BAA__Booster_Propulsion_Technical_Maturation_FINAL_FBO_15_086.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

SPACE AND MISSILE SYSTEMS CENTER (SMC)

LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, CALIFORNIA

Release of the

BOOSTER PROPULSION TECHNOLOGY

MATURATION PROJECT BROAD AGENCY

ANNOUNCEMENT

Announcement Number: 15-086

Pre-Release: 24 APR 2015

Issue Date: 02 JUN 2015

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IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS

Open BAA: This BAA will remain open for 12 months from release of this solicitation to allow for BAA calls.

2-Step BAA process: This BAA will use a two-step evaluation process.

STEP 1 – REQUEST FOR AND EVALUATION OF

WHITE PAPER SUBMISSIONS

STEP 2 – REQUEST FOR AND EVALUATION OF

PROPOSALS

BAA Call for White Papers: BAA calls will request Offerors provide white papers that provide innovative and unique ideas for Booster Propulsion Technology

Maturation within the focus areas that the Advanced Systems and Development

Directorate (SMC/AD) is interested in maturing. Any future BAA calls will be publicized in the same manner as this solicitation.

Classification: Classified white papers/proposals will not be accepted under the

Booster Propulsion Technology Maturation Project.

Solicitation Instructions: Please read the entire solicitation carefully prior to submitting your White Paper(s).

Points of Contact: If you have questions about the Booster Propulsion Technology

Maturation Project, please submit to the Contracting Officer, Ms. Kathy Scholefield at kathleen.scholefield@us.af.mil.

NOTE: Only Contracting Officers are legally authorized to commit the Government.

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Table of Contents

1.0 General Information

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Agency Name

1.3 Research Opportunity Title

1.4 Announcement Number

1.5 Open Two-Step Solicitation Process

1.6 Amendments to BAA

2.0 Award Information

2.1 Basis of Award

2.2 Notifications

2.3 Debriefings

3.0 Eligibility Restrictions

3.1 Contractor Eligibility

3.2 Federally Funded Research & Development Centers (FFRDC)

3.3 National Laboratories

3.4 University Affiliated Research Centers (UARC)

4.0 Evaluation Information

4.1 White Paper Package Evaluations

4.1.1 Evaluation Criteria

4.1.2 Order of Importance

4.1.3 White Paper Peer Review Assessment

4.2 Proposal Evaluations / Negotiations

4.2.1 Evaluation Criteria

4.2.2 Order of Importance

4.2.3 Proposal Peer Review Assessment

4.3 Set-Aside Preferences

4.4 Selection

4.5 Negotiation

5.0 Award Administration Information

5.1 Information on White Paper & Proposal Status

5.2 Email Addresses

5.3 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code

5.4 System for Award Management (SAM)

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6.0 Other Information

6.1 Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI)

6.2 Essentially Equivalent Work

6.3 Technical and Administrative Support by Non-Government Personnel

6.4 Data Rights Desired

6.4.1 Technical Data

6.5 Export Control

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1.0 General Information

1.1 Introduction

This publication constitutes a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) as prescribed in

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 35.016 and FAR 6.102(d)(2)(i). This BAA is issued by the Space and Missile System Center Advanced Systems and Development

Directorate (SMC/AD).

1.2 Agency Name

Space and Missile Systems Center (AFSPC), 483 North Aviation Blvd., El Segundo, California 90245-2808

1.3 Research Opportunity Title

Booster Propulsion Technology Maturation Project

1.4 Announcement Number

15-086

1.5 Open Two-Step Solicitation Process

THIS WILL BE AN OPEN TWO-STEP SOLICITATION:

BAA Open Period: This BAA will remain open for twelve (12) months after the initial solicitation release. Throughout this period the government may post BAA

Calls for white papers focusing on specific focus areas. BAA Calls for white papers will not be released after the open period has ended.

First Step: In accordance with the paragraph above, The Air Force shall request white papers through a BAA Call with specific focus area(s). White papers for these focus area(s) must be submitted by the date specified in the BAA Call to be considered for evaluation. Failure to comply shall result in rejection of the white paper during the review.

Second Step: Complete Proposals in accordance with FAR 15.2 will be required within 30 days after the white paper notifications (see 2.2). An Offeror must submit a white paper for evaluation prior to submitting a proposal.

1.6 Amendments to BAA

The Government may amend the BAA at any time at its discretion. Amendments or

6 | P a g e links to amendments will be posted to the FEDBIZOPPS – https://www.fbo.gov/.

Although other web pages may repost these amendments, Offerors are advised that the

FEDBIZOPPS web page is the only official record.

2.0 Award Information

2.1 Basis of Award

Awards will be based on the best proposals that are determined to be most beneficial to the Government with appropriate consideration given to the evaluation factors, order of importance, and available funding. This may not be the proposal offering the lowest cost/price or receiving the highest evaluated technical rating but rather a best value based on an integrated assessment of each of these factors.

2.2 Notifications

The notification of white paper evaluation results will occur after white paper evaluations are completed. A notification by letter or fax will be sent to each offeror.

The letter or fax will contain one of the following:

1) Letter of Discouragement - White Paper is no longer under consideration.

2) Letter of Encouragement- RFP with instructions for the submission of a proposal for all technical efforts included in the white paper.

3) Letter of Partial Encouragement- RFP with instructions for the submission of a proposal for only a portion of the technical efforts included in the white paper.

The due date for proposals is 30 days after the Government issues notification letters to those offerors who submitted a White Paper package.

Notifications will be sent to all contractors that submit a proposal based on the

Technical Review Official’s final decision. After formal proposal evaluation and final decision by the Technical Review Official, Offerors will receive a formal notification via letter or fax. The letter or fax will contain one of the following:

1) Notification of Successful Award - Contractors will receive an award without discussions.

2) Notification of Planned Negotiations - Further negotiations are required before a potential award can be made.

3) Notification of Unsuccessful Award - Contractors shall not receive an award.

2.3 Debriefings

Debriefings will be provided after BAA awards are completed.

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3.0 Eligibility

3.1 Contractor Eligibility

All International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) cleared contractors capable of satisfying the Government's needs may submit white papers under this BAA.

Contractors shall comply with DFARS 252.225-7048, Export-Controlled Items.

Additionally, propulsion system providers shall state that any engine/motor resulting from this TECHNOLOGY MATURATION effort must be manufactured in the United

States and there will not be an Exclusive Sales Agreement between the BAA contractor and any other company for any engine/motor that benefits from this technology maturation effort.

3.2 Federally Funded Research & Development Centers (FFRDCs)

Federally Funded Research & Development Centers are not eligible to receive awards under this BAA. However, teaming arrangements between FFRDCs and eligible principal bidders are allowed to the extent that such an arrangement is permitted under the sponsoring agreement between the Government and the FFRDC.

3.3 National Laboratories

National laboratories are not eligible to receive awards under this BAA and should not submit white papers in response to this BAA. As with FFRDCs, these organizations may team with responsible sources that are submitting white papers under this BAA. White papers with such arrangements must demonstrate that this arrangement is permissible.

3.4 University Affiliated Research Centers (UARC)

University Affiliated Research Centers are not eligible to receive awards under this

BAA. However, teaming arrangements between UARCs and eligible principal bidders are allowed to the extent that such an arrangement is permitted under the UARC

Management Plan between the Government and the UARC.

4.0 Evaluation Information

The evaluation process will be conducted using a technical subject matter expert review as described in FAR 6.102(d)(2) and FAR 35.016(d). All documents necessary for the review and evaluation of white paper packages and proposal submissions shall be provided as described in this BAA.

4.1 White Paper Package Evaluations

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Each call placed under this BAA may contain more specific evaluation criteria.

Offerors should refer to each individual call before submitting white papers/proposals.

4.1.1 Evaluation Criteria

White Paper packages will be evaluated using four criteria. All factors will be evaluated using a “Go” or “No Go” decision making process to determine whether or not the white paper meets or is deficient in meeting the evaluation criteria for each of the white paper evaluation factors. Packages that are deemed “No Go” in either Factor #1 or Factor #2 will not be considered for further review in Factor #3 or #4. White papers that receive a

“No Go” in any factor will no longer be considered for peer review.

• Factor #1 – Contribution to Focus Area

Demonstrates the white paper meets the purpose of the focus area.

• Factor #2 – Technical Approach/Qualifications

White paper demonstrates technical merit of effort.

• Factor #3 – Cost

Cost go/no-go decision during the white paper evaluation will be based upon whether the proposed Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) is in compliance with the criteria stated in future BAA Calls.

• Factor #4 – Schedule

White paper demonstrates effort can be completed within 24 months of award.

4.1.2 Order of Importance

The order of importance of these factors is as follows. Factor #1 and Factor #2 are equally important. Factor #3 and Factor #4 are equally important. Factors #1 and #2 when combined are significantly more important than Factor #3. The government is more concerned with obtaining superior technical capabilities than with making awards at a lower cost to the government.

4.1.3 White Paper Peer Review Assessment

A peer review will be conducted by focus area. The peer review will assess the merit of each white paper that receives a "Go" decision for every evaluation factor. White papers that receive a "No Go" decision for any evaluation factor will not be assessed. The assessment of merit will consist of a review of the white papers' advantages, and the quality of those advantages, for each evaluation factor. The Government will create a prioritized list of white papers for each focus area based upon the results of the peer review. The Government will select which white papers receive a Letter of

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Encouragement, a Letter of Partial Encouragement, or a Letter of Discouragement based on the prioritized lists and available funds. The Government is under no obligation to select any white papers to receive a Letter of Encouragement or a Letter of Partial

Encouragement under either or both of the focus areas.

4.2 Proposal Evaluations/Negotiations

4.2.1 Evaluation Criteria

Proposal packages will be evaluated using four criteria. All factors will be evaluated using a “Go” or “No Go” decision making process to determine whether or not the proposal meets or is deficient in meeting the evaluation criteria for each of the proposal evaluation factors. Packages that are deemed “No Go” in either Factor #1 or Factor #2 will not be considered for further review in Factor #3 or #4. Proposals that receive a “No

Go” in any factor will no longer be considered for peer review.

• Factor #1 – Contribution to Focus Area

Demonstrates the proposal meets the purpose of the focus area.

• Factor #2 – Technical Approach/Qualifications

Proposal demonstrates technical merit of effort.

• Factor #3 – Cost

The Contracting Officer will obtain cost or pricing data necessary to support the reasonableness of the Offeror’s cost/price and will evaluate the proposal using one or more of the proposal analysis techniques described in FAR 15.404-1. For a cost/price to be reasonable, it must represent a price to the Government that a prudent person would pay in the conduct of competitive business (reference FAR 31.201-3(a)). An offer that is determined to be unreasonable will not be considered for award.

If the proposal exceeds $700,000, certified cost or price data will be required IAW FAR

15.403-4 (if the Contracting Officer determines that none of the exceptions in 15.401-

1(b) applies).

For all proposals, the proposed cost/price shall meet the funding requirements outlined in future BAA Calls.

• Factor #4 – Schedule

Proposal demonstrates effort can be completed within 24 months of award.

4.2.2 Order of Importance

The order of importance of these factors is as follows. Factor #1 and Factor #2 are

10 | P a g e equally important. Factor #3 and Factor #4 are equally important. Factors #1 and #2 when combined are significantly more important than Factor #3. The government is more concerned with obtaining superior technical capabilities than with making awards at a lower cost to the government.

4.2.3 Proposal Peer Review Assessment

A proposal peer review will be conducted by focus area. The peer review will assess the merit of each proposal that receives a "Go" decision for every evaluation factor.

Proposals that receive a "No Go" decision for any evaluation factor will not be assessed.

The assessment of merit will consist of a review of the proposal’s advantages, and the quality of those advantages, for each evaluation factor. The Government will create a prioritized list of proposals for each focus area based upon the results of the peer review.

The Government will select which proposals receive an award based on the prioritized lists and available funds. The Government is under no obligation to select any proposals to receive an award under either or both of the focus areas.

4.3 Set-Aside Preferences

Selection preference shall be equal for small and large business proposals. Efforts will be made to maximize the use of small business.

4.4 Selection

The selection of white papers to receive a “Letter of Encouragement” or “Letter of

Partial Encouragement” will be made based on the white papers that are determined to be most beneficial to the Government with appropriate consideration given to the evaluation factors, order of importance, and available funding.

4.5 Negotiation

The Government may clarify and have discussions regarding elements of the proposal in the course of evaluation. The Government will negotiate awards with those offerors whose proposals were selected for award after proposal evaluation. The Contracting

Officer will make the determination to the extent negotiations will be conducted. Award may be made without negotiations based on proposal. If negotiations change the scope of work, a final determination of cost reasonableness/realism shall be conducted. The

Contracting Officer reserves the right to not fund the project based on unsatisfactory negotiations.

5.0 Award Administration Information

5.1 Information on White Paper & Proposal Status

Notifications will be provided in accordance with Section 2.2. However, Contracting

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Officers may contact any and all qualified Offerors, if required. Notification of white paper and proposal selection is not an authorization to begin work. Offerors that submitted White Paper packages or proposals that are not selected for award will be notified.

5.2 Email Addresses

Offerors must be aware that it is their responsibility to ensure: (1) correct e-mail addresses are provided at the time of submission, (2) e-mail notifications reach the intended recipient(s), and (3) the e-mail is not blocked by the use of ‘spam blocker’ software or other means that the recipient’s Internet Service Provider may have implemented as a means to block the receipt of certain e-mail messages.

5.3 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code

The NAICS code for this announcement is 541712. A small business under these

NAICS codes is defined by a size standard of 1,000 employees.

5.4 System for Award Management (SAM)

All Offerors submitting proposals must have an active registration in SAM at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/ prior to white paper submission.

6.0 Other Information

Upon award, the Offeror will be required to make certain legal commitments through acceptance of a contract. The outline that follows is illustrative of the types of terms that will be evaluated by the Government during white paper and proposal evaluation, may be discussed in negotiations, and may be included in the contract award. This is not a complete list of terms and conditions to be included in the contract.

6.1 Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI)

Awardees shall mitigate OCI and shall be in compliance with FAR 9.5 -- Organizational and Consultant Conflicts of Interest.

6.2 Essentially Equivalent Work

If proposed work is similar to another proposal that has been funded, is now being funded, or is pending funding with another Federal Agency or DoD Component or the same DoD Component, then proposer shall explicitly detail how and the extent to which the proposed work differs so the Government can consider to award only the portion of the work that differs.

Essentially equivalent work is defined as (1) substantially the same research is proposed for funding in more than one contract proposal or grant application submitted to the

12 | P a g e same Federal agency; (2) substantially the same research is submitted to two or more different Federal agencies for review and funding consideration; or (3) a specific research objective and the research design for accomplishing an objective are the same or closely related in two or more proposals or awards, regardless of the funding source.

If a proposal submitted in response to this announcement is substantially the same as another proposal that has been funded, is now being funded, or is pending with another

Federal Agency or DoD Component or the same DoD Component, the proposer must so indicate on the White Paper package and proposal cover sheet and provide the following information:

(a) Name and point of contact at the Federal Agency(s) or DoD Component to which a proposal was submitted, will be submitted, or from which an award is expected or has been received.

(b) Project Title

(c) Solicitation number or

(d) Award/Grant number

(e) Description of equivalent work.

The Government reserves the right to reject a proposal based on this information.

6.3 Technical and Administrative Support by Non-Government Personnel

The DoD may use non-government personnel (e.g. Federally Funded Research and

Development Center (FFRDC) or Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS) contractor support personnel in the evaluation, review and administration of submittals for this

BAA. Support contractor employees may have access to proposal information including information that may be considered proprietary. All contractor support personnel having access to any proprietary data are required to execute nondisclosure agreements certifying that they will not disclose any information pertaining to this solicitation including any proposal submittals, the identity of any submitters, or any other information relative to this BAA. The contracts for provision of support personnel contain Organizational Conflict of Interest provisions and include contractual requirements for non-disclosure of proprietary contractor information. By submitting a white paper or proposal, the offeror is consenting to release of the submitted information to FFRDC and A&AS personnel for purposes of evaluation, review and administration of submittals.

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6.4 Desired Data Rights

Government will assess need for data rights based on the type of contractor proposed activities. The Government may request financials of previous Internal Research and

Development (IRAD) investment if negotiating rights for other than unlimited data rights.

6.4.1 Technical Data

The Government’s preference is to have Technical data, Non-Commercial Software

(NCS), and NCS documentation delivered with at least Government Purpose Rights.

Offers that propose delivery of non-commercial or commercial technical data, NCS, or

NCS documentation subject to Limited Rights, Restricted Rights, or Specifically

Negotiated License Rights will be considered. Proposals shall fully explain what technical data, NCS, or NCS documentation developed with costs charged to indirect cost pools and/or costs not allocated to a government contract will be incorporated, how the incorporation will benefit the program, and address whether those portions or process are segregable. The Government expects that delivery of technical data, NCS, and NCS documentation subject to Government Purpose Rights will fully meet the program needs.

Contracting Officers may obtain the right to inspect data at the contractor’s facility by the use of DFARS clause 252.227-7014. Additionally inspection may be made by the contracting officer or designee (including nongovernmental personnel under the same conditions as the contracting officer) for the purpose of verifying a contractor’s assertion regarding the limited rights or restricted rights of data, or for evaluating work performance under the contract. This right may be exercised up to 3 years after the acceptance of all items to be delivered on contract.

Offerors are reminded that the Identification and Assertion of Restrictions on the

Government’s Use, Release, or Disclosure Restrictions under DFARS 252.227-7017 and are due at time of proposals. Assertions must be completed with specificity with regard to each item, component, or process listed. Nonconforming assertions lists will be rejected. These clauses will be incorporated when proposals are requested.

Note that DFARS 252.227-7014(d) Third Party Copyrighted Computer Software or

Computer Software Documentation describes requirements for incorporation of third party computer software (commercial and non-commercial). Any commercial software to be incorporated into a deliverable must be clearly identified in the proposal. Because many commercial software licenses are not transferrable or may not be acceptable to the

Government, commercial software licenses proposed for delivery to the Government must be approved by the contracting officer prior to award.

As used in this subparagraph, the terms Unlimited Rights, Government Purpose Rights, Specifically Negotiated License Rights, and Limited Rights in non–commercial and commercial technical data, noncommercial computer software, and noncommercial

14 | P a g e software documentation are as defined in DFARS 252.227-7013 and DFARS 252.227-

7014.

6.5 Export Control

The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120 through 130, and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730 through 799, will apply to this BAA, which is considered basic and applied research. More information is available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/regulations laws/itar.html.