ETHOS BAA Call 2.0 30July2020.pdf

As of 25 Jun 2020

1-Step Broad Agency Announcement

Overview Information

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

NAICS Code: The NAICS Code for this acquisition is:

541715 (Research and Technology in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) with the Aircraft, Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts exception), and the small business size standard is 1,500 employees.

Federal Agency Name: Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Force Research Laboratory, Aerospace Systems Directorate, AFRL/RQ

Broad Agency Announcement Title: Enabling Technologies for High-Speed Operable Systems (ETHOS),Call 002 Technology for Sustained Supersonic Combustion (TSCC)

Broad Agency Announcement Type: This is the Initial Announcement for Call

Moratorium on White Papers: Beginning from the date of publication of this Call and continuing until six months after the due date for proposals, no white papers submitted covering the topic specified in this Call, “Technology for Sustained Supersonic Combustion” will be reviewed. ETHOS Techincal Objective 1 – High Speed Experimental Sciences will be the only technical area involved in the moratorium.

Broad Agency Announcement Number: This is Call 002 against the initial BAA

FA8650-17-S-2002

Intent to Propose: Offerors that anticipate submitting a proposal are requested to submit an e-mail to Pam Bickel at pamela.bickel@us.af.mil containing the name of the contractor, the POC, and the contractor’s intent to submit a proposal. This “Intent to Propose” is requested by 14 August 2020, 3:00 p.m. local time.

Proposal Due Date and Time: 18 September 2020, 12:00 p.m. (Wright- Patterson AFB, OH local time). NOTE: Proposal receipt after the due date and time shall be governed by the provisions of FAR 52.215-1(c)(3). It should be noted that this installation observes strict security procedures to enter the facility. These security procedures are NOT considered an interruption of normal Government processes, and proposals received after the above stated date and time as a result of security delays will be considered “late.” Furthermore, note that if offerors utilize commercial carriers in the delivery of proposals, they may not honor time-of-day delivery guarantees on military installations. Be advised, if the U.S. Postal Service is used, this building only receives U.S. Postal Mail twice a week and delivery by that means may not meet the proposal due date and time. Early proposal submission is encouraged.

Submission: Proposals must be submitted to the Contracting Point of Contact (POC): Pam Bickel, AFRL/RQKPA, Bldg 45, 2130 8th St., Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7541. Proposals received via e-mail are considered non-compliant and, therefore, will NOT be accepted.

Solicitation Request: Air Force Research Laboratory, AFRL/RQ Aerospace Systems Directorate, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is soliciting technical and cost proposals on the research effort described below.

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 FAR 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. Cost share, cost plus fixed fee, and/or cost reimbursable no fee may be awarded. It is anticipated that awards under this Call will generally be Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts with cost plus fixed fee (CPFF) completion task orders (TO). The awards may be Multiple Award Fair Opportunity (MAFO). Cost reimbursement contracts require successful offerors to have an accounting system considered adequate for tracking costs applicable to the contract.

Estimated Program Cost: The IDIQ contracts will have a shared ceiling value of $75,782,841.00.

Anticipated Number of Awards: The Air Force anticipates awarding two (possibly up to four) IDIQ contracts and four initial task orders (TO) for this announcement. However, the Air Force reserves the right to award zero, one, or more contracts for all, some or none of the solicited effort based on the offeror’s ability to perform desired work and funding fluctuations.

Brief Program Summary: The Technology for Sustained Supersonic Combustion (TSSC) program will provide research and development (R&D) for investigation of basic concepts, components, sub-systems, and diagnostics, for high-speed air breathing propulsion systems, airframe structures, and internal/external aerodynamics including integration into air vehicles, weapons, and launch systems.

Communication Between Prospective Offerors and Government Representatives:

Dialogue between prospective offerors and Government Technical representatives is encouraged until submission of proposals. If not proprietary, questions and responses may be published via an amendment to this Call as deemed appropriate by the Contracting Officer. 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.

Address technical questions to the Technical POC:

Stephen Smith, Program Engineer, AFRL/RQHF, 1950 5th St., Bldg. 18, Wright- Patterson AFB OH 45433-7251, 937-255-7354, email address:

stephen.smith.63@us.af.mil

Address contracting questions to the Contracting POC: Pam Bickel/Contract Specialist, AFRL/RQKPA, 2130 8th St., Bldg. 45, Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433- 7251, 937-713-9953, email address: pamela.bickel@us.af.mil

Or

John McClellan, Procurement Contracting Officer, AFRL/RQKPA, 2130 8th St., Bldg.

45, Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433-7251, 937-713-9944, email address:

john.mcclellan.2@us.af.mil mailto:stephen.smith.63@us.af.mil mailto:pamela.bickel@us.af.mil mailto:john.mcclellan.2@us.af.mil

Full Text Announcement

I. Program Description: Air Force Research Laboratory, Aerospce Systems Directorate, High-Speed Division, AFRL/RQH is soliciting technical and cost proposals on the following research effort:

a. The Hypersonic Sciences Branch (RQHF) of the Aerospace Systems Directorate (RQ) currently located at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH is seeking R&D expertise for its in-house R&D program. This effort provides research and development for investigation of basic concepts, components, sub-systems, and diagnostics, for high-speed air breathing propulsion systems, airframe structures, and internal/external aerodynamics including integration into air vehicles, weapons, and launch systems. This program seeks to overcome the unique challenges associated with the high speed flight regime by utilizing numerical simulations and experimental results to define/solving fundamental problems, design innovative components, assess integration strategies, and evaluate the effectiveness of new designs.

b. The objectives of this program are divided into two distinct Technical Areas:

(1) Technical Area 1: Encompasses research into fundamental phenomena associated with developing and integrating high-speed air breathing propulsion systems, airframe structures and internal/external aerodynamics. Development of adequate computational analysis tools and experimental diagnostic and measurement techniques may also be required to properly investigate these areas.

(2) Technical Area 2: Focuses on development and evaluation of advanced aeropropulsion systems and components, airframe structures, internal/external aerodynamics including integration into air vehicles, weapons and launch components with an emphasis on decreasing weigh and evaluating the effect of engine scale to determine operability, durability and performance.

Aerodynamic and fluid/structural interaction research of airframe components in relevant environments is also a priority. Evaluation of propulsion integration strategies using modeling and simulation as well as experimental design and testing will be included. Development of technologies and methodologies critical to testing and evaluating the performance of advanced high speed systems, components and their integration may also be required.

1. Statement of Objective: See Attachment 5 for the IDIQ Statement of Work

(SOW) and Task Orders 0001-0004 Statement of Objectives (SOO). This effort falls within the SOO on the ETHOS AA (FA8650-17-S-2002), Technical Objective Area 1 – High Speed Experimental Sciences (applies to both TSSC Technical Areas 1 and 2)

2. Within Scope Modifications: Potential offerors are advised that due to the inherent uncertainty of research and development efforts, awards resulting from this announcement may be modified during performance to make within scope changes, to include but not limited to, modifications which increase overall contract ceiling amount.

3. Deliverable Items:

a. Data Items:

A001- Scientific and Technical Reports (Final Report) – End of Tech Effort A002- Funds and Man-hour Expenditure Report - Monthly A003- Contract Funds Status Report (CFSR) – Monthly A004- Status Report – Quarterly A005- Presentation Material – As Required A006- Engineering Drawings – As Generated A007- Test Plan – As Required

b. Software: To Be Determined (TBD) on individual TO, if applicable

c. Hardware: TBD on individual TO, if applicable

4. Schedule:

a. Overall effort:

- IDIQ Contracts: The contract period of performance (PoP) will be 84 months. The ordering period will be 60 months

- Task Orders 0001-0004:

The PoP for all four (4) task orders is 27 months, 24 months for technical effort and three (3) months for completing the final reports.

b. Data Items: Specified on individual CDRL(s)

c. Software: TBD on individual TO, if applicable

d. Hardware: TBD on individual TO, if applicable

5. Other Requirements:

a. This announcement incorporates FAR and supplement provisions and clauses by reference. The full text of provisions and clauses can be found at Acquisition.gov.

b. Program security classification: Secret – See Attachment 3 for DD254, Contract Security Classification Specification. Offerors must verify their Cognizant Security Office information is current with Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) at www.dcsa.mil.

c. OPSEC: Operations Security (OPSEC) requirements, per the ETHOS BAA, FA8650-17-S-2002, I.a. (Page 7), will be incorporated into the SOW.

d. Export Control: Information involved in this research effort may be subject to Export Control (International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) 22 CFR 120-131, or Export Administration Regulations (EAR) 15 CFR 710- 774). If effort may be subject to export control, then a Certified DD Form 2345, Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement, will be required to be submitted with proposal.

http://www.dcsa.mil/

e. Export-Controlled Items: As prescribed by DFARS 225.7901-4, DFARS 252.225-7048, “Export-Controlled Item (JUN 2013)” is contained in this solicitation. This clause shall be contained in ALL resulting contracts.

f. DFARS PGI 204.7108(B)(2) Payment Instructions (SEP 2018) and DFARS PGI 204.7108(D)(12) Payment Instructions (SEP 2018) will be applicable.

g. The following Section L –Provisions are applicable:

By Reference:

-52.203-18 Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require Certain

Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements – Representation (Jan 2017) -52.204-07 System for Award Management (Oct 2018) -52.215-22 Limitations on Pass-Through Charges—Identification of

Subcontract Effort (Oct 2009) -52.216-01 Type of Contract (Apr 1984) Type of Contract is “Cost Reimbursable, to include possiblity of Cost Plus

Fixed Fee (CPFF), Cost Sharing and/or Cost no fee type contracts” -52.216-27 Single or Multiple Awards (Oct 1995) -52.222-24 Preaward On-Site Equal Opportunity Compliance Evaluation

(Feb 1999) -52.233-02 Service of Protest (Sep 2006) Para (a) Official or location is “AFRL/RQKPA, 2130 8th St., WPAFB, OH

45433” -52.237-01 Site Visit (Apr 1984) -252.215-7008 Only One Offer (Jul 2019) -252.215-7009 Proposal Adequacy Checklist (Jan 2014) -252.215-7010 Requirements for Certified Cost or Pricing Data and Data Other Than Certified Cost or Pricing Data (Jul 2019) -252-227-7028 Technical Data or Computer Software Previously Delivered to the Government (Jun 1995) Full Text:

-52.252-01 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998) -52.252-05 Authorized Deviations in Provisions (Apr 1984) -L011 Applicable Clause (Apr 2013) -L021 Small Business and Small Disadvantaged Business (Oct 2005) -L037 DD Form 1423 (Feb 1997) -L045 Access to Air Force Computer Systems (Feb 2011)

6. Other Information:

a. Government Furnished Property (GFP) availability: GFP is not anticipated to be made available under TOs 0001-0004. However, it is TBD whether any will be made available under subsequent TOs. As a result, appropriate clauses are included in the model contract.

b. Base Support / Network Access is anticipated to be made available under this contract. If contractor determines use of available base support to be in their best interest, it must be included as such in the proposal. Use of available base support will not be assumed during technical evaluation unless proposed.

(1) Available Base Facilities: AFRL/RQH laboratory facilities, to include office space at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Area B, Buildings:

Building 18, rooms: A002, A006, A011, and A030, Lab facilities:

building 18B-Room 14, building 18C-RC18 & RC19, building 18#- RC22. The following can be made available, based on research goals, at AEDC: office space in bldg. 676 and 607, laboratory space utilizing Tunnel D in bldg. 607.

(2) It is the intention of the Aerospace Systems Directorate to make equally available these facilities to all offerors of this solicitation. The availability is subject to concurrence from the responsible facility manager on individual task orders.

NOTE: Due to COVID-19 pandemic, access to base facilities may be restricted.

All contractor personnel must comply with Government COVID-19 on-base requirements for documentation of working hours/locations, personal protection measures, and laboratory and office space access.

c. Multiple awards subject to Fair Opportunity(MAFO): Should there be more than two eligible offers under one technical area, then MAFO will be applicable.

d. Data Rights Desired:

(1) Noncommercial Technical Data: Unlimited Rights

(2) Noncommercial Computer Software (NCS): Unlimited Rights

(3) NCS Documentation: Unlimited Rights

(4) Commercial Computer Software Rights: Customary Commercial License consistent with Federal statutes and regulations

The Air Force Research Laboratory is engaged in the discovery, development, and integration of warfighting technologies for our air, space, and cyberspace forces. As such, rights in noncommercial technical data and NCS developed or delivered under this contract are of significant concern to the Government. The Government will therefore evaluate any restrictions on the use of noncommercial technical data, NCS, and NCS documentation which could result in transition difficulty or less-than full and open competition for subsequent development of this technology.

In accordance with DFARS 252.227-7013(b)(1) and 252.227-7014(b)(1), the Government shall receive unlimited rights in all noncommercial technical data and computer software developed exclusively with Government funds.

In accordance with DFARS 252.227-7013(b)(2) and DFARS 252.227- 7014(b)(2), the Government shall receive Government Purpose Rights in all noncommercial technical data and computer software developed with mixed funding. “Developed with mixed funding” means, “development was accomplished partially with costs charged to indirect cost pools and/or costs not allocated to a government contract, and partially with costs charged directly to a government contract. Offerors that propose delivery of noncommercial technical data, NCS, or NCS documentation subject to Government Purpose Rights should fully explain how a portion of the data was developed at private expense. Specifically, offerors must explain what noncommercial technical data, NCS, or NCS documentation developed with costs charged to indirect cost pools and/or costs not allocated to a Government contract will be incorporated, how the incorporation will benefit the program, and address whether those portions or processes are segregable.

Offerors that propose delivery of noncommercial technical data with Limited Rights, NCS with Restricted Rights, or NCS documentation with Limited Rights will be considered. Proposals should fully explain what noncommercial technical data, NCS, or NCS documentation developed with costs charged to indirect cost pools and/or costs not allocated to a Government contract will be incorporated and how the incorporation will benefit the program and whether those portions or processes are segregable.

Offerors shall include the data rights assertions as required by DFARS 252.227-7017, Identification and Assertion of Restrictions on the Government’s Use, Release, or Disclosure of Technical Data or Computer Software. The assertions list is included in Section K and due at time of proposals. Assertions must be completed with specificity. Each assertion must identify the technical data or computer software to be delivered and the associated item, component, or process developed exclusively or partially at private expense to which it pertains. Nonconforming data rights assertion lists will not be accepted until submitted in accordance with DFARS 252.227-7017.

Terms used in this section are defined in the clauses at 252.227-7013, Rights in Technical Data-Noncommercial Items, and 252.227-7014, Rights in Noncommercial Computer Software and Noncommercial Computer Software Documentation.

THIRD PARTY SOFTWARE (COMMERCIAL AND NONCOMMERCIAL):

If any such software, noncommercial or commercial, is not reasonably identifiable at proposal submission, it must still be approved by the contracting officer prior to incorporation. This obligation to obtain pre-approval by the contracting officer, as described above, continues throughout contract administration.

Noncommercial Computer Software:

DFARS 252.227-7014(d) describes requirements for incorporation of third party noncommercial copyrighted computer software and computer software documentation and is incorporated as follows:

The Contractor shall not, without the written approval of the Contracting Officer, incorporate any copyrighted computer software or computer software documentation in the software or documentation to be delivered under this contract unless the Contractor is the copyright owner or has obtained for the Government the license rights necessary to perfect a license or licenses in the deliverable software or documentation of the appropriate scope set forth in DFARS 252.227- 7014(b), and prior to delivery of such—

(1) Computer software, has provided a statement of the license rights obtained in a form acceptable to the Contracting Officer;

or

(2) Computer software documentation, has affixed to the transmittal document a statement of the license rights obtained.

In addition, all noncommercial computer software will receive the appropriate level rights set forth in DFARS 252-7014(b), which could include: Unlimited rights, GPR, Restricted Rights, or specifically negotiated license.

Commercial Computer Software:

For commercial computer software, the Government will neither accept nor execute a DD Form 250 for such software deliverables until the Contractor obtains from all third party software suppliers and/or vendors (Licensor) licenses for any commercial computer software to be delivered that are consistent with Federal Statutes, Federal Case Law, and Federal Regulations.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of terms and conditions which are inconsistent with Federal law and shall not be included in the commercial computer software license agreement between the Licensor and the Government:

1. The license shall not subject the Government to a contingent liability or a liability that is indefinite or indeterminate, including but not limited to: indemnification clauses, unilateral price increases, the right to attorney fees, automatic assessment of charges, or automatic renewal provisions. These provisions constitute obligations in advance or in excess of an appropriation and violate the Anti-Deficiency Act.

2. The license shall be governed by Federal Statutes, Federal Case Law, and Federal Regulations, and shall not be subject to the laws or jurisdiction of any municipality, state, or foreign country. The license shall not bind the Government to litigation in a particular forum or venue or require the Government to participate in arbitration.

3. The license shall not include non-substitution language that would preclude or limit the Government from using another vendor/reseller and/or product to fulfill Government requirements.

4. The Licensor shall not have the authority to unilaterally terminate the license. All remedies available shall be consistent with the Disputes and Termination Clauses in the underlying basic contract.

5. The Licensor shall not have the right to enter the premise or monitor Government networks for the purpose of auditing the use of the license.

6. The Licensor shall not have the authority to control or otherwise influence any litigation between a third party and the Government. The United States Department of Justice has the sole authority to represent the Government in all litigation matters.

7. The Licensor shall not use the fact that the Government is using the Licensor's products in any notification or advertisement to the public (e.g., no publicity rights permitted).

8. The license shall not require automatic updates or give Licensor the authority to unilaterally replace the software.

Additionally, the Contractor may be required to obtain licenses that comply with the following terms and conditions, based on the Government’s needs:

1. [IF APPLICABLE] The license shall not disclaim all warranties through use of an “as is” provision.

2. [IF APPLICABLE] The license shall neither restrict the Government from using the product at various sites nor limit use of the product by various Government agencies or third parties performing work on behalf of the Air Force under the [PROGRAM NAME]. In performance of the [PROGRAM NAME], Government personnel as well as Government contractors may use the software, subject to any negotiated limits on number of users, as applicable.

3. [IF APPLICABLE] [The license shall not limit the Government’s use of the software at other Government and Government contractor sites.] [The license shall authorize the Government to use the software at the following sites: [list].

4. [IF APPLICABLE] The license shall not restrict the Government from copying or embedding elements of accessible code into other applications (e.g., nesting code, derivative works).

The Contractor may obtain agreement from the Licensor to insert the clause below in its respective software licenses intended to be transferred to the Government:

“In the event that any of the provisions of the [Software License] are determined to be inconsistent with Federal law or do not otherwise satisfy the Government's needs, the parties to the [Software License] hereby agree that such provisions shall be null and void as they pertain to the Government. Specifically, the following sections are hereby deleted from the [Software License] [and/or amended as indicated below]:

[Section X: deleted; Section Y: amended as follows […]”

If the Licensor will not agree to the terms and conditions cited herein and/or as contained in DFARS 227.72, the Contractor shall retain the current license on behalf of and for the benefit of the US Government if permissible under its license and such use will not subject the Government to the terms of the license. If the software in question is required to be delivered to the Government, the Licensor must grant the Government a sublicense that allows the Government to use the software to meet its requirements.

The Contractor shall provide documentation to clearly correlate or map any commercial computer software to be delivered to:

a) Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINS);

b) Contract Deliverables (CDRLS);

c) Paragraphs in the statement of work (SOW); and

d) Portions of any functional block diagrams and/or system architecture diagrams, so that it can be readily determined where certain commercial computer software corresponding to certain software license agreement(s) are physically located on the system to be delivered under the contract.

II. Award Information

1. Anticipated Award Date: 5 November 2020

2. Anticipated funding for the program (shared ceiling; not per contract):

a.

FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24

$2,550,416 $9,624,327 $99,724,300 $9,585,772 $9,802,952

FY25 FY26 FY27 TOTAL

$10,407,571 $11,743,875 $12,343,628 $75,782,841

This funding profile is an estimate only and not a contractual obligation for funding. All fundingis 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.

b. Task Orders 0001 – 0004 are anticipated to be Cost Plus Fixed Fee and anticipated to be funded at $2,505,000, $5,712,546, $5,887,121, and $5,548,572, each. The proposed funding profile is as follows:

Task Order FY20 FY21 FY22 Total -0001 $325,000 $1,104,000 $1,076,000 $2,505,000 -0002 $738,750 $2,824,525 $2,149,271 $5,712,546 -0003 $1,071,916 $2,899,975 $1,915,230 $5,887,121 -0004 $415,000 $2,795,827 $2,337,745 $5,548,572

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Offeror: This is an unrestricted solicitation. Small businesses are encouraged to propose.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost Sharing is not required.

3. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers: The following guidance is provided for Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) contemplating submitting a proposal, as either a prime or subcontractor. FAR 35.017-1(c)(4) prohibits an FFRDC from competing with any non-FFRDC concern in response to a Federal agency request for proposal for other than the operation of an FFRDC (with exceptions stated in DFARS 235.017-1(c)(4)). There is no regulation prohibiting an FFRDC from responding to a solicitation. However, the FFRDC’s sponsoring agency must first make a determination that the effort being proposed falls within the purpose, mission, general scope of effort, or special competency of the FFRDC, and that determination must be included in the FFRDC’s proposal.

In addition, AFRL must make a determination that the work proposed would not place the FFRDC in direct competition with domestic private industry.

Only after these determinations are made, would a determination be made concerning the FFRDC’s eligibility to receive an award.

4. Government Agencies: If a Government agency is interested in performing work, contact the Program Manager identified in the BAA. 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: Foreign Nationals (FNs) can be employed by the US

Prime Contractor or Subcontractor; however, FNs will be limited to Public Domain Information.

b. This acquisition involves data that are 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, Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement, with your proposal.

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

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

IV. Proposal 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.

https://www.dla.mil/HQ/LogisticsOperations/Services/JCP/SpecificDD2345Instructions.aspx mailto:JCP-Helpdesk@dla.mil

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

For additional information, a copy of the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Guide for Industry is located at http://www.wpafb.af.mil/Portals/60/documents/afrl/AFRL-broad-agency-announcement-guide.pdf?

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

a. General Instructions:

i. Offerors should apply the restrictive notice prescribed in FAR 52.215- 1(e) Instructions to Offerors—Competitive Acquisition. Offerors should consider proposal instructions contained in the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Guide for Industry, which can be accessed on line at http://www.wpafb.af.mil/Portals/60/documents/afrl/AFRL-broad-agency-announcement-guide.pdf.

This guide is specifically designed to assist the offeror in understanding the BAA proposal process.

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 FA8650-17-S- 2002, Technical Area and Task Order. To be eligible for award, the contractor must propose for the Basic IDIQ and at least one (1) task order.

iv. Offerors must submit one-original and 1 hard copy of their proposals to the Contracting POC.

v. Offerors must include two (2) CDs in Microsoft Office or Adobe format containing all electronic versions of required submittals. All electronic versions must match the hard copies. If there is a discrepancy between hard copies and electronic copies, the hard copies will take precedence.

a) The cost file(s) spreadsheets must be in Microsoft Excel and include the formulas for calculating cost element bases (i.e., G&A, O/H, etc.)

b) The CDs should be labeled with the company name and proposal title.

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

vii. The cost of preparing proposals in response to this BAA 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 as specified in FAR 31.205-18.

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

viii. No classified technical proposals or cost volumes are expected.

Offerors are encouraged to keep all elements of the proposal package unclassified. In the rare case where an offeror has a need to submit a classified appendix, please contact the technical POC for delivery instructions.

b. Offerors must propose to a task order to be considered for an IDIQ award:

i. Basic IDIQ

a) Basic IDIQ proposal-Technical and Management

b) Basic IDIQ Statement of Work (SOW) in response to applicable

Statement of Objectives (SOO)

c) Basic IDIQ Business Proposal (including Subcontracting Plan, if applicable, in accordance with FAR 19.7)

ii. Task Order (TO) 0001

a) TO 0001 Proposal-Technical and Management

b) TO 0001 SOW in response to applicable SOO

c) TO 0001 Cost (TO only) and Business Proposal

iii. TO 0002

a) TO 0002 Proposal-Technical and Management

b) TO 0002 SOW in response to applicable SOO

c) TO 0002 Cost (TO only) and Business Proposal

iv. TO 0003

a) TO 0003 Proposal-Technical and Management

b) TO 0003 SOW in response to applicable SOO

c) TO 0003 Cost (T.O. only) and Business Proposal

v. TO 0004

a) TO 0004 Proposal-Technical and Management

b) TO 0004 SOW in response to applicable SOO

c) TO 0004 Cost (TO only) and Business Proposal

c. Technical/Management Proposal:

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

a) The Technical/Management Proposal shall be limited to 25 pages pages, per Technical Area, for the Basic IDIQ; and the Technical/Management Proposal shall be limited to 15 pages each for TO 0001, TO 0002, TO 0003, and TO 0004 with the pages, prepared and submitted in Microsoft Word format.

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

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

d) 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.

e) 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.

f) Each Technical Area Basic proposal pages shall be numbered starting with the cover page being Page 1, and the last page being no greater than Page 25. Each Task Order proposal shall be numbered starting with the cover page being Page 1, and the last page being no greater than Page 15. The page limitation covers all information including indices, photographs, foldouts (counted as 1 page for each 8.5 by 11 portion) tables, charts, appendices, attachments, etc.

g) 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 is limited to 12 pages each for both the Basic and individual Task Order(s).

h) 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.

ii. The Technical/Management proposal(s) for the Basic IDIQ, TO 0001, TO 0002, TO 0003, and TO 0004 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 should also be included as attachments to the technical proposal. These volumes shall include a SOW detailing the technical tasks proposed to be accomplished under the proposed effort and suitable for contract incorporation. Do not include any proprietary information in the SOW. Refer to the BAA Guide for Industry referenced above to assist in SOW preparation. In addition to the contractor proposed SOW, Attachment 6 to the BAA contains additional contracting requirements will be included in any resulting contracts.

iii. Any questions concerning the technical proposal or SOW preparation shall be referred to the Technical POC.

d. Cost/Business Proposal:

a) Separate the proposal into a business section and cost section.

Adequate price competition is anticipated.

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b) See Attachment 1 for the Model IDIQ Contract. Note that the document awarded may include contract line items (CLINs)/clauses/articles in addition to those in the model, and/or some of the CLIN/clauses/articles in the model may be deleted, depending on the specific circumstances of the individual award.

Any additions or deletions will be negotiated with the offeror prior to award.

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

d) Associate Contractor Agreements: Associate Contractor Agreements (ACAs) are agreements between contractors working on Government contracts that require 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.

e) Identify any technical data that will be delivered with less than unlimited rights.

f) Subcontracting Plans: For efforts to exceed $700,000, Subcontracting Plans shall be submitted in the cost/business proposal. Reference FAR 19.704 and DFARS 219.704 for subcontracting plan requirements. Small business concerns are exempt from this requirement. If an IDIQ contract arrangement is anticipated, the basis for the subcontracting plan should reflect the entire IDIQ ceiling amount.

g) Limitations on Pass-Through Charges: As prescribed in FAR 15.408(n)(1) & 15.408(n)(2), provisions 52.215-22, “Limitations on Pass Through Charges- Identification of Subcontract Effort (Oct 2009),” apply.

h) Completed Certifications and Representations (Section K) are due with the proposal. Certifications and Representations (Section K) can be found included in the model contract. Offerors may also be required to submit updated or supplemental Certifications and Representations based on the specifics of their proposal.

i) If an offeror proposes the use of Government Furnished Property (GFP), other than GFP identified in the BAA, the offer must specifically identify each piece of GFP in the Cost/Business Proposal and propose and substantiate a rental cost for evaluation purposes in accordance with FAR 45.202. Include the following information in the proposal:

(i) A list describing all Government property that the offeror or its subcontractors propose to use on a rent-free basis. 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);

(ii) The dates during which the property will be used and, for any property that will be used concurrently in performing two or more contracts, the amounts of the respective uses in sufficient detail to support prorating the rent;

(iii) The amount of rent that would otherwise be charged in accordance with FAR 52.245-9, Use and Charges; and

(iv) 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.

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 contractor fiscal year (CFY). Detailed cost element breakdowns by Government Fiscal Year or calendar year are not required. The supporting schedules may include summary level estimating rationale used to generate the proposed costs. The cost element breakdown(s) should include the following if applicable.

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

b) 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 Contracting Officer’s (ACO'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.

c) 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.

d) Subcontractor Costs: Submit all subcontractor proposals and analyses with your cost proposal (See FAR 15.404-3(b)). If the subcontractor will not submit cost and pricing information to the offeror, this information must be submitted directly to the Government for analysis. On all subcontracts and interdivisional transfers, provide the method of selection used to determine the subcontractor and the proposed contract type of each subcontract.

An explanation shall be provided if the offeror proposes a different amount than that quoted by the subcontractor. The offeror’s proposal must:

(i) Identify principal items/services to be subcontracted.

(ii) Identify prospective subcontractors and the basis on which they were selected. If non-competitive, provide selected source justification

(iii) Identify the type of contractual business arrangement contemplated for the subcontract and provide rationale

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

(v) Identify the cost or pricing data submitted by the subcontractor.

(vi) Provide an analysis of the proposed subcontract in accordance with FAR 15.404-3(b). Provide an analysis concerning the reasonableness, realism and completeness of each subcontractor’s proposal. If the analysis is based on comparison with prior prices, identify the basis on which the prior prices were determined to be reasonable. The analysis should include, but not be limited to, an analysis of: materials, labor, travel, other direct costs and proposed profit or fee rates.

e) Special Tooling or Test Equipment: When special tooling, and/or test equipment is proposed, attach a brief description of items and indicate if they are solely for the performance of this particular contract or project and if they are or are not already available in the offeror's existing facilities. Indicate quantities, unit prices, whether items are to be purchased or fabricated, whether items are of a severable nature and the basis of the price. These items may be included under Direct Material in the summary format.

f) Consultants: When consultants are proposed to be used in the performance of the contract, indicate the specific project or area in which such services are to be used. Identify each consultant, number of hours or days to be used and the consultant's rate per hour or day. State the basis of said rate and give your analysis of the acceptability of the consultant's rate.

g) Travel: Travel costs must be justified and related to the needs of the project. 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.

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

i) Facilities Capital Cost of Money: If Facilities Capital Cost of Money is proposed, a properly executed DD Form 1861 is required.

j) 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.

k) If an offeror takes exceptions to the requirements called out in the announcement (e.g., base support, Government-furnished property (GFP), CDRLs), the exceptions should be clearly stated in the cost proposal.

l) 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.

m) Cost/Business proposals have no page limitations.

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

V. Proposal Review Information

1. Peer or Scientific Review Relative Order of Importance: Offerors must have a selected Task Order to be eligible for a Basic IDIQ award.

- Basic IDIQ Peer or Scientific Review is of equal importance to TO -0001, -0002, -0003, and -0004 Peer or Scientific Reviews

-TO -0001, -0002, -0003, and -0004 Peer or Scientific Reviews are of equal importance to each other

2. Peer or Scientific Review Criteria: Proposals will be reviewed using the criteria listed below. The technical aspect, which is ranked as the first order of priority, shall be reviewed based on the following criteria that are of equal order of importance.

Basic IDIQ:

a. Technical:

i. Unique and innovative approach proposed to accomplish the technical objectives. New and creative solutions and/or advances in knowledge, understanding, technology, and the state of the art.

ii. The offeror’s understanding of the scope of the technical effort.

iii. Soundness of the offeror’s technical approach including whether the proposal identifies major technical risks, clearly defines feasible mitigation efforts, and demonstrates related experience and qualifications of technical personnel.

iv. The potential to transition the research and development deliverables to future Government needs. Any proposed restriction on technical data or computer software will be considered.

Task Order Proposals: Proposals will be evaluated against the criterial listed below. The technical aspect, which is ranked as the first order of priority, shall be evaluated based on the following criteria that are of equal order of importance.

a. Technical:

i. Unique and innovative approach proposed to accomplish the technical objectives. New and creative solutions and/or advances in knowledge, understanding, technology, and the state of the art.

ii. The offeror’s understanding of the scope of the technical effort.

iii. Soundness of the offeror’s technical approach including the SOW and whether the proposal identifies major technical risks, clearly defines feasible mitigation efforts, and demonstrates related experience and qualifications of technical personnel.

iv. The potential to transition the research and development deliverables to future Government needs. Any proposed restriction on technical data or computer software will be considered.

b. Cost/Price: The cost/price criterion includes the realism of the proposed cost. Cost/Price is a substantial factor, but ranked as the second order of priority. (If an offeror proposes the use of GFP other than any GFP identified in this BAA, and that proposed GFP provides the offeror an unfair competitive advantage, then FAR

45.202 requires rental equivalent be applied to the Cost Factor for evaluation purposes only).

3. Review and Selection Process

a. Categories: Based on the Peer or Scientific Review, proposals will be categorized as Highly Recommended, Selectable or Not Selectable (see definitions below). The selection of one or more sources for award will be based on the Peer or Scientific Review, as well as importance to agency programs and funding availability.

i. Highly Recommended: Proposals are recommended for acceptance if sufficient funding is available, and normally are displaced only by other Highly Recommended proposals.

ii. Selectable: Proposals are recommended for acceptance if sufficient funding is available, but at a lower priority than Highly Recommended Proposals. May require additional development. To ensure a diversity of approaches, a Selectable proposal may be prioritized above a Highly Recommended proposal if the Selectable proposal presents a unique approach unlike any of the Highly Recommended proposals.

iii. 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.

b. No other criteria will be used.

c. Prior to award of a potentially successful offer, the Contracting Officer will make a determination regarding price reasonableness.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices: Offerors will be notified whether their proposal is recommended for award on or about 22 October 2020. The notification is not to be construed to mean that any contract award is assured, as availability of funds and successful negotiations are prerequisites to any award.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: See Section I.

3. Reporting: See Section I.3.a., CDRLs

VII. Other Information

1. Acquisition of Commercial Items: Based upon market research, the Government is not using the policies contained in Part 12, Acquisition of

Commercial Items, in this solicitation. However, interested offerors may identify to the Contracting Officer their interest and capability to satisfy the Government’s requirement with a commercial item within 15 days of this notice.

2. Support Contractors: Only Government employees will participate in Peer…