Exoskeletons for Human Performance
Augmentation Source: DARPA June 30, 2000
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.
POC: Dr. Ephrahim Garcia - baa00-34@darpa.mil
DARPA/DSO (EHPA), BAA00-34
Fax: 703-696-3999
http://www.darpa.mil/dso/solicitations/00/Baa00-34/cbd.htm