ERDC-TEC: Broad Agency Announcement


Topographic Engineering Center (TEC) of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) calls for research proposals in its following divisions.

Topography, Imagery and Geospatial (TIG) Research Division

Geospatial Applications Branch

I. Introduction

Conducts research and development in surveying and mapping to include the Global Positioning System (GPS), hydrographic surveys, dam and lock measurement, and river and coastal charting. Use remote sensing as well as field and laboratory research to study spectral reflectance, luminescence and emittance for civil and military applications.

Surveying and Mapping

TEC serves as the USACE Survey Engineering and Mapping Center of Expertise to provide consistency of surveying and mapping products and to maintain the capability to manage complex, nation-wide survey systems, such as differential Global Positioning System networks, electronic chart databases of USACE river and harbor projects, and structural deformation/monitoring systems. The emphasis is on research to develop new techniques, equipment and procedures for surveying and mapping in support of USACE Civil Works, Military applications, Environmental Restoration and Military Construction applications; and transfers new technology to USACE districts and divisions through reimbursable consulting, training, and standards development.

II. Research Areas

The object is to provide technical leadership to Corps districts and division and support to HQ USACE in the definition and establishment of Geospatial data standards, plans, policies, and procedures. In this research area TEC identifies, develops, analyzes, reviews, and evaluates applications and technologies that manipulate and process varying levels of topographic and hydrographic geospatial information. TEC seeks new or existing database manipulation techniques, methods and procedures to manage information on Corps projects, dams, river charts, harbors and other information of interest to the Corps Districts, Division, Military Engineers and national emergency and defense objectives. Investigations include the use of information from new terrain sensors such as IFSAR and LIDAR to populate databases. Activities also include data dissemination approaches and system development using Web-based GIS and map applications. (Contact Mr. Robert Heidelbach, 703-428-6819)

Information Generation and Management Branch

I. Introduction

Conducts research of techniques, equipment, and systems for creating and maintaining spatial data bases from remotely sensed imagery and other environmental data products. Develops techniques and methodologies for storing, retrieving, manipulating, and disseminating these data for use in a broad range of military and civil applications. Conducts research in the areas of geospatial information exploitation, management and dissemination to provide the war fighter with improved intelligence, command and control (C2) and targeting.

Monitors and evaluates government and industry developments in the areas of spatial data bases generation technologies and geographic information processing.

II. Research Areas

A. Spatial Data Bases (TEC-17)

The object is to conduct research on techniques and equipment for the modeling, representation, and structures of data in spatial data bases. Input information can be derived from remotely sensed imagery, terrestrial sensors, or existing terrain and other environmental data. Extending the capabilities of GIS data structures to more robustly accommodate 3-D and temporal data is of interest. Conduct research and develop tools to extend capabilities of wireless disconnected construction, update, and maintenance of geospatial data.

B. Data Manipulation (TEC-18)

The object is to develop techniques and methodologies for storing, retrieving, manipulating, and disseminating these data for use in a broad range of military and civil applications. Assessing the contribution of data derived from variable sources and with differing levels of certainty is critical.

C. Geospatial Information Exploitation (TEC-19)

The object is to conduct research in the areas of geospatial information exploitation, management and dissemination to provide the war fighter with improved intelligence, command and control (C2) and targeting. Geospatial data is acquired via direct remote measurement and/or estimation through modeling approaches with emphasis placed on exploitation/integration using existing commercial off the shelf technology.

D. Government and Industry Developments (TEC-20)

The object is to evaluate government and industry developments in the areas of spatial data base generation technologies and geographic information processing. (Contact Ms. Valerie Carney, 703-428-6840)

E. Data Generation

The object is to conduct research or develop techniques to perform automated/semi-automated extraction of terrain data from remotely sensed imagery or from direct measurement. Techniques can be based on single or multiple sources. If using multiple sources, fusion issues should be addressed.

F. Spatial Data Mining

The object is to conduct research and develop tools to use spatial data mining techniques on information from a wide variety of terrain, intelligence, environmental, and cultural sources for the purpose of discovering and developing spatial relationships among terrain entities. These relationships can be used for prediction, error detection, and validation of terrain features and attributes.

G. Geospatial Communications

The object is to conduct research and development on techniques, equipment, and systems for communicating geospatial information among sensors, peers, networks, spatial data bases, and enterprise geographic information systems. There is a need to develop solutions that work on currently fielded or soon-to-be deployed Army tactical networks, across multiple security levels.

Imagery Systems Branch

I. Introduction

Conducts advanced and engineering development and provides support for fielding, operations and maintenance of space- related, ground-based Army Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities (TENCAP) systems. Serves as the TEC interface to the Army Space Programs Office (ASPO). Provides engineering and program management support and consultation to ASPO and other Army organizations to include identification of emerging technologies and new concepts that have potential application to ASPO/TENCAP systems implementations. Interfaces with elements of the National Imagery Intelligence community dealing with imagery systems and imagery architectures.

II. Research Areas

A. Advanced and Engineering Development (TEC-26)

The object is to conduct research on space- and ground-based imagery systems and architectures, along with development of support systems for their fielding, operations, and maintenance.

B. Program Management (TEC-27)

The object is to conduct research in engineering and program management to enhance support and consultation to Army Space Programs Office (ASPO) and other Army organizations to include identification of emerging technologies and new concepts that have potential application to ASPO/TENCAP systems implementations. (Contact Mr. Jack Cavalier, 703-428-6952)

Topography, Imagery, and Geospatial Operations Division

Geospatial Information and Imagery (GII) Requirements Branch

I. Introduction

Research is required in areas related to the use of geospatial information in Army applications to include modeling & simulation, command and control systems and weapon systems. Topics of interest include issues associated with data accuracy and its effect on the reliability of tactical decision aids; data integrity issues that include collection and use of information from sources of differing dates and geometry; sensitivity of tactical decision aids to variations in quality of input data; presentation of confidence information associated with tactical decision aids; flexible decision aids that accommodate input data of varying levels of density and completeness; and tools that facilitate integration of information from dissimilar sources. In addition, means of symbolizing and displaying vector topographic data as a map background is of interest.

II. Research Areas

A. Data Accuracy (TEC-32)

Research is directed toward knowledge that will improve our ability to incorporate data accuracy in tactical decision aids.

B. Data Integrity (TEC-33)

Specific area of required research includes techniques to automatically identify content, currency and accuracy of information in a data set.

C. Presentation of Confidence Information (TEC-34)

Research is required to convey the degree of confidence that a user should place in a derived tactical decision aid.

D. Flexible Tactical Decision Aids (TEC-35)

Research is directed towards processes that will allow a tactical decision aid to “gracefully degrade” based upon the fidelity of information that is available at the time. Includes research to “fill in information voids” with the best available information.

E. Data Fusion (TEC-36)

Research is focused on techniques and procedures to reconcile differences in source data sets due to accuracy, quality, content, nomenclature, completeness, source date, compilation date, etc.

F. Vector Map Background Display (TEC-37)

Research is required in design of map background symbols and display characteristics that retain interpretability at multiple display resolutions. (Contact Mr. Steve Bolduc, 703-428-6748)

Analytical Services Branch

I. Introduction

Oversees the Operations Division’s modernization efforts. Assesses, develops, integrates, and trains solutions and improvements to the Operations Division’s collection, management, production, and dissemination of products and services. Evaluates, develops and integrates hardware, software and techniques into the Division’s information and production systems. Manages and maintains the Division’s automated information systems. Manages and maintains TEC’s classified network systems. Manages and maintains TEC’s secure information assurance program. Acts as the Information Assurance Manager for the USACE DODIIS Site and its multiple locations. Provides miscellaneous cartographic and publishing technical services to all Operations Division projects and programs.

II. Research Areas

A. Modernization of Operations Division activities (TEC-38)

The object is to conduct research on advanced methods of collections, management, production, and dissemination of geospatial and imagery information.

B. Manage Classified Information Systems (TEC-39)

The object is to conduct research on advanced information management, network management, database management, and information assurance technologies.

C. Cartographic Technical Services (TEC-40)

The object is to conduct research on advanced electronic publishing, editing, printing, scanning and cartographic support equipment, techniques, and management.

D. Modeling & Simulation Terrain Database Production (TEC-40a)

The object is to conduct research on advanced techniques for the production of modeling and simulation runtime terrain databases and semi-automated forces runtime databases. (Contact Mark Weipert, 703-428-6955)

Deadline: Continues. This BAA supersedes all previous editions and shall remain in effect until superseded.

For further information, visit: http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/contract/other.asp


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