BAA-RQR-2017-0002_ART_BAA.docx

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT

FOR THE AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY

ROCKET DIVISION

AEROSPACE SYSTEMS DIRECTORATE

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT

BAA-RQR-2017-0002

1 December 2016

Issuing Office: Air Force Test Center, Directorate of Contracting Edwards AFB, CA Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.

Public Affairs Clearance Number 16239

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.

Public Affairs Clearance Number 16239

BAA-RQR-2016-0001

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT

BAA-RQR-2017-0001

20 May 2016

NAICS CODE: 541712

FEDERAL AGENCY NAME: Air Force Research Laboratory, Aerospace Systems Directorate (AFRL/RQ-West)

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT TITLE: Advanced Rocket Technology (ART)

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: This is a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) with multiple calls

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) NUMBER: BAA-RQR-2017-0001

BRIEF SUMMARY OF ART BAA: This BAA describes the development of the Advanced Rocket Technology (ART) Development and Demonstration that are of interest to the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). The Government anticipates making two initial calls with additional calls in the future. The Government anticipates awarding independent Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) for technical efforts with a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) final report for all efforts awarded under this BAA It is anticipated that the third call will occur in FY17 and a fourth call may occur in FY19. The closed one-step and two-step processes will be described in section IV of this BAA.

BAA ORDERING PERIOD: 60 months after initial release

PROPOSAL DUE DATE AND TIME: Proposal due date and time will be specified in each call. Proposals received after the due date and time shall be governed by the provisions of FAR 52.215-1(c)(3). Specific information will be located in each call. It should be noted that Edwards Air Force Base 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 because of security delays will be considered “late”. If offerors utilize commercial carriers to deliver proposals, they may not honor time-of-day delivery guarantees on military installations.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Aerospace Systems Directorate at Edwards AFB, CA is soliciting proposals on the following research efforts:

Statement of Needs:

The ART program seeks to design, develop, and demonstrate propulsion technologies for advanced missiles and space launch vehicles. The following solid rocket motor (SRM) technologies are needed to address these applications:

Modeling and simulation (M&S) tools that more fully describe the physical processes that occur during manufacture and when a rocket propulsion system operates;

Energetic propellants and lightweight hardware to address the RP21 Solid Boost and Orbit Transfer (SBOT) near and far term goals for specific impulse (Isp) and propellant mass fraction (Mf);

SRMs compliant with the expected operating environment while meeting or exceeding performance requirements; and Solid post-boost propulsion technologies that increase velocity increment (delta-V) and pointing accuracy capability In addition to increased performance, the technologies developed under ART need to reduce reliance on the “build-em and bust-em” approach to SRM development while supporting improvements in design, development, and manufacturing cost and time.

General Requirements:

Data Rights:

In exchange for paying for development of the data, the Government expects technical data, Non-Commercial Software (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 Government purpose rights at minimum.

Offerors that propose delivery of technical data, NCS, or NCS documentation subject to less than unlimited rights will be considered.

Offerors that propose delivery of technical data, NCS, or NCS documentation subject to less than unlimited rights shall document fully:

What technical data, NCS, or NCS documentation was developed using indirect cost pools and/or costs not allocated to a Government contract How this data/software will be incorporated into the ART effort How the incorporation will benefit the program Whether those portions or processes are segregable from the overall proposed effort The Government expects that delivery of technical data, NCS, and NCS documentation subject to less than unlimited rights will fully meet program needs.

Appropriateness of data rights proposed by the offeror is a part of the evaluation or award in each call.

Classified Material: The use of classified material is not anticipated at this time. However, if an offeror proposes to use or generate classified material, the contracting office shall be contacted for further guidance.

Export Control Information:

International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR): ITAR will apply to this effort. All technical data generated or delivered resulting from this BAA is controlled by ITAR, 22 CFR 120-131, and will require the export-controlled statement.

Export Administration Regulation (EAR): Commerce Control List (CCL) that includes “items” (i.e., “commodities,” “software,” and “technology”) developed under this effort may be subject to EAR (Title 15 CFR Export Administration Regulations, part 770. and Title 15 CFR part 779 Technical Data.), and these efforts need to implement the regulation requirements and the export-controlled statement Export-Controlled Statement:

"WARNING - This document contains technical data whose export is restricted by the Arms Export Control Act (Title 22, U.S.C., Sec 2751, et seq.) or the Export Administration Act of 1979 (Title 50, U.S.C., App. 2401 et seq.), as amended. Violations of these export laws are subject to severe criminal penalties. Disseminate in accordance with provisions of DoD Directive 5230.25."

When it is technically not feasible to use the entire statement, an abbreviated marking may be used, and a copy of the full statement added to the "Notice to Accompany Release of Export Controlled Data" required by DoD Directive 5230.25.

All data generated or delivered will also require one of the following two statements depending on the content of the information and the requirement of the CDRL. The use of the least restrictive distribution statement possible is required.

“Distribution Statement B – Distribution authorized to U.S. Government agencies only (Critical Technology) (Submittal Date). Other requests for this document shall be referred to AFRL/RQR, 5 Pollux Dr., Edwards AFB, CA 93524-7048.”,or “Distribution Statement C – Distribution authorized to U.S. Government agencies and their contractors (Critical Technology) (Submittal Date). Other requests for this document shall be referred to AFRL/RQR, 5 Pollux Dr., Edwards AFB, CA 93524-7048.”

All data generated or delivered will also require the following statement:

“Destruction Notice: Destroy by any method that will prevent disclosure of contents or reconstruction of this document.”

Certifications: Potential offerors are notified that effective 01 Jan 2005 to be eligible for an award; they must submit annual Electronic Representations and Certifications, otherwise known as On-line Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) via the System for Award Management (SAM) https://www.sam.gov. These FAR level representations and certifications are required in addition to the representations and certifications specific to this acquisition. Before submitting the Electronic Representations and Certifications, contractors must be registered in SAM. On-line registration instructions can be accessed from SAM home page at https://www.sam.gov.

Hazardous Materials: The handling of hazardous materials may apply to efforts resulting from this BAA. DFARS clause 252.223-7001 may apply to this program.

Ozone Depleting Substances: None.

Radioactive Materials: None.

Safety: The use of Ammunitions and Explosives may apply to this effort. DFARS clauses 252.223-7002 and 252.223-7003 may apply to this program.

Accounting System: In accordance with FAR 16.301-3, a contractor must have an adequate accounting system in place that can support a Government cost-reimbursement type contract.

Subcontracting Plans: Small Business Subcontracting Plans are required under FAR 19.702 for efforts anticipated to exceed $700,000. Prospective offerors shall submit applicable subcontracting plans in accordance with the requirements set forth in FAR 19.704 and DFARS 219.704 along with the business proposals. Small businesses are exempt from this requirement. If a company has a master subcontracting plan, as described in FAR 19.701 or a comprehensive subcontracting plan, as described in DFARS 219.702, a copy of the plan shall be submitted with the cost proposal. If applicable, an individual subcontracting plan shall be submitted along with the master subcontracting plan. The subcontracting plan is a part of the cost proposal and will not be included in the page count.

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION:

Eligible Offeror/Applicants:

Foreign or foreign-owned firms are precluded from proposing.

Access to Restricted Technical Information:

Only US Contractors who are registered and certified with the Defense Logistics Services Center (DLSC), Federal Center, Battle Creek, MI, 49017-3084 (1-800-352-3572) and have a legitimate business purpose may have access to this information. If you are registered with the DLSC, you must submit a copy of the approved DD Form 2345, Military Critical Technical Data Agreement, with your request for the data to the Contracting Point of Contact (CPOC) for verification.

PROPOSAL APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION:

General Instructions:

All offerors must comply with all provisions of FAR 52.215-1 (Jan 2004) “Instructions to Offerors – Competitive Acquisitions.” Proposals should be marked in accordance with FAR 52.215-1(e). A copy of this provision is available from http://farsite.hill.af.mil. Properly marked proprietary information will be treated in accordance with DFARS 252.227-7016, Rights in Bid or Proposal Information (JAN 2011). Proposals must reference the BAA announcement number. Offerors are advised that only Contracting Officers are legally authorized to contractually bind or otherwise commit the Government.

Proposal/White Paper Validity Period Offerors must state, on the cover page of each volume of their proposal(s) or white paper(s), that their proposal is valid for at least 180 days from submission. Any proposal received that does not include this information in the specified location will be assumed valid for 360 days from the submission date. Proposals submitted shall be in accordance with this announcement.

Amendments:

Offerors should be alert for any BAA amendments that may permit extension to the proposal submission date. Any additional information will be posted on the Government Wide Point of Enter (i.e. the Federal Business Opportunities website, http://www.fbo.gov).

BAA Guide:

A copy of the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Guide for Industry is available at http://www.wpafb.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=9218 Supplemental Information Package:

A supplemental information package describing the specifics of the RP21 goals and government baseline is available to potential offerors who are authorized to receive restricted technical information (see II-2). The supplemental information package also includes a more complete bibliography to help define state-of-the-art. This supplemental package contains information that will assist offerors in understanding the RP21 goals and may aid in developing a quality proposal. To receive supplemental package(s), submit a letter of your request to all contracting points of contact as follows: Mr. Timothy Palen timothy.palen@us.af.mil; and Ms. Jennifer Story jennifer.story@us.af.mil. Include your organization’s cage code with the request.

AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION:

One-Step Process:

The one-step process is used to request full technical and cost proposals from each offeror. The proposals are evaluated in accordance with the solicitation criteria, and all of a selected proposal, part of a selected proposal, or none of the proposals are selected.

Two-Step Process:

The two-step process is sometimes used when a large number of proposals are anticipated. Potential offerors are invited to submit brief descriptive white papers in lieu of full proposals. The individual BAA call will state whether an unfavorable white paper evaluation will bar the offeror from further consideration. Full proposals are requested from those offerors selected in the white paper evaluation process. When proposals are received, they are evaluated and selected.

Closed Process:

This approach allows for white paper and/or proposal submittals at a specified date and time as set forth in the BAA. Late white paper and proposal provisions (IAW FAR 52.215-1(c)(3)) are usually included in the BAA.

Awarding of Contracts:

The Government intends to evaluate white paper/proposals to award part, some, all, or none of the white papers/proposals received without negotiations/discussions; however, the Government reserves the right to negotiate with offeror(s) whose proposal(s) is(are) selected for funding.

White Paper Selection:

If call utilized a two-step process, offerors will be notified whether their white paper(s) is (are) selected to submit a full proposal(s) by letter or e-mail. The notification is not to be construed to mean the award of a contract is assured, as availability of funds, selection of full proposal, and if necessary, successful negotiations are prerequisites to any award.

Award Notices:

Offerors will be notified whether their proposal is recommended for award, by letter or e-mail. The notification is not to be construed to mean the award of a contract is assured, as availability of funds and if necessary, successful negotiations are prerequisites to any award.

Proposal Categories:

Category I: Proposal is well conceived, scientifically and technically sound, pertinent to the program goals and objectives, and offered by a responsible contractor with the competent scientific and technical staff and supporting resources needed to ensure satisfactory program results. Proposals in Category I are recommended for acceptance (subject to availability of funds) and normally are displaced only by other Category I proposals.

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

Category III: Proposal is not technically sound or does not meet agency needs. Proposals in Category III are recommended for rejection, except as identified in BAA section IV-8.

Sequence of Awards:

Only proposals receiving a rating of Category I or II will be eligible for selection for funding and award. Category I proposals are recommended for acceptance and normally will be displaced only by other Category I proposals. Category I proposals will normally be funded/awarded before a Category II proposal is selected. If there are no Category I proposals for the call, a Category II proposal may be selected for funding and award. Category II proposals are not always funded. It may be the case that while your overall proposal may be ranked Category II (or even Category III) a certain part of the proposal may be ranked Category I (or II). In this case, the flexibility of the BAA process will allow the Government to fund that portion of your proposal that is of high interest to the Government. It may also be the case that another division of the laboratory or even another agency may be interested in your proposed approach (or a portion of the proposal) and provide funds to make an award for your effort. The flexibility of this process allows the government to make awards in these instances. Category III proposals, with the exception of certain parts of the proposal (as described above), are recommended for rejection.

AGENCY CONTACTS:

Any correspondence must reference the BAA title and number. Correspondence is preferred in email over all other methods.

Technical Point of Contact (TPOC):

Questions of a technical nature shall be directed to the Technical Point of Contact (TPOC), as specified below:

Contracting Points of Contact (CPOC):

Questions of a contractual/business nature shall be directed to the contracting office, as specified below:

Contracting Officer

Contract Specialist

Ombudsman:

In accordance with AFFARS 5301.91, an Ombudsman has been appointed to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and others for this acquisition announcement. Before consulting with an ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the Contracting Officer listed above for resolution. AFFARS Clause 5352.201-9101 Ombudsman (APR 2014) will be incorporated into all contracts awarded under this BAA. The Ombudsman is as follows:

Air Force Test Center Vice Commander 1 South Rosamond Blvd Edwards AFB, CA 93524-3784 Phone: 661-277-2810 Fax: 661-277-7593

Review AFFARs 5301.91 for further information regarding concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the Center level.

OTHER INFORMATION:

BAA Value:

The sum of all contracts awarded against this BAA shall not exceed $49M.

Support Contractors:

Only Government personnel will evaluate the proposals for selection. AFRL/RQ-West has contracted for various business and staff support services, some of which require contractors to obtain administrative access to proprietary information submitted by other contractors. Administrative access is defined as “handling or having physical control over information for the sole purpose of accomplishing the administrative functions specified in the administrative support contract, which do not require the review, reading, or comprehension of the content of the information on the part of non-technical professionals assigned to accomplish the specified administrative tasks”. These contractors have signed general non-disclosure agreements and organizational conflict of interest statements. The required administrative access will be granted to non-technical professionals. A few examples of the administrative tasks performed include assembling and organizing information for R&D case files; accessing library files for use by Government personnel; and handling and administration of proposals, contracts, contract funding, and queries. Any objection to administrative access must be submitted/ delivered in writing to the Contracting Officer before submission of proposal and shall include a detailed statement of the basis for the objection.

Technical Support Contractors (Post-Award) There is the potential that contracted technical experts will be utilized after award to provide insight into specific areas of interest. Necessary arrangements will be put in place to address data rights.

Communication:

Dialogue between prospective offerors and Government representatives is encouraged until submission of proposals. E-mail communication is highly desired. 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.

Debriefings:

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

Wide Area Work Flow Notice:

Any contract award resulting from this announcement will contain the clause at DFARS 252.232-7003, Electronic Submission of Payment Requests and Receiving Reports (Jun 2012), which requires electronic submission of all payment requests. The clause cites three possible electronic formats through which to submit electronic payment requests and receiving reports. Effective 01 October 2006, the Department of Defense adopted Wide Area Work Flow-Receipt and Acceptance (WAWF-RA), as the electronic format for submission of electronic payment requests. Any contract resulting from this announcement will establish a requirement to use WAWF-RA for invoicing and receipt/acceptance, and provide coding instructions applicable to this contract. Contractors are encouraged to take advantage of available training (both web-based and through your cognizant DCMA office), and to register in the WAWF-RA system. Information regarding WAWF-RA, including the web-based training and registration, can be found at https://wawf.eb.mil/. Note: WAWF-RA requirement does not apply to Universities that are audited by an agency other than DCAA.

Item Identification and Valuation:

Any contract award resulting from this announcement may contain the clause at DFARS 252.211-7003, Item Identification and Valuation, (Mar 2016) which requires unique item identification and valuation of any deliverable item for which the Government’s unit acquisition cost is $5,000 or more; subassemblies, components, and parts embedded within an item valued at $5,000 or more; or items for which the Government’s unit acquisition cost is less than $5,000 when determined necessary by the requiring activity for serially managed, mission essential, or controlled inventory. Also included are any DOD serially managed subassembly, component, or part embedded within a delivered item and the parent item that contains the embedded subassembly, component, or part. Per DFARS 211.274-3 policy for valuation, it is DoD policy that contractors shall be required to identify the Government’s unit acquisition cost for all items delivered, even if none of the criteria for placing a unique item identification mark applies. Therefore, your proposal must clearly break out the unit acquisition cost for any deliverable items. Per DFARS 211.274-3 policy for valuation, “the Government’s unit acquisition cost is the contractor’s estimated fully burdened unit cost at time of delivery to the Government for cost type or undefinitized line, subline, or exhibit line items” (per DoD, “fully burdened unit costs” to the Government would include all Direct, Indirect, G&A costs, and an appropriate portion of fee). If you have questions regarding the unique item identification requirements, please contact the contracting point of contact listed above. For more information, see the following website: http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/pdi/uid/.

Forward Pricing Rate Agreements:

Offerors who have forward pricing rate agreements (FPRA’s) and forward pricing rate recommendations (FPRR’s) should submit them with their proposal.

Pre-Award Clearance:

Pursuant to FAR 22.805, a pre-award clearance must be obtained from the U.S. Department Of Labor, Employment Standards Administration, Office Of Federal Contract Compliance Program’s (OFCCP) prior to award of a contract (or subcontract) of $10,000,000 or more unless the contractor is listed in OFCCP’s National Pre-award Registry http://www.dol-esa.gov/preaward. This registry indicates that the contractor has been found to be “in compliance” within the past two years with The Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) regulations that the OFCCP is mandated to enforce. The registry is updated nightly and facilities reviewed more than 2 years ago are removed and new ones are added. Award may be delayed if you are not currently listed in the registry and the contracting officer must request a pre-award clearance from the OFCCP.

Excessive Pass-Through Charges:

Any contract award resulting from this announcement may contain the clause at FAR 52.215-23, Limitations on Pass – Through Charges (Oct 2009) which requires the contractor to identify in its proposal the percentage of effort to be performed by the prime contractor and the percentage expected to be performed by each subcontractor. If the contractor intends to subcontract more than 70% of the total cost of work under the contract, then it shall identify the amount of the contractor's indirect costs and profit applicable to the subcontract work, and a description of the value added by the contractor. If any subcontractor intends to subcontract to a lower tier subcontractor more than 70% of the total cost of its work, then it shall identify the amount of the subcontractor's indirect costs and profit applicable to the lower tier subcontract work, and a description of the value added by the subcontractor.

Associate Contractor Agreements:

Associate Contractor Agreements (ACAs) are agreements between contractors working on Government contract projects that specify requirements for them to share information, data, technical knowledge, expertise, or resources. The Contracting Officer may require ACAs when contractors working on separate Government contracts must cooperate, share resources, or otherwise jointly participate in working on contracts or projects. Prime contractor to subcontractor relationships do not constitute ACAs. For each award, the Contracting Officer will identify associate contractors with whom agreements are required. ACA are anticipated due to the multiple award nature of the contract to share information, data, and some technical knowledge. The language from AFFARS IG 5317.9000 (2013), Associate Contract Agreements or similar language shall be included in the Statement of Work when applicable.

Post-Award Small Business Program Re-representation:

As prescribed in FAR 19.308, FAR Clause 52.219-28, “Post-Award Small Business Program Re-representation (July 2013),” is incorporated by reference in this solicitation. This clause will be contained in any contracts resulting from this solicitation. This clause requires a contractor to re-represent its size status when certain conditions apply. The clause provides detail on when the re-representation must be complete and what the contractor must do when a re-representation is required.

Future Calls:

Future call(s) are anticipated on this BAA. The future call may have addition, reduction, or modification of subtopics and/or requirements. Contractors who did not propose or were not awarded in any call can propose the same or new effort in later calls.

Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) TRL as defined in the Technology Readiness Assessment (TRA) Guidance (Apr 2011) at http://www.acq.osd.mil/ddre/publications/docs/TRA2011.pdf will be used in this BAA.

Bibliography A more complete bibliography is available from the contracting office upon verification of eligibility and request (see III-5).

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