CALL_0001_-_LEAMER.docx

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT

BAA RVKD-2014-0001

Air Force Research Laboratory Directed Energy Directorate

PROPOSAL CALL ANNOUNCEMENT 0001

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT TITLE: Laser Simulation, Analysis, and Research (LSAR)

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: BAA RVKD-2014-0001

PROPOSAL CALL ANNOUNCEMENT (CALL) TITLE: Laser Effects Assessment, Modeling and Research (LEAMR)

PROPOSAL CALL ANNOUNCEMENT (CALL) NUMBER: 0001

TECHNICAL POINT OF CONTACT: The technical point of contact for this Call is:

a.) Program Manager: Mr. David Medina AFRL/RDLE, Kirtland AFB, NM Commercial Phone: 505-846-2991 Email: David.Medina@us.af.mil

CONTRACTING POINTS OF CONTACT: The contracting points of contact for this Call are:

a.) Contract Specialist (Primary POC): Ms. Dalila Burton AFRL Det 8/RVKDL, Kirtland AFB, NM Commercial Phone: 505-846-6144 E-mail: Dalila.Burton@us.af.mil b.) Contracting Officer (Alternate POC): Ms. Susan Thorpe AFRL Det 8/ RVKDL, Kirtland AFB, NM Commercial Phone: 505-846-3404 E-mail: Susan.Thorpe@us.af.mil

REQUIREMENT DESCRIPTION: The Air Force anticipates awarding an IDIQ contract with Cost-Plus Fixed-Fee (CPFF), completion or level of effort form task orders. The Air Force Research Laboratory Directed Energy Directorate (AFRL/RD) is interested in the development and transition of laser technologies that can provide novel aircraft self-protection capabilities, offensive/defensive tactical mission capabilities, and strategic defense capabilities to enable the warfighter in the future battle space.

The Laser Effects Modeling and Simulation Research Branch of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/RDLE), Directed Energy Directorate (AFRL/RD), Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, is seeking innovative techniques and approaches to research requirements for the Laser Effects Assessment and Modeling Research (LEAMR) effort. The objective of LEAMR is to develop and enhance current capabilities to accurately predict the effects of laser energy on materials, subsystems, components, and major systems of interest to Department of Defense (DoD) and the Air Force. The Laser Effects, Modeling and Simulation Research Branch proposes to support this effort by providing experimental, assessment, and modeling programs resulting in the development of novel and improved experimental, modeling, and analysis techniques. The goal of this Call is to develop a robust, physics-based, predictive target vulnerability capability and in some cases, a concept of operations, with utilization of the laser weapons system in specific engagement scenarios, to the DoD community in order to evaluate laser weapons system concepts.

This Call includes methods for laser/material interaction research such as:

· Program planning

· Intelligence coordination

· Failure mode analysis

· Engagement analysis

· Computational predictive methods including development of advanced techniques for addressing coupled-physical phenomena

· Data analysis and interpretation of the physical causes leading to the observed effects

· Probabilistic methods for vulnerability assessments

· Target reconstruction from limited information

· System and sub-system susceptibility

· Aimpoint selection

· Surrogate target development and fabrication

· High heating-rate material properties measurements (temperature dependent mechanical and optical (absorption and scatter) for example)

· Test planning

· Test design/instrumentation as well as development of innovative diagnostic approaches

· Test execution

· Documentation.

The experimental, analytical, and modeling goals of this program have been developed to quantify, measure and predict:

(1) The phenomenology of laser interaction and the effects of laser weapons on air, ground, and space systems, subsystems and components of interest to DoD, specifically the Air Force.

(2) Novel methods for extending and/or enhancing existing vulnerability assessment computational capabilities for assessing laser effects on ground, air and space threat systems of interest to the Air Force.

(3) Effectiveness and enhancement of laser systems as countermeasures and counter-countermeasures.

The metrics for success will involve scientific advancement and breakthroughs in diagnostic measurements, target response and/or signature changes resulting in efficient techniques for destroying targets and for performing damage/degradation assessment, respectively.

The successful offerors shall propose modern and effective methods which improve the understanding of the phenomenology of laser interaction (both high energy continuous wave (CW) and kilojoule (kJ) pulsed systems) research and enhance current analytical approaches and experimental techniques. The successful offerors shall also demonstrate extensive knowledge on the physics of laser interactions and the formulation of vulnerability criteria.

The LEAMR Call is divided into three (3) research Technical Areas (TA). The specific Technical Areas associated with Call 0001 are identified below from the Baseline Broad Agency Announcement BAA RVKD-2014-0001 and in Call 0001, Statement of Objectives (SOO) (Attachment 1).

1. Technical Area 12: Laser Interaction Testing Laser interaction testing addresses the need for well-controlled experimental procedures to quantify the effects of high power continuous-wave (up to MW Class) and high energy pulsed (kJ) lasers interacting with individual materials, multi-material subsystems, and/or fully functional targets. Key areas include:

· Pre-Experimental Analysis

· Material Characterization Testing, for example;

a. Specific heat

b. Microstructure

c. Thermal expansion

d. Optical characteristics – scattering and absorption

· Failure Modes Analysis Review

· Experimental Planning

· Unique Target Fabrication

· Experimental Environment

· Experiment Execution

· Post-Experiment Data Reduction

· Post-Experiment Failure Analysis

· Counter-measure Studies

· Counter-Countermeasures Studies

· Special Diagnostics

· Contingency Planning and Range Safety

The Task Order (TO) #1 for TA 12 (Attachment 2) provides additional detail for each of the topics above.

In addition, this Technical Area seeks novel methods in the following Special Topic Areas:

1. Non-contact high heating rate (several 100̊/sec) material properties measurements. For example:

a. Optical (absorptance, reflectance and transmission)

b. Specific heat

c. Thermal conductivity

d. Thermal diffusivity

2. Experimental laser/material interaction imagery

a. To record interaction through flames and smoke

b. Surface response to laser interaction at high rates

c. Plume attenuation and species quantification

3. Data collection under high heating rate environments

a. Target thermal and structural response under rapidly changing thermal environments

4. Laser diagnostics

a. Beam quality and imagery

b. Irradiance

c. Power

5. Imaging system test-beds

a. Design and fabrication

b. Operation

2. Technical Area 13: Target Vulnerability Assessments and Data Analysis The objectives for the Target Assessments area are to conduct assessments that combine target vulnerability data from testing, target optical signature measurements, target exploitation intelligence, system-level fault tree and failure mode analysis, shotline dependency, and computational predictive results into a comprehensive probabilistic vulnerability assessment. Key areas include:

· Intelligence Coordination for Target and Threat Characterization

· Develop and Demonstrate State-of-the-Art Engagement and Engineering Models for Predicting Laser Effects

· Model Verification, Validation, and Accreditation

· Experimental Coordination and Data Analysis

· Target Vulnerability Assessment

· Software, Database, and Hardware Maintenance

The Task Order #2 for TA 13 (Attachment 3) provides additional detail for each of the topics above.

In addition, this Technical Area seeks novel methods in the following Special Topic Areas:

1. Fast running engagement/engineering models

a. Laser effects calculations

b. Parallel algorithm implementations

c. Ray tracing algorithms

d. Engineering level dynamic engagement strategies

2. Statistical methods for threat assessments

a. Statistical approaches for laser susceptibility calculations

b. Statistical methods for aimpoint uncertainty

3. Technical Area 14: Laser Target Interaction Modeling and Simulation The objectives for the Laser Target Interaction Modeling and Simulation area are to conduct research leading to the development of advanced computational methods for predicting the physical phenomenology resulting from high energy laser interactions. The tools are concurrently applied to predict ongoing experiments resulting in data leading to the continued development of credible, verified and validated methods and innovative physics algorithms. Prediction of the laser interaction must take into account a spatially and temporally resolved beam irradiance profile, absorption into the target, localized thermo-structural response, coupled physical phenomena, and resulting damage modes. Quantification of uncertainty is essential to appropriate application of results. The Laser Interaction M&S Area must work closely with the Laser Interaction Testing Area at all phases of testing to ensure proper code input is obtained and that test design reflects the needs of the modeling technical area. Key areas include:

· Develop and Demonstrate State-of-the-Art Physics-based Models for Predicting Laser Effects

· Model Verification, Validation, and Accreditation

· Experimental Coordination and Data Analysis

· Develop Simplified Physics-Based Solvers for Engineering Models

· Parametric Analysis, Optimization, and Uncertainty Quantification

· Software, Database, and Hardware Maintenance

The Task Order #3 for TA 14 (Attachment 4) provides additional detail for each of the topics above

In addition, this Technical Area seeks novel methods in the following Special Topic Areas:

1. Coupled multi-physics simulations

a. Coupled Aero/Thermal/Chemical/Mechanical simulations

b. Aero-assisted laser melt removal

c. Laser/Kinetic weapon synergies

d. Laser induced initiation/ignition of flammable/energetic materials

2. Laser-induced material ablation

Call SOO, Attachment 1 provides RDLE’s overarching technical objectives for this Call. Proposal’s must be submitted for one or more of the following core Task Orders and at least one related item under the Special Topic associated with that core Task Order (for example TO-12 and Special Topic 12-1 - 1.1.3, Thermal Conductivity):

Task Order #1, TA 12 – “Experimental Efforts Supporting Laser Effects Research,” (Attachment 2)

Task Order #2, TA 13 – “Vulnerability Assessments for Laser Effects Research and Laser System Studies,” (Attachment 3)

Task Order #3, TA 14 – “Physics-based Modeling for Laser Effects Research,” (Attachment 4)

ANTICIPATED FUNDING:

Funding for this Call (not per contract, award, or Task Order) is $49.93M. Listed below is the projected funding timeline table:

The funding profile is an estimate only and will not be a contractual obligation for funding. All funding is subject to change due to Government discretion and availability.

The Government reserves the right to cancel this solicitation, either before or after the closing date. In the event the Government cancels this solicitation, the Government has no obligation to reimburse an offeror for any costs, including bid preparation costs.

Anticipated funding per Technical Area (not per contract, award or Task Order) is as follows:

Technical Area 12, “Laser Interaction Testing” - $28,000,000

Technical Area 13, “Target Vulnerability Assessments and Data Analysis” – $8,000,000

Technical Area 14, “Laser Target Interaction Modeling and Simulation” – $13,000,000

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The ordering period for the resultant Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract will be 60 months. The anticipated period of performance for individual Task Orders (TO) resulting from this Call is specified in each respective Task Order Statement.

PROPOSAL DUE DATE AND TIME: The due date for proposals submitted in response to this Call is no later than 12:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) on 18 June 2014. Proposals for any other Technology Area identified in the baseline BAA will not be accepted at this time. Proposals received after the due dates and times shall be governed by the provisions of FAR 52.215-1(c)(3).

Proposals should be written under distribution statement F limits: DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT F: Further dissemination only as directed by AFRL/RDLE (date of determination) or higher DoD authority.

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.

TYPE OF CONTRACTS/INSTRUMENTS: The Air Force anticipates awarding an IDIQ contract with Cost-Plus Fixed-Fee (CPFF), completion or level of effort form task orders. Successful offerrors are required to have an accounting system considered adequate for tracking costs applicable to the contract. The minimum ordering amount for an IDIQ award will be $5,000. The maximum ordering amount will be $49,928,000.

The Air Force reserves the right to award the instrument best suited to the nature of research proposed in this Call.

ANTICIPATED NUMBER OF AWARDS: The Air Force anticipates awarding one or more contracts as a result of this Call. However, the Air Force does reserve the right to make multiple awards or no awards pursuant to this Call.

ANTICIPATED AWARD DATE: 19 December 2014

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: The following Contract Data Requirements Lists (CDRL) is representative of data requirements that may be required by each respective contract. The full text CDRLs are included as Attachment 5, Contract Data Requirements List, (A001-A013).

A001 – Computer Software Product End Items A002 – Test Plan A003 – Developmental Design Drawing and Associated Lists A004 – Presentation Material A005 – Status Report A006 – Technical Report- Study/Services for Scientific & Technical Reports A007 – Scientific & Technical Report& Checklist for Final Report A008 – Computer Programming Manual A009 – Software User’s Manual A010 – Technical/Inspection Report A011 – Technical Report- Study/Services for Test Hardware Documentation Deliverable A012 – Test Hardware (Prototype) A013 – Management Plan

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION:

1. Contract Security Classification Specification: The security classification for this Call is Top Secret (TS). A draft DD Form 254, Contract Security Classification Specification, will be required during the performance of this contract. The contractor must already possess a TS at proposal submission and maintain a TS clearance throughout the entire contract period of performance (Attachment 6, Contract Security Classification Specification, DD 254 (Draft).

2. Government Property (GFP): The Contractor will require the use of Government Fleet Vehicles for this effort. Prior to allowing any contract personnel to operate Government vehicles, the contractor shall certify that individuals are trained, licensed, and physically qualified to operate the vehicles, briefed on official use polices, and have the appropriate valid State License/endorsements required of this effort as a condition of employment. The contractor must follow all guidance and procedures relevant to the use, operation and maintenance of Government vehicles in accordance with AFI 24-301, Chap. 8, Para. 8.10.

3. Contractor Acquired Property: The offeror should propose Contractor Acquired Property (CAP) as required to fulfill the proposed effort.

4. Site Visit: A site visit is scheduled 30 April 2014 at 1:00pm MDT. Interested parties must send a visitor request via JPAS (SMC Code: KV1MFSCC6). Please submit your visit request no later than 25 April 2014 (3 business days prior to visit.). Refer to Attachment 7, Contents of a Visit Request, for further instructions on obtaining a visit request. You will need to obtain a visitor badge from the AFRL Visitor Control Center (Attachment 8, Map Bldg. 427). Contractors must be U.S. citizens and will not be allowed to bring in portable computers, cameras, two-way pagers, cellphones, thumb drives, blackberries, etc. No more than two people per firm will be allowed to attend the site visit. Please contact the contract specialist to provide the names and emails of individuals attending the site visit (3 days prior to visit). The contract specialist will provide a map to the site visit for offerors interested in attending.

5. Base Support: The Government will provide office space, office furniture, telephone, computer network access, a fax machine, copier, and computer workstations and standard office software in support of this effort. This includes use of the necessary space and equipment at the PRS site.

6. AFFARS 5352.209-9001 Potential Organizational Conflict of Interest:

(a) There is potential organizational conflict of interest (see FAR Subpart 9.5, Organizational and Consultant Conflicts of Interest) due to (state the nature of the proposed conflict). Accordingly:

(1) Restrictions are needed to ensure that (state the nature of the proposed restraint and the applicable time period).

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

(b) If award is made to the offeror, the resulting contract may include an organizational conflict of interest limitation applicable to subsequent Government work, at either a prime contract level, at any subcontract tier, or both. During evaluation of proposals, the Government may, after discussions with the offeror and consideration of ways to avoid the conflict of interest, insert a special provision in the resulting contract which shall disqualify the offeror from further consideration for award of future contracts.

(c) The organizational conflict of interest clause included in this solicitation may be modified or deleted during negotiations.

7. Associate Contractor Agreements:

(a) The Contractor shall enter into Associate Contractor Agreements (ACA) for any portion of the contract requiring joint participation in the accomplishment of the Government’s requirement. The agreements shall include the basis for sharing information, data, technical knowledge, expertise, and/or resources essential to the integration of the LEAMR program, which shall ensure the greatest degree of cooperation for the development of the program to meet the terms of the contract. Associate contractors are listed in (g) below.

(b) ACAs shall include the following general information:

(1) Identify the associate contractors and their relationships.

(2) Identify the program involved and the relevant Government contracts of the associate contractors.

(3) Describe the associate contractor interfaces by general subject matter.

(4) Specify the categories of information to be exchanged or support to be provided.

(5) Include the expiration date (or event) of the ACA.

(6) Identify potential conflicts between relevant Government contracts and the ACA; include agreements on protection of proprietary data and restrictions on employees.

(c) A copy of such agreement shall be provided to the Contracting Officer for review before execution of the document by the cooperating contractors.

(d) The Contractor is not relieved of any contract requirements or entitled to any adjustments to the contract terms because of a failure to resolve a disagreement with an associate contractor.

(e) Liability for the improper disclosure of any proprietary data contained in or referenced by any agreement shall rest with the parties to the agreement, and not the Government.

(f) All costs associated with the agreements are included in the negotiated cost of this contract. Agreements may be amended as required by the Government during the performance of this contract.

(g) The following contractors are associate contractors with whom agreements are required:

Albuquerque, NM 87106 Advanced Laser Technology Research (ALTER) – Laser Effects Research Branch/FA9451-14-C-0313

Additional ACA’s TBD prior to award

8. Each Task Order (identified at Attachments 2, 3 and 4) is being competed independently and will be evaluated in accordance with the evaluation criteria specified in the BAA RVKD-2014-0001.

9. All subsequent Task Orders issued under the selected and awarded IDIQ contracts will be subject to Fair Opportunity as provided by FAR 16.505(b), Ordering, and FAR 16.5, Indefinite-Delivery Contracts.

APPLICABILITY OF BASELINE BAA: All requirements of BAA RVKD-2014-0001 apply unless specifically amended and addressed in this Call. For complete information regarding BAA RVKD-2014-0001, refer to the Baseline BAA announcement. 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. Submit with a cover letter, an original, three paper copies, and one electronic copy of the technical proposal and the cost/business proposal. The original and paper copies of the technical and cost/business proposals must be in separate volumes. The electronic copy must be submitted on a compact disk (CD-R) in a PC compatible file format and must be readable by Microsoft Office. The electronic copy of the cost proposal worksheets must be readable by Microsoft Office Excel. The electronic copy of the cost proposal worksheets must be in Microsoft Office Excel 2007 or later version and must contain all cell formulas. Proposals shall be submitted to the Contracting Point of Contact identified below at the following address. Proposals sent via facsimile or electronic means will not be accepted.

3. Business Section – Please submit IAW instructions provided in Section VI of the Baseline BAA (BAA RVKD-2014-0001) and specific Call directions provided below:

a. Completed Proposal Content Checklist (Attachment 9)

i. Submit one for each Core/Special Topic/Contractor-suggested TO proposed.

b. Completed Representations and Certifications (Attachment 10)

i. Provide ONE for entire submission. Since data assertions may vary based on the TO, provide a completed data assertions form for each Core/Special Topic/Contractor-suggested TO proposed.

c. Foreign National Identification

i. Identification (or non-utilization) of foreign nationals must be provided for each Core/Special Topic/Contractor-suggested TO proposed.

4. Cost Proposal – Please prepare your cost proposal IAW with Attachment 11, Cost Proposal Instructions, which is incorporated in this Call announcement pursuant to FAR 15.408 in the Table format outlined in the instructions. Please submit IAW instructions provided in Section VI of the Baseline BAA (BAA RVKD-2014-0001) and specific Call directions provided below:

a. Cost Proposal

i. Submit one for each Core/Special Topic/Contractor-suggested TO proposed.

ii. Each contract/Task Order award shall be structured as follows:

1. CLIN 0001 (Labor, Travel, Subcontracts, Consultants) - Cost plus Fixed Fee

2. CLIN 0002 Other Direct Costs (includes only fully loaded rates for Material/Equipment Purchases) – Cost Reimbursable (no fee allowed)

3. CLIN 0003 Data and Reports - Not Separately Priced

4. CLIN 0004 Hardware (if applicable) - Not Separately Priced

5. CLIN 0004 Software (if applicable) - Not Separately Priced

5. Technical Proposal – Please submit IAW instructions provided in Section VI of the Baseline BAA (BAA RVKD-2014-0001) and specific Call directions provided below:

a. To be considered for award, at a minimum, the offeror is required to submit a proposal to address a core Task Order (TA 12-14) and at least one related item under the Special Topic associated with that core Task Order (for example TO-12 and Special Topic 12-1 - 1.1.3, Thermal Conductivity). The offeror may respond with additional proposals to other items listed under that Special Topic. But each Special Topic response requires a separate proposal. The Special Topic must be provided in the TO format provided as Attachment 12-14. Applicable CDRL items will be decided at award. In addition, the offeror is highly encouraged to provide Contractor Statements of Work (CSOW) for contractor-suggested topics related to the Technical Areas (12-14). As research progresses, additional topics may be of interest to the Government. There is NO limit to the number of contractor-suggested TO proposals, however each response requires a separate proposal. Contractor-suggested TOs must be provided in the TO format provided as Attachment 12-14. Applicable CDRL items will be decided at award.

6. Technical Proposal Page Limitations: The technical proposal(s) for this Call shall be page-limited as set forth in the following table. The proposal will be prepared and submitted in Word format. Font shall be an easy to read font no smaller than 12 pitch or proportional font size 10 or larger. Character spacing must be “normal,” not condensed in any manner. Pages shall be single-spaced, single-sided, 8.5 by 11 inches, with at least one-inch margins on all sides. Smaller type may be used in figures and tables as long as it is clearly legible. Pages shall be numbered starting with the cover page as Page 1. 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, etc. Blank pages, title pages, tables of content, lists, tabs or cover sheets are not included in the page count. The proposal page limit does not include the offeror’s proposed Contractor Statement of Work (CSOW); however, the same formatting rules apply to the CSOW. A CD-R with the MS Word version of your Technical/Management Proposal and the CSOW must be submitted with the hard copies of the proposal, and must match the hard copy. Please note: The Government will check the proposal and CSOW for conformance to the stated requirements. Any pages in excess of the stated page limitation (after the format check) will not be considered.

Technical Proposal Organization and Page Limitations per each TO Proposal

Not included in page count

BAA

Not included in page count

Not included in page count

5. Submission of proposal(s) is 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 actions are 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.

ATTACHMENTS: Attachments included in this Call are:

Attachment 1: Call 0001, Statement of Objectives Attachment 2: Task Order #1, “Experimental Efforts Supporting Laser Effects Research” Attachment 3: Task Order #2, “Vulnerability Assessments for Laser Effects Research and Laser System Studies” Attachment 4: Task Order #3, “Physics-based Modeling for Laser Effects Research” Attachment 5: Contract Data Requirements List (A001-A013) Attachment 6: Contract Security Classification Specification , DD 254 (Draft) Attachment 7: Contents of a Visit Request Attachment 8: Map of Bldg. 427 Attachment 9: Proposal Content Checklist Attachment 10: Representations and Certifications Attachment 11: Cost Proposal Instructions Attachment 12: Format for Special Topic Area 12-1 or Contractor-Suggested Task Orders Attachment 13: Format for Special Topic Area 13-1 or Contractor-Suggested Task Orders Attachment 14: Format for Special Topic Area 14-1 or Contractor-Suggested Task Orders