Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Contract Management Directorate (CMD), 3701 N. Fairfax Dr., Arlington, VA 22203-1714

A -- MODEL-BASED INTEGRATION OF EMBEDDED SOFTWARE (MOBIES) SOL BAA00-19 DUE 013100 POC J. Sztipanovits, DARPA/ITO, Fax (703) 696-7161 MODEL-BASED INTEGRATION OF EMBEDDED SOFTWARE (MoBIES) SOL BAA 00-19 DUE 01/31/00 POC DR. JANOS SZTIPANOVITS, DARPA/ITO, FAX: (703) 522-7161. DARPA seeks novel approaches to problems dealing with embedded information systems. Weapon systems with high performance, autonomy, reliability and safety require precise, controlled, concentrated and dynamic interaction of physical processes within and among components. Embedded information processing system is an enabling technology for implementing these interactions. The presence and importance of "cross cutting" physical constraints in embedded software, such as dynamics, noise, synchronization and dependability, seriously limit the usability of current tools and methods for the composition of software systems. The MoBIES goal is to develop theory and technology for composing large embedded software applications subject to temporal, noise, synchronization and dependability constraints. MoBIES technology will enable increased practical, achievable, reusable functionality for embedded systems and should decrease life-cycle cost for embedded software by an order of magnitude. Application domains of interest to the Department of Defense include weapon systems and embedded information systems for ground vehicles. The primary technology outcome of the effort will be Model-Based Integration technology. The key technology components to be developed are: integrated modeling techniques, integrated modeling environments and model-based generators. Integrated modeling techniques will enable composition of models of embedded systems that include cross cutting physical constraints. Integrated modeling environments will facilitate the construction and management of multiple-view models of physical and information processes. Model-based generators will use relevant aspects of models to generate/synthesize input for analysis tools and customize interfaces of heterogeneous framework components. The advancement of MoBIES technology is expected to increase effective functionality and to reduce development and system engineering cost. To demonstrate the efficacy of MoBIES technology, we seek convincing demonstrations of producing embedded systems with reusable components. Of special interest are approaches supporting weapon and ground vehicle applications. The framework, generator, and model reusability goals of the program will only be met to the extent that there are commercial/industrial applications of this technology. Accordingly, automotive applications are also of interest. There are a total of five research areas, four are contained in Phase I and the remainder in Phase II. Phase I research is solicited in the following technical topic areas: (1) Multiple-view modeling of physical constraints: Includes integrated, domain-specific modeling of physical and information processes and the construction of customizable tools for building and managing interdependent modeling views; (2) Model-based generation technology: Includes methods and tools for modeling, composing, verifying and synthesizing model-based generators with domain-specific front- end and platform/framework-specific back-end; (3) Framework coupling and composition technology: Includes methods and tools for coupling and composing customizable frameworks; and (4) Other innovative approaches to the MoBIES problem. Restrictions: Proposals addressing more than one of the areas described above should be structured with separable options. Phase I proposals cannot respond to or address Phase II research. Phase II research is solicited in the following technical topic area: Open Experimental Platforms: Open experimental platforms include physical system and software components, related challenge problems and integration experiments that will be used for the affordable evaluation and demonstration of MoBIES technologies. Restrictions: Phase II Proposals for Open Experimental Platforms research may address experimental platforms for more than one of the Phase I topic areas but should not propose solutions for Phase I research. Team efforts and cost sharing are strongly encouraged. PROGRAM SCOPE: Proposed research should investigate innovative approaches and techniques that lead to or enable revolutionary advances in the state-of-the-art. Proposals are not limited to the specific strategies listed above and alternative visions will be considered. However, proposals should be for research that substantially contributes towards the goals stated. Research should result in prototype hardware and/or software demonstrating integrated concepts and approaches. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvement to the existing state of practice or focuses on a specific system or solution. Integrated solution sets embodying significant technological advances are strongly encouraged over narrowly defined research endeavors. Proposals may involve other research groups, industrial cooperation, and cost sharing. GENERAL INFORMATION: THIS IS A NEWLY IMPLEMENTED REQUIREMENT EFFECTIVE AS OF SEPTEMBER 1999. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/Information Technology Office (DARPA/ITO) requires completion of a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Cover Sheet Submission for each proposed Proposal, by accessing the URL below: http://www.dyncorp-is.com/BAA/index.asp?BAAid=0019. After finalizing the BAA Cover Sheet Submission, the proposer must submit the BAA Confirmation Sheet that will automatically appear on the web page. Each proposer is responsible for printing the BAA Confirmation Sheet and submitting it attached to the "original" and each designated number of copies. In doing so, the Confirmation Sheet should be the first page of your Proposal. Failure to comply with these submission procedures may result in the submission not being evaluated. Detailed information and instructions are outlined within the Proposer Information Pamphlet (PIP). In order to minimize unnecessary effort in proposal preparation and review, proposers are strongly encouraged to submit brief proposal abstracts in advance of full proposals. An original and 4 copies of the proposal abstract and 4 electronic copies (i.e., 4 separate disks) of the full proposal (in Microsoft Word '97 for IBM-compatible or ASCII format on one 3.5-inch floppy disk or one 100 MB Iomega Zip disk). Each disk must be clearly labeled with BAA 00-19, proposer organization, proposal title (short title recommended) and Copy ___ of 4). The proposal abstract (original and designated number of hard and electronic copies) must be submitted to DARPA/ITO, ATTN: BAA 00-19, 3701 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714. The deadline of proposal abstract submissions is 4:00 PM (ET), Tuesday, December 14, 1999, to guarantee review. Upon review, DARPA will make a recommendation to offerors either encouraging or discouraging submission of full proposals. Proposers must submit an original and 4 copies of the full proposal and 8 electronic copies (i.e., 8 separate disks) of the full proposal (in Microsoft Word '97 for IBM-compatible or ASCII format on one 3.5-inch floppy disk or one 100 MB Iomega Zip disk). Each disk must be clearly labeled with BAA 00-19, proposer organization, proposal title (short title recommended) and Copy ___ of 8). Submission deadline of the full proposals (original and designated number of hard and electronic copies) is 4:00 PM (ET), Monday, January 31, 2000, in order to be considered. Proposal abstracts and proposals will be reviewed as they are received. Early submissions are strongly encouraged. Proposers must obtain the BAA 00-19 Proposer Information Pamphlet (PIP), which provides further information on the areas of interest, submission, evaluation, funding processes, proposal abstracts, and full proposal formats. This pamphlet may be obtained by fax, electronic mail, mail request to the administrative contact address given below, or at URL address http://www.darpa.mil/ito/Solicitations.html. Proposals not meeting the format described in the pamphlet may not be reviewed. This Commerce Business Daily notice, in conjunction with the BAA 00-19 Proposer Information Pamphlet andall references, constitutes the total BAA. No additional information is available, nor will a formal RFP or other solicitation regarding this announcement be issued. Requests for same will be disregarded. The Government reserves the right to select for award all, some, or none of the proposals received. All responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government's needs may submit a proposal that shall be considered by DARPA. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and Minority Institutions (MI) are encouraged to submit proposals and join others in submitting proposals. However, no portion of this BAA will be set aside for HBCU and MI participation due to the impracticality of reserving discrete or severable areas of this research for exclusive competition among these entities. Evaluation of proposals will be accomplished through a scientific review of each proposal, using the following criteria, which are listed in descending order of relative importance: (1) Overall Scientific and Technical Merit: The overall scientific and technical merit must be clearly identifiable. The technical concept should be clearly defined and developed. Emphasis should be placed on the technical value of the development and experimentation approach; (2) Innovative Technical Solution to the Problem: Proposed efforts should apply new or existing technology in a new way such as is advantageous to the MoBIES BAA objectives. Plan on how offeror intends to get developed technology and information to the user community should be considered; (3) Potential Contribution and Relevance to DARPA Mission: The offeror must clearly address how the proposed effort will meet the goals of the MoBIES undertaking. The relevance is further indicated by the offeror's understanding of the operating environment of the capability to be developed; (4) Offeror's Capabilities and Related Experience: The qualifications, capabilities, and demonstrated achievements of the proposed principals and other key personnel for the primary and subcontractor organizations must be clearly shown; (5) Plans and Capability to Accomplish Technology Transition: The offeror should provide a clear explanation of how the technologies to be developed will be transitioned to capabilities for military forces. Technology transition should be a major consideration in the design of experiments, in particular involving potential transition organizations in the experimentation process is encouraged; and (6) Cost Realism: The overall estimated cost to accomplish the effort should be clearly shown as well as the substantiation of the costs for the technical complexity described. Evaluation will consider the value to the Government of the research and the extent to which the proposed management plan will effectively allocate resources to achieve the capabilities proposed. Although these criteria are listed according to importance, cost is a significant factor. All administrative correspondence and questions on this solicitation, including requests for information on how to submit a proposal abstract or proposal to this BAA, must be received at one of the administrative addresses below by 4:00 PM (ET), Monday, January 24, 2000; e-mail or fax is preferred. DARPA intends to use electronic mail and fax for some of the correspondence regarding BAA 00-19. Proposals and proposal abstracts may not be submitted by fax; any so sent will be disregarded. The administrative addresses for this BAA are: Fax: 703-522-7161. Addressed to: DARPA/ITO, BAA 00-19, Electronic Mail: baa00-19@darpa.mil. Electronic File Retrieval: http://www.darpa.mil/ito/Solicitations.html. Mail to:DARPA/ITO, ATTN: BAA 00-19, 3701 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714. Posted 11/22/99 (W-SN402784). (0326)

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