Exoskeletons
for Human Performance Augmentation (EHPA)
BAA00-34; Due: 30 June 2000;
POC: Dr. Ephrahim Garcia,
DARPA/DSO;
fax: 703-696-3999;
Email: baa00-34@darpa.mil;
URL: /DSO/
Due to the possibility of
transcription errors, the official CBD announcement
takes precedence over this transcription in any
disagreement between the two. The transcription is
provided for your convenience only.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVE AND DESCRIPTION
The Defense Advanced Research Projects
Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative research
proposals on Exoskeletons for Human Performance
Augmentation (EHPA). The overall goal of this program is
to develop devices and machines that will increase the
speed, strength, and endurance of soldiers in combat
environments. Projects will lead to self-powered,
controllable, wearable exoskeletal devices and/or
machines. The technological challenges that must be
addressed are energy sources, power by generation,
haptic interfaces, control algorithm development, as
well as integration of actuation systems and all
previously mentioned subsystems into a machine with an
anthropomorphic architecture. Highly efficient actuators
must be developed that can utilize a high density,
man-wearable energy source in both a safe and quiet
manner. The power provided to the EPHA system must
support the exoskeleton for a duration of military
significance, initially estimated to be 4-24 hours.
Control approaches must be devised that enable direct
and seamless interaction between human and machine.
Finally, these devices and machines will be demonstrated
in order to evaluate their utility to various military
operations.
EHPA will enable new capabilities for
ground forces. Inclusion of exoskeleton technology into
land based operations will extend the mission payload
and/or mission range of the soldier. Exoskeletons will
also increase the lethality and survivability of ground
troops for short range and special operations. The
enhanced mobility and load carrying capability provided
by the exoskeleton will allow soldiers to carry more
ballistic protection and heavy weaponry. To meet the
challenges set forth, DARPA is soliciting devices and
machines that accomplish one or more of the following:
1) assist pack-loaded locomotion, 2) prolong locomotive
endurance, 3) increase locomotive speed, 4) augment
human strength, and 5) leap extraordinary heights and/or
distances. These machines should be anthropomorphic and
capable of bearing distributed loads, such as that
generated by extensive armor protection, as well as
typical pack loads. Other concepts for EHPA will also be
considered in this solicitation.
Methods of transforming high-energy
dense power sources to actuation power for these
machines should be developed. Energy sources must be
integrated with compact, man-wearable power generators
and, possibly, new types of actuators that would allow
long endurance missions. Concepts and designs that fail
to address the full integration of energy sources, power
converters and actuators into a complete exoskeleton
system are generally not of interest. However,
development of enabling technologies of extraordinary
promise may be considered for support but are best
melded into a larger effort of realizing a complete
system.
WHITE PAPERS
All white paper submissions will be
evaluated for responsiveness to the stated goals and
objectives of this BAA. Those best meeting the criteria
of this BAA will be asked to submit a full proposal.
Proposers must submit an original and seven (7) copies
of the white paper to DARPA/DSO, ATTN: BAA00-34, 3701
North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714 on or
before 4:00 PM ET, April 21, 2000. White papers
submitted by email or fax will be disregarded. White
papers must meet the objective and format guidelines as
described in the Proposer Information Pamphlet (PIP) in
order to be considered. White papers are limited to
seven (7) 1.5-spaced pages including cover sheet and
should contain: 1) concepts for addressing the technical
goals of EHPA; 2) program plan with technical milestones
for developing components and critical subsystems; 3)
integration approach and expected performance for an
EHPA device or machine for DoD applications; 4)
projected impact of developments on DoD applications; 5)
proposed funding level for the effort; and 6)
descriptions of experience and expertise of the
performer(s) and sub-contractors. Appendices will be NOT
considered in the evaluation of white papers. DARPA will
acknowledge receipt of white papers within ten (10)
business days and assign a control number that should be
used in all further correspondence. Recommendations for
full proposal submission will be made within
approximately thirty (30) days of the submission
deadline. All full proposals will be evaluated
regardless of the disposition of the white paper.
FULL PROPOSALS
The proposed effort should be in two
phases with an additional option at the end of the
second phase, for a total not to exceed 60 months. The
Phase I and Phase II periods will be conducted for up to
42 months and consist of an initial base effort that
demonstrates proof-of-concept for key technologies,
followed by an effort to complete the development of the
individual projects. In addition to this 42-month
period, a Phase II Option may be included that will
proceed for an additional 18-month period to achieve end
of program requirements as outlined in the PIP. The
technical portion of the proposal is restricted to 40
pages (including figures). A suggested outline for full
proposal follows: 1) an executive summary describing the
concept(s), impetus, approach, and target application;
2) introduction with a statement of the perceived
technical challenges and the concepts to be exploited to
satisfy the requirements of the PIP; (3) detailed
technical discussion of the implementation of the
proposed concept, technical risks, a set of metrics, and
programmed milestones for evaluating progress; (4) the
overall management plan and a list of participating
organizations, their relevant expertise, and tasks to be
performed by each team member; (5) a detailed Statement
of Work with technical milestones and deliverables,
including performance metrics and programmatic decision
points; (6) a summary cost and implementation schedule;
and (7) a plan for transitioning and commercializing the
technology to industry and/or Government applications.
References, resumes, or other supporting documentation
may be included as appendices to the main body of the
proposal, but will be included in the 40-page limit. A
detailed cost and implementation schedule should also be
included in a separate cost proposal. Further details
are available in the PIP.
The total amount of funding available
for this BAA is approximately $50M; it is anticipated
that there will be multiple awards. The most important
part of the full proposal will be the technical concepts
proposed for the successful production of a human
performance enhancing exoskeleton machine or device. The
goal of the program is the development and demonstration
of novel, self-powered exoskeleton machines that can be
implemented to augment the performance and extend the
mission capability of the ground combatant. The end
products of this solicitation will be deliverable
hardware demonstrating the approach achieved toward
meeting the goals and objectives listed in the PIP.
Proposals that are considered less than satisfactory in
terms of Scientific and Technical Merit will not be
evaluated further. Proposers must submit an original and
nine (9) copies of the full proposal to DARPA/DSO, 3701
North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714 (Attn.:
BAA00-34) on or before 4:00 PM, ET, June 30, 2000.
Proposals must meet the objective and format guidelines
as described in the PIP to be considered.
Proposal identified for funding may
result in a contract, grant cooperative agreement, or
other transaction, depending upon the nature of the work
proposed, the required degree of interaction between
parties, and other factors. If warranted, portions of
resulting awards may be segregated into pre-priced
options.
TEAMING ARRANGEMENTS
Teaming is encouraged to ensure that
advances in technology can be rapidly integrated into
useable military devices. To assist the teaming process
an interactive web site has been established at URL:
www.sainc.com/DARPA/EHPA. Individual researchers and
organizations with specific, relevant expertise and/or
capabilities may provide non-proprietary descriptions of
their capabilities and interests. The web site will
remain active from the date of issuance of this BAA
until proposals are due. More information on teaming can
be found in the PIP.
PROPOSAL EVALUATION
Proposals will be evaluated according
to the following criteria in decreasing order of
importance: (1) scientific and technological merit of
the proposed program; (2) impact of the successful
development on defense systems; (3) ability of the
proposer(s) to achieve goals and execute project
management plan (4) cost realism. 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 and/or experts who
are bound by appropriate non-disclosure requirements.
Non-Government technical consultants will not have
access to proposals that are labeled by the offerors 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. Cost sharing is encouraged, but not required.
All responsible sources capable of satisfying the
Government's needs may submit a proposal that shall be
considered by DARPA.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Proposers must obtain the pamphlet
entitled "BAA00-34, Exoskeleton for Human
Performance Enhancement (EHPA) Proposer Information
Pamphlet (PIP)," which provides detailed
information on program objectives, areas of interest,
the submission, evaluation, and funding processes,
proposal formats, and other program information. This
pamphlet may be requested from the World Wide Web (WWW),
fax, electronic mail (e-mail), or mail requests through
the administrative contact information given below. This
announcement and the PIP may be retrieved via the WWW at
URL: /dso/
in the solicitation area.
Proposals not meeting the format
described in the pamphlet may not be reviewed. All
administrative correspondence and questions on this
solicitation, including requests for information on how
to submit a proposal to this BAA, should be directed to
DARPA/DSO, BAA00-34, fax: (703) 696-3999, electronic
mail (e-mail): BAA00-34@darpa.mil,
or mail: DARPA/DSO, ATTN: BAA00-34, 3701 North Fairfax
Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714 (e-mail or fax is
preferred). DARPA intends to use electronic mail and fax
for correspondence regarding BAA00-34. Proposals
submitted by fax or e-mail will be disregarded. DARPA
encourages use of the WWW for retrieving the PIP and any
other related information that may subsequently be
provided. This notice, in conjunction with the BAA00-34
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. Minority
Institutions and Historically Black Colleges and
Universities are encouraged to submit proposals and join
others in submitting proposals. However, due to the
technical nature of the hardware demonstration, no
portion of this BAA will be set aside specifically for
these entities.
Related Links:
DARPA
(Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency)
