Digital Transformation Technologies and Processes (DTTP) FOA.pdf

As of Oct 2020

1-Step Funding Opportunity Announcement

Overview Information

To access hyperlinks from this electronic solicitation – Hit CTRL and click on the link.

NAICS Code: The NAICS Code is: 541715 (Research and Technology in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology), and the small business size standard is 1,000 employees.

Federal Agency Name: Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate (AFRL/RX)

Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Title: Digital Transformation Technologies and Processes

Funding Opportunity Announcement Type: This is the Initial Announcement

Funding Opportunity Announcement Number: FA8650-22-S-5720

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s):

12.910 RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

Brief Program Summary:

In order to realize the SAF/AQ vision for digital acquisition and support the AF must accelerate the adoption of digital engineering methods and tools across the enterprise, including research, development, test and evaluation, production, operations, maintenance, and the supply chain. https://www.afmc.af.mil/digital/.

There is need for a Fail Fast, Learn Fast mindset not restricted by current AF processes or information technology (IT) infrastructure - the ability to develop and vet methods and tools rapidly and develop the workforce through hands-on experience. This will help programs mitigate risk by encouraging proof-of-concept in a model-based, virtual environment…a place where an authoritative source of truth can be tested for cross-discipline collaboration and where a sandbox can be utilized for unconstrained tool exploration, application, and integration. An ideal approach for this is a consortium that responds to AF needs through dynamic teaming with industry and academia.

A consortium will work in partnership with AF leadership and personnel to combine AF, academic, and private sector resources to promote the rapid infusion of new tools, techniques, and training towards the systemic transformation of AF acquisition and sustainment. In this partnership, the AF will serve as the key customer, while consortium members provide the applied research and workforce training, engineering and integration. It is intended that the ultimate state of the consortium establishes linkages to locations at key AF acquisition and sustainment centers to support teaming with local universities and corporations – leveraging existing partnerships and providing real-time support.

Intent to Propose: Offerors that anticipate submitting a proposal are requested to submit an e-mail to Richard K. Porter, at richard.porter.12@us.af.mil containing the name of the offeror, the POC, and the offeror’s intent to submit a proposal.

This “Intent to Propose” is requested by 17 Dec 2021, 16:00 Eastern Standard Time (EST). Those firms that provide the intent to propose, pursuant to the instructions above, will be provided proposal drop off instructions by 3 Jan 2022. Proposals will be submiited through DoD SAFE.

Intent to Participate in Proposers Day: The Government intends to conduct a virtual Proposer’s Day to describe the requirements and address any offeror questions in an open forum. Written answers to questions will also be posted after the Proposer’s Day. Proposer’s Day is anticipated to be held on 1 Dec 2021 , at 10:00 EST. Offerors who wish to participate in Proposer’s Day must email the Technical and Contracting POCs by 16:00 PM EST on 19 Nov 2021 The Technical or Contracting POC will provide virtual Proposer’s Day call information to respondents.

Solicitation Request: Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate (AFRL/RX), Wright Patterson Air Force Base is soliciting technical and cost proposals on the research effort described below.

Full Announcement

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

1. Program Description: Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and

Manufacturing Directorate (AFRL/RX) is soliciting technical and cost proposals on the following research effort: Digital Transformation Technologies and Processes (DTTP)

2. Statement of Objective/Description of Research Area(s): Offerors should reference attachment 2 Statement of Objectives and Submit a Statement of Work that describes how the offeror will accomplish the Government objectives The proposed Statement of Work will become an attachment to any award made as a result of this FOA.

3. Additional Areas for Proposal Consideration:

a. Sample Problems In order to improve Department of Air Force understanding of how proposed consortium management approaches will work in practice, the Department of Air Force requests that offerors explain their proposed solutions to the following technology challenges. For the following example R&D concepts, offerors should indicate how the consortium would (a) broadcast the requirement, (b) facilitate teaming arrangements within the consortium membership, (c) manage the request for proposal process, (d) manage the evaluation and award process, (e) manage an awarded project as part of a portfolio of efforts, and (f) curate and disseminate results. These examples should provide anticipated timelines, rough estimate of consortium resources (time, funds, etc.), and details about the business processes used to achieve the technical solution. Examples:

i. The AF is exploring the concept of owning its “Tech Stack,” which includes providing a real-time “Authoritative Source of Truth” for engineering decision making. Defining these concepts more clearly and developing technologies and business processes necessary to put them into practice remains challenging and will require exploration, development, and demonstration of an array of leading edge concepts.

ii. In order to accelerate responsiveness against AF parts needs in manufacturing and sustainment and to increase the number of US companies engaged in support of the warfighter, the AF seeks to develop, demonstrate, and deploy an advanced platform which links buyers with suppliers to facilitate procurement scenarios, reduce the cost of products through competition, and increase the responsiveness of the supply base. The capability envisioned is an open architecture communication and services platform which enables plug-and-play digital functionality including increased efficiency during the product development process, support for distributed teams working on common engineering objectives, and support for an online community of users sharing data and models and building software tools.

b. The Air Force Research Laboratory Manufacturing and Industrial Base Technologies Division anticipates the first project and its requirements to be issued to the consortium manager within 60 days of award of the DTTP agreement in the form of a Statement of Objectives and an RFP.

This project will NOT be described, proposed on, nor evaluated as is NOT a direct part of this solicitation for a consortium manager. This information is provided to aid planning by the consortium manager.

This funding for the first project is approved and budgeted and is expected to be funded in the following manner: $1.5M in FY22, $1.5M in FY23, $1.5M in FY24, and $1.0M in FY25. It is anticipated that 25% cost share will be required ($0.25 cost share per $1 Federal funding). It is anticipated that additional projects from AFRL and other Department of Air Force stakeholders will be executed once the consortium is established. These anticipated projects are reflected in the overall funding profile.

4. Citations of Authority and Regulations: This program will be awarded under the legislative authority 10 U.S.C 2358. In accordance with 10 U.S.C 2358 and DoDGARS §22.210, this program is necessary to the responsibilities of the United States Air Force and is related to military needs of interest to the United States Air Force and supports the public purpose of National Defense. The program will provide research and technology transition supporting AF and DoD objectives and strategies for digital transformation. National Defense will be improved through the creation and utilization of a broad collaboration ecosystem to facilitate the wide variety of transformation activities that support the AF warfighter’s needs across the lifecycle. Additionally National defense will be improved by leveraging the capabilities and discoveries of commercial and defense industry, who have very similar digital transformation objectives and who are integral partners in bringing capability to the warfighter.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

1. Type of Instrument: The Air Force reserves the right to award the instrument best suited to the nature of the research proposed. Accordingly, the Air Force intends to award a Cooperative Agreement

2. Estimated Program Cost:

Not to Exceed $49,075,000 Total combined Federal funding and Cost Share

Cost share for startup and core operating costs is encouraged, though not required. Cost share for each additional project is determined on a case-by-base basis. Based upon the anticipated risk profile of projects and analysis of projects executed by other consortia, an expected cost share range of 0% to 50% is anticipated, where 50% is defined as $0.50 of cost share per $1 of Federal funding.

3. Anticipated Number of Awards: The Air Force anticipates 1 award for this announcement. However, the Air Force reserves the right to award zero, one, or more for all, some or none of the solicited effort based on the offeror’s ability to perform desired work and funding fluctuations.

4. Anticipated Award Date: 29 Apr 2022

5. Anticipated funding

FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25 FY26+ TOTAL

Approved Core Consortium Funding ($M)

Startup/Core (Gov Funds) 0.50 0.25 0.25 0 0 1 Startup/Core (Recipient Matching) .25 .125 .125 0 0 0.5

Anticipated Future Funds ($M) Project 1 (Gov Funds) 1.5 1.5 1.5 1 0 5.5 Project 1 (Est Recipient Match) .375 .375 .375 .25 0 1.375 Other Future Projects (Gov Funds) 15 8 8 3 3 37 Other Future Projects (Est Recipient Match) 1.5 .8 .8 .3 .3 3.7 TOTAL FEDERAL plus Cost Share Funds

19.125 11.05 11.05 4.55 3.3 49.075

This funding profile is an estimate only and not a contractual obligation for funding. All funding is subject to change due to Government discretion and availability. Potential offerors should be aware that due to unanticipated budget fluctuations funding in any or all areas may change with little or no notice. Funding for Startup/core activities and the first Directed Project are approved and budgeted. The first project will be solicited through with the awarded consortium manager and the consortium members through processes proposed and established by the consortium manager. The first project is anticipated to be solicited via the DTTP consortium within 60 days of award of a cooperative agreement. The first project has an anticipated Federal funding profile of $1.5M FY22, $1.5M FY23, $1.5M FY24, $1.0M FY25, with an anticipated cost share requirement of 25% ($0.25 cost share per $1 Federal funding).

6. Deliverables:

i) Final Performance Report

(1) Draft is due 30 days after completion of technical work

(2) Final is due 90 days after completion of technical work

ii) Quarterly Interim Performance Reports

iii) Quarterly Financial Reports

iv) Final reports and other specified reports for individual projects

v) Software and/or hardware: TBD on a project by project basis.

vi) Data, models, simulations, demonstrations, and other research outcomes:

TBD on a project by project basis

7. Schedule:

a. Overall effort: 72 months plus 3 months reporting for the overall agreement.

b. Data Items, software, hardware: Delivery schedule of any project based deliverables will be described by the requirements and proposal of each individual project. Delivery will occur within the POP of the overall agreement.

8. Government Furnished Property (GFP) availability: GFP is not anticipated to be made available under any resulting assistance instrument.

9. Base Support / Network Access: Consortium will not require base support or network access; individual technical projects executed by consortium members may require either, or both, and will be arranged on a case by case basis.

10.Human or Animal Subject Use: Consortium will not require human or animal subject use.

11.Data and Software Rights: The Government seeks government purpose rights for data, software, hardware, and documentation generated by the DTTP consortium and its members.

a. Technical Data: Government Purpose Rights

b. Non-Commercial Software (NCS): Government Purpose Rights

c. NCS Documentation: Government Purpose Rights

d. Commercial Computer Software Rights: Customary License

12.Other Intellectual Property Considerations: In addition to applicable regulations describing performer/USG data rights in the 32 CFR34.25(b), the DTTP consortium manager will establish with consortium members a membership agreement and/or intellectual property management plan to handle member to member interactions and data rights.

13.Other Requirements: N/A

14.Unique Agreement Features/Requirements/Articles or T&Cs:

Although specific deliverable items (like prototypes) may be required as part of development projects under this effort, the principal purpose of their delivery is to validate digital engineering processes, rather than providing direct benefit to the DoD.

15.Other Information: N/A

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Offeror: The USAF desires that an award for a Consortium manager be made to a non-profit research-oriented entity such as a 501(c)(3) or a U.S university or research center.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching:

a. Startup and Core Consortium funding – Offeror is encouraged to secure cost share for consortium startup and operation.

b. Directed Projects – Offeror is required to match cost share on individual projects based upon the requirements of those solicitations. It is anticipated that such cost share will be risk-based. Anticipated cost share burdens are anticipated to range from $0 to $0.50 for each $1 of Federal project funding.

3. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers: Federally Funded Research & Development Centers (FFRDCs) are not eligible to receive awards nor funding as a sub-recipient under this solicitation. However, FFRDCs are encouraged to enter into collaborative teaming so long as no Federal funding is provided to the FFRDC via the DTTP consortium, provided they are permitted to do so by charter, statute, and their Government sponsor.

4. Government Agencies: If a Government agency is interested in performing work, contact the Program Manager identified in the FOA. If those discussions result in a mutual interest to pursue your agency's participation, the effort will be pursued independent of this announcement.

5. Other:

a. Foreign participation:

i. Participation at the prime contractor level is prohibited.

ii. Foreign Nationals (FNs) can be employed by the US Prime Contractor or Sub-Contractor; however, FNs will be limited to Public Domain information unless the contractor has obtained the proper License or Technical Assistance Agreement that authorizes disclosure of CMI and/or CUI to foreign entities pursuant to the Department of State’s ITAR or Department of Commerce’s EAR.

iii. Public Domain information is defined as information that is releasable to the general public and sometimes referred to as open source material. Examples include but are not limited to newspapers, magazines and information posted on the internet.

iv. Any proprietary information will have to be appropriately protected.

v. U.S. incorporated companies that are wholly owned subsidiaries of foreign companies may become eligible to be members of the consortium, or sub-awardees of Federal support if they are able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the AF that:

a. Their participation is in the best interest of the consortium, U.S. Industry, and U.S. economic development

b. Adequate IP and data protections exist between the U.S.

subsidiary and its foreign parent organization.

c. The work is conducted in the U.S.

d. Other conditions that may be deemed necessary by the consortium and the U.S. Government to protect U.S.

interests are met

b. Export Control: Export controls do not apply to the core activities of the

Consortium as envisioned. Individual projects added to this agreement may have export controls that will be described within the requirements documentation. If it is determined that that a particular project involves export contractor data than it will be subject to export control laws and regulations. Only contractors who are registered and certified with the Defense Logistics Agency and have a legitimate business purpose may participate in this solicitation. Contact the U.S./Canada Joint Certification Program Office, Defense Logistics Agency, Logistics Information Services J34, HDI Federal Center, 74 Washington Avenue N., Battle Creek, Michigan 49037-3084, (1-800-352-3572) or the Joint Certification Program Office (JCO) at JCP-Helpdesk@dla.mil for further information on the certification process. You must submit a copy of your approved DD Form 2345, Military Critical Technical Data Agreement, with your proposal.

c. There are no limits on the number of proposals an offeror may submit.

6. You may be ineligible for award if all requirements of this solicitation are not met on the proposal due date as identified below.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. Overview: Proposals submitted shall be in accordance with this announcement. There will be no other solicitation issued in regard to this requirement. The Government intends to review proposals and award some, all, or none of the proposals received without negotiation/discussion;

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

Offerors should be alert for any FOA amendments that may change proposal requirements or permit extensions to the proposal submission date.

For additional information refer to the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Guide for Industry. This guide is specifically designed to assist an offeror in the understanding of the BAA process and can also be useful for the FOA proposal process.

http://www.wpafb.af.mil/Portals/60/documents/afrl/AFRL-broad-agency-announcement-guide.pdf.

2. Proposal Due Date and Time and Submission: 7 Jan 2022 at 16:00 (EST). Wright-Patterson AFB, OH local time). Proposals must be submitted electronically through DoD SAFE. The email delivering Intent to Propose to the contracting POC will serve as the request to generate a DoD SAFE dropoff request. The Contracting POC will generate a DoD SAFE dropoff notice. DoD SAFE dropoff notices are valid for 14 days, but offerors must submit by the proposal due date and time. DoD SAFE submissions shall be made to the government contracting POC and the government technical POC.

a. Contracting POC – Richard Porter, richard.porter.12@us.af.mil

b. Technical POC – Dennis Butcher, dennis.butcher.1@us.af.mil

3. SF 424 Forms:

a. Cover Page: All proposals for assistance must include an SF 424 (R&R)

(Application for Federal Assistance) as the cover page.

b. STEM: To evaluate compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 {20 U.S.C. A§ 1681 Et. Seq.), the Department of Defense is collecting certain demographic and career information to be able to assess the success rates of women who are proposed for key roles in applications in STEM disciplines, consequently a SF 424 Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) and a SF 424 Research & Related Personal Data must also be submitted. The SF 424 (R&R) forms should be downloaded from the “Application” box in the upper right-hand corner of the synopsis page. Click on “download” under the column “Instructions and Application.” Select “Download Application Package” and complete the SF 424 (R&R) forms. For the SF 424 Research and Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) form the Degree Type and Degree Year fields will be used by DoD as the source for career information. In addition to the required fields on the form, applicants must complete these two fields for all individuals that are identified as having the project role of PD/Pl or Co-PD/Pl. Additional senior/key persons can be added by selecting the "Next Person" button.

The Research and Related Personal Data form will be used by DoD as the source of demographic information, such as gender, race, ethnicity, and disability information for the Project Director/Principal Investigator and all other persons identified as Co-Project Director{s)/Co-Principal lnvestigator(s). Each application must include this form with the name fields of the Project Director/Principal Investigator and any Co-Project Director(s)/Co-Principal lnvestigator(s) completed; however, provision of the demographic information in the form is voluntary. If completing the form for multiple individuals, each Co-Project Director/Co-Principal Investigator can be added by selecting the "Next Person" button. The demographic information, if provided, will be used for statistical purposes only and will not be made available to merit reviewers. Applicants who do not wish to provide some or all of the information should check or select the "Do not wish to provide" option.

c. For Institutions of Higher Education Applicants: The National Defense

Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY 2019, Section 1286, pages 443-445, directs the Secretary of Defense to support protection of intellectual property, controlled information, key personnel, and information about critical technologies relevant to national security; and to limit undue influence, including through foreign talent programs, by countries to exploit United States technology within the Department of Defense research, science and technology, and innovation enterprise when an institution of higher education is the applicant for defense research and engineering activities under a grant, cooperative agreement, or in the case of a technology investment agreement as a member of a consortium.

Applicants shall submit the information below for all key personnel (defined as all individuals who contribute in a substantive, measurable, and meaningful way to the scientific development or execution of the project) on the SF 424 Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) form:

• A list of all current projects the individual is working on, in addition to any future support the individual has applied to receive, regardless of the source.

• Title and objectives of the other research projects.

• The percentage per year to be devoted to the other projects.

• The total amount of support the individual is receiving in connection to each of the other research projects or will receive if other proposals are awarded.

• Name and address of the agencies and/or other parties supporting the other research projects.

• Period of performance for the other research projects.

This information will be used to support protection of intellectual property, controlled information, key personnel, and information about critical technologies relevant to national security and will be used to limit undue influence, including foreign talent programs, by countries that desire to exploit United States' technology within the DoD research, science and technology, and innovation enterprise.

Failure to submit this information may cause the proposal to be returned without further review, and DoD reserves the right to request further details from an applicant before making a final determination on funding the effort. This information does not count towards the overall proposal page limits.

4. System Award Management: To apply for grants and other funding opportunities the applicant entity must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM). Proposals will not be accepted through Grants.gov or other methods unless the entity is registered in SAM.

5. Certifications: SAM is the central repository for common Government-wide financial assistance certifications and representations. Registration in SAM includes the acceptance of Certifications and Assurances. SAM may be accessed at: https://beta.sam.gov. The Financial Assistance Certifications Report is an attestation that the entity will abide by the requirements of the various laws and regulations; therefore, as applicable, you are required to submit any documentation, including the SF LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if applicable), and informing DoD of unpaid delinquent tax liability or a felony conviction under any Federal law. (Note: Grant offices should include any other requirements, such as IRB certifications.)

“This program contains unique certifications and representations not identified in the SAM repository and are included as an attachment to this funding opportunity. By checking “I Agree” on the SF 424 Block 21 or the SF 424 (R&R) block 17 you agree to abide by the following statement: By signing this application, I certify (1) to the statements contained in the list of certifications and (2) that the statements herein are true, complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I also provide the required assurances and agree to comply with any resulting terms if I accept an award. I am aware that any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or claims may subject me to criminal, civil, or administrative penalties. (U.S. Code, Title 218, Section 1001).”

6. Grants.gov Submission: Read the following instructions carefully and completely. See Grants.gov for additional instructions:

a. Electronic Delivery: DoD is participating in the Grants.gov initiative to provide the grant community with a single site to find and apply for grant funding opportunities. Applicants must submit their applications online through Grants.gov in accordance with the FOA.

b. How to Register to Apply through Grants.gov

i. Instructions: Read the instructions below about registering to apply for funds under this FOA. Applicants should read the registration instructions carefully and prepare the information requested before beginning the registration process. Reviewing and assembling the required information before beginning the registration process will alleviate last-minute searches for required information.

The registration process can take up to four weeks to complete.

Therefore, registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact your ability to meet required application submission deadlines.

If individual applicants are eligible to apply for this grant funding opportunity, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html

Organization applicants can find complete instructions here:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html

(1) Obtain a DUNS Number: All entities applying for funding, including renewal funding, must have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). Applicants must enter the DUNS number in the data entry field labeled "Organizational DUNS" on the SF-424 form.

For more detailed instructions for obtaining a DUNS number, refer to: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html

(2) Register with SAM: In addition to having a DUNS number, organizations applying online through Grants.gov (or otherwise) must register with the System for Award Management (SAM).

For more detailed instructions for registering with SAM, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html

(3) Create a Grants.gov Account: The next step in the registration process is to create an account with Grants.gov. Applicants must know their organization's DUNS number to complete this process.

Completing this process automatically triggers an email request for applicant roles to the organization's E-Business Point of Contact (EBiz POC) for review. The EBiz POC is a representative from your organization who is the contact listed for SAM. To apply for grants on behalf of your organization, you will need the Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) role.

For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/add-profile.html

(4) Authorize Grants.gov Roles: After creating an account on Grants.gov, the EBiz POC receives an email notifying them of your registration and request for roles. The EBiz POC will then log in to Grants.gov and authorize the appropriate roles, which may include the AOR role, thereby giving you permission to complete and submit applications on behalf of the organization. You will be able to submit your application online any time after you have been approved as an AOR.

ii. Electronic Signature: When applications are submitted through Grants.gov, the name of the organization's AOR that submitted the application is inserted into the signature line of the application, serving as the electronic signature. The EBiz POC must authorize individuals who are able to make legally binding commitments on behalf of the organization as an AOR; this step is often missed and it is crucial for valid and timely submissions.

c. How to Submit an Application via Grants.gov

Grants.gov applicants can apply online using Workspace. Workspace is a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different webforms within an application.

For each FOA, you can create individual instances of a workspace.

Below is an overview of applying on Grants.gov. For access to complete instructions on how to apply for opportunities, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html

i. Create a Workspace: Creating a workspace allows you to complete it online and route it through your organization for review before submitting.

ii. Complete a Workspace: Add participants to the workspace, complete all the required forms, and check for errors before submission.

(1) Adobe Reader: If you decide not to apply by filling out webforms you can download individual PDF forms in Workspace so that they will appear similar to other Standard forms. The individual PDF forms can be downloaded and saved to your local device storage, network drive(s), or external drives, then accessed through Adobe Reader.

NOTE: Visit the Adobe Software Compatibility page on Grants.gov to download the appropriate version of the software at:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html

(2) Mandatory Fields in Forms: In the forms, you will note fields marked with an asterisk and a different background color. These fields are mandatory fields that must be completed to successfully submit your application.

(3) Complete SF-424 Fields First: The forms are designed to fill in common required fields across other forms, such as the applicant name, address, and DUNS number. To trigger this feature, an applicant must complete the SF-424 information first. Once it is completed, the information will transfer to the other forms.

iii. Submit an Application via Workspace: An application may be submitted through workspace by clicking the Sign and Submit button on the Manage Workspace page, under the Forms tab. Grants.gov recommends submitting your application package at least 24-48 hours prior to the close date to provide you with time to correct any potential technical issues that may disrupt the application submission.

iv. Track an Application via Workspace: After successfully submitting a workspace package, a Grants.gov Tracking Number

(GRANTXXXXXXXX) is automatically assigned to the package. The number will be listed on the Confirmation page that is generated after submission.

For additional training resources, including video tutorials, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html

Applicant Support: Grants.gov provides applicants 24/7 support via the toll-free number 1-800-518-4726 and email at support@grants.gov. For questions related to the specific grant opportunity, contact the number listed in the application package of the grant you are applying for.

If you are experiencing difficulties with your submission, it is best to call the Grants.gov Support Center and get a ticket number. The Support Center ticket number will assist the DoD with tracking your issue and understanding background information on the issue.

v. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

Online Submission. All applications must be received by the due date established for each program. Only applications submitted by the method described above via DoD SAFE will be accepted.

7. Assistance Opportunity:

Go to the following website to find the full opportunity:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html

Instructions are provided at:

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html

8. Content and Form of Proposal Submission: The paragraphs below identify proposal format and content.

a. General Instructions:

i. Offerors should apply a restrictive notice on any proposed data that they do not want disclosed to the public for any purpose.

ii. Technical/management and cost/business volumes should be submitted in separate volumes and must be valid for 180 days.

iii. Proposals must reference the announcement number FA8650-22-S-

5720.

iv. Proposals must be submitted via Grants.gov.

v. The government requests that offerors email the government contracting POC when a proposal is submitted electronically via Grants.gov. In addition, the government requests that offerors submit the application package via DOD SAFE. The email contacting the contracting POC will serve as the request to generate a DoD SAFE dropoff request. DoD SAFE submissions shall be made to the government contracting POC and the government technical POC.

(1) Contracting POC – Whitney Foxbower, whitney.foxbower@us.af.mil

(2) Technical POC – Dennis Butcher, dennis.butcher.1@us.af.mil

vi. Offerors are advised that only Agreements Officers are legally authorized to contractually bind or otherwise commit the Government.

vii. The cost of preparing proposals in response to this FOA is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resulting or any other contract; however, it may be an allowable expense to the normal bid and proposal indirect cost.

b. Technical/Management Proposal:

i. Page Limitations: The following describes proposal page limitations:

(1) The Technical/Management Proposal shall be limited to 25 pages for the Basic Proposal; and the Technical/Management Proposal shall be limited to 25 pages each for future solicitations and project orders after consortium award, with the pages, prepared and submitted in Microsoft Word format.

(2) Font shall be standard 10-point business font Arial.

(3) Character spacing must be “normal,” not condensed in any manner.

(4) Pages shall be double-spaced (must use standard double-space function in Microsoft Word), double sided (each side counts as one page), 8.5 by 11 inches, with at least one-inch margins on both sides, top and bottom.

(5) All text, including text in tables and charts, must adhere to all font size and line spacing requirements listed herein. Font and line spacing requirements do not have to be followed for illustrations, flowcharts, drawings, and diagrams. These exceptions shall not be used to circumvent formatting requirements and page count limitations by including lengthy narratives in such items.

(6) Pages shall be numbered starting with the cover page being Page 1, and the last page being no greater than Page 25. The page limitation covers all information including indices, photographs, foldouts (counted as 1 page for each 8.5 by 11 portion) tables, charts, appendices, attachments, resumes, etc.

(7) The proposal page limit does not include the offeror’s proposed Statement of Work (SOW); however, the same formatting rules apply to the SOW, which has no page limit.

(8) Please Note: The Government will check the proposal and SOW for conformance to the stated requirements. Any pages in excess of the stated page limitation after the format check will not be considered for review purposes.

(9) The Technical/Management proposal(s) shall include a discussion of the nature and scope of the research and the technical approach.

Additional information on prior work in this area, descriptions of available equipment, use of base support (if desired), data and facilities and resumes of personnel who will be participating in this effort should also be included as attachments to the technical proposal. This volume shall include a SOW detailing the technical tasks proposed to be accomplished under the proposed effort and suitable for incorporation into resulting award. Do not include any proprietary information in the SOW. Refer to the BAA Guide for Industry referenced above to assist in SOW preparation.

d. Cost/Business Proposal:

Separate the proposal into a business section and cost section

i. Business Section:

(1) The business section should contain all business aspects to the proposed agreement, such as type of instrument, and any exceptions to terms and conditions of the announcement including the model assistance instrument and any information not technically related, etc. Provide rationale for exceptions.

(2) See Attachment 1 for the Model Cooperative Agreement.

(3) Identify any technical data that will be delivered with less than

Government Purpose Rights.

(4) Identify any Government Furnished Property (GFP), other than GFP identified in the FOA, if necessary.

ii. Cost Element Breakdown: Clear, concise, and accurate cost proposals reflect the offeror's financial plan for accomplishing the effort contained in the technical proposal. As a part of its cost proposal, the offeror shall submit the information outlined below, together with supporting breakdowns. All direct costs (labor, material, travel, computer, etc.) as well as labor and overhead rates should be provided by offeror fiscal year. Detailed cost element breakdowns by Government Fiscal Year or calendar year are not required. The cost element breakdown should include the following if applicable. Cost Proposals have no page limitations; however, offerors are requested to keep the page count to 25 pages as a goal.

(1) Direct Labor: Direct labor should be detailed by number of labor hours by category of labor.

(2) Labor and Overhead Rates: Direct labor hours, with their applicable rates, must be broken out and the bases used clearly identified. The source of labor and overhead rates and all pricing factors should be identified. For instance, if a Forward Pricing Rate Agreement (FPRA) is in existence, that should be noted, along with the Administrative Grants/Agreements Officer’s (AGO/AAO's) name and telephone number. If the rates are based on current experience in your organization, provide the historical base used and clearly identify all escalation, by year, applied to derive the proposed rates. If computer usage is determined by a rate, identify the basis used and rationale used to derive the rate.

(3) Material/Equipment: List all material/equipment items by type and kind with associated costs and advise if the costs are based on vendor quotes, data and/or engineering estimates; provide copies of vendor quotes and/or catalog pricing data.

(4) Recipient Acquired Equipment or Facilities: Equipment and/or facilities are normally furnished by the Recipient. If acquisition of equipment and/or facilities is proposed, a justification for the purchase must be provided in an itemized list to include a basis and supporting documentation for the estimate (e.g. quotes, prior purchase, catalog list). Allowable items normally would be limited to research equipment not already available for the effort. General-purpose equipment (i.e.

equipment not used exclusively for research, scientific, or technical activities such as personal computer or office equipment) should not be requested.

(5) Subawards: Subawards may be an assistance instrument awarded to a subrecipient(s) whose effort is integral to the research objectives and outcomes or may be a contract award to a contractor providing goods and services.

Provide specific information for Subawards as follows:

Description of work to be performed.

Identify prospective subawardees and the basis on which they were selected. If non-competitive, provide rationale to justify lack of competition.

Identify the type of award (e.g. grant, cooperative agreement, contract, cost reimbursement, fixed price).

Identify the basis for the subcontract costs (e.g., firm quote or engineering estimate, etc.).

Detailed cost summary.

(a) Subrecipient Costs: Submit all subrecipient proposals and analyses with your cost proposal. If the subrecipient will not submit proposals to the offeror, this information must be submitted directly to the Government for analysis. Any proposed subrecipient(s)should address why a proposed subrecipient(s) is necessary for the effort and how the price was determined reasonable. Proposed subrecipient’s cost proposal shall be at the same level of detail required for the prime recipient’s cost proposal.

(b) Subcontractor Costs: Submit all subcontractor proposals and analyses with your cost proposal. If the subcontractor will not submit cost and pricing information to the offeror, this information must be submitted directly to the Government for analysis. Any proposed subcontract should address why the proposed subcontract is necessary for the effort and how the price was determined reasonable.

Proposed subcontractor’s cost proposal shall be at the same level of detail required for the prime recipient’s cost proposal.

(6) Travel: Travel costs must be justified and related to the needs of the effort. Identify the number of trips, the destination and purpose. Travel costs should be broken out by trip with number of travelers, airfare, per diem, lodging, etc.

(7) Computer Use: Detail the amount and kind of computer usage, the cost, and how the costs were derived.

(8) Project Funding Profile: Offerors should include a project funding profile by Government Fiscal Year (GFY) (1 Oct through 30 Sept) for budgetary purposes. This will enable the Government to easily identify program funding needs by GFY.

(9) Exceptions: If an offeror takes exceptions to the requirements called out in the FOA, the exceptions should be clearly stated in the cost proposal.

(10) Forward Pricing Rate Agreements: Offerors who have forward pricing rate agreements (FPRA’s) and forward pricing rate recommendations (FPRR’s) should submit them with their proposal.

(11) Accounting/Financial Systems: Offerors should state in this section whether their accounting/financial systems have been audited by a government agency or independent auditor.

e. Proposal Content Summary: You may be ineligible for award if all requirements of this FOA are not met on the proposal due date.

NOTE: Failure to provide adequately detailed cost proposal information will require the Agreements Officer to contact the offeror for any requisite information which may delay the award. All offerors are required to submit detailed cost information in their cost proposal that allows the Agreements Officer to determine that all proposed costs are allocable, allowable, and reasonable. Providing a detailed budget and budget narrative in accordance with the FOA will facilitate this cost analysis.

9. Funding Restrictions: None

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. Selection Criteria:

a. Primary Selection Criteria: Proposals will be reviewed using the criteria listed below. The primary selection criteria are of equal importance for evaluation.

i. Technical merits of the proposed research and development

a. Innovative membership model to reach self sustainability

b. Innovative approach to rapid project award

c. Governance structure

d. Portfolio management approach

ii. Potential relationship of the proposed research and development to Department of Defense missions.

a. Strategy for building consortium membership and cultivating broad-based innovation for AF digital transformation project needs

b. Demonstrated capabilities to build a broad digital transformation collaborative ecosystem

c. Plans to support interactions between consortium members

d. Tie to non-traditional industrial partners

b. Other Selection Criteria - Cost/Price: While of lesser importance to the primary criteria above, the realism of the proposed cost (to include cost sharing, consideration of proposed budgets, and funding profiles), will be considered.

2. Review and Selection Process

a. Categories: Based on the review above, proposals will be categorized as Selectable or Not Selectable (see definitions below). The selection of one or more sources for award will be based on this review.

i. Selectable: Proposals are recommended for acceptance if sufficient funding is available.

ii. Not Selectable: Even if sufficient funding existed, the proposal should not be funded.

Note: The Government reserves the right to award some, all, or none of proposals. When the Government elects to award only a part of a proposal, the selected part may be categorized as Selectable, though the proposal as a whole may not merit such a categorization.

3. No other criteria will be used.

4. Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) – In accordance with 41 U.S.C. 2313, the awarding agency (prior to making a Federal award with a total amount of Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold) is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS).

F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1. Award Notices: Offerors will be notified whether their proposal is recommended for award on or about 29 Apr 2022 The notification is not to be construed to mean that any assistance award is assured, as availability of funds and successful negotiations are prerequisites to any award.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: All consortium activity and projects will comply with all elements of ITAR regulations.

3. Reporting – Refer to Section B – Federal Award Information

G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACT(S)

Communication Between Prospective Offerors and Government Representatives:

Dialogue between prospective offerors and Government representatives is encouraged until submission of proposals. Responses to any inquiries must be conducted in writing, with answers provided to all prospective offerors. All written questions must be submitted by 15 Dec 2021 and responses to those questions will be posted by 17 Dec 2021 . 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 Agreements Officers are legally authorized to commit the Government.

Address technical questions to the Technical POC: Dennis Butcher, dennis.butcher.1@us.af.mil

Address contracting questions to the Contracting POC: Richard K. Porter, richard.porter.12@us.af.mil

ATTACHMENTS

List of Attachments:

1. Model Assistance Instrument(s)

2. Statement of Objective(s) (if attaching in lieu of including in the FOA)

3. Assistance Instrument Reps and Certs