BAA-12-26-PKM.doc

1-Step Broad Agency Announcement

Overview Information

To access hyperlinks from this electronic solicitation – Hit CTRL and click on the link.

Federal Agency Name: Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Nonmetallic Materials Division, AFRL/RXBN Broad Agency Announcement Title: Nanofilled Dielectrics for High Energy Density Capacitors Broad Agency Announcement Type: This is the Initial Announcement Broad Agency Announcement Number: BAA 12-26-PKM Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s): 12.800_AF Proposal Due Date and Time: 06 Dec 2011, 3:00pm EST NOTE: Proposal receipt after the due date and time shall be governed by the provisions of FAR 52.215-1(c)(3). It should be noted that this installation observes strict security procedures to enter the facility. These security procedures are NOT considered an interruption of normal Government processes, and proposals received after the above stated date and time as a result of security delays will be considered “late.” Furthermore, note that if offerors utilize commercial carriers in the delivery of proposals, they may not honor time-of-day delivery guarantees on military installations. Early proposal submission is encouraged.

Solicitation Request: Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Nonmetallic Materials Division, AFRL/RXBN, Wright Research Site is soliciting technical and cost proposals on the research effort described below. Proposals should be addressed to the Contracting Point of Contact (POC) stated in Section VII of the Full Text Announcement. This is an unrestricted solicitation. Small businesses are encouraged to propose on all or any part of this solicitation. The NAICS Code for this acquisition is 541712(for Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology), and the small business size standard is 500 employees. Proposals submitted shall be in accordance with this announcement. There will be no other solicitation issued in regard to this requirement. Offerors should be alert for any BAA amendments that may permit extensions to the proposal submission date.

CCR Registration: Unless exempted by 2 CFR 25.110 all offerors must (1) Be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) prior to submitting a proposal;(2) Maintain an active CCR registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or proposal under consideration by an agency; and (3) Provide its DUNS number in each application or proposal it submits to the agency. On-line registration instructions can be accessed from the DISA CCR home page at http://www.ccr.gov.

On-line Representations and Certifications: Potential offerors are notified that effective 01 Jan 2005 to be eligible for an award, 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 and DFARS level representations and certifications are required in addition to the representations and certifications specific to this acquisition. Before submitting the Electronic Representations and Certifications, contractors must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) Database.

Type of Contract/Instrument: It is anticipated that cost-reimbursement type contracts (Cost or cost-plus-fixed-fee) will be awarded under this solicitation. The Government reserves the right to award other contract types as well.

Estimated Program Cost: The total estimated funding for all contracts awarded under this solicitation is $900,000, as follows:

Anticipated Number of Awards: The Air Force anticipates awarding 2 contracts for this announcement. The estimated funding for each contract awarded is as follows:

Note: Each of the two planned contracts will consist of a 12-month base effort (to be funded with FY12 funds) plus a 24-month priced option (to be funded with FY13 and FY14 funds). The Air Force will exercise the option for only one of the two planned contracts.

Brief Program Summary:

The objective is to develop highly loaded, highly dispersed nanoparticle filled dielectric material systems with controlled uniformity and minimal defects. Such dielectrics will be used for capacitors with packaged energy densities >2 J/cc, high breakdown, low loss <0.1 and sub microsecond (µs) discharge times.

The overarching goal is to provide significant improvements in the maximum energy storage density by improving breakdown strength and permittivity (εr) while decreasing loss for high energy density capacitors in pulsed power applications. High density, high-performance power conditioning and control electronics are needed for compact, reliable electrical power on air and space platforms to support more electric aircraft and high voltage loads for directed-energy weapons. Lightweight, compact, high energy density capacitors capable of operation at several megajoules per pulse and repetition rates on the order of 100 pulses per second are needed. Nanomaterials with unique chemical and physical properties have the potential to make revolutionary advances in the area of advanced dielectrics for these applications.

Nanostructured dielectrics offer the opportunity to tailor the material on the nanometer scale, resulting in effects and potential opportunities not seen when traditional materials are used. This effort will focus on nano-particle filled material systems to increase performance.

Maintaining dispersion at high loading levels in a manner compatible with large scale capacitor manufacturing has been difficult to achieve in a nano-filled dielectric. Nanoparticles that form micron size agglomerates eliminate the potential advantages of a nanodielectric. Defects lead to premature breakdown, also eliminating the potential advantages of a nanodielectric. Micron sized aggregations of nanoparticles, voids, pinholes, non-uniformity of the film surface and other defects eliminate the potential advantages of a nanodielectric. Dielectric films require a minimum mechanical durability to facilitate capacitor fabrication and film rolling.

Address technical questions to: Shane Juhl, 2941 Hobson Way, B654 R336, WPAFB OH 45402, (937) 904 5045 Address contracting questions to: Darlene White, Contract Negotiator, Det 1 AF Research Laboratory, 2310 Eighth Street, Building 167, Wright –Patterson AFB OH 45433-7801, (937) 255-5402, Darlene.White@wpafb.af.mil, and/or Scott Savory, Contracting Officer, Det 1 AF Research Laboratory, 2310 Eighth Street, Building 167, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7801, (937) 255-5369, scott.savory@wpafb.af.mil.

Full Text Announcement

I. Program Description: Air Force Research Laboratory, AFRL/RXBN is soliciting technical and cost proposals on the following research effort:

Statement of Objectives Nanofilled Dielectrics for High Energy Density Capacitors

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

The objective is to develop highly loaded, highly dispersed nanoparticle filled dielectric material systems with controlled uniformity and minimal defects. Such dielectrics will be used for capacitors with packaged energy densities >2 J/cc, high breakdown, low loss <0.1 and sub microsecond (µs) discharge times.

The overarching goal is to provide significant improvements in the maximum energy storage density by improving breakdown strength and permittivity (εr) while decreasing loss for high energy density capacitors in pulsed power applications. High density, high-performance power conditioning and control electronics are needed for compact, reliable electrical power on air and space platforms to support more electric aircraft and high voltage loads for directed-energy weapons. Lightweight, compact, high energy density capacitors capable of operation at several megajoules per pulse and repetition rates on the order of 100 pulses per second are needed. Nanomaterials with unique chemical and physical properties have the potential to make revolutionary advances in the area of advanced dielectrics for these applications.

Nanostructured dielectrics offer the opportunity to tailor the material on the nanometer scale, resulting in effects and potential opportunities not seen when traditional materials are used. This effort will focus on nano-particle filled material systems to increase performance.

Maintaining dispersion at high loading levels in a manner compatible with large scale capacitor manufacturing has been difficult to achieve in a nano-filled dielectric. Nanoparticles that form micron size agglomerates eliminate the potential advantages of a nanodielectric. Defects lead to premature breakdown, also eliminating the potential advantages of a nanodielectric. Micron sized aggregations of nanoparticles, voids, pinholes, non-uniformity of the film surface and other defects eliminate the potential advantages of a nanodielectric. Dielectric films require a minimum mechanical durability to facilitate capacitor fabrication and film rolling.

1.2 General Program Objectives

1.2.1 This program will focus on nano filled dielectric materials/films for high energy density capacitor applications. Materials fabrication optimization techniques will be developed to establish control over the dielectric materials production methodologies.

2.0 SPECIFIC PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

Note: It is planned that contract(s) awarded under this BAA will be structured to include a base effort plus a priced option. The base effort will consist of the following tasks 2.1 and 2.2:

2.1 Nanodielectric Materials Development

2.1.1 Offerors must demonstrate an understanding of nano filled dielectric systems. Further, they must demonstrate a process with the potential to produce highly loaded, highly dispersed nano filled dielectrics in a manner consistent with packaged capacitor fabrication at or above 2J/cc. Aggregates can be difficult to control in a nano-scale system, especially in a nanocomposite dielectric. Therefore, creativity in the design and conception of a process that creates high dispersion at high loadings will be required and is highly encouraged.

2.1.2 An offeror must show how they intend to greatly minimize or nearly eliminate defects. Greatly reducing defects presents a large challenge and new, creative solutions for this problem are desired.

2.1.3 The offeror shall provide enough raw film to fabricate one capacitor representative of a final product. Film width shall be no less than 3 inches.

2.2 Dielectric Materials Evaluation

2.2.1 The offeror shall provide comprehensive testing to evaluate and compare dielectric materials for use in high energy density capacitors. Measurements will be made to identify those materials and processing techniques exhibiting the highest breakdown strength, dielectric constant as a function of the applied field up to breakdown, material loss, energy density and other relevant characteristics. The offeror will identify and evaluate the samples failure initiation site, progressive damage and related sample degradation.

2.2.2 The offeror shall identify and evaluate the origin of material failures including dielectric film, interface, voids, and any system damage.

2.2.3 The offeror shall develop and provide detailed structure/property studies for the dielectric materials, films and resulting capacitor device performance.

The priced option will consist of the following 2.3 and 2.4:

2.3 Prototype Capacitor Development and Fabrication

2.3.1 This program will develop scale up and manufacturing techniques for the fabrication and evaluation of improved performance packaged high energy density capacitor devices with energy densities > 2J/cc.

2.3.2 This program will evaluate defect, quality control and affordable film scale up and processing methodologies to fabricate large area, defect-free dielectric films with high uniformity.

2.3.3 The offeror shall deliver at least 10 prototype capacitors. AFRL will test these capacitors and provide feedback based on performance. These capacitors are expected to have some variance in terms of packaging, total energy and configuration. An optimal configuration will be chosen from among these.

2.4 Packaged Capacitor Development and Fabrication

2.4.1 The offeror must demonstrate the ability to fabricate large area, high quality, uniform dielectric films. The ability to form extremely uniform large area films for fabrication of high energy density capacitors is critical to the success of this program.

2.4.2 The offeror shall develop control over film structure and morphology as well as its uniformity, thickness and composition through robust process control to achieve high breakdown strength and higher energy densities. The effects of process variables and conditions will be developed and evaluated to establish robust, reproducible processing cycle. This program will develop the necessary materials and processing techniques to mitigate defects for the scale-up of large area films and device fabrication.

2.4.3 The offeror shall investigate and develop the optimum capacitor configuration for high energy density capacitor applications.

2.4.4 The offeror shall deliver 30 packaged capacitors as a representative manufacturing run. These capacitors are exected to have very minimal variance in terms of total energy, packaging and configuration.

Hardware deliverables for the option:

1) The offeror shall provide prototype packaged capacitors as listed in section 2.3 after 22 months.

2) The offeror shall provide packaged capacitors as listed in section 2.4 after 32 months.

Proposals submitted in response to this BAA must address both basic and option efforts. The option will be included in the resulting contract(s) as a priced option.

1. Deliverable Items:

a. Data Items: REFER TO ATTACHED DD FORMs 1423

1) A001: DI-MISC-80711A/T Scientific and Technical Reports (Final Report)

2) A002: DI-FNCL-80912/T Performance and Cost Report

3) A003: DI-ADMN-81373/T Presentation Material

4) A004: DI-MGMT-80368A/T Status Report

b. Hardware deliverables for the base effort:

1) The offeror shall deliver film as listed in section 2.1 after 12 months.

2) The offeror shall deliver characterization data as defined in section 2.2 after 11 months.

c. Hardware deliverables for the option:

1) The offeror shall deliver prototype packaged capacitors as listed in section 2.3 after 22 months.

2) The offeror shall deliver packaged capacitors as listed in section 2.4 after 32 months.

2. Schedule:

a. Overall effort: Contract Period of Performance - Basic Effort: 12 months (9 month technical effort and 3 months for final reporting); Option: 24 months (21 month technical effort and 3 months for final reporting)

b. Data Items: Specified on individual CDRL(s)

c. Hardware: See above.

3. Other Requirements:

a. Program security classification: Unclassified.

b. Export Control: Information involved in this research effort will be subject to Export Control (International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) 22 CFR 120-131, or Export Administration Regulations (EAR) 15 CFR 710-774). If effort is subject to export control then a Certified DD Form 2345, Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement, will be required to be submitted with proposal.

c. Export-Controlled Items: As prescribed by DFARS 204.7303, DFARS 252.204-7008, “Export-Controlled Item (APR 2010)” is contained in this solicitation (as shown below). This clause shall be contained in ALL solicitations and resulting contracts.

EXPORT-CONTROLLED ITEMS (APR 2010)

(a) Definition. “Export-controlled items,” as used in this clause, means items subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730-774) or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Parts 120-130). The term includes:

(1) “Defense items,” defined in the Arms Export Control Act, 22 U.S.C. 2778(j)(4)(A), as defense articles, defense services, and related technical data, and further defined in the ITAR, 22 CFR Part 120.

(2) “Items,” defined in the EAR as “commodities”, “software”, and “technology,” terms that are also defined in the EAR, 15 CFR 772.1.

(b) The Contractor shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations regarding export-controlled items, including, but not limited to, the requirement for contractors to register with the Department of State in accordance with the ITAR. The Contractor shall consult with the Department of State regarding any questions relating to compliance with the ITAR and shall consult with the Department of Commerce regarding any questions relating to compliance with the EAR.

(c) The Contractor's responsibility to comply with all applicable laws and regulations regarding export-controlled items exists independent of, and is not established or limited by, the information provided by this clause.

(d) Nothing in the terms of this contract adds, changes, supersedes, or waives any of the requirements of applicable Federal laws, Executive orders, and regulations, including but not limited to—

(1) The Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended (50 U.S.C. App.2401, et seq.);

(2) The Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751, et seq.);

(3) The International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701, et seq.);

(4) The Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR Parts 730-774);

(5) The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (22 CFR Parts 120-130); and

(6) Executive Order 13222, as extended;

(e) The Contractor shall include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (e), in all subcontracts.

(End of clause)

4. Other Information:

a. Government Furnished Property (GFP) availability:

GFP is not anticipated to be made available under any resulting contract.

b. Base Support/ Network Access: N/A

c. Data Rights Desired:

(1) Technical Data: Unlimited Rights

(2) Non-Commercial Software (NCS): Unlimited Rights

(3) NCS Documentation: Unlimited Rights

(4) Commercial Computer Software Rights: Customary License

The Air Force Research Laboratory is engaged in the discovery, development, and integration of warfighting technologies for our air, space, and cyberspace forces. As such, rights in technical data and NCS developed or delivered under this contract are of significant concern to the government. The Government will therefore carefully consider any restrictions on the use of technical data, NCS, and NCS documentation which could result in transition difficulty or less-than full and open competition for subsequent development of this technology.

In exchange for paying for development of the data, the Government expects technical data, NCS, and NCS documentation developed entirely at Government expense to be delivered with Unlimited Rights.

Technical data, NCS, and NCS documentation developed with mixed funding are expected to be delivered with at least Government Purpose Rights. Offers that propose delivery of technical data, NCS, or NCS documentation subject to Government Purpose Rights should fully explain what technical data, NCS, or NCS documentation developed with costs charged to indirect cost pools and/or costs not allocated to a Government contract will be incorporated, how the incorporation will benefit the program, and address whether those portions or processes are segregable. The Government expects that delivery of technical data, NCS, and NCS documentation subject to Government Purpose Rights will fully meet program needs.

Offers that propose delivery of technical data, NCS, or NCS documentation subject to Limited Rights, Restricted Rights, or Specifically Negotiated License Rights will be considered. Proposals should fully explain what technical data, NCS, or NCS documentation developed with costs charged to indirect cost pools and/or costs not allocated to a government contract will be incorporated and how the incorporation will benefit the program.

Offerors are reminded that the Identification and Assertion of Restrictions on the Government’s Use, Release, or Disclosure of Technical Data or Computer Software (the assertions list), required under DFARS 252.227-7013 and DFARS 252.227-7014, is included in Section K and due at time of proposals. Assertions must be completed with specificity with regard to each item, component, or process listed. Nonconforming assertions lists will be rejected.

Note that DFARS 252.227-7014(d) describes requirements for incorporation of third party computer software (commercial and noncommercial). Any commercial software to be incorporated into a deliverable must be clearly identified in the proposal. Because many commercial software licenses are not transferrable or may not be acceptable to the Government, commercial software licenses proposed for delivery to the Government must be approved by the contracting officer prior to award.

As used in this subparagraph, the terms Unlimited Rights, Government Purpose Rights, Specifically Negotiated License Rights, and Limited Rights in technical data are as defined in DFARS 252.227-7013. The terms Unlimited Rights, Government Purpose Rights, Specifically Negotiated License Rights, and Restricted Rights in noncommercial computer software and noncommercial software documentation are as defined in DFARS 252.227-7014. The term Commercial Computer Software is as defined in DFARS 252.227-7014.

II. Award Information

1. Anticipated Award Date: 19 Feb 2012

2. Anticipated funding for the program (not per contract): FY12 / $300,000; FY13 / $300,000; FY14 / $300,000;

This funding profile is an estimate only and will not be a contractual obligation for funding as all funding is subject to change due to Government discretion and availability

3. Number of awards anticipated: The Government anticipates making two awards under this announcement. The Government reserves the right to make multiple awards, single awards, or no awards as a result of this BAA. It is anticipated that each award will consist of a 12-month basic effort consisting of Statement of Objectives paragraphs 2.1 and 2.2, plus a 24-month priced option consisting of Statement of Objectives paragraphs 2.3 and 2.4. Two contracts are planned; the Government anticipates that the option will be exercised for only one contract. The criteria to be used to determine whether to exercise an option are as follows:

Manufacturability / Scalability: Unscalable processes will make an approach less attractive. Offerors must show how they intend to scale novel solution.

Energy Density: Materials will be evaluated by their energy density. Those with higher energy densities will receive higher scores.

Film Quality (Lack of voids and pinholes, dispersion and morphology, film uniformity) III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Offeror: This is an unrestricted solicitation. Small businesses are encouraged to propose on all or any part of this solicitation.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost sharing is encouraged but 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, against this BAA. 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 solicitation. However, the FFRDC’s sponsoring agency must first make a determination 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, the non-sponsoring agency (in this case AFRL) must make a determination 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. Other:

a. Foreign participation: No

b. This acquisition involves data that are subject to export control laws and regulations. Only contractors who are registered and certified with the Defense Logistics Services Center (DLSC) and have a legitimate business purpose may participate in this solicitation. Contact the Defense Logistics Services Center, 74 Washington Avenue N., Battle Creek, Michigan 40917-3084 (1-800-352-3572) 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.

c. There are no limits to the number of proposals an offeror may submit.

b. You may be ineligible for award if all requirements of this solicitation are not met on the proposal due date as identified above.

IV. Proposal and Submission Information

1. Overview: Proposals submitted shall be in accordance with this announcement. There will be no other solicitation issued in regard to this requirement. Offerors should be alert for any BAA amendments that may permit extensions to the proposal submission date. There is no additional information to be provided.

2. Content and Form of Proposal Submission: The paragraphs below identify proposal format and content. Proposals should be addressed via mail to the Contracting Point of Contact (POC) identified in Section VII.

a. General Instructions: Offerors should apply the restrictive notice prescribed in the provision of FAR 52.215-1(e) Instructions to Offerors—Competitive Acquisition. Offerors should consider proposal instructions contained in the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Guide for Industry, which can be accessed on line at http://www.wpafb.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=9218. This guide is specifically designed to assist the offeror in understanding the BAA proposal process. Technical/management and cost volumes should be submitted in separate volumes, and must be valid for 180 days. Proposals must reference the announcement number BAA-12-26-PKM . Offerors must submit one-original and 2 hard copies of their proposals via mail to the Contracting POC, identified in Section VII. Offerors are advised that only contracting officers are legally authorized to contractually bind or otherwise commit the government. The cost of preparing proposals in response to this BAA 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.

a. Technical/Management Proposal:

i. Page Limitations: The following describes the page limitations on the proposal submittal:

(a) Proposal shall be limited to 30 pages, prepared and submitted in Word format.

(b) Font shall be standard 10-point business font Arial. Character spacing must be “normal,” not condensed in any manner.

(c) Pages shall be double-spaced, single-sided, 8.5 by 11 inches, with at least one-inch margins on both sides, top and bottom. Lines between text lines must also be 10-point.

(d) 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, flowcharts, drawings, and diagrams. These exceptions shall not be used to circumvent formatting requirements and page count limitations by including lengthy narratives in such items.

(e) Pages shall be numbered starting with the cover page being Page 1, and the last page being Page 30. The page limitation covers all information including indices, photographs, foldouts (counted as 1 page for each 8.5 by 11 portion) tables, charts, appendices, attachments, resumes, etc.

(f) The proposal page limit does not include the offeror’s proposed Statement of Work (SOW); however, the same formatting rules apply to the SOW, which is limited to 10 pages.

(g) A CD with the WORD version of your Technical/Management Proposal and the SOW must be submitted with the hard copies of the proposal, and must match the hard copy.

(h) Due to continuing attempts by numerous offerors to obtain an unfair advantage by failing to conform to the formatting rules above, the Government will check the proposal and SOW for conformance to the stated requirements. Any pages in excess of the stated page limitation after the format check will not be considered. In addition if the proposal or SOW does not conform to the above requirements, a notification will be sent to the offeror’s company management to advise of the nonconformance.

ii. The proposal 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, data and facilities and resumes of personnel who will be participating in this effort should also be included as attachments to the technical proposal. This volume shall include a SOW detailing the technical tasks proposed to be accomplished under the proposed effort and suitable for contract incorporation. Do not include any proprietary information in the SOW. Refer to the BAA Guide for Industry referenced above to assist in SOW preparation. If Government Furnished Property is requested you are required to submit the following information with your offer—

(a) A list or description of 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 available for use (including the first, last, and all intervening months) 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.

iii. Any questions concerning the technical proposal or SOW preparation shall be referred to the Technical POC cited in the Overview Information.

b. Cost/Business Proposal:

i. Separate the proposal into a business section and cost section. Adequate price competition is anticipated. The business section should contain all business aspects to the proposed contract, such as type of contractual instrument, any exceptions to terms and conditions of the announcement model contract, any information not technically related, etc. Provide rationale for exceptions. Cost proposals have no page limitations; however, offerors are requested to keep cost proposals to 100 pages or less as a goal. The proposal shall be furnished with supporting schedules and shall contain a person hour breakdown per task. Refer to the BAA Guide for Industry for detailed proposal instructions.

d. Subcontracting plans, for efforts anticipated to exceed $650,000, shall be submitted along with the technical and cost proposals. Reference FAR 19.704, DFARS 219.704, and AFFARS 5319.704(a)(1) for subcontracting plan requirements. Small business concerns are exempt from this requirement.

e. Proposal Content Summary: You may be ineligible for award if all requirements of this solicitation are not met on the proposal due. Reference Section VIII for a Checklist of the requirements.

4. Proposal Due Date and Time: 06 Dec 2011, 3:00pm EST. NOTE: Proposal receipt after the due date and time shall be governed by the provisions of FAR 52.215-1(c)(3).

5. Intergovernmental Review: None

6. Other Submission Requirements: Proposals must be submitted to:

Darlene White, Det 1 AFRL/PKMN Bldg 167, 2310 8th St., Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7801. Submission of proposals via email is NOT authorized.

V. Proposal Review Information

1. Evaluation Criteria: The selection of one or more sources for award will be based on an evaluation of each offeror’s proposal (both technical and cost/price aspects) to determine the overall merit of the proposal in response to the announcement, as well as on Agency need and funding availability. The technical aspect, which is ranked as the first order of priority, shall be evaluated based on the following criteria that are of Descending order of importance:

a. Technical:

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

ii. Soundness of the offeror’s technical approach.

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.

iv. 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.

b. Availability of qualified technical personnel and their experience with the applicable technologies.

vi. Availability, from any source, of necessary research, test, laboratory, or shop facilities.

b. Cost/Price: Cost/Price includes the reasonableness and realism of the proposed cost and fee and consideration of proposed budgets and funding profiles. Cost/Price is a substantial factor, but ranked as the second order of priority. (If an offeror proposes the use of GFP other than any GFP identified in this BAA, 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).

c. Proposal Risk Assessment: Proposal risk for technical, cost, and schedule will be assessed as part of the evaluation of the above evaluation criteria. Proposal risk relates to the identification and assessment of the risks associated with an offeror's proposed approach as it relates to accomplishing the proposed effort. Tradeoffs of the assessed risk will be weighed against the potential payoff.

2. Review and Selection Process

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

i. Category I: Proposal is well conceived, scientifically and technically sound, pertinent to the program goals and objectives, and offered by a responsible contractor with the competent scientific and technical staff and supporting resources needed to ensure satisfactory program results. Proposals in Category I are determined to be acceptable, but will be recommended for award based on availability of funds. They are normally displaced only by other Category I proposals.

ii. Category II: Proposal is scientifically or technically sound, but requires further development, and may be recommended for award, but at a lower priority than Category I.

iii. Category III: Proposal is not technically sound or does not meet agency needs.

b. No other evaluation criteria will be used. The Air Force reserves the right to select for award any, all, part or none of each proposal received.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices: Offerors will be notified whether their proposal is recommended for award, by letter or e-mail, on or about 30 Jan 2012. 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.

2. Administrative Requirements: See Section I.

3. Reporting: See paragraph I.2.a and the attached DD Forms 1423 Contract Data Requirements List for reporting requirements.

VII. Agency Contacts

1. Address technical questions to: Shane Juhl, 2941 Hobson Way, B654 R336, WPAFB OH 45402, (937) 904 5045

2. Address contracting questions to: Darlene White, Contract Negotiator, Det 1 AF Research Laboratory, 2310 Eighth Street, Building 167, Wright –Patterson AFB OH 45433-7801, (937) 255-5402, Darlene.White@wpafb.af.mil, and/or Scott Savory, Contracting Officer, Det 1 AF Research Laboratory, 2310 Eighth Street, Building 167, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7801, (937) 255-5369, scott.savory@wpafb.af.mil.

VIII. 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 its solicitation for the described supplies or services. However, interested persons 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: 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. Wide Area Work Flow:

NOTICE: Any contract award resulting from this solicitation will contain the clause at DFARS 252.232-7003, Electronic Submission of Payment Requests and Receiving Reports (Mar 2008), which requires electronic submission of all payment requests. The clause cites three possible electronic formats through which to submit electronic payment requests. Pursuant to that clause, the Department of Defense is adopting Wide Area Work Flow-Receipt and Acceptance (WAWF-RA). Any contract resulting from this solicitation 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 local 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. Note: This WAWF-RA requirement does not apply to Universities that are audited by an agency other than DCAA.

4. Item Identification and Valuation. Any contract award resulting from this solicitation may contain the clause at DFARS 252.211-7003, Item Identification and Valuation, (Aug 2008) 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.

5. Limitations on Pass-Through Charges. As prescribed in FAR 52.408(n)(1) & 52.408(n)(2), provisions 52.215-22, “Limitations on Pass Through Charges – Identification of Subcontract Effort (Oct 2009),” and 52.215-23, “Limitations on Pass-Through Charges (Oct 2009),” are contained in this solicitation (as shown below). Any contract valued greater than the threshold for cost or pricing data threshold, except fixed price contracts awarded on the basis of adequate price competition, resulting from this solicitation, shall contain the Clause at FAR 52.215-23 (or Alt I).

52.215-22 – Limitations on Pass-Through Charges—Identification of Subcontract Effort (Oct 2009)

(a) Definitions. “Added value, excessive pass-through charge, subcontract, and subcontractor,” as used in this provision, are defined in the clause of this solicitation entitled “Limitations on Pass-Through Charges” (FAR 52.215-23).

(b) General. The offeror’s proposal shall exclude excessive pass-through charges.

(c) Performance of work by the Contractor of a subcontractor.

(1) The offeror shall identify in its proposal the total cost of the work to be performed by the offeror, and the total cost of the work to be performed by each subcontractor, under the contract, task order, or delivery order.

(2) If the offeror intends to subcontract more than 70 percent of the total cost of work to be performed under the contract, task order, or delivery order, the offeror shall identify in its proposal—

(i) The amount of the offeror’s indirect costs and profit/fee applicable to the work to be performed by the subcontractor(s); and

(ii) A description of the added value provided by the offeror as related to the work to be performed by the subcontractor(s).

(3) If any subcontractor proposed under the contract, task order, or delivery order intends to subcontract to a lower-tier subcontractor more than 70 percent of the total cost of work to be performed under its subcontract, the offeror shall identify in its proposal—

(i) The amount of the subcontractor’s indirect costs and profit/fee applicable to the work to be performed by the lower-tier subcontractor(s); and

(ii) A description of the added value provided by the subcontractor as related to the work to be performed by the lower-tier subcontractor(s).

(End of Provision)

52.215-23 – Limitations on Pass-Through Charges (Oct 2009)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause--

“Added value” means that the Contractor performs subcontract management functions that the Contracting Officer determines are a benefit to the Government (e.g., processing orders of parts or services, maintaining inventory, reducing delivery lead times, managing multiple sources for contract requirements, coordinating deliveries, performing quality assurance functions).

“Excessive pass-through charge,” with respect to a Contractor or subcontractor that adds no or negligible value to a contract or subcontract, means a charge to the Government by the Contractor or subcontractor that is for indirect costs or profit/fee on work performed by a subcontractor (other than charges for the costs of managing subcontracts and any applicable indirect costs and associated profit/fee based on such costs).

“No or negligible value” means the Contractor or subcontractor cannot demonstrate to the Contracting Officer that its effort added value to the contract or subcontract in accomplishing the work performed under the contract (including task or delivery orders).

“Subcontract” means any contract, as defined in FAR 2.101, entered into by a subcontractor to furnish supplies or services for performance of the contract or a subcontract. It includes but is not limited to purchase orders, and changes and modifications to purchase orders.

“Subcontractor,” as defined in FAR 44.101, means any supplier, distributor, vendor, or firm that furnishes supplies or services to or for a prime Contractor or another subcontractor.

(b) General. The Government will not pay excessive pass-through charges. The Contracting Officer shall determine if excessive pass-through charges exist.

(c) Reporting. Required reporting of performance of work by the Contractor or a subcontractor. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer in writing if—

(1) The Contractor changes the amount of subcontract effort after award such that it exceeds 70 percent of the total cost of work to be performed under the contract, task order, or delivery order. The notification shall identify the revised cost of the subcontract effort and shall include verification that the Contractor will provide added value; or

(2) Any subcontractor changes the amount of lower-tier subcontractor effort after award such that it exceeds 70 percent of the total cost of the work to be performed under its subcontract. The notification shall identify the revised cost of the subcontract effort and shall include verification that the subcontractor will provide added value as related to the work to be performed by the lower-tier subcontractor(s).

(d) Recovery of excessive pass-through charges. If the Contracting Officer determines that excessive pass-through charges exist;

(1) For other than fixed-price contracts, the excessive pass-through charges are unallowable in accordance with the provisions in FAR subpart 31.2; and

(2) For applicable DoD fixed-price contracts, as identified in 15.408(n)(2)(i)(B), the Government shall be entitled to a price reduction for the amount of excessive pass-through charges included in the contract price.

(e) Access to records.

(1) The Contracting Officer, or authorized representative, shall have the right to examine and audit all the Contractor's records (as defined at FAR 52.215-2(a)) necessary to determine whether the Contractor proposed, billed, or claimed excessive pass-through charges.

(2) For those subcontracts to which paragraph (f) of this clause applies, the Contracting Officer, or authorized representative, shall have the right to examine and audit all the subcontractor's records (as defined at FAR 52.215-2(a)) necessary to determine whether the subcontractor proposed, billed, or claimed excessive pass-through charges.

(f) Flowdown. The Contractor shall insert the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (f), in all cost-reimbursement subcontracts under this contract that exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, except if the contract is with DoD, then insert in all cost-reimbursement subcontracts and fixed-price subcontracts, except those identified in 15.408(n)(2)(i)(B)(2), that exceed the threshold for obtaining cost or pricing data in accordance with FAR 15.403-4.

(End of clause)

Alternate I (OCT 2009). As prescribed in 15.408(n)(2)(iii), substitute the following paragraph (b) for paragraph (b) of the basic clause:

(b) General. The Government will not pay excessive pass-through charges. The Contracting Officer has determined that there will be no excessive pass-through charges, provided the Contractor performs the disclosed value-added functions.

6. Ombudsman: The Ombudsman clause, AFFARS 5352.201-9101 Ombudsman (Aug 2005) will be contained in any contracts or agreements resulting from this Solicitation. The AFRL Ombudsman is Barbara G. Gehrs, Director of Contracting, AFRL/PK, (937) 904-4407, email: Barbara.Gehrs@wpafb.af.mil.

7. Post-Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation: As prescribed in FAR 19.308, FAR Clause 52.219-28, “Post-Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (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 rerepresent its size status when certain conditions apply. The clause provides detail on when the rerepresentation must be complete and what the contractor must do when a rerepresentation is required.

8. Employment Eligibility Verification: As prescribed by FAR 22.1803, FAR Clause 52.222-54, “Employment Eligibility Verification (Jan 2009),” is hereby incorporated by reference in this solicitation. Any contract awarded as a result of this BAA that is above the Simplified Acquisition Threshold, and contains a period of performance greater than 120 days, shall include this clause in its contract. This clause provides the requirement of contractors to enroll as a Federal Contractor in the E-Verify program within 30 days after contract award.

9. Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Sub-contract/Sub-recipient Awards: As prescribed by FAR 4.1403(a), FAR 52.204-10, “Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards,” is hereby incorporated by reference in this solicitation. Any contract valued at $25,000 or more, excluding classified contracts or contractors with individuals, must contain this clause.

10. Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters: Any contract award that exceeds $500,000.00; and when an offeror checked “has” in paragraph (b) of the provision 52.209-7, shall contain the clause/article, 52.209-9, “Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (Jan 2011).”

11. Contractor Business Systems: DFARS 252.242-7005, Contractor Business Systems, is hereby incorporated by reference.

12. Proposal Content Checklist: You may be ineligible for award if all requirements of this solicitation 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. See Section IV.3.b.of the solicitation for page limits.

iv. Completed Certifications and Representations (Section K) are due with the proposal. Certifications and Representations (Section K) can be found as an attachment to this BAA.

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

vi. For any…