BAA-RQKPD-2015-0001.pdf

Broad Agency Announcement with Calls

Overview Information

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NAICS Code: 541712 (Aircraft Exception)

Federal Agency Name: Air Force Research Laboratory, Aerospace Systems Directorate, Aerospace Vehicles Division (AFRL/RQV)

Broad Agency Announcement Title: Composite Airframe Life Extension (CALE)

Broad Agency Announcement Type: This is the Initial Announcement, Closed BAA with Calls

Broad Agency Announcement Number: BAA-RQKPD-2015-0001

Proposal Due Date and Time: This closed BAA with Calls will be effective for a period of 3 years from the date of publication. Calls are individual solicitations for research that will be issued in FedBizOpps, based on available funding and agency needs. The determination will be made at the time of the call whether it will be 1- Step Call or a 2-Step Call.

If the Call is a 1-Step solicitation, there will be a proposal submission provided in response to the Call. If the Call is a 2-Step solicitation, the first step will be a white paper submission and the second step will be a proposal submission provided in response to the Requests for Proposals (RFP) sent to offerors that submit White Papers considered to meet the needs of the Air Force.

NOTE: White Papers/Proposals will be due with each individual call;

however, it should be noted that White Paper/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, Aerospace Systems Directorate, Aerospace Vehicles Division (AFRL/RQV), Wright Research Site will be soliciting white paper or technical and cost proposals on the research effort described in Calls to be published in FedBizOpps at a later date. Each call will contain the specific requirements and submission due date and time. The determination will be made at the time of the call whether the call will be a 1-Step Call or a 2-Step Call. Unless otherwise stated in a Call, all other requirements are contained in this BAA. Small businesses are encouraged to propose on all or any part of these upcoming Calls. The NAICS Code for this acquisition is 541712 (Aircraft Exception) and the small business size standard is 1,500 employees.

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) (MAY 2013) 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 instrument best suited to the nature of research proposed. Accordingly, the Government may award any appropriate contract type under the FAR or Other Transaction (OT) for Prototype, grant, cooperative agreement, or OT for Research.

The Air Force may also consider award of an appropriate technology transfer mechanism if applicable. It is anticipated that awards under this closed BAA with Calls will generally be Cost-Plus Fixed Fee. (Cost reimbursement contracts require successful offerors to have an accounting system considered adequate for tracking costs applicable to the contract.)

Estimated Program Cost: Anticipated funding for the entire program is $30.036M (not per individual call, contract or award): FY15: $350K; FY16: $5.281M; FY17:

$7.354M; FY18: $9.911M; FY19: $7.140M

Anticipated Number of Awards: The Air Force anticipates awarding a minimum of one contract per individual call. However, the Air Force reserves the right to make one award, multiple awards or no award under this closed BAA with Calls and each individual Call. Awards are anticipated to be between $200k and $5M;

however the government reserves the right to award larger contracts or assistance instruments.

Brief Program Summary:

This is a three (3) year Closed Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) with calls describing the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Aerospace Vehicles Division (AFRL/RQV)’s interest in extending the airframe service life by identifying and developing technology to know and/or predict the residual strength, durability and damage tolerance, and reliability of advanced composite structure throughout the original, and if required new service life of the airframe. This closed BAA with Calls approach only allows for proposal submittals at a specified date and time through the issuance of a call. As technical topic areas are identified, a call may be issued in the FedBizOpps/EPS or www.grants.gov to request proposals for specific research efforts. These subsequent calls will contain specific descriptions of the research effort to be addressed, the anticipated period of performance, the information particular to the specific research technical topic area, and the estimated funding profile for the call. This BAA will be reviewed no less frequently than annually and updates will be published in FedBizOpps and grants.gov. Any changes or cancellation of the BAA will be posted as an amendment. The annual review and any subsequent amendment shall meet the requirements of FAR 35.016. It is anticipated that calls issued under this BAA will be unrestricted.

Communications Between Prospective Offerors and Government Representatives: 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.

Address technical questions to: Richard Holzwarth, Bldg. 65, 2790 D. St., WPAFB, OH 45433, (937) 656-8825, Richard.Holzwarth.1@us.af.mil

Address contracting questions to: Ryan Huffman, Bldg. 45, 2130 Eighth St., WPAFB, OH 45433, (937) 713-9927, Ryan.Huffman@us.af.mil

Full Text Announcement

I. Program Description: Air Force Research Laboratory, Aerospace Systems

Directorate, Structures Advanced Technology Branch will be soliciting white papers (and later technical and cost proposals) on the following research effort through calls:

1. Background:

The Air Force Research Laboratory Aerospace Systems Directorate intends to execute a technology development and demonstration initiative to reduce the scope of the technical effort required to establish both the initial, and the continuing airworthiness of airframe structure manufactured from advanced composite materials. The program will identify and select, develop, and demonstrate technology which will improve our ability to assess and predict, and control the structural integrity of composite structure as a function of its constituent materials, configuration, features, and manufactured state, and as influenced by its known history and expected future service environment and loads.

The “next generation” of DoD tactical and mobility aircraft will have to meet very challenging goals for performance, affordability and economy of operation. The airframe weight reductions sought to achieve these goals will require revolutionary airframes implementing composite materials applied to structural concepts not in use in Air Force aircraft today. There are mailto:Richard.Holzwarth.1@us.af.mil mailto:Ryan.Huffman@us.af.mil significant technical issues related to verifying the initial and continuing airworthiness of such structures are sufficient to meet the lifetime structural integrity requirements of the United States Air Force. Similar issues exist with respect to certification of composite structure for envisioned future civil aircraft.

The current generation of DoD tactical and mobility aircraft utilize composite materials as primary aircraft structure. The service history of these composite structures demonstrates they are sufficiently durable and damage tolerant that there are no significant maintenance concerns with respect to the design service life and usage/environment. But many of these aircraft are being used at a greater rate, in terms of missions, flight hours, and cycles than anticipated. There is a high likelihood that Air Force aircraft having significant advanced composite structures will have to undergo service life extension programs to meet future Air Force needs. To support the extended service life of composite airframe structures, the Air Force needs improved capability to predict the residual strength, durability, and damage tolerance of composite materials, and do so with less reliance on empirical testing. These improvements are also expected to be applicable to future aircraft design and certification efforts.

Technologies of interest to this program will reduce reliance on empirical methods to demonstrate design requirements have been met. Technologies of interest will expand the use of analytical and numerical methods to assess the airworthiness of composite structure with respect to future, and perhaps unanticipated, usage requirements. Technologies of interest will provide Air Force airframe structural integrity experts with the capability to safely extend the service lives of existing composite airframes. Technologies of interest will allow airframe designers and airframe airworthiness experts to extend the principles of damage tolerant design to composite airframe structures which span the entire aircraft life cycle.

2. Statement of Objective/Needs:

The CALE initiative technology will be selected and developed to accomplish three mutually supportive Technical Goals as follows:

Technical Goal 1: Increased use of progressive damage failure analysis methods for composite structures to predict the initiation and progression of damage in composite structures, coupled to damage tolerant design approaches for composite structures.

To better assess damage tolerance of the existing fleet, and to allow USAF to adapt slow damage growth or fail safe in the current fleet, where appropriate, and future systems; the AFRL will develop technologies and technical approaches contributing to damage tolerant design methods and structural design concepts.

AFRL/RQV and potential government partners envision a multi-step development effort conducted through one or more technical projects to be announced and executed through calls from this BAA. These projects may be conducted in sequence or concurrently, as funding, technical risk, and technical progress allow. Such projects may include, but are not strictly limited to:

- Development of methods to predict damage initiation in composite air vehicle structure due to static and spectrum loading, and due to random external events such as foreign object impact;

- Development of methods to predict damage progression in composite structure subject to the influence of environmental factors and spectrum fatigue;

- Development of methods to predict the influence of aging on material properties and effect on residual strength and flaw growth;

- Development of methods to predict the influence of manufacturing variability on airframe fatigue performance;

- Approaches for probabilistic assessments of residual strength and airframe life, as influenced by properties, conditions, and capabilities emerging from work performed above.

- Validation of methods to account for effects of defects and damage based on location in structure. (Variation of critical damage size with respect to structure.)

- Validation of methods for and effects of damage arrest / damage control.

Technologies of interest in support of this objective are likely to include, but are not restricted to: progressive damage failure analysis approaches to predict onset and growth of damage in composite structure, design concepts and manufacturing processes capable of suppressing and controlling damage growth, improved NDI and health monitoring approaches for detection of damage and damage growth.

Technical Goal 2: More accurately predict the service life of composite airframe structures, including predicting residual strength as a function of age, environment, and service usage.

AFRL/RQV seeks to develop and demonstrate technology to enable a Structural Life Extension Plan (SLEP) for an aircraft having composite primary structure within the airframe. AFRL intends to develop and demonstrate capability to predict the residual strength of composite structures, as a function of past service history and environment, sufficiently well to assess their airworthiness for structural life extension programs. AFRL recognizes that some level of testing may always be required for verification of airworthiness, but it is the objective of this program to reduce this testing when practical. The intent is to avoid the cost and time of “testing our way” to life extension.

AFRL/RQV and potential government partners envision a multi-step development effort conducted through one or more technical projects to be announced and executed through calls from this BAA. These projects may be conducted in sequence or concurrently, as funding, technical risk, and technical progress allow. Such projects may include, but are not strictly limited to:

- Develop methods to predict degradation of mechanical properties/structural strength as a function of the airframes actual or expected flight hour spectrum. Such methods should be generally applicable to composite airframe structures, and not confined to specific features or limited sets of materials. The approach should predict the degradation or residual strength of structural elements as a function of the service history, for the purpose of evaluating remaining life and usage.

- As above, but including service damage effects, such as impact and maintenance damage.

- As above, but including the effects of environmental conditioning.

- Apply probabilistic methods to the above, to predict the general P

(failure) of the aged airframe structure.

- Methods to assess structural joint and structural repair integrity. Joints of interest include similar materials, dissimilar materials, mechanical fastened joints and bonded joints.

- Methods to apply structural health monitoring to aged and damaged structure, for the purpose of assisting individual airframe tracking and to reduce inspection requirements.

- Validation of methods for computing equivalent flight hours as a function of loading history and spectrum, aging, and environment, and for predicting remaining equivalent flight hours.

- Validation of methods to account for airworthiness impacts of manufacturing process variations.

Technologies of interest in support of this objective are likely to be, but not restricted to: predictive models to assess wear and degradation of the structure, and assessment techniques, including Non-Destructive Inspection methods, to determine actual structural condition. As much as possible, analytical approaches are preferred. Research efforts related to new technology for rapid and low cost methods for “refurbishment” of aging structure, including design methods and concepts, materials, and manufacturing processes for strengthening structure will also be considered.

Technical Goal 3: Reduce reliance on empirical data and empirical testing during the design, development, and airworthiness verification of composite airframe structures, and reduce the scope, expense, time and risk of structural building block programs to ensure transition of advanced structural concepts.

AFRL/RQV proposes to develop a systematic, robust, portable and repeatable process for assessing advanced composite airframe structure to predict the design, development, and continuing airworthiness risk of such structure based on the structures design configuration and features, materials composition, manufacturing processes, and operational environment and conditions. Specific to the CALE effort, AFRL seeks to accelerate the process and reduce the technical and program risk of replacing older, service damaged and maintenance intensive structure in existing USAF aircraft with advanced composite structure. A critical factor is the need to rapidly and effectively reduce the application risk of new, emerging technology. Methods to accomplish this are expected to be applicable to the airworthiness certification of future air vehicle structures.

AFRL/RQV and potential government partners envision a multi-step development effort conducted through one or more technical projects to be announced and executed through calls from this BAA. These projects may be conducted in sequence or concurrently, as funding, technical risk, and technical progress allow. Such projects may include, but are not strictly limited to:

- Development and characterization of process(es) to identify and prioritize inherent airframe risks based on the structural design features, and selected materials and manufacturing concepts.

- Development and characterization of process(es) for repeatable quantification of risks reduced via structural testing.

- Development and characterization of process(es) for repeatable quantification of risks reduced via modelling and simulation.

- Development of approach to more rapidly validate airframe structural integrity and continuing airworthiness, including low risk reverse engineering and/or redesign, manufacturing scale up and rapid recertification for replacement structure and service life extensions.

- Verification of a robust and repeatable process for selecting tests and test articles, including configuration of articles and tests, and quantity required.

Technologies of interest to support this objective are likely to be, but are not restricted to: processes to identify, assess and quantify the risk inherent in a structural design, in a systematic manner that covers all significant risk contributors; processes for prioritizing and ranking risk contributors for future risk reduction efforts; processes for identifying the combination of structural tests, analyses, and simulations to rapidly reduce technical risk with the least impact to program schedule and budget.

Calls under this BAA may be efforts related to one or multiple technical goals, as described above. Each individual call will have specific technical requirements, objectives, and deliverables.

3. Deliverable Items: Each call will specify its own deliverables. The following are examples of anticipated deliverables on individual calls.

a. Data Items: TBD on each Call.

i. DI-MISC-80711A/T, Spend Plan, Monthly breakout

ii. DI-MISC-80711A/T, Scientific and Technical Reports as required and Final Report

iii. DI-FNCL-80331, Funds & Man-Hour Expenditure Report, Monthly

iv. DI-ADMN-81373/T, Presentation Material as required (Contractor shall be required to attend a kickoff meeting at WPAFB, OH to be held within 30 days after contract award of each individual call. Contractor shall conduct program reviews at approximately 90 day intervals or critical milestones under each individual call.

v. DI-MISC-80368A/T, Status Report, Bi-Monthly

vi. DI-NDTI-80566A/T, Test Plan, as required

vii. DI-MGMT-81468, Contract Funds Status Report

b. Software: TBD on each Call.

c. Hardware: TBD on each Call.

d. Other: TBD on each Call.

4. Schedule:

This is a three (3) year closed BAA with calls. Periodically over the three (3) year period, proposal call announcements may be issued in FedBizOpps to request proposals for specific research efforts. Each call will specify the anticipated period of performance and delivery milestones for the specific effort. The determination will be made at the time of the call whether the call is a 1-Step Call or a 2-Step Call.

a. Overall effort: The period of performance for the technical effort for each program will vary. Each call, whether it be a 1-Step Call or a 2-Step Call, will specify the required time period for completion of the technical effort.

b. Data Items: Data shall be delivered in accordance with the schedule specified in the CDRLs identified in each call.

c. Software: Software deliveries may be required. If applicable, software shall be delivered at completion of technical effort or as specified in each call.

d. Hardware: Hardware deliveries may be required. If applicable, hardware shall be delivered within thirty (30) days after completion of technical effort or as specified in each call.

5. Other Requirements:

a. Program security classification: Will be identified on each individual call -- If a DD254 is applicable to a call, offerors must verify their Cognizant Security Office information is current with Defense Security Service (DSS) at www.dss.mil.

b. Export Control: Information involved in the BAA with Calls may or may not be subject to Export Control (International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) 22 CFR 120-131, or Export Administration Regulations (EAR) 15 http://www.dss.mil/

CFR 710-774). This will be identified on each individual call. 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 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 (JUNE 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)

6. Other Information:

a. Government Furnished Property (GFP) availability:

GFP will be specified on an individual call basis.

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 an individual call 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: Will be identified on each individual call.

c. Multiple awards subject to Fair Opportunity will be dependent to the specifics for each individual call.

d. 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: This is a three (3) year closed BAA with Calls.

Periodically over the three (3) year period, proposal call announcements may be issued in FedBizOpps to request proposals for specific research efforts.

Calls will be awarded throughout the three (3) year period. The determination will be made whether a 1-Step Call or a 2-Step Call is applicable.

2. Anticipated funding for the program by government fiscal year (not per call or contract) : FY15: $350K; FY16: $5.281M; FY17: $7.354M; FY18:

$9.911M; FY19: $7.140M

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. Each call’s anticipated price will be identified in the individual call, and are expected to range from $200k to $5M; however the government reserves the right to award larger contracts or assistance instruments.

3. Number of awards anticipated: The Air Force anticipates awarding a minimum of one contract per specific call. However, the Air Force reserves the right to make all, any, none, or part of any proposal submitted on each individual call.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Offeror: The calls are anticipated to be unrestricted solicitations.

Small businesses are encouraged to propose on all or any part of a call solicitation.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost Sharing is unable to be 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 a call issued. 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. Government Agencies: If a Government agency is interested in performing work under a call, 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.

5. Other:

a. Foreign participation: No.

b. This acquisition may involve data that is subject to export control laws and regulations. This will be identified on an individual call basis. If a call is marked to include export control, only contractors who are registered and certified with the Defense Logistics Services Center (DLSC) and have a legitimate business purpose may participate in that particular call.

Contact the Defense Logistics Services Center, 74 Washington Avenue N., http://www.dlis.dla.mil/jcp/

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 for the individual call.

c. There are no limits to the number of white papers/proposals an offeror may submit under a call.

d. You may be ineligible for award if all requirements of this solicitation and/or call are not met on the proposal due date as identified in each

IV. White Paper/Proposal and Submission Information

1. Overview: The determination will be made at the time of the call whether the call will be a 1-Step Call or a 2-Step Call. White Papers/Proposals submitted shall be in accordance with the requirements outlined in each individual call. The Government intends to evaluate white papers/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 individual calls and/or BAA amendments.

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.

Please Note: If you intend to submit a grant or assistance instrument, go on to Section 2 below which discusses how to find the grant opportunity, prepare the cover page, and complete the certification. This section also provides the process for electronic submission of proposals for grants and cooperative agreements. If, however, you intend to propose a contract, proceed directly to Section 5 below—“Content and Form for Proposal Submission.”

2. Proposals for Grants and Cooperative Agreements

NOTE: This document is not a call for proposals. Calls will be released at later dates.

a. Grant Opportunity: Go to http://Grants.Gov to find the grant opportunity.

The initial screen will provide the synopsis for that specific grant opportunity.

To view the entire opportunity open the “Full Announcement” box in the upper center of the synopsis page and select from the documents available under “Announcement Group.” NOTE: http://Grants.Gov has tools and guiding http://www.wpafb.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-120614-075.pdf documents in the left margin under “Applicant Resources” to help you find and apply for grant opportunities. Grants.gov requires Adobe Reader version 8.13 to open, download, save, and submit an application electronically. Adobe Reader version 8.13 is available for free from Grants.gov under “Applicant Resources,” “Download Software.”

b. Proposal Cover Page – SF 424 (R&R) Form: All proposals for grants or assistance, whether submitted electronically or in hard copy must include an SF 424 (R&R) as the cover page. The SF 424 (R&R) should be downloaded from the “Application” box in the upper right hand corner of the synopsis page.

Click on “download” under the column “Instructions and Application.” Select “Download Application Package” and complete the SF 424 (R & R).

c. Certifications: To access the requisite Certifications, select the “Application” box in upper right hand corner of the synopsis page. Click on “Instructions and Application” and select “Download Application Instructions” to view the Certifications. To complete the Certifications you must check Block 18 of the SF 424 (R&R), and by signing it (either by pressing the “submit” button for Grants.gov or by hand if submitting it in hard copy), you are certifying that you have read and agree to abide by the terms in the Certifications. You do not need to submit any additional documentation unless you have lobbying activities to disclose on an SF –LLL.

d. Proposals for Grants or Assistance Instruments: Proposals for grants or assistance instruments may be submitted either (1) directly with a hard copy to the AFRL/RQKPD contracting POC listed in this announcement or (2) electronically through the Grants.gov government-wide electronic portal. You must notify your contracting POC before the stated proposal due date and time of this notice if you decide to submit your proposal electronically or your proposal will not be considered.

e. For Hard Copy Submission: The original proposal and the number of copies specified in this announcement must be delivered directly to the contracting POC in AFRL/RQKPD at the time and date specified in this announcement.

f. For Electronic Submission:

i. Advance Preparation – Electronic proposals must be submitted through Grants.gov. There are several one-time actions your organization must have completed. Long before the proposal submission deadline, you should verify that the persons authorized to submit proposals for your organization have completed these actions. If not, it may take them up to 21 days to complete the actions before they will be able to submit proposals.

ii. Electronic Submission Process: The process your organization must complete includes obtaining a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, registering with SAM, registering with the credential provider, and registering with Grants.gov. Designating an E-Business Point of Contact (EBiz POC) and obtaining a special password called MPIN are important steps in the registration process. Go to http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp.

iii. Your organization’s E-Business POC, identified during CCR Registration, must authorize someone to become an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR). This safeguards your organization from individuals who may attempt to submit proposals without permission. Note: In some organizations, a person may serve as both an E-Business POC and an

AOR.

iv. The Grants.gov Organization Registration Checklist is located at http://www.grants.gov/assets/OrganizationRegCheck.pdf to guide you through the process.

v. If a proposal is submitted through Grants.gov, Adobe Reader version

8.13 or later will need to be downloaded. This small, free program will allow you to access, complete, and submit applications electronically and securely. Reference IV. 2. a. above for instructions on how to obtain a free version of the software.

vi. Should you have questions relating to the registration process, system requirements, how an application form works or the submittal process, call Grants.gov at 1-800-518-4726 or support@Grants.gov.

g. Submitting the Electronic Proposal

i. Application forms and instructions are available at Grants.gov. To access these materials, go to http://grants.gov. Select “Apply for Grant”, and then select “Download Application Package”. Enter the CFDA number (typically 12.800). You should also enter the BAA number, and then follow the prompts to download the application package.

ii. The applicant will receive a confirmation page upon completing the submission to Grants.gov. This confirmation page is a record of the time and date stamp that is used to determine whether the proposal was submitted by the deadline. A proposal received after the deadline is “late” and will not be considered for an award.

h. Section 5 below “Content and Form of Proposal Submission” applies to grants and cooperative agreement (in hard copy or electronic) and contract proposals.

3. 1-Step Proposal Instructions: Content and Form of Proposal Submission: If applicable, these instructions will be determined and provided on each individual call.

4. 2-Step Proposal Instructions: Content and Form of Proposal Submission: If applicable, these instructions will be determined and provided on each individual call.

5. 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: These instructions will apply to each

i. NO PROPOSALS SHALL BE SUBMITTED AGAINST THIS BASELINE BAA.

ii. 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.

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

iv. Proposals must reference the individual call announcement number.

v. Offerors must submit one-original and “TBD” hard copies of their proposals via mail to the Contracting POC, identified in the individual call.

vi. Offerors must include “TBD” CD in Microsoft WORD Format containing all electronic versions of required submittals (Technical/Management Proposal/SOW/Cost/Business Proposal). All electronic versions must match the hard copies.

(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.

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

viii. The cost of preparing proposals in response to individual call BAAs 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.

ix. 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. Technical/Management Proposal: These instructions will apply to each individual call. (NOTE: Each call may specify different limitations.)

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

(a) Proposal shall be limited to “TBD” pages, prepared and submitted in Microsoft Word format.

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

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

(d) 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.

(e) 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.

(f) Pages shall be numbered starting with the cover page being Page 1, and the last page being no greater than Page “TBD”. 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.

(g) 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 “TBD” pages.

(h) A CD with the Microsoft 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.

(i) 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(s) 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 Contracting POC cited in the Overview Information in the call.

c. Cost/Business Proposal:

i. Separate the proposal into a business section and cost section.

Adequate price competition is anticipated for each call.

(a) The business section should contain all business aspects to the proposed contract, such as type of contractual instrument, any http://www.afrl.af.mil/contract/default.htm http://farsite.hill.af.mil/reghtml/regs/far2afmcfars/fardfars/far/52_237.htm%23P814_129251 exceptions to terms and conditions of the announcement model contract, any information not technically related, etc. Provide rationale for exceptions.

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

(c) Cost proposals have no page limitations; however, offerors are requested to keep cost proposals to “TBD” pages as a goal.

(d) 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.

ii. 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. If an ID/IQ contract arrangement is anticipated, the basis for the subcontracting plan should reflect the entire ceiling amount.

d. Proposal Content Summary: You may be ineligible for award if all requirements of this BAA and/or call are not met on the proposal due date (TBD on each call). Reference Section VIII for a Checklist of the requirements.

6. Proposal Due Date and Time: Proposal due dates will be specified on each individual call 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 for individual calls will be asked to provide intent to propose. The intent to propose due date/time and contact person will be specified on each individual call.

7. Intergovernmental Review: None

8. Funding Restrictions: None

9. Other Submission Requirements: Proposal submittal point of contact will be specified on each individual call.

V. Proposal Review Information

NOTE: Proposal review information may vary between individual calls.

Please refer to the individual call for specific review information. The following is an example of evaluation criteria that MAY be used on calls.

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 equal order of importance:

a. Technical:

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

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

iii. Soundness of the offeror’s…