Science and Technology Fellowship Program (STFP)
Added: Apr 19, 2017 1:16 pm
CONTRACT INFORMATION: This is a pre-solicitation notice for a full and open Request for Proposal (RFP) for a non-personal services contract to provide Science and Technology Fellowship Program (STFP) services to be overseen by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) for the United States Air Force (USAF). The overall purpose of the STFP is to enlist highly-qualified non-government Ph.D.-level scientists and engineers (S&Es) to enhance the scientific and technological (S&T) research capabilities and accomplishments of the USAF S&T organizations.The objectives of the STFP include:Attraction of applicants: The intent of the STFP is to attract a broad and diverse spectrum of applicants with Ph.D.s who are highly qualified to conduct research of relevance to the USAF laboratories where they are placed.Evaluation of applicants: To ensure the stature of the program and the quality of the research associates selected to participate in this program, the STFP contractor should employ review panels that consist of experts from academia, industry, and government. The review panels will evaluate applicant packages to identify those applicants that are qualified for the program in general and for the specific research opportunity that he/she is applying for. Final selection of an applicant to become a research associate will be made by the Government based upon the review panel's recommendations. Selection of Government research advisors and topic areas: All USAF organizations seeking to place research associates at their location through STFP must provide the STFP contractor with names of research advisors and research topic area descriptions for which they are advisors. The STFP contractor will recommend a set of criteria to the Government Program Manager (GPM) that the research advisors and the S&T areas must satisfy to be included in the program. Upon approval of these criteria, the STFP contractor will provide external review panels that consist of highly-qualified experts to evaluate the qualifications, in accordance with the agreed-upon criteria, of the proposed government research advisors and their research topics provided by the USAF organizations. Final selection of a proposed government research advisor will be made by the government based upon the review panel's recommendations.Placement and management of research associates: The STFP contractor will employ the applicants who are selected to become research associates by the government and place them at designated locations on the Government's behalf. The relationship between the STFP contractor and the research associate will be that of a prime and subcontractor, where the prime is the STFP contractor and the research associate is the subcontractor. The STFP contractor shall remain in charge of all research associates, accomplishing all the relevant activities that are necessary.We anticipate issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) in early May at www.fedbizopps.gov., but all dates in this notice are subject to change. All responsible sources may submit a proposal upon release of the solicitation. The due date for the proposal is anticipated to be within 60 days upon issuance of the solicitation. Paper copies will not be available. To be eligible for contract award offerors must be registered and marked active in the System for Award Management (SAM). Register via the SAM website www.sam.gov.The solicitation is anticipated to result in award of a single Firm Fixed Price (FFP) -w/Cost CLINs, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a 12-month base period of performance and 4 one-year options.This preliminary notice is not a Request for Proposals (RFP). All offerors are advised that this project may be canceled or revised at any time during solicitation, selection, evaluation, negotiation and up to final award.All future information about this acquisition, including solicitation and modifications, will be distributed solely through this website. Potential offerors are responsible for monitoring this site for the release of this solicitation package and subsequent modifications. NAICS Code of Acquisition: 541990. The Small Business size standard is $15,000,000.
FA9550-17-R-0002 Department of the Air Force Materiel Command Research Laboratory
4/19/17, 1:16 PM Science and Technology Fellowship Program (STFP)
Added: Mar 23, 2017 8:31 am
SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS 1. NOTICE: This is not a solicitation but rather a Sources Sought Synopsis to determine potential sources for information and planning purposes only. A similar notice was published in March 2016 under NAICS code 541612. Based upon input received in response to that synopsis, the NAICS code has been revised as reflected below.1.1 The purpose of this Sources Sought Synopsis is to conduct market research in support of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Science and Technology Fellowship Program (STFP), formally referred to as the Post-Doctoral Research Program (PDRP) and/or the Research Associates Program (RAP), to determine if responsible sources exist, to assist in determining if this effort can be competitive and/or a total Small Business Set-Aside. The proposed North American Industry Classification Systems (NAICS) Code is 541990, All Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, which has a corresponding Size standard of $15.0 Million. The Government will use this information to determine the best acquisition strategy for this procurement. The Government is interested in all small businesses to include 8(a), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, HUBZone, and Women-Owned small business concerns. The Government requests that interested parties respond to this notice if applicable and identify your small business status to the identified NAICS code. Additionally, please provide any anticipated teaming arrangements, along with a description of similar services offered to the Government and to commercial customers for the past three years. Any responses involving teaming agreements should delineate between the work that will be accomplished by the prime and the work accomplished by the teaming partners, including the percentage of work to be completed by each member.2. Program Details BackgroundThe AFRL STFP provides opportunities for researchers to support the Air Force mission to enhance United States Air Force (USAF) scientific and technological research capabilities via new ideas, techniques, and approaches to problems within USAF laboratories by strengthening professional relationships between USAF researchers and the world-wide research community. The STFP allows USAF research organizations to receive a stimulus to their programs by having bright, highly motivated, PhD's ranging anywhere from recent doctoral graduates to well qualified senior researchers with recognized and established records of research productivity.3. CapabilitiesThe STFP will provide approximately 250 research opportunities each year for post docs and senior research associates to conduct research in USAF laboratories nationwide in critical research areas. Researchers are competitively selected by an external review board on the basis of their overall qualifications and technical proposals addressing the specific research areas defined by researchers at host AFRL laboratories. The selected participants will interact with senior laboratory scientists and engineers while performing research. Potential vendors must demonstrate detailed knowledge and experience in program administration in the following areas:3.1 Ability to attract a broad and diverse spectrum of potential Ph.D.-level candidates who are highly qualified to conduct research of relevance to the USAF laboratories where they are placed. It also requires that the awareness of the STFP be widely disseminated among the potential candidate pool and be actively marketed. Have the capability to host and maintain website allowing for electronic nationwide advertisement to attract and select the most outstanding doctoral degree innovative post docs and senior researchers.a. Ability to maintain and sustain an on-line application processb. Ability to manage and sustain application selection process via External Board of Reviewers evaluation panels (see item 3.2)c. Ability to maintain and sustain website that promotes and markets AF laboratory research opportunities3.2. Capability to assemble, conduct, and maintain evaluation panels (External Board of Reviewers) consisting of premiere nationally recognized experts in science, mathematics, and engineering to evaluate prospective candidate applications. External Board of Reviewers, as approved by Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), shall be recognized authorities in their field with previous research experience related to areas of interest to the Air Force.Member works or has worked within the last five years as an active researcher, professor, or department head at an accredited university, military, or industry; holds a PhD or equivalent degree; and has a depth of technical expertise and experience, reflected in publications and a respected reputation in their technical or academic community.3.3 Capability to establish and maintain a current database of AFRL research interests and advisors at Air Force research facilities.a. Advisors will directly submit AFRL specific research topics via website.b. Interested candidates submit advisor applications via website. 3.4. Have the capability to establish and maintain an electronic financial management payment system for issuing and tracking awards, stipends (including benefits), travel costs.3.5. Demonstrated experience in science and engineering awardee management.a. The contract will cover administrative costs of the program and also for transfer of funds (pass through funds) to the contractor to pay recipients' stipends. b. The contract will execute and maintain awards for approximately 250 researchers per year at AF laboratories.4. Response Instructions:Interested sources are requested to provide a concise capability statement (maximum of 15 pages), to include experience that is recent (less than 5 years) and relevant to the above described functions; experience in similar programs; knowledge of appropriate means to publicize the program and recruit participants; familiarity with issues related to conduct evaluation panels consisting of nationally recognized experts in science, mathematics, and engineering to evaluated prospective candidates applications; capability to assemble and conduct evaluation panels consisting of nationally recognized experts in science, mathematics, and engineering to evaluate prospective candidate's applications; capability to advertise nationwide to attract and select the most outstanding researchers, who hold doctoral degrees; capability to provide an on-line website method of applying for the AFRL STFP.Final responses to this Sources Sought should be forwarded to the Contracting Officer, Helen Newbery, at helen.newbery@us.af.mil NLT COB 30 March 2017. The Government will evaluate each respondent's capabilities statement to determine if the respondent has the requisite experience and past performance to complete the requirements described herein. The Government does not commit to providing a response to any comment or question. No basis for a claim against the Government shall arise as a result of this notice.Points of Contacts:Ms. Helen R. Newbery, Contracting Officer, (703) 696-9560 helen.newbery@us.af.milMs. Alvitta Leffall, Contract Specialist, (703) 696-6200alvitta.leffall@us.af.milContracting Office Address: 875 North Randolph StreetRoom 301Arlington, Virginia 22203-1954
FA955017R0002 Department of the Air Force Materiel Command Research Laboratory
3/23/17, 8:31 AM