FY11 Communications and Networking Discovery and Invention | Apply Online

FY11 Communications and Networking Discovery and Invention (ONRBAA10-014) FAQs

1) What is this grant opportunity?

This is the FY11 Communications and Networking Discovery and Invention opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number ONRBAA10-014), a discretionary Office of Naval Research (ONR) grant program focused on advancing communications and networking technologies that support Navy and Marine Corps operations.

2) What is the main purpose of the program?

The program aims to produce measurable technology improvements that increase end-to-end connectivity and quality of service so mission-critical information (voice, data, and imagery) can move reliably and quickly among widely dispersed Navy, joint, and coalition forces.

3) Why is ONR emphasizing communications and networking in this solicitation?

The solicitation is built on the idea that modern Command and Control (C2) and decision-making are only as effective as the communications and networks that carry information. ONR is aligning the work with the shift from platform-centric operations to network-centric operations under the Sea Power 21 and FORCEnet vision.

4) What kind of submission is ONR asking for?

This solicitation specifically seeks white paper submissions for FY11 Exploratory Development/Applied Research projects.

5) What budget category does this opportunity fall under?

The requested work is described as applied research in the 6.2 budget category (Budget Activity 2).

6) Is this a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)?

Yes. ONR notes that work funded under a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) can span basic research, applied research, and some advanced technology development, but this specific announcement is described as applied research (Budget Activity 2).

7) What technical outcomes is ONR looking for?

ONR is looking for innovations that improve robustness, interoperability, survivability, security, throughput, and latency across tactical and operational networks, especially under contested electronic warfare conditions.

8) What operational conditions should proposed technologies account for?

The opportunity emphasizes real operational realities such as absent infrastructure, moving platforms, contested spectrum, and links that must withstand interference, multipath, atmospheric effects, and strict size/weight/power constraints across space, terrestrial, and undersea environments, including manned and unmanned users.

9) What are the specific focus areas ONR calls out for white papers?

The solicitation highlights these focus areas for white paper submissions:

• Metamaterials and metastructures to improve antenna and array performance, including phased arrays in UHF, C, and X bands; electrically small antennas spanning VLF to VHF; and beam shaping for parabolic reflector dishes in satellite-communications-relevant bands.
• Advanced, low-complexity blind beamforming and jammer-nulling methods that adaptively suppress interference without heavy computational burden.
• Low-probability-of-intercept and anti-jam tactical data link waveforms and network concepts that still deliver high throughput, scalability, and low latency.
• Alternatives to traditional satellite communications and network architectures to enable on-demand reach-back, including new paths, relays, mesh networking, or hybrid architectures that reduce dependence on classic SATCOM.
• Predictive algorithms, models, and tools for inferential monitoring of networks and individual communication links, including recognizing electronic attack and anticipating performance degradation.
• Novel software-defined antenna concepts, such as multi-resonant approaches operating across wide bandwidths and adapting to mission needs.

10) Are proposals limited only to the listed focus areas?

No. While priority areas are listed, ONR signals openness to highly innovative communications and networking ideas beyond the named topics if they are clearly important to Navy/Marine Corps missions and align with the overall need for resilient, high-capacity naval communications.

11) What types of environments are relevant to this program?

The opportunity explicitly references space, terrestrial, and undersea environments and expects solutions to work across those domains, including scenarios involving both manned and unmanned users.

12) What information types does ONR want to move across the network?

The solicitation mentions mission-critical information including voice, data, and imagery.

13) What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?

The funding instrument type is listed as a grant.

14) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

15) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity references CFDA 12.300 (Basic and Applied Scientific Research).

16) What category is this opportunity listed under?

It is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

17) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to the specific eligibility language in Section III of the solicitation.

18) What are the key dates for this opportunity?

• Posting date: February 19, 2010
• Closing date (original/current): June 30, 2010
• Archive date: July 30, 2010

19) What does ONR say about publication restrictions and fundamental research?

The solicitation references Department of Defense guidance on contracted fundamental research and National Security Decision Directive 189 (NSDD-189), stating that unclassified fundamental research is generally not subject to publication or conduct restrictions except where required by law or specific authorities.

20) Does ONR mention differences between how universities and industry typically participate?

Yes. It explains that universities often receive grants for fundamental research, while industry frequently performs under contracts. It also notes that advanced technology development efforts may involve additional sensitivity-driven constraints such as pre-publication review.

21) Are advanced technology development (ATD) efforts part of this specific announcement?

ONR notes that BAAs can cover basic research, applied research, and some advanced technology development, but for this specific announcement the funded efforts are described as applied research (Budget Activity 2).

22) What should an applicant do if they cannot access the full announcement?

For access issues with the full announcement, the listed contracting contact is Matt Ferebee, Contract Specialist, at 703-696-1474. The notice also states that Grants.gov questions are handled separately, and that business and technical points of contact are provided in the full solicitation.

23) Who is the contracting contact listed in the opportunity notice?

Matt Ferebee, Contract Specialist, phone 703-696-1474.

24) Does this notice provide the technical and business points of contact?

No. It indicates that business and technical points of contact are provided in the full solicitation.

25) What is the overarching Navy/Marine Corps operational concept referenced?

The opportunity references the Sea Power 21 and FORCEnet vision and the shift from platform-centric operations to network-centric operations.