BAA-AFRL-RQKS-2016-0010

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ELECTRO-OPTICAL COMBINED HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGING,

INFRARED SEARCH AND TRACK, AND LONG RANGE IMAGING R&D (EO-CHIL)
IDIQ Statement of Objectives (SOO)
25 January 2017
1.0 OBJECTIVE
The objective of this contract is to conduct Research and Development to advance and mature the Air Force
Research Laboratorys (AFRL) portfolio of electro-optical (EO) sensors and related technology for intelligence,
surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), targeting and situation awareness for manned, remotely piloted, and
autonomous aircraft.
2.0 BACKGROUND
The AFRL EO Threat and Target Detection Branch has an evolving portfolio of passive and illuminated-active
(non 3D) EO sensor research. Of primary importance to this requirement are traditional targeting and
surveillance, standoff high resolution imaging (SHRI), long-range infrared search and track (IRST), short-range
Sense and Avoid (SAA) imaging for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs), and active/passive multi- and
hyperspectral imaging.
IRST research currently involves the measurement and modeling of clutter, airborne target signatures, EO focal
plane arrays (FPAs), wide-field-of-view optics, signal processing algorithms for traditional scanning, and
advanced staring IRST architectures. SHRI research is currently focused on extending the effective range of
National Institute of Image Rating System (NIIRS) 5.0 imagery from ISR platforms into 100s of kilometers.
Opposite from IRST and SHRI, the SAA tech area is aimed at detecting obstacles (nominally, other planes) at
short ranges, with a strong focus on collecting range information of the obstacles.
Passive spectral imaging is focused on operations in anti-access area denial (A2/AD) environments, with a
current focus on novel longwave infrared (LWIR) spectrometer designs for increased sensitivity, advanced
atmospheric compensation and target detection techniques, and research into compact and low cost spectral
systems. AFRL is also conducting active spectral imaging research in the 1-2.5 micron band with a focus on
broad-band, high-radiant-intensity sources.
The above five research areas have historically involved laboratory and field testing of complete EO sensors as
well as component-level or subsystem-level testing of focal planes, dewars, optics, and processors.
Additionally, this research typically includes modeling of both existing and proposed sensors, sensor concepts
and associated modeling of the atmosphere, and air and ground target signatures.

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3.0 TECHNICAL OBJECTIVES
3.1 Focal Plane Arrays
AFRL/RY seeks unique and innovative approaches to advance knowledge, understanding, technology, and the
state of the art in the area of electro-optical focal plane array testing using existing and newly developed
metrics. Metrics may include noise, sensitivity, resolution, dynamic range, modulation transfer, responsivity,
and image quality. Advances in integration, calibration, and operation of off-the shelf (OTS) test
equipment/test sets or development of unique and innovative test equipment/test sets are desired.
3.2 Optics, Spectrometers, and Optical Systems
AFRL/RY seeks unique and innovative approaches to advance knowledge, understanding, technology, and the
state of the art in the area of optical component characterization and imaging systems. Improvements to the
optical systems of operational ISR platforms are desired. After characterization, lenses may be integrated with
AFRL test sets and either new or existing stand-alone cameras. Additionally, AFRL/RY seeks unique and
innovative approaches to advance knowledge, understanding, technology, and the state of the art in the area
of longwave infrared spectrometer designs.
3.3 Develop Test Targets
AFRL/RY seeks unique and innovative approaches in the development of test targets used during outdoor data
collections. Targets shall be used to advance knowledge, understanding, technology, and the state of the art in
evaluating metrics such as spatial resolution, spectral resolution, National Image Interpretability Rating Scales
(NIIRS), and point-target detection capability.
3.4 Field and Flight Collections
AFRL/RY seeks unique and innovative approaches to advance knowledge, understanding, technology, and the
state of the art in the area of data collection of outdoor imagery and associated ground, air, and image truth
data using breadboard or off the shelf (OTS) imaging systems. AFRL has a need to advance this area under
various conditions and environments. Therefore, testing on towers, mountains, and platform- and/or aircraftmounted sensors is desired.
3.5 Algorithm Development
AFRL/RY seeks unique and innovative approaches to advance knowledge, understanding, technology, and the
state of the art in algorithm development to enhance performance of spectral and spatial electro-optical
sensors. AFRL/RY has a need for these algorithms to measure and model clutter, air/ground target and
background signatures, mitigate atmospheric turbulence, perform image restoration, and detect and track
targets in multiple image bands.
3.6 Simulate Operational Range Imagery
AFRL/RY seeks unique and innovative approaches to advance knowledge, understanding, technology, and the
state of the art to simulate turbulence, transmission, and scattering of operational range imagery on airborne
platforms.

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3.7 Novel Sensor Concepts
AFRL/RY seeks unique and innovative approaches to advance knowledge, understanding, technology, and the
state of the art in optical sensor concepts for ground-based and airborne demonstrations.
3.8 Low-cost, Low-SQWAP-C Technology
AFRL/RY seeks unique and innovative approaches to advance knowledge, understanding, technology, and the
state of the art in inexpensive components that have low size, heat, weight, power, and computer power
(SQWAP-C) for the purpose of close-in sensing via an unmanned aerial system (UAS).
4.0 SECONDARY/MINOR OBJECTIVES
4.1 Software Maintenance and Minor Modifications
Based on the offerors proposed approach to the above objectives, minor software maintenance and
modifications may be required. This may include minor modifications and/or improvements to target
detection, identification or tracking, image enhancement, atmospheric compensation, or spectral signature
extraction software that may be developed for analyst workstations or stand-alone processors.
4.2 Aircraft Modification and Sensor Integration
Based on the offerors approach to the above objectives, aircraft modification may be necessary for sensor
integration.
5.0 SCHEDULE: Overall period of performance (PoP): The overall period of performance for the EO-CHIL IDIQ is
87 months with an ordering period of 60 months. Task Order (TO) PoP(s) will be determined per TO.
6.0 DELIVERABLES: Data shall be delivered in accordance with the CDRLs. Software deliverables are
anticipated throughout the contract and will be considered during the evaluation of each TO proposal.
Software shall include source code and appropriate source code documentation. Hardware deliverables are
anticipated through the contract and will be considered during the evaluation of each TO proposal.
7.0 BASE SUPPORT: Base Support/Network Access is anticipated to be made available under this contract. If
contractor determines use of available base support to be in their best interest, it must be included as such in
the proposal. Use of available base support will not be assumed during technical evaluation unless
proposed.
8.0 SAFETY: The contractor shall comply with all Air Force, federal, state, and local safety and environmental
regulations. This effort requires an approved Safety Plan (IAW AFI 91-202 AFRL Sup 1) before any experiment
may be conducted outside of a laboratory environment. The contractor shall comply with system safety
requirements contained in MIL-STD 882E, Section 4 General Requirements for any non-Commercial-off-theShelf (COTS) deliverable systems or hardware. The contractor must identify safety-critical components of those
systems or hardware as well as software interfaces with those components. The contractor must test and
verify the safety-critical hardware and software for safety acceptance.

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The contractors on-site personnel, if applicable, shall comply with the safety and accident prevention clauses,
Air Force Occupational and Environmental Safety, Fire Prevention, and Health (AFOSH) Program, AFT 91-301,
and the Air Force Occupational and Health Standards. All test operations shall be accomplished in accordance
with required safety AFIs and the Laboratory System Safety Program. The following Supplement Safety
Documents apply: AFRL 99-101, AFRL Test Guide, AFRL 91-101, Laboratory System Safety Program, AFI 91-202,
AFRL Supplement 1 and MIL-STD 882E, Section 4 General Requirements.
9.0 OPSEC: General OPSEC procedures, policies, and awareness are required in an effort to reduce program
vulnerability from successful adversary collection and exploitation of critical information. OPSEC will be applied
throughout the life cycle of the contract. The Critical Information List (CIL) will be provided upon request by
RYOY Information Protection Office. While working on the government installation, OPSEC guidance will be
provided by the RYOY Information Protection Office.
See solicitation-ready DD254 draft (BAA Attachment #5) for additional security information.
10.0 FLIGHT TEST(S): If applicable, the contractor shall comply with all requirements of the Technical, Safety,
and Institutional Board reviews and requirements associated with any field or flight tests in additional to all Air
Force policies, regulations, and instructions related to flight testing.
11.0 ASSOCIATE CONTRACTOR AGREEMENTS: (From AFFARS IG 5317.9000) Associate Contractor
Agreements: Associate Contractor Agreements (ACAs) are agreements between contractors working on
Government projects that specify requirements for them to share information, data, technical knowledge,
expertise, or resources. Prime contractor to subcontractor relationships do not constitute ACAs, and are not
subject to this sections requirements. The contracting officer may require ACAs when contractors working on
separate Government contracts must cooperate, share resources or otherwise jointly participate in working on
contracts or projects. Prime contractor to subcontractor relationships do not constitute ACAs. The contracting
officer may require ACAs when contractors working on separate government contracts must cooperate, share
resources or otherwise jointly participate in working on contracts or projects. To be determined on individual
Task Orders, if applicable.

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