of the overall

proposed research focus within each RA, and identification of parties

involved, leading to approaches are likely to substantially advance the

underlying science.

• Strategy for experimentation and validation of approaches developed

• Should include the names, brief biographies, and general availability of the

key personnel who will be involved in the research.

• Plans for how researchers will collaborate across the three Research Areas

and the Alliance and how this collaboration will further the goals of the

program.

• Should include the identification of the Program Manager, key leadership

personnel and an overall plan for leadership and efficient management of

the DCIST CRA and creation of a collaborative environment.

UNCLASSIFIED


Whitepaper Evaluation Criteria. The following represents the evaluation

criteria for this PA:

Factor 1: Scientific Merit and Relevance:

Factor 2: Experience and Qualifications of Scientific Staff:

Factor 3: Collaboration and Program Management:

• Relative Importance of the Evaluation Factors: The evaluation factors are

listed in descending order of importance with Factors 2 and 3 being

approximately equal.

• Only the most highly rated Whitepapers will receive an invitation from the

Government to submit a Proposal.

• An Applicant that does NOT receive an invitation from the

Government to submit a Proposal is NOT eligible to submit a Proposal

and will NOT receive feedback or a “debriefing” on their Whitepaper.

• An Applicant invited to submit a Proposal will receive feedback on their

Whitepapers in order to improve their Proposal submission.

Whitepaper

UNCLASSIFIED


Proposal

A Proposal should address:

• Identify specific scientific challenges and research barriers

• Technical merit and innovation of proposed approaches to solve challenges

• Research strategy and vision to be employed to advance the state-of-the-art

• Description and justification for near-, mid-, and far-term research goals

• Provide a complete technical discussion of all proposed research

stating the background, relevance, objectives, and provide ample

evidence that the approaches are likely to substantially advance the

underlying science.

• Parties involved and the level of effort to be employed.

• Strategy for experimentation and validation of approaches developed.

• How the proposed research is expected to feed, be fed by, or in some other

way link with, research being performed elsewhere within the Consortium.

• Names, biographies, availability and proposed level of effort of the key

personnel who will be involved in the research.

• Description of the facilities to be used for the research and demonstrations

and how such facilities will enhance the research efforts proposed.

UNCLASSIFIED


• Plans for how researchers will collaborate within each Research Area and

among Research Areas and describe how this collaboration will further the

goals of the program.

• Strategy for collaborating with ARL and propose collaborative

opportunities with ARL.

• Plans and approach for enhanced research efforts should such funding

become available during performance.

• Detailed plan for leadership and efficient management of the DCIST CRA,

creation of a collaborative environment, and organizational structures.

• Identify plans and ability for subcontracting, plans for distribution of funds

and ability to track and meet DoD expenditure rates including timely

submission of consortium invoices

• Method for identifying and tracking program metrics

• Planned participation in the Technical Management Group and Research

Management Board technical reviews

• Overall research planning to include development, in collaboration with

ARL, of the IPP and subsequent BPPs.

Proposal

UNCLASSIFIED


Proposal Evaluation Criteria. The following represents the evaluation

criteria for this PA:

Factor 1: Scientific Merit and Relevance:

Factor 2: Experience and Qualifications of Scientific Staff and Quality

of Research Facilities:

Factor 3: Collaboration:

Factor 4: Program Management:

Factor 5: Cost:

Relative Importance of the Evaluation Factors: The evaluation factors are

listed in descending order of importance with Factor 5 not weighted.

Proposal

UNCLASSIFIED


EVENT ESTIMATED

DATE/TIMEFRAME

PA released 16 February 2017

Opportunities Conference 1 March 2017

Deadline for Questions on PA 1 April 2017

Whitepapers due 28 April 2017

Whitepaper Feedback/Invitation

to Submit Full Proposal Early June 2017

Full Proposals due July 2017

Award September 2017

Timeline

UNCLASSIFIED


www.arl.army.mil/cra/dcist/

DCIST CRA Web Page:

• In addition to PA, source of

information during source

selection process

• Post questions

• Answers posted

• Can handle proprietary

• All questions/answers

from today will be posted

• Deadline April 1

• Register as an Interested

Vendor

• Connect with others

interested in same or

complementary RAs

• Briefings and videos from

today will be posted

• Deadlines updated/posted

http://www.arl.army.mil/cra/dcist/

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