Opportunity Information: Apply for ONRBAA11 013
Apply for ONRBAA11 013
- The Office of Naval Research in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY12 Communications and Netwo" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.300 Basic and Applied Scientific Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 2, 2011 and posted on Feb 2, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 30, 2011 Refer to the BAA or application instructions for white paper due dates. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
- All responsible sources from academia and industry may submit proposals under this BAA. 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. University Affiliated Research Centers (UARC) are eligible to submit white papers under this BAA unless precluded from doing so by their Department of Defense UARC contracts. Federally Funded research Development Centers (FFRDCs), including Department of Energy National Laboratories, are not eligible to receive awards under this BAA. However, teaming arrangements between FFRDCs and eligible principal bidders are allowed so long as they are permitted under the sponsoring agreement between the Government and the specific FFRDC. Navy laboratories and warfare centers as well as other Department of Defense and civilian agency laboratories are also not eligible to receive awards under this BAA and should not directly submit either white papers or full proposals in response to this BAA. If any such organization is interested in one or more of the programs described herein, the organization should contact an appropriate ONR POC to discuss its area of interest. The various scientific divisions of ONR are identified at http://www.onr.navy.mil/. As with FFRDCs, these types of federal organizations may team with other responsible sources from academia and industry that are submitting proposals under this BAA. Teams are also encouraged and may submit proposals in any and all areas. However, Offerors must be willing to cooperate and exchange software, data and other information in an integrated program with other contractors, as well as with system integrators, selected by ONR. Some topics cover export controlled technologies. Research in these areas is limited to U.S. persons as defined in the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) 22 CFR 1201.1 et seq. (See Section VII, Other Information)
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Opportunity Summary:
The FY12 Communications and Networking grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number ONRBAA11-013) is a Broad Agency Announcement from the Office of Naval Research (ONR), focused on exploratory development and applied research (budget category 6.2) that strengthens Navy and Marine Corps communications and networking for modern, network-centric operations. The central problem it targets is that Command and Control (C2), sensor-to-shooter links, and operational decision-making all depend on communications that are not just fast, but also reliable, interoperable, survivable, secure, and available under real combat conditions. ONR frames this work as foundational to the Sea Power 21 and FORCEnet vision: getting the right information to the right place at the right time, across widely dispersed forces that may include joint and coalition partners, and that may operate from space down to undersea environments.
The opportunity emphasizes that naval communications are uniquely hard because forces often operate without fixed infrastructure, while moving, and in contested electromagnetic conditions involving spectrum congestion, interference, multipath propagation, atmospherics, and active electronic threats. Platforms can be manned or unmanned and may have strict size, weight, and power constraints, which makes it difficult to deliver high-capacity multimedia connectivity (voice, data, imagery) at the tactical edge. ONR is looking for measurable technology advances that improve end-to-end connectivity and quality of service for mission-critical information exchange, with the practical intent that improved links and networks directly enhance warfighter effectiveness from operational headquarters down to forward units.
For FY12, ONR solicits proposals under seven main focus areas. First, it seeks novel designs for wideband phased-array apertures that are electrically small, lightweight, and practical for platforms where space and mass are limited, while still delivering wideband performance. Second, it calls for alternatives to traditional satellite communications and legacy network architectures for on-demand reach-back, including wideband high frequency (HF) communications with low probability of detection and interception (LPD/LPI), reflecting interest in resilient beyond-line-of-sight options when SATCOM is denied or degraded. Third, it targets LPD/LPI improvements for tactical data links operating against advanced electronic threats, including better synchronization methods for noise-like signals that can be harder to detect, jam, or exploit.
Fourth, ONR highlights spectrum coexistence and dynamic spectrum access, aiming for technologies that allow military radar and communications waveforms to share spectrum with commercial systems through approaches like underlay/overlay strategies and interference cancellation. This area also explicitly includes RF and baseband transmit/receive technologies that can simultaneously use multiple non-contiguous narrowband channels across a very wide frequency span (roughly 100 MHz to 10 GHz). In the same theme, ONR is interested in machine learning and reasoning-based algorithms and protocols that provide distributed spectral awareness and improve spectrum and network management, suggesting a push toward more autonomous, adaptive spectrum behavior across tactical networks.
Fifth, the opportunity includes blue-green optical communications components, seeking high wall-plug efficiency and power-scaled transmitter technologies (coherent and/or incoherent), along with high-speed (Gbps) blue-green detectors including single-photon counting capabilities. It also calls for receiver waveforms and protocols that can maintain high performance while relaxing synchronization and timing accuracy requirements, which can reduce system complexity and improve robustness in operational settings. Sixth, ONR requests tools and approaches to resolve conflicts in traffic prioritization policies across distributed tactical networks, specifically aligning prioritization with a Commanders Intent construct, which points to policy-driven networking and governance challenges when multiple nodes and missions compete for limited capacity. Seventh, it seeks dynamic routing mechanisms designed for near-real-time robust delivery under harsh networking conditions such as intermittent connectivity and constrained throughput, which is typical of mobile, contested, or ad hoc naval environments.
Beyond these listed topics, ONR states it is receptive to highly innovative communications and networking ideas that fall outside the focus areas as long as they matter to Navy and Marine Corps needs, so the announcement leaves room for novel approaches that still map to the broader goal of resilient, secure, high-capacity connectivity. The full solicitation details and any white paper or proposal instructions are provided via Grants.gov in the full announcement.
Administratively, this is a discretionary science and technology R&D opportunity under CFDA 12.300 (Basic and Applied Scientific Research), with funding instruments including grants and procurement contracts. It does not require cost sharing or matching. The posting date is February 2, 2011, with an original and current closing date of June 30, 2011 (with the note that applicants should consult the BAA for white paper due dates and specific submission instructions), and an archive date of July 30, 2011.
Eligibility is broadly open to responsible sources in academia and industry, with explicit encouragement for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs) to apply or team, though no funding is set aside specifically for them. University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs) may submit white papers unless restricted by their DoD UARC contract terms. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), including Department of Energy national laboratories, are not eligible to receive awards directly, and Navy labs, warfare centers, and other federal labs similarly cannot submit as direct offerors; however, both FFRDCs and government labs may participate through teaming arrangements with an eligible prime bidder where permitted. ONR also signals that collaborative, integrated program participation is important: offerors should be willing to cooperate and exchange software, data, and related information with other contractors and system integrators selected by ONR. Finally, some topics may involve export-controlled technologies, and in those cases participation is limited to U.S. persons as defined under ITAR.
For access issues with the full announcement, the listed point of contact is Gordon Jaquith, Contract Specialist, at 703-696-7831, with Grants.gov as the platform for solicitation materials and submission guidance.
FY12 Communications and Networking (ONRBAA11-013) - Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is this grant opportunity?
This is the FY12 Communications and Networking funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number ONRBAA11-013), issued as a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) by the Office of Naval Research (ONR). It supports science and technology research and development related to Navy and Marine Corps communications and networking.
2) What type of work is ONR looking to fund?
ONR is seeking exploratory development and applied research work in budget category 6.2. The emphasis is on measurable technology advances that improve end-to-end connectivity and quality of service for mission-critical information exchange in operationally realistic conditions.
3) What problem is ONR trying to solve with this BAA?
The BAA targets the need for communications that are fast and also reliable, interoperable, survivable, secure, and available under real combat conditions. ONR frames this as foundational to network-centric operations where Command and Control (C2), sensor-to-shooter links, and operational decision-making depend on resilient communications across widely dispersed forces.
4) How does this relate to Sea Power 21 and FORCEnet?
ONR positions this work as supporting the Sea Power 21 and FORCEnet vision of getting the right information to the right place at the right time, across dispersed forces that may include joint and coalition partners and may operate from space down to undersea environments.
5) Why are naval communications described as uniquely difficult?
The announcement highlights that naval forces often operate without fixed infrastructure, while moving, and in contested electromagnetic conditions. Challenges include spectrum congestion, interference, multipath propagation, atmospherics, and active electronic threats, plus size/weight/power constraints on manned and unmanned platforms.
6) What kinds of platforms and environments does this effort consider?
The BAA references platforms that can be manned or unmanned and environments spanning space to undersea operations. It also emphasizes harsh, contested electromagnetic and networking conditions typical of mobile, ad hoc, or infrastructure-limited operations.
7) What are the main technical focus areas for FY12?
ONR solicits proposals under seven main focus areas:
- Electrically small, lightweight, practical wideband phased-array apertures
- Alternatives to SATCOM and legacy architectures for on-demand reach-back, including wideband HF with LPD/LPI
- LPD/LPI improvements for tactical data links against advanced electronic threats (including synchronization for noise-like signals)
- Spectrum coexistence and dynamic spectrum access (including multi-band, non-contiguous channel operation over wide frequency spans and ML/reasoning-based distributed spectral awareness)
- Blue-green optical communications components (efficient transmitters, high-speed detectors including single-photon counting, and robust receiver waveforms/protocols with relaxed sync/timing requirements)
- Tools to resolve conflicts in traffic prioritization policies using a Commanders Intent construct
- Dynamic routing mechanisms for near-real-time robust delivery under intermittent connectivity and constrained throughput
8) Is SATCOM-denied or degraded operation part of the interest?
Yes. A specific focus area calls for alternatives to traditional satellite communications and legacy architectures for on-demand reach-back, including wideband high frequency (HF) communications with low probability of detection and interception (LPD/LPI), aimed at resilience when SATCOM is denied or degraded.
9) What does LPD/LPI mean in the context of this BAA?
LPD/LPI refers to Low Probability of Detection and Low Probability of Interception. In this BAA, ONR is interested in communications approaches (including tactical data links and HF) that are harder to detect, intercept, jam, or exploit, particularly against advanced electronic threats.
10) What is ONR asking for in spectrum coexistence and dynamic spectrum access?
ONR is seeking technologies that allow military radar and communications waveforms to share spectrum with commercial systems, including underlay/overlay approaches and interference cancellation. The goal is improved coexistence and better use of contested or congested spectrum.
11) Does the BAA mention specific frequency ranges?
Yes. Within the spectrum theme, ONR explicitly includes transmit/receive technologies that can simultaneously use multiple non-contiguous narrowband channels across a very wide frequency span, roughly 100 MHz to 10 GHz.
12) Is machine learning relevant to this opportunity?
Yes. ONR specifically mentions machine learning and reasoning-based algorithms and protocols to provide distributed spectral awareness and improve spectrum and network management, pointing to more autonomous and adaptive spectrum behavior across tactical networks.
13) What is meant by blue-green optical communications in this BAA?
The announcement includes blue-green optical communications components, calling for high wall-plug efficiency and power-scaled transmitter technologies (coherent and/or incoherent), as well as high-speed (Gbps) blue-green detectors including single-photon counting capabilities.
14) Does ONR care about synchronization and timing burden for optical links?
Yes. The BAA calls for receiver waveforms and protocols that maintain high performance while relaxing synchronization and timing accuracy requirements, which can reduce system complexity and improve robustness.
15) What does ONR mean by "Commanders Intent" in network traffic prioritization?
The BAA requests tools and approaches to resolve conflicts in traffic prioritization policies across distributed tactical networks, aligning prioritization with a Commanders Intent construct. This indicates interest in policy-driven prioritization where multiple nodes and missions compete for limited capacity.
16) What kinds of routing solutions are being sought?
ONR is seeking dynamic routing mechanisms designed for near-real-time robust delivery under harsh conditions, including intermittent connectivity and constrained throughput, which are common in mobile, contested, or ad hoc naval environments.
17) Are ideas outside the seven focus areas allowed?
Yes. ONR states it is receptive to highly innovative communications and networking ideas that fall outside the listed focus areas, as long as they are relevant to Navy and Marine Corps needs and align with the broader goal of resilient, secure, high-capacity connectivity.
18) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 12.300, Basic and Applied Scientific Research.
19) What funding instruments might ONR use?
The BAA indicates funding instruments may include grants and procurement contracts.
20) Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The announcement states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
21) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broadly open to responsible sources in academia and industry. The BAA explicitly encourages Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs) to apply or team, though it does not set aside funding specifically for them.
22) Can University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs) participate?
Yes. UARCs may submit white papers unless their participation is restricted by the terms of their Department of Defense UARC contract.
23) Are Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) eligible as prime recipients?
No. FFRDCs (including Department of Energy national laboratories) are not eligible to receive awards directly under this announcement.
24) Can Navy labs, warfare centers, or other federal labs apply directly?
No. Navy labs, warfare centers, and other federal labs cannot submit as direct offerors under this BAA.
25) Can FFRDCs or government labs participate in any way?
Yes. The BAA notes that FFRDCs and government labs may participate through teaming arrangements with an eligible prime bidder, where permitted.
26) Does ONR expect collaboration among awardees?
Yes. ONR signals that collaborative, integrated program participation is important. Offerors should be willing to cooperate and exchange software, data, and related information with other contractors and system integrators selected by ONR.
27) Are there export control restrictions?
Possibly. The BAA notes that some topics may involve export-controlled technologies. In those cases, participation is limited to U.S. persons as defined under ITAR.
28) Where do applicants find the full solicitation details and instructions?
The full solicitation details and any white paper or proposal instructions are provided via Grants.gov in the full announcement.
29) What are the key dates listed for this opportunity?
The posting date is February 2, 2011. The original and current closing date is June 30, 2011. The archive date is July 30, 2011. The BAA also notes that applicants should consult the announcement for any white paper due dates and specific submission instructions.
30) Who is the point of contact for access issues with the full announcement?
The listed contact is Gordon Jaquith, Contract Specialist, at 703-696-7831.
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