NEWS RELEASE from the United States Department of Defense No. 540-01 (703)697-5131(media) (703)697-5737(public/industry) IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 25, 2001 PENTAGON SEEKS IDEAS ON COMBATING TERRORISM The Department of Defense announced today that the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics and the Combating Terrorism Technology Support Office Technical Support Working Group are jointly sponsoring a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) asking for help in fighting terrorism. The BAA, issued Oct. 23 (No. 02-Q-4655), specifically seeks help in combating terrorism, defeating difficult targets, conducting protracted operations in remote areas, and developing countermeasures to weapons of mass destruction. Its objective is to find concepts that can be developed and fielded within 12 to 18 months. The BAA provides for a three-phase process in which interested parties initially submit a one-page description of their concept. Initial responses are due by Dec. 23, 2001. After a review of a submission and if DoD is interested in further information, the submitter will then be asked to provide a more detailed description of up to 12 pages of the idea. Submitters of concepts that the department is not interested in pursuing further will be so notified. DoD will evaluate phase two submissions and ask those who have offered the most promising ideas to submit full proposals in a third phase that may form the basis for a contract. Phase two submitters who are not asked to submit full proposals will be so notified. Submitters of a full phase three proposal that is not accepted by the department may request a formal debriefing. Debriefings will not be provided to phase one and phase two submitters whose concepts were not accepted. Interested parties can obtain more information concerning this BAA by visiting http://www.bids.tswg.gov . [Web version: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Oct2001/b10252001_bt540-01.html] -----