SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- Semantic Interoperability
- Notice Date
- 12/15/2005
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 541710
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AFRL - Rome Research Site, AFRL/Information Directorate 26 Electronic Parkway, Rome, NY, 13441-4514
- ZIP Code
- 13441-4514
- Solicitation Number
- Reference-Number-BAA-06-08-IFKA
- Description
- NAICS CODE: 541710 FEDERAL AGENCY NAME: Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AFRL - Rome Research Site, AFRL/Information Directorate 26 Electronic Parkway, Rome, NY, 13441-4514 TITLE: Semantic Interoperability ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Initial announcement FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: BAA 06-08-IFKA CFDA Number: 12.800 DATES: It is recommended that white papers be received by the following dates to maximize the possibility of award: FY 06 should be submitted by 12 Jan 06; FY 07 by 01 Sep 06; FY 08 by 01 Sep 07; and FY 09 by 01 Sep 08. White papers will be accepted until 2pm Eastern time on 30 September 2009, but it is less likely that funding will be available in each respective fiscal year after the dates cited. FORMAL PROPOSALS ARE NOT BEING REQUESTED AT THIS TIME. See Section IV of this announcement for further details. I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION: The Information Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Rome Research Site, is soliciting white papers under this announcement for innovative solutions to address current and future Air Force net-centric interoperability requirements for maximizing the effectiveness of joint and combined military operations. Semantic interoperability is becoming an increasingly important problem as user communities seek to interoperate within and between information spaces such as those that ride on the Global Information Grid (GIG). Semantic interoperability is the ability of two (or more) systems (services) to exchange data on the basis of an agreed vocabulary (ontology) that guarantees the same interpretation (semantics or meaning) of notions (concepts and their interrelationships) for the users of the interoperating systems. An ontology is a specific vocabulary and relationships used to describe certain aspects of reality, and a set of explicit assumptions regarding the intended meaning of the vocabulary of words. Ontologies are often viewed as allowing more complete and precise domain models, and the support and use of multiple, independently-developed ontologies is important for developing scalable information services which are required to support multiple Communities of Interest (COIs) and multiple producers and consumers of information. Each year of this solicitation is focused on a specific technical area: FY06: Semantic Interoperability Studies. Information transformation is the processing of elementary forms of information into rich interoperable decision making knowledge structures for human, enterprise, and machine learning and growth. Semantic interoperability is considered an important foundation for increasingly effective information transformation capabilities that accommodate cross-domain information sharing and understanding. This solicitation is seeking studies of the current state of the art in semantic interoperability technologies and how these technologies might best be applied to solving military interoperability problems, where current technologies fall short in this regard, and where research investments in this area are most prudent; particularly as they apply to developing scalable information services in support of multiple Communities of Interest (COIs) with multiple producers and consumers of information. These studies will serve as input to the semantic interoperability research and development roadmap for future years (FY07, FY08, and FY09) under this BAA. Current speculation for out-year research in semantic interoperability is as follows, but is not cast in stone and in most likelihood will change based on the studies being sought in FY06 and the results of future research and development conducted under the auspices of this solicitation and elsewhere. FY07: Ontological Interoperability. Important to information transformation is gaining an understanding of the context of an information request (e.g., so that an information system can distinguish between whether the term "Predator" refers to an unmanned aerial vehicle, an animal, or a movie). A context contains metadata relating to its meaning, properties (such as its source, quality, and precision), and organization. Modeling and representing context can lead to several benefits in dealing with information overload by transforming information from its source context into the context of another user or system domain. This in turn promotes interoperability at the semantic level. Several approaches for representing context can be found in the literature. One suggests bringing together metadata, user profiles, information modeling abstractions, and ontologies to construct a model of the application domain and user needs. Another proposes emergent semantics where the meaning of information is extracted from the manner in which they are used. Many suggest using agent technology to gather context information and negotiate contexts, as well as rule-based, classification-based, pattern-based and heuristics-based methods to perform context transformation. The primary goal is not to develop new reasoning methods and techniques, but rather to apply known approaches from the fields of knowledge representation and reasoning to provide context modeling and transformation solutions. In FY07, this solicitation seeks innovative approaches and technologies for achieving ontological mediation between different domains, vocabularies, information sources, and services. FY08: Dynamic Semantic Maps. Processing an information request represented in the terms of a specific ontology in an environment with information resources that subscribe to different (but related and relevant) ontologies may involve inter-ontological relationships, such as synonym, hypernym, homonym, and other possible domain-specific relationships. One challenge in this mediation (or reconciliation) process is how to avoid the loss of information. Another is how to dynamically support the updating of ontologies as the semantics of data sources change. In fact, data sources and information services may come, go and evolve over time. Ontologies used in semantic mapping should be adequately abstracted from physically available resources to ensure that new information sources can map to the same ontology. While ontologies are useful in semantic reconciliation and are indeed necessary for practical and performance considerations, they do not guarantee in and of themselves correct classification of semantic conflicts, nor do they provide the capability to handle evolving semantics or a mechanism to support a dynamic reconciliation process. A challenge here is how to dynamically support the updating of inter-ontological relationships as the semantics of data sources change and/or the definition of ontologies change. In FY08, this solicitation seeks innovative approaches and technologies for dynamic transformation of semantic mappings when ontological changes are detected. FY09: Machine-to-Machine Interoperability. To support machine-to-machine (M2M) interoperability, distributed access to metadata must be as seamless as access to the data itself. To facilitate the use of distributed data sources, metadata and ontological frameworks will need to provide transparent access to all the metadata fields, including those required to operate on the data in a semantically meaningful way. The underlying infrastructure to this framework should be modular and flexible for net-centric systems for which the technology, software and hardware change rapidly. Data will ultimately be stored in a variety of formats. Coupled with a flexible framework and programmatic access, semantic metadata can provide the foundation to extend the capabilities of existing distributed systems in a number of unique and powerful ways. In FY09, this solicitation seeks innovative approaches and technologies for achieving machine-to-machine interoperability with semantic meaning and information interoperability adaptors for translation between different representations of information. While not required, of particular interest are technologies of direct applicability to tactical military operations. II. AWARD INFORMATION: This BAA is open and effective until 30 September 2009. Total funding for this BAA is approximately $2.5M. The anticipated funding to be obligated under this BAA is broken out by fiscal year as follows: FY 06 - $150K; FY 07 - $900K; FY 08 - $700K; and FY 09 - $750K. Individual awards for FY 06 will not normally exceed 6 months with dollar amounts ranging between $50K and $75K per year. Individual awards for FY07 and beyond will not normally exceed 12 months with dollar amounts ranging between $200K and $450K per year. Awards of efforts as a result of this announcement will be in the form of contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or other transactions depending upon the nature of the work proposed. III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION: 1. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: All potential applicants are eligible. Foreign or foreign-owned offerors are advised that their participation is subject to foreign disclosure review procedures. Foreign or foreign-owned offerors should immediately contact the contracting office focal point, Lori L. Smith, Contracting Officer, telephone (315) 330-1955 or e-mail Lori.Smith@rl.af.mil for information if they contemplate responding. The e-mail must reference the title and BAA 06-08-IFKA. 2. COST SHARING OR MATCHING: Cost sharing is not a requirement. IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION: 1. APPLICATION PACKAGE: THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY SOLICITATION. WE ARE SOLICITING WHITE PAPERS ONLY. DO NOT SUBMIT A FORMAL PROPOSAL AT THIS TIME. Those white papers found to be consistent with the intent of this BAA may be invited to submit a technical and cost proposal. See Section VI of this announcement for further details. For additional information, a copy of the AFRL/Rome Research Sites "Broad Agency Announcement (BAA): A Guide for Industry," Aug 2005, may be accessed at: http://www.if.afrl.af.mil/div/IFK/bp-guide.doc. 2. CONTENT AND FORM OF SUBMISSION: Offerors are required to submit 3 copies of a 3 to 5 page white paper summarizing their proposed approach/solution. The purpose of the white paper is to preclude unwarranted effort on the part of an offeror whose proposed work is not of interest to the Government. The white paper will be formatted as follows: Section A: Title, Period of Performance, Estimated Cost of Task, Name/Address of Company, Technical and Contracting Points of Contact (phone, fax and email); Section B: Task Objective; and Section C: Technical Summary and Proposed Deliverables. Multiple white papers within the purview of this announcement may be submitted by each offeror. If the offeror wishes to restrict its white papers/proposals, they must be marked with the restrictive language stated in FAR 15.609(a) and (b). All white papers/proposals shall be double spaced with a font no smaller than 12 pitch. In addition, respondents are requested to provide their Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) number, a fax number, and an e-mail address with their submission. All responses to this announcement must be addressed to the technical POC, as discussed in paragraph five of this section. 3. SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES: It is recommended that white papers be received by the following dates to maximize the possibility of award: FY 06 should be submitted by 12 Jan 06; FY 07 by 01 Sep 06; FY 08 by 01 Sep 07; and FY 09 by 01 Sep 08. White papers will be accepted until 2pm Eastern time on 30 September 2009, but it is less likely that funding will be available in each respective fiscal year after the dates cited. Submission of white papers will be regulated in accordance with FAR 15.208. 4. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS: The cost of preparing white papers/proposals in response to this announcement is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resulting contract or any other contract, but may be an allowable expense to the normal bid and proposal indirect cost specified in FAR 31.205-18. Incurring pre-award costs for ASSISTANCE INSTRUMENTS ONLY, are regulated by the DoD Grant and Agreements Regulations (DODGARS). 5. OTHER SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: DO NOT send white papers to the Contracting Officer. All responses to this announcement must be addressed to ATTN: James Milligan, AFRL Rome Research Site/IFSE, 525 Brooks Road, Rome NY 13441-4505. Respondents are required to provide their Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number with their submittal and reference BAA 06-08-IFKA.Electronic submission to James Milligan at James.Milligan@rl.af.mil will also be accepted. Please include the text "BAA-06-08" in the subject line. V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION: 1. CRITERIA: The following criteria, which are listed in descending order of importance, will be used to determine whether white papers and proposals submitted are consistent with the intent of this BAA and of interest to the Government: (1) Overall Scientific and Technical Merit -- Including the innovation of the proposed technology, the technical approach, and the operational relevance of the problem solution to address current and future Air Force net-centric interoperability requirements, (2) Related Experience - The extent to which the offeror demonstrates intellect, technical expertise, and domain knowledge, (3) Openness of Solution - The extent to which open architecture standards and technologies are leveraged, and (4) Reasonableness and realism of proposed costs and fees (if any). Also, consideration will be given to past and present performance on recent Government contracts, and the capacity and capability to achieve the objectives of this BAA. No further evaluation criteria will be used in selecting white papers/proposals. Individual white paper/proposal evaluations will be evaluated against the evaluation criteria without regard to other white papers and proposals submitted under this BAA. White papers and proposals submitted will be evaluated as they are received. 2. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS: Only Government employees will evaluate the white papers/proposals for selection. The Air Force Research Laboratory's Information Directorate has contracted for various business and staff support services, some of which require contractors to obtain administrative access to proprietary information submitted by other contractors. Administrative access is defined as "handling or having physical control over information for the sole purpose of accomplishing the administrative functions specified in the administrative support contract, which do not require the review, reading, or comprehension of the content of the information on the part of non-technical professionals assigned to accomplish the specified administrative tasks." These contractors have signed general non-disclosure agreements and organizational conflict of interest statements. The required administrative access will be granted to non-technical professionals. Examples of the administrative tasks performed include: a. Assembling and organizing information for R&D case files; b. Accessing library files for use by government personnel; and c. Handling and administration of proposals, contracts, contract funding and queries. Any objection to administrative access must be in writing to the Contracting Officer and shall include a detailed statement of the basis for the objection. VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION: 1. AWARD NOTICES: Those white papers found to be consistent with the intent of this BAA may be invited to submit a technical and cost proposal. Notification by email or letter will be sent by the technical POC. Such invitation does not assure that the submitting organization will be awarded a contract. Those white papers not selected to submit a proposal will be notified in the same manner. Prospective offerors are advised that only Contracting Officers are legally authorized to commit the Government. All offerors submitting white papers will be contacted by the technical POC, referenced in Section VII of this announcement. Offerors can email the technical POC for status of their white paper/proposal no earlier than 45 days after proposal submission. 2. ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS: Depending on the work to be performed, the offeror may require a SECRET facility clearance and safeguarding capability; therefore, personnel identified for assignment to a classified effort must be cleared for access to SECRET information at the time of award. In addition, the offeror may be required to have, or have access to, a certified and Government-approved facility to support work under this BAA. Data subject to export control constraints may be involved and only firms holding certification under the US/Canada Joint Certification Program (JCP) (www.dlis.dla.mil/jcp) are allowed access to such data. 3. REPORTING: Once a proposal has been selected for award, offeror's will be required to submit their reporting requirement through our web-based, reporting systems known as JIFFY. Prior to award, the offeror will be given complete instructions regarding its use. VII. AGENCY CONTACTS: Questions of a technical nature shall be directed to the cognizant technical point of contact, as specified below: Mr. James Milligan Telephone: (315) 330-1491 Email: james.milligan@rl.af.mil Questions of a contractual/business nature shall be directed to the cognizant contracting officer, as specified below: Ms. Lori Smith Telephone (315) 330-1955 Email: Lori.Smith@rl.af.mil The email must reference the solicitation (BAA) number and title of the acquisition. All responsible organizations may submit a white paper which shall be considered.
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