DoD invests $20.3M in Duke University's MOSAIC program to develop next-gen imaging with 10-50 gigapixel resolution

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,311,953 ($20.3M)

Contractor: Duke University

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2010-05-27

End Date: 2015-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,769 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: RESEARCH CURRENT IMAGING SYSTEMS ARE FUNDAMENTALLY LIMITED IN FIELD OF VIEW AND RESOLUTION. WIDE FIELD OF VIEW AND HIGH RESOLUTION CANNOT BE ACHIEVED USING CONVENTIONAL CAMERA DESIGN. ON THE DARPA MAXIMALLY SCALABLE OPTICAL SENSOR ARRAY IMAGING WITH COMPUTATION (MOSAIC) PROGRAM, DUKE UNIVERSITY SHALL OVERCOME THE LIMITS OF CONVENTIONAL IMAGING SYSTEM DESIGNS AND DEMONSTRATE THE FEASIBILITY OF NEAR-LINEAR GROWTH OF OPTICAL INFORMATION THROUGHPUT WITH INCREASING IMAGING SYSTEM SCALE. THE EFFICACY OF THE TECHNOLOGY WILL BE DEMONSTRATED BY DEVELOPING AN UNPRECEDENTED 10 TO 50 GIGA PIXEL WITH 114 DEGREE FIELD OF VIEW.

Place of Performance

Location: DURHAM, DURHAM County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27705

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $20.3 million to DUKE UNIVERSITY for work described as: RESEARCH CURRENT IMAGING SYSTEMS ARE FUNDAMENTALLY LIMITED IN FIELD OF VIEW AND RESOLUTION. WIDE FIELD OF VIEW AND HIGH RESOLUTION CANNOT BE ACHIEVED USING CONVENTIONAL CAMERA DESIGN. ON THE DARPA MAXIMALLY SCALABLE OPTICAL SENSOR ARRAY IMAGING WITH COMPUTATION (MOSAIC) PROGRAM,… Key points: 1. The contract aims to overcome fundamental limitations in current imaging systems, focusing on wide field of view and high resolution. 2. Success hinges on demonstrating near-linear growth of optical information throughput with increasing system scale. 3. The project targets an unprecedented 10 to 50 gigapixel resolution with a 114-degree field of view. 4. This research falls under the 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' category. 5. The contract duration is over 4 years, indicating a significant commitment to technological advancement. 6. The awardee, Duke University, is a research institution, suggesting a focus on fundamental scientific exploration.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $20.3 million for a 4-year R&D project in advanced imaging technology appears reasonable given the ambitious goals. Benchmarking is difficult without specific comparable projects, but the focus on fundamental research and development suggests a significant investment in future capabilities. The 'Cost No Fee' contract type implies that the government will reimburse allowable costs, with the contractor not receiving a profit margin, which can be cost-effective for early-stage research.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple sources were solicited and considered. This competitive process is expected to yield fair pricing and innovative solutions. The presence of multiple bidders, though not explicitly detailed, suggests a healthy market for advanced imaging research and development.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to better value and lower costs for advanced research initiatives.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense and potentially other government agencies requiring advanced surveillance and imaging capabilities. The project aims to deliver a groundbreaking imaging system with significantly enhanced resolution and field of view. The geographic impact is primarily within the research and development sector, with potential for broader national security applications. Workforce implications include opportunities for researchers, engineers, and technicians specializing in optics, computation, and sensor technology.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Technological feasibility: Achieving the stated gigapixel resolution and field of view presents significant technical challenges.
Long-term development: The transition from research to a deployable system may require substantial additional investment and time.
Potential for obsolescence: Rapid advancements in imaging technology could outpace the development timeline.

Positive Signals

Strong research institution: Duke University's involvement suggests a high likelihood of scientific rigor and innovation.
Clear technical objectives: The program has well-defined, albeit ambitious, performance targets.
Focus on fundamental limitations: Addressing core issues in imaging technology could lead to transformative breakthroughs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader defense research and development sector, specifically focusing on advanced sensor and imaging technologies. The market for such specialized R&D is often characterized by a few key research institutions and defense contractors. The investment in developing a 10-50 gigapixel system with a wide field of view is at the cutting edge, pushing the boundaries of current capabilities and potentially setting new benchmarks for future imaging systems.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded to Duke University, a research institution, and does not appear to have specific small business set-aside provisions. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist if Duke University partners with external vendors for specialized components or services, but this is not explicitly detailed in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), which is known for its rigorous program management and oversight of cutting-edge research projects. Accountability measures would typically involve regular progress reports, milestone reviews, and technical evaluations to ensure the project stays on track and meets its objectives. Transparency is generally limited for such sensitive defense research, but progress is often shared within the scientific and defense communities through publications and conferences.

Related Government Programs

DARPA MOSAIC Program
Advanced Imaging Systems Research
Next-Generation Sensor Technology
High-Resolution Optics Development

Risk Flags

Technological Risk
Long Development Cycle
Potential for Obsolescence

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $20.3 million to DUKE UNIVERSITY. RESEARCH CURRENT IMAGING SYSTEMS ARE FUNDAMENTALLY LIMITED IN FIELD OF VIEW AND RESOLUTION. WIDE FIELD OF VIEW AND HIGH RESOLUTION CANNOT BE ACHIEVED USING CONVENTIONAL CAMERA DESIGN. ON THE DARPA MAXIMALLY SCALABLE OPTICAL SENSOR ARRAY IMAGING WITH COMPUTATION (MOSAIC) PROGRAM, DUKE UNIVERSITY SHALL OVERCOME THE LIMITS OF CONVENTIONAL IMAGING SYSTEM DESIGNS AND DEMONSTRATE THE FEASIBILITY OF NEAR-LINEAR GROWTH OF OPTICAL INFORMATION THROUGHPUT WITH INCREASING IMAGING SYSTEM SCALE. THE EFFICACY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DUKE UNIVERSITY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-05-27. End: 2015-03-31.

What is the specific technological innovation proposed by Duke University to overcome the limitations of conventional camera designs for achieving wide field of view and high resolution?

The DARPA MOSAIC program, led by Duke University, aims to overcome conventional imaging limits by developing a 'maximally scalable optical sensor array imaging with computation' (MOSAIC) system. The core innovation lies in moving beyond traditional camera designs that face trade-offs between field of view and resolution. While the specific details of the 'near-linear growth of optical information through-put with increasing imaging system scale' are proprietary and part of the research, the approach likely involves novel sensor architectures, advanced computational imaging techniques, and potentially distributed or modular sensor arrays. This contrasts with conventional systems that often rely on single, complex lenses and sensors, which become physically constrained at extreme scales. The program seeks to demonstrate a paradigm shift in how optical information is captured and processed.

How does the target resolution of 10 to 50 gigapixels compare to current state-of-the-art imaging systems?

The target resolution of 10 to 50 gigapixels (10-50 billion pixels) represents a significant leap beyond current state-of-the-art imaging systems. For context, high-end professional digital cameras typically range from 20 to 100 megapixels (million pixels). Even specialized scientific or aerial imaging systems rarely exceed a few gigapixels. For instance, some panoramic or large-format scientific cameras might approach the lower end of the gigapixel range. Achieving 10-50 gigapixels, especially with a wide 114-degree field of view, would enable unprecedented detail capture for applications such as surveillance, remote sensing, and scientific observation, far surpassing the capabilities of existing technologies.

What are the primary risks associated with the development of the MOSAIC imaging system?

The primary risks associated with the MOSAIC imaging system development are technological and programmatic. Technologically, achieving the targeted 'near-linear growth of optical information throughput with increasing imaging system scale' is a highly ambitious goal that pushes the boundaries of physics and engineering. This involves overcoming fundamental challenges in sensor design, data processing, and system integration. Programmatically, the long duration of the contract (over 4 years) and the complexity of the research increase the risk of schedule delays or cost overruns if unforeseen technical hurdles arise. Furthermore, the rapid pace of innovation in imaging technology means there's a risk of the developed system becoming obsolete before or shortly after deployment, or that alternative, more practical solutions emerge during the development cycle.

What is the significance of the 'Cost No Fee' (CNF) contract type for this research project?

The 'Cost No Fee' (CNF) contract type is significant because it indicates that the government will reimburse Duke University for all allowable costs incurred in performing the research, but the university will not receive any profit or fee on top of these costs. This type of contract is typically used for research and development efforts, especially when the scope is uncertain or when the focus is on pure scientific exploration rather than delivering a specific product with a defined profit margin. For taxpayers, a CNF contract can be advantageous as it removes the profit motive, potentially lowering the overall cost to the government. However, it also means the contractor's primary motivation is the successful completion of the research objectives rather than maximizing financial return.

How might the successful development of the MOSAIC system impact future defense capabilities?

The successful development of the MOSAIC system could profoundly impact future defense capabilities by providing significantly enhanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assets. An imaging system with 10-50 gigapixels and a wide field of view would allow for the simultaneous capture of vast amounts of detailed imagery over large areas. This could enable more effective target identification, tracking, and situational awareness in complex environments. For example, a single platform equipped with such a system could potentially replace multiple current sensors, offering greater efficiency and reduced operational costs. It could also enable new operational concepts, such as persistent wide-area surveillance or high-resolution mapping of adversary activities, thereby providing a critical advantage in strategic and tactical decision-making.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2200 W MAIN ST STE 710, DURHAM, NC, 27705

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Private), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,313,537

Exercised Options: $20,313,537

Current Obligation: $20,311,953

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline