A -- MOLECULAR OBSERVATION, SPECTROSCOPY AND IMAGING USING CANTILEVERS (MOSAIC)

Notice Date

September 4, 2001

Contracting Office

Other Defense Agencies, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Contracts Management Office, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA, 22203-1714

ZIP Code

22203-1714

Solicitation Number

BAA01-39

Response Due

October 25, 2001

Point of Contact

Stuart Wolf, DARPA PM, Phone 703-696-3999, Fax 703-696-3999, Email none -- Eric Eisenstadt, DARPA PM, Phone 703-696-3999, Fax 703-696-3999, Email none

Description

MOLECULAR OBSERVATION, SPECTROSCOPY AND IMAGING USING CANTILEVERS (MOSAIC) BAA 01-39; BAA OPEN THROUGH: 10/25/01; POC: Drs. Stuart Wolf, Eric Eisenstadt, and Doug Cochran, DARPA/DSO; FAX: (703) 696-3999, email: BAA01-39@darpa.mil, URL http://www.darpa.mil/DSO/ PROGRAM OBJECTIVE AND BACKGROUND: DARPA's Defense Sciences Office (DSO) is soliciting proposals for the development of revolutionary imaging technologies for the characterization of molecules, nanostructures and exotic materials (e.g., nanotubes). The new technologies should provide real-time, 3D, static images of molecules and nanostructures with atomic level resolution, or dynamic images of complex biomaterials at room temperature in aqueous media. These technologies will be non-destructive and, in addition, will provide the ability to control and manipulate the structures under observation. Fundamental advances in materials science and biology are critically dependent on collecting real-time, 3D images of mesoscale materials at the atomic or molecular scale. For example, further advances in micro and nano-electronics, spintronics, and quantum information technology require detailed knowledge of doping profiles and defects, buried magnetic interfaces, and the dynamics of spin phase propagation, respectively. In the biological arena, the ability to perform atomic resolution imaging of single macromolecular complexes in their native functional states (i.e., physiological temperatures, aqueous media) will permit a first-time look at the dynamics of structural state transitions and the roles such dynamics play in regulatory processes. Technologies that are able to perform this type of imaging would be of great value for both research and development purposes. AREAS OF INTEREST: DARPA is seeking innovative technical approaches to develop new non-destructive tools to observe and control materials, devices, and biomolecules at the nanoscale. For example, one approach would be to combine the 3D, non-destructive methods of magnetic resonance imaging with the atomic level resolution of atomic force microscopy, as is done in Magnetic Resonance Force Microscopy. DARPA will consider any other ideas that have the potential for development of real-time, 3D, non-destructive technology for imaging of molecules and nanostructures with atomic level resolution, including approaches that do not use cantilevers. Research that primarily results in incremental improvements, even if substantial to the existing state of practice, will not be considered. The development of atomic resolution imaging poses major technical challenges which may include, but are not limited to: (1) Nanofabrication: fabricating nanoscale devices with appropriate characteristics; (2) Real-time signal processing and control: techniques for improving signal to noise; physics-based tomographic techniques that efficiently form images; real-time feedback mechanisms from the image to molecular control; (3) Readout: developing practical on-chip readout techniques; (4) Room-temperature operation in aqueous media; and (5) Calibrated dynamic molecular structures: approaches for determining and characterizing dynamic 3D structures with atomic resolution for biomolecules and subcellular components. PROGRAM SCOPE: The interdisciplinary nature of this program suggests that teaming will be required to develop the new capability. The research is expected to result in prototypes that either are able to achieve images of nanostructures with atomic sized features or are capable of imaging at room temperature complex biomaterials with the ultimate goal of resolving atomic scale features in aqueous media. Proposals that address just one or both of these capabilities would be appropriate. We anticipate the selection of several teams focused on the integrated development of prototype instruments as well as a very limited number of smaller efforts focused on truly unique techniques for readout, signal-processing algorithms, or for the development of high resolution structural dynamics for biomolecules. The team efforts will have participants that can address all of the significant challenges, e.g., nanofabrication, signal processing, readout, sample preparation, operating temperature, etc. The smaller focused efforts will have the potential of overcoming specific technology challenges and should be incorporated into the integrated efforts by the end of the program. DARPA expects that one outcome of the team efforts will be a 3D image of a molecule or an appropriate nanostructure (e.g., doping profile) with atomic resolution. GENERAL INFORMATION: Each offeror is requested to submit a full proposal that clearly and succinctly defines the objective, the approach, and the technical hurdles. The proposal should convey confidence that the proposer has the resources to carry out the research and development as described. Teaming is strongly recommended, but small focused efforts as described above will be acceptable. Offerers are strongly encouraged to include instrument manufacturers on the integrated teams. Proposers must obtain a package entitled "BAA 01-39, Molecular Observation, Spectroscopy and Imaging using Cantilevers (MOSAIC), Proposer Information Pamphlet (PIP)" which provides further information on areas of interest; the submission, evaluation and funding processes; proposal formats; and other general information. This announcement and the PIP may be retrieved via the World Wide Web (WWW) at URL www.darpa.mil/dso in the Solicitations area, or by fax, electronic mail (e-mail), or mail request to the administrative addresses given below. Proposals not meeting the format described in the PIP may not be reviewed. This notice, in conjunction with the BAA 01-39 PIP, constitutes the total BAA. No additional information is available, nor will a formal RFP or other solicitation regarding this announcement be issued. Requests for the 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, which shall be considered by DARPA. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs) 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 research for exclusive competition among these entities. All administrative correspondence and questions on this solicitation should be directed to the administrative addresses below; e-mail and fax are preferred. DARPA intends to use e-mail and fax for correspondence regarding BAA 01-39; however, proposals submitted by fax or e-mail will be disregarded. DARPA encourages the use of the WWW for retrieving the PIP and any other related information that may subsequently be provided. PROPOSALS: Proposers must submit an original and six (6) copies of the full proposal to DARPA/DSO, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714 (Attn.: BAA 01-39) no later than 4:00 P.M., ET, October 25, 2001. Proposal submissions received after this date will not be reviewed. Proposals must meet the objective and format guidelines as described in the PIP to be considered. The proposals shall consist of two volumes: Vol. I., Technical and, Vol. II., Cost. Volume I, Technical, shall not exceed fifty (50) pages in length, including the submission cover sheet (Enclosure 1 of the PIP), all charts, figures and appendices. The submission cover sheet must accompany each submission. Volume II, Cost, does not have a page restriction. Format for the proposal is provided in the PIP. Proposals submitted by fax or e-mail will be disregarded. EVALUATION CRITERIA: Evaluation of the proposals will be accomplished through a technical review of each proposal using the following criteria, which are listed in descending order of relative importance: 1) overall scientific and technical merit in relationship to the originality of the idea and soundness of the technical approach, 2) soundness of the management plan as to the utilization of manpower and resources and the degree to which innovative approaches to materials, signal processing, and device fabrication are employed,=20 3) ability of the proposer to implement the program as demonstrated by the availability of qualified personnel, equipment and facilities, and 4) overall value to the Department of Defense including the cost. All proposals will be reviewed by Government officials only. Input on technical aspects of the proposals may be solicited by DARPA from non-Government consultants/experts who are bound by appropriate non-disclosure requirements. Non-Government technical consultants will not have access to proposals that are labeled by the offerers as "GOVERNMENT ONLY." Restrictive notices notwithstanding, proposals may be handled, for administrative purposes only, by a support contractor. This contractor is bound by appropriate non-disclosure requirements. 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. ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST: Each cost proposal shall contain a section satisfying the requirements of the following: Awards made under this BAA are subject to the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 9.5, Organizational Conflict of Interest. All offerers and proposed subcontractors must affirmatively state whether they are supporting any DARPA technical office(s) through an active contract or subcontract. All affirmations must state which office(s) the offerer supports and identify the prime contract number. Affirmations shall be furnished at the time of proposal submission and the existence or potential existence of organizational conflicts of interest, as that term is defined in FAR 9.501, must be disclosed. This disclosure shall include a description of the action the offerer has taken, or proposes to take, to avoid, neutralize or mitigate such conflict. If the offerer believes that no such conflict exists, then it shall so state in this section. It is the policy of DARPA to treat all proposals as competitive information and to disclose the contents only for the purposes of evaluation. The Government intends to use non-government personnel as special resources to assist with the logistics of administering proposal evaluation. Support personnel are restricted by their contracts from disclosing proposal information for any purpose. Contractor personnel are required to sign the Organizational Conflict of Interest Non-Disclosure Agreements. By submission of its proposal, each offerer agrees that proposal information may be disclosed to those selected contractors for the limited purpose stated above. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION: The administrative information for this BAA is: Email: BAA01-39@darpa.mil; Fax: (703) 696-3999; Mail: DARPA/DSO, ATTN: BAA 01-39; 3701 North Fairfax Drive; Arlington, VA 22203-1714

Web Link

Visit this URL for the latest information about this (http://www.eps.gov/spg/ODA/DARPA/CMO/BAA01-39/listing.html)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010906/ASOL003.HTM (D-247 SN50W753)