AFRL posts BAA for multi-source analysis

On December 2, the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory posted a broad agency announcement for multi-source anlaysis (BAA-RIK-13-04). The agency recommends that white papers be submitted by March 1, 2017 to maximize the possibility of award.

The Air Force Research Laboratory is soliciting white papers for various scientific studies, analytical tools, algorithm developments, projects, and experiments focused on developing Multi-Source, Activity-Based Analysis capabilities to provide the Air Force the means to better conduct Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR).

The Processing and Exploitation Core Technical Competencies (CTC) mission is to lead the discovery, development, and application of technology to enable the processing and exploitation of multi-source ISR data for commanders, decision makers, and intelligence analysts. The volume of sensor data produced is enormous and still growing rapidly; however the ability to process and exploit this data has not been able to keep pace with the sheer volume of data produced. The Multi-Source Analysis (MSA) sub-CTC, which is the intended target of this Funding Opportunity, focuses on the creation of force multipliers for the ISR operators/analysts by developing automated processes to identify, extract, analyze, correlate, and sort multi-source data in order to classify and identify activities, entities and entity-relation networks in the battlespace. It also supports analysts in developing/maintaining more comprehensive situational awareness on an area of responsibility, as well as expertise on a topic in which they specialize. Multi-source exploitation and analysis capabilities are needed to turn data into information for the analyst. The key aspect is to provide automated capabilities to help the analyst more efficiently develop target sets, answer time-sensitive requests for information and produce intelligence analysis reports.

The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Information Directorate (AFRL/RI) has an established test-bed facility that provides evaluation, assessment and demonstration of intelligence tools. The Automated Processing and Exploitation (APEX) Center provides a facility for algorithm development and evaluation, analytical studies, on-site and network distributed simulation exercises and demonstration of fusion technologies with real and simulated multiple source intelligence (multi-INT) data. Capabilities include scenario generation, and platform and sensor modeling. Simulators have been developed for various intelligence data types such as Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) information, electronic signals intelligence (ELINT) and measurement and signature intelligence (MASINT). Highly developed multi-INT data fusion systems are available for application to the problem of ground target tracking against a variety of operational scenarios. Analytical tools that quantify established measures of performance (MOPs) are available for target tracking and other applications. In total the APEX Center helps to facilitate a broad range of intelligence capabilities, and fusion technology development.

The Information Directorate, Activity Based Analysis Branch, is soliciting white papers under this announcement for unique and innovative technologies to explore and develop network-centric, collaborative intelligence analysis capabilities that allows the fusion of multi-INT and data sources to enable accurate, shared, real-time intelligence products that locate and characterize entities, and tracks events, activities, and adversary networks. The key aspect is to provide automation capabilities for the analyst in the development of target sets and intelligence analysis reports. The three focus areas within MSA include: (1) Integrated Tracking, Analysis and Discovery (ITAD), (2) Multi-Source Information Extraction & Analysis, and (3) Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) Enterprise to the Edge (CETE). AFRL/RI intends to utilize the APEX Center capabilities to assist analytical studies, on-site and network distributed simulation exercises, and the processing of real-world, multi-INT data. The availability or use of Government Furnished Property/Government Furnished Equipment (GFP/GFE) will be determined on a contract-by-contract basis, but no GFP/GFE is anticipated at this time. Any GFP/GFE required by the offerors must be clearly identified in the submitted white paper.

Full information is available here.

Source: FedBizOpps