VSSVBAASolicitationFinalModification Update.docx

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT

BAA-VS-07-03

Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate

ANNOUNCEMENT OVERVIEW

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT TITLE: Space Components Technology Open 5 Year Broad Agency Announcement

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: BAA-VS-07-03

This BAA was previously publicized as VS-06-06 at the Air Force Research Laboratory 2006 Briefing for Industry (BFI) on 14 Aug 2006. The announcement number was changed to correspond with the fiscal year in which it was released.

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER(S): 12.800 AIR FORCE DEFENSE RESEARCH SCIENCES PROGRAM and 12.910 RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

BRIEF PROGRAM SUMMARY: This is a 5-year, opened-ended Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) to solicit research proposals for the United States Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) Spacecraft Component Technology Branch, which is pursuing innovative technology development in advanced space power, integrated space structures, spacecraft dynamics and controls, ballistic missile technologies and Decision Support Systems (DSS). The technologies developed under this solicitation will provide affordable and reliable solutions to enable the next generation of Air Force space systems. Multiple awards of contracts and/or assistance instruments of various values are anticipated with a period of performance ranging from 6 to 60 months. Periodically over the 5-year period, proposal call announcements (CALLS) may be issued in the FedBizOps/EPS and GRANTS.GOV/FIND to request proposals for specific research efforts under technical topic areas. These subsequent CALLS will contain specific descriptions of the research effort to be addressed, anticipated period of performance, information peculiar to the specific research technical topic area, and the expected dollar range for proposals received under the CALL.

PROPOSAL DUE DATE AND TIME: This BAA will remain open for a period of 5 years from the date of publication. NO PROPOSALS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED AGAINST THIS BASELINE BAA. Proposal due dates and times will be specified in each CALL. Proposals received after the due date and time specified in the CALL shall be governed by the provisions of FAR 52.215-1(c)(3).

ESTIMATED PROGRAM COST: Anticipated funding for the program (not per contract or award): is $48M each fiscal year from FY 07 through FY 11. This 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. Each CALL will contain funding profiles specific to that effort. All potential offerors should be aware that due to unanticipated budget fluctuations, funding in any or all areas may change with little or no notice.

GENERAL INFORMATION: The applicable NAICS code for this announcement is 541712 with a size standard of 500. This acquisition is unrestricted. This BAA is issued under the provisions of Federal Acquisition Regulation paragraph 6.102(d)(2) that provides for the competitive selection of research proposals. Proposals submitted in response to CALLS issued pursuant to this BAA that are selected for award are considered to be the results of full and open competition and in full compliance with the provisions of PL 98-369, the Competition In Contracting Act of 1984. There will be no other announcement issued for this requirement. Offerors MUST monitor FedBizOps/EPS http://www.fbo.gov and/or Grants.gov/FIND http://www.grants.gov in the event this announcement is amended or CALLS are issued. Due to past problems with posting notices to Grants.gov/FIND, offerors are advised to monitor both websites to ensure timely receipt of notifications.

TYPE OF CONTRACTS/INSTRUMENTS: 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 Federal Acquisition Regulation or Other Transaction (OT) for Prototype, grant, cooperative agreement, or OT for Research. The Air Force may also consider award of an appropriate technology transfer mechanism if applicable. Specific instructions for assistance awards are in paragraph 7 of the BAA. It is anticipated that awards under this BAA will generally be cost plus fixed fee, completion form contracts, which require successful offerors to have an accounting system considered adequate for tracking costs applicable to the contract.

ANTICIPATED NUMBER OF AWARDS: The Air Force anticipates awarding a minimum of one contract or assistance instrument per specific CALL. However, the Air Force does reserve the right to make multiple awards or no awards pursuant to a CALL.

Technical Point of Contact: The technical point of contact for the baseline BAA is Brett deBlonk, AFRL/RVSV, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone 505-853-1041, Fax 505-846-7877, Email brett.deblonk@kirtland.af.mil.

Contracting Points of Contact: The contracting points of contact for the baseline BAA are: Contract Specialist: Mr. David Romo-Garza, Det 8 AFRL/RVKV, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone 505-846-4967, Fax 505-846-7041, Email david.romo-garza@kirtland.af.mil or Contracting Officer: Ms Sally Walton, Det 8 AFRL/RVKV, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone 505-846-7201, Fax 505-846-7041, Email sally.walton@kirtland.af.mil

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT

BAA-VS-07-03

Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate

FULL TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT

1. REQUIREMENT DESCRIPTION

A. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Spacecraft Component Technology Branch is interested in receiving proposals from all offerors to advance the state-of-the-art and scientific knowledge in Space and Missile technology. The Spacecraft Component Technology Branch is interested in receiving proposals for innovative technology development in advanced space power, integrated space structures, spacecraft dynamics and controls, ballistic missile technologies, and Decision Support Technologies (DSS). The technologies developed under this solicitation will provide affordable and reliable solutions for the next generation of Air Force space systems. Development efforts that are proposed should enable or substantially facilitate the mission goals of the AFRL and/or the Space and Missile Center (SMC). Proposed concepts should be innovative and substantially improve performance, while reducing cost, mass, power, and size. Concepts should be designed to withstand the harsh space environment.

B. This is a 5-year, opened-ended Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) describing the research areas of interest for the AFRL’s Spacecraft Component Technology Branch, which is pursuing innovative technology development in advanced space power, integrated space structures, spacecraft dynamics and controls, ballistic missile technologies, and Decision Support Technologies (DSS). Multiple awards of contracts or assistance instruments of various values are anticipated with a period of performance ranging from 6 to 60 months. The 5 year Spacecraft Component Technology Broad Agency Announcement program is being initiated via release of this baseline BAA VS-07-03. Periodically over the 5-year period (calculated from the baseline BAA publication date), proposal call announcements (CALLS) under the BAA may be issued in the FedBizOps/EPS and GRANTS.GOV/FIND to request proposals for specific research efforts under technical topic areas. These subsequent CALLS will contain specific descriptions of the research effort to be addressed, anticipated period of performance, information peculiar to the specific research technical topic area, and the expected dollar range for proposals received under the CALL. Each CALL will specify a proposal due date and time. Proposals received after the stated due date and time will be governed by FAR 52.215-1(c)(3). Multiple subsequent CALLS are anticipated and may be announced sequentially or concurrently in the FedBizOps/EPS and/or GRANTS.GOV/FIND. The Government reserves the right to re-issue a previously announced CALL area with a second, subsequent proposal period. The Government also reserves the right to issue no CALLS for any given technology area.

C. TECHNOLOGY AREA DESCRIPTIONS

1. INTEGRATED SPACE STRUCTURES: This area covers all structures technologies associated with satellites, launch vehicles, and interceptor missiles including: advanced lightweight antenna and optical structures, deployable structures, nano-reinforced structures and analysis, health monitoring, state sensing, reconfigurable structures, integrated sensing, spacecraft thermal management, precision deployment, multifunctional structures, advanced spacecraft components, precision optical components, and advanced manufacturing techniques. Proposals in launch vehicle structures technology such as primary and secondary payload adapters and dispensers, fairings and payload shrouds, high temperature thermal protection structures, composite cryogenic storage tanks, reentry structures, automated manufacturing technique and equipment development, and vehicle health monitoring systems are also included in this topic area. Design, manufacturing, modeling, integration, and testing to support these areas are also of interest.

Contact the point-of-contact for funding availability. Technical point-of-contact: Brandon Arritt, (505) 853-2611, Fax (505) 846-7877, Email: brandon.arritt@kirtland.af.mil

2. SPACECRAFT DYNAMICS AND CONTROLS: Technical areas of interest for this topic area include: spacecraft and launch vehicle structural dynamics; data fusion and discrimination; spacecraft proximity maneuvering and precision navigation; spacecraft controls and estimation system technologies; spacecraft and launch vehicle vibro-acoustic load mitigation technologies; on-orbit spacecraft servicing technologies; advanced mechanism development for spacecraft and launch vehicles; space-based robotics technologies; autonomous decision making strategies and algorithm development for spacecraft and/or constellations of spacecraft; autonomous guidance, navigation, and control technologies; adaptive, nonlinear, and intelligent control algorithms; and active and passive pointing technologies for precision deployable systems. This topic area also covers any other contributing technologies that enhance or enable these systems.

Contact the point-of-contact for funding availability. Technical point-of-contact: Captain Doug McFarland, (505) 853-3638, Fax (505) 846-7877, Email: chester.mcfarland@kirtland.af.mil

3. ADVANCED SPACE POWER: Areas of interest for this topic area are focused on innovative technologies for space power applications including power generation, energy storage, and power management and distribution. Particular areas of interest include, but are not limited to: (1) multijunction solar cells, (2) thin-film solar cells, (3) novel solar cell concepts and structures, (4) innovative non-photovoltaic technologies for space power, (5) modeling and simulation technologies for on-orbit space power systems and/or space power system components, (6) novel battery technologies and other energy storage devices, (7) radiation hardening technologies (8) reconfigurable/self-diagnostic power management and distribution technologies, (9) novel module, blanket, and array technologies. This area also covers any other contributing technologies that enhance or enable these systems.

Contact the point-of-contact for funding availability. Technical point-of-contact: Mr. John Merrill, (505) 853-3427, Fax (505) 846-7877, Email: john.merrill@kirtland.af.mil

4. ADVANCED BALLISTIC MISSILE TECHNOLOGIES: State of the art advanced missile technology developments and demonstrations emphasizing dramatic reductions in the cost of ownership and sustainment of Prompt Global Strike capabilities and Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles are of great interest. Emphasis will be placed on novel strategic-grade navigation instruments, instrument evaluation methods, and architecture integration. Continuing interest exists in advanced range-safety instrumentation, advanced space vehicles, and vehicle control methodologies. Technologies that enhance ballistic missile system security and communications capabilities while reducing manpower requirements and life cycle operations and maintenance costs are of interest. Research that seeks to develop common strategic technologies usable by the Air Force and Navy which significantly reduce cost, schedule, and risk while meeting performance, reliability, maintainability, supportability goals are of interest.

Contact the point-of-contact for Topic Area 4: Technical point of contact: Mr. Chris Paul, (505) 846-5123, Fax (505) 846-7877, Email: christopher.paul@kirtland.af.mil

5. DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS (DSS): This area covers all technologies to advance the state-of-the-art and scientific knowledge in intelligent algorithm developments for space situational awareness and spacecraft autonomy. Additionally, topic areas include: spacecraft threat detection, characterization, and avoidance; spacecraft catalog maintenance modernization; onboard spacecraft anomaly detection and mitigation techniques; and other intelligent reasoning software for space domain issues. The technologies developed will provide affordable and reliable solutions for the next generation of Air Force space systems. Development efforts that are proposed should enable or substantially facilitate the mission goals of the AFRL, the Space and Missile Center (SMC), and/or Electronic Systems Center (ESC). Concepts should be innovative and substantially improve performance, while reducing cost and required human interactions. Of particular interest is how individual threat assessment, command and control, and response management tools can be integrated within the ESC JSpOC Mission Systems (JMS) infrastructure.

Contact the point-of-contact for Topic Area 5: Technical point of contact: Mr. Paul Zetocha, (505) 853-4114, Fax (505) 846-7877, Email: paul.zetocha@kirtland.af.mil

2. ANTICIPATED FUNDING

Anticipated funding for the program (not per contract or award) is $48M per fiscal year from FY 07 through FY 11.

This 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. Each CALL will contain funding profiles specific to that effort. All potential offerors should be aware that due to unanticipated budget fluctuations, funding in any or all areas may change with little or no notice.

3. POINTS OF CONTACT

A. TECHNICAL POINTS OF CONTACT (TPOC).

1) The technical point of contact for the baseline VS-07-03 BAA is Brett deBlonk, AFRL/RVSV, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone 505-853-1041, Fax 505-846-7877, Email: brett.deblonk@kirtland.af.mil.

2) Each CALL will include a specific technical area point of contact.

B. CONTRACTING POINTS OF CONTACT:

1) The contracting points of contact for the baseline BAA are:

a) Contract Specialist: Mr. David Romo-Garza, Det 8 AFRL/RVKV, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone 505-846-4967, Fax 505-846-7041, Email: david.romo-garza@kirtland.af.mil

b) Contracting Officer: Ms Sally Walton, Det 8 AFRL/RVKV, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone 505-846-7201, Fax 505-846-7041, Email: sally.walton@kirtland.af.mil

2) Each CALL will include specific contracting points of contact.

C. OMBUDSMAN:

AFFARS CLAUSE 5352.201-9101 Ombudsman (AUG 2005) is hereby incorporated into this BAA and will be made a part of any awards based on this solicitation. The ombudsman for AFRL is Sue Hunter, AFRL/PK, WPAFB, OH, Senior Center Contracting Official (SCCO), Phone 937-255-0432, Email: sue.hunter@wpafb.af.mil.

4. COMMUNICATIONS

A. Prospective offerors are reminded to contact the technical point of contact to verify interest in the effort to be proposed and the funding availability PRIOR to committing any resources to the preparation of any proposals in response to a CALL under this announcement/CALL. Foreign owned firms are advised they may be precluded from proposing. These firms are advised to contact the Contracting Point of Contact or TPOC before submitting a proposal to determine whether there are restrictions on receiving an award.

B. Dialogue between prospective offerors and Government representatives is encouraged until submission of proposals. Discussions with any of the points of contact shall not constitute a commitment by the Government to subsequently fund or award any proposed effort. Only Contracting Officers are legally authorized to commit the Government.

C. NO PROPOSALS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED AGAINST THIS BASELINE BAA. Proposal due dates and times will be specified in each CALL. Proposals received after the due date and time specified in the CALL shall be governed by the provisions of FAR 52.215-1(c)(3).

D. There will be no other announcement issued for this requirement. Offerors MUST monitor FedBizOps/EPS http://www.fbo.gov and/or Grants.gov/FIND http://www.grants.gov in the event this announcement is amended or CALLs are issued. Offerors must monitor these systems to ensure they receive the maximum proposal preparation time for subsequent amendments as this is the official notification vehicle to request proposals. Due to past problems with posting notices to Grants.gov/FIND, offerors are advised to monitor both websites to ensure timely receipt of notifications.

E. Potential offerors are requested to advise the contracting officer if they intend to submit a proposal in response to a CALL. Such notification is merely a courtesy and is not a commitment by the offeror to submit a proposal.

5. GENERAL INFORMATION

Potential offerors are advised of the following:

A. The applicable NAICS code for this announcement and any CALLS issued pursuant to this BAA is 541712 with a size standard of 500.

B. This acquisition is unrestricted. This BAA is issued under the provisions of Federal Acquisition Regulation paragraph 6.102(d)(2) that provides for the competitive selection of research proposals. Proposals submitted in response to CALLS issued pursuant to this BAA that are selected for award are considered to be the results of full and open competition and in full compliance with the provisions of PL 98-369, the Competition In Contracting Act of 1984.

C. Organizational Conflict of Interest may apply to this action but cannot be determined prior to issuance of this announcement or subsequent CALLS. This issue and the need for applicable clauses will be resolved prior to the award of any instrument resulting from an offeror’s proposal.

D. An “Administrative Access to Proprietary Information” consent provision is applicable to this announcement with anticipation of incorporation of the provision by reference into any resulting award instrument. The provision is available at http://www.kirtland.af.mil/prs/. Click under the heading “Business Opportunities; Information” to access the Contracting and Assistance Information Factsheet:

http://www.kirtland.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=8124 It must be either signed or submitted with the proposal or objections must be submitted as indicated on the consent form.

E. Department of Defense (DOD) Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) (C31 Lab, Lincoln Laboratory, or Software Engineering Institute) may submit proposals in response to this announcement. Other FFRDCs or contractors that propose using FFRDCs not discussed herein shall provide rationale in its proposal that the research is within the purpose, mission, general scope of effort or special competency of the FFRDC and that research to be performed would not place the FFRDC in direct competition with the private sector. The Government does not intend that FFRDCs use privileged information or access to facilities to compete with the private sector. If a contractor proposes using a FFRDC as a subcontractor, other than DOD-sponsored FFRDCs in the capacities discussed in DFARS 235.017, it must provide rationale in its proposal that supports the unique capability of the FFRDC. Also, the contractor’s proposal must demonstrate that the FFRDC can accept work from other than the sponsor.

F. Research areas may involve technology that is subject to U.S. Export Control Laws. It is anticipated that awards will be unclassified with limited access. Therefore, only offerors who are certified by the Defense Logistics Information Service (DLIS) may submit proposals. For questions, contact DLIS on-line at http://www.dlis.dla.mil/jcp or at DLIS, US/Canada Joint Certification Center, Federal Center, 74 North Washington, Battle Creek MI 49017-4312, (800) 352-3572.

6. AWARD INFORMATION

A. It is anticipated that this BAA will remain open for a period of 5 years from the date of publication. This BAA will be reviewed annually. Any updates or possible cancellation will be issued as an amendment to the BAA. This annual review and subsequent amendment to the BAA shall meet the requirement of FAR 35.016 to publish the BAA no less frequently than annually.

B. 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 Federal Acquisition Regulation or Other Transaction (OT) for Prototype, grant, cooperative agreement, or OT for Research. The Air Force may also consider award of an appropriate technology transfer mechanism if applicable. Specific instructions for assistance awards are in paragraph 7 b (4). The anticipated type of contract will be issued in each CALL. Prospective offerors are encouraged to discuss the type of instrument proposed with the appropriate contracting point of contact prior to preparing a proposal.

It is anticipated that a mix of contract types will be used throughout the life of this BAA. Generally awards under this BAA will be cost plus fixed fee, completion form, contracts, which require successful offerors to have an accounting system considered adequate for tracking costs applicable to the contract. Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) with Cost Plus Fixed Fee (Completion) Delivery Orders are also anticipated. In the event an ID/IQ type of contract is anticipated, potential offerors are advised that during the course of the contract, the maximum dollar amount of the contract is subject to adjustments that may be appropriate for the Government to take full advantage of the contract ordering period.

C. ANTICIPATED NUMBER OF AWARDS: The Air Force anticipates awarding a minimum of one contract or assistance instrument per specific CALL. However, the Air Force does reserve the right to make multiple awards or no awards pursuant to a CALL.

D. Proposals are intended to be evaluated, and award made without discussions, unless discussions are determined to be necessary. However, the Government may obtain clarifications to determine proposal acceptability. Discussions may be held with prospective awardees prior to award if needed. In the event the Government is unable to conclude negotiations with the apparent successful offeror(s), it reserves the right to conduct negotiations with another acceptable offeror.

7. PROPOSAL PREPARATION

A. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:

1. This BAA and associated CALLS are expressions of interest only and do not commit the Government to pay for proposal preparation cost. The cost of preparing proposals in response to CALLS placed pursuant to this BAA is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resulting contract or to any other contract. However, it may be an allowable indirect expense as specified in FAR 31.205-18.

2. Proposals must reference this BAA number, the CALL number, and include a unique contractor generated proposal identification number. Unnecessarily elaborate brochures or presentations beyond that sufficient to present a complete and effective proposal are not desired.

3. Offerors must identify proposal information considered proprietary by marking their proposals with the restrictive language contained in FAR 52.215-1(e), Instructions to Offerors—Competitive Acquisition.

6. You may be ineligible for award if all requirements of this announcement are not met by the proposal due date and time as identified in each CALL.

B. 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 technical and cost/business proposals must be in separate volumes. The electronic copy must be submitted on a compact disk (CD) in a PC compatible file format and must be readable by Microsoft Office. The electronic copy of the cost proposal worksheets must be in Microsoft Office Excel 2003 or later version and must contain all cell formulas.

2. Proposals for FAR type contracts should be submitted to Det 8 AFRL/RVKV, Attn: Mr. David E. Romo-Garza, 2251 Maxwell St SE, Bldg 424, Kirtland AFB NM 87117-5773. Proposals sent to any inappropriate address are ineligible for award. Proposals for FAR contracts sent via facsimile or electronic means will not be accepted.

3. Prospective offerors are to submit annual representations and certifications via the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA). Offerors can complete electronic annual representations and certifications at http://www.bpn.gov in conjunction with the required registration in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database. Offerors must complete other required representations and certifications at http://www.kirtland.af.mil/prs/. Click under heading “Business Opportunities, Information” to access the Contracting and Assistance Information Factsheet:

http://www.kirtland.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=8124.

Offerors may be required to provide proposal specific representations and certifications identified and requested by the cognizant contracting officer.

4. Offerors are advised that data included in the technical and cost/business proposals submitted to the Government in response to this BAA may be released to non-Government advisors for review and analysis. Any non-Government advisor will strictly serve in an advisory capacity only to the Government evaluators. Non-Government advisors will have appropriate Organizational Conflict of Interest clauses in their contracts with AFRL and will initiate any required Non-Disclosure Agreements. All offerors must clearly indicate in their proposals if they have any objections or concerns regarding the use of non-Government advisors. Offerors will be contacted prior to the release of a proposal to a non-Government advisor.

5. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICATIONS FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE (GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS). This publication also constitutes a Broad Agency Announcement as contemplated by the Department of Defense Grant and Agreement Regulations (DODGARS) 22.315 and will be synopsized at www.grants.gov.

a. Applications for Federal Assistance resulting from this announcement may be submitted to the address provided in paragraph B.2 above. Applications submitted to this address must include a completed SF 424 (R&R). As an alternative, applications for Federal Assistance may be submitted electronically through the www.grants.gov website. There are no other recognized means for assistance applications.

b. The certifications referenced in Block 18 of the SF 424 (R&R), Application for Federal Assistance are located at http://www.kirtland.af.mil/prs/. Click under the heading “Business Opportunities, Information” to access the Contracting and Assistance Information Factsheet:

http://www.kirtland.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=8124.

c. Additional information concerning the Grants.gov registration and application process may also be found at http://www.kirtland.af.mil/prs/. Click under the heading “Business Opportunities, Information” to access the Contracting and Assistance Information Factsheet:

http://www.kirtland.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=8124.

d. Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Numbers and Titles:

e. Information Regarding Other Transactions:

(1) AFRL reserves the right to award Other Transactions (OTs) for Prototypes or OTs for Research for proposals submitted in response to this announcement. OTs for Prototype (See National Defense Authorization Act for FY 94 §845) are acquisition instruments that fall under the purview of DOD’s Other Transaction Guide for Prototypes, found at: www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/Docs/policy/otherTransactions/current%20otguideconformed%20Jan%202001.doc.

(2) Other Transactions for Research (See 10 U.S.C. §2371) are assistance instruments, that with the exception of a funds recovery provision, will generally be similar in format to a Cooperative Agreement.

C. SPECIFIC PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cover letter

A cover letter shall accompany each proposal. The cover letter should identify the BAA number, CALL number, and technology area under which the proposal is submitted, a statement that the proposal is valid for 120 days from the due date specified in the CALL, provide technical and contracting points of contact, CAGE code, and include statement indicating if the firm is a small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a), or women-owned small business concern. The proposal must be signed and dated by an authorized official of the organization.

2. Technical Proposal

a. Content. The technical proposal must convey an understanding of the problems or limitations of the general technology area and the intended application(s). The technical proposal shall include the following items.

(1) Executive Summary: Describe the proposed program, objectives, and approach. A description of the innovation and benefits of the proposed approach and relationship to previous efforts should be discussed. It should summarize the technical issues addressed by the offeror’s proposal without repeating the requirements. This should provide a vision of what will ultimately be achieved and what solution this effort will produce.

(2) Program Description: Describe the techniques, methods, materials, or ideas that will be addressed in this proposal, their innovation, and to what degree they advance the state-of-the-art.

(3) Program Plan: Describe in detail the planned approach and how the plan will be executed. This section should include all technical aspects of the approach. Provide technical detail and analysis necessary to support the technical approach proposed. Clearly identify the core of the intended approach. The “new and creative” solution to the problem(s) should be developed and analyzed in this section. Include a risk assessment of key technical, schedule or cost areas and their potential impact on the program. Identify why proposed subcontractors were selected and what tasks they are to perform.

(4) Contractor’s Statement of Work (C-SOW):

(A) The C-SOW, a stand-alone document, should detail the research to be accomplished under the technical area and should be suitable for incorporation into the awarded document. The proposed C-SOW should summarize the technical methodology and the task description, but not to the extent to make the awarded instrument inflexible. Do not include any proprietary information in the C-SOW. Contractors may request copies of our contracts under the Freedom Of Information Act. Consequently, it is imperative that no company-sensitive information be included in the C-SOW. The C-SOW should include the anticipated deliverables (hardware, software, reports, etc.).

APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS: this section includes reference documents needed to identify or clarify the work to be performed.

REQUIREMENTS: this section identifies the specific work to be performed. The work effort should be arranged into major tasks and identified in separately numbered paragraphs. Each numbered major task should delineate by subtask the work to be performed and should follow an outline numbering scheme. The C-SOW must identify all reviews and when/where (identify by milestone or task) that will be conducted. It must also identify any and all items (hardware, software, reports, etc.) to be delivered to the Government as a result of the program.

(5) Milestone Chart: A Milestone Chart should indicate when specific objectives are expected to be met in the overall program schedule and should identify the specific accomplishments necessary to proceed to the next task. Provide a schedule of when the deliverable items identified in the CALL are to be delivered.

(6) Facilities and Equipment description: Describe the facilities that can be used to achieve the goals of the program, in terms of manufacturing capability, testing facilities, and/or any relevant specialized equipment.

(7) Description of Relevant Prior Work: Provide a list of related previous or current government, commercial, or internally funded work during the past five years. For each such effort, provide the principal investigator, title of effort, contract number, brief summary of results, dollar value, and a technical and contracting point of contact, including phone numbers, for the funding organizations.

(8) Management Plan: Offerors should provide an approach that demonstrates the ability to effectively and efficiently manage and administer the research program to a successful conclusion.

(9) Resumes of Key Individuals: Include brief summaries of resumes of relevant key individuals including any consultants or subcontractors that might be proposed.

b. Page Limitations. The technical proposal including the C-SOW shall be limited to 30 pages single spaced, double-sided, 8.5 by 11-inch pages. Select an easy to read font no smaller than 12 pitch fixed or proportional font size 10 or larger. Smaller type may be used in figures and tables as long as it is clearly legible. The page limitation includes all information i.e., indices, photographs, foldouts (2 page), appendices, attachments, resumes, C-SOW, etc. Each printed side counts as one page. Blank pages, title pages, tables of content, lists, tabs or cover sheets are not included in the page count. The Government will not consider pages in excess of the limitation.

3. Cost/Business Proposal

Separate this proposal into a cost section and a business section.

a. Cost Section. The cost proposal containing other than cost or pricing data shall be submitted in the format provided in the announcement and is necessary for the Government to perform a cost realism analysis. Adequate price competition is anticipated for each CALL issued unless stated otherwise in the announcement. A determination as to the existence of adequate price competition will be made by the cognizant Procuring Contracting Officer on a case by case basis. If adequate price competition is determined not to exist, the Government reserves the right to obtain certified cost or pricing data from the offeror. Based on the type of instrument proposed, use the appropriate cost proposal instructions, which can be found at the following AFRL website, http://www.kirtland.af.mil/prs/. Click under heading “Business Opportunities, Information” to access the Contracting and Assistance Information Factsheet:

http://www.kirtland.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=8124.

This provides information to prepare the cost proposal. Submit the electronic copy of the cost proposal worksheets on a compact disk in a PC compatible file format in Microsoft Office Excel 2003 or later version. The file must contain all cell formulas. Cost proposals have no page limitations but offerors are requested to keep cost proposals to 75 pages as a goal.

b. Business Section. The business section should contain all business aspects to the proposed contractual arrangement, such as type of contract/instrument, any unique terms and conditions, any exceptions to terms and conditions of the announcement or CALL, and any information not technically related. Provide rationale for exceptions. As a goal, offerors are requested to keep the business section to 20 pages. This section should include the following items as appropriate. Referenced documents are available at http://www.kirtland.af.mil/prs/. Click under heading “Business Opportunities, Information” to access the Contracting and Assistance Information Factsheet:

http://www.kirtland.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=8124.

(1) Signed “Administrative Access to Proprietary Information” consent provision or a detailed statement outlining the basis for the objection. This is located in Section K, Representation and Certifications.

(2) Completed representations and certifications and any specific representations and certifications identified in a CALL.

(3) Completed Proposal Content Checklist. Failure to provide a complete proposal may result in a determination that the proposal is non-responsive and may be eliminated from consideration for award.

(4) Sample Model Contracts should be reviewed. Include a statement as to acceptance of the terms and conditions contained in the model contracts. Please Note that a sample model contract will be provided to successful proposals only.

8. PROPOSAL REVIEW AND EVALUATION PROCEDURES

A. GENERAL.

The Government reserves the right to select for award to responsible offerors/ contractors any, all, part, or none of the proposals received in response to this announcement, subject to the availability of funds. The technical and cost proposals will be evaluated at the same time. You may be ineligible for award if all requirements of this announcement and subsequent CALLS are not met by the proposal due date and time. At minimum, incomplete proposals may be given lower priority and, although technically acceptable, not awarded due to funding limitations. No further evaluation criteria will be used.

B. EVALUATION CRITERIA.

The selection of one or more sources for award will be based on an evaluation of each offeror’s proposal to determine the overall merit of the proposal in response to this announcement. Proposals will be evaluated in accordance with FAR 35.016. The proposals will be evaluated utilizing a peer or scientific review process and shall be evaluated based on the following criteria that are listed in descending order of importance:

Price will be a substantial consideration in selecting proposals for awards, but will be secondary to technical considerations. Cost realism and reasonableness shall also be considered to the extent appropriate. Price will be evaluated and may be negotiated if necessary on proposals selected for award.

C. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

The technical and cost proposals will be evaluated at the same time and categorized as follows:

1. CATEGORY I: Well conceived scientifically and technically sound proposals important to program goals and objectives. Proposals in Category I are recommended for acceptance subject to funding constraints.

2. CATEGORY II: Scientifically or technically sound proposals that may require further development and may be recommended for acceptance, but are at a lower priority than Category I proposals and are not always funded.

3. CATEGORY III: Proposals not technically sound or do not meet agency needs and may be recommended for rejection.

D. AWARD NOTICES

Offerors will be notified in writing whether or not their proposal is recommended for award. An award recommendation is not to be construed to mean the award of a contract, grant or assistance instrument is assured, as availability of funds and successful negotiations are prerequisites to any award.

E. DEBRIEFINGS

When requested, a debriefing will be provided. The debriefing process will follow the time guidelines set out in 10 USC 2305(b)(5), but the debriefing content will vary to be consistent with the procedures set out in FAR 35.016 governing BAAs.

9. OTHER INFORMATION

A. SUBCONTRACTING PLANS: Small Business Subcontracting Plans are required under FAR 19.702 for efforts anticipated to exceed $500,000. 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 technical and cost proposals. Small business is 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 proposal. The subcontracting plan is a part of the cost/business section of the proposal and will not be included in the page count.

B. 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, which requires electronic submission of all payment requests. The clause cites three possible electronic formats through which to submit electronic payment requests. Effective 01 October 2006, the Department of Defense will adopt 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/ .

C. 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.

D. ITEM IDENTIFICATION AND VALUATION. Any contract award resulting from this announcement may contain the clause at DFARS 252.211-7003, Item Identification and Valuation, (Apr 2005) 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/index.html

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

F. 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 Programs (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.

G. EXCESSIVE PASS-THROUGH CHARGES. Any contract award resulting from this announcement may contain the clause at DFARS 252.215-7004, Excessive Pass-Through Charges, (Apr 2007).

Amendment 07 25 March 2010