47QFSA23K0051 RTAS RFI Information 2023-05-04.docx

Request for Information (RFI) For Acquisition ID #47QFSA23K0051 Rapid Technology Augmentation Support (RTAS)

GSA AASD R4 is seeking an experienced, qualified, and capable contractor source to satisfy a requirement for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Spectrum Warfare Division (RYW), Rapid Technology Integration Office at Wright Patterson, AFB, Dayton, OH. The GSA AASD Region 4 contemplates issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a Single Award Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract. The anticipated period of performance of the resulting IDIQ (if issued) will consist of a one-year basic and four one-year option periods, in addition to a six-month Extension of Services (EOS) period in accordance with FAR 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services. The Government estimates a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) for the total requirement to be between $20M and $46.1M with total base year task orders estimated at ~$1M and Option Years 1 (OY1) – O4 estimated at ~$8.8M – ~$11.6M each. It is anticipated the RFP, if any, will be released 3rd quarter CY2023.

The anticipated North American Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement (based upon the predominance of the work) is 541715 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology). The anticipated Product Service Code (PSC) is yet to be determined. The following research and development (R&D) PSCs are being considered: AC11, AC12, AC13, AC32, AC33, AJ11, AJ12, and AJ13 where AC represents National Defense R&D Services and AJ represents General Science and Technology R&D Services. The current leading PSC candidate is AC33 - National Defense R&D Services; Defense-Related Activities; Experimental Development. The Government welcomes feedback regarding the anticipated NAICS and PSC.

AFRL/RYW is charged with supporting the warfighter through the integration of various commercial off the shelf (COTS) components and government off the shelf (GOTS) components utilizing superior systems engineering principles to deliver unique capabilities that are both functional and secure. Using over a decade of experience running the Rapid Technology Integration Office, AFRL/RYW has found that advanced engineering analysis, coupled with direct interaction with the warfighter, is critical to delivering the best science and technology (S&T) necessary to successfully complete the United States mission. To this end, AFRL/RYW requires expertise in the rapid integration of software (SW) and hardware (HW) which may employ complex and novel techniques to ensure that the warfighter is able to access and harness the very best of emerging and rapidly changing technical solutions. Deployment solution environments may include in-garrison, mobile use, traveling, austere locations, and wartime conditions. These environments may be permissive or denied depending on the specific application and use case.

The place of performance shall be the contractor’s location which must be located within 50 miles of the Dayton, OH/Wright Patterson AFB area, and shall be fully accredited throughout contract award. Classification requirements are included in the Place of Performance paragraph of the draft Performance Work Statement (PWS).

The purpose of this RFI is to obtain feedback from interested industry partners on the draft Performance Work Statement (PWS), draft Evaluation Methodology, and the anticipated NAICS and PSC codes. These are attached to this RFI post along with a Market Research Questionnaire. Please be advised this requirement is in draft form and may change before being finalized. These draft documents are being utilized for RFI / market research purposes only. The RFP, if any, will contain the final requirements document(s) and evaluation criteria that will be used to make a best value award decision.

Please refer to Part I & Part II of the Market Research Questionnaire for information being requested at this time. Capability Statements are not being requested and will not be reviewed as part of any submission. The Government may hold a Pre-Proposal Conference immediately following the release of an RFP, if any, if feedback from this RFI indicates both benefit to and interest from potential vendors. Information regarding a Pre-Proposal Conference, if held, will be shared later (TBD).

This RFI does NOT constitute an RFP and is not to be construed as a commitment, implied or otherwise, by the Government that a procurement action will be issued. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this announcement and/or any follow up information requests. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise related to submission of the requested information. Responses to this RFI may be considered in the future determination of an appropriate acquisition strategy and/or refinement of the draft documents/information provided in this request. The Government may not respond to any specific questions or comments submitted in response to this RFI or information provided arising from this request. Any information submitted by respondents in response to this notice is strictly voluntary, and responses may be assimilated into the revised documents and acquisition strategy. Participation in this RFI is not required to ensure participation in a future RFP, if any.

FAR 52.215-3 - Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997)

(a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

(b) Although “proposal” and “offeror” may be used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal.

(c) This solicitation is issued for the purpose of Market Research and Acquisition Planning.

The Market Research Questionnaire is available as an electronic Google Form at GSA RTAS RFI / Market Research Questionnaire. Respondents may complete the google form (preferred method) or email the completed Market Research Questionnaire (limited to 20 pages, including the questions) to rusty.singleton@gsa.gov with courtesy copies to randi.williams@gsa.gov and dorothy.monroe@gsa.gov. The closing time for this RFI is 11:00am ET on Monday, May 22, 2023.

If using the electronic form, please hit << SUBMIT >> when you are finished to ensure the responses are transmitted to the government.

Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or competition sensitive information contained in their response. All information received in response to this RFI marked “Proprietary” will be protected and handled accordingly. Responses to the RFI will not be returned and may be used in further development of the PWS and RFP (to include updates to the evaluation methodology).

PLEASE NOTE: INFORMATION OBTAINED IN RESPONSE TO THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION WILL BE USED TO ASSIST THE GOVERNMENT IN FURTHER DEVELOPING ITS ACQUISITION STRATEGY AND / OR FINALIZING THE REQUIREMENTS AND ELEMENTS OF THE SOLICITATION.

The Market Research Questionnaire (google form) includes five sections as shown in the table below.

GENERAL SERVICE ADMINISTRATION (GSA)

Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) Assisted Acquisition Services Division (AASD) Region 4 (R4)

Request for Information Rapid Technology Augmentation Support (RTAS) Acquisition ID# 47QFSA23K0051 The Additional Information included in the google form shows the potential NAICS and PSCs identified by the government along with excerpts from the April 2022 PSC Manual explaining aspects of / definitions related to PSCs. This information is provided below.

Potential NAICS identified by the government.

541512 - Computer Systems Design Services 541715 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) 541380 - Testing Laboratories and Services 541990 - All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Potential PSC identified by the government.

AC11 – National Defense R&D Services; Department of Defense - Military; Basic Research AC12 – National Defense R&D Services; Department of Defense - Military; Applied Research AC13 – National Defense R&D Services; Department of Defense - Military; Experimental Development AC32 – National Defense R&D Services; Defense-Related Activities; Applied Research AC33 – National Defense R&D Services; Defense-Related Activities; Experimental Development AJ11 – General Science and Technology R&D Services; General Science and Technology; Basic Research AJ12 – General Science and Technology R&D Services; General Science and Technology; Applied Research AJ13 – General Science and Technology R&D Services; General Science and Technology; Experimental Development

Excerpts from the April 2022 PSC Manual Definitions of stages of R&D

1. Basic research. Experimental or theoretical work undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge of the underlying foundations of phenomena and observable facts. Basic research may include activities with broad or general applications in mind, such as the study of how plant genomes change, but should exclude research directed towards a specific application or requirement, such as the optimization of the genome of a specific crop species.

2. Applied research. Original investigation undertaken in order to acquire knowledge. Applied research is, however, directed primarily towards a specific practical aim or objective.

3. Experimental development. Creative and systematic work, drawing on knowledge gained from research and practical experience, which is directed at producing new products or processes or improving existing products or processes. Like research, experimental development will result in gaining additional knowledge.

For reporting experimental development activities include the following:

· The production of materials, devices, and systems or methods, including the design, construction and testing of experimental prototypes.

· Technology demonstration, in cases where a system of components is being demonstrated at scale for the first time, and it is realistic to expect additional refinements to the design (feedback R&D) following the demonstration. However, not all activities that are defined as “technology demonstrations” are R&D.

Exclude:

· User demonstrations where the costs and benefits of a system are being validated for a specific use case. This includes low-rate initial production activities.

· Pre-production development, which is defined as non-experimental work on a product or system before it goes into full production, including activities such as tooling, and development of production facilities. For example, exclude activities and programs that are categorized as “Operational Systems Development” in the Department of Defense’s budget activity structure. Activities and programs of this type should generally be reported as investments in other major equipment.

Excerpts from the April 2022 PSC Manual Service Codes – Top Level Category A Research & Development (R&D) Services Category B Special Studies/Analysis, Not R&D Category C Architect and Engineering Services Category D - IT and Telecom - Information Technology and Telecommunications Category E Purchase of Structures/Facilities Category F Natural Resources Management Category G Social Category H Quality Control, Testing, and Inspection Category J Maintenance, Repair, and Rebuilding of Equipment Category K Modification of Equipment Category L Technical Representative Category M Operation of Structures/Facilities Category N Installation of Equipment Category P Salvage Category Q Medical Category R Support (Professional/Administrative/Management) Category S Utilities and Housekeeping Category T Photo/Map/Print/Publication Category U Education/Training Category V Transportation/Travel/Relocation Category X Lease/Rental of Structures/Facilities Category Y Construction of Structures/Facilities Category Z Maintenance, Repair, Alteration of Structures/Facilities

R&D Services Major Areas AA – Agriculture R&D Services AB – Community and Regional Development R&D Services AC – National Defense R&D Services AF – Education, Training, Employment, and Social Services R… AG – Energy R&D Services AH – Natural Resources and Environment R&D Services AJ – General Science and Technology R&D Services AK – Commerce and Housing Credit R&D Services AL – Income Security R&D Services AM – International Affairs R&D Services AN –Health R&D Services AR – Space R&D Services AS – Transportation R&D Services

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