F02 FOA Amend 1.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES

1155 DEFENSE PENTAGON

WASHINGTON, DC 20301-1155

ACQUISITION

DIRECTORATE

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

FEDERAL AGENCY NAME: Washington Headquarters Services Acquisition Directorate

(WHS/AD)

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY TITLE: Commercial Technologies for Maintenance Activities (CTMA) Managing Partner Cooperative Agreement

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Initial Announcement

CFDA NUMBER: 12.225

KEY DATES: Questions Due: 3 January 2020 Application Due: 21 January 2020

CONCISE DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to provide an assistance mechanism for the CTMA program to stimulate research, development, evaluation, integration and deployment of innovative maintenance and sustainment capabilities for the primary benefit of the public using a broad range of DoD sustainment and warfighter support operations as the test bed. Thus, the goal of this FOA is to leverage and advance commercial developments in maintenance and sustainment technology and processes for the primary benefit of U.S. industry and the public applying the research, development, evaluation, integration, and deployment to DoD issues – to reduce costs, improve system/platform operational availabilities, increase systems reliability, improve logistical support efficiency and effectiveness, improve the planning and execution of sustainment operations, increase the resiliency of the sustainment industrial base, improve environmental compliance, and increase sustainment personnel competency and safety.

TOTAL POTENTIAL AWARD AMOUNT (CEILING, SEE PARAGRAPH 2.0)

$900,000,000.00

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The anticipated period of performance is 12 March 2020 – 11 March 2025.

ANTICIPATED AMOUNTS AND/OR NUMBER OF INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

One (1) Federal Assistance Award

TYPE OF INSTRUMENT THAT MAY BE AWARDED

Cooperative Agreement

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY

Unrestricted

COST SHARING

Cost sharing is not required for applicants to be considered for award, but highly encouraged.

SECTION A: PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

1. BACKGROUND OF THE CTMA

This Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense/Materiel Readiness (ODASD/MR) established the Commercial Technologies for Maintenance Activities (CTMA) program for the research, development, evaluation, integration, and deployment of technologies and processes to support weapon system and component sustainment, maintenance, obsolescence management, reliability improvement and other relevant factors that ultimately support the warfighter and weapon system performance for the DoD. The mission of the CTMA program is to advance the state of maintenance and sustainment to the benefit of the U.S. industry and public and to provide technology development and insertion in support of the availability and sustainment of ships, submarines, aircraft, land vehicles, non-traditional weapons systems and warfighter support systems.

2. AGENCY TECHNICAL PRIORITIES

This recipient will develop and manage collaborative project teams from private industry, research organizations, government and academia with the intent of improving processes and technologies for the primary benefit of the U.S. industry and public by using DoD as a test bed for a broad range of sustainment, performance and operational needs. The recipient sought for this FOA will provide leadership to improve technology innovations in a broad variety DoD needs for research, development, and deployment of technology. Funds provided will be based on the ability of the recipient to identify customer needs, develop collaborative initiatives and teams from DoD and industry, and obtain the necessary resources from DoD and industry resource sponsors.

3. HISTORY OF THE PROGRAM

The CTMA program was authorized under a Congressional mandate in 1994. Since its inception, the Program has partnered with a managing partner through cooperative agreement to find new innovations in the areas of maintenance and sustainment. This field is constantly evolving, and in a time for fiscal constraint, more research is needed to find continued innovations and efficiencies.

4. PAST PROJECT EXAMPLES

Samples of past projects modified onto the cooperative agreement include the following:

• Joint Maintenance Data Enterprise Interoperability: This initiative will develop a joint concept of operations (CONOPS) for sharing logistics information across a coalition enterprise in a secured cloud-enabled environment and demonstrate the capability to transmit, receive and manipulate this information between a minimum of two separate maintenance organizations in a logistics exercise that simulates operational conditions.

• Expeditionary Fluid Analysis Capability: This initiative complements and leverages the efforts of the Expeditionary Fluid Assessment Support Team to develop and identify the specifications and requirement for expeditionary fluid analysis.

• Test and Evaluation of the Industrial Human Augmentation System for Corrosion Control Application: The focus of this effort is to enable the heavy maintenance community to adopt iHAS-like capabilities to the benefit of their maintainers and business enterprise.

5. SCOPE OF THE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT

The purpose of this FOA is to provide an assistance mechanism for the CTMA program to stimulate research, development, evaluation, integration, and deployment of maintenance and sustainment capabilities for the primary benefit of the public using a broad range of DoD sustainment and warfighter support operations as the test bed. Thus, the goal of this FOA is to leverage and advance commercial developments in maintenance and sustainment technologies and processes for the primary benefit of U.S. industry and the public applying the research, development, evaluation, integration, and deployment to DoD issues – to reduce costs, improve system/platform operational availabilities, increase systems reliability, improve logistical support efficiency and effectiveness, increase the resiliency of the sustainment industrial base, improve environmental compliance and increase sustainment personnel competency and safety.

A key goal within the Defense Sustainment Technology Research, Development, and Deployment Program is the establishment of a robust collaborative environment with private industry participants to perform DoD-relevant research, development, evaluation and deployment. To accomplish these objectives, ODASD/MR is seeking a recipient with broad, cross-industry experience, specifically in manufacturing, advanced maintenance concepts, tools, technologies and manufacturing performance technologies. The recipient must also possess a depth of experience working with DoD related maintenance and sustainment activities and supporting organizations. This recipient will develop and manage collaborative project teams from private industry, research organizations, government and academia with the intent of improving processes and technologies used by the public and DoD for a broad range of sustainment, performance and operational needs. The recipient sought for this FOA will provide leadership to improve technology innovations in a broad variety of industry and DoD needs for research, development, and deployment of technology. Since no funding is provided to support this FOA, it is the recipient’s responsibility to coordinate funding commitments from Government sponsors and cost share from industry/academia in support of proposed CTMA initiatives. Based on prior similar CTMA agreements, a recipient that excels in forming collaborative projects can achieve $50M per year or greater in Government sponsorship and an additional substantial percentage of that in industry cost share.

6. GENERAL PROGRAM MANAGEMENT/GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT

This FOA encompasses a broad research, development, evaluation, integration, and deployment program which will include a number of individual research projects which are executed by forming team collaborations between the recipient, private industry/academia participants and the appropriate government representatives. Activities within this FOA shall be performed within the following programmatic requirements:

7. PROJECT IDENTIFICATION/SELECTION

On an ongoing basis, the recipient shall work with the appropriate government personnel to perform analysis of potential sustainment improvement projects. The purpose of this analysis is to make a determination on which projects to undertake based upon: (1) Perceived Benefit to industry, public, and DoD; (2) Confidence Level in Success of Research Activities; and (3) Available Funding. Throughout each year, CTMA shall solicit potential projects from the

DoD community. Based upon this input, the recipient shall develop an individual project concept for selected candidate efforts. Each project concept shall contain:

• Overview of the proposed project: The technology gap and the public purpose

• Background information relevant to the proposed project

• Purpose of the project (which includes a statement of the problem and broad description of the solution being undertaken)

• Relation to the sustainment community’s need to improve operations to meet readiness, cost, schedule or safety goals

• Scope (includes a more detailed statement on the solution)

• Project deliverables

• Project budget based on sponsor commitments from DoD/government and cost share from industry/academia (adequate break down to determine fair and reasonable)

• Period of Performance

• Expected benefits to DoD

• Expected benefits To Industry and the public (how is public/industry primary beneficiary)

• Project Participants and Roles and rationale for final sub awardee participants selection

(subject to Government approval)

8. SUB-AWARDEES

The recipient will ensure that sub-awardees are selected competitively and that their technologies, processes and capabilities represent best value to the sponsoring Government activity. Evaluation criteria and competition parameters used for selection of sub-awardees for each project will be pre-approved by the Government and must at least include a price factor. Final sub-awardee selection and corresponding rationale for the choice must be reviewed and approved by the Government. Additionally, the recipient may not require industry partners pay a consortium fee or dues in order to participate on a collaborative CTMA initiative. Lastly, the recipient will ensure there is a process in place for non-successful sub-awardees to resolve disputes on not being selected as a project participant.

9. INTEGRATED PROCESS TEAM

On an ongoing basis, the selection of a project shall be made by the IPT consisting of representatives from ODASD/MR and other relevant members of the DoD community as necessary. Decisions on project selections will be based upon the project concept produced by the recipient as well as the funding available. The recipient will only undertake projects selected by the IPT.

10. PROJECT EXECUTION

Upon IPT approval of project plans, the recipient shall form individual collaborative focus teams to perform the work for each project. The recipient shall independently sub-award to each participant within the limits of the available project funding following the aforementioned process. The recipient shall perform all project management functions and provide all project resources to ensure all project efforts meet cost, schedule and deliverables, outlined in the project concept. The recipient shall also manage subawards with the project team as well as manage the accounting of all efforts in support of the Cooperative Agreement. The recipient shall include appropriate government personnel at project meetings and provide quarterly project progress reports to the IPT. Upon completion of projects, the recipient shall provide a comprehensive final report detailing the outcome of the project and all deliverables.

SECTION B: FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

1. ESTIMATED TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT

$900,000,000.00, or approximately $180,000,000.00 per year for five (5) years.

2. ANTICIPATED NUMBER OF AWARDS

One (1) cooperative agreement award, with in-scope post-award modifications to add new projects.

3. ESTIMATED RANGE OF FUNDING PER AWARD

Historically, projects have ranged in cost from $100,000.00 to over $20,000,000.00, but typical projects are within the range of $1,000,000.00 to $10,000,000.00.

4. INSTRUMENT CHOICE RATIONALE

This Cooperative Agreement being awarded through this FOA will have substantial government involvement. The awardee will serve as a managing partner with the Government, including working with the Government to determine the merits of research ideas, and choosing sub-awardees. The Government will have final choice on all projects going onto the CA.

5. CONTRACTED FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH

The research conducted under the resultant cooperative agreement does not meet the definition of “contracted fundamental research” as defined in (see USD AT&L) memo of May 24, 2010: Subject Fundamental Research.

SECTION C: ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS

There are no restrictions on who may apply to this opportunity.

2. COST SHARING

Cost sharing is not required for submitters to be considered for award, but highly encouraged.

3. ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

The Program Office is soliciting a full proposal in response to this announcement. The intent is to select a single organization to be the Managing Partner. Organizations interested in becoming the Managing Partner, in cooperation with the CTMA Program Office, should provide information that addresses their vision, experience and qualifications to administer and grow complex public-private organizations including: 1) technical merits of the organization related to the the proposed research and development and 2) potential relationship of proposed research and development to Defense missions; 3) risk associated with the quality of management systems and the ability to meet the management standards as described at 2 CFR 200.205 4) cost (these four factors are discussed in Section E of this Funding Opportunity Announcement). Proposals will be reviewed by a panel of experts who will evaluate the responses based on the factors and criteria listed in Section E of this announcement. Applicants who receive a rating of Marginal or Unacceptable in any factor is ineligible for award. Applicants who do not submit the proposal in accordance with the submission instructions are also ineligible for award. Results of the review will be summarized and presented to the selection official for final decisions.

SECTION D: APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. APPLICATION PACKAGE ADDRESS

All application materials and frequently asked questions on grants submission can be found at the following site: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-resources.html

2. CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

a. Proposals and application documents should be submitted in an electronic format compatible with Microsoft Word (.doc) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) software. All applicants must submit the mandatory forms for this announcement [includes the SF-424 (R&R) (Application for Federal Assistance), R&R Other Project Information and forms] in accordance with the application instructions on Grants.gov. Use the optional “Attachments” form to include any other document(s) not specifically identified elsewhere in this funding opportunity. If submitting any information that is deemed proprietary, please denote the beginning and ending of such information with asterisks (***). The Government will safeguard all proprietary information received from the Applicant.

b. All applications must be self-contained within specified page limitations. Internet website addresses (URLs) may not be used to provide information necessary to the review because reviewers are under no obligation to view the Internet sites.

c. It is essential that all applications be complete and accurate at the time of submission.

The Government reserves the right to reject applications that are incomplete or that do not comply with submission instructions.

d. Upon receipt of each proposal, Applicants will be notified via email of receipt of their proposal. If notification is not received within one (1) hour from the cut-off time Proposals are due, the Applicant should contact the Grant Specialist.

e. Proposals shall be submitted electronically, in accordance with the requirements set forth in this Section of this Funding Opportunity Announcement.

f. Format and Technical Content of Applications

i. Each proposal should be in 12 point font (maximum of 12 characters per inch), single-spaced, in 8½ x 11 inch paper format. The length, including abstract and text should not exceed 20 pages. The Government is not obligated to evaluate beyond the http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-resources.html specified page limit. Attachments, such as institutional brochures or reprints, will not be considered in the evaluation of selection process.

ii. Preparation of Proposals in response to this Funding Opportunity Announcement will require no involvement and/or input from the current CTMA staff. Requested information will summarize the management and technical approaches of the proposing entity.

iii. Proposals shall include the following:

• Cover Letter: This letter shall be addressed to Mr. Greg Kilchenstein, CTMA

Program Manager, and be from the entity that is interested in becoming the Managing Partner. It shall contain an expression of the entity’s interest to become the Managing Partner, in cooperation with the Program Office, in the cooperative execution of the CTMA program, as well as a summary of the information contained in the proposal.

• Evaluation Factors: This section shall contain information specifically addressing the selection criteria described under “Evaluation Criteria” in Section E of this Funding Opportunity Announcement. Where appropriate, information addressing evaluation criteria shall be supported with documentation.

• Supporting Information: The proposed objective should be the performance of business management, administration, and organizational efforts in support of the CTMA and the program goals delineated in Program Guidelines. For this reason, the proposals must adequately describe the proposed business management, administration, and organizational objectives, approach and expected outcomes.

g. 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. To enable this assessment, each application must include the following forms completed as indicated.

i. Research and Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) form:

The Degree Type and Degree Year fields on the Research and Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) form 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 on the form. Additional senior/key persons can be added by selecting the "Next Person" button.

ii. Research and Related Personal Data form:

This 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.

3. UNIQUE ENTITY IDENTIFIER AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT

a. Several one-time actions must be completed in order to submit an application through

Grants.gov. These include obtaining a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, registering with the System for Award Management (SAM), registering with the credential provider, and registering with Grants.gov. See http://www.grants.gov/GetStarted.

b. The awardee shall use the Grants.gov organization Registration Checklist at http://www.grants.gov/applicants/register_your_organization.jsp, which will provide guidance through the process. Designating an E-Business Point of Contact (EBiz POC) and obtaining a special password called “MPIN” are important steps in the SAM registration process. Applicants who are not registered with SAM and Grant.gov should allow at least 21 days for completing these requirements. The process should be started as soon as possible. Any questions relating to the registration process, system requirement, how an application form works, or the submittal process must be directed to Grants.gov at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Successful Applicants not already registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) will be required to register in SAM prior to award of any grant, or cooperative agreement. Information on SAM registration is available at https://www.sam.gov.

c. Special Notice regarding a Waiver of Grants.gov submission requirement: If an Applicant is unable to comply with the requirement to use Grants.gov, for submission of a grant application under this FOA or finds it would be an excessive burden to comply with this requirement, a waiver request may be submitted. Such request should be submitted by the Electronic Business Point of Contact listed in the SAM for the organization and should contain the Organization/Individual’s name, address, telephone number, and email address. The request should state the reason for the request in sufficient detail so a decision can be made. The Waiver Request should be submitted to the cognizant Contract Specialist. Such request can be sent by email or registered mail. A decision and response will be issued within 14 calendar days of receipt of the request by the cognizant Contract Specialist. Foreign Grantees who are not registered in SAM may request a waiver on that basis since SAM registration is integral to the Grants.gov application process. If the waver is approved, DoD will provide a packet of all required documents and submission instructions via email or in hard copy via registered mail.

4. SUBMISSION DATE/TIME

Questions Due: 3 January 2020 Applications Due: 21 January 2020 http://www.grants.gov/GetStarted http://www.grants.gov/applicants/register_your_organization.jsp mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.sam.gov/

The announced Application due date and procedures for submission will be strictly observed.

Applications addressed in other than the format specified, or delivery to locations other than specified herein, will result in late delivery. Applications received after the established time and date above will not be considered; the burden of timely delivery (including requests for delivery confirmation) is on the Applicant. The application due date is determined by the timestamp and date of the Applicant’s submission on https://www.grants.gov/. Applications received after the due date and timestamp will not be considered.

5. EXECUTIVE ORDER 12372

This funding opportunity is not subject to Executive Order 12372 (see https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html)

6. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

There are no restrictions on funding for this requirement. Appropriate funding determination will be made on a case by case basis for each individual project applied to the Cooperative Agreement.

7. OTHER SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND INFORMATION

a. Physical/facsimile delivery by the Applicant is not authorized and will not be accepted.

b. Amendments to Announcements

i. If this announcement is amended, then all terms and conditions, which are not amended, shall remain unchanged. Applicants shall acknowledge receipt of any amendments to this Funding Opportunity Announcement by: (1) identifying the amendment in its application, or (2) by separate letter upon receipt of the amendment.

The Government must receive the acknowledgment by the date/time specified for receipt of applications.

c. Modifications, and Withdrawals of Applications

i. The announced Application due date and procedures for guaranteeing timely submission of Applications shall also be applied to those Applicants submitting modifications to or withdrawals of Applications.

d. Protests

i. The decision of the Grants Officer relative to any protest filed will be final unless the protester appeals to the WHS/AD Competition Advocate:

Mr. David Kao Deputy Director, WHS/AD 4800 Mark Center Drive, Suite 09F09 Alexandria, VA 22350 https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html

ii. The Recipient shall proceed diligently with preparation of its Application(s) or performance under an award, pending final resolution of any request for relief, appeal, or action arising under the award, and comply with any decision of the Grants Officer.

8. CERTIFICATIONS

a. Applicants must submit the SF424B – Assurances – Non-Contraction programs form, which is a separate form in the application package.

b. By signing and submitting application for federal assistance, SF424 (R&R) under this FOA, the application providing Certification Regarding Lobbying Activities. If Paragraph Two of the certification applied then complete and submit the SF-LLL disclosure of Lobbying which is provided as an optional form in the application package.

c. No Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid by or on behalf of the applicant, to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of an agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with the awarding of any Federal contract, the making of any Federal grant, the making of any Federal loan, the entering into of any cooperative agreement, and the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.

d. If any funds other than Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with the Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement, the applicant shall complete and submit Standard Form-LLL, “Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying,” in accordance with its instructions.

e. The applicant shall require that the language of this certification be included in the award documents for all sub awards at all tiers (including subcontracts, sub grants, and contracts under grants, loans, and cooperative agreements) and that all sub recipients shall certify and disclose accordingly.

f. This certification is a material representation of fact upon which reliance was placed when this transaction was made or entered into. Submission of this certification is a prerequisite for making or entering into this transaction imposed by Section 1352, title 31, U.S.C. Any person who fails to file the required certification shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 and not more than $100,000 for each such failure.

9. WIDE AREA WORK FLOW (WAWF)

Performers are required to submit invoices for payment directly at https://wawf.eb.mil.

WAWF registration is required prior to any award under this FOA.

SECTION E: APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. REVIEW/SELECTION PROCESS

Selection decisions will be made by the Selection Official following an evaluation of Proposals by a panel of experts appointed by the Grants Officer as recommended by the Program Office. The Proposals will be subject to a full review with due regard for conflict of interest and protection of information. The factors are described below:

2. MERIT CRITERIA

a. Factor 1: Technical Merits of the Proposed Research and Development (R&D) The applicant shall address how it will develop and manage collaborative project teams from private industry, research organizations, government and academia with the intent of improving processes and technologies for the primary benefit of the U.S. industry and public by using DoD as a test bed for a broad range of sustainment, performance and operational needs. The applicant shall address how it will provide leadership to improve technology innovations in a broad variety DoD needs for research, development, and deployment of technology. The applicant shall address its ability to identify customer needs, develop collaborative initiatives and teams from DoD and industry, and how it intends to obtain the necessary resources from DoD and industry resource sponsors. The applicant shall provide a brief synopsis of experience from past efforts that illustrate a proficiency aligned with this evaluation factor.

b. Factor 2: Potential Relationship of the Proposed R&D to DoD Missions The applicant shall address how it will leverage and advance commercial developments in maintenance and sustainment technologies and processes for the primary benefit of U.S. industry and the public. The applicant shall demonstrate how it will apply research, development, evaluation, integration, and deployment to DoD issues – to reduce costs, improve system/platform operational availabilities, increase systems reliability, improve logistical support efficiency and effectiveness, increase the resiliency of the industrial base, improve environmental compliance and increase sustainment personnel competency and safety. The applicant shall provide a brief synopsis of experience from past efforts that illustrate a proficiency aligned with this evaluation factor. The applicant should explain how past efforts resulted in: reduced costs, improved system/platform operational availabilities, increased systems reliability, improved logistical support efficiency and effectiveness, increased the resiliency of the industrial base, improved environmental compliance and increased sustainment personnel competency and safety.

c. Factor 3: Risk Asssessment The applicant shall address how it will mitigate risk associated with the quality of management systems and the ability to meet the management standards as described at 2 CFR 200.205. The applicant shall address their vision, experience and qualifications to administer and grow complex public-private initiatives aimed at advancing the state of maintenance and sustainment.

d. Factor 4: Cost

Cost will be evaluated based on the below scenario which is representative of future projects that will be completed under the resultant cooperative agreement. The realism, reasonableness, and completeness of the cost proposed will be evaluated. Cost sharing is not required but will be favorably considered as part of this evaluation factor. Offerors shall clearly indicate the labor categories, rates, and hours proposed for the scenario below. Additionally, offerors need to include all potential labor categories that may be used by the managing partner through the duration of the CTMA FOA, even if they are not needed in the below scenario (un-needed labor categories for the scenario shall be included but have 0 for the amount of hours). The proposed labor rates will be used as ceiling rates for the remainder of the cooperative agreement. Ensure rates indicate any escalation proposed through the five year period of performance and provide the dates the escalation(s) will take effect. It is anticipated that competition will establish cost reasonableness but for the cost to be realistic, it must reflect what it would cost the offeror to perform the effort, if performed with reasonable economy and efficiency. As stated, adequate price competition is anticipated to establish price reasonableness;

however, the Government will use various price analysis techniques and procedures, as needed, to ensure the proposed labor rates are fair and reasonable. If the Applicant’s proposed price is less than 70% of the Government’s cost estimate, the Government will then perform a price realism analysis. Realism is evaluated by assessing the compatibility of proposed costs with proposal scope and effort. Cost realism evaluation includes a review of the overall costs in the offeror’s proposal for the scenario to determine:

• If costs are realistic for the work proposed;

• If costs reflect a clear understanding of the requirements; and

• If costs are consistent with the various other elements of the offeror’s proposal

The Government will provide an independent cost estimate to determine the most appropriate cost for the scenario to be used as the basis in determining whether the proposed cost elements are realistic for the work to be performed and reflect a clear understanding of the requirements.

Additional information may be requested, if needed. A Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) may be required in order for an awardee to invoice for indirect costs. If the Offeror does not currently hold a NICRA, describe the current status of the organization’s request for such an agreement with its cognizant agency.

IAW 2 CFR §200.414(f), any non-Federal entity that has never received a negotiated indirect cost rate, except for those non-Federal entities described in Appendix VII to 2 CFR §200, may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10% of modified total direct costs (MTDC) which may be used indefinitely.

Fee/Profit: Fee/profit is unallowable under grants or cooperative agreements at the prime level.

NOTE: Failure to adequately provide detailed cost data will require the Grants Officer to contact the proposing organization for the requisite information. This will result in a delay of the award. All Offerors are required to submit a thoroughly detailed cost breakdown. The

Grants Officer must be able to determine that all proposed costs are allowable and reasonable. A detailed budget will facilitate this cost analysis.

i. Cost Scenario

The USAF has a need for a new piece of automated test equipment that can determine the health of on-board radar systems. They are aware that a commercial source may have just what they need and that their newly developed ATE capability is being evaluated by a commercial airline. The USAF sponsor brings this potential CTMA opportunity to the CTMA managing partner and collaboratively, they develop a draft CTMA initiative concept paper. The draft concept paper is vetted and approved for go-ahead by the CTMA program officer. At this point the managing partner finalizes the concept paper, down-selects sub tier participants competitively, coordinates resource commitments from each participant including the Air Force and provides the finalized concept paper to the CTMA program officer for final approval and processing. NOTE: The Government does not have centralized funds to provide to the managing partner directly for any work completed up to this point. Cost associated with this work must be managed through overhead cost or some other means.

The concept paper calls for two commercial entities to collaborate in order to demonstrate the new ATE capability on target USAF on-board radar systems; the technology solutions provider and a commercial integrator. Once this concept paper is placed on the CTMA cooperative agreement along with the USAF funding, the managing partner assigns the project to a project manager who coordinates the execution of the initiative outlined in the concept paper. The managing partner also sub-contracts appropriate work to the (2) commercial participants.

Because time is of the essence, the managing partner organizes and conducts a "kick-off" meeting with all project participants and appropriate stakeholders to gain clear consensus on how the associated tasks will be conducted, by whom and when.

Furthermore, in order to keep projects on track, the project manager will hold regular team meetings, resolve conflicts and issues, coordinate across all stakeholders, account for costs and expenditures, procure materials and equipment as required, and provide quarterly reports to the OSD/WHS program leads. The managing partner is also responsible for providing financial reports to the appropriate government oversight activities.

The objective of the initiative is to demonstrate that this new ATE capability can accurately determine the health of on-board radar systems and help maintainers make better decisions regarding in-situ repair or remove and replace. In order to achieve this end, the system must be applied to a statistically significant cross section of on-board USAF radar systems and accurate data collected which indicate the new ATE process effectiveness and efficiency. Concurrently, the managing partner must be coordinating the development of baseline (as-is) metrics for comparison at the end of the effort and inclusion in the final report. It is expected that the demonstration period is 6 months and the concept paper has a defined period of performance of 12 months.

The deliverables outlined in the concept paper are (1) a six month flight line demonstration of the new ATE, (2) a concept of operations and deployment for transitioning the ATE to USAF maintainers, (3) a business case analysis of the new ATE, (4) a technical performance based specification of a new ATE capability with the required attributes, and (5) a final report that documents the effort from start to finish and contains all deliverable documents.

3. ADJECTIVAL RATINGS FOR FACTORS 1 THROUGH 3

Rating Description Outstanding Demonstrates an outstanding approach to the technical merits of the proposed research and development (R&D). Demonstrates an outstanding approach to the relationship between the proposed R&D and the DoD mission.

Demonstrates an outstanding mitigation strategy for risks associated with the quality of the applicant's management systems. Demonstrates an outstanding approach to meeting the management standards as described at 2 CFR

200.205. Application is an outstanding demonstration of the applicant's vision, experience and qualifications to administer and grow complex public-private initiatives aimed at advancing the state of maintenance and sustainment. Risk of unsuccessful performance is low.

Good Demonstrates a good approach to the technical merits of the proposed research and development (R&D). Demonstrates a good approach to the relationship between the proposed R&D and the DoD mission. Demonstrates a good mitigation strategy for risks associated with the quality of the applicant's management systems. Demonstrates a good approach to meeting the management standards as described at 2 CFR 200.205. Application is a good demonstration of the applicant's vision, experience and qualifications to administer and grow complex public-private initiatives aimed at advancing the state of maintenance and sustainment. Risk of unsuccessful performance is low to moderate.

Acceptable Demonstrates an acceptable approach to the technical merits of the proposed research and development (R&D). Demonstrates an acceptable approach to the relationship between the proposed R&D and the DoD mission. Demonstrates an acceptable mitigation strategy for risks associated with the quality of the applicant's management systems. Demonstrates an acceptable approach to meeting the management standards as described at 2 CFR 200.205.

Application is an acceptable demonstration of the applicant's vision, experience and qualifications to administer and grow complex public-private initiatives aimed at advancing the state of maintenance and sustainment. Risk of unsuccessful performance is no worse than moderate.

Marginal Demonstrates an approach to the technical merits of the proposed research and development (R&D). Demonstrates an approach to the relationship between the proposed R&D and the DoD mission. Demonstrates a mitigation strategy for risks associated with the quality of the applicant's management systems.

Demonstrates an approach to meeting the management standards as described at 2 CFR 200.205. Application is a marginal demonstration of the applicant's vision, experience and qualifications to administer and grow complex public-private initiatives aimed at advancing the state of maintenance and sustainment. Risk of unsuccessful performance is high. Application is unawardable.

Unacceptable Fails to demonstrate an approach to the technical merits of the proposed research and development (R&D). Fails to demonstrate an approach to the relationship between the proposed R&D and the DoD mission. Fails to demonstrate a mitigation strategy for risks associated with the quality of the applicant's management systems. Fails to demonstrate an approach to meeting the management standards as described at 2 CFR 200.205. Application fails to demonstrate the applicant's vision, experience and qualifications to administer and grow complex public-private initiatives aimed at advancing the state of maintenance and sustainment. Risk of unsuccessful performance is unacceptable. Application is unawardable.

4. AWARD DECISION

a. The Government reserves the right to select for negotiation all, some, one, or none of the

Proposals received in response to this FOA and to make awards without discussions with Applicants. Therefore, Applicant Proposals should include the applicant’s best response to this announcement. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if it is determined by the Grants Officer to be necessary.

b. The Government reserves the right to request additional information once award has been determined. The Government reserves the right to remove Applicants from award consideration should the parties fail to reach agreement on award terms within a reasonable time or the Applicant fails to provide requested additional information in a timely manner.

c. The Recipient that has been deemed successful will receive a pre-award notice via e-mail from the WHS/AD Grants Officer. The Government may initiate Cooperative Agreement negotiations when deemed appropriate to do so. Unsuccessful applicants will also be notified via email at that time.

d. Once a recipient of award is announced, the recipient of award only shall submit the required information for electronic submission. The recipient of award shall use the Grants.gov website (https://www.grants.gov). Recipient shall complete the mandatory forms in the application package template associated with this FOA.

e. After selection, the Program Office and the Grants Office will negotiate a Cooperative Agreement with the selected Recipient. This step will involve negotiating with the selected Managing Partner for the transition of activities from the current management.

There are no funds specifically appropriated to support CTMA. It is the recipient’s responsibility to coordinate funding commitments from Government sponsors and cost share from industry in support of proposed CTMA initiatives each year for the duration of the Cooperative Agreement. If an acceptable Cooperative Agreement cannot be negotiated, then the second most highly qualified applicant will be selected for negotiations.

https://www.grants.gov/

f. Statutes taken into account when reviewing the applications include the following:

i. OMB Circular A-110, relocated to 2 CFR Part 215, “Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations.”

ii. Department of Defense Grant and Agreement Regulations (DoDGARS 3210.6-R).

iii. OMB Circular A-21, relocated to 2 CFR Part 220, “Cost Principles for Educational Institutions.”

iv. OMB Circular A-122, relocated to 2 CFR Part 230, “Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations.”

v. OMB Circular A-133, “Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations.”

5. FEDERAL REGULATIONS

Federal regulations, to include but not limited to 32 CFR 32 and DoD 3210.6-R1, take precedence over all terms and conditions of Agreement awards.

6. FEDERAL SHARE NOTICE

It is anticipated that the Federal share of any award under the announcement may exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, inform applicants that: (i) the agency will review the information that is currently in the designated integrity and performance system through SAM (currently FAPIIS); (ii) an applicant may review information in FAPIIS and comment on any information about itself; and (iii) the agency will consider any comments by the applicant, along with other information in FAPIIS, in making judgement about the applicant’s integrity, business ethics and record of performance under Federal awards when completing a review of risk (see DoD Instruction 3210.08 on use of the performance and integrity information in FAPIIS and 2 CFR 200.205 “Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants.”

7. ANTICIPATED ANNOUNCEMENT AND AWARD DATES

The anticipated date for notifying successful and unsuccessful applications is no later than 11 March 2020.

SECTION G: AGENCY CONTACTS

Jonathan Bertsch Grants Specialist Telephone: 703-545-3559 E-mail: jonathan.e.bertsch.civ@mail.mil

1 The DoD Grant and Agreement Regulations are published as Subtitle A, Chapter I, Subchapter C of Title 32 of the Code of Federal Regulations (Final Rule effective as of 13 April 1998).

mailto:jonathan.e.bertsch.civ@mail.mil

Katie Freeman Grants Officer Telephone: 703-545-0596 E-mail: katie.e.freeman.civ@mail.mil

Elizabeth Fuller Grants Officer Telephone: 703-545-9509 E-mail: elizabeth.e.fuller2.civ@mail.mil

SECTION H: OTHER INFORMATION

This is provided for your information only. The terms & conditions will be negotiated with the selected recipient prior to award of the cooperative agreement.

1. THE GRANTS OFFICE

Only a warranted WHS/AD Grants Officer may bind the Government. A pre-award notice that a proposal was successful neither obligates the Government to make an award nor commits the Government to reimburse any pre-award costs incurred in the anticipation of an award. Pre-award costs, where allowed, are incurred at an applicant’s risk.

2. ORGANIZATION CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

All applicants and proposed contractors must affirm whether they are providing scientific, engineering, and technical assistance (SETA) or similar support to any DoD office(s) through an active contract or subcontract. All affirmations must state which office(s) the applicant supports and identify the prime contract numbers. Affirmations shall be furnished at the time the Letter of Qualification is submitted. All facts relevant to the existence or potential existence of organizational conflicts of interest must be disclosed. The disclosure shall include a description of the action the applicant has taken or proposes to take to avoid, neutralize, or mitigate such conflict. Without prior approval, a recipient cannot simultaneously be a SETA and a research and development performer. Letters of Qualification that fail to disclose potential conflicts of interests or do not have acceptable plans to mitigate identified conflicts will be rejected without technical evaluation and withdrawn from further consideration for award. If a prospective applicant believes that any conflict of interest exists or may exist (whether organizational or otherwise), the applicant should promptly raise the issue with Contract Specialist or Grants Officer by sending his/her contact information and a summary of the potential conflict by e-mail to the Contract Specialist, before time and effort are expended in preparing a Letter of Qualification and mitigation plan. If, in the sole opinion of the Government after full consideration of the circumstances, any conflict situation cannot be effectively avoided or mitigated, the Letter of Qualification may be rejected without technical evaluation and withdrawn from further consideration for award under this FOA.

3. FEDERAL STATUTES

Federal statutes take precedence over all terms and conditions of awards.

mailto:katie.e.freeman.civ@mail.mil mailto:elizabeth.e.fuller2.civ@mail.mil

4. AWARD PROVISIONS FOR NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS

By acceptance (signing) of the award, or by accepting funds under the award, the Recipient assures that it will comply with applicable provisions of the following national policy requirements (as applicable) with respect to the prohibition of discrimination:

a. On the basis of race, color, or national origin, in Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

(42 U.S.C. 2000d, et seq.), as implemented by DoD regulations at 32 CFR Part 195.

b. On the basis of sex or blindness, in Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681, et. seq.).

c. On the basis of age, in the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. § 6101, et seq.), as implemented by Department of Health and Human Services regulations at 45 CFR Part 90.

d. On the basis of handicap, in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 794), implemented by Department of Justice regulations at 28 CFR Part 41 and DoD regulations at 32 CFR Part 56.

5. RETENTION AND EXAMINATION OF RECORDS

Retention and access requirements for records shall be as set out at 32 CFR 32.53 for the award.

6. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

By acceptance (signing) of the award or accepting funds under the award, the Recipient assures that it will comply with all applicable Federal, State or local environmental laws and regulations, including but not limited to: (i) requirements of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C § 7401-7671q.) and Section…