Department of Defense Forensic Research and Development Program for Forensic Science Research

The Defense Forensic Science Center (DFSC) (formerly the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory (USACIL)) provides forensic laboratory services to DoD military criminal investigative organizations (Air Force Office of SpecialInvestigations, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and the Army Criminal Investigation Command) and other DoD customers. It is a full service forensic laboratory, providing state-of-the-art forensic examinations in the followingdisciplines: -DNA/Serology -Digital Evidence -Drug Chemistry -Firearms and Toolmarks -Forensic Documents -Latent Prints (including footwear and tire track evidence) -Trace EvidenceThe DFSC has three primary objectives:(1) Analyze forensic evidence and provide expert testimony to support worldwide criminal investigation across all military services(2) Provide expeditionary and reach-back forensic services to U.S. military forces in active theaters of operation (3) Coordinate and execute research, development, testing and evaluation (RDT&E) projects to advance forensic capabilities.The Department of Defense Forensic Research and Development Program (“Program”) is administered by the U.S. Army Research Office and the Defense Forensic Science Center. The Program aims to enhance the capability offorensic science applications in traditional law enforcement/criminal justice purviews and in expeditionary environments. The Program accomplishes this mission by funding research projects that lead to the production ofuseful knowledge, materials, devices, systems, or methods that have forensic function.To be eligible for an award under this announcement, a prospective awardee must meet certain minimum standards pertaining to financial resources and responsibility, ability to comply with the performance schedule, pastperformance, integrity, experience, technical capabilities, operational controls, and facilities. In accordance with Federal statutes, regulations, and Department of Defense and Army policies, no person on grounds of race, color, age,sex, national origin, or disability shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving financial assistance from the Army.The Program is seeking proposals for funding to support forensic research and its application. The requested proposals should focus on adding to general forensic knowledge and/or DFSC activities and needs. Forensic researchproposals should focus on the creation of new and improved field or laboratory functional capabilities that result in faster, more robust, more informative, less costly, or less labor-intensive recognition, preservation, collection, and/oranalysis of forensic evidence. Proposals involving the development of equipment that is portable, sustainable, and useful in an expeditionary or field environment are also solicited. The expeditionary and field environments require systems that are lightweight, portable, inexpensive, fast, and capable of operating in extreme environments of temperature, dust, humidity, etc. The systems must also be capable of secure data communications.Funding of research and development (R&D) within Program areas of interest will be determined by funding constraints and priorities set during each budget cycle. Due to Government budget uncertainties, no specific dollarshave been reserved for awards under this BAA. Those contemplating submission of a proposal are encouraged to submit a white paper and quad chart, summarizing their proposed work. If the proposed R&D warrants further inquiry and funding is available, submission of a full technical and cost proposal will be encouraged. This sequence allows earliest determination of the potential for funding and minimizes the labor and cost associated with submission of full proposals that have minimal probability of being selected for funding. Costs associated with white paper, quad chart, or full proposal submissions in response to this BAA are not considered allowable direct charges to any resulting award. These costs may be allowable expenses to normal bid and proposal indirect costs specified in FAR 31.205-18 for contracts. Offerors submitting proposals are cautioned that only a Government Contracting or Grants Officer may obligate the Government to any agreement involving expenditure of Government funds.

The Defense Forensic Science Center (DFSC) (formerly the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory (USACIL)) provides forensic laboratory services to DoD military criminal investigative organizations (Air Force Office of SpecialInvestigations, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and the Army Criminal Investigation Command) and other DoD customers. It is a full service forensic laboratory, providing state-of-the-art forensic examinations in the followingdisciplines: -DNA/Serology -Digital Evidence -Drug Chemistry -Firearms and Toolmarks -Forensic Documents -Latent Prints (including footwear and tire track evidence) -Trace EvidenceThe DFSC has three primary objectives:(1) Analyze forensic evidence and provide expert testimony to support worldwide criminal investigation across all military services(2) Provide expeditionary and reach-back forensic services to U.S. military forces in active theaters of operation (3) Coordinate and execute research, development, testing and evaluation (RDT&E) projects to advance forensic capabilities.The Department of Defense Forensic Research and Development Program (“Program”) is administered by the U.S. Army Research Office and the Defense Forensic Science Center. The Program aims to enhance the capability offorensic science applications in traditional law enforcement/criminal justice purviews and in expeditionary environments. The Program accomplishes this mission by funding research projects that lead to the production ofuseful knowledge, materials, devices, systems, or methods that have forensic function.To be eligible for an award under this announcement, a prospective awardee must meet certain minimum standards pertaining to financial resources and responsibility, ability to comply with the performance schedule, pastperformance, integrity, experience, technical capabilities, operational controls, and facilities. In accordance with Federal statutes, regulations, and Department of Defense and Army policies, no person on grounds of race, color, age,sex, national origin, or disability shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving financial assistance from the Army.The Program is seeking proposals for funding to support forensic research and its application. The requested proposals should focus on adding to general forensic knowledge and/or DFSC activities and needs. Forensic researchproposals should focus on the creation of new and improved field or laboratory functional capabilities that result in faster, more robust, more informative, less costly, or less labor-intensive recognition, preservation, collection, and/oranalysis of forensic evidence. Proposals involving the development of equipment that is portable, sustainable, and useful in an expeditionary or field environment are also solicited. The expeditionary and field environments require systems that are lightweight, portable, inexpensive, fast, and capable of operating in extreme environments of temperature, dust, humidity, etc. The systems must also be capable of secure data communications.Funding of research and development (R&D) within Program areas of interest will be determined by funding constraints and priorities set during each budget cycle. Due to Government budget uncertainties, no specific dollarshave been reserved for awards under this BAA. Those contemplating submission of a proposal are encouraged to submit a white paper and quad chart, summarizing their proposed work. If the proposed R&D warrants further inquiry and funding is available, submission of a full technical and cost proposal will be encouraged. This sequence allows earliest determination of the potential for funding and minimizes the labor and cost associated with submission of full proposals that have minimal probability of being selected for funding. Costs associated with white paper, quad chart, or full proposal submissions in response to this BAA are not considered allowable direct charges to any resulting award. These costs may be allowable expenses to normal bid and proposal indirect costs specified in FAR 31.205-18 for contracts. Offerors submitting proposals are cautioned that only a Government Contracting or Grants Officer may obligate the Government to any agreement involving expenditure of Government funds.

Educational institutions, nonprofit/
not-for-profit organizations, and commercial organizations based in countries included on the U.S. State Department List of Countries that Support Terrorism are excluded from participation in these efforts. Government laboratories, Federal Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), and U.S. Service
Academies are not eligible to participate as prime contractors or recipients. However, they may be able to participate as subcontractors or sub recipients (eligibility will be determined on a case by case basis). If a proposal selected for award includes one or more subawards to a Government laboratory, FFRDC, or U.S.
Service Academy, award funds allocated for Government laboratories, FFRDCs, and/or U.S. Service Academies will be provided via a Military Interdepartmental Purchase Request (MIPR) from DFSC. No award funds will be channeled directly from a prime awardee to a Government laboratory, FFRDC, or U.S. Service Academy
subawardee.

 -DNA/Serology
 -Digital Evidence
 -Drug Chemistry
 -Firearms and Toolmarks
 -Forensic Documents
 -Latent Prints (including footwear and tire track evidence)
 -Trace Evidence

The DFSC has three primary objectives:

(1) Analyze forensic evidence and provide expert testimony to support worldwide criminal investigation across all military services

(2) Provide expeditionary and reach-back forensic services to U.S. military forces in active theaters of operation

(3) Coordinate and execute research, development, testing and evaluation (RDT&E) projects to advance forensic capabilities.

The Department of Defense Forensic Research and Development Program (“Program”) is administered by the U.S. Army Research Office and the Defense Forensic Science Center. The Program aims to enhance the capability of
forensic science applications in traditional law enforcement/criminal justice purviews and in expeditionary environments. The Program accomplishes this mission by funding research projects that lead to the production of
useful knowledge, materials, devices, systems, or methods that have forensic function.

To be eligible for an award under this announcement, a prospective awardee must meet certain minimum standards pertaining to financial resources and responsibility, ability to comply with the performance schedule, past
performance, integrity, experience, technical capabilities, operational controls, and facilities. In accordance with Federal statutes, regulations, and Department of Defense and Army policies, no person on grounds of race, color, age,
sex, national origin, or disability shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving financial assistance from the Army.

The Program is seeking proposals for funding to support forensic research and its application. The requested proposals should focus on adding to general forensic knowledge and/or DFSC activities and needs. Forensic research
proposals should focus on the creation of new and improved field or laboratory functional capabilities that result in faster, more robust, more informative, less costly, or less labor-intensive recognition, preservation, collection, and/or
analysis of forensic evidence. Proposals involving the development of equipment that is portable, sustainable, and useful in an expeditionary or field environment are also solicited. The expeditionary and field environments require systems that are lightweight, portable, inexpensive, fast, and capable of operating in extreme environments of temperature, dust, humidity, etc. The systems must also be capable of secure data communications.

Funding of research and development (R&D) within Program areas of interest will be determined by funding constraints and priorities set during each budget cycle. Due to Government budget uncertainties, no specific dollars
have been reserved for awards under this BAA. Those contemplating submission of a proposal are encouraged to submit a white paper and quad chart, summarizing their proposed work. If the proposed R&D warrants further inquiry and funding is available, submission of a full technical and cost proposal will be encouraged. This sequence allows earliest determination of the potential for funding and minimizes the labor and cost associated with submission of full proposals that have minimal probability of being selected for funding. Costs associated with white paper, quad chart, or full proposal submissions in response to this BAA are not considered allowable direct charges to any resulting award. These costs may be allowable expenses to normal bid and proposal indirect costs specified in FAR 31.205-18 for contracts. Offerors submitting proposals are cautioned that only a Government Contracting or Grants Officer may obligate the Government to any agreement involving expenditure of Government funds.