SUPERNOVA2011.doc

DET 8 CLOSED BAA with Calls

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT

BAA-10-RD01

Air Force Research Laboratory/Directed Energy Directorate

ANNOUNCEMENT OVERVIEW

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT TITLE: SUPER Novel Optically diVerse Applications (SUPERNOVA)

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: BAA-10-RD-01

BRIEF PROGRAM SUMMARY: This is a 2010 5-year, Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) describing the research areas of interest (to solicit research proposals) for the SUPER NOVA BAA-10-RD-01 program. Multiple awards of contracts are anticipated with varying periods of performance. Periodically over the 5 - year period, proposal call announcements (CALLS) may be issued in the FedBizOps to request proposals for specific research efforts as technical topic areas are identified. These subsequent CALLS will contain specific descriptions of the research effort to be addressed, anticipated period of performance, information peculiar to the specific research technical topic area, and the funding profile for proposals received under the CALL.

PROPOSAL DUE DATE AND TIME: This BAA will remain open for a period of 5 years from the date of publication. NO PROPOSALS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED AGAINST THIS BASELINE BAA. Proposal due dates and times will be specified in each CALL. Proposals received after the due date and time specified in the CALL shall be governed by the provisions of FAR 52.215-1(c)(3).

ESTIMATED PROGRAM COST: Anticipated funding for the program (not per contract or award): FY10: $52.7M; FY 11: $52.7M; FY 12: $52.7M; FY 13: $52.7M; FY 14: $52.7M. This funding is an estimate only and will not be a contractual obligation for funding. All funding is subject to change due to government discretion and availability. Each CALL will contain estimated funding profiles specific to that effort. All potential offerors should be aware that due to unanticipated budget fluctuations, funding in any or all areas may change with little or no notice.

GENERAL INFORMATION: The applicable NAICS code for this announcement is 541712 with a size standard of 500 employees. This acquisition is unrestricted. This BAA is issued under the provisions of Federal Acquisition Regulation paragraph 6.102(d)(2) that provides for the competitive selection of research proposals. Proposals submitted in response to CALLS issued pursuant to this BAA that are selected for award are considered to be the results of full and open competition and in full compliance with the provisions of PL 98-369, the Competition In Contracting Act of 1984. There will be no other announcement issued for this requirement. Offerors MUST monitor FedBizOps http://www.fbo.gov.

TYPE OF CONTRACTS/INSTRUMENTS: 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 Federal Acquisition Regulation. It is anticipated that awards under this BAA will generally be cost plus fixed fee, completion form contracts, which require successful offerors to have an accounting system considered adequate for tracking costs applicable to the contract.

ANTICIPATED NUMBER OF AWARDS: The Air Force anticipates awarding a minimum of one contract per specific CALL. However, the Air Force does reserve the right to make multiple awards or no awards pursuant to a CALL.

Technical Point of Contact: The technical point of contact for the baseline BAA is Michael Mendoza AFRL/RDSB, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone 505-846-5722, Fax 505-853-1698.

Contracting Points of Contact: The contracting points of contact for the baseline BAA are: Contract Specialist: Debby Dickens, Det 8 AFRL/RDKB, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone 505-846-0077, Email debra.dickens@kirtland.af.mil or Contracting Officer: Liza Herrera, Det 8 AFRL/RDKB, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone 505-846-6644, Email liza. herrera@kirtland.af.mil

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT

BAA-10-RD-01

Air Force Research Laboratory/DIRECTED ENERGY Directorate

FULL TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT

1. REQUIREMENT DESCRIPTION

A. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) (Directed Energy Directorate (RD) is interested in receiving proposals from all offerors to advance the state-of-the-art and scientific knowledge in the topic areas listed below to meet performance, reliability, maintainability, supportability and affordability goals, or which enhance performance or significantly reduce cost, schedule, or risk of existing technologies, are of particular interest. Our primary goals are to advance the technology development and research into optical beam control in the presence of atmospheric turbulence; advance satellite imaging and characterizations concepts; advance laser signatures, characterization, phenomenology, and imaging concepts; advance laser imaging range data analysis applications; and advance space situational awareness concepts.

B. This is a 5-year, Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) describing the research areas of interest for the SUPER Novel Optically Diverse Applications program. Multiple awards of contracts of various values are anticipated with a period of performance ranging from 12 to 60 months. Periodically over the 5-year period (calculated from the baseline BAA publication date), proposal call announcements (CALLS) under the BAA may be issued in the FedBizOps to request proposals for specific research efforts as technical topic areas are identified. These subsequent CALLS will contain specific descriptions of the research effort to be addressed, anticipated period of performance, information peculiar to the specific research technical topic area, and the estimated funding profile specific to the CALL. Each CALL will specify a proposal due date and time. Proposals received after the stated due date and time will be governed by FAR 52.215-1(c)(3). Multiple subsequent CALLS are anticipated and may be announced sequentially or concurrently in the FedBizOps. The Government reserves the right to re-issue a previously announced CALL area with a second, subsequent proposal period. The Government also reserves the right to issue no CALLS for any given technology area.

C. TOPIC AREA 1 Electro-Optic (E-O) Characterization; Technical POC: Daniel Senft (DSN 263-3257, COMM 505-853-3257). Technical solutions should address electro-optic characterization capabilities for use in Active Awareness, Characterization, and Tracking efforts. Specific concepts include satellite imaging, space object characterization, foveated imaging techniques, characterization phenomenologies (such as polarimetry and vibrometry), lightweight optics, relay mirrors, optical components engineering and analysis, active illuminators, beam control, acquisition / tracking / pointing, atmospheric compensation, active countermeasures, and laser effects.

TOPIC AREA 2 Advanced Sensors and Laser Intelligence, surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR). Technical POC: Capt. Michael Myers (DSN 246-2050, COMM 505-846-2050). Technical solutions should address laser Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) sensing and Imaging Concepts, (3-D, Polarimetry), laser signatures, characterization, and phenomenology, turret systems with multi-sensor capabilities, laser Illuminator Development, field and deployment demonstrations, advanced concepts and applications using varied sensors and platforms, technology cross-discipline applications, exploitation and dissemination. Solutions may include but are not limited to hyper-spectral, multi-band, and/or multi-aperture imagery data of resolved and unresolved space objects of interest. Applications can include but are not limited to: airborne ISR, ISR turret payloads, active imaging; MDA applications, missile launch characterization; pathogen and chemical detection; satellite characterization; laser communications; beam control; atmospheric compensation; acquisition, pointing, and tracking; optical component development; Space Situational Awareness; and EO Characterization capabilities supporting efforts to transition technology to product center, manufacturing, and warfighters.

TOPIC AREA 3 Advanced Imaging Applications. Technical POC: Virginia Wright (DSN 291-7743, COM 808-891-7743) and USAF CAPT Steven James (DSN 291-7761, COM 808-891-7761). Technical solutions should address the development of new approaches, both experimental and computational, to increase or extract image spatial information well beyond current capabilities for space objects of interest. Solutions may include but are not limited to polarimetric, hyperspectral, multi-band, and/or multi-aperture imagery data of resolved and unresolved space objects of interest. Applications that involve laser illumination, active imaging, ranging and velocimetry are encouraged. Proposals on super resolution imagery technique development and 3D image reconstruction of resolved objects and photometric satellite signature analysis of unresolved objects are of interest. Technical solutions can include post processing algorithm development, development and upgrades of sensors, and use and upgrades of existing laser systems.

TOPIC AREA 4 Space Situational Awareness. Technical POC: Quentin Dierks (DSN 246-9667, COMM 505-846-9667). Technical solutions should address Advancing Space Situational Awareness (SSA) concepts. Solutions include, but aren’t limited to: SSA R&D, systems engineering, system, & architecture modeling & simulation, electro-optical (EO) SSA & related concepts, second-generation sodium beacon & adaptive optics, resolved and non-resolved imaging, non-imaging, multiple aperture, distributed systems, and support for component and system level testing & analysis.

D. The following data deliverables are representative of the types of data that may be required: (a) Program Plan with updates as needed; (b) Monthly Status/Financial Reports; (c) Final Report, draft and final; and (d) Presentation Materials. Data deliverables are subject to negotiations on each individual CALL.

2. ANTICIPATED FUNDING

Anticipated funding for the program (not per contract or award): FY10: $52.7M; FY 11: $52.7M; FY 12: $52.7M; FY 13: $52.7M; FY 14: $52.7M. This funding profile is an estimate only and will not be a contractual obligation for funding. All funding is subject to change due to government discretion and availability. Each CALL will contain funding profiles specific to that effort. All potential offerors should be aware that due to unanticipated budget fluctuations, funding in any or all areas may change with little or no notice.

3. POINTS OF CONTACT

A. TECHNICAL POINTS OF CONTACT (TPOC). Each CALL will include a specific technical area point of contact.

1) TOPIC AREA 1 The technical point of contact is Daniel Senft AFRL/RDS (DSN 263-3257, COMM 505-863-3257).

2) TOPIC AREA 2 The technical point of contact is Capt. Michael Meyers (DSN 246-2050, COMM 505-846-2050).

3) TOPIC AREA 3 The technical point of contact is Virginia Wright (DSN 291-7743, COMM 808-891-7743).

4) TOPIC AREA 4 The technical point of contact is Quentin Dierks (DSN 246-9667, COMM 505-846-9667).

B. CONTRACTING POINTS OF CONTACT:

1) The contracting points of contact for the baseline BAA are:

a) Contracting Officer: Liza Herrera, Det 8 AFRL/RDKB, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone 505-846-6644, Email liza.herrera@kirtland.af.mil

b) Contract Specialist: Debby Dickens, Det 8 AFRL/RDKB, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone 505-846-0077, Email debra.dickens@kirtland.af.mil

2) Each CALL will include specific contracting points of contact.

C. OMBUDSMAN:

AFFARS CLAUSE 5352.201-9101 Ombudsman (AUG 2005) is hereby incorporated into this BAA and will be made a part of any awards based on this solicitation. The ombudsman for AFRL is Ms Barbara Gehrs, AFRL/PK, 1864 4th Street, Bldg 15, Room 225, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, 45433-7130, Phone 937-255-0432, Fax 937-255-5036, E-mail barbara.gehrs@wpafb.af.mil.

4. COMMUNICATIONS

A. Prospective offerors are reminded to contact the technical point of contact to verify interest in the effort to be proposed and the funding availability PRIOR to committing any resources to the preparation of any proposals in response to this announcement/CALL. Due to the nature of this requirement no foreign companies shall be considered for award.

B. Dialogue between prospective offerors and Government representatives is encouraged until submission of proposals. 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.

C. NO PROPOSALS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED AGAINST THIS BASELINE BAA. Proposal due dates and times will be specified in each CALL. Proposals received after the due date and time specified in the CALL shall be governed by the provisions of FAR 52.215-1(c)(3).

D. There will be no other announcement issued for this requirement. Offerors MUST monitor FedBizOps http://www.fbo.gov in the event this announcement is amended or CALLs are issued. Offerors must monitor this system to ensure they receive the maximum proposal preparation time for subsequent amendments as this is the official notification vehicle to request proposals.

E. Potential offerors are requested to advise the contracting officer if they intend to submit a proposal in response to a CALL. Such notification is merely a courtesy and is not a commitment by the offeror to submit a proposal.

5. GENERAL INFORMATION

Potential offerors are advised of the following:

A. The applicable NAICS code for this announcement and any CALLS issued pursuant to this BAA is 541712 with a size standard of 500 employees.

B. This acquisition is unrestricted. This BAA is issued under the provisions of Federal Acquisition Regulation paragraph 6.102(d)(2) that provides for the competitive selection of research proposals. Proposals submitted in response to CALLS issued pursuant to this BAA that are selected for award are considered to be the results of full and open competition and in full compliance with the provisions of PL 98-369, the Competition In Contracting Act of 1984.

C. Organizational Conflict of Interest may apply to this action but cannot be determined prior to issuance of this announcement or subsequent CALLS. This issue and the need for applicable clauses will be resolved prior to the award of any instrument resulting from an offeror’s proposal.

D. Department of Defense (DOD) Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) (C31 Lab, Lincoln Laboratory, or Software Engineering Institute) may submit proposals in response to this announcement. Other FFRDCs or contractors that propose using FFRDCs not discussed herein shall provide rationale in its proposal that the research is within the purpose, mission, general scope of effort or special competency of the FFRDC and that research to be performed would not place the FFRDC in direct competition with the private sector. The Government does not intend that FFRDCs use privileged information or access to facilities to compete with the private sector. If a contractor proposes using a FFRDC as a subcontractor, other than DOD-sponsored FFRDCs in the capacities discussed in DFARS 235.017, it must provide rationale in its proposal that supports the unique capability of the FFRDC. Also, the contractor’s proposal must demonstrate that the FFRDC can accept work from other than the sponsor.

E. Research areas may involve technology that is subject to U.S. Export Control Laws. It is anticipated that awards will be unclassified with limited access. Therefore, only offerors who are certified by the Defense Logistics Information Service (DLIS) may submit proposals. For questions, contact DLIS on-line at http://www.dlis.dla.mil/jcp or at DLIS, US/Canada Joint Certification Center, Federal Center, 74 North Washington, Battle Creek MI 49017-4312, (800) 352-3572.

6. AWARD INFORMATION

A. It is anticipated that this BAA will remain open for a period of 5 years from the date of publication. This BAA will be reviewed annually. Any updates or possible cancellation will be issued as an amendment to the BAA. This annual review and subsequent amendment to the BAA shall meet the requirement of FAR 35.016 to publish the BAA no less frequently than annually.

B. 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 Federal Acquisition Regulation.

It is anticipated that awards under this BAA will generally be cost plus fixed fee, completion form, and contracts which require successful offerors to have an accounting system considered adequate for tracking costs applicable to the contract. Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) with Cost- Plus Fixed Fee (Completion) Delivery Orders are also anticipated. If an ID/IQ type contract is contemplated the individual call will specify the total minimum and maximum quantity of services the Government will acquire. In the event an ID/IQ type of contract is proposed and awarded, potential offerors are advised that during the course of the contract, the maximum dollar amount of the contract is subject to adjustments that may be appropriate for the Government to take full advantage of the contract ordering period. Unless specifically requested in the CALL, proposals for IDIQ contract are not desired.

The anticipated type of contract will be addressed in each CALL. However, because this BAA solicitation and award process does provide for awarding various contract types, it is typically not possible to include all of the required and potentially desired provisions, clauses, terms and conditions applicable to any given contract award that might result from a particular Call to this BAA. Except in those unusual situations where a model contract can be developed and included in the Call itself, model contracts will be provided to each apparent successful offeror for review and comment as part of the BAA solicitation and award process. Prospective offerors are encouraged to discuss the type of instrument proposed with the appropriate contracting point of contact prior to preparing a proposal.

C. ANTICIPATED NUMBER OF AWARDS: The Air Force anticipates awarding a minimum of one contract per specific CALL. However, the Air Force does reserve the right to make multiple awards or no awards pursuant to a CALL.

D. Discussions may be held with prospective awardees prior to award if needed. In the event the Government is unable to conclude negotiations with the apparent successful offeror(s), it reserves the right to conduct negotiations with another acceptable offeror.

7. PROPOSAL PREPARATION

A. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:

1. This BAA and associated CALLS are expressions of interest only and do not commit the Government to pay for proposal preparation cost. The cost of preparing proposals in response to CALLS placed pursuant to this BAA is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resulting contract or to any other contract. However, it may be an allowable indirect expense as specified in FAR 31.205-18.

2. Proposals must reference this BAA number, the CALL number, and include a unique contractor generated proposal identification number. Unnecessarily elaborate brochures or presentations beyond that sufficient to present a complete and effective proposal are not desired.

3. Offerors must identify proposal information considered proprietary by marking their proposals with the restrictive language contained in FAR 52.215-1(e), Instructions to Offerors—Competitive Acquisition.

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

5. There are no limits to the number of proposals an offeror may submit for any given CALL unless otherwise specified in the CALL.

6. You may be ineligible for award if all requirements of this announcement are not met by the proposal due date and time as identified in each CALL.

B. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

PROPOSALS SUBMITTED SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND ANY INSTRUCITONS IN THE INDIVIDUAL CALL FOR PROPOSALS

1. Submit with a cover letter, an original, three paper copies, and one electronic copy of the technical proposal and the cost/business proposal. The original and paper copies of technical and cost/business proposals must be in separate volumes. The electronic copy must be submitted on a compact disk (CD-R) in a PC compatible file format and must be readable by Microsoft Office. The electronic copy of the cost proposal worksheets must be in Microsoft Office Excel 2003 or later version and must contain all cell formulas.

2. Proposals for FAR type contracts should be submitted to Det 8 AFRL/RDKB Attn: Contracting Officer identified in CALL, 2251 Maxwell St SE, Bldg 424, Kirtland AFB NM 87117-5773. Proposals sent to any inappropriate address are ineligible for award. Proposals for FAR contracts sent via facsimile or electronic means will not be accepted.

3. ON-LINE REPRESENTATIONS AND CERIFICATIONS: Potential offerors are notified that effective 01 Jan 2005 to be eligible for an award and in compliance with FAR 52.204-7 and DFARS 252.204-7007 Alternate A, they must submit annual Electronic Representations and Certifications, otherwise known as On-line Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) via the Business Partner Network (BPN) at http://www.bpn.gov/orca. These FAR level representations and certifications are required in addition to the representations and certifications specific to this acquisition. Before submitting the Electronic Represenations and Certifications, contractors must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) Database. On-line registration instructions can be accessed from the DISA CCR home page at http://www.ccr.gov. Offerors must complete other required representations and certifications (Attachment No. 3). Offerors may be required to provide proposal specific representations and certifications identified and requested by the cognizant contracting officer.

4. Support Contractors: Only Government employees will evaluate the proposals for selection. The AFRL Directed Energy (RD) and Space Vehicles (RV) has contracted for various business and staff support services, some of which require contractors to obtain administrative access to proprietary information submitted by other contractors. Administrative access is defined as “handling or having physical control over information for the sole purpose of accomplishing the administrative functions specified in the administrative support contract, which do not require the review, reading, or comprehension of the content of the information on the part of non-technical professionals assigned to accomplish the specified administrative tasks.” These contractors have signed general non-disclosure agreements and organizational conflict of interest statements. The required administrative access will be granted to non-technical professionals. Examples of the administrative tasks performed include: a. Assembling and organizing information for R&D case files; b. Accessing library files for use by government personnel; and c. Handling and administration of proposals, contracts, contract funding and queries. Consent to administrative access is included in K004 of the representations and certifications. Any objection to administrative access must be in writing to the Contracting Officer and shall include a detailed statement of the basis for the objection.

C. SPECIFIC PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cover letter

A cover letter shall accompany each proposal. The cover letter should identify the BAA number, CALL number, and technology area under which the proposal is submitted, a statement that the proposal is valid for 120 days from the due date specified in the CALL, provide technical and contracting points of contact, CAGE code, and include statement indicating if the firm is a small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a), or women-owned small business concern. The proposal must be signed and dated by an authorized official of the organization.

2. Technical Proposal

a. Content. The technical proposal must convey an understanding of the problems or limitations of the general technology area and the intended application(s). The technical proposal shall include the following items.

(1) Executive Summary: Describe the proposed program, objectives, and approach. A description of the innovation and benefits of the proposed approach and relationship to previous efforts should be discussed. It should summarize the technical issues addressed by the offeror’s proposal without repeating the requirements. This should provide a vision of what will ultimately be achieved and what solution this effort will produce.

(2) Program Description: Describe the techniques, methods, materials, or ideas that will be addressed in this proposal, their innovation, and to what degree they advance the state-of-the-art.

(3) Program Plan: Describe in detail the planned approach and how the plan will be executed. This section should include all technical aspects of the approach. Provide technical detail and analysis necessary to support the technical approach proposed. Clearly identify the core of the intended approach. The “new and creative” solution to the problem(s) should be developed and analyzed in this section. Include a risk assessment of key technical, schedule or cost areas and their potential impact on the program. Identify why proposed subcontractors were selected and what tasks they are to perform.

(4) Contractor’s Statement of Work (C-SOW):

(A) The C-SOW, a stand-alone document, should detail the research to be accomplished under the technical area and should be suitable for incorporation into the awarded document. The proposed C-SOW should summarize the technical methodology and the task description, but not to the extent to make the awarded instrument inflexible. Do not include any proprietary information in the C-SOW. Contractors may request copies of our contracts under the Freedom Of Information Act. Consequently, it is imperative that no company-sensitive information be included in the C-SOW. The C-SOW should include the anticipated deliverables (hardware, software, reports, etc.). Note – If an ID/IQ type contract is anticipated, a C-SOW is required for both the basic ID/IQ contract and any individual delivery order(s).

(B) The following is offered as a recommended format for the C-SOW. The C-SOW should be structured in three sections; Scope, Applicable Documents, and Requirements.

SCOPE: This section includes a statement of what the program covers. This should include the technology area to be investigated, objectives/goals, and major milestones for the effort. It defines the breadth and limitations of the work to be done.

APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS: This section includes reference documents needed to identify or clarify the work to be performed.

REQUIREMENTS: This section identifies the specific work to be performed. The work effort should be arranged into major tasks and identified in separately numbered paragraphs. Each numbered major task should delineate by subtask the work to be performed and should follow an outline numbering scheme. The C-SOW must identify all reviews and when/where (identify by milestone or task) that will be conducted. It must also identify any and all items (hardware, software, reports, etc.) to be delivered to the Government as a result of the program. When proposing, indicate the appropriate CDRLs for your effort in the C-SOW, and the applicable C-SOW paragraph in Block 5 of the associated CDRL. Although the cost to prepare CDRL materials is included in the basic price, do provide an estimate cost specific to each CDRL proposed. Please complete Block 17 and 18 of each CDRL.

(5) Milestone Chart: A Milestone Chart should indicate when specific objectives are expected to be met in the overall program schedule and should identify the specific accomplishments necessary to proceed to the next task. Provide a schedule of when the deliverable items identified in the CALL are to be delivered.

(6) Facilities and Equipment description: Describe the facilities that can be used to achieve the goals of the program, in terms of manufacturing capability, testing facilities, and/or any relevant specialized equipment.

(7) Description of Relevant Prior Work: Provide a list of related previous or current government, commercial, or internally funded work during the past five years. For each such effort, provide the principal investigator, title of effort, contract number, brief summary of results, dollar value, and a technical and contracting point of contact, including phone numbers, for the funding organizations.

(8) Management Plan: Offerors should provide an approach that demonstrates the ability to effectively and efficiently manage and administer the research program to a successful conclusion.

(9) Resumes of Key Individuals: Include brief summaries of resumes of relevant key individuals including any consultants or subcontractors that might be proposed.

b. Page Limitations. The technical proposal including the C-SOW shall be limited to 15 pages, single spaced, double-sided, 8.5 by 11-inch pages. Select an easy to read font no smaller than 12 pitch fixed or proportional font size 10 or larger. Smaller type may be used in figures and tables as long as it is clearly legible. The page limitation includes all information i.e., indices, photographs, foldouts (2 page), appendices, attachments, C-SOW, etc. Each printed side counts as one page. Blank pages, title pages, tables of content, lists, tabs, resumes or cover sheets are not included in the page count. The Government will not consider pages in excess of this limitation.

3. Cost/Business Proposal

Separate this proposal into a cost section and a business section.

a. Cost Section. Adequate price competition is not anticipated for this BAA and any subsequent CALLs issued. Adequate price competition is determined not to exist. The Government will require certified cost or pricing data from the offeror whose proposal exceeds the threshold listed at FAR 15.403-4. Based on the type of instrument proposed, use the attached non-APCcost proposal instructions to prepare the cost proposal (Attachment No. 2). Submit the electronic copy of the cost proposal worksheets on a compact disk (CD-R) in a PC compatible file format in Microsoft Office Excel 2003 or later version. The file must contain all cell formulas. Cost proposals have no page limitations but offerors are requested to keep cost proposals to 75 pages as a goal.

b. Business Section. The business section should contain all business aspects to the proposed contractual arrangement, such as type of contract/instrument, any unique terms and conditions, any exceptions to terms and conditions of the announcement or CALL, and any information not technically related. Provide rationale for exceptions. As a goal, offerors are requested to keep the business section to 20 pages. This section should include the following items as appropriate.

(1) Completed representations and certifications and any specific representations and certifications identified in a CALL.

(2) Completed Proposal Content Checklist. Failure to provide a complete proposal may result in a determination that the proposal is non-responsive and may be eliminated from consideration for award.

8. PROPOSAL REVIEW AND EVALUATION PROCEDURES

A. GENERAL.

The Government reserves the right to select for award to responsible offerors/ contractors any, all, part, or none of the proposals received in response to this announcement, subject to the availability of funds. You may be ineligible for award if all requirements of this announcement and subsequent CALLS are not met by the proposal due date and time. At minimum, incomplete proposals may be given lower priority and, although technically acceptable, not awarded due to funding limitations.

B. EVALUATION CRITERIA.

The selection of one or more sources for award will be based on an evaluation of each offeror’s proposal to determine the overall merit of the proposal in response to this announcement. Proposals will be evaluated in accordance with FAR 35.016. The proposals will be evaluated utilizing a peer or scientific review process and shall be evaluated based on the following criteria that are listed in descending order of importance:

Overall scientific and technical merits of the proposal;

Importance to AFRL/RD programs;

Fund availability/affordability Fund availability is the project’s budget or available financial resources to perform the research. Affordability links the proposed effort’s price to the funds available to perform the research effort. Once selected for possible award, price will be evaluated for realism and reasonableness.

No further evaluation criteria will be used. However, the Government reserves the right to tailor evaluation criteria as needed for individual calls.

C. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

The technical and cost proposals will be evaluated at the same time and categorized as follows:

1. CATEGORY I: Well conceived scientifically and technically sound proposals important to program goals and objectives. Proposals in Category I are recommended for acceptance subject to funding constraints.

2. CATEGORY II: Scientifically or technically sound proposals that may require further development and may be recommended for acceptance, but are at a lower priority than Category I proposals and are not always funded.

3. CATEGORY III: Proposals not technically sound or do not meet agency needs and may be recommended for rejection.

D. AWARD NOTICES

Offerors will be notified in writing whether or not their proposal is recommended for award. An award recommendation is not to be construed to mean the award of a contract is assured, as availability of funds and successful negotiations are prerequisites to any award.

E. DEBRIEFINGS

When requested, a debriefing will be provided. The debriefing process will follow the time guidelines set out in 10 USC 2305(b)(5).

9. OTHER INFORMATION

A. SUBCONTRACTING PLANS: Small Business Subcontracting Plans are required under FAR 19.702 for efforts anticipated to exceed $550,000 (Individual Subcontracting Plan Checklist and Review (Attachment No. 5)). Prospective offerors shall submit applicable subcontracting plans in accordance with the requirements set forth in FAR 19.704 and DFARS 219.704 along with the technical and cost proposals. Small business is exempt from this requirement. If a company has a master subcontracting plan, as described in FAR 19.701 or a comprehensive subcontracting plan, as described in DFARS 219.702, a copy of the plan shall be submitted with the proposal. The subcontracting plan is a part of the cost/business section of the proposal and will not be included in the page count.

B. WIDE AREA WORK FLOW NOTICE: Any contract award resulting from this announcement will contain the clause at DFARS 252.232-7003, Electronic Submission Of Payment Requests, which requires electronic submission of all payment requests. Any contract resulting from this announcement will establish a requirement to use WAWF-RA for invoicing and receipt/acceptance, and provide coding instructions applicable to this contract. Contractors are encouraged to take advantage of available training (both web-based and through your cognizant DCMA office), and to register in the WAWF-RA system. Information regarding WAWF-RA, including the web-based training and registration, can be found at https://wawf.eb.mil/ .

C. ASSOCIATE CONTRACTOR AGREEMENTS. Associate Contractor Agreements (ACAs) are agreements between contractors working on government contract projects that specify requirements for 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.

D. ITEM IDENTIFICATION AND VALUATION. Any contract award resulting from this announcement may contain the clause at DFARS 252.211-7003, Item Identification and Valuation, (Apr 2005) which requires unique item identification and valuation of any deliverable item for which the government’s unit acquisition cost is $5,000 or more; subassemblies, components, and parts embedded within an item valued at $5,000 or more; or items for which the government’s unit acquisition cost is less than $5,000 when determined necessary by the requiring activity for serially managed, mission essential, or controlled inventory. Also included are any DoD serially managed subassembly, component, or part embedded within a delivered item and the parent item that contains the embedded subassembly, component, or part. Per DFARS 211.274-3 policy for valuation, it is DoD policy that contractors shall be required to identify the government’s unit acquisition cost for all items delivered, even if none of the criteria for placing a unique item identification mark applies. Therefore, your proposal must clearly break out the unit acquisition cost for any deliverable items. Per DFARS 211.274-3 policy for valuation, “the government’s unit acquisition cost is the contractor’s estimated fully burdened unit cost at time of delivery to the government for cost type or undefinitized line, subline, or exhibit line items” (per DoD, “fully burdened unit costs” to the government would include all direct, indirect, g&a costs, and an appropriate portion of fee.). If you have questions regarding the unique item identification requirements, please contact the contracting point of contact listed above. For more information, see the following website: http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/pdi/uid/index.html E. Offerors who have forward pricing rate agreements (FPRA’s) and forward pricing rate recommendations (FPRR’s) should submit them with their proposal.

F. Pursuant to Far 22.805, a preaward 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 Preaward Registry http://www.dol-esa.gov/preaward . This registry indicates that the contractor has been found to be “in compliance” within the past two years with The Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) regulations that the OFCCP is mandated to enforce. The registry is updated nightly and facilities reviewed more than 2 years ago are removed and new ones are added. Award may be delayed if you are not currently listed in the registry and the contracting officer must request a preaward clearance from the OFCCP.

G. EXCESSIVE PASS-THROUGH CHARGES. Any contract award resulting from this announcement may contain the clause at DFARS 252.215-7004, Excessive Pass-Through Charges (Apr 2007) which requires the contractor to identify in its proposal the percentage of effort to be performed by the prime contractor and the percentage expected to be performed by each subcontractor. If the contractor intends to subcontract more than 70% of the total cost of work under the contract or task order, then it shall identify the amount of the contractor’s indirect costs and profit applicable to the subcontract work, and a description of the value added by the contractor. If any subcontractor intends to subcontract to a lower tier subcontractor more than 70% of the total cost of its work, then it shall identify the amount of the subcontractor’s indirect costs and profit applicable to the lower tier subcontract work, and a description of the value added by the subcontractor.

H. POST-AWARD SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM REPRESENTATION: As prescribed in FAR 19.308, FAR Clause 52.219-28, “Post-Award Small Business Program Representation (APR 2009),” is incorporated by reference in this solicitation. This clause will be contained in any contracts resulting from this solicitation. This clause requires a contractor to represent its size status when certain conditions apply. The clause provides detail on when the representation must be complete and what the contractor must do when a representation is required.