BAA AFRL-RVKD-2016-0003 Amendment 04.docx

BCRD – BAA AFRL-RVKD-2016-0003 Amendment 04 Page 16 of 16

AMENDMENT 04 TO THE FULL TEXT

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT AFRL-RVKD-2016-0003

BEAM CONTROL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

JOINT DIRECTED ENERGY TRANSITION OFFICE (DE-JTO)

ORIGINAL: 15 SEPTEMBER 2016

AMENDMENT 01 DATED 04 JUNE 2018

AMENDMENT 02 DATED 13 SEPTEMBER 2018

AMENDMENT 03 DATED 10 SEPTEMBER 2019

UPDATED BY: AMENDMENT 04 DATED 15 May 2020

Overview Information

NAICS CODE: NAICS Code changed to 541715 for Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (Changed October 2017). The small business size standard is 1000 employees.

FEDERAL AGENCY NAME: The Joint Directed Energy Transition Office (DE-JTO) 801 University Boulevard SE, Suite 209, Albuquerque, NM 87106 Administrative support, to include contracting, is provided to the DE-JTO by the Air Force Research Laboratory.

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) TITLE: Beam Control Research and Development (BCRD)

BAA TYPE: Open BAA

BAA NUMBER: AFRL-RVKD-2016-0003

THIS IS A TWO-STEP, OPEN ANNOUNCEMENT

First Step: WHITE PAPER DUE DATE AND TIME: White Papers may be submitted at any time upon issuance of this BAA through 14 September 2021.

Second Step: PROPOSAL DUE DATE AND TIME: Those white papers found to be consistent with the intent of this BAA may be invited to submit a full proposal. Proposals received after the provided due date and time shall be governed by the provisions of FAR 52.215-1(c)(3).

BRIEF PROGRAM SUMMARY: The objective of this program is to research and develop component technologies for HEL systems by addressing key technical barriers. The goal is to develop high energy beam control technologies that are lightweight, efficient, affordable, and reliable for Military Service applications. Specific technologies being addressed are based on technical gap analysis of Service HEL roadmaps. Architectures considered are beam director, beam control, target acquisition, target tracking, aim point maintenance, atmospheric propagation, and lethality effects.

Funding: Total funding for this BAA is approximately $49M. The anticipated funding to be obligated under this BAA is broken out by fiscal year as follows: FY17 - $5M; FY18 - $10M; FY19 - $10M; FY20 - $10M; FY21 - $10M; and FY22 - $4M. DE-JTO anticipates 10-30 contract awards resulting from this announcement. Individual awards will not exceed 60 months with dollar amounts normally ranging between $0.5M to $2M per year. There is also the potential to make awards up to any dollar value.

Awards of efforts as a result of this announcement will be in the form of contracts only. Awards under this BAA will generally be Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF). Cost reimbursement contracts require successful offerors to have an accounting system considered adequate for tracking costs applicable to the contract.

This is an unrestricted acquisition. Small businesses (less than 1000 employees) are encouraged to propose on all or any part of this acquisition. White Papers/Proposals submitted shall be in accordance with this announcement. No other solicitation will be issued in regard to this requirement. Updates will be issued no less than annually for this Open BAA.

Communication between Prospective Offerors and Government Representatives: Dialogue between prospective offerors and Government representatives is encouraged. Parties interested in submitting a white paper may contact the technical POC or other DE-JTO representative. Open discussion is encouraged to obtain the best technical solutions. Full proposals will be requested by the Contracting Officer only. After receipt of full proposals, all communication will be conducted by Contracting POCs (AFRL/RVKD). For those white papers not selected to provide a full proposal, notification and feedback will be managed by Contracting POCs. Discussions with any of the points of contact shall not constitute a commitment by the Government to subsequently fund or award any proposed effort. Only Contracting Officers are legally authorized to commit the Government.

Address technical questions to: Dr. Diana Loree, DE-JTO, (505) 248-8200, diana.loree@jto.hpc.mil

Address contracting questions to: Promise Reichmuth, AFRL/RDKT, (505) 846-0150, promise.reichmuth.2@us.af.mil (email preferred).

AMENDMENT 04 TO THE FULL TEXT

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT AFRL-RVKD-2016-0003

BEAM CONTROL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

JOINT DIRECTED ENERGY TRANSITION OFFICE (DE-JTO)

ORIGINAL: 15 SEPTEMBER 2016

AMENDMENT 01 DATED 04 JUNE 2018

AMENDMENT 02 DATED 13 SEPTEMBER 2018

AMENDMENT 03 DATED 10 SEPTEMBER 2019

UPDATED BY: AMENDMENT 04 DATED 15 May 2020

Full Text Announcement

NAICS CODE: NAICS Code changed to 541715 for Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (Changed October 2017). The small business size standard is 1000 employees.

FEDERAL AGENCY NAME: The Joint Directed Energy Transition Office (DE-JTO) 801 University Boulevard SE, Suite 209, Albuquerque, NM 87106 Administrative support, to include contracting, is provided to the DE-JTO by the Air Force Research Laboratory.

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) TITLE: Beam Control Research and Development (BCRD)

BAA TYPE: Open BAA

BAA NUMBER: AFRL-RVKD-2016-0003

1) PROGRAM DESCRIPTION/STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES:

a) BACKGROUND The High Energy Laser Joint Technology Office (HEL-JTO), now Joint Directed Energy Transition Office (DE-JTO), Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, develops and executes a DoD-wide, coordinated management and investment strategy to take advantage of opportunities presented by advances in high energy laser (HEL) technologies. The DE-JTO vision is that HELs will be a viable weapons alternative in modern warfare. The DE-JTO mission is to lead DoD’s integrated development of HEL weapon technology. The DE-JTO’s objective is to make HELs lightweight, affordable, supportable, and effective on the modern battlefield. This program promotes projects, research, scientific studies, or other initiatives providing farsighted, high payoff research leading to advances in HEL science and technology.

b) OBJECTIVE The objective of this program is to research and develop component technologies for HEL systems by addressing key technical barriers. The goal is to develop high energy beam control technologies that are lightweight, efficient, affordable, and reliable for Military Service applications. Specific technologies being addressed are based on technical gap analysis of Service HEL roadmaps. Architectures considered are beam director, beam control, target acquisition, target tracking, aim point maintenance, atmospheric propagation, and lethality effects.

c) SCOPE Work to be performed in the Beam Control area shall be within the areas set forth under Technical Task Performance Requirements. All work is anticipated for accomplishment under cost plus fixed fee (completion) contracts.

i) TECHNICAL TASK PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

(1) BEAM CONTROL: The updated Beam Control topic areas focus on the development of Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) camera technologies to enhance beam control system capabilities for use in future Service DE demonstrators.

The Beam Control 2020 major topics, topic descriptions, estimated schedule, and funding are described below. White papers of particular interest for the beam control area should address research and development in the following areas:

(a) BC-8 GATED SWIR SENSORS FOR HEL 2D & 3D FINE TRACKING & ADAPTIVE OPTICS BACKGROUND: High Energy Laser (HEL) Weapon System demonstrators have typically utilized a Track Illuminator Laser (TILL) and a SWIR sensor for target “active” fine-tracking, aimpoint designation, and maintenance. Continuous Wave (CW) TILLs and commercial SWIR sensors have been used successfully in HEL mission demonstrations with limited target engagement requirements. However, pulsed lasers with gated sensors are required for more demanding missions and for adverse field conditions (i.e. fog, sandstorms, smoke, and sea spray). Pulsed lasers (as Beacon Illuminators (BILLs) and gated sensors (as Wavefront Sensors (WFS)) are also required to support adaptive optics systems expected to be deployed on future HEL systems. The pulsed illuminator lasers and sensors commercially available today do not meet requirements supporting HEL fine-track or adaptive optics capabilities for these mission conditions. The DE JTO is currently sponsoring the development of Pulsed illuminator laser technologies to meet these requirements. This solicitation seeks development of enhanced SWIR camera technology that will work effectively with the developing pulsed illuminators as well as for passive target imaging and tracking. A limitation of active illumination imaging is the limited dynamic range of the sensor. This problem is made worse during HEL engagements due to HEL effects, resulting in reduced track fidelity and challenges with maintaining a consistent target aimpoint. To compound these challenges, the camera solution must have high sensitivity and low noise to minimize illuminator laser pulse energy requirements. Enhanced Linear-mode (Lm) and Geiger-mode (Gm) Avalanche Photo Diode (APD) Focal Plane Arrays (FPAs) are a possible solution, but a technology push is still required to achieve the desired camera specifications. Desired Camera Specifications are given in Table 1. Threshold and Objective values are given for near-term and mid-term HEL weapon system applications. Further requirements are discussed for each Research and Development (R&D) topic.

The DE JTO is interested in funding R&D that enhances SWIR Camera capabilities for HEL Weapon Systems. These R&D topics include: 1) Gated Sensor for 2D Applications, 2) Gated Sensor for 2D and 3D Applications, and 3) Geiger-mode APD (GmAPD) Sensor Study. Camera technologies developed for 2D applications should allow for enhanced development to satisfy requirements for 3D applications. The specifications given in Table 1 should be met simultaneously for subtopics a & b and used as a guide for subtopic c.

Table 1. Desired Camera specifications for HEL Weapon System applications.

SubTopic a - Gated Sensor for 2D Applications. (Priority 1) Objective: Near-term HEL system requirements for 2D sensing are specified by the Threshold parameter values given in Table 1. On-chip electronic range-gating is required to capture TILL / BILL target return pulses for track sensing and WFS. Target ranging is not a requirement for 2D applications. Aggregate Noise includes both dark current and read noise and is defined for a full FPA frame. While the emphasis for noise performance is on active imaging, passive imaging performance at ~500 hz should be on par with current commercial offerings. The camera may be TEC or closed-cycle Cyro-pump cooled to meet noise requirements. Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) requirements are unspecified, but the camera sensor package must be suitable for optical bench-top use. The proposer should include the development of at least two prototype cameras meeting or exceeding the Threshold specifications given in Table 1 for evaluation at Government Research Facilities. Integration / testing support time should be included for prototype evaluations.

SubTopic b - Gated Sensor for 2D and 3D Applications. (Priority 2) Objective: Near-term HEL system requirements for 2D sensing are specified by the Threshold parameter values given in Table 1. Mid-term HEL system requirements for 3D sensing are specified by the Objective parameter values given in Table 1. On-chip electronic range-gating is required to capture TILL / BILL target return pulses for track sensing and WFS. Target ranging is not a requirement for 2D applications. Near-simultaneous target ranging via a flash LIDAR mode is required for 3D sensing. Desired relative target range resolution and dynamic range are given in Table 1 as Threshold (T) and Objective (O) values. Aggregate Noise* includes both dark current and read noise and is defined for a full FPA frame. While the emphasis for noise performance is on active imaging, passive imaging performance at ~500 hz should be on par with current commercial offerings. Camera prototypes may be TEC or closed-cycle Cyro-pump cooled to meet noise requirements. Size and Weight requirements are specified to facilitate use of camera prototypes in a HEL system. The offeror should include the development of at least two prototype cameras meeting or exceeding the Objective specifications given in Table 1 for evaluation at Government Research Facilities. Integration / testing support time should be included for prototype evaluations.

SubTopic c - GmAPD Sensor Study. (Priority 3) Objective: GmAPD sensors may provide effective 3D sensing capabilities for applications and conditions where low Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) is a large concern for effective target 3D tracking. Low SNR may occur for longer range missions where TILL pulse energy is inadequate or for missions with adverse laser propagation conditions. GmAPD sensors have very high frame-rates that (with frame averaging) can better match the preferred operating regimes of current pulsed illuminator lasers. Some additional GmAPD sensor features / challenges include:

· Detection of single photon events

· Susceptible to crosstalk and stray light

· Currently have limited array sizes (in terms of pixels across the array)

· Sensitive to foreground scatter (including sunlight) The desired study would examine the features / challenges of GmAPD sensors and determine the system level implications of designing a tracking system for HEL applications. The study should include HEL target missions of interest to the DoD and assess whether GmAPD sensing will excessively limit or enhance tracking performance for those missions. The camera specifications given in Table 1 should be used as a guide to determine sensing requirements for HEL missions. The study should also examine the prospects for GmAPD sensor capability enhancement to meet HEL mission sensing requirements.

(2) ADVANCED BEAM CONTROL CONCEPTS: Projects under the Advanced Concepts topics are intended to be higher risk, higher potential payoff, and longer range to pay-off than the other topics of this announcement. The white papers and proposals should address key technical barriers of HEL system development that are proving difficult to resolve with more established approaches. The white paper and proposal should present a clear and compelling understanding of the specific challenging HEL technology barrier(s) being addressed and the limitations of conventional HEL approaches that this unorthodox approach will attempt to alleviate. Failure to address these important aspects will result in a white paper or proposal being found non-responsive.

(a) ACB-4 ADVANCED BEAM CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES FOR USP LASERS.

Background: Next generation High Energy Laser (HEL) systems have the potential to include a class of laser known as Ultra-Short Pulse Lasers (USPLs) characterized by temporal pulse widths on the order of femto- to pico-seconds. These lasers could be the source laser, an illumination or sensing laser system, or a propagation enabler when used in synergy with other HELs, short pulse lasers or RF sources and have potential to have impacts in deep turbulence.

Objective: Initially seeking efforts that will study and report on the following topics, preferably including an examination across USPL pulse widths, wavelengths (including mid-wave to long-wave), beam combination, and beam quality:

(1) How effective are standard HEL Beam Control systems including ones using Adaptive Optics (AO) (i.e. how much could they aid) in USPL propagation in deep turbulence (Rytov>1.0)?

(2) What are optimal configurations for beam control systems for USPLs?

(3) What changes to standard HEL Beam Control systems would be needed to best enable USPL effectiveness in deep turbulence (Rytov>1.0)?

Proposals should include analysis, 3-D modeling, simulation in the first study phase/year followed by the potential in follow-on years for component development and proof-of-concept experiments.

ii) TECHNICAL TASK MANAGEMENT The contractor shall identify a Principal Investigator to manage the technical task effort. The Principal Investigator shall be responsible for ensuring proper technical task program planning and control, timely problem identification and resolution and adequate technical and programmatic interaction with the Government Program Manager. The Principal Investigator shall plan, organize and manage resources necessary to accomplish the technical task and shall promote strong management, communications and coordination with any subcontractors and/or associate contractors involved in the technical task. The Principal Investigator shall be responsible for ensuring a timely contractor response to all Government Program Manager information requests.

(1) Cost and Schedule Management The contractor shall maintain a cost and schedule accounting system that allows timely, accurate assessment of the technical task status. The cost and schedule management system shall allow accurate accounting of contractor and, if possible, associate contractor and/or subcontractor progress. The contractor shall account for costs and schedules for all tasks to the Contract Work Breakdown Structure level 3. The effects of projected cost and schedule variances must be reported in a timely manner to the Government Program Manager and Government Technical Representative. The contractor shall provide an accurate determination of the incremental funding required to maintain contract performance to the Government Program Manager and Government Technical Representative.

(2) Program Schedule The program schedule represents the offeror’s commitment to perform the program tasks in an orderly, timely manner. On individual contracts, the contractor shall specify specific days after contract start in the program schedule using a timeline chart showing all major tasks and subtasks, milestones, decision gates, reviews, technical interchange meetings, demonstrations, tests, product deliveries, and overall period of performance. Include an annual status brief in Albuquerque, NM.

iii) MEETINGS

(1) Kick-Off Meeting At the start of each contract, the contractor shall support a kick-off meeting at the contractor’s facility.

(2) Technical Interchange Meetings The contractor shall hold technical interchange meetings as required but no less than annually.

(3) Status Brief/Proposed Continuation of Effort The contractor shall present a status brief/proposed continuation of effort near the end of the initial contract award period to be held in Albuquerque, NM.

(4) DE-JTO Annual Review The contractor shall present the results of their effort at the DE-JTO Annual Review to be held in Albuquerque, NM.

d) EXIT CRITERIA AND DELIVERABLES

i) PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE 15-60 months. Efforts may initially be awarded up to 12 months of technical performance with an additional 3 months to prepare a final report. If the government elects to continue the effort, the technical period of performance will be extended through a negotiated modification to the contract.

ii) DOCUMENTATION The contractor shall provide all documentation necessary for efficient program planning and control. The contractor shall provide data in accordance with the DD Form 1423 attachment to the contract. (See Atch 1)

iii) ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA Government acceptance criteria for each deliverable, product or tangible end result shall be specified on individual contracts.

2) AWARD INFORMATION:

a) BAA TYPE: This is a two-step, open broad agency announcement. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation.

As STEP ONE - The Government is only requesting WHITE PAPERS at this time. DO NOT SUBMIT A FULL PROPOSAL. Those white papers found to be consistent with the intent of this BAA may be invited to submit a full proposal, see Section 5 of this announcement for further details regarding the proposal.

b) FUNDING: Total funding for this BAA is approximately $49M. The anticipated funding to be obligated under this BAA is broken out by fiscal year as follows: FY17 - $5M; FY18 - $10M; FY19 - $10M; FY20 - $10M; FY21 - $10M; and FY22 - $4M. Individual awards will not exceed 60 months with dollar amounts normally ranging between $0.5M to $2M per year. There is also the potential to make awards up to any dollar value.

The Government reserves the right to select all, part, or none of the proposals received, subject to the availability of funds. All potential offerors should be aware that due to unanticipated budget fluctuations, funding in any or all areas may change with little or no notice. DE-JTO anticipates 10-30 contract awards resulting from this announcement.

c) FORM: Awards of efforts as a result of this announcement will be in the form of contracts only. Full proposals may be awarded without discussions unless the contracting officer deems discussions necessary.

d) COST SHARING OR MATCHING: Cost sharing is not a requirement.

e) ALLOWABLE CHARGES: The cost of preparing white papers/proposals in response to this announcement is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resulting contract or any other contract, but may be an allowable expense to the normal bid and proposal indirect cost specified in FAR 31.205-18.

f) GOVERNMENT APPROVED ACCOUNTING SYSTEM: An offeror must have a government-approved accounting system prior to award of a cost-reimbursement contract per limitations set forth in FAR 16.301-3(a) to ensure the system is adequate for determining costs applicable to the contract. The acceptability of an accounting system is determined by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA).

g) DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION: All offerors and their subcontractors (including any and all educational institutions) are required to accept Disclosure of Information requirements per DFARS 252.204-7000. No exceptions will be made.

h) NON-GOVERNMENT ACCESS TO WHITE PAPER/PROPOSAL INFORMATION: Only government personnel will evaluate submissions. However, both administrative and technical-advisory contractors will have access to submitted information. The service contracts include all appropriate Organizational Conflict of Interest clauses to prevent impaired objectivity, partial advice, or unfair advantage. Any objection to non-government administrative or advisory access must be in writing to the Contracting Officer and shall include a detailed statement of the basis for the objection. A list of the current service providers may be obtained from the Contracting Officer.

i) This acquisition may involve data that is subject to export control laws and regulations. Only contractors who are registered and certified with the Defense Logistics Information Service (DLIS) at http://www.dlis.dla.mil/jcp/ and have a legitimate business purpose may participate in this solicitation. For questions, contact DLIS on-line at http://www.dlis.dla.mil/jcp or at the DLA Logistics Information Service, 1-800-352-3572. Do not submit a DD2345 with proposal. Certification will be verified by the contracting office through DLIS. DFARS 252.225-7048 Export-Controlled Items (JUN 2013) will be included in all contracts involving export-controlled items.

j) DATA RIGHTS: DoD policy, per DFARS 227.7103-1, is to acquire only the technical data, and the rights in that data, necessary to satisfy government needs. The Government anticipates receiving, as a minimum, Government Purpose Rights to technical data developed under contracts awarded based on proposals received in response to this announcement. Data rights offered other than Unlimited Rights, as defined in DFARS 227.7103-5, should be identified in DFARS clause 252.227-7017, Identification and Assertion of Use, Release, or Disclosure Restrictions, and addressed in the full proposal.

3) ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION:

a) All qualified offerors who meet the requirements of this BAA may apply.

b) Foreign participation: Foreign Disclosure Review will be accomplished on each full proposal selected for funding; foreign participation may or may not be allowed.

c) Notice to Foreign-Owned Firms: Such firms are asked to immediately notify the Contracting Officer before deciding to respond to this announcement. Foreign contractors should be aware that restrictions might apply which could preclude their participation in this acquisition.

d) There are no limits on the number of white papers an offeror may submit.

e) You may be ineligible for award if all requirements of this solicitation are not met on the white paper (and later proposal).

4) STEP ONE INFORMATION—WHITE PAPER SUBMISSION: Separate white papers are required for each separate project the offeror is pursuing. Each white paper must stand on its own merit. The DE-JTO will use only information provided in a white paper in the evaluation process potentially leading to a full proposal request.

a) SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES: It is recommended that white papers be received by the following dates to maximize the possibility of award. However, white papers may be submitted and will be considered throughout the open period of this announcement.

23 July 2020, 1200 MT

White papers will be accepted until 5 PM Eastern Time on 14 September 2021. This BAA will close on 14 September 2021.

All offerors submitting white papers will be contacted by the DE-JTO. Offerors can contact the technical POC identified in section 6 for status of their white paper no earlier than 45 days after submission.

b) Extraneous information (information not explicitly requested in this announcement) is not desired by the government and shall not be submitted. The government will only read and evaluate each section up to the stated page limitation. Pages over the page limitation will not be evaluated.

c) Page Format:

i) Paper Size – 8.5 inch x 11 inch

ii) Margins – one-inch on each side

iii) Font – Arial 11+ point font or equivalent, to include tables, diagrams, and charts. Any other information (e.g. captions, restrictive markings) shall not be smaller than Arial 8 point font or equivalent.

d) Restrictive Marking: If the offeror wishes to restrict its white papers, they must be marked with the restrictive language stated in FAR 52.215-1(e).

e) HANDLING AND MAILING INSTRUCTIONS: Electronic submission is preferred. Submit white papers through the DoD SAFE site at: https://safe.apps.mil/ To use this site, users will:

- Log in (either with or without CAC)

- Enter HEL-JTO@jto.hpc.mil as recipient (this is not a group email account)

- Upload file and enter description of file as instructed in paragraph f below

- Request notification of download

- Recipient receives an email from DoD SAFE providing a link and a temporary password Offerors are responsible to confirm receipt with the DE-JTO at the above email address or (505) 248-8200 no sooner than 5 days after submission. DE-JTO is not responsible for undelivered documents.

All mailed CD responses to this announcement must be addressed to DE-JTO, 801 University Blvd SE, Suite 209, Albuquerque, NM 87106, and reference BAA-AFRL-RVKD-0003. If submitting by overnight express mailing (FedEx, DHL overnight), point of contact is Diana Loree, 505-248-8200. NOTE: Do not submit by any means such that delivery will be made before 8:00 a.m. MDT. Do not submit by multiple methods. White papers sent to any other address are ineligible for award.

f) Prepare all documents electronically in Microsoft Word format. Submit a single Microsoft Word document containing all parts identified in paragraph g below on a single CD or electronically for each white paper submitted. Multiple submissions on a single CD or electronic submission will be considered non-responsive. Format so that the Government can read both electronic and printed versions. Label each single CD or include in Description of File as follows:

i) BAA AFRL-RVKD-2016-0003

ii) Offeror’s (company) name

iii) Technical task area (as listed in 1(c)(i) above)

iv) Project title (to correspond exactly to the project title used on the cover pages of each white paper/proposal component)

v) Contact information

g) Instructions for White Paper Composition

i) Part 1. COVER PAGE. Template provided as Atch 2.

ii) Part 2. TECHNICAL/MANAGEMENT. (Limit: Three pages) Technical/management shall present, briefly and concisely, the important goals, aspects and core issues of the proposal in technical context. The technical area shall include:

(1) Abstract

(2) The technical task from 1(c)(i) above to be addressed, statement of objectives and proposed approach to meet the objectives

(3) Description of the research and effort to be accomplished. Identify specific tasks.

(4) An assessment of technical risk

(5) Description of how proposed work advances the state of the art

(6) Management – describe how the research shall be organized, subcontractors or organizations that will be doing portions of the technical effort and how the efforts are related to each other along with any other management or administrative information that should be provided for evaluation of the effort.

iii) Part 3. CAPABILITIES. (Limit: One page) This section shall describe the overall capabilities of the company to include current and past work in similar HEL technology and a brief description of the facility capabilities that will be used to execute the proposed effort. Identify government property, equipment or facilities that may be required.

iv) Part 4. SCHEDULE. (Limit: One page) The schedule shall identify and describe major milestones for the entire effort not to exceed 57 months. Start and end dates for specific tasks identified in the technical/management section should be shown. The schedule shall be broken into roughly 12-month “phases” with each phase representing a logical break-point in the effort. After the initial phase, the technical period of performance may be extended to continue the effort into subsequent phases through a negotiated modification to the contract. The schedule should include an additional 3 months after the end of technical performance to provide for preparation, submission, review by the DE-JTO, and acceptance of the final technical report. The start date should notionally be 12 months from white paper submittal with an initial technical period of performance not to exceed 12 months.

v) Part 5. COST. (Limit: One page) Rough order of magnitude (ROM) cost section should provide top-level details on major cost items such as labor, special equipment that will need to be purchased, materials and any subcontracts or other organizations’ costs (to include government furnished facilities, equipment or personnel) for the proposed effort. If the effort exceeds 12 months, provide a ROM on the same page for each phase as described in Part 4 above. The ROM cost section shall not exceed one page. Cost shall NOT include capital equipment/improvements or general purpose computers or software.

Guidance for the proposed maximum amount and length of project dependent on the technical task area is shown below:

· BC-8 GATED SWIR SENSORS FOR HEL 2D & 3D FINE TRACKING & ADAPTIVE OPTICS

· SubTopic a - Gated Sensor for 2D Applications. (Priority 1)

· Year-1: $2M; Year-2: $3M; Year-3: $2M

· Milestones: Year-1: develop/verify design and conduct lab component tests; Year-2: develop lab demo camera; Year-3: develop prototype cameras

· SubTopic b - Gated Sensor for 2D and 3D Applications. (Priority 2)

· Year-1: $3M; Year-2: $3M; Year-3: $3M

· Milestones: Year-1: develop/verify design and conduct lab component tests; Year-2: develop lab demo camera; Year-3: develop prototype cameras

· SubTopic c - GmAPD Sensor Study. (Priority 3)

· Year-1: $200K; Year-2: $500K

· Milestones: Year-1: determine/verify current GmAPD technology limits and develop enhancement plan; Year-2: implement enhancement plan and demonstrate GmAPD technology enhancements in the Lab.

· ACB-4 ADVANCED BEAM CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES FOR USP LASERS - $200k study for 1 year then potentially up to $500K per year for up to 2 years

vi) Part 6. RESUMES. (One page per resume) A brief resume on the principal investigator and any other key personnel who will be performing a major effort on the proposed research should also be included.

h) WHITE PAPER REVIEW INFORMATION:

i) Evaluation of white papers will be accomplished through a technical peer review of each paper by technical task area using the criteria below, in descending order of importance. No further evaluation criteria will be used in assessing white papers.

(1) Consistency with DE-JTO vision and mission and its significance to DoD HEL S&T objectives.

(2) Overall scientific and technical merits of the proposed effort

(3) Funds Availability

ii) White papers submitted will be evaluated as they are received. All offerors will be notified of the results of their white paper. Offerors may request white paper status from the technical POC no earlier than 45 days after submission.

iii) Only those offerors whose white papers meet the criteria will be issued a Request for Full Proposal. However, any offeror who submitted a white paper may elect to submit a full proposal; notification of intent to submit a proposal must be received no later than 5 calendar days after receipt of unsuccessful offeror letter by the Contracting points of contact; full proposal instructions will be provided at that time. Such proposals will be evaluated in accordance with same criteria as if they had been requested by the government.

iv) To be considered for award, a white paper must be submitted.

5) STEP TWO INFORMATION—REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL & AWARD:

a) REQUESTS FOR FULL PROPOSAL: Those white papers found to be consistent with the intent of this BAA may be invited to submit a full proposal. Notification by email will be sent by the contracting POC along with full proposal instructions. Such invitation does not assure that the submitting organization will be awarded a contract. Those white papers not selected to submit a proposal will be notified in the same manner. Prospective offerors are advised that only Contracting Officers are legally authorized to commit the Government. Proposals received after the provided due date and time shall be governed by the provisions of FAR 52.215-1(c)(3).

b) Full proposals (to include an Oral Presentation) shall be prepared in accordance with the instructions set forth in the request for full proposal provided by the contracting POC. Certified cost and pricing data will be required IAW FAR 15.403.

c) PROPOSAL REVIEW AND EVALUATION PROCEDURES: The Government reserves the right to select for award to responsible offerors any, all, part, or none of the proposals received in response to this announcement, subject to the availability of funds. The technical, cost and business proposals will be evaluated at the same time. Proposals may be ineligible for award if all requirements of this announcement are not met by the proposal due date and time. At a minimum, incomplete proposals may be given lower priority and, although technically acceptable, not awarded due to funding limitations.

d) EVALUATION CRITERIA

i) Evaluation of full proposals will be accomplished through a technical peer review of each proposal by technical task area using the criteria below in descending order of importance. No further evaluation criteria will be used in assessing proposals.

(1) Consistency with DE-JTO vision and mission and its significance to DoD HEL S&T objectives

(2) Overall scientific and technical merits of the proposed effort

(3) Funds Availability

e) REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

i) Proposals will be categorized as follows:

(1) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Proposals are recommended for acceptance if sufficient funding is available, and normally are displaced only by other Highly Recommended proposals.

(2) SELECTABLE: Proposals are recommended for acceptance if sufficient funding is available, but at a lower priority than Highly Recommended proposals. May require additional development. To ensure a diversity of approaches, a Selectable proposal may be prioritized over a Highly Recommended proposal if the Selectable proposal presents a unique approach unlike any of the Highly Recommended proposals.

(3) NOT SELECTABLE: Even if sufficient funding existed, the proposal should not be funded. The proposal is not technically sound or does not meet the agency’s need.

ii) Proposals that are recommended for award as a result of the technical peer review will be evaluated for cost reasonableness and realism.

f) AWARD NOTICES: Offerors will be notified in writing whether their proposal is recommended for award. An award recommendation is not to be construed to mean the award of a contract is assured as availability of funds and successful negotiations are prerequisites to any award. This announcement is not an authorization to commence work or to incur any costs to perform the tasks described above.

g) DEBRIEFINGS: When requested, a debriefing will be provided. The debriefing process will generally follow the time guidelines set out in FAR Part 15, but the debriefing content will vary to be consistent with the procedures set out in FAR 35.016 governing BAAs. All requests for debriefing must be received by the contracting POC, in writing, no later than 3 days after notification of unsuccessful proposal.

6) AGENCY CONTACTS:

Questions of a technical nature shall be directed to the cognizant technical point of contact specified below:

Dr. Diana Loree Telephone: (505) 248-8200 Email: Diana.Loree@jto.hpc.mil

Questions of a contractual/business nature shall be directed to the cognizant contracting officer specified below (email requests are preferred):

Promise Reichmuth Telephone: (505) 846-0150 Email: promise.reichmuth.2@us.af.mil

In accordance with AFFARS 5301.91, an Ombudsman has been appointed to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and others for this acquisition announcement. Before consulting with an ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the contracting officer for resolution. AFFARS Clause 5352.201-9101 Ombudsman (Jun 2016) will be incorporated into all contracts awarded under this BAA. The AFRL Ombudsman and alternate is as follows:

Primary AFRL Director of Contracting Alternate AFRL Deputy Director of Contracting Phone: The PK front office number 937-904-9700 Email: AFRL.PK.OfficeAccount@us.af.mil.

All responsible organizations may submit a white paper which shall be considered.

7) ATTACHMENTS

a) Atch 1: DD Form 1423 Contract Data Requirements Lists

b) Atch 2: White Paper Cover Page Template

c) Atch 3: Representations and Certifications and Applicable Provisions