A DARPA-sponsored workshop has been planned for 05-06 December 2007 in Arlington, VA, for the purpose of reviewing on-going research in the characterization of dismounts from radio frequency (RF) data. Information presented at the RF Dismount Characterization workshop will contribute to the formulation of future areas of DARPA research with the objective of transitioning dismount characterization capabilities into airborne RADAR systems. The workshop will cover the end-to-end processing algorithms associated with detection, discrimination, characterization and tracking of dismount activity in open, urban and foliated environments. NOTE: THE WORKSHOP IS NOT INTERESTED IN TECHNIQUES TO IDENTIFY PERSONNEL. DARPA Information Exploitation Office (IXO) invites participation from all those engaged in related research activities. Authors will be invited to present related work and on-going research activities associated with dismount characterization including: 1. Modeling and simulation 2. Parametric estimation techniques of motion 3. Signal processing and data preparation 4. Multi-sensor data correlation and fusion 5. Detection and discrimination algorithms 6. Activity estimation and inference techniques 7. Experimental test results Space for the workshop is limited and attendance will be by invitation only. Invitations will be based on white papers submitted by the candidate authors to
[email protected] no later than COB, Friday, 02 November 2007. These white papers should briefly summarize the approaches, and not exceed 6 pages, including figures. Accepted authors will be notified via email by 16 November 2007 and will be invited to provide a 30 minute unclassified, non-proprietary presentation, as well as to participate in discussion on future research and development needs. No expenses will be paid to the participants. INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPONDERS DARPA appreciates responses from all capable and qualified sources, including but not limited to, universities, university-affiliated research centers, federally funded research centers, private or public companies, and Government research laboratories. White papers should adhere to the following formatting and outline instructions: 1. Format specifications include 12 point font, single spaced, single-sided, 8.5 by 11 inches paper, with 1-inch margins. All submissions must be submitted via email to
[email protected] and be in one of the following formats: Microsoft Word, Adobe PDF, or Microsoft PowerPoint. 2. Cover Page (1 page) a. Title b. Organization c. Responder's technical and administrative points of contact (names, addresses, phones and fax numbers, and email addresses) d. Topic area(s) addressed e. Indication of willingness to attend the Workshop f. Indication of willingness to attend the Exercise 3. Technical Ideas (up to 5 pages) a. Executive summary b. A discussion of the capability/challenge addressed (from your perspective) c. Technical response. Your discussion should address the following: What is your proposed innovative technology/concept? How does it address the specific capability/challenge in RF Dismount Characterization? What is the current capability vice the desired capability? What extensions or advances are needed to achieve the RF Dismount Characterization vision? d. Brief summary of any relevant experience in RF Dismount Characterization operations. 4. An optional list of citations, including URLs, if available. Respondents are encouraged to be as succinct as possible while at the same time providing insight. DISCLAIMERS AND IMPORTANT NOTES This is an RFI issued solely for information and new program planning purposes; the RFI, workshop, and exercise do not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals or proposal abstracts. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Submission of a white paper, and/or attendance at the workshop, is voluntary and is not required to propose to subsequent Broad Agency Announcements (if any) or research solicitations (if any) on this topic. DARPA will not provide reimbursement for costs incurred in responding to this RFI or participating in the RFI workshop or exercise. NO PROPRIETARY OR CLASSIFIED INFORMATION SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RFI RESPONSE. Respondents are advised that DARPA is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received, or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted under this RFI. Submissions may be reviewed by: the Government (DARPA and partners); Federally Funded R&D Centers (such as MIT Lincoln Laboratory); and Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) contractors (such as Schafer Corporation, SET Associates, CACI International, and System Analysis, Inc.). POINT OF CONTACT Stephen C. Davis, Contracting Officer, Email
[email protected]. ANY INQUIRIES ON THIS RFI AND/OR WORKSHOP MUST BE SUBMITTED TO
[email protected]. NO TELEPHONE INQUIRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED.