13 June 2001

Solicitations:
FY02 Dual Use Science and Technology (DU S&T) Topics

Selections from Army topics:

Embedded GPS Training Simulation for Distributed Mission Training

Objective: Develop a low-cost, distributed PC-Based simulation technology embedded into GPS automated military Tactical Operation Centers (TOCs), City/County 911 Facilities, and Local Government fixed and mobile Emergency Operation Centers (EOCs).

Description: In many large American cities and counties today such as Los Angeles, Miami, and Orange County, Florida, their 911 Facilities coupled with their fixed and mobile Emergency Operation Centers (EOCs) are equipped with GPS to all of their Police cruisers, Fire/Rescue trucks, HAZMAT vehicles, SWAT vans, Bomb Squad vehicles, EMS vehicles, and "Utilities Vehicles" (power, telephone, and sewage). Likewise, in the military (Army and Marines), maneuvering forces are equipped with GPS and under the control of higher headquarters� Tactical Operation Centers (Brigade and Battalion Task Forces). In concert with the U.S. Army Communications and Electronics Command (CECOM), STRICOM will develop simulation software that will allow C4I training exercises to take place for civilian and military personnel working in 911 Facilities, EOCs, and TOCs without disrupting the actual operations of the deployed civilian vehicles nor maneuvering military vehicles. Using recently developed simulation technology from its Virtual Emergency Response Training Simulation (VERTS) that represents the movement of Civilian EM Vehicles and Military Vehicles (VERTSSAF V2.0) coupled with emerging simulation technology in its OneSAF OTB, STRICOM and CECOM will develop a PC-Based (with Laptop capable platform) training simulation embedded in existing GPS technology and existing user PC platforms. Also applying STRICOM and CECOM emerging Voice Recognition / Synthesis technology, 911 Operators, EOC personnel, and military TOC staffs will be able to give verbal (voice) commands to either actual EM personnel (in their vehicles) / maneuvering commanders (company level in their vehicles) or to Avatars in the embedded simulation that will react to their orders in the synthetic environment resulting in changes to their vehicle movement (all as part of the C4I training exercise). To complete this project, STRICOM will conduct research and development in the new Central Florida Technology Development Center (CFTDC) with local governments and industry while CECOM completes work at its Research, Development, and Engineering Center (RDEC) at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey.

Estimated Federal Funding Contribution: $975K

Estimated Program Duration: 24 Months

Govt POCs: John Hart and Larry Ziock of STRICOM, and John Roche of CECOM RDEC LNO to STRICOM
Phone: (407) 384-3887 / 3655
Fax: (407) 384-5440 / 5430

Background: Note: This is a joint topic between the U. S. Army Communications Electronics Command (CECOM) and U. S. Army Simulation, Training and Instrumentation Command (STRICOM). CECOM�s program objective is to develop, integrate, and demonstrate a system that will provide seamless situational awareness (SA) data provided from sensor networks into the Tactical Internet. STRICOM �s program objective is to develop, integrate and demonstrate hardware and software that will greatly improve the Army�s ability to collect and disseminate training data at real world training locations such as National Training Center (NTC). CECOM and STRICOM are well aware that the commercial sector is spending large amounts of money to enhance and secure its computer networks. We would like to leverage common core technologies from the commercial sector, and view the DUST program as an avenue to accomplish this joint effort.

The paragraphs below will help familiarize you with our objectives and the areas that we seek to leverage from commercial technology.

Objective: The thrust of this topic is to leverage and exploit commercial technologies able to dramatically improve the effectiveness of unmanned networked communications systems. The proposed network shall support the following applications:

1. Disseminating sensor data that provides SA for FCS equipped units deployed in tactical environments.
2. Disseminating data collected from training entities during real world combat exercises at the Army�s Combat Training Centers, such as the NTC. The CECOM products from this effort will significantly improve the dissemination of sensor data via secure, jam resistant and stealthy communications networks for the tactical FCS equipped units. The STRICOM products of this effort will significantly improve training data collection and wireless transfer to wired backbone networks during distributed, force-on-force, or live training exercises. Communications considerations unique to the deployment and exploitation of sensors and UGV/UAVs will be addressed and analyzed. Potential solutions will be identified and demonstrated both a laboratory and a field environment.

The US Army envisions the widespread proliferation of sensors and UGV/UAVs as well as, their associated dynamic, self-healing, communication networks. Typically, deployments will consist of clusters of these entities linked together by wireless communication networks. Current wireless networks are unable to satisfy the growing demand for bandwidth, mobility, and scalability. The emergence of information-based doctrine will demand more bandwidth than current or projected wireless networks can deliver, but will also require a network that can dynamically adjust to meet data surges associated with future combat operations and training scenarios. The network must be able to automatically and dynamically self-configure in response to initial deployments and communications breaks due to unit mobility, complex terrain, urban structures, battery outages and heavy foliage, while seamlessly supplying assured quality of service (QoS) for collecting, fusing and transporting sensor information to a designated controller. Inherent in the development of sensor and UGV/UAV supportive wireless communications hardware is the necessity for responsive communications protocols for QoS provision, security, information management and assurance, and routing in a mobile, ad hoc, network (MANET) environment. The Army is soliciting cutting edge technologies that will provide an integrated approach to MANET, including security, energy management, and mobility management.

Areas Of Investigation: Top-Level Capabilities and Operational Enhancements: Develop, demonstrate and implement: (1) a dynamic, wireless network, using improved data routing protocols, data fusion capabilities and enhanced networking algorithms, (2) a proposed communications network architectural commonality that will have the ability to self-configure/self-heal networked sensor and UGV/UAV systems for maximum survivability; and (3) a network that will support local hostile SA and UGV/UAV information dispersal. Critical factors to be considered will be the development of networking algorithms, protocol implementations, spectrum utilization, energy management (operating on a power source, such as batteries, for up to sixty days is desired), bandwidths, security, low-profile efficient antennas, size, weight and power, and covertness (LPI/LPD), jam resistance and eventual commercial applications. Additional RF technological challenges include the areas of antenna design and propagation analysis, and tradeoff analysis to identify optimum RF play. Interference (self-induced or external) in low profile, close to the terrain, unattended smart communications network systems should also be addressed. The combined, proposed technologies should enable communication data transfer in a network topology consisting of MANET networks interconnected by multi-hop wireless links. Candidate architecture(s) should permit mobility management via both horizontal and vertical handoffs as training range participants migrate between MANET clouds, and/or change their point of attachment to the training range backbone. Proposed protocols should support QoS traffic in a unified manner at both the network access and network layers of the DOD�s four-layer model and be compatible with DOD security practices. Proposed architecture should include a new RF based system that provides position/location/tracking information independent of GPS and operation in unlicensed spectrum and/or its� power levels should provide for rapid worldwide deployment of the Army. Innovative solutions will be tested for suitability in field tests conducted by STRICOM and CECOM. Resultant software and hardware systems should be scaleable from battery-operated wireless ground sensors to systems up to more traditional hosts such as laptops and desktop computers and be easily portable between multiple COTS operating systems for improved operational capability and enhanced training. Proposals should address and respond to the above identified technology challenges and have both military and commercial utility in the areas of UGV/UAV and SA networking, and benefit multiple unattended networking technology areas. Proposals should show evidence of an engineering analysis and impact assessment of the proposed concept as applied to at least one specific "strawman" UGV/UAV network architecture (existing or notional and its projected impact on improving operation of unattended clustered networks in complex hostile terrain.

Commercial Applications: Proposal responses should address the utility of the technology to transition to commercial applications such as management of civilian mobile assets; dissemination of video surveillance information, improved data collection, fusion and transport over mobile, self-configurable networking assets; interface of local UGV-like networks into long-haul backbone communications networks.

Notes: 1) It is recommended that prospective contractors target one or a subset of specific areas in the paragraphs above, and not attempt to address all or many of the paragraphs. 2) This DUST BAA topic has priority over the C2 Protect topic that is listed under a CECOM Space & Terrestrial Communications Directorate BAA. Proposals submitted for the latter BAA will not be considered until the DUST proposal submittal and evaluation period has ended. 3) It is recommended that the POC below be contacted and that white papers be submitted prior to submitting a formal proposal. 4) Teaming with commercial technology houses and companies who do not traditionally compete for Government contracts is strongly encouraged. 5) If the proposal will address some of the capabilities found in COTS/GOTS, it is recommended that the proposal describe what additional benefits will be provided, and why it is worthwhile for the Army to pursue versus buying existing COTS/GOTS. 6) Secret clearances may be required before awards are granted.

Estimated Maximum Federal Funding Contribution: $800K

Govt TPOC: Jay Nemeroff (Fort Monmouth)
Phone: (732) 427- 2879

Govt TPOC: Frank M. Tucker (US Army STRICOM)
Phone: (407)384-5448
Fax: (407)384-5440

Submit Proposals To:
U.S. Army Communications and Electronics Command
ATTN: AMSEL-RD-DD-TD (Mr. Jackson)
Technology Transfer Office
Ft. Monmouth, NJ 07703-5201

Contract Officer: Mr. Andrew Dellomo
Phone: 732-427-1341
Email: dellomo@doim6.monmouth.army.mil

E-Mail: john_hart@stricom.army.mil / john.roche@mail1.monmouth.army.mil