Opportunity Information: Apply for ONRBAA12 005
Apply for ONRBAA12 005
- The Office of Naval Research in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Image Optimization for Small Focal Plane Arrays" 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 Jan 4, 2012 and posted on Jan 4, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 1, 2012 See the BAA for white paper due dates. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $1,700,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- 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. 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. University Affiliated Research Centers are eligible to submit proposals under this BAA unless precluded from doing so by their Department of Defense UARC contracts. 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 Regulations (ITAR) 22 CFR 1201.1 et seq.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is funding research aimed at getting high-end electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sensor performance without relying on increasingly large, expensive focal plane arrays (FPAs). ONR notes that the traditional path of expanding FPA format to achieve wider area coverage and larger swath widths drives sensor costs up, which becomes especially problematic for smaller, cost-constrained platforms like unmanned aerial systems (UAS). This opportunity is built around a different idea: keep the hardware smaller and more affordable, then use advanced processing to optimize the imagery so the system can still meet operational needs for detection, tracking, and identification.
The grant focuses on image optimization and enhancement techniques for both passive and active EO/IR imaging sensors that use small-format FPAs. ONR is looking for methods that improve the usability and interpretability of imagery produced by these smaller detectors, effectively squeezing more performance out of limited pixel counts, sensitivity, or sampling. The announcement points to related ONR efforts such as coded sensor processing, compressive sensing, and Lucky Imaging as examples of the kind of algorithmic or computational approaches that may be relevant. It also highlights the possibility of adding processing at or near the readout integrated circuit (ROIC) level to better utilize small FPAs, suggesting interest in smart readout or on-chip/near-sensor processing concepts that improve the final image product.
Even though the topic touches ROIC-level processing ideas, the BAA is not intended to pay for the development of brand-new EO/IR sensor hardware (including new FPAs and ROICs). The main deliverable emphasis is on techniques and methodologies that can be incorporated into image processing pipelines across a variety of small-format EO/IR sensor architectures. ONR acknowledges, however, that successful results could naturally influence future sensor architecture proposals or hardware implementations, meaning the research could shape next-generation designs even if hardware development is not the core scope of this effort.
From a program impact standpoint, ONR frames the value as expanding the Navy's ability to achieve "Information Dominance" by enabling a broader set of lower-cost sensors to deliver useful, mission-relevant imagery. In practical terms, the Navy wants more deployable EO/IR sensing options across platforms where size, weight, power, and cost are constrained, while still retaining the performance needed for operational tasks.
Administratively, this is a discretionary science and technology research and development opportunity released under Funding Opportunity Number ONRBAA12-005, titled "Image Optimization for Small Focal Plane Arrays." ONR anticipated making about three awards, with an estimated total funding level of $1,700,000. Awards could be made through grants and may also involve other procurement contract instruments, as indicated in the listing. The CFDA number associated with this program is 12.300 (Basic and Applied Scientific Research), and there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
The opportunity was posted on January 4, 2012, with a closing date of May 1, 2012 (with white paper due dates referenced in the BAA). The archive date is May 31, 2012. Eligibility is open to responsible sources from academia and industry, and ONR encourages participation from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs), though no portion of the funding is reserved specifically for them. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), including Department of Energy national laboratories, are not eligible to receive awards directly, and Navy laboratories/warfare centers and other federal labs are also not allowed to submit white papers or full proposals directly; however, teaming arrangements are allowed where permitted, meaning these organizations can collaborate as partners with eligible lead applicants. University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs) may apply unless restricted by their existing Department of Defense contracts. ONR also makes clear that offerors should be prepared to cooperate within an integrated program environment, including exchanging software, data, and other information with other contractors and system integrators selected by ONR. Finally, some research areas may involve export-controlled technology; in those cases participation is limited to U.S. persons as defined under ITAR.
For access issues related to the full announcement, the contact listed is Rebecca Foster, Contract Specialist, at 703-696-2972, with a note referencing grants.gov questions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the focus of the ONR funding opportunity?
The opportunity funds research on image optimization and enhancement techniques that help small-format electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sensors achieve high-end operational performance without relying on increasingly large and expensive focal plane arrays (FPAs).
What problem is ONR trying to solve with this program?
ONR is addressing the cost and size growth that comes from expanding FPA format to get wider area coverage and larger swath widths. That traditional approach can become too expensive and impractical for smaller, cost-constrained platforms such as unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The program aims to keep hardware smaller and more affordable, while using advanced processing to improve the resulting imagery for mission tasks.
What types of sensors are included under this topic?
The topic includes both passive and active EO/IR imaging sensors that use small-format FPAs.
What kinds of technical approaches does ONR appear interested in?
ONR highlights computational and algorithmic approaches intended to improve imagery produced by small detectors. Examples referenced include coded sensor processing, compressive sensing, and Lucky Imaging, as well as concepts that add processing at or near the readout integrated circuit (ROIC) level (for example, smart readout or near-sensor/on-chip processing that improves the final image product).
Is this program meant to fund new EO/IR sensor hardware development (new FPAs or ROICs)?
No. While the topic touches on ROIC-level processing ideas, the BAA is not intended to pay for development of brand-new EO/IR sensor hardware, including new FPAs and ROICs. The emphasis is on techniques and methodologies that can be incorporated into image processing pipelines across a variety of small-format EO/IR sensor architectures.
If hardware development is not funded, can this research still influence future sensor designs?
Yes. ONR notes that successful results could influence future sensor architecture proposals or hardware implementations, even though hardware development is not the core scope of this effort.
What are the expected mission or operational benefits?
ONR frames the impact as improving Navy "Information Dominance" by enabling a broader set of lower-cost sensors to deliver useful, mission-relevant imagery. Practically, it supports more deployable EO/IR sensing options for platforms where size, weight, power, and cost are constrained, while still meeting operational needs for detection, tracking, and identification.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number and title?
Funding Opportunity Number: ONRBAA12-005. Title: "Image Optimization for Small Focal Plane Arrays."
How many awards did ONR anticipate making, and what was the estimated total funding?
ONR anticipated making about three awards, with an estimated total funding level of $1,700,000.
What award instruments might be used?
Awards could be made through grants and may also involve other procurement contract instruments, as indicated in the listing.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity states there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number is 12.300 (Basic and Applied Scientific Research).
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
It was posted on January 4, 2012, and had a closing date of May 1, 2012 (with white paper due dates referenced in the BAA). The archive date is May 31, 2012.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is open to responsible sources from academia and industry.
Does ONR encourage applications from HBCUs and Minority Institutions?
Yes. ONR encourages participation from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs), but no portion of the funding is reserved specifically for them.
Are Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) eligible to receive awards directly?
No. FFRDCs, including Department of Energy national laboratories, are not eligible to receive awards directly under this opportunity.
Can Navy labs/warfare centers or other federal labs submit proposals directly?
No. Navy laboratories/warfare centers and other federal labs are not allowed to submit white papers or full proposals directly.
Can ineligible federal organizations still participate in some way?
Yes. Teaming arrangements are allowed where permitted, meaning ineligible organizations may collaborate as partners with eligible lead applicants.
Are University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs) eligible?
UARCs may apply unless they are restricted by their existing Department of Defense contracts.
Does the program require collaboration or information sharing among awardees?
Yes. ONR states that offerors should be prepared to cooperate within an integrated program environment, including exchanging software, data, and other information with other contractors and system integrators selected by ONR.
Could this work involve export-controlled technology, and what would that mean for participation?
Some research areas may involve export-controlled technology. In those cases, participation is limited to U.S. persons as defined under ITAR.
Who is the contact for access issues related to the full announcement?
The listed contact is Rebecca Foster, Contract Specialist, at 703-696-2972 (with a note referencing grants.gov questions).
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