BAA_FY21_N68335-21-R-0315.pdf

Broad Agency Announcement

N68335-21-R-0315

Broad Agency Announcement to Support the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Webster Outlying Field Airborne Systems Integration Division

POSTED DATE: 07 July 2021

Prepared by: NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER AIRCRAFT DIVISION, Lakehurst Procurement Group, Highway 547, Bldg. 120, Lakehurst, NJ 08733

Broad Agency Announcement – N68335-21-R-0315 V 1.0 i

Table of Contents

1 Introduction 2 Background

2.1 Research Areas of Interest

3 Specific Areas of Interest

3.1 Technologies Being Sought

4 Federal Award Information

4.1 Awards

4.2 Contracted Fundamental Research

4.3 Instrument Type(s)

5 Proposal Submission

5.1 Phase I - Proposal Abstract Requirements

5.2 Phase I – Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

5.3 Phase II – Full Technical/Cost Proposal (BY INVITATION ONLY)

5.3.1 General Information

6 Evaluation Criteria

6.1 Primary Evaluation Criteria

6.2 Additional Evaluation Criteria

7 Federal Awarding Agency Contacts 8 Appendices

8. Appendices…………………………………………………………………………………….16 Appendix 1 – Requirements / Proposal Instructions Applicable to Contracts………………...17 Appendix 2 – Requirements / Proposal Instructions Applicable to Other Transaction Agreements………………………………………………………………………………33

Table of Contents

Table 1 – Technology Readiness Levels and Descriptions Table 2 – Quad Chart Format ii

SOL – Broad Agency Announcement

TITLE – Broad Agency Announcement to Support the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Webster Outlying Field Airborne Systems Integration Division

RESPONSE DATES – Phase I: Responses may be submitted at any time up until the closing date of the BAA (07 July 2022) and the time identified in the sam.gov posting of the BAA.

Phase II: BY REQUEST ONLY

AGENCY – NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER AIRCRAFT DIVISION

Procurement Group, Highway 547, Bldg. 120, Lakehurst, NJ 08733

This notice constitutes a Broad Area Announcement as contemplated by FAR Subparts 6.102(d)(2) and 35.016, 2 CFR § 200.203, and the Department of Defense Other Transactions Guide, November 2018.

1 INTRODUCTION

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is intended for proposal abstracts related to “basic and applied research and relates to the part of development not related to the development of a specific system or hardware procurement,” according to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 35. This BAA is not intended for the acquisition of technical, engineering, or other support services. This solicitation is specific to research and development support in technologies that are applicable to the following: air platforms, communications relay, Electro-Optical (EO), Infrared (IR), Radio Frequency (RF), acoustic sensors, manned and unmanned airborne payloads, persistent surveillance technologies, and special sensor systems for Navy Aircraft and Manned/Unmanned Air Systems (UAS). Technologies proposed should emphasize rapid development, assessment, integration, and demonstration to the warfighter.

2 BACKGROUND

The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Webster Outlying Field (WOLF) Airborne Systems Integration (ASI) Division develops advanced air platforms, sensors (e.g., acoustics, EO/IR, radar, magnetics, and other special sensors), and systems. The purpose of these sensors and surveillance systems is to support a variety of aviation missions including Air Undersea Warfare (USW), airborne strike, air warfare, counter-air, close air support and interdiction, defense suppression, communications relays, digital interoperability, electronic attack, naval warfare and amphibious strike, Counter Unmanned Systems (C-UxS), and anti-surface warfare. Most of the air platforms will be small unmanned Group 1 to Group 3. Sensors could be air deployed (via manned or unmanned aircraft); ground, surface, and undersea deployable sensors may also be included as driven by the mission(s).

This BAA not only includes sensors, sensor data processing, and sensor systems, but it also includes mathematical modeling of the sensors and air platforms, communication techniques between the sensors and/or platforms, interfaces, software development, the fusion and exploitation of multi-sensor data, studies, and other techniques used to develop advanced capabilities and reduce the cost of transitioning sensors technologies to the fleet. Furthermore, this BAA shall cover development and analysis of related air, sea, and land clutter detection models using relevant sensor data.

2.1 Research Areas of Interest

The NAWCAD WOLF ASI Division is interested in, but not limited to, researching the following areas:

(1) Signal processing

(2) Non-acoustic Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) sensors and systems

(3) Information processing

(4) EO systems engineering methodologies

(5) Laser Identification Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) components and systems

(6) Hyperspectral components and systems

(7) Laser components and systems

(8) EO sensors and systems for reconnaissance, surveillance, and remote sensing

(9) Magnetic sensors and systems

(10) Laser-based Infrared Countermeasure (IRCM) systems

(11) Acoustic ASW sensors and systems

(12) Acoustic and optical Mine Counter Measure (MCM) sensors and systems

(13) Research involving the interrelationship of acoustic and non-acoustic phenomena applicable to ASW

(14) Telemetry methods for off-board sensors to and from various platforms

(15) Mathematical modeling and techniques for analyzing ASW effectiveness and performance

(16) In-sensor acoustic signal processing

(17) Biometrics surveillance systems and technologies; measurement and biometrics imaging techniques

(18) Techniques for quantum encryption, coding, and computation

(19) UAS/Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV)/Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) autonomous operations, unique payload capabilities, Size Weight and Power (SWAP), powertrain, and engine enhancements

(20) UAS/USV/UUV Electronic Warfare (EW) and cyber capabilities

(21) UAS audio, visual, and/or RF noise dampening/cancellation techniques

(22) Multi-domain and UAS networking and communications technologies and techniques

(23) Multi-domain and UAS and airship sensors

(24) Airborne video recording technologies and techniques

(25) Sensor recording technologies and techniques

(26) Insertion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques into airborne sensors for situational optimization

(27) Adaption of processing and execution formulation upon minimal command sequence

(28) Environmental ocean measurement

(29) Contested airspace payload delivery

(30) Unattended remote controlled sensor technology

(31) Imaging/non-imaging, active/passive sensor technology integrated in a unique manner to allow Roll-On/Roll-Off (RORO) capability aboard cargo/transport-type multi-mission and other aircraft

(32) Expendable/low-cost surveillance

(33) Airborne networking of autonomous vehicles, manned aircraft, and ground/afloat systems

(34) Data Correlation including tracks, sensors and other multi-spectrum inputs

(35) Near realtime Cross Domain Solutions

(36) Innovatative technologies for disadvantaged platforms

(37) Adapted commercial networking technologies on military platforms

(38) Netted air-deployed weapons integration and delivery

(39) Rapid precision ASW targeting technologies and techniques

(40) Innovative methods for two-way interface between open architecture RORO or Over The Horizon (OTH) reach-back sensors or systems to onboard legacy aircraft tactical systems

(41) RF techniques and compact radar technologies for land and maritime target detection, geolocation, Moving Target Identification (MTI), Multi-Moving Target Identification (MMTI), tracking, and imaging

(42) Computational electromagnetic modeling and analysis techniques

(43) Precision geolocation technologies and techniques

(44) RF analysis and fusion technologies and techniques

(45) Data link communication technologies and techniques

(46) RF Signal analysis and processing technologies and techniques

(47) Seismic sensors system technologies and techniques

(48) Data storage technologies and techniques

(49) Metadata tagging and secure data vault management

(50) RF antenna technologies and communications techniques

(51) Remote payload deliveries

(52) Targeting and EW

(53) Flat-panel displays

(54) New kinetic and non-kinetic techniques for defeat

(55) Machine or deep learning for raw data and/or pattern analysis

3 SPECIFIC AREAS OF INTEREST

Proposals are being solicited in the following areas:

(1) Multi-domain EO-IR sensors

(2) Collaborative multi-sensor payloads with onboard data fusion and autonomous operations

(3) Multi-domain RF sensors

(4) Manned and unmanned airborne payloads

(5) Biometric sensors

(6) UASs

(7) Multi-domain special sensors

(8) RF analysis and fusion components and systems

(9) Precision geolocation components and systems

(10) Persistent OTH network and communication components and systems

(11) Persistent airborne data link communication components and systems

(12) Other specific interests of the NAWCAD WOLF ASI Division relating to sensors and UAS categories listed in section 2.1:

(a) Non-cooperative Identification (ID) sensors and systems; magnetic ASW sensors and systems; non-acoustic sensors and systems; acoustic sensors and systems; surveillance radar sensors and systems; night vision systems; new laser and nonlinear materials;

LIDAR; hyperspectral sensors and systems; Airborne Early Warning (AEW) radar operating at a Ultra High Frequency (UHF) through L- and S-bands; tactical radar operating at C, X, and Ku bands; synthetic aperture radar operating in Ka-, Ku-, X-, C-, L-, UHF-, and lower bands; and Command, Control, Communications & Intelligence (C3I) systems operating at any RF throughout the spectrum.

(b) Manned and UAS-launched payload systems to include targeting and weaponized systems; Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) UAS platform and sensors; and other air-deployed systems.

(c) Communication relay systems and technologies for the deployed and dismounted warfighter.

(d) Compact autonomous vehicles, low-cost imaging optical (through the far infrared), for both targeting and cueing, using multi-band and/or spectral classification techniques, low-cost radar for target detection imaging and/or tracking, laser radar for target tracking and identification, and Electronic Surveillance Measures (ESM) for target location cueing and identification.

(e) Target geolocation, auto-classification utilizing target images, acoustic and other emissions and secure means of data distribution using commercial satellites and networks, and low-cost sensor stabilization requirements and proposed solutions shall be addressed.

(f) Imaging/non-imaging, active/passive sensor technology integrated in a unique manner to allow RORO capability aboard cargo/transport-type multi-mission and other aircraft. The technology and/or innovative packaging would include areas such as imaging optical (ultraviolet (UV) through the far IR) for both targeting and cueing using multi-band and/or spectral classification techniques; advanced radar for target detection and tracking;

laser radar for target tracking and identification; ESM for target location cueing and identification; Command, Control, Communications, Computers, & Intelligence (C4I) for receiving and disseminating target information; and secure transmission of imagery and target track data.. In addition, wide bandwidth (commensurate with resolution and time), recording and storing of high resolution target imagery and video, and Laser Detection and Ranging (LADAR) output are of interest

(g) Signal intelligence with direction finding: Small, portable solution located on a UAS that provides signal information and direction finding information.

(h) Dial a frequency technology, such as Software Defined Radios and waveforms: Provide the ability to change communication frequencies.

(i) Antenna technologies allowing for operating in multiple frequency bands with minimal loss in performance

(j) Concealed sensor/payload delivery: Develop capabilities to conceal delivery of a UAS payload through avoidance or masking/cancelling of audio, visual, or RF vehicle signature.

(k) Manned and UAS precision landing solutions for use in land and ship-based environments to include operations in emissions-controlled situations.

(l) Precision navigation of manned and UAS systems in Global Positioning System (GPS)-denied environments when emissions control is of concern.

(m) Sensor, communication, and payload integration onto current and new manned and UASs allowing the cooperative efforts between the Government and the platform/payload developer.

(n) Modification of Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) UASs for military application to include ruggedization, adaptation of engines utilizing non-explosive fuels, hybrid or long endurance engines, implementation of cyber safe software coding and UAS controls, implementation of secure data links, and multi-system collaboration and automation.

(o) Human Machine Teaming technologies, autonomy, machine learning, or advancements focused on reducing threats to Warfighter, increasing lethality, and/or acting as a force multiplier.

3.1 Technologies Being Sought

Examples of technologies sought include: lasers, LIDARS, detector technologies, hyperspectral sensors and systems, magnetic anomaly detectors and systems including optically-pumped sensors, night vision devices, Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) systems, Infrared Search and Track (IRST) systems, long standoff reconnaissance and surveillance systems (both visible and IR), sonobuoy sensors and processors, acoustic sensor stand-off delivery/telemetry systems, antennas and radomes, phased/electronically-scanned/conformal-array antenna concepts, electronically-scanned and advanced mechanically-scanned radar solutions to the maritime surveillance problem involving small surface and airborne targets, scattering and diffraction (including rough surface), computational electromagnetics (with emphasis on antenna design and antenna-platform interaction), remote sensor telemetry and miniaturized RF telecommunication transceivers, optical components/fiber optics, photonics and monolithic microwave integrated circuits, high power broadband Transmit/Receive (T/R) modules and associated subassembly/device technologies, direct digital synthesis exciter concepts, advanced receiver and data acquisition concepts, Space-Time Adaptive Processing (STAP) techniques for arrays, massively parallel processing architectures for multi-channel STAP, software engineering, advanced signal processing of synthetic aperture radar data, advanced image processing and exploitation, moving target imaging techniques, automatic target recognition and classification, advanced signal processing concepts for multi-mode sensor operation, and equipment installation techniques solutions. Please note that these are examples only and not meant to limit concepts.

4 FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

4.1 Awards

Multiple awards are anticipated. The level of funding for individual awards made under this solicitation have not been predetermined and will depend on the quality of the proposals received and the availability of funds. Awards will be made to Offerors with proposals determined to be the most advantageous to the Government. Factors to consider include potential contributions of the proposed work, overall funding strategy, and availability of funding.

The Government reserves the right to:

Select for negotiation all, some, one, or none of the proposals received in response to this solicitation;

make awards without discussions with Offerors;

conduct discussions with Offerors if it is later determined to be necessary;

segregate portions of the resulting awards into pre-priced options;

accept proposals in their entirety or to select only portions of proposals for award;

fund proposals in increments and/or with options for continued work at the end of one or more phases;

request additional documentation once the award instrument has been determined (e.g., representations and certifications); and remove Offerors from award consideration should the parties fail to reach agreement on award terms, including intellectual property rights, conditions and cost/price within a reasonable time, or if the Offeror fails to provide requested additional information in a timely manner.

There is no commitment by the Navy to be responsible for any monies expended by the Offeror before award of a contract/agreement. For awards made as contracts, the socio-economic merits of each proposal will be evaluated based on the commitment to provide meaningful subcontracting opportunities with Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Minority Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Small Businesses, Small Disadvantaged Businesses, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses, HUBZone Small Businesses, Veteran Owned Small Businesses, and Women Owned Small Businesses.

Proposals selected for award may result in a procurement contract or Other Transaction (OT) depending upon the nature of the work proposed and other factors.

Offerors looking for innovative, commercial-like contractual arrangements are encouraged to consider requesting OTs. Please refer to the Department of Defense Other Transactions Guide, dated November 2018, to understand the flexibility and options associated with OTs.

In accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 2371b(f), the Government may award a follow-on production contract or OT for any OT awarded under this BAA if: (1) that participant in the OT, or a recognized successor in interest to the OT, successfully completed the prototype project provided for in the OT, as modified; and (2) the OT provides for the award of a follow-on production contract or OT to the participant, or a recognized successor in interest to the OT.

In all cases, the Government Contracting Officer shall have sole discretion to select the award instrument type, regardless of instrument type proposed, and to negotiate all instrument terms and conditions with selectees. The Organization will apply publication or other restrictions, as necessary, if it determines that the research resulting from the proposed effort will present a high likelihood of disclosing performance characteristics of military systems or manufacturing technologies that are unique and critical to defense. Any award resulting from such a determination will include a requirement for the Organization’s permission before publishing any information or results on the program. For more information on publication restrictions, see the section below on Contracted Fundamental Research.

4.2 Contracted Fundamental Research

It is Department of Defense (DoD) policy that the publication of products of fundamental research remain unrestricted to the maximum extent possible. National Security Decision Directive (NSDD) 189, National Policy on the Transfer of Scientific, Technical and Engineering Information defines fundamental research as follows:

‘Fundamental research’ means basic and applied research in science and engineering, the results of which ordinarily are published and shared broadly within the scientific community, as distinguished from proprietary research and from industrial development, design, production, and product utilization, the results of which ordinarily are restricted for proprietary or national security reasons.

With regard to any restrictions on the conduct or outcome of work funded under this BAA, the Organization will follow the guidance on and definition of “contracted fundamental research” as provided in the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics) Memorandum of 24 May 2010.

As defined therein the definition of “contracted fundamental research,” in a DoD contractual context, includes research performed under grants and contracts that are (a) funded by Research, Development, Test and Evaluation Budget Activity 1 (Basic Research), whether performed by universities or industry or (b) funded by Budget Activity 2 (Applied Research) and performed on campus at a university. The research shall not be considered fundamental in those rare and exceptional circumstances where the applied research effort presents a high likelihood of disclosing performance characteristics of military systems or manufacturing technologies that are unique and critical to defense, and where agreement on restrictions have been recorded in the contract or grant.

Pursuant to DoD policy, research performed under contracts that are a) funded by Budget Activity 2 (Applied Research) and NOT performed on-campus at a university or b) funded by Budget Activity 3 (Advanced Technology Development) does not meet the definition of “contracted fundamental research.” In conformance with the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics guidance and National Security Decision Directive 189, the Organization will place no restriction on the conduct or reporting of unclassified “contracted fundamental research,” except as otherwise required by statute, regulation, or executive order.

For certain research projects, it may be possible that although the research being performed by the prime contractor is restricted research, a subcontractor may be conducting “contracted fundamental research.” In those cases, it is the prime contractor’s responsibility to identify and describe the subcontracted unclassified research in the proposal to include a statement confirming that the work has been scoped, negotiated, and determined to be fundamental research according to the prime contractor and research performer.

Non-fundamental research may require restrictions during the conduct of the research in addition to a DoD pre-publication review of such research results due to subject matter sensitivity. As of the date of publication of this BAA, the Government cannot identify whether the work under this BAA may be considered fundamental research and may award both fundamental and non-fundamental research.

Offerors should indicate in their proposal whether they believe the scope of the research included in their proposal is fundamental or not. While Offerors should clearly explain the intended results of their research, the Government shall have sole discretion to select award instrument type and to negotiate all instrument terms and conditions with selectees. Appropriate clauses will be included in resultant awards for non-fundamental research to prescribe publication requirements and other restrictions, as appropriate.

Relative to contracts (excluding OTs), FAR Part 35 restricts the use of BAAs, such as this, to the “acquisition of basic and applied research and that portion of advanced technology development not related to the development of a specific system or hardware procurement.” Contracts made under BAAs are for scientific study and experimentation directed towards advancing the state of the art and increasing knowledge or understanding.

4.3 Instrument Type(s)

Awards may take the form of contracts, Technology Investment Agreements (TIAs), and Other Transaction Agreements (OTA), as appropriate.

The following provides brief descriptions of potential instrument types:

(a) Procurement Contract: A legal instrument, consistent with 31 U.S.C. 6303 that reflects a relationship between the federal Government and a state government, a local government, or other entity/contractor when the principal purpose of the instrument is to acquire property or services for the direct benefit or use of the federal Government.

(b) Other Transactions (OTs).

i. TIA/Research OTs: Assistance Transaction other than a Grant or a Cooperative Agreement (see 32 CFR Part 37). A legal instrument, consistent with 10 U.S.C. 2371, which may be implemented when the use of a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement is not feasible or appropriate for basic, applied, and advanced research projects. To the maximum extent practicable, the research covered under a TIA shall not be duplicative of research being conducted under an existing DoD program and the TIA shall provide for a 50/50 cost share between the Government and the applicant. An applicant’s cost share may take the form of cash, independent research and development, foregone intellectual property rights, equipment, access to unique facilities, and/or other means. Due to the extent of cost share, and the fact that a TIA does not qualify as a “funding agreement” as defined at 37 CFR 401.2(a), the intellectual property provisions of a TIA can be negotiated to provide expanded protection to an applicant’s intellectual property. No fee or profit is allowed.

ii. OT for Prototype/Prototype OTAs: A legal instrument, consistent with 10 U.S.C.

2371b, for prototype projects directly relevant to enhancing the mission effectiveness of military personnel and the supporting platforms, systems, components, or materials proposed to be acquired or developed by the DoD, or for improvement of platforms, systems, components, or materials in use by the armed forces. To the maximum extent practical, the efforts covered under a Prototype OTA shall not be duplicative of efforts being conducted under an existing DoD program.

Please refer to the Department of Defense Other Transactions Guide, dated November 2018.

This document, along with other OTA resources, may be accessed at the following link:

http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/cpic/cp/10USC2371bOTs.html.

5 PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

The submission process is two-phased, as described below. No further Request for Information (RFI), solicitation, or other announcement of this opportunity will be made.

All proposal submissions will be protected from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with FAR Subpart 3.104-4 and 15.207, applicable law, and DoD/Department of the Navy regulations.

Offerors are expected to appropriately mark each page of their submission that contains proprietary information.

PHASE I – Proposal

Phase I proposals may be submitted at any time up to and including the closing date of the BAA (07 July 2022). Any Offeror that does not submit a proposal before the specified due date and time is not eligible to participate in Phase II and is not eligible for funding.

Offerors are instructed to not submit general capability statements in response to this BAA.

Proposals shall only be submitted for actual technologies within the areas of interest in Section 3, Specific Areas of Interest. Offerors are encouraged to submit proposals on topics not specifically mentioned in the BAA; however, the proposed areas must be logically interconnected to existing BAA topics. Each proposal should state that it is intended for submission in response to this BAA and should cite the particular Research Area(s) of Interest in Section 2.1, as well as the Specific Area(s) Of Interest in Section 3, that the proposal is specifically addressing. Offerors may provide solutions that are applicable to multiple research topics in a single proposal, as appropriate. Additionally, Offerors may submit more than one (1) proposal abstract on each research topic if a separate solution or approach is being proposed. Offerors that submitted a proposal to N68335-21-R-0315 are requested to not submit an additional proposal abstract to this BAA, unless otherwise requested.

Proposal Evaluation/Notification: Government evaluations of the proposals are anticipated to be conducted on a periodic basis; however, any such review does not assure a subsequent award.

Any Offeror whose proposal was not identified as being of particular value to the Government is ineligible to submit a full proposal under this BAA.

5.1 Phase I - Proposal Abstract Requirements

(a) Proposal Abstract Format

Paper Size – 8.5 x 11 inch paper Margins – one (1) inch on all four (4) sides Spacing – single-spaced Font – Times New Roman, 10–12 point Page limit – five (5) pages for proposal abstract, exclusive of cover page and Quad

Chart. Quad Chart is limited to one (1) page.

Note: Any pages submitted exceeding the page limit shall be disregarded and not evaluated.

Additionally, the electronic file name for all documents submitted under this solicitation must not exceed sixty-eight (68) characters in length, including the file name extension.

(b) Proposal Abstract Submission

E-mail submission is required (per the instructions below). The proposal must be Microsoft Word 2010 compatible or in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) and attached to the email. There is an email size limit of seven (7) MB.

E-mail submissions should be sent to the attention of the BAA Contract Specialists at:

leann.spann@navy.mil and trevor.greig1@navy.mil.

The subject line of the email shall include reference to BAA number N68335-21-R-0315 and list the Research Opportunity Area of Interest by section and subsection, as applicable.

Do not send ZIP files or password protected files.

Note: Proposals submitted to individuals other than the two email addresses above will not be accepted.

(c) Proposal Abstract Content:

Proposal abstracts shall include the following:

Cover Page: The cover page shall be labeled “PROPOSAL ABSTRACT” and shall include: the BAA number, organizational name, other team members and type of business for each, Technical Points of Contact (TPOCs) (including telephone number, fax number, and email information), Administrative Point of Contact (POC), and one (1) paragraph that summarizes the relationship between the proposal and the BAA.

Technical Abstract and Approach: This section should include a description of the particular Research Area(s) of Interest in Section 2.1, as well as the Specific Area(s) Of Interest in Section 3, to which the Offeror is responding and how it ties to the Offeror’s response, how the fleet will benefit after transition (including commercial applications) due to the project research conducted, the technology challenges that must be overcome, the brief technical approach, a brief description of the facilities involved, a brief resume of the key personnel, the operational payoff using measures of performance, and potential Program Management Activity (PMA) sponsors and/or users.

Cost and Period of Performance (PoP): Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimate (per year) for each concept paper, PoP from start through technology insertion into the fleet, and the anticipated cost sharing agreement, if applicable.

Instrument Type: Specify the award instrument requested.

Provide the anticipated Department of Defense Technology Readiness Level (TRL), defined in Table 1, per fiscal year. Proposal abstracts shall begin at TRL 4, at a minimum.

Quad Chart: Completed Quad Chart with format in accordance with Table 2 for each concept paper.

The concept abstracts will be evaluated (at a minimum) upon submission with an approximate Government response time of sixty (60) days after submission. Offerors are hereby notified that non-Government participants may have access to Offerors’ proposals and submission of an offer shall constitute consent to the disclosure of proprietary information to all non-Government participants in the selection process. Governmental scientific experts will perform the evaluation of technical proposals. Restrictive notices notwithstanding, one or more support contractors may be utilized as subject matter expert technical advisors. However, proposal selection and award decisions are solely the responsibility of Government personnel. The non-Government participants are employees of commercial firms under contract to the Government, and if they serve as technical advisors they will be authorized access only to portions of the concept data and discussions that are necessary to enable them to provide specific technical advice on specialized matters or on particular problems. Each employee of a support contractor granted access to technical and cost proposals submitted in response to this BAA will be required to sign a non-disclosure statement prior to receipt of any proposal submissions.

Note: Typically research findings result in the need for additional services/supplies that are not possible to anticipate or project in to the future. Contract modifications may be executed to satisfy these requirements, thereby providing flexibility in technology assessment (with technology transition serving as the ultimate goal). In the event that this is required, it shall be considered to be within the scope of this BAA and the resulting contract, and therefore will have met the requirements of the FAR/Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) and the Competition in Contracting Act.

5.2 Phase I – Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

Unique Entity Identifier and SAM - All Offerors submitting proposals or applications must:

be registered in the SAM prior to submission;

maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which there exists an active Federal award or an application under consideration by any agency;

and provide the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number in each application or proposal submitted to the agency.

SAM may be accessed at https://www.sam.gov/

Effective 27 April 2018, all new entities registering in SAM, as well as existing registrations being updated or renewed, will require the submission of an original, signed notarized letter identifying the authorized Entity Administrator for the entity associated with the DUNS number before the registration will be activated. Please be aware that processing this additional information may take several days and offerors are advised to be proactive in maintaining their SAM registration in an “Active” status as the government cannot award to an entity without an active SAM registration. More information can be found at https://www.sam.gov/.

TRL Definition Description 4 Component and/or breadboard validation in a laboratory environment.

Basic technological components are integrated to establish that they will work together. This is relatively “low fidelity” compared with the eventual system. Examples include integration of “ad hoc” hardware in the laboratory.

5 Component and/or breadboard validation in a relevant environment.

Fidelity of breadboard technology increases significantly.

The basic technological components are integrated with reasonably realistic supporting elements so they can be tested in a simulated environment. Examples include “high-fidelity” laboratory integration of components.

6 System/subsystem model or prototype demonstration in a relevant environment.

Representative model or prototype system, which is well beyond that of TRL5, is tested in a relevant environment.

Represents a major step up in a technology’s demonstrated readiness. Examples include testing a prototype in a high-fidelity laboratory environment or in a simulated operational environment.

7 System prototype demonstration in an operational environment.

Prototype near or at a planned operational system.

Represents a major step up from TRL 6 by requiring demonstration of an actual system prototype in an operation environment (e.g., in an aircraft, in a vehicle, or in space).

8 Actual system completed and qualified through test and demonstration.

Technology has been proven to work in its final form and under expected conditions. In almost all cases, this TRL represents the end of true system development. Examples include developmental test and evaluation (DT&E) of the system in its intended weapon system to determine if it meets design specifications.

9 Actual system proven through successful mission operations.

Actual application of the technology in its final form and under mission conditions, such as those encountered in operational test and evaluation (OT&E). Examples include using the system under operational mission conditions.

Table 1 – Technology Readiness Levels and Descriptions

Table 2 - Quad Chart Format

Operational Payoff/Transition Targets:

How will this technology help the operator?

Describe how the system would provide new or enhanced operational capability to the warfighter. Use measures of effectiveness - %increase or decrease in either a technical parameter and/or an operational parameter. Describe any potential costs savings. Describe any impacts on quality of service. List potential and/or actual transition sponsors PMAs/PEOs.

Deliverables:

What will be the final product(s)? Include reports, databases, hardware, software, prototypes, demonstrations, standards, processes, etc.

Technical Objective In one concise sentence, describe the technical objective of the effort.

Technology Challenges Why is this hard? What challenges must be overcome?

Technical Approach:

Specifically, how will the problem be approached.

Describe major tasks to be performed.

Cost, Schedule, TRL: Outline major tasks and their duration start and end dates. Provide planned milestone decision points and demos or experiments. Provide funding for each planned fiscal year of the program.

Provide beginning, current and final TRL

Project Title

Contact Info Phone & email

PICTURE that captures the essence of the project

PROJECT GOAL: In one concise phrase describe the

GOAL

5.3 Phase II – Full Technical/Cost Proposal (BY INVITATION ONLY)

5.3.1 General Information

ONLY OFFERORS WITH A PHASE I – PROPOSAL ABSTRACT CONSIDERED CAPABLE

OF MEETING EXISTING OR FUTURE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS WILL BE ASKED

TO SUBMIT PHASE II – FULL TECHNICAL/COST PROPOSAL. A REQUEST FOR

SUBMISSION OF A FULL PROPOSAL DOES NOT GUARANTEE AWARD SELECTION.

See the following Appendicies for Phase II submission instructions:

Appendix 1 Requirements/Proposal Instructions Applicable to Contracts

Appendix 2 Requirements/Proposal Instructions Applicable to Other Transaction Agreements

6 EVALUATION CRITERIA

The Government will evaluate proposals responsive to any or all areas of interest discussed herein. Proposals will not be evaluated against each other since each proposal represents a unique technology with no common work statement. Determination of total value of the concepts will have the following evaluation criteria:

6.1 Primary Evaluation Criteria

(a) The primary evaluation criteria, which are of equal importance, are: Scientific and technical merits of the proposed research to include, (1) the degree to which proposed research and development objectives support the targeted technical topic and (2) validity of the technical basis for the approach offered; and

(b) Potential contributions to NAWCAD WOLF ASI Division to include (1) relevance to the stated technology areas of interest; (2) anticipated operational military (or commercial, if applicable) utility; (3) ability of proposed system/study to be rapidly ready for field-testing; (4) suitability for inclusion in a warfighting experiment (results of a simulation/study may be suitable for inclusion, but a contractor proposing paper vice hardware, needs to specifically address this evaluation factor); (5) projected affordability of transitioning the technology to the fleet or a commercial activity (for any developed hardware); (6) logistics and fleet supportability of proposed solution; and (7) data rights.

6.2 Additional Evaluation Criteria

Other evaluation criteria, of lesser importance than 6.1 (a) and (b), but equal to each other, are:

(a) the Offeror’s capabilities, related experience, past performance on similar efforts, research personnel, facilities, techniques, or a unique combination of these that are integral factors for achieving the proposal objectives; and

(b) the realism and reasonableness of cost, including proposed cost sharing.

7 FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

LeAnn Spann, e-mail: leann.spann@navy.mil and Trevor Greig, e-mail: trevor.greig1@navy.mil.

8 APPENDICES

Appendix 1 Requirements/Proposal Instructions Applicable to Contracts

Appendix 2 Requirements/Proposal Instructions Applicable to Other Transaction Agreements

APPENDIX 1 – Requirements/Proposal Instructions Applicable to Contracts

A. Application and Submission Information.

Content and Form of Application Submission

Full Proposals

Instructions for Contracts

Content and Form Application:

Applicants must submit a full proposal in accordance with the instructions provided below and contained within a formal Request for Proposal (RFP). Files must be in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF), Microsoft Word 2010 compatible and Microsoft Excel 2010 compatible. Do not password protect documents.

Offerors are responsible for clearly identifying proprietary information. Submissions containing proprietary information must have the cover page and each page containing such information clearly marked.

Full Proposal Format

Paper Size – 8.5 x 11inch paper Margins – one (1) inch on all four (4) sides Spacing – single-spaced Font – Times New Roman, 12 point Technical Proposal Page limit – twenty-five (25) pages, exclusive of cover page.

There are no page limitations for the Cost Proposal or the remaining submission requirements.

Note: Any pages submitted exceeding the page limit shall be disregarded and not evaluated.

Additionally, the electronic file name for all documents submitted under this solicitation must not exceed sixty-eight (68) characters in length, including the file name extension.

The following documents, with attachments, comprise a complete proposal package as described below:

Cover Page: The cover page must include the following:

(a) BAA Number: N68335-21-R-0315;

(b) Title of Proposal;

(c) Identity of prime applicant and a complete list of subcontractors, if applicable;

(d) Type of organization selected from the following categories: Large Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Other Small Business, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Minority Institutions, Other Educational, or Non-Profit;

(e) Technical Points of Contact (TPOCs) (name, address, telephone number, fax number, email address);

(f) Administrative/business contact (name, address, telephone number, fax number, email address);

(g) Total amount of the proposed effort;

(h) Place(s) and period of performance (identify both the base period and any options, if included);

(i) Award instrument requested;

(j) Proposal validity period (minimum one hundred and twenty (120) days);

(k) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number;

(l) Taxpayer identification number;

(m) Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code.

Note: In all cases, the Government Contracting Officer has sole discretion to select award instrument type, regardless of instrument type proposed, and to negotiate all instrument terms and conditions with selectees.

Table of Contents: A listing of the sections within the proposal to include corresponding page numbers.

Proposal Adequacy Checklist in accordance with DFARS 252.215-7009

If contained within the RFP, the Offeror shall complete the proposal adequacy checklist contained in DFARS 252.215-7009 providing the location of requested information or an explanation as to why the requested information is not provided. In preparation of the checklist, Offerors may elect to have their prospective subcontractors use the same or similar checklist as appropriate.

Executive Summary: Provide a synopsis of the proposed project including answers to the following questions:

- What are proposed efforts attempting to accomplish?

- How are efforts accomplished today and what are the limitations?

- Who or what will be affected and what will be the impact if efforts are successful?

- How much will it cost and how long will it take?

- What are the teaming/subcontracting relationships, if applicable? What unique skills and knowledge does each team member have? What role will each team member perform?

The executive summary should include a description of the key technical challenges, a concise review of the technologies proposed to overcome these challenges and achieve the project’s goal, and a clear statement of the novelty and uniqueness of the proposed work.

Technical Proposal: The technical proposal must describe the research in sections as described below:

(a) Technical Concept and Approach: Describe the basic scientific or technical concepts that will be investigated, giving the complete research plan. Describe what is innovative about the proposed approach. Provide the proposed approach compared to alternate approaches other researchers in this field have taken. Given successful completion, describe the results, new knowledge, or insights.

(b) Future Naval Relevance: A description of potential naval relevance and contributions of the effort to the agency’s specific mission.

(c) Project Schedule and Milestones: A summary of the schedule of events and milestones to includes major tasks and their duration start and end dates. Include any planned decision points and demonstrations or experiments.

(d) Provide a detailed roadmap of the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) progression to include beginning, current, and final TRLs in accordance with the Department of Defense (DoD) description in Table 1 (located in Section 5, page 13), as applicable. Also describe how the TRL self-assessment is validated through quantifiable measures.

(e) Stand-alone non-proprietary Statement of Work (SOW): The SOW must clearly define the technical tasks/subtasks to be performed, their durations, and interdependencies. For each task/subtask, provide:

‒ A detailed description of the approach to be taken to accomplish each defined task/subtask

‒ Identification of the primary organization responsible for task execution (prime contractor, subcontractor(s), consultant(s)), by name

‒ Measurable milestones (e.g., a deliverable, demonstration, or other event/activity that marks task completion)

‒ A definition of all deliverables (reporting, data, reports, software, etc.) to be provided to the Government in support of the proposed research tasks/subtasks

‒ Clearly identify any tasks/subtasks (to be performed by either a prime or subcontractor) that will be accomplished on-campus at a university, if applicable

‒ Any optional tasking shall be separately identifiable within the document

Note: It is recommended that the SOW be developed so that each phase of the program is separately defined. The SOW shall be submitted in Microsoft Word format.

(f) Staffing and Key Personnel Qualifications: A detailed description of the proposed staffing by labor category. Include a discussion of the qualifications of all key personnel.

Include resumes or curricula vitae for any key personnel and consultants.

(g) Facilities, Equipment, and Government Furnished Information/Equipment/Material (GFI/E/M): Describe facilities available for performing the proposed research and any additional facilities or equipment the organization proposes to acquire at its own expense.

Indicate Government-owned facilities or equipment already possessed that will be used.

Justify the need for each equipment item. (Additional facilities and equipment will not be provided unless the research cannot be completed by any other practical means). Also provide a list of any GFI/E/M that would be required, if applicable.

(h) Security: If it is determined that access to classified information will be required during the performance of an award, Offerors shall provide evidence (e.g., a written certification) of their current facility clearance and also indicate the current security clearance level and status (e.g., final, interim, pending) for all personnel who could potentially access classified information.

Cost Proposal: A separate Adobe PDF document, in addition to a fully-disclosed, unburdened cost proposal with working formulas in Microsoft Excel, should be included in the proposal that provides appropriate justification and/or supporting documentation for each element of cost proposed. The electronic submission of the Excel spreadsheet should be in a “useable condition” to aid the Government with its evaluation. The term “useable condition” indicates that the spreadsheet should visibly include and separately-identify within each appropriate cell any and all inputs, formulas, calculations, etc. The Offeror should not provide “value only spreadsheets” similar to a hard copy.

Cost proposals shall be submitted in accordance with the requirements detailed in the formal RFP provided by NAWCAD Lakehurst (LKE).

Representations and Certifications:

(a) Prospective awardees must be registered in the SAM database prior to award and must complete electronic annual representations and certifications consistent with guidance at FAR 4.1102 and 4.1201. The representations can be found at https://www.sam.gov/.

Supplementary representations and certifications that must be included in the proposal submission are as follows:

Provision Number Title

FAR 52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment

FAR 52.209-7 Information Regarding Responsibility Matters DFARS 252.203-7005 Representation Relating to Compensation of

Former DoD Officials DFARS 252.204-7007 Alt A Annual Representations and Certifications DFARS 252.225-7003 Report of Intended Performance Outside the

United States and Canada – Submission with Offer (applicable for proposals over $13.5M)

DFARS 252.227-7017 Identification and Assertion of Use, Release, or Disclosure Restrictions

(b) Additional Guidance Regarding Data Rights/Intellectual Property Assertions

i. Noncommercial Items (Technical Data and Computer Software): Offerors requesting a procurement contract must list all noncommercial technical data and computer software planned to be generated, developed, and/or delivered for which the Government will acquire less than unlimited rights and shall also assert specific restrictions on those deliverables. In the event an offeror does not submit the list, the Government will assume that it has unlimited rights to all noncommercial technical data and computer software generated, developed, and/or delivered, unless it is substantiated that the development of the noncommercial technical data and computer software occurred with mixed funding. If mixed funding is anticipated in the development of noncommercial technical data and computer software generated, developed, and/or delivered, Offerors should identify the data and software in question as subject to Government Purpose Rights (GPR).