BAA-RQR-2019-0001_SPRINT_BAA.pdf

BAA-RQR-2019-0001

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT

FOR THE AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY

ROCKET DIVISION

AEROSPACE SYSTEMS DIRECTORATE

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

24 Jan 2019

Issuing Office: Air Force Test Center, Directorate of Contracting Edwards AFB, CA

Distribution Statement A: Approved for public release: distribution unlimited. Public Affairs Clearance Number 19061.

Other requests for this document shall be referred to AFRL/RQR, 5 Pollux Drive, Edwards AFB, CA 93524-7048.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

I. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

I-1. Statement of Needs

I-2. Deliverable Items

I-3. Schedule

I-4. Other Information

II. AWARD INFORMATION

II-1. Anticipated Funding

II-2. Anticipated Number of Awards

II-3. Anticipated Award Date

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

III-1. Eligible Offeror/Applicants

III-2. Military Critical Technical Data Agreement

III-3. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers

III-4. Government Agencies

IV. WHITE PAPER AND PROPOSAL PREPARATION/SUBMISSION INFORMATION

IV-1. Application Package

IV-2. Call Instructions

IV-3. Other Instructions

IV-4. Amendments

IV-5. BAA Guide

V. PROPOSAL REVIEW INFORMATION

V-1. White Paper Review Information

V-2. Review and Selection Process

VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

VI-1. White Paper Process

VI-2. Closed Process

VI-3. Awarding of Contracts

VI-4. Award Notices

VI-5. Proposal Categories

VI-6. Negotiations

VII. AGENCY CONTACTS

VII-1. Technical Point of Contact (TPOC)

VII-2. Contracting Points of Contact (CPOC)

VII-3 Ombudsmen

VIII. OTHER INFORMATION

VIII-1. Communication

VIII-2. Debriefings

VIII-3. Wide Area Work Flow Notice

VIII-4. Item Identification and Valuation

VIII-5. Forward Pricing Rate Agreements

VIII-6. Pre-Award Clearance

VIII-7. Excessive Pass-Through Charges

VIII-8. Post-Award Small Business Program Re-representation

VIII-9. System for Award Management Registration

NAICS CODE: 541715 – Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) with a small business size standard of 1,250 employees.

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

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT TITLE: Space Propulsion Research and Innovation for Neutralizing Satellite Threats (SPRINT)

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: This is an Open Broad Agency Announcement (BAA).

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: BAA-RQR-2019-0001

Solicitation Request: Air Force Research Laboratory, Aerospace Systems Directorate (AFRL/RQ-West) is establishing this open BAA with calls to solicit innovative research proposals of interest to the Space Propulsion Research Branch (AFRL/RQRS) research as described below. The BAA will allow for submission of white papers during the open period of the BAA and will provide for specific proposal preparation times and due dates on individual calls identified during the open period of the BAA. White papers should be addressed to the White Paper Focal Point identified below. This is an unrestricted solicitation. Small businesses are encouraged to propose on all or any part of this solicitation. The NAICS Code for this acquisition is 541715, and the small business size standard is 1,250 employees. White papers/proposals submitted shall be in accordance with this announcement or with any specific calls issued as a part of this announcement.

Offerors should remain vigilant for any specific calls or updates related to this BAA.

White papers shall be submitted to the following email address:

White Paper Focal Point: AFTC.SPRINT.BAA@us.af.mil

Open Period: This BAA has an open period of 5 years. For ease of reference, this BAA may be republished at yearly intervals within the open period.

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. It is anticipated that awards under this BAA will generally be cost-plus-fixed–fee (CPFF). Cost reimbursement contracts require successful offerors to have an accounting system considered adequate for tracking costs applicable to the contract. Contractors without an adequate accounting system determination will be subject to a pre-award survey of prospective contractor accounting system.

Estimated Program Cost: $95M

Brief Program Summary: This BAA describes the development of in-space propulsion technologies that broadly apply to improving spacecraft resiliency. Space Propulsion Research and Innovation for Neutralizing Satellite Threats (SPRINT) is an open BAA with calls that enables study efforts on novel concepts, as well as research and development contracts to mature specific technologies to appropriate technology readiness levels (TRL) depending on end use. Specific award details are described below, but the Government anticipates awarding multiple contracts of varying duration and value. This SPRINT BAA allows consideration of white papers as well as calls issued by the Government when specific requirements are identified.

Proposals Due Date and Time: Proposals must be submitted as described below.

Multiple awards are anticipated. The amount of resources made available under this BAA will depend on the quality of the proposals received and the availability of funds. White papers may be submitted anytime during the open period. Calls issued by the Government will specify a common due date when proposals specific to each call are due.

I. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

I-1. Statement of Needs

The SPRINT program seeks to improve the utility of spacecraft propulsion technology for resiliency applications. This includes, but is not limited to, a broad range of technologies, different degrees of development efforts, ground and/or space experiments, studies, and modeling and simulation activities. Topic areas of specific interest include:

• Chemical monopropellant thrusters, thruster system components, and/or complete propulsion systems and their expected interactions with spacecraft systems

• Chemical bipropellant thrusters, thruster system components, and/or complete propulsion systems and their expected interactions with spacecraft systems

• Electric propulsion thrusters, thruster system components, and/or complete propulsion systems and their expected interactions with spacecraft systems

• Multi-mode thrusters, thruster system components, and/or complete propulsion systems and their expected interactions with spacecraft systems

• Plume phenomenology including experimental and/or modelling and simulation (M&S) studies

• Mission utility of propulsion research concepts and any associated operational constructs and/or architectures

Some areas, or specific calls, associated with the SPRINT BAA may require access to classified information up to and including Top Secret, Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI).

I-2. Deliverable Items

I-2.1. Contract Data Requirements List (CDRLs): CDRLs may include but are not limited to Status Reports, Scientific and Technical Reports, Performance and Cost Reports and Presentation Material. At minimum, a final report must be delivered.

Specific CDRL requirements will be identified within a letter request for proposal (RFP), specific calls, or contracts issued under this BAA. If less than unlimited data rights is included in any deliveries, it shall be provided in a separate section.

I-2.2. Scientific and Technical Reports, Final Report: Approval to be based on technical content, including a complete accounting of all activities performed under the technical effort with sufficient detail to allow a follow-on activity to pick up where the technical effort ended and for replication of the results, and format, including compliance with ANSI/NISO Z39.18. The Government will have 30 days to review, edit, and approve/disapprove for technical content and format. The updated final report shall be delivered 30 days after receiving the Government's review. Further guidance on the Test/Inspection Report CDRL is outlined in the associated DD Form 1423.

I-2.3. Software: Specific software deliverable requirements will be identified within letter RFPs, specific calls, or contracts issued under this BAA.

I-2.4. Hardware: Specific hardware deliverable requirements will be identified within letter RFPs, specific calls, or contracts issued under this BAA.

1-2.5. Contractor-Acquired Property (CAP): Property acquired or fabricated under this contract and with contract funds shall be considered Government property IAW FAR 52.245-1 Government Property. Delivery of residual contractor-acquired property is required. Delivery is due thirty days after end of technical effort of each contract if residual hardware is developed. The proposal shall include related costs associated with packaging and shipping CAP to AFRL/RQR in accordance with specific details in individual contracts.

I-2.6. Other: All other deliverables will be identified within letter RFPs, specific calls, or contracts issued under this BAA. Cost reimbursement type contracts awarded under the BAA will include a Not Separately Priced (NSP) CAP Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) in order to provide for disposition of CAP not anticipated at time of contract award or otherwise not specified for delivery on an existing

CLIN.

I-2.7. Additional Data: Alternate or additional data items that would streamline or enhance the effectiveness of the effort are solicited. Proposals shall show a list of CDRL items included in the price of the proposal. Electronic submission of data items shall be required on all efforts.

I-3. Schedule

Each award is anticipated to be between 3 to 60 months, however, period of performance will be tailored to each award.

I-4. Other Information

I-4.1. Program Security Classification/DD form 254, Operations Security (OPSEC), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) 22 CFR 120-131, Export Administration Regulations (EAR) 15 CFR 710-774), and specific Base Support (including network access) will be considered for each award on a case-by-case basis.

I-4.2. Conferences: Offerors should plan for participation in appropriate conferences and workshops in order to present current results. This participation will serve as a mechanism to report current progress to the community.

I-4.3. Government Furnished Property or Information (GFP or GFI): GFP and/or GFI may be available for any individual contract. All offerors are encouraged to engage with an appropriate Government POC to identify possible ways to leverage GFP or GFI. Specific calls may have specific requirements and/or GFP or GFI available. 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.

I-4.4. 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 air, space, and cyberspace forces. As such, rights in technical data and NCS developed or delivered under this BAA 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 how the data was developed at private expense. Specifically, offers must 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.

Offerors that propose delivery of technical data, NCS, or NCS documentation subject to Limited Rights, Restricted Rights, or Specifically Negotiated License Rights will be considered. White papers or proposals submitted in response to individual calls 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 and whether those portions or processes are segregable.

Offerors responding to the letter RFP within the white paper process or to a specific call shall include the data rights assertions as required by DFARS 252.227-7017, Identification and Assertion of Restrictions on the Government’s Use, Release, or Disclosure of Technical Data or Computer Software. Assertions must be completed with specificity. Each assertion must identify the data and each such item, component, or process listed.

Terms used in this section are defined in the clauses at 252.227-7013, Rights in Technical Data-Noncommercial Items, and 252.227-7014, Rights in Noncommercial Computer Software and Noncommercial Computer Software Documentation.

Additional information/instruction regarding data rights may be identified in letter RFPs.

I-4.5. Model Contract: A model contract may be provided to prospective offerors with letter RFPs or provided as attachments to specific calls.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

II-1. Anticipated Funding

Individual awards are anticipated to be in the range of $100K to $10M per contract;

however there is no pre-defined minimum or maximum. Funds are not presently available for this effort. No award will be made under this solicitation until funds are available. The Government reserves the right to cancel this solicitation at any time. The Government has no obligation to reimburse an offeror for any costs.

II-2. Anticipated Number of Awards

The Air Force anticipates awarding multiple awards over the course of this BAA.

Calls issued under this BAA may identify the number of anticipated awards specific to each call.

II-3. Anticipated Award Date

Awards made to submitted white papers will depend on full proposal evaluation, successful negotiations, and funds availability. Calls issued under this BAA may include an anticipated award date.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

III-1. Eligible Offeror/Applicants

This is an unrestricted solicitation. Small businesses are encouraged to propose on all or any part of this solicitation. Foreign persons or foreign-owned firms are precluded from proposing.

III-2. Military Critical Technical Data Agreement

Contractors proposing for this effort shall register and certify with the Defense Logistics Services Center (DLSC), Federal Center, Battle Creek, MI, 49017-3084 (1-800-352-3572). Contractors that are registered with the DLSC must submit a copy of the approved DD Form 2345, Military Critical Technical Data Agreement, with white paper proposals to the CPOC for verification.

III-3. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers

The following guidance is provided for Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) contemplating submitting a proposal, as either a prime or subcontractor, against this BAA. FAR 35.017-1(c)(4) prohibits an FFRDC from competing with any non-FFRDC concern in response to a Federal agency RFP 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 FFRDC, and that determination must be included in the FFRDC’s proposal. In addition, the non-sponsoring agency (in this case AFRL/RQR) 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.

III-4. 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 agency's participation, the effort may be pursued independent of this announcement.

IV. WHITE PAPER AND PROPOSAL PREPARATION/SUBMISSION INFORMATION

IV-1. Application Package

This announcement is an open BAA with calls, which includes possible awards to white papers, as well as responses to specific calls. White papers/Proposals shall be submitted in accordance with this announcement. The Government intends to review white papers/proposals and award some, all, or none of the proposals received with or without negotiation/discussion; however, the Government reserves the right to negotiate with those offeror(s) whose proposal is selected for award. Details for specific calls will be included in the call IAW IV-2.

IV-1.1. White Paper Instructions:

IV-1.1.1. General: A white paper shall include discussion of the nature and scope of the research, the offeror’s proposed technical approach, and a rough order of magnitude (ROM) cost. The Government will review the white papers in accordance with the review criteria, set forth in Section V.

Based on this review, the Government will determine which have the potential to best meet the Air Force’s needs. Offerors may be notified of the disposition of their white paper. White papers will be kept for up to one year (para. V-2.1) Those offerors submitting white papers assessed as meeting Air Force needs will be asked to submit a technical and cost proposal. The cost of preparing white papers in response to this announcement 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. White papers may be ineligible for award if all requirements of this solicitation are not met.

IV-1.1.2. Page Limitations:

IV-1.1.2.1. The white paper shall be limited to 5 pages, prepared and submitted in .pdf format. Font shall be size 12 standard business font. Character spacing must be “normal,” not condensed in any manner. Pages shall be double-spaced (each side counts as one page), 8.5 by 11 inches, with at least one-inch margins on both sides, top and bottom.

IV-1.1.2.2. Lines between text lines must also be 12-point. 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.

IV-1.1.2.3. Pages shall be numbered starting with the cover page being

Page 1, and the last page being Page 5. 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. The Government will not consider pages in excess of these limitations. Offerors should submit 1 electronic copy of the white paper to the CPOC, identified in Section VII-2.

IV-1.1.3. Format: The white paper will be formatted as follows:

• Section A: Title of Program, Name of Company, Company’s

Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) number, Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, Contractor’s Contracting POC and Technical POC with appropriate telephone numbers, fax numbers, and email addresses for the POCs;

• Section B: Period of Performance and Task Objectives;

• Section C: Technical Summary and Proposed Deliverables;

and

• Section D: Cost of Task / ROM.

IV-1.1.4. Technical Portion: The technical portion of the white paper shall include a discussion of the nature and scope of the research and the offeror’s proposed technical approach/solution. It may also include any proposed deliverables. Resumes, descriptions of facilities and equipment, a proposed Statement of Work (SOW) is not required within the white paper.

IV-1.1.5. Cost Portion: The cost portion of the white paper shall include a ROM cost estimate. No detailed price or cost support information should be forwarded; only a time-phased bottom line figure should be provided.

IV-1.1.6. Other Information: Multiple white papers within the purview of this announcement may be submitted by each offeror. If the offeror wishes to restrict its white papers, they must be marked with the restrictive language stated in FAR 52.215-1(e).

Offerors are asked that prior to submitting any white papers that are classified in nature or containing ITAR restricted information to contact the CPOC for handling instructions.

IV-1.2.Proposal Instructions:

IV-1.2.1. General: Notification from the government of interest in the submitted white paper will take the form of a letter RFP. This letter will identify the required proposal content (e.g., technical section, cost section, etc.). At a minimum the Government will evaluate responses to letter RFPs for technical and cost/price criteria. Additional criteria may be required in order to adequately evaluate an offerors proposed approach (e.g., management criteria, past performance, etc.) and will be described in the letter RFP. In addition to content, the letter will identify other instructions such as the proposal due date, format, and submission method. Offerors are advised only contracting officers are legally authorized to contractually bind or otherwise commit the Government. The cost of preparing proposals in response to the letter RFP 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.

IV-1.2.2. Statement of Work (SOW): Each response to a letter RFP will include a non-proprietary version of the SOW. The SOW shall contain a summary description of the technical methodology as well as detailed task descriptions. Offerors are cautioned to include only the essential information for a clear, logical, and reasonable SOW. This document will be made part of any resulting contract. Do not include any proprietary information in the SOW. The SOW section structure below is based on the SOW description in the BAA Guide for Industry referenced in para. Part I-V of the BAA; offerors should refer to that document for more information. All subsections of the SOW are to be numbered in outline form according to the number of the main section (i.e. 1.1, 1.2, 1.2.1.1, 1.2.1.2, etc.).

1.0 BACKGROUND

The background information should identify the requirement in very general terms; describe why the project is being pursued, and how it relates to other projects. Summarize any statutory authority or regulations affecting the overall requirement.

2.0 SCOPE

This section should provide a brief statement of what the offeror expects to accomplish under the contract — the breadth and limitations of the contract effort. It should not include specific work tasks or a description of deliverable products since this will be included in the “Tasks” section.

3.0 OBJECTIVES

This section should provide a concise overview of the contract effort goals and objectives; and how the results or end products will be used.

4.0 TASKS/TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

This section defines the tasks that the contractor shall complete during contract performance and would have a task description for each step of the Work Breakdown Schedule (WBS). The description of task requirements will depend on the approach that is selected to describe the required effort.

5.0 DELIVERABLES

This section should clearly state all deliverables including CDRLs and material.

6.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance shall be clearly stated using in units of months after contract award. Milestones shall be stated as a number of months after contract award. These milestones shall include the end of technical effort and end of contract period of performance.

7.0 KEY PERSONNEL

Key personnel shall be identified to include level of experience and education. This section should clearly state the Government will be notified in advance concerning any changes to key personnel.

IV-1.2.3. Guidelines for Submission of Other than Cost or Pricing Data:

The contracting officer has anticipated that adequate price competition (APC) does not exist. Offerors are requested to submit in its proposal information described in FAR 15.403-5, Instructions for Submission of Certified Cost or Pricing Data and Data Other Than Certified Cost or Pricing Data. This information will be used to support price reasonableness and cost realism.

IV-1.2.4. Proposal Validity Period: Offerors must state, on the cover page of each volume of their proposal, 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.

IV-2. Call Instructions

Calls issued under this BAA will identify specific proposal instructions. Information may include but is not limited to anticipated funding, number of awards, award date, and data rights instruction. Contractors that are registered with the DLSC must submit a copy of the approved DD Form 2345, Military Critical Technical Data Agreement in response to a call to the (CPOC) for verification.

IV-2.1. Call Review Information

The Government will define the evaluation criteria within each call.

Each call shall, at a minimum, contain technical and price/cost evaluation criteria.

IV-2.2. Call Review and Selection

Proposals will be evaluated in accordance with evaluation criteria identified in each call. After evaluation, proposals will be categorized as identified in BAA section VI-5 and funding selection will occur.

This marks the end of the proposal evaluation period. The Government reserves the right to enter into negotiations with those companies selected for award in order to arrive at a final fair and reasonable price.

IV-3. Other Instructions

All offerors must comply with all provisions of FAR 52.215-1 “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.

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.

IV-4. Amendments

Offerors should be alert for any BAA amendments to this announcement or any subsequent calls. Any additional information will be posted on the Government Wide Point of Entry (i.e. the Federal Business Opportunities website, http://www.fbo.gov).

IV-5. BAA Guide

A copy of the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Guide for Industry is available at http://www.wpafb.af.mil/Portals/60/documents/afrl/AFRL-broad-agency-announcement-guide.pdf?ver=2016-07-08-141724-390 http://farsite.hill.af.mil/ http://www.fbo.gov/ http://www.wpafb.af.mil/Portals/60/documents/afrl/AFRL-broad-agency-announcement-guide.pdf?ver=2016-07-08-141724-390 http://www.wpafb.af.mil/Portals/60/documents/afrl/AFRL-broad-agency-announcement-guide.pdf?ver=2016-07-08-141724-390

V. PROPOSAL REVIEW INFORMATION

V-1. White Paper Review Information

The Government will review white papers to determine which of them have the potential to best meet the Air Force’s needs based on the following relative criteria:

V-1.1. Is the technical approach consistent with the technologies listed in para. I-1. of this BAA?

V-1.2. Is the research of interest to the Government?

V-1.3. Is appropriate funding available?

V-2. Review and Selection Process

V-2.1. White Paper Review and Selection The Government may review all, some, or none of the submitted white papers. White papers that are reviewed will be reviewed IAW para. V-1 above, and when appropriate funding is available, may be selected for award. Prospective offerors selected for award will receive a letter RFP IAW para. IV-1.2. above at which time the Government reserves the right to enter into negotiations IAW para.

VI-6 below. All other white papers will be kept for up to one year after receipt, except that awards will not be made under this BAA beyond the open period defined above.

VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

VI-1. White Paper Process

This process is used to request full technical and cost proposals following receipt of a white paper IAW para IV above. The proposals are evaluated in accordance with the solicitation criteria identified above.

VI-2. Closed Process

This approach allows for proposal submittals at a specified date and time as set forth in this BAA. Late proposal provisions (IAW FAR 52.215-1(c)(3)) will be included in the individual calls.

VI-3. Awarding of Contracts

The Government intends to evaluate proposals to award part, some, all, or none of the proposals received without negotiations/discussions; however, the

Government reserves the right to negotiate with offeror(s) whose proposal(s) is(are) selected for funding.

Awards may be issued at any time during the open period of the BAA.

VI-4. 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.

VI-5. Proposal Categories

VI-5.1. Highly Recommended: Proposals are recommended for acceptance if sufficient funding is available, and normally are displaced only by other Highly Recommended proposals.

VI-5.2. Selectable: Proposals are recommended for acceptance if sufficient funding is available but at a lower priority than Highly Recommended proposals. These proposals may require additional development. To ensure a diversity of approaches, a Selectable proposal may be prioritized over a Highly Recommended proposal if the Selectable proposal presents a unique approach unlike any of the Highly Recommended proposals.

VI-5.3. Not Selectable: Proposals determined Not Selectable are not recommended for award, except as identified in BAA section VI-6.

VI-5.4. The Government reserves the right to award some, all, or none of proposals received in response to this BAA. When the Government elects to award only part of a proposal, the selected part may be categorized as Highly Recommended or Selectable, though the proposal as a whole may not merit such a categorization.

VI-6. Negotiations

After the evaluation process is complete the Government may enter into negotiations with companies selected for funding. Award will be contingent upon successful negotiations. The Government reserves the right to discontinue negotiations with any contractor should the parties fail to reach agreement on contract terms, conditions or cost/price within a reasonable time.

VII. AGENCY CONTACTS

Any correspondence must reference the BAA title and number. E-mail correspondence is preferred over all other methods.

VII-1. Technical Point of Contact (TPOC)

Questions of a technical nature shall be directed to the TPOC, as specified below:

Name: Mr. Daron Bromaghim Address: AFRL/RQRS

1 Ara Road, Bldg 8595 Edwards AFB, CA 93524

Telephone: 661-275-5473 Email: daron.bromaghim@us.af.mil

Name: Ms. Stephanie Leathers Address: AFRL/RQRS

1 Ara Road, Bldg 8595 Edwards AFB, CA 93524

Telephone: 661-275-3206 Email: stephanie.leathers@us.af.mil

VII-2. Contracting Points of Contact (CPOC)

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

Contracting Officer:

Name: Mr. Timothy S. Palen Address: AFTC/PZRA 5 South Wolfe Avenue, Bldg 2800 Edwards AFB, CA 93524 Telephone: 661-277-8216 Email: timothy.palen@us.af.mil

Contracting Specialist: (Primary CPOC) Name: Mr. James S. Helmick Address: AFTC/PZRA

5 South Wolfe Avenue, Bldg 2800 Edwards AFB, CA 93524

Telephone: 661-277-8317 Email: james.helmick.2@us.af.mil mailto:daron.bromaghim@us.af.mil mailto:stephanie.leathers@us.af.mil mailto:james.helmick.2@us.af.mil

VII-3 Ombudsmen

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 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 E-mail: afftc.pk.workflow@edwards.af.mil

See AFFARs 5301.91, found at http://farsite.hill.af.mil/vmaffara.htm, for further information regarding concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the Ombudsmen level.

VIII. OTHER INFORMATION

VIII-1. Communication

All communication related to this solicitation shall include the CPOC identified in VII-2. Dialogue between prospective offerors and Government representatives is encouraged until submission of full proposals either in response to a letter RFP via the white paper process or in response to a call. E-mail communication is highly encouraged. 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.

VIII-2. Debriefings

When requested, a debriefing may be provided. The debriefing process will follow the time guidelines IAW FAR 35.008(d).

VIII-3. 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, which requires electronic submission of all payment requests.

mailto:afftc.pk.workflow@edwards.af.mil http://farsite.hill.af.mil/vmaffara.htm

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.

VIII-4. Item Identification and Valuation

Any contract award resulting from this announcement may contain the clause at DFARS 252.211-7003, Item Identification and Valuation, 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, the 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). Any questions regarding the unique item identification requirements can be directed to the CPOC listed above. For more information, visit http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/pdi/uid/.

VIII-5. 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.

http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/pdi/uid/

VIII-6. Pre-Award Clearance

Pursuant to FAR 22.805, a pre-award clearance may be required and 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 an offeror is are not currently listed in the registry and the contracting officer must request a pre-award clearance from the

OFCCP.

VIII-7. 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 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.

VIII-8. 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, will be 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.

VIII-9. System for Award Management Registration

FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management (SAM) and DFARS 252.204-7004, Alternate A, System for Award Management (SAM) 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. 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.