Call 009 Announcement Final.pdf

AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY/ SPACE VEHICLE DIRECTORATE

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA)

FA9453‐19‐S‐0001

PROPOSAL CALL ANNOUNCEMENT CALL 009

SMALL SCALE STRUCTURE OF IONOSHPHERIC IRREGULARITIES

8 JUNE 2023

NAICS CODE: 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except

Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

PSC CODE: A12

FEDERAL AGENCY NAME: Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Space Vehicles Directorate (RV)

Geospace Technologies Division (RVB) Geospace Environment Impacts and Applications Branch’s (RVBX)

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: FA9453‐19‐S‐0001

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT TITLE: Applications of the Space Environment Project ‐ Space

Environment Exploitation and Mitigation (SEEM) Program

CALL ANNOUNCEMENT (CALL) NUMBER: 009

CALL TITLE: Small Scale Structure of Ionospheric Irregularities

CALL TYPE: One Step Proposal

TECHNICAL AREA: 3 a): Solar, Solar Wind, and Ionospheric Effects

DUE DATE AND TIME: 17 July 2023 (35 days)

APPLICABILITY OF BASELINE BAA: All requirements of FA9453‐19‐S‐0001 apply unless specifically amended and addressed in this Call. For complete information regarding FA9453‐19‐S‐0001, refer to the initial FULL TEXT Open 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. For any discrepancies please contact the contracting officer's attention immediately.

Initial FULL TEXT Open BAA link: https://sam.gov/opp/3a9c2cbc14274171af81eb749e4762c2/view

REQUIREMENT INFORMATION:

1. BACKGROUND: The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Space Vehicles Directorate (RV)

Geospace Technologies Division (RVB) Geospace Environment Impacts and Applications Branch’s

(RVBX) Space Environment Exploitation and Mitigation (SEEM) program is interested in applied research and development and advanced technology to help mitigate space environmental impacts on Department of Defense (DoD) operational systems. The SEEM Program full text

FA9453‐19‐S‐0001 outlines the general objectives of the Technical Topic Area A: Solar, Solar

Wind, and Ionospheric Effects of this Call.

2. DESCRIPTION: As part of the SEEM Program research mission requirements, there is a demand to implement Ionospheric small scale structure models into AFRL systems. These models help inform our overall picture of the space environment and ultimately specify impacts to DoD systems. AFRL is seeking a better fundamental understanding of the impact of ionospheric small‐scale structure on Doppler spread in Skywave propagation. AFRL’s HF Propagation tool currently uses a climatologically driven small scale structure model to determine the presence and amount of Doppler spread the ionosphere imparts on a signal for a particular path. The current model was not designed for use with Skywave propagation paths, and we require improved performance in this regime. AFRL is seeking an HF relevant small‐scale structure model suitable for Skywave propagation that can consider the Doppler characteristics of received signals along similar paths.

3. OBJECTIVE: See attached Statement of Objectives entitled, “Topic: Characterization of Small

Scale Structure of the Ionosphere,” dated 1 May 2023, for specifics to this Call. The Statement of

Objectives (SOO), included as Attachment 1, provides the Government’s overall objectives for this solicitation. Offerors shall use the SOO, together with other applicable portions of this Call, as the basis for preparing their proposal, including the Contractor Statement of Work (CSOW) and milestones. The offerors shall ensure all aspects of the SOO are addressed. The CSOW should specify in clear, understandable terms the work to be done in meeting the SOO.

Preparation of an effective CSOW requires an understanding of the technical aspects that are needed to satisfy a particular objective and an ability to define what is required in specific, performance based, quantitative terms. The offerors understanding of both required technical skills, and work effort required should be fully demonstrated in the offeror's proposed CSOW.

The offeror shall use its proposed CSOW to prepare data requirements and milestones. All data requirements shall be traceable to specific tasks defined in the CSOW.

AWARD INFORMATION:

1. ANTICIPATED FUNDING: 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 of funds and the technical work to be accomplished. Anticipated funding for this Call

(not per contract or award) is:

FY 23 FY 24 FY 25 FY 26 Total anticipated funding:

$200,000 $700,000 $700,000 $500,000 $2,100,000

2. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS: The cost of preparing proposals in response to this Call is not considered an allowable direct charge to a resulting or other contract.

3. ANTICIPATED NUMBER OF AWARDS: The Air Force anticipates awarding a minimum of one (1) contract. However, the Air Force does reserve the right to make multiple awards or no awards pursuant to this Call.

4. ANTICIPATED AWARD DATE: Expected award date is September 2023.

5. ANTICIPATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE (POP): The anticipated contract period of performance is 39 months with 36 months for technical performance and 3 months for a final reporting.

6. ANTICIPATED TYPE OF CONTRACTS/INSTRUMENTS: The Air Force anticipates awarding a Cost‐

Plus‐Fixed‐Fee contract as a result of this Call, but also reserves the right to award the instrument best suited to the nature of research proposed.

7. DELIVERABLES ITEMS: The anticipated deliverable items are subject to negotiation.

(a) Ionospheric Small Scale Structure Model

(b) Monthly Status Reports

(c) Final Scientific and Technical Reports

(d) Monthly Financial Reports

Data deliverables are subject to negotiations. The following Contract Data Requirements List

(CDRLs) is representative of data requirements that may be required.

A001: Scientific & Technical Reports

A002: Status Report

A003: Computer Software Products

A004: Presentation Material

The anticipated deliverables include data. The Government may consider all applicable data rights clauses, as necessary, to meet the Government’s mission and technical objectives.

8. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY: None anticipated.

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION:

1. ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST (OCI): All OCI issues and the need for applicable clauses will be resolved prior to award.

2. SECURITY REQUIREMENT: Program security classification for this Call is unclassified. The

Government does not anticipate a DD Form 254 for this call per the requirements in the Federal

Acquisition Regulation (FAR). However, a DD Form 254 may be required at time of award. The

Government reserves the right to request a DD Form 254 during any time of the pre‐award phase. FAR 52.204‐2, Security Requirements is included in this Call by reference.

3. BASE SUPPORT AND ACCESS: The Government does not intend to provide the contractor base support throughout the course of this contractual effort. However, if the contractor is requiring base access to Kirtland AFB, New Mexico during the contract, they will notify the contracting points of contact and the Government technical point of contact to process the request.

4. FOREIGN NATIONALS: No Foreign Nationals will be considered for this Call.

APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION:

1. PROPOSAL DUE DATE AND TIME: Proposals must be submitted in response to this Call no later than on 17 July 2023, 1200 hours MDT.

Proposals for any other technical area identified in the overall Broad Agency Announcement

(BAA) will not be accepted in response to this Call solicitation. Proposals received after the due date and time shall be governed by the provisions of FAR 52.215‐1(c)(3).

NOTE: Offerors may be ineligible for award if all requirements of this announcement are not met by the due date and time.

2. INTENT TO PROPOSE: Potential offerors are requested to advise the contracting point of contacts 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.

3. CALL AMENDMENTS: Offerors should monitor SAM.GOV for any additional notices to this CALL that may permit extensions to the proposal submission date or otherwise modify this announcement.

4. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: Proposals must be submitted electronically via DoD SAFE (Secure

Access File Exchange) website, https://safe.apps.mil/. DoD SAFE is a service to exchange large unclassified files. To create a drop‐off (upload files), Offerors must contact the contracting office to receive a drop‐off request or request code from an authenticated user (Government POC).

Please allow 3 business days for the contracting office to process a request. Once the authenticated user generates a drop‐off request, the Offeror will receive an email with a link to submit the drop‐off. Optionally, the authenticated user (recipient) may provide a request code.

In that case, click the Drop‐off button on the SAFE home page and enter the Request code. A drop‐off request is valid for 14 days. Frequently asked questions about DoD Safe can be accessed at: https://safe.apps.mil/.

Proposal submissions must reference the BAA number FA9453‐19‐S‐0001 as well as the Call number i.e. “Call 009,” and title.

FULL PROPOSAL PROCESS: Below are specifics regarding proposal format and content. Proposal submissions must follow all format and content criteria provided in both the overarching BAA and the solicitation.

1. GENERAL PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS: Proposals that include data restricted from public disclosure or used by the Government for any purpose should be marked with the proper disclosure and use of data restrictions. Technical and cost/business volumes should be submitted in separate volumes, and must be valid for a minimum of 180 days. Proposal submissions must reference the BAA number FA9453‐19‐S‐0001 as well as the Call or Open

Period Notification number i.e. “Call 009,” and title.

2. PROPOSAL FORMAT:

i. Paper Size: 8 ½ inches x 11 inches

ii. Margins: 1 inch on each side

iii. Font: Arial 11+ point font on all text except as provided below in viii. This includes text in tables, diagrams, and charts.

iv. Spacing: Single spaced

v. Page Printing: double‐sided (however, each side counts as one page)

vi. Any other information (e.g. captions, restrictive markings) shall not be smaller than Arial 10 point font or equivalent.

vii. The technical proposal shall be limited to 30 pages and shall be prepared and submitted in

Microsoft Word format. The technical proposal page limit does not include the offeror’s proposed Statement of Work (SOW); however, the same formatting rules apply to the SOW, which is limited to 10 pages.

viii. Cost/Business proposals have no page limitations; however, Offerors are requested to keep cost proposals under 100 pages (Cost break‐outs should be submitted in Microsoft Excel with the formulas included, all other information should be provided in Microsoft Word).

3. PROPOSAL CONTENT:

Cover Letter:

A cover letter shall accompany each proposal with a Proposal Number that Identifies the

Offeror. 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

180 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, HUB Zone 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.

Technical Volume:

The technical proposal content shall include a discussion of the innovative and technically sound approach to accomplish the solicited technical objective(s) and/or advances in knowledge, understanding, technology, and state‐of‐the‐art along with importance to agency programs. The proposal must include any information on prior work in the technical areas, descriptions of available equipment, data and facilities as attachments to the technical proposal. This information will be used in the proposal evaluation to help determine the soundness of the technical approach. This volume shall include a SOW detailing the technical tasks proposed to be accomplished under the proposed effort. The SOW must be suitable for contract incorporation into a resulting contract, if any, and thus shall not have any company proprietary information contained within the document. If Government Furnished Property is requested, Offerors are required to submit the following information with their offer:

a. A list or description of all Government property the Offeror or its Subcontractors propose to use. The list shall identify the accountable contract under which the property is held and the authorization for its use (from the Contracting Officer having cognizance of the property).

b. The dates during which the property will be required for use (including the first, last, and all intervening months), and for any property that will be used concurrently in performing two or more contracts, the values of the respective uses in sufficient detail to support prorating the rent.

c. The amount of rent that would otherwise be charged in accordance with FAR

52.245‐9, Use and Charges, and be used in the management of Government property, or existing property management plans, methods, practices, or procedures for accounting for property.

d. The voluntary consensus standard or industry leading practices and standards to be used in the management of Government property or existing property management plans, methods, practices, or procedures for accounting for property.

Any questions concerning the technical volume or SOW preparation shall be referred to the

Technical POC cited in the Call.

Cost/Business Volume:

i. Separate the volume into a cost section and business section. The business section should contain all business aspects of the proposed contract such as: resumes of personnel who will be participating in this effort; contractual instrument type; any exceptions to terms and conditions of the solicitation along with the rationale; technical data that will be delivered with less than unlimited rights; and any information not technically related. Cost proposals have no page limitations; however, as a goal, Offerors are requested to keep cost proposals under 100 pages. The proposal shall be furnished with supporting schedules and shall contain a labor hour breakdown per task, along with justifications for those rates. The cost proposal shall also include all source and justifications for travel, other direct costs, overhead percentage rates, materials and any fee proposed.

ii. Proposals anticipated to exceed $2 million shall comply with the requirement under provision FAR 52.215‐20 Requirements for Certified Cost or Pricing Data and Data Other

Than Certified Cost or Pricing Data. Submission of certified cost or pricing data is required to be submitted in the format indicated in FAR 15.408 Table 15‐2 ‐ Instructions for Submitting Cost/Price Proposals When Certified Cost or Pricing Data Are Required.

iii. Subcontracting plans for efforts anticipated to exceed $2 million shall be submitted along with the technical and cost proposals. Reference FAR 19.704, DFARS 219.704, and

AFFARS 5319.704(a)(1) for subcontracting plan requirements. Small businesses are exempt from this requirement.

iv. All direct costs (labor, material, travel, computer, etc.) as well as labor and overhead rates should be provided by Contractor Fiscal Year (CFY). A separate breakout by

Government Fiscal Year (GFY) is not required.

v. Submit fully‐disclosed electronic cost spreadsheets with formulas. Include rate table for all direct and indirect rates that feed into the cost element summaries.

EVALUATION CRITERIA:

Proposals will be evaluated in accordance with FAR 35.016, Broad Agency Announcement. The evaluation will utilize a peer or scientific review process and shall be based on the following criteria that are listed in descending order of importance:

i. Overall scientific and technical merits of the proposal

ii. Importance to AFRL/RVBX’s SEEM program

iii. Funds availability Once selected for possible award, the price will be evaluated for realism and reasonableness.

AWARD NOTICES: Offerors will be notified whether their proposal is recommended for award in writing.

The notification of recommendation for award is not to be construed to mean the award of a contract is assured as availability of funds and successful negotiations are prerequisites to any award.

TECHNICAL POINT OF CONTACT:

Primary: Sharjeel Hyder, AFRL/RVBXC

E‐mail: sharjeel.hyder.1@spaceforce.mil

Alternate: Colton Mott, AFRL/RVBX

E‐mail: colton.mott.1@spaceforce.mil

CONTRACTING POINTS OF CONTACT:

Contracting Officer: Jessica Perez, AFRL/RVKB

E‐mail: jessica.perez.23@us.af.mil

Contract Specialist: Erika Trujillo, AFRL/RVKB

E‐mail: erika.trujillo.2@spaceforce.mil

Alternate Contract Specialist: Hanna Flatow, AFRL/RVKB

E‐mail: hanna.flatow@spaceforce.mil

ATTACHMENTS

1. Statement of Objections (SOO)

2. Draft DD Form 1423‐1, Contract Data Requirements List (CDRLs)

3. Technical Data Assertion Table

4. DoD Proposal Adequacy Checklist