Contracting
Office Address
Other Defense Agencies, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Contracts
Management Office, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA, 22203-1714, UNITED
STATES
Description
REALNOSE; BAA 07-21, Addendum 8; Full Proposals Due: February 12, 2008, no later
than 4:00PM ET. Technical Point of Contact: Dr. Amy Kruse, DARPA/DSO; Ph: (571)
218-4338, Email: BAA07-21@darpa.mil; URL: http://www.darpa.mil/dso/solicitations/solicit.htm;
Website Submission: http://www.sainc.com/dsobaa/
DESCRIPTION
(Note: This Broad Agency Announcement
(BAA) Addendum 8 is submitted
as a Special Focus Area as described
in the original BAA, 07-21.)
Despite the recent development
of a wide variety of chemo-sensors,
the accurate detection and identification
of known and unknown chemicals
and mixtures of chemicals (i.e.,
explosives, chemical and biological
weapons) remains a critical
military need. The limited performance
range on current detection methods,
with regard to odorant identification,
odorant recognition in mixtures,
and chemo-sensing across multiple
classes of compounds, stands
in stark contrast to the innate
ability of the mammalian olfactory
system - specifically the canine
system - to handle these challenging
tasks with ease. The canine
olfactory system is able to
detect thousands of chemicals
with high selectivity and specificity
using only biological components.
Recent breakthroughs in the
genetics of the olfactory system
and in expression systems for
mammalian olfactory receptors
have presented the opportunity
to create a nose constructed
from biologic components. The
goal of the DARPA RealNose program
is to build a ?nose? constructed
from actual olfactory receptors
that further leverages the components
of the canine olfactory system
to create a breakthrough detection
system with potential capabilities
beyond that of a canine. The
key to the program concept is
that by simulating the entire
mammalian olfactory system (from
air intake to pattern recognition),
revolutionary detection capabilities
will be created, demonstrating
canine-comparable specificity,
distance, and detection thresholds.
RealNose efforts should model,
design, and develop a novel
sensor inspired by the canines
olfactory system to include:
air/odor intake, a detector
layer (which includes olfactory
receptors), a rapid (within
seconds) signal transduction
methodology, and a signal processing/pattern
recognition methodology for
identifying odors and odor classes.
Note that with the exception
of the olfactory receptors themselves,
components of the RealNose system
do not need to be derived from
biologics; bio-inspired, biomimetic,
and other approaches are suitable.
The integration of these components
into the resulting RealNose
device will produce a revolutionary
olfactory capability for chemical
identification.
The first phase of the program
focuses on the development of
the individual component technologies
and their integration into a
breadboard system with limited
odorant identification testing.
The second phase focuses on
the development of a brassboard
sensor system with identification
of an increasing number of odorant
molecules, mixture testing and
classification of unknowns.
The specific Phase I/II milestones
are presented under the Program
Goals and Milestones section.
DARPA requests proposals for
the full scope of development
(e.g., an end-to end system)
designed by a team of multidisciplinary
research organizations including
a lead-integrator for scientific
and programmatic continuity.
DARPA is not aware of any single
company or institution capable
of spanning the requisite technical
breadth and anticipates that
a highly interdisciplinary team
will be required to perform
the effort. Appropriate teaming
will be a critical element in
responding to the DARPA RealNose
solicitation. A teaming website,
http://www.sainc.com/RealNoseTeaming,
will facilitate the formation
of teams with the necessary
expertise. Additionally, an
Industry Day is being planned
for January 15, 2008, to facilitate
technical exchange between interested
entities and full details will
be announced via separate posting.
BACKGROUND
DARPA seeks innovative proposals
that address the following
technical areas listed below.
Note that a successful proposal
must address (but is not limited
to) ALL components listed,
as well as system integration.
Odorant Intake
Develop an odorant intake system
that mimics the capabilities
of the canine nasal cavity.
Modeling of the canine nasal
cavity may be necessary to understand
the cavitys flow profiles and
the relationship to the spatial
distribution of receptors and
temporal component of odorant/receptor
interactions.
Detector Layer
Develop an appropriate detection
layer that may include a nasal
mucosal layer, odorant separation
technique, and an olfactory
receptor layer (required). It
has been demonstrated that the
mucosal layer acts similarly
to a gas chromatograph by partially
separating molecules in complex
mixtures prior to interacting
with olfactory receptors. Identification
of coding sequences for specific
olfactory receptor proteins
of interest should continue
to enable detection of as many
chemicals as possible in a final
system. The spatial distribution
of individual odorant receptor
genes within the epithelium
should also be considered. Note
that only systems that utilize
olfactory receptors as detectors
will be considered. The device
must be designed to work in
outdoor air and be capable of
handling particulates, moisture,
and aerosolized or gaseous contaminants.
Signal Transduction Methodology
Develop a signal transduction
methodology that can transduce
odorant binding to a receptor
and that mimics/utilizes the
second messenger cascade of
the mammalian olfactory system.
Methods that harness or replicate
this second messenger signaling
cascade and signal amplification
are critical to developing a
usable readout for the RealNose
device. This readout capability
may generate optical or electrical
signals. Methods that utilize
gene-expression as an output
are not preferred.
Pattern Recognition Methodology
Develop a pattern recognition
methodology for specific odorants
and odorant/chemical classes
through a sophisticated data
analysis approach. This may
include neural-networks, high-dimensional
data approaches or other novel
methods. This methodology should
mimic the signal amplification
and pattern recognition aspects
of the olfactory neural pathway
to enable a highly sensitive
and specific RealNose device.
Both spatial and temporal components
of the network and biological
signal processing schemes should
be considered to enable odorant
identification that approaches
the canine capability. Any proposed
solution must eventually be
capable of identifying an unknown
analyte based on comparison
with a library of known chemicals.
Successful responders to the
above listed technical areas
must be able to quantitatively
and analytically express how
their solutions will meet the
goals stated above and provide
previous experimental evidence,
if applicable. Proposers should
plan for the test and evaluation
of their components and device
within each phase length (i.e.,
breadboard, brassboard, and
prototype). Please note that
proposals addressing only individual
component-level technologies
may be considered noncompliant
to this BAA Addendum.
PROGRAM GOALS AND MILESTONES
The goal of the DARPA RealNose
program is to build a prototype
nose that simulates the entire
canine olfactory system to
create a breakthrough detection
system for known and unknown
odorants with potential sensitivity
and specificity beyond a canine's.
Program Phases
The RealNose Program will be
separated into three phases.
The goal of Phase I is to develop
requisite component technologies
and demonstrate the ability
of a breadboard RealNose device
to detect and identify 5 individual
chemicals at the canine level
of detection threshold for each
molecule. The goal of Phase
II is to demonstrate detection
and identification of individual
chemicals within a mixture of
5 to 10 chemicals, and classify
1-3 unknowns with a brassboard
system. The goal of Phase III
will be to develop a functional
prototype system that can detect
and identify 25 known and unknown
chemicals - with direct application
to transition customer(s).
Phase I should not exceed 15
months and Phase II should not
exceed 12 months. Note that
shorter duration efforts are
strongly encouraged.
A successful proposal will thoroughly
discuss all details for meeting
the milestones set forth for
both Phase I and Phase II. Proposals
should encompass both Phase
I and an optional executable
Phase II, including detailed
budgets for both phases, as
well as a brief discussion of
the pathway towards a Phase
III prototype. At the end of
each phase, performance will
be evaluated based on achievement
of the stated milestones. Successful
completion of Phase I does not
guarantee selection to proceed
to Phase II.
Program Milestones
The RealNose Phase I milestones
are:
1. Demonstrate methods for high
throughput identification of
olfactory receptor genes of
interest, stable expression
of receptor proteins, and maintaining
olfactory receptors in a stable
and functional state.
2. Demonstrate methods for reliable
?read-out? of analyte binding
to/interacting with receptors
via direct measurement.
3. Develop a breadboard system
composed of each RealNose system
component: air/odor intake,
a detector layer, signal transduction
methodology, and a signal processing/pattern
recognition methodology.
4. Phase I Go/No-Go Metric:
Demonstrate the breadboards
ability to detect and identify
5 individual chemicals, potentially
in a chemical mixture. The device
should operate/identify at the
canine level of detection (LOD),
at a probability of detection
greater than 80% (PD greater
than 80%), and be able to distinguish
relative chemical concentrations.
Potential chemicals include,
but are not limited to, those
listed below in Table 1.
Table 1. Potential Phase I Compounds
No. 1: Cyclohexanone, Canine
LOD = 10 ppb
No. 2: Methyl Benzoate, Canine
LOD = 10 ppb
No. 3: 2, 4 DNT, Canine LOD
= 0.5 ppb
No. 4: n- Amyl Acetate, Canine
LOD = 2 ppt
No. 5: Limonene (+/-), Canine
LOD = 10 ppm
The RealNose Phase II milestones
are:
1. Develop and demonstrate an
integrated brassboard RealNose
system.
2. Demonstrate the ability to
classify unknown chemicals within
a mixture based on previous
interactions with known molecules
using the brassboard system.
3. Phase II Go/No-Go Metric:
Demonstrate the brassboard?s
ability to detect and identify
10 individual odorants/chemicals,
with a portion contained in
a chemical mixture. The chemicals
should be detected at the canine
level of detection (LOD), at
a probability of detection greater
than 90% (PD greater than 90%),
and distinguish relative chemical
concentrations. Additional chemicals
include, but are not limited
to, heptanal, acetophenone,
eugenol, ethyl vanillin, and
2-heptanone. The LOD for the
potential chemicals will be
provided in Phase II.
FULL PROPOSAL SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
All proposals submitted electronically
by means of an Electronic
Business Application Tool
or proposal submission web
site (not including Grants.gov)
must be encrypted using Winzip
or PKZip with 256-bit AES
encryption. Only one zipped/encrypted
file will be accepted per
proposal and proposals not
zipped/encrypted will be rejected
by DARPA. An encryption password
form must be completed and
emailed to BAA07-21@darpa.mil
at the time of proposal submission.
See https://www.tfims.darpa.mil/baa/
for the encryption password
form.
The word PASSWORD must appear
in the subject line of the above
email and there are minimum
security requirements for establishing
the encryption password. Failure
to provide the encryption password
may result in the proposal not
being evaluated. For further
information and instructions
on how to zip and encrypt proposal
files, see https://www.tfims.darpa.mil/baa/.
Note: the TFIMS website listed
above will not be used for DSO
proposal submissions. After
visiting the TFIMS link for
encryption instructions, please
use the following website for
all DSO white paper and proposal
submissions: http://www.sainc.com/dsobaa/.
The zip and encryption instructions
can also be found on the DSO
website listed in this paragraph.
Regardless of submission channel,
a password form will need to
be filled out and sent in via
a different channel than the
proposal.
Full proposals will be due February
12, 2008, NO LATER THAN 4:00PM
ET. Proposals submitted by fax
will not be accepted. Note that
a full proposal may be submitted
at any time before the close
of the solicitation. Additionally,
white papers are not encouraged,
but discussions with the DARPA
Program Manager, Dr. Amy Kruse,
may be requested.
As described in BAA 07-21,
full proposals shall consist
of two volumes: Technical and
Cost. Follow the general guidelines
for full proposal format and
content provided at: http://www.darpa.mil/baa/BAA07-21pt2.html.
In addition to the guidelines
found at the link above, the
Technical section of the research
proposal must contain the following
information:
1. Concept Definition: Clearly
describe the proposed components
for RealNose: air/odor intake,
a detector layer, signal transduction
methodology, and a signal processing/pattern
recognition methodology. Proposals
MUST describe an end-to-end
solution for a RealNose device.
The proposer team must have
demonstrated expertise in ALL
pertinent technical areas.
2. Supporting Technical Analysis:
Provide a detailed analysis
of the technical rationale that
supports the proposed RealNose
concept, including systems performance
estimates.
3. Research Plan: Provide a
detailed research plan that
describes the methods for achieving
the milestones for each phase
as specified in this BAA Addendum.
Provide several specific, quantitative
milestones at intermediate stages
of the program to assess program
progress towards the Phase I
and Phase II milestones.
4. Management Plan: Provide
a detailed plan for coordination
of RealNose effort, including
justification for inclusion
of key personnel, personnel
qualifications and explicit
roles for each collaborator/subcontractor.
Risk-management approach should
be included.
5. Brief list of relevant references.
Animal Welfare
Any Recipient performing research,
experimentation, or testing
involving the use of animals
shall comply with the rules
on animal acquisition, transport,
care, handling, and use in:
(i) 9 CFR parts 1-4, Department
of Agriculture rules that implement
the Laboratory Animal Welfare
Act of 1966, as amended, (7
U.S.C. 2131-2159); (ii) the
guidelines described in National
Institutes of Health Publication
No. 86-23, "Guide for the
Care and Use of Laboratory Animals";
(iii) DoD Directive 3216.01,
?Use of Laboratory Animals in
DoD Program.?
For submissions containing animal
use, proposals should briefly
describe plans for Institutional
Animal Care and Use Committee
(IACUC) review and approval.
Animal studies in the program
will be expected to comply with
the PHS Policy on Humane Care
and Use of Laboratory Animals,
available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/olaw.htm.
All Recipients must receive
approval by a DoD certified
veterinarian, in addition to
an IACUC approval. No animal
studies may be conducted using
DoD/DARPA funding until the
USAMRMC Animal Care and Use
Review Office (ACURO) or other
appropriate DoD veterinary office(s)
grant approval. As a part of
this secondary review process,
the Recipient will be required
to complete and submit an ACURO
Animal Use Appendix, which may
be found at https://mrmc.amedd.army.mil/AnimalAppendix.asp.
Conflict of Interest
Awards made under this BAA are
subject to the provisions of
the FAR Subpart 9.5, Organizational
Conflicts of Interest. Consequently,
all proposers and proposed subcontractors
must, therefore, affirm whether
they are providing scientific,
engineering and technical assistance
(SETA) or similar support to
any DARPA technical office(s)
through an active contract or
subcontract, either sponsored
and awarded by DARPA through
the Contracts Management Office
(CMO) or through an outside
Contracting Agent acting on
behalf of DARPA (i.e., Army,
Navy, Air Force issued contract
award). All affirmations must
state which office(s) the proposer
supports, and identify the prime
contract numbers.
Export Licenses
(1) The contractor shall comply
with all U. S. export control
laws and regulations, including
the International Traffic in
Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22
CFR Parts 120 through 130, and
the Export Administration Regulations
(EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730 through
799, in the performance of a
resulting contract. In the absence
of available license exemptions/exceptions,
the Contractor shall be responsible
for obtaining the appropriate
licenses or other approvals,
if required, for exports of
hardware, technical data, and
software, or for the provision
of technical assistance.
(2) The Contractor shall be
responsible for obtaining export
licenses, if required, before
utilizing foreign persons in
the performance of this contract,
including instances where the
work is to be performed on-site
at any Government installation,
where the foreign person will
have access to export-controlled
technical data or software.
(3) The Contractor shall be
responsible for all regulatory
record keeping requirements
associated with the use of licenses
and license exemptions/exceptions.
Evaluation of Proposals
Evaluation of the proposals
will be in accordance with BAA
07-21. For general administrative
questions, please refer to the
original FEDBIZOPPS solicitation,
BAA07-21, of February 14, 2007:
http://www.fbo.gov/spg/ODA/DARPA/CMO/BAA07%2D21/SynopsisP.html,
http://www.fbo.gov/spg/ODA/DARPA/CMO/BAA07%2D21/Attachments.html.
All proprietary information
should be marked on the full
proposal. It is the policy of
DARPA to treat all proposals
as competitive information and
to disclose their contents only
for the purpose of evaluation.
Standard proprietary disclaimers
notwithstanding, proposals may
be reviewed by non-Government
technical experts who have signed
a nondisclosure agreement with
DARPA, unless the specific phrase
TO BE REVIEWED BY GOVERNMENT
EMPLOYEES ONLY appears on the
cover sheet. In any case, personnel
under exclusive contract with
DARPA who have completed the
appropriate nondisclosure agreements
will handle the proposals for
administrative purposes.
Web Address for Proposal Submission:
http://www.sainc.com/dsobaa/.
Address for Proposal Submission:
DARPA/DSO
ATTN: BAA 07-21, Addendum 8,
Dr. Amy Kruse
3701 North Fairfax Drive
Arlington, VA 22203-1714
General Information
In all correspondence, reference
BAA 07-21, Addendum 8
Technical Point of Contact
Dr. Amy Kruse, DARPA/DSO; Phone:
(571) 218-4338; Email: Amy.Kruse@darpa.mil
Current Point of Contact
Brett Giroir, Director, DSO,
Phone (000) 000-0000, Fax (000)
000-0000, Email DSO-BAA@darpa.mil
