Updated CALL 014 Announcement.docx

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT

BAA-RV-10-01

Air Force Research Laboratory/Space Vehicles Directorate

PROPOSAL CALL ANNOUNCEMENT (CALL) 014

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT TITLE: AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate, Battlespace Environment Division – BAA-RV-10-01

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: BAA-RV-10-01

PROPOSAL CALL ANNOUCEMENT (CALL) TITLE: Topic Number # 1 SPACE WEATHER: MAGNETOSPHERE-IONOSPHERE-THERMOSHPERE

PROPOSAL CALL ANNOUNCEMENT (CALL) NUMBER: 014

TECHNICAL POINT OF CONTACT: The technical point of contact for this CALL is Dr. Daniel Ober, AFRL/RVBXP, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone 505-846-5749, Email daniel.ober.1@kirtland.af.mil

CONTRACTING POINTS OF CONTACT: The contracting points of contact for this CALL are: Contract Specialist: Jennifer B. Jaramillo, Det 8 AFRL/RVKB, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone 505-846-8501, Email: jennifer.jaramillo@kirtland.af.mil or Contracting Officer: Jean A. Barnes, Det 8 AFRL/RVKB, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone 505-846-4695 Email: jean.barnes@kirtland.af.mil

REQUIREMENT DESCRIPTION:

Detailed understanding of ionospheric and thermospheric dynamics is critical for applications such as satellite communications and orbit prediction. Dynamics in the magnetosphere and solar wind are the energy sources that drive the processes in the Ionosphere and thermosphere systems. Therefore the magnetosphere, ionosphere, and thermosphere are an intrinsically coupled system that should be studied as a whole.

Irregularities in the ionosphere at high and low latitudes can disrupt satellite communications. At low latitudes these are known as equatorial spread F or equatorial plasma bubbles. Equatorial plasma bubbles are magnetic field-aligned regions of depleted plasma density that form beneath the F-layer near the magnetic equator, rise up to higher altitudes, and produce scintillations. Equatorial electric fields, including penetration electric fields driven by auroral currents and neutral winds can trigger the plasma instabilities that produce these plasma bubbles.

Thermospheric density continues to be the largest source of error in specifying orbital drag. The thermosphere is a dynamic region driven by heating due to solar radiation and magnetospheric processes (precipitating particles and electric fields) driven by the solar wind. In addition, forcing from the low-altitude troposphere can create tides which penetrate to high altitudes in the ionosphere and thermosphere, affecting neutral densities and hence satellite drag.

This call includes 6 objectives. Offerors should reference the CALL’s section entitled, “Other relative information, item #3, for available tools provided by the Government. These tools are not required, but offered for proposal purposes. If an offeror proposes solution sets, source codes, models other than those provided by the Government, proposals shall include the offerors methodology in validating model.

Objective 1. This objective seeks research to advance the current knowledge of the physical processes that determine the electron density profile as well as the formation and evolution of the plasma irregularities that form in the Earth's ionosphere and the resulting radio scintillation. Studies will include evaluating the utility of using physics based models for providing specification and long-range (2-3 days) forecasting of the ionospheric density and the radio-scintillation. This research effort also seeks determination, use and validity of metrics and skill scores that can be demonstrated to be useful for evaluating the reliability of the forecasts. It could include an evaluation of the utility of an ensemble approach for estimating the uncertainty in the forecasts. Data from Communication/Navigation outage Forecast System (C/NOFS) instruments (Planar Langmuir Probe, Vector Electric Field Instrument, Neutral Wind Meter, Ion Velocity Meter, RF Beacon, and GPS Receiver) and Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) instruments (SSJ, SSIES, and SSM) can be made available for this effort. Concurrent analysis of observations from ground instruments, like beacon receivers, magnetometers, radars, ionosondes, Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers and Fabry-Perot interferometers is also desired. Respondents to this request should provide complete information on their proposed techniques, methodology, and required data sets.

Objective 2. This objective seeks research to advance the current capabilities of operational, assimilative, empirical and physical models to forecast the state of the global neutral atmosphere. The goal is to develop improved techniques for accurately specifying and forecasting the neutral atmosphere 72-120 hours into the future to obtain precision orbit prediction for space objects. Respondents to this request should provide complete information on their proposed techniques, methodology, and required data sets.

Objective 3. This objective seeks research to improve current models of the quiet and disturbed thermosphere that support satellite drag forecasts during re-entry. Special emphasis should be placed on research of dynamics in the altitude range 100 to 200 km where currently little is known directly and consequently re-entry predictions are least reliable. Modeling goals are to accurately specify the mass and energy distributions in the global thermosphere-ionosphere system at altitudes above 100 km across the full range of solar-cycle input conditions. Respondents to this request should provide complete information on their proposed techniques, methodology, and required data sets.

Objective 4. This objective seeks research using data analysis and modeling to enhance our understanding of the coupling of high- and low-latitude dynamics during varying levels of magnetic activity. The goal is to better understand irregularities in the equatorial zone triggered when the solar wind conditions vary. Data from C/NOFS instruments (Planar Langmuir Probe, Vector Electric Field Instrument, Neutral Wind Meter, Ion Velocity Meter, RF Beacon, and GPS Receiver) and DMSP instruments (SSJ, SSIES, and SSM) can be made available for this effort. Concurrent analysis of observations from ground instruments, like beacon receivers, magnetometers, radars, ionosondes, and Fabry-Perot interferometers is also desired. Respondents to this request should provide complete information on their proposed techniques, methodology, and required data sets.

Objective 5. This objective seeks research of ion-neutral coupling processes that extends our knowledge of energy transfer between the ionosphere to the thermosphere that drives large scale global winds, and leads to improved models of thermospheric densities and satellite drag. The objective is to understand how the neutral density and wind vary in time and space as a result of the energy input from the magnetosphere into the ionosphere/thermosphere system at high latitudes. Data from C/NOFS instruments (Planar Langmuir Probe, Vector Electric Field Instrument, Neutral Wind Meter, Ion Velocity Meter, RF Beacon, and GPS Receiver) and DMSP instruments (SSJ, SSIES, and SSM) can be made available for this effort. Respondents to this request should provide complete information on their proposed techniques, methodology, and required data sets.

Objective 6. This objective seeks research to advance our understanding of energy flow from the solar wind into the magnetosphere, ionosphere, and thermosphere system. The goal is to expand our understanding of the transfer of energy through the Earth’s magnetosphere, in both dayside and nightside regions, with focus on the MI coupling processes. The goal is also to expand our ability to specify and forecast ionospheric irregularities that can cause ionospheric scintillation and signal disruption at high and low latitudes. We seek to understand the effect of solar wind pressure and IMF transients in the ionosphere-thermosphere system, during both quiet and magnetic storm periods. We also seek to understand energy input from auroral disturbances during times of substorms or magnetic storms. Either theoretical modeling or experimental data analysis could be used for this objective. Respondents to this request should provide complete information on their proposed techniques, methodology, and required data sets.

ANTICIPATED FUNDING: Anticipated funding for this CALL (not per contract or award) is: FY 12: $350K; FY 13: $350K; FY 14: $350K; FY 15: $350K. TOTAL= $1,400,000. This funding profile is an estimate only and will not be a contractual obligation for funding. Offerors should note that funding for this effort is uncertain at this time and will be largely dependent on the next government fiscal year budget that has yet to be established. In view of the foregoing budgetary considerations and possible impact to this effort, the Government reserves the right to award none, some or all of the objectives set forth in this solicitation. All funding is subject to change due to government discretion and availability.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The anticipated period of performance for individual awards resulting from this CALL is 48 months in duration. The period of performance is to be proposed in the format “includes 48 months for technical effort and 3 months for Final Report preparation.”

PROPOSAL DUE DATE AND TIME: The due date for proposals submitted in response to this CALL is no later than 12 Noon MDT on 19 OCTOBER 2011. Proposals for any other technology area identified in the baseline BAA will not be accepted at this time unless a CALL for proposals in that specific area is open. Proposals received after the due dates and times shall be governed by the provisions of FAR 52.215-1(c)(3).

CALL AMENDMENTS: Offerors should monitor FedBizOps/EPS http://www.fbo.gov for any additional notices to this CALL that may permit extensions to the proposal submission date or otherwise modify this announcement.

ANTICIPATED TYPE OF CONTRACTS: The Air Force anticipates awarding a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract as a result of this CALL but reserves the right to award the instrument best suited to the nature of research proposed. A model contract will be provided to each apparent successful offeror for review and comment as part of the BAA solicitation and award process.

ANTICIPATED NUMBER OF AWARDS: The Air Force anticipates awarding one support contract. However, the Air Force does reserve the right to make multiple awards or no awards pursuant to this CALL.

ANTICIPATED AWARD DATE: January 2012

INTENT TO PROPOSE: Potential offerors are requested to advise the contracting point of contact if they intend to submit a proposal in response to this CALL. Such notification is merely a courtesy and is not a commitment by the offeror to submit a proposal.

DELIVERABLES ITEMS:

1. PBMOD Revisions (A004 CDRL)

2. Quarterly Status Report (A001 CDRL)

3. Annual Technical Reports (A002 CDRL)

4. Final Report (A003 CDRL)

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION:

1. Program security classification for this CALL is UNCLASSIFIED.

2. Information is NOT expected to be ITAR restricted.

3. Government Furnished Property and Government Furnished Information available under this effort. These items are listed below. The listed information and data will be provided to the contractor as requested. Offerors may use the information and model exclusively for the proposed work. This information is unclassified; however offerors are requested not to distribute the provided information to any other company and/or contractor. All information, including the source code, shall be returned to the government at proposal submission. Contractors must contact the Program Manager, Dr. Dan Ober, to obtain the requested information. The Program Manager’s information is listed in the Technical Point of Contact section.

Information available but not required for proposal purposes:

a. Physics Based Model (PBMOD) source code and documentation

b. Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Data

c. Communication/Navigations Outage Forecast Systems (C/NOFS) Data

4. Base Support. The Government is willing to consider providing base support throughout the course of this contractual effort. Offerors should clearly indicate in their proposal whether the use of base support is required.

5. Proprietary Information. Administrative access to proprietary information may be necessary throughout completion of this effort. The Government may exercise the use of non-Government advisors and administrators in service roles. Service contracts contain an organizational conflict of interest clause that requires the service Contractors to protect the data and prohibits the service Contractors from using the data for any purpose other than for which the data was presented. Offerors will be required to sign and submit the provision consent form associated with this CALL; objections may also be indicated on the consent form. Describe any anticipated contracts between the Air Force and contractors that will require administrative access to proprietary information.

6. Other: Please see Attachment #01 for Cost Proposal Instructions

7. FAR Certifications and Representations are attached to this call and must be completed and submitted with the proposal.

APPLICABILITY OF BASELINE BAA: All requirements of BAA-RV-10-01 apply unless specifically amended and addressed in this CALL. For complete information regarding BAA-RV-10-01, refer to the initial opened-ended BAA. It contains information applicable to all CALLS issued under the BAA and provides information on the overall program, proposal preparation and submission requirements, proposal review and evaluation criteria, award administration, agency contacts, etc. Direct questions to the points of contact identified above.

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION:

(1) Please prepare your cost proposal in accordance with Attachment #01, which is incorporated in this CALL Announcement below pursuant to FAR 15.408 in the Table format outlined in the instructions. Please submit Management (Business), Technical, and Cost Proposals IAW instruction provided in Section 8 of the Baseline BAA.

(2) Attachment 02 Representations and Certifications. Please complete Attachment 02 and submit a copy with your proposal.

(3) Two copies and an original of your proposal are requested. In addition, include an electronic copy of your proposal on a compact disk (CD-R), this shall also include a Microsoft Excel 2007 or earlier compatible cost proposal. Proposals are due to this office no later than 12 Noon MDT 19 OCTOBER 2011. Please note, allow enough time to mail handler’s to get through security. Also, it is the Offeror’s responsibility to ensure that their proposal’s arrive by the due date and time.

Submit your proposal to the following address:

Air Force Research Laboratory Det 8 AFRL/RVKB ATTN: Jean A. Barnes (Contracting Officer) or (Contract Specialist), Jennifer B. Jaramillo 2251 Maxwell St., SE, Bldg. 424, Mail Room Kirtland AFB NM 87117-5773

(3) Submission of proposal(s) are not an authorization to commence work or to incur any costs to perform the work described above. Work is not to be implemented until appropriate contractual action is taken to add the work to the contract. Any work performed or expense incurred prior to that time (including bid and proposal costs) will be at your own risk.

(4) Pursuant to FAR 19.708(b), and FAR 52.219-9 Alt II Small Business Subcontracting Plan, offerors shall submit a subcontracting plan with their Management (Business) Proposal. Note that failure to submit and negotiate a subcontracting plan shall make the offeror ineligible for award of a contract. This does not apply to small business concerns.

ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment #1 Cost Proposal Instructions/AFPAC Checklist Attachment #2 Representations and Certifications Attachment #3 Contract Data Requirement List