AMPPAC Call For Proposal_FA2394-24-R-B006.pdf

Call for Proposals

FA2394-24-R-B006

25 April 2024

Materials and Manufacturing Directorate (RX)

Multiple Authority Announcement (MAA)

Call For Proposals

Call for Proposals Title: Aerospace Materials Processing, Performance and Characterization

(AMPPAC)

Call for Proposal Number: FA2394-24-R-B006

Call for Proposals Type: This is a one-step Call for Proposals.

References: This Call for Proposals is being issued under MAA FA2394-24-R-B003. Offerors must refer to FA2394-24-R-B003 and any MAA Amendments, which must be read in conjunction with this Call for Proposals, FA2394-24-R-B006, and any of this Call for Proposal Amendments.

Solicitation Authority: 10 USC §4001

Proposal Due Date and Time: Proposal(s) are due no later than 10 June 2024, 4:00 p.m., Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, local time.

Proposal Submission Method: The Air Force requests electronic proposals be submitted using both DoD SAFE, https://safe.apps.mil/, (primary method) and email (backup method) to the following addresses:

Contracting Officer: Kelsey J. Emory, kelsey.emory@us.af.mil Program Manager: Erik R. Ripberger, erik.ripberger@us.af.mil

DoD SAFE Drop-off Request: If the contractor needs a DoD SAFE drop-off invite from the Air Force, please send that request to kelsey.emory@us.af.mil no later than 7 days prior to the due date of proposals to ensure a drop off code is provided in a timely manner.

Award Notices: Offerors will be notified whether their proposal is recommended for award on or about 12 July 2024. The notification 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.

Type of Contract/Instrument: The Air Force reserves the right to award the instrument best suited to the nature of research proposed. Accordingly, the Government may award any appropriate contract type under the FAR or Other Transaction (OT) for prototype, grant, cooperative agreement, or OT for Research. The Air Force may also consider award of an appropriate technology transfer mechanism, if applicable.

https://safe.apps.mil/ mailto:kelsey.emory@us.af.mil mailto:erik.ripberger@us.af.mil

25 April 2024

It is anticipated that awards under this Call for Proposal will be Indefinite-Delivery-Indefinite- Quantity (IDIQ) contract(s) with Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) type Task Orders (TO) with the possibility of Contract Line Items (CLINs) that are Firm Fixed Priced. Cost reimbursement contracts require successful offerors to have an accounting system considered adequate for tracking costs applicable to the contract.

As the application materializes the Government anticipates potential for modifications under the authority of DFARS 235.006-71 (b), and DFARS 234.005-1 funded by Budget Activity (BA) 6.5, System Development and Demonstration (SDD)); Budget Activity 6.6, RDT&E Management Support; and/or Budget Activity 6.7, Operational System Development.

Modifications may be incorporated at a later date and could be subject to the below limitations:

1) Shall only require the minimum initial production requirements to allow for the timely competitive solicitation and award of a follow-on development or production contract;

2) Shall be for a term of not more than 2 years;

3) Shall adhere to the limitations outlined within (10 U.S.C. 2302e)

Estimated Program Cost:

Basic IDIQ Ceiling: $97M (Shared Ceiling) TO-A; Characterization of Advanced Composites (CAC): $16M TO-B; Physics-Based Modeling for Advanced Composites (PMAC): $12M TO-C; Performance of Advanced Multifunctional Composites (PAMCOMP): $10M TO-D; Advanced Computing for Advanced Composites (ACAC): $8M

Anticipated Number of Awards: The Air Force anticipates awarding up to four (4) Multiple IDIQ contracts subject to, Fair Opportunity for this announcement. However, the Air Force reserves the right to award zero, one, two, three, four, or more contracts for all, some or none of the solicited effort based on the offeror’s ability to perform desired work and funding fluctuations. The Air Force may also determine if the TOs will be awarded individually or combined.

Brief Program Summary: The primary objective of this program is to research, assess, develop, test, evaluate, prototype, demonstrate, and transition technologies that support the processing, behavior characterization, and performance prediction of advanced aerospace materials. Specific technologies developed under this effort will be relevant to a variety of materials systems including but not limited to polymer matrix composites, ceramic matrix composites, carbon matrix composites, multifunctional composites, and metals. Materials discovery using advanced chemistries and the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence tools will expand the materials portfolio. The anticipated technologies developed under this program will enable material processing and system concurrent design through integrated computational materials engineering, materials discovery, process optimization, manufacturing anomaly assessment, damage tolerance life-based sustainment, residual life/stress analysis, and root cause investigations. In addition, technologies will be developed to test, characterize, and model material behavior in application and processing relevant environments that include extreme

25 April 2024 environments (e.g., temperature, chemical active or inert environment, radiation) in both terrestrial atmospheric conditions from subsonic to hypersonic speeds as well as space.

Consideration should be given of the key material attribution at all pertinent scales from the atomistic (i.e., nano) to micro (e.g., fiber diameter, grain diameter), meso (e.g., tow morphology) and macro (e.g., coupon, sub-element) scales depending on what attributes dictate the overall processability and performance for the specific material system being investigated. Further, support is required to maintain, operate, and improve the material characterization, processing and evaluation laboratory at the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, to include enabling a digital transformation for more efficient data management, sharing and utilization, providing a seamless infrastructure for behavior characterization and processing/performance prediction. As a result, this effort will improve mission readiness, reduce cost (both production and life cycle sustainment), improve manufacturing, maximize systems safety, and reduce adverse environmental impact of aerospace materials. The program shall be responsive to a wide variety of DAF customers, including the Major Commands (MAJCOMs), logistics centers, operational units, acquisition offices, other AFRL organizations, and key outside organizations to enable product transition and implementation and meet mission goals. Components of this work shall be performed onsite at Wright-Patterson AFB and off-site at contractor-owned facilities.

Communication Between Prospective Offerors and Government Representatives: Dialogue between prospective offerors and Government representatives (technical and contracting) is encouraged until proposal submission.

All pertinent questions and answers will be posted to SAM.gov under this Call for Proposals as Questions and Answers (Q&As). 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 the Technical POC: Erik Ripberger, Program Manager, AFRL/RXN, erik.ripberger@us.af.mil. Include the Contracting POC listed below in all email correspondence to the Technical POC.

Address contracting questions to the Contracting POC: Kelsey J. Emory, Contracting Officer, AFRL/RXKMC, kelsey.emory@us.af.mil.

mailto:erik.ripberger@us.af.mil

Full Text Announcement

I. Program Description: The Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Composite. Ceramic, Metallic, and Materials Performance Division (RXN) is soliciting technical and cost proposals on the following research effort:

1. Statement of Objective/Description of Technical Area(s):

i. Basic IDIQ Statement of Objectives (SOO): See Attachment 1

ii. TO-A; CAC SOO: See Attachment 2

iii. TO-B; PMAC SOO: See Attachment 3

iv. TO-C PAMCOMP SOO: See Attachment 4

v. TO-D; ACAC SOO: See Attachment 5

2. Within Scope Modifications: Potential offerors are advised that due to the inherent uncertainty of research and development efforts, awards resulting from this announcement may be modified during performance to make within scope changes, to include but not limited to, modifications which increase overall contract ceiling amount and modifications under authority of DFARS 235.006-71.

3. Deliverable Items:

i. Data Items:

a) Contract Data Requirements List (CDRLs) (DD Form1423-1): See Attachment 7.

Specific CDRLs will be identified for each individual TO.

b) AFRL American National Standards Institute (ANSI) / National Information Standards Organization (NISO)-Based Guide to Formatting Technical Reports:

See Attachment 8

c) Report Documentation Page (SF 298): See Attachment 9

ii. Software: To be determined (TBD) on individual TOs. See individual TO SOOs.

iii. Hardware: TBD on individual TOs. See individual TO SOOs.

iv. Other: TBD on individual TOs. See individual TO SOOs.

4. Schedule:

i. Period of Performance (PoP)

a) IDIQ Overall PoP: 120 months from date of award

b) IDIQ Ordering Period: 96 months from date of award

c) TO-A; CAC: 84 months from date of award (81 tech effort/3 final reporting)

d) TO-B; PMAC: 84 months from date of award (81 tech effort/3 final reporting)

e) TO-C; PAMCOMP: 84 months from date of award (81 tech effort/3 final reporting)

f) TO-D; ACAC: 84 months from date of award (81 tech effort/3 final reporting)

g) Potential future TOs will identify the period of performance when solicited

ii. Data Items:

a) Specified within the individual CDRL (DD Form1423-1)

iii. Software:

a) When applicable and as scheduled based on individual TO requirements.

iv. Hardware:

a) When applicable and as scheduled based individual TO requirements.

5. Other Requirements:

i. This announcement incorporates FAR and supplement provisions and clauses by reference. The full text of provisions and clauses can be found at https://www.acquisition.gov/.

ii. Program security classification: See Attachment 10, DoD Contract Security Classification Specification (DD Form 254). Offerors must verify their Cognizant Security Office information is current with Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) at www.dcsa.mil. In addition, this effort requires up to a TOP SECRET facility security clearance, SECRET safeguarding capability, and access to SCI and SAP depending on the specific objectives of the TOs. Classification guidance will be incorporated in the DD Form 254.

iii. TEMPEST requirements: Not Applicable https://www.acquisition.gov/ http://www.dcsa.mil8/

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iv. Operational Security (OPSEC): See attached IDIQ SOO and individual TO SOOs for OPSEC guidance.

v. Science and Technology (S&T) Protection: In accordance with Air Force Research

Laboratory Instruction (AFRLI) 61-113, “Science and Technology (S&T) Protection for the Air Force Research Laboratory”, offerors are required to submit the following as part of their proposal:

a) A completed initial Standard Form (SF) 424, Research and Related Senior/Key

Person Profile (Expanded) Form, for all Senior/Key Personnel proposed in support of the AFRLI 61-113 Personnel Risk Assessment requirement. See Attachment 11.

b) Documentation of a Security Program Plan in support of the AFRLI 61-113 Initial Institution S&T Protection Program Review requirement. This must include, at a minimum, a completed Security Program Questionnaire. See Attachment 12.

c) Submittal may also include a pre-existing plan that that the offeror uses as a matter of course or plan developed specifically for this acquisition. The purpose of requesting the plan is to assess the offeror’s capacity for protection of the Government’s S&T. Failure to demonstrate a plan adequate to meet the needs of the requirements, as determined by the Government in its sole discretion, may be grounds for considering the proposal unawardable.

A) Government Procedures

The Government will review the submitted S&T protection documentation only for those proposals categorized as Selectable and selected for funding and negotiations.

The Government may require the offeror to submit additional information and/or a mitigation plan for any identified S&T protection risks. If the Government determines the offeror failed to provide adequate additional information; or an acceptable mitigation plan; or it is determined the offeror’s S&T protection approach is high risk and does not provide adequate protection of S&T information, the Government may reject the proposal and withdraw it from consideration for award.

vi. Export Control: Information involved in this research effort is subject to Export

Control (International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) 22 CFR 120-131, and/or Export Administration Regulations (EAR) 15 CFR 710-774). A certified DD Form 2345, Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement, shall be required with proposal submission.

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vii. Export-Controlled Items: As prescribed by DFARS 225.7901-4, DFARS 252.225- 7048, “Export-Controlled Item (JUN 2013)” is contained in this Call for Proposals.

This clause shall be contained in ALL resulting contracts.

viii. Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) will not apply to contract awards resulting from this Call for Proposals.

6. Other Information:

i. Government Furnished Property (GFP) availability: GFP is not anticipated to be made available under any resulting contract.

ii. Base Support / Network Access: See Attachment 13, Base Support Equipment List & Available Base Facilities, which contains a list of available base facilities and equipment.

iii. Multiple awards subject to Fair Opportunity are anticipated.

iv. Data Rights Desired:

a) Other Than Commercial Technical Data: Unlimited Rights

b) Other Than Commercial Computer Software: Unlimited Rights

c) Other Than Commercial Software Documentation: Unlimited Rights

d) Commercial Computer Software Rights: Customary Commercial License consistent with Federal statutes and regulations

See RX MAA Industry Guide, Chapter 3 for additional details. Potential Offerors are advised that Attachment 14 Model Contract - Section K, to include the Assertions List, will be required to be returned with the full proposal. Assertions must be completed with specificity.

II. Award Information:

1. Anticipated Award Date: October 2024

2. Anticipated Funding:

This funding profile is an estimate only and not a contractual obligation for funding. All funding is subject to change due to Government discretion and availability. Potential offerors should be aware that due to unanticipated budget fluctuations funding in any or all areas may change with little or no notice.

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BASIC IDIQ (Shared Ceiling) FY25 FY26 FY27 FY28 FY29 FY30 FY31 FY32 FY33 FY34 Total $2.5M $5.2M $7.1M $8.2M $10.5M $11M $11.8M $12.8M $13.9M $14M $97M

TO-A; CAC

FY25 FY26 FY27 FY28 FY29 FY30 FY31 Total $975K $1.65M $2.125M $2.575M $2.7M $2.9M $3.075M $16M

TO-B; PMAC

$550K $1.0M $1.475M $1.85M $2.175M $2.425M $2.525M $12M

TO-C; PAMCOMP

$625K $1.05M $1.2M $1.675M $1.8M $1.825M $1.825M $10M

TO-D; ACAC

$625K $1.05M $1.2M $1.675M $1.8M $1.825M $1.825M $8M

III. Eligibility Information:

1. Eligible Offeror: This is an unrestricted Call for Proposals. Small businesses are encouraged to propose.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost Sharing is not required.

3. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers: The following guidance is provided for Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) contemplating submitting a proposal, as either a prime or subcontractor. FAR 35.017- 1(c)(4) prohibits an FFRDC from competing with any non-FFRDC concern in response to a Federal agency request for proposal for other than the operation of an FFRDC (with exceptions stated in DFARS 235.017-1(c)(4)). There is no regulation prohibiting an FFRDC from responding to a Call for Proposals. However, the FFRDC’s sponsoring agency must first determine that the effort being proposed falls within the purpose, mission, general scope of effort, or special competency of the FFRDC, and that determination must be included in the FFRDC’s proposal. In addition, AFRL must determine that the work proposed would not place the FFRDC in direct competition with domestic private industry. Only after these determinations are made, would a determination be made concerning the FFRDC’s eligibility to receive an award.

4. Government Agencies: If a Government agency is interested in performing work, contact the Program Manager identified in this Call for Proposal. If those discussions result in a mutual interest to pursue your agency's participation, the effort will be pursued independent of this announcement.

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5. Other:

i. Foreign participation: Foreign participation is not authorized at the prime contractor level IAW 13 CFR 121.702.

ii. 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.

iii. This acquisition involves data that are subject to export control laws and regulations.

Only contractors who are registered and certified with the Defense Logistics Agency and have a legitimate business purpose may participate in this solicitation. Contact the U.S./Canada Joint Certification Program Office, Defense Logistics Agency, Logistics Information Services J34, HDI Federal Center, 74 Washington Avenue N., Battle Creek, Michigan 49037-3084, (1-877-352-2255) or the Joint Certification Program Office (JCO) at JCP-ADMIN@DLA.MIL for further information on the certification process. You must submit a copy of your approved DD Form 2345, Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement, with your proposal.

iv. There are no limits on the number of proposals an offeror may submit.

v. You may be ineligible for award if all requirements of this Call for Proposals is not met on the proposal due date as identified above.

IV. Proposal and Call for Proposal Information:

1. Overview: Proposals submitted shall be in accordance with this Call for Proposals. There will be no other solicitation issued regarding this requirement. The Government intends to review proposals and award some, all, or none of the proposals received without negotiation/discussion; however, the Government reserves the right to negotiate with those offeror(s) whose proposal is selected for funding.

i. Call for Proposal Amendments: Offerors should be alert for any Call for Proposal

Amendments that may change proposal requirements or permit extensions to the proposal submission date.

ii. Potential offerors are reminded that in the event of conflicting information between the RX MAA Industry Guide and this Call for Proposals, offerors should use the following order of precedence: (1) Call for Proposal; (2) RX MAA; (3) Industry Guide.

iii. For additional information, a copy of the RX MAA Industry Guide is located at:

https://sam.gov/opp/b95ddb585e624e549952112dd61408dd/view

2. Content and Form of Proposal Submission: The paragraphs below identify proposal format and content.

i. General Instructions:

a) Offerors should apply the restrictive notice prescribed in FAR 52.215-1(e)

Instructions to Offerors—Competitive Acquisition. Offerors should consider proposal instructions contained in the RX MAA Industry Guide, which can be accessed online at:

This guide is specifically designed to assist the offeror in understanding the RX MAA proposal process.

b) Technical/management and cost/business volumes should be submitted in separate volumes and must be valid for 180 days.

c) Proposals must reference the Call for Proposal number FA2394-24-R-B006 and relevant research areas.

d) The cost file(s) spreadsheets must be in Microsoft Excel and include the formulas for calculating cost element bases (i.e., G&A, O/H, etc.)

e) Offerors are advised that only Contracting Officers are legally authorized to contractually bind or otherwise commit the Government.

f) The cost of preparing proposals in response to this Call for Proposals is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resulting or any other contract;

however, it may be an allowable expense to the normal bid and proposal indirect cost as specified in FAR 31.205-18.

g) No classified technical proposals or cost volumes are expected. Offerors are encouraged to keep all elements of the proposal package unclassified. In the rare case where an offeror has a need to submit a classified appendix, please contact the technical POC for delivery instructions.

ii. Offerors must provide proposals for the Basic IDIQ and at least one (1) of the following TOs to be eligible for award. More than one (1) and up to four (4) TOs may be proposed. Proposal contents are outlined below.

a) Basic IDIQ:

1) Basic IDIQ: Technical and Management Proposal

2) Basic IDIQ: Business Proposal (including Subcontracting Plan, if applicable, in accordance with FAR 19.7)

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3) Basic IDIQ: Statement of Work (SOW) in response to applicable SOO

b) TO-A; CAC:

1) TO-A; CAC: Technical and Management Proposal

2) TO-A; CAC: Cost (TO only) and Business Proposal

3) TO-A; CAC: SOW in response to applicable SOO

c) TO-B; PMAC:

1) TO-B; PMAC: Technical and Management Proposal

2) TO-B; PMAC: Cost (TO only) and Business Proposal

3) TO-B; PMAC: SOW in response to applicable SOO

d) TO-C; PAMCOMP:

1) TO-C; PAMCOMP: Technical and Management Proposal

2) TO-C; PAMCOMP: Cost (TO only) and Business Proposal

3) TO-C; PAMCOMP: SOW in response to applicable SOO

e) TO-D; ACAC:

1) TO-D; ACAC: Technical and Management Proposal

2) TO-D; ACAC: Cost (TO only) and Business Proposal

3) TO-D; ACAC: SOW in response to applicable SOO

iii. Technical/Management Proposal:

a) Page Limitations:

1) The Technical/Management Proposal shall be limited to 30 pages for the

Basic IDIQ; and the Technical/Management Proposal shall be limited to 10 pages each for TO with the pages, prepared and submitted in Microsoft Word format. Signed pages may be submitted in Adobe.

2) The proposal page limit does not include resumes, tables, and/or charts.

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3) The page limitation covers all information including indices, photographs, foldouts (counted as 1 page for each 8.5 by 11 portion), appendices, attachments, etc.

b) Formatting:

1) Font shall be standard 10-point business font Arial.

2) Character spacing must be “normal,” not condensed in any manner.

3) Pages shall be double-spaced (must use standard double-space function in

Microsoft Word), 8.5 by 11 inches, with at least one-inch margins on both sides, top and bottom.

4) All text, including text in tables and charts, must adhere to all font size and line spacing requirements listed herein. Font and line spacing requirements do not have to be followed for illustrations, tables and charts, flowcharts, drawings, diagrams, cover page, table of contents, and restrictive/proprietary markings (in header or footer). These exceptions shall not be used to circumvent formatting requirements and page count limitations by including lengthy narratives in such items.

5) Pages shall be numbered starting with the cover page being Page 1, and the last page being no greater than Page 30 for the Basic IDIQ and no greater than 10 for TO-A, TO-B, TO-C, and TO-D.

Please Note: The Government will check the Technical/Management Proposal for conformance to the stated requirements. Any pages in excess of the stated page limitation after the format check will not be considered for review purposes.

c) Contents: The Technical/Management proposal(s) for the Basic IDIQ, TO-A, TO-B, TO-C, and TO-D shall include a discussion of the nature and scope of the research and the technical approach. Additional information on prior work in this area, descriptions of available equipment, use of base support (if desired), data and facilities and resumes of personnel who will be participating in this effort should also be included as attachments to the technical proposal.

d) Any questions concerning the technical proposal preparation shall be referred to the Contracting POC.

iv. SOWs:

a) Page Limitations:

1) SOWs shall be limited to 10 pages for the Basic IDIQ and 10 pages for each TO with the pages, prepared and submitted in Microsoft Word format.

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2) The proposal page limit does not include resumes, tables, and/or charts.

3) The page limitation covers all information including indices, photographs, foldouts (counted as 1 page for each 8.5 by 11 portion), appendices, attachments, etc.

b) Formatting:

1) Font shall be standard 10-point business font Arial.

2) Character spacing must be “normal,” not condensed in any manner.

3) Pages shall be double-spaced (must use standard double-space function in

Microsoft Word), 8.5 by 11 inches, with at least one-inch margins on both sides, top and bottom.

4) All text, including text in tables and charts, must adhere to all font size and line spacing requirements listed herein. Font and line spacing requirements do not have to be followed for illustrations, tables and charts, flowcharts, drawings, diagrams, cover page, table of contents, and restrictive/proprietary markings (in header or footer). These exceptions shall not be used to circumvent formatting requirements and page count limitations by including lengthy narratives in such items.

5) Pages shall be numbered starting with the cover page being Page 1, and the last page being no greater than Page 10 for the Basic IDIQ and no greater than 10 for TO-A, TO-B, TO-C, and TO-D.

Please Note: The Government will check the SOWs for conformance to the stated requirements. Any pages in excess of the stated page limitation after the format check will not be considered for review purposes.

c) Contents:

1) The SOW shall detail the technical tasks proposed to be accomplished under the proposed effort and suitable for contract incorporation.

2) Do not include any proprietary information in the SOW. Refer to the RX MAA Industry Guide referenced above to assist in SOW preparation.

3) In addition to the contractor proposed SOW, a Government generated SOW

Supplement attachment containing additional contracting requirements will be included in any resulting contracts.

4) The SOW Supplemental Requirements are included in Attachment 6 to this

Call for Proposals.

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d) Any questions concerning the SOW preparation shall be referred to the Contracting POC.

v. Cost/Business Proposal:

a) Separate the Cost/Business Proposal into a Business Section and Cost Section.

b) Cost/Business proposals have no page limitations.

c) Adequate price competition is anticipated. If it is later determined APC does not exist, and the threshold for a negotiated contract is equal to or expected to exceed $2,000,000, submission of certified cost or pricing data may be required.

d) See Attachment 14 for the Model Contract. Note that the document awarded may include contract line items (CLINs)/clauses/articles in addition to those in the model, and/or some of the CLIN/clauses/articles in the model may be deleted, depending on the specific circumstances of the individual award. Any additions or deletions will be negotiated with the offeror prior to award.

e) Business Section Contents:

1) The business section should contain all business aspects to the proposed contract, such as type of contract, any exceptions to terms and conditions of the announcement including the model contract, any information not technically related, etc. Provide rationale for exceptions.

2) Identify any technical data that will be delivered with less than unlimited rights.

3) Subcontracting Plans: For efforts to exceed $750,000, Subcontracting Plans shall be submitted in the cost/business proposal. Reference FAR 19.704 and DFARS 219.704 for subcontracting plan requirements. Small business concerns are exempt from this requirement. If an IDIQ contract arrangement is anticipated, the basis for the subcontracting plan should reflect the entire IDIQ ceiling amount.

4) Limitations on Pass-Through Charges: As prescribed in FAR 15.408(n)(1)

& 15.408(n)(2), provisions 52.215-22, “Limitations on Pass Through Charges- Identification of Subcontract Effort (Oct 2009),” apply.

5) Certifications and Representations (Section K): For FAR-based contracts, a completed Section K is due with the proposal. See Attachment 14 – Model Contract. Offerors are required to submit updated or supplemental Certifications and Representations based on the specifics of their proposal.

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6) If an offeror proposes the use of Government Furnished Property (GFP), other than GFP identified in the Call for Proposal, the offer must specifically identify each piece of GFP in the Cost/Business Proposal and propose and substantiate a rental cost for evaluation purposes in accordance with FAR

45.202. Include the following information in the proposal:

A) A list describing all Government property that the offeror or its subcontractors propose to use on a rent-free basis. The list shall identify the accountable contract under which the property is held and the authorization for its use (from the contracting officer having cognizance of the property);

B) The dates during which the property will be used and, for any property that will be used concurrently in performing two or more contracts, the amounts of the respective uses in sufficient detail to support prorating the rent;

C) The amount of rent that would otherwise be charged in accordance with

FAR 52.245-9, Use and Charges; and

D) The voluntary consensus standard or industry leading practices and standards to be used in the management of Government property, or existing property management plans, methods, practices, or procedures for accounting for property.

7) The business section should contain all business information pertinent to the proposed contract, such as type of contract, any exceptions to terms and conditions of the announcement and/or Call for Proposals (including any model contract), any information not technically related, etc. Provide rationale for exception.

8) Associate Contractor Agreements (ACAs): If applicable, ACAs are agreements between contractors working on Government contracts that require them to share information, data, technical knowledge, expertise, or resources. The contracting officer may require ACAs when contractors working on separate Government contracts must cooperate, share resources or otherwise jointly participate in working on contracts or projects. Prime contractor to subcontractor relationships do not constitute ACAs. For each award, the contracting officer will identify associate contractors with whom agreements are required.

f) Cost Section Contents/Cost Element Breakdown: Clear, concise, and accurate cost proposals reflect the offeror's financial plan for accomplishing the effort contained in the technical proposal. As a part of its cost proposal, the offeror shall submit the information outlined below, together with supporting breakdowns. All direct costs (labor, material, travel, computer, etc.) as well as labor and overhead

25 April 2024 rates should be provided by contractor fiscal year (CFY). Detailed cost element breakdowns by Government Fiscal Year or calendar year are not required. The supporting schedules may include summary level estimating rationale used to generate the proposed costs. The cost element breakdown should include the following if applicable.

1) Direct Labor: Direct labor should be detailed by number of labor hours by category of labor.

2) Labor and Overhead Rates: Direct labor hours, with their applicable rates, must be broken out and the bases used clearly identified. The source of labor and overhead rates and all pricing factors should be identified. For instance, if a Forward Pricing Rate Agreement (FPRA) is in existence, that should be noted, along with the Administrative Contracting Officer’s (ACO's) name and telephone number. If the rates are based on current experience in your organization, provide the historical base used and clearly identify all escalation, by year, applied to derive the proposed rates. If computer usage is determined by a rate, identify the basis used and rationale used to derive the rate.

3) Material/Equipment: List all material/equipment items by type and kind with associated costs and advise if the costs are based on vendor quotes, data and/or engineering estimates; provide copies of vendor quotes and/or catalog pricing data.

4) Subcontractor Costs: Submit all subcontractor proposals and analyses with your cost proposal (See FAR 15.404-3(b)). If the subcontractor will not submit cost and pricing information to the offeror, this information must be submitted directly to the Government for analysis. On all subcontracts and interdivisional transfers, provide the method of selection used to determine the subcontractor and the proposed contract type of each subcontract. An explanation shall be provided if the offeror proposes a different amount than that quoted by the subcontractor. The offeror’s proposal must:

A) Identify principal items/services to be subcontracted.

B) Identify prospective subcontractors and the basis on which they were selected. If non-competitive, provide selected source justification.

C) Identify the type of contractual business arrangement contemplated for the subcontract and provide rationale.

D) Identify the basis for the subcontract costs (e.g., firm quote or engineering estimate, etc.).

E) Identify the cost or pricing data submitted by the subcontractor.

F) Provide an analysis of the proposed subcontract in accordance with FAR

15.404-3(b). Provide an analysis concerning the reasonableness, realism and completeness of each subcontractor’s proposal. If the analysis is based on comparison with prior prices, identify the basis on which the prior prices were determined to be reasonable. The analysis should include, but not be limited to, an analysis of: materials, labor, travel, other direct costs and proposed profit or fee rates.

5) Special Tooling or Test Equipment: When special tooling, and/or test equipment is proposed, attach a brief description of items and indicate if they are solely for the performance of this particular contract or project and if they are or are not already available in the offeror's existing facilities. Indicate quantities, unit prices, whether items are to be purchased or fabricated, whether items are of a severable nature and the basis of the price. These items may be included under Direct Material in the summary format.

6) Consultants: When consultants are proposed to be used in the performance of the contract, indicate the specific project or area in which such services are to be used. Identify each consultant, number of hours or days to be used and the consultant's rate per hour or day. State the basis of said rate and give your analysis of the acceptability of the consultant's rate.

7) Travel: Travel costs must be justified and related to the needs of the project.

Identify the number of trips, the destination and purpose. Travel costs should be broken out by trip with number of travelers, airfare, per diem, lodging, etc.

8) Computer Use: Detail the amount and kind of computer usage, the cost, and how the costs were derived.

9) Facilities Capital Cost of Money: If Facilities Capital Cost of Money is proposed, a properly executed DD Form 1861 is required.

10) Project Funding Profile: Offerors should include a project funding profile by

Government Fiscal Year (GFY) (1 Oct through 30 Sept) for budgetary purposes. This will enable the Government to easily identify program funding needs by GFY.

11) If an offeror takes exceptions to the requirements called out in the announcement (e.g., base support, Government-furnished property (GFP), CDRLs), the exceptions should be clearly stated in the cost proposal.

12) Forward Pricing Rate Agreements: Offerors who have forward pricing rate agreements (FPRA) should submit them with their proposal.

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g) Proposal Content Summary: You may be ineligible for award if all requirements of this Call for Proposal are not met on the proposal due date.

3. Funding Restrictions: Not Applicable.

V. Proposal Review Information:

1. Peer or Scientific Review Criteria: Proposals will be reviewed using the criteria listed below.

i. The technical aspect, which is ranked as the first order of priority, shall be reviewed based on the following criteria that are of descending order of importance with the Basic IDIQ having greater importance than TO-A, TO-B, TO-C and TO-D. TO-A, TO-B, TO-C, and TO-D are of equal importance to each other.

ii. The Basic IDIQ proposal and any given TO proposal must be categorized as “selectable” in order to be considered for award. Offerors must provide proposals for the Basic IDIQ and at least one (1) TOs to be eligible for award.

iii. If the Basic IDIQ effort does not meet “selectable” criteria, the TO/TOs will not be evaluated.

iv. Offerors must have at least one (1) “selectable” TO to be eligible for a Basic IDIQ award.

2. Technical Criteria for the Basic IDIQ (in equal order of importance):

i. Unique and innovative approach proposed to accomplish the technical objectives.

New and creative solutions and/or advances in knowledge, understanding, technology, and the state of the art.

ii. The offeror’s understanding of the scope of the technical effort.

iii. Soundness of the offeror’s technical approach including whether the proposal identifies major technical risks, clearly defines feasible mitigation efforts, and demonstrates related experience and qualifications of technical personnel.

iv. The potential for AFRL to transition the research and development deliverables to future Government needs. Any proposed restriction on technical data or computer software will be considered.

3. Technical Criteria for TO-A, TO-B, TO-C, TO-D (in equal order of importance):

i. Unique and innovative approaches proposed to accomplish the technical objectives of the task order. New and creative solutions and/or advances in knowledge, understanding, technology, and the state-of-the-art.

ii. The potential for AFRL to transition the research and development deliverables to future Government needs. Any proposed restriction on technical data or computer software will be considered.

iii. The offeror’s understanding of the complete scope of the technical effort required to meet task order goals.

iv. Soundness of the offeror’s technical approach, including the proposed Statement of Work (SOW), schedule and risk management for achieving task order goals.

4. Cost/Price: The cost/price criterion includes the realism of the proposed cost. Cost/Price is a substantial factor but ranked as the second order of priority. (If the use of GFP is proposed, other than any GFP identified in this Call for Proposal, and that proposed GFP provides the offeror an unfair competitive advantage, then FAR 45.202 requires rental equivalent be applied to the Cost Factor for evaluation purposes only).

5. Review and Selection Process:

i. Categories: Based on the Peer or Scientific Review, proposals will be categorized as Selectable or Not Selectable (see definitions below). The selection of one or more sources for award will be based on the Peer or Scientific Review, as well as importance to agency programs and funding availability.

a) Selectable: Proposals are recommended for acceptance if sufficient funding is available.

b) Not Selectable: Even if sufficient funding existed, the proposal should not be funded.

Note: The Government reserves the right to award some, all, or none of proposals. When the Government elects to award only a part of a proposal, the selected part may be categorized as Selectable, though the proposal as a whole may not merit such a categorization.

ii. No other criteria will be used.

iii. Prior to award of a potentially successful offer, the Contracting Officer will make a determination regarding price reasonableness.

iv. As indicated in Section I.5.v. above, the Government will conduct a S&T Protection Initial Risk Review only for those proposals categorized as Selectable and selected for funding and negotiations.

VI. Award Administration Information:

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1. Award Notices: Offerors will be notified whether their proposal is recommended for award on or about October 2024. The notification is not to be construed to mean that any contract award is assured, as availability of funds and successful negotiations are prerequisites to any award.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: See Section I.

3. Reporting: Reporting will be as directed by the CDRLs. See Section I, Item 3.a of this Call for Proposals.

VII. Other Information:

1. Acquisition of Commercial Items: Based upon market research, the Government is not using the policies contained in Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items, in this Call for Proposals. However, interested offerors may identify to the Contracting Officer their interest and capability to satisfy the Government’s requirement with a commercial item within 15 days of this notice.

2. Support Contractors: Only Government employees will participate in Peer or Scientific Reviews. Offerors are advised that employees of commercial firms under contract to the Government may be used to administratively process proposals, monitor contract performance, or perform other administrative duties requiring access to other contractors' proprietary information. These support contracts include nondisclosure agreements prohibiting their contractor employees from disclosing any information submitted by other contractors or using such information for any purpose other than that for which it was furnished.

3. Feedback Sessions:

i. Contracts: When requested, a Feedback Session will be provided with content consistent with the procedures that govern BAAs (FAR 35.016). The process will follow the time guidelines outlined in the award notice described in Paragraph VI.1.

ii. Assistance Instruments: When requested, an informal feedback session will be provided. The process will follow the time guidelines outlined in the award notice described in Paragraph VI.1.

4. Item Unique Identification and Valuation: It is DoD policy that contractors shall be required to identify the Government’s unit acquisition cost for all deliverable end items for which Item Unique Identification applies. Therefore, proposals must clearly break out the unit acquisition cost for any deliverable items. See DFARS 211.274-3, Policy for Valuation, for more information. (Per DoD, “fully burdened unit costs” to the Government would include all direct, indirect, G&A costs, and an appropriate portion of fee). For more information, see the following website:

https://www.acq.osd.mil/asda/dpc/ce/index.html.

https://www.acq.osd.mil/asda/dpc/ce/index.html

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5. Pre-Award Clearance: Pursuant to FAR 22.805, a pre-award clearance must be obtained from the U.S. Department Of Labor, Employment Standards Administration, Office Of Federal Contract Compliance Program’s (OFCCP) prior to award of a contract (or subcontract) of $10,000,000 or more unless the contractor is listed in OFCCP’s National Pre-award Registry https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/pre-award. Award may be delayed if you are not currently listed in the registry and the contracting officer must request a pre-award clearance from the OFCCP.

6. Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters: Any contract or assistance award that exceeds $600,000; and when offeror checked “has” in paragraph (b) of the provision FAR 52.209-7, shall contain the clause/article, FAR 52.209-9 “Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters.”

7. Proposal Reminders: You may be ineligible for award if all requirements of this Call for Proposals are not met on the proposal due date.

i. Proposals are due to the Contracting POC.

ii. Proposals are due no later than the due date and time specified in this announcement.

iii. Proposal page limits are strictly enforced.

iv. The Cost/Business Proposal must contain all information described in the Content and Form of Proposal Submission Section.

v. Offerors other than small businesses must include a subcontracting plan.

vi. Proposals must be submitted in the format specified.

vii. Offerors who have Forward Pricing Rate Agreements (FPRAs) submit them with their proposal.

viii. DD254 is applicable. Offerors must verify their Cognizant Security Office information is current with Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) at www.dcsa.mil.

ix. This effort is subject to export control. Offerors must submit a Certified DD Form

2345, Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement, with proposal.

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LIST OF ATTACHMENTS:

1) Basic IDIQ Statement of Objectives

2) TO-A; CAC Statement of Objectives

3) TO-B; PMAC Statement of Objectives

4) TO-C; PAMCOMP Statement of Objectives

5) TO-D; ACAC Statement of Objectives

6) SOW Supplemental Requirements

7) Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL), DD Form 1423-1

8) AFRL American National Standards Institute (ANSI) / National Information Standards

Organization (NISO)-Based Guide to Formatting Technical Reports

9) Report Documentation Page, SF 298

10) Department of Defense Contract Security Classification Specification, DD Form 254

11) Research and Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Form, SF424

12) Security Program Questionnaire

13) Base Support Equipment List & Available Base Facilities

14) Model Contract (Section K)