MaRSS_BAA-RQKM-2014-0013.docx

1-Step Broad Agency Announcement

Overview Information

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA)

NUMBER: BAA-RQKM-2014-0013

MATERIALS RESEARCH AND SURVIVABILITY STUDIES (MaRSS)

NAICS Code: 541712 Federal Agency Name: Air Force Research Laboratory, AFRL/RX Materials and Manufacturing Directorate Broad Agency Announcement Title: Materials Research and Survivability Studies (MaRSS) Broad Agency Announcement Type: This is the Initial Announcement Broad Agency Announcement Number: BAA-RQKM-2014-0013 Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s): Not Applicable.

Proposal Due Date and Time: 12 Nov 2014 by 2:00 pm WPAFB Local Time. 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. Be advised, if the U.S. Postal Service is used, this building only receives U.S. Postal Mail twice a week and delivery by that means may not meet the proposal due date and time established herein. Early proposal submission is encouraged.

Solicitation Request: Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, AFRL/RX, 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. The NAICS Code for this acquisition is 541712, 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.

System for Award Management (SAM) Registration: FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management (SAM) (JUL 2013), and DFARS 252.204-7004, Alternate A, System for Award Management (SAM) (FEB 2014) are included by reference. SAM is the primary Government repository for prospective federal awardee information and the centralized Government system for certain contracting, grants, and other assistance related processes. It replaces CCR/FedReg, On-line Representations and Certifications (ORCA) and the Excluded Parties Lists System (EPLS). By submission of an offer, the offeror acknowledges the requirement that a prospective awardee shall be registered in the SAM database prior to award, during performance, and through final payment of any contract, basic agreement, basic ordering agreement, or blanket purchasing agreement resulting from this solicitation. Contractors may obtain information on registration and annual confirmation requirements via the SAM accessed through https://www.acquisition.gov or by calling 866-606-8220.

Type of Contract/Instrument: The Air Force reserves the right to award the contract type that is best suited to the nature of research proposed. Accordingly, the Government may award any appropriate contract type under the FAR. It is anticipated that awards under this BAA will generally be Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract(s) with Cost Plus Fixed Fee Completion type task orders. Cost reimbursement contracts require successful offerors to have an accounting system considered adequate for tracking costs applicable to the contract.

Estimated Program Cost: $121.061M Anticipated Number of Awards: Multiple awards subject to Fair Opportunity are anticipated. The Air Force anticipates awarding two (2) ID/IQ contracts and up to five (5) task orders based on this announcement. However, the Government reserves the right to make more or less than two ID/IQ awards depending on the proposals received. Offerors must propose a Basic ID/IQ contract and all five task orders in order to be eligible to receive award of a Basic ID/IQ contract and one or more task orders. Task Order only proposals will not be evaluated. The Air Force reserves the right to award all, part, or none of the proposals received based on this announcement. All awards will share the program ceiling of $121.061M.

Supplemental Information: A supplemental data package has been established and includes data that will be required by potential offerors. This data will be provided via email upon request (by email only). Due to ITAR restrictions, interested parties must contact : John Eric, AFRL/RXAP, 3005 Hobson Way, Building 651, Room 167, Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433-7707, phone: (937) 255-0146, email: john.eric@us.af.mil, in order to request this data. Company name and address, point of contact, email address, phone number, and a current DD Form 2345 must be provided before the data will be provided.

Brief Program Summary: This program is intended to conduct exploratory and advanced research and development of materials technologies to control, manipulate, and protect against photonic energy. Research involved in the processing, structure, properties and performance of photonic materials will provide a means to mature and transition the highest priority products needed by the Air Force. These efforts will ultimately result in developed technologies that can be transitioned to legacy, developmental and future Air Force system components to provide an increase in system survivability, performance and efficiency, reduced cost, and accelerated manufacture. The objective of this program is to conduct research and advance the current state-of-the-art in photonic materials technologies, interactions, and applications using unique and innovative solutions for improved hardened materials and increased survivability of sensors, structures, systems, and aircrew members. Separate Task Orders will contain specific requirements relative to a particular program’s technical objectives. Some of the key technical areas of interest include Optical Materials and Processing, Hardening Materials and Processing, Electro-Optic/Infrared (EO/IR) Sensor Protection, Warfighter Protection, Structural Protection, Optical Technology, Computational and Theoretical Studies on Functional Materials, Proactive Threat Defeat, and High Energy Laser Source Materials.

Address technical questions to: Air Force Research Laboratory, Attn: John Eric, AFRL/RXAP, phone (937) 255-0146, email: john.eric@us.af.mil, mail address: 3005 Hobson Way, Building 651, Room 167, Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433-7707.

Address contracting questions to: Air Force Research Laboratory, Attn: Gary Victor, Contract Negotiator, AFRL/RQKMA, Bldg 45, 2130 8th St., Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7541, phone (937) 713-9887, email: Gary.Victor@us.af.mil.

Full Text Announcement

I. Program Description: Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate (AFRL/RX) is soliciting technical and cost proposals on the following research effort:

1. Statement of Objective/Needs: The objective of this program is to conduct research and advance the current state-of-the-art in photonic materials technologies, interactions, and applications using unique and innovative solutions for improved hardened materials and increased survivability of sensors, structures, systems, and aircrew members. Separate Task Orders will contain specific requirements relative to a particular program’s technical objectives. Some of the key technical areas of interest include Optical Materials and Processing, Hardening Materials and Processing, Electro-Optic/Infrared (EO/IR) Sensor Protection, Warfighter Protection, Structural Protection, Optical Technology, Computational and Theoretical Studies on Functional Materials, Proactive Threat Defeat, and High Energy Laser Source Materials.

The following initial Task Orders are anticipated:

Task Order 0001: Agile Limiters Research

Task Order 0002: High Performance Optical Coatings

Task Order 0003: Visor Based Aircrew Protection

Task Order 0004: Novel Optical Materials, Ceramics, and Processing Technology

Task Order 0005: RF Photonics, Hybrid Optical Apertures and Integration

The full text Statement of Objectives (SOOs) for the Basic Contract and Candidate Task Orders will be provided as part of the supplemental data package, available upon request. This information will be necessary to understand the efforts and provide a comprehensive technical and cost proposal for each. Failure to provide a TO Proposal for each of the 5 Candidate task orders will result in the offeror being found ineligible to receive an award.

2. Deliverable Items:

a. Data Items: Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL), DD Form 1423-1 anticipated under this effort are provided as Attachment 1 to this announcement and include the following:

· DI-MISC-80711A/T, Scientific & Technical Reports (final for each TO)

· DI-FNCL-80331A/T, Funds & Manhour Expenditure Report (monthly)

· DI-MGMT-81468/T, Contract Funds Status Report (CFSR) (quarterly)

· DI-MGMT-80368A/T, Technical Status Report (quarterly)

· DI-ADMIN-81373/T, Presentation Material (as req’d)

· DI-NDTI-80566A/T, Test Plan (as req’d)

· DI-MISC-81579/T, Digital Imaging (as req’d)

· DI-MISC-81275/T, Technical Videotape Presentation (as req’d)

· DI-NDTI-80809B/T, Test/Inspection Reports (as req’d)

b. Software: Possible, depending on the nature of the Task Order requirement. Anticipated mainly for any computational or modeling efforts, format CD/DVD.

c. Hardware: Not anticipated, TBD depending on the Task Order requirements.

d. Other: Residual test or research samples, as required or available.

1. Schedule: Basic ID/IQ

a. Overall effort: Basic overall ID/IQ contract award(s) will have a 60 month ordering period with an additional 15 months completion period (12 months technical effort and 3 months reporting) for a total of 75 months.

b. Data Items: Specified on individual CDRL(s). A final report will be delivered with each Task Order.

c. Software: When applicable and as scheduled based on Task Order requirements.

d. Hardware: When applicable and as scheduled based on Task Order requirements.

e. Other: Will be specified in individual task orders.

3. Other Requirements:

a. Program security classification: Up to and including Top Secret/SCI shall be required. See Attachment 2 for the Draft DD Form 254, Contract Security Classification Specification. Offerors must verify their Cognizant Security Office information is current with Defense Security Service (DSS) at www.dss.mil. Contractor personnel hired must possess a minimum of a Secret clearance at task order start date, Top Secret or TS/SCI for those efforts requiring access at that level. Contractor security requirements, and Contractor access to classified information, shall be as specified in the DD Form 254. The Contractor shall not divulge sensitive information to anyone who is not authorized to have access to such information. All contractor personnel with access to unclassified information systems, including email, shall have as a minimum a favorable National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) in accordance with Appendix K of DoD 5200.2-R, Personnel Security Program, January 1987. Contractor shall participate in the organizations’ Operations Security (OPSEC) program, following appropriate OPSEC measures during the performance of this contract.

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). 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 225.7901-4, DFARS 252.225-7048, “Export-Controlled Item (JUN 2013)” is contained in this solicitation (as shown below). This clause shall be contained in ALL solicitations and resulting contracts.

EXPORT-CONTROLLED ITEMS (JUN 2013)

(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. GFP, if required, will be identified or should be requested on an individual Task Order basis for further consideration by the Air Force.

In accordance with FAR 45.201(b), the contractor is responsible for all costs related to making the property available for use, such as payment of all transportation, installation or rehabilitation costs.

If GFP is included in the solicitation or requested in the proposal, the following clauses/provisions apply:

i. FAR 52.245-1 Government Property or FAR 52.245-1, Alt II if the resulting contract is with a nonprofit organization or applied research at nonprofit organizations (APR 2012),

ii. FAR 52.245-9 Use and Charges (APR 2012),

iii. DFARS 252.211-7007, Reporting of Government-Furnished Property (AUG 2012),

iv. DFARS 252.245-7001, Tagging, Labeling, and Marking of Government-Furnished Property (APR 2012),

v. DFARS 252.245-7002, Reporting Loss of Government Property (APR 2012).

vi. DFARS 252.245-7003, Contractor Property Management System Administration (APR 2012)

vii. DFARS 252.245-7004, Reporting, Reutilization, and Disposal (MAY 2013)

b. Base Support/ Network Access: The basic ID/IQ contract(s) issued as a result of this solicitation will not include any Base Support. Base support should be requested on an individual Task Order basis for further consideration by the Air Force. For those Task Orders that utilize Base Support, on-site facilities will be provided throughout this program. Several laboratories in Bldgs 651, 71, and 71A will be made available. Some of these laboratories include the Agile Filters, Spectroscopy, and Photorefractive Materials labs; Agile Limiters labs; Agile Limiters and Optical Filters test beds; and Optical Measurements Facility in Bldg. 651, and the IR Materials Lab, Sensor Survivability lab, High Energy Laser lab and SCEPTRE testbed in Bldgs. 71/71A. Office space, as well as Base computer/network access will be provided for those working full-time on-site. Base support in these buildings consists of internet access, office space and equipment (i.e. desks, chairs, etc.) and phone services for contractor personnel. On-site contractor personnel will be provided computer accounts on the base computer network pending approval of systems access request and completion of the requisite training. Additional base support may be provided by the Government as needed for accomplishment of specific tasks.

c. Voluntary Protection Program (VPP): Wright-Patterson AFB is participating in and is pursuing recognition under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). VPP is a systems approach to identify, evaluate, prevent, and control occupational hazards to prevent injuries/illnesses by promoting effective worksite safety and health protection. VPP is required for applicable contractors defined as "contractors working on an Air Force Installation for more than 1000 hours per quarter to include construction and services contracts." Contractors are responsible for managing their own safety and health program (Public Law 91-596). Contractors are advised to become familiar with VPP and how their performance is linked to the installation’s pursuit of VPP recognition at the OSHA website, http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/vpp/index.html. Applicable contractors are required to submit three years of Total Case Incidence Rate (TCIR)/ Day Away, Restricted and/or Transfer Case Rate (DART) data with their proposal for the government's evaluation. The TCIR and DART are the number of recordable injuries and illness cases per 100 fulltime employees resulting in days away from work, restricted work activity, and/or job transfer that a site has experienced in a given timeframe. Instructions for computing the TCIR and DART data can be found at the OSHA website. Contractors must also provide a copy of their Safety and Health Plan and corresponding site checklist with their proposal which must be accepted by the installation safety office prior to contract performance. The contractor's plan shall include appropriate measures to ensure the contractor reacts promptly to investigate, correct and track alleged safety and health violations and/or uncontrolled hazards in contractor work area. Additional, installation specific references and policies may be included/attached. The plan shall:

· Demonstrate management commitment to employee safety and health;

· Identify the application of the safety and health plan to subcontractors;

· Identify the roles and responsibilities of the following individuals:

· Management, Supervisors, Employees, and Safety Coordinator;

· Identify applicable safety rules and regulations;

· Include a worksite hazard analysis to include base-line hazard

· identification and required control measures;

· Identify a job site analysis to include hazards of tasks required to control measures;

· Identify employee safety and health training requirement and the

· documentation process;

· Include a workplace inspection frequency, to include identifying the

· individual conducting the inspections;

· Include employee hazard reporting procedures;

· Identify individual(s) responsible for corrective action hazards;

· Identify first aid/injury procedures;

· Identify procedures for accident investigation and reporting;

· Identify emergency response procedures; and

· Identify the process for tracking controlled hazards in contractor work areas.

An applicable contractor is responsible for establishing these requirements for all subcontractors who qualify as applicable contractors under the resulting contract. In addition applicable contractors will be required to submit their TCIR and DART rates and OSHA Form 300A annually to the contracting office for consolidation and submission as part of the installation's annual VPP Safety and Health Management report. TCIR and DART rates are due by the 15th of January of each year.

The following clause will be included in the resultant Contract:

VOLUNTARY PROTECTION PROGRAM AND INCORPORATION OF SAFETY AND HEALTH PLAN (JAN 2010)

1. The contractor accepted Safety and Health Plan dated XXX_ is hereby incorporated by reference.

2. Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) applies only to contractors whose employees work more than 1,000 hours per quarter on a government installation. VPP requires that contractors provide their employees safety and health protection equal in quality to that provided to Air Force employees. Contractors are responsible for managing their safety and health program ensuring that the safety and health rules of the installation are followed, and flowing down VPP requirements to all subcontractors whose employees work for more than 1,000 hours per quarter on a government installation under their agreement.

3. Contractors shall provide their Total Case Incidence Rate (TCIR) and Day Away, Restricted, and or Transfer Case Rate (DART) data and OSHA Form 300A annually by the 15th of January to the Contracting Officer to inclusion in the installation’s annual VPP Safety and Health Management Report.

d. Multiple awards subject to Fair Opportunity are anticipated.

e. Data Rights Desired:

(1) Technical Data: Unlimited Rights

(2) Non-Commercial Software (NCS): Unrestricted 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 nonconmmercial). 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.

f. Government-Owned Hazardous Materials maybe used in the event Base Support is required on future task orders; therefore, the appropriate clauses, DFARS 252.223-7006 Prohibition on Storage and Disposal of Toxic and Hazardous Materials and Alt I, and 52.223-03 Hazardous Material Identification and Material Safety Data and 252.223-7001 Hazard Warning Labels will be included in the contract.

g. Organizational Conflict of Interest: AFFARS 5352.209-9000, Organizational Conflict of Interest (Oct 2010) will be included in the Basic contract with Alternates III, IV, and VI.

AFFARS 5352.209-9001, Potential Organizational Conflict of Interest (Oct 2010)(ALT I):

(a) There is potential organizational conflict of interest (see FAR Subpart 9.5, Organizational and Consultant Conflicts of Interest) due to the potential of the contractor to gain access to another contractor’s proprietary information during contract performance. Accordingly:

(1) Restrictions are needed to protect the proprietary information and prevent the contractor from an unfair competitive advantage in concurrent or future acquisitions. The applicable time period for this restriction is during contract performance and for as long as the information remains proprietary.

(2) As a part of the proposal, the offeror shall provide the Contracting Officer with complete information of previous or ongoing work that is in any way associated with the contemplated acquisition.

(b) The organizational conflict of interest clause in this solicitation may not be modified or deleted.

II. Award Information

1. Anticipated Award Date: 2nd Quarter CY 2015

2. Anticipated funding for the program (not per contract) FY15 /$20,362.4K; FY16 /$21,783.2K; FY17 /$22,468.4K; FY18 /$21,112K; FY19 /$20,472K; FY20 / $14,863.2K This funding profile is an estimate only and not a contractual obligation for funding. All funding is subject to change due to Government discretion and availability. Potential offerors should be aware that due to unanticipated budget fluctuations funding in any or all areas may change with little or no notice.

3. Number of awards anticipated: Multiple awards subject to Fair Opportunity are anticipated. The Air Force anticipates awarding two (2) ID/IQ contracts and up to five (5) task orders based on this announcement. However, the Government reserves the right to make more or less than two ID/IQ awards depending on the proposals received. Offerors must propose a Basic ID/IQ contract and all five task orders in order to be eligible to receive award of a Basic ID/IQ contract and one or more task orders. Task Order only proposals will not be evaluated. The Air Force reserves the right to award all, part, or none of the proposals received based on this announcement. All awards will share the program ceiling of $121.061M.

Eligibility Information

3. Eligible Offeror: This is an unrestricted solicitation. Small businesses are encouraged to propose on this solicitation. Offerors must propose on the Basic IDIQ contract and all five Task Orders. Basic only proposals, Task Order only proposals or proposals that do not include all five Task Orders will not be evaluated.

4. Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost Sharing is not required or anticipated.

5. 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.

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

7. 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.

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

Proposal and Submission Information

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

Offerors should be alert for any BAA amendments that may permit extensions to the proposal submission date. A supplemental data package has been established and includes data that will be required by potential offerors. Please see the supplemental information paragraph on page 2 above.

For additional information, a copy of the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Guide for Industry is located at: http://www.wpafb.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-120614-075.pdf.

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. Offerors shall propose in detail on the basic IDIQ contract as well as all five (5) task orders cited. Technical/management and business approach proposals are required for the basic IDIQ contract. Technical/management and detailed cost/business proposals are required for each task order.

a. General Instructions:

i. 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/shared/media/document/AFD-120614-075.pdf. This guide is specifically designed to assist the offeror in understanding the BAA proposal process.

ii. Technical/management and cost/business proposals should be submitted in separate volumes, and must be valid for 180 days.

iii. Proposals must reference the announcement number BAA-RQKM-2014-0013.

iv. Offerors must submit one (1) original and five (5) hard copies of their proposals via mail to the Contracting POC, identified in Section VII.

v. Offerors must include two (2) CDs in Microsoft WORD Format containing all electronic versions of required submittals (Technical/Management Proposals/SOWs/Cost/Business Proposals). All electronic versions must match the hard copies. If there is a discrepancy between electronic and hard copies, the hard copy will take precedence.

a) Technical/Management proposals, Statements of Work and Subcontracting Plan (if Applicable in accordance with FAR 19.7) must be provided in Microsoft WORD.

b) The cost file(s) spreadsheets must include the formulas for calculating cost element bases (i.e., G&A, O/H, etc.)

c) The CDs should be labeled with the company name and proposal title.

vi. Offerors are advised that only contracting officers are legally authorized to contractually bind or otherwise commit the government.

vii. 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.

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

b. Offerors must propose/submit each of the following to be considered for an IDIQ award:

i. Basic IDIQ

a) Basic IDIQ proposal-Technical and Management

b) Basic IDIQ Statement of Work (SOW) in response to applicable Statement of Objectives (SOO)

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

ii. Task Order (T.O.) 0001

a) T.O. 0001 Proposal-Technical and Management

b) T.O. 0001 SOW in response to applicable SOO

c) T.O. 0001 Cost and Business Proposal

iii. T.O. 0002

a) T.O. 0002 Proposal-Technical and Management

b) T.O. 0002 SOW in response to applicable SOO

c) T.O. 0002 Cost and Business Proposal

iv. T.O. 0003

a) T.O. 0003 Proposal-Technical and Management

b) T.O. 0003 SOW in response to applicable SOO

c) T.O. 0003 Cost and Business Proposal

v. T.O. 0004

a) T.O. 0004 Proposal-Technical and Management

b) T.O. 0004 SOW in response to applicable SOO

c) T.O. 0004 Cost and Business Proposal

vi. T.O. 0005

a) T.O. 0005 Proposal-Technical and Management

b) T.O. 0005 SOW in response to applicable SOO

c) T.O. 0005 Cost and Business Proposal

c. Technical/Management Proposal:

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

8. The Technical/Management Proposal shall be prepared and submitted in Microsoft Word format as follows:

1. Basic IDIQ Contract Technical/Management Proposal – 50 pages.

1. Task Order Technical/Management Proposal – 25 pages (per Task Order).

8. Font shall be standard 10-point business font Arial.

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

8. Pages shall be double-spaced (must use standard double-space function in Microsoft Word), double-sided (each side counts as one page), 8.5 by 11 inches, with at least one-inch margins on both sides, top and bottom.

8. 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.

8. Pages shall be numbered starting with the cover page being Page 1, and the last page being no greater than Page 50 for Basic and 25 for Task Orders. 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.

8. 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 for Basic and 5 pages for Task Orders. Utilize the paragraph numbering included in Attachment 3, SOW Format for the Basic IDIQ SOW.

8. Please note: 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.

ii. The Technical/Management proposal for the Basic IDIQ and each Task Order shall include a discussion of the nature and scope of the research and the technical approach. Additional information on prior work in this area, descriptions of available equipment, use of base support (if desired), data and facilities and resumes of personnel who will be participating in this effort should also be included as attachments to the technical proposal. 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 and Attachment 3 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.

d. Cost/Business Proposal:

i. Basic and Task Order proposals should be submitted separately. Task Order proposals should be separated into a business section and cost section. A cost section is not required for the basic IDIQ contract. Adequate price competition is anticipated.

(a) The business section should contain all business aspects to the proposed contract, such as type of contractual instrument and any information not technically related, etc.

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

(c) Cost/Business proposals have no page limitations; however, offerors are requested to keep proposals to 75 pages as a goal (per task order).

(d) The Cost proposals 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.

ii. Subcontracting plans, for efforts anticipated to exceed $650,000, shall be included in the business section of the cost/business proposal. 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. The basis for the subcontracting plan should reflect the entire ceiling amount.

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

3. Proposal Due Date and Time: 12 Nov 2014 by 2:00 pm WPAFB Local Time. NOTE: Proposal receipt after the due date and time shall be governed by the provisions of FAR 52.215-1(c)(3).

NOTE: Intent to Propose: Offerors that anticipate submitting a proposal are requested to submit an e-mail to Gary Victor, at Gary.Victor@us.af.mil containing the name of the contractor, the POC, and the contractor’s intent to submit a proposal. This “Intent to Propose” is requested by 5 Nov 2014 by 2:00 pm WPAFB Local Time. Failure to provide this notification will not disqualify offerors from submitting a proposal.

4. Intergovernmental Review: None.

5. Funding Restrictions: None.

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

Gary Victor, Contract Negotiator, AFRL/RQKMA, Bldg 45, 2130 8th St., Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7541, phone (937) 713-9887 or Jeremy Otis, Contracting Officer, AFRL/RQKMA, Bldg 45, 2130 Eighth Street, Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433-7541, phone (937) 713-9879.

Proposal Review Information

9. 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 basic contract proposal will be evaluated on Technical and Risk factors (descending order of importance), with the evaluation of the Basic Contract (Part A) to be of lesser importance than all the Task Orders combined. Task Order proposals will be evaluated on Technical, Cost, and Risk factors (descending order of importance), with the evaluation of each Task Order proposal (Part B) determined to be of equal importance. The Basic ID/IQ contract proposal must be determined to be Cat I or Cat II in order for Task Orders to be evaluated.

a. Basic ID/IQ Contract Proposal (Part A) Technical Evaluation Criteria (Descending Order of Importance):

i. The offeror’s understanding of the complete scope of the technical effort required to meet program goals.

ii. Ability to manage concurrent task orders/programs. Includes processes and mechanisms to secure technical expertise, materials, supplies, equipment and subcontracting in a timely, effective and efficient manner.

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

iv. Availability of qualified technical personnel and the company’s experience with the applicable technologies.

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

vi. 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.

b. Task Order (Part B) Proposals (TOs are of Equal Importance) Technical Evaluation Criteria (Equal Importance):

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

ii. The offeror’s understanding of the complete scope of the technical effort required to meet program goals.

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

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

v. Availability of qualified technical personnel and the company’s experience with the applicable technologies.

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

c. 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).

d. 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.

10. 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: Demonstrates technical merit. Is important to agency programs. The offeror presents relevant experience and access to adequate resources. Risk is acceptable. The cost/price is reasonable and realistic. Proposals in Category I are recommended for acceptance (subject to availability of funds) and normally are displaced only by other Category I proposals.

ii. Category II: Demonstrates technical merit; is important to agency programs; and presents relevant experience and access to adequate resources; but requires further development. Risk is acceptable. The cost/price is reasonable and realistic. Category II proposals are recommended for acceptance, but at a lower priority than Category I.

iii. Category III: Does not demonstrate technical merit; does not meet agency needs; does not present adequate experience or resources; the risk level is unacceptable; or the cost/price is not reasonable or realistic .

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 25 Feb 2015. 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 and National Policy Requirements: See Section I.

3. Reporting: Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) as provided in Attachment 1 to this announcement will generally apply. However, CDRL data items may be added, eliminated or modified depending on the offeror’s Statement of Work and/or Task Order requirements.

VII. Agency Contacts

1. Address technical questions to: Air Force Research Laboratory, Attn: John Eric, AFRL/RXAP, phone (937) 255-0146, email: John.Eric@us.af.mil, mail address: 3005 Hobson Way, Bldg 651, Room 167, Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433-7707.

2. Address contracting questions to: Air Force Research Laboratory, Attn: Jeremy Otis, Contracting Officer, AFRL/RQKMA, Bldg 45, 2130 8th Street Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433-7541, phone (937) 713-9879, email: Jeremy.Otis@us.af.mil; or Gary Victor, Contract Negotiator, AFRL/RQKMA, Bldg 45, 2130 8th Street Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433-7541, phone (937) 713-9887, email: Gary.Victor@us.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: Only Government employees will evaluate proposals for selection. 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. Communications: 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.

4. Debriefings: If a debriefing is requested in accordance with the time guidelines set out in FAR 15.505 and 15.506, a debriefing will be provided, but the debriefing content may vary to be consistent with the procedures that govern BAAs (FAR 35.016).

5. 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 (JUN 2012) which requires electronic submission of all payment requests. 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 via the clause at DFARS 252.232-7006, Wide Area Workflow Payment Instructions (MAY 2013).