AETC_AOI_A01_Project_NEXUS_(Final).pdf

18 March 2019/JLM

AREAS OF INTEREST (AOI): PROJECT NEXUS / FA3002-19-S-C001_A01

1. General Information

1.1 AoI Background

The United States Air Force (USAF), Air Education and Training Command, has recently named Project NEXUS as an experiment to develop organic 21st century digital competencies across a spectrum of functional support officers and non-commissioned officers. Project NEXUS will select up to 18 airmen from various professional Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSCs) to develop these individuals with just-in-time programming, data professional, content creation/designer, and mobile application skills. AETC desires to accomplish this by partnering with non-traditional small business contractor(s) to provide AETC with a prototype commercial solution process accelerator, providing a “boot camp-style; learn-by-doing training environment.”

Solutions Briefs must demonstrate a uniquely tailored process or approach designed to teach a 6-student cohort the required technical skills to successfully complete a specific data science and mobile development and design capstone project. Solutions meeting Phase 1 selection criteria may be invited to Phase 2 to provide a Pitch. Solutions meeting Phase 2 selection criteria may receive an invitation to Phase 3 and receive a Request for Prototype Proposal (RPP). The capstone project will be provided to AoI participants invited to participate in a Phase 3 - Request for Prototype Proposal (RPP). NOTE: The Government reserves the right to forgo Phase 2 and go directly to Phase 3.

Up to 3 companies will be selected to prototype this course. Each company shall host a 6 student cohort. Completion of the prototype cohort must result in one completed data science capstone and one completed mobile development/design capstone project.

Upon completion of the prototype course, the solutions will be provided a final performance evaluation based on individual company technical/performance merits. Successfully evaluated firm(s) may be extended the opportunity to scale its solution with two additional performance year options. The government reserves the right to extend performance to all, some, or none of the selected solutions and will be made based on the availability of government funds.

2. AoI Constraints

1. Each cohort class shall be no longer than 120 days total, including the immersion program and the capstone.

2. Each cohort will train airmen in three domains: 3 students in data science, 2 students in iOS mobile development (full stack), and 1 student in UI/UX design. The suggested course competencies are as follows but may be modified to meet maximize proposed commercial solutions:

a. Data Science

i. Extract-transform-load (back end)

ii. Fundamental statistical analysis, algorithm application, and model creation (middleware)

iii. Results visualization and application deployment (front end)

b. iOS Mobile Development (full stack developer)

i. UI/UX Design

ii. Programming

c. UI/UX Design

i. Design Principles

ii. Motion Design Principles

AREAS OF INTEREST (AOI): PROJECT NEXUS / FA3002-19-S-C001_A01

iii. Demonstrate usage of creativity tool suites and application of tools

iv. User feedback and testing

3. Each Solution must also account for these soft skills for all students:

a. Change management

b. Communication

c. Task and project management

d. Problem framing and strategy development

4. Each Solution shall describe a course syllabus with specific classes, skills, tools, objectives, and timeline outlined in writing.

5. A selected company will be assigned an Air Force data capstone project and mobile development/design capstone project. Their solution shall describe their proposed approach to completing these cohort level capstones.

a. The capstone will be scoped for completion within a 120 day course timeline.

b. Air Force subject matter experts (SMEs) will be available for consulting during the capstone.

c. Representative Air Force data will be made available for the data capstone.

d. Requirements for the mobile application will be available for the mobile development and design capstone.

e. While the specific capstone will not be released until the Phase 3 - RPP, the Government suggests keeping all Phase 1 and Phase 2 solution brief/pitch discussion to your theoretical approach. The Government will ensure contractors invited to Phase 3 are sufficiently prepared to propose to, and prepare for, the assigned capstone (either through a project definition workshop or similar event).

6. At the conclusion of the course and for completion of the contract, the designated Air Force capstone shall be complete and ready for data transfer to a specified Air Force mission partner and/or designated cloud environment.

7. Post Graduation:

a. Certification: Upon completion of course and project, participating members shall receive a certificate as proof of completion.

b. Each Solution shall document an approach to develop, document, and further alumni networking and support.

8. Pricing Strategy

a. Contractor shall propose a firm-fixed price per cohort with a per-student price breakdown for this prototype.

b. Contractor shall estimate a yearly cost for scaling program to 72 students per year.

i. Assume 1 cohort of 6 students each, per month, or propose a similar plan.

c. Contractor shall estimate a yearly cost for scaling program to 144 students per year.

i. Assume 2 cohorts of 6 students each, per month, or propose a similar plan.

d. Contractor shall estimate a yearly cost for scaling program to 288 students per year.

AREAS OF INTEREST (AOI): PROJECT NEXUS / FA3002-19-S-C001_A01

i. Assume 4 cohorts of 6 students each, per month, or propose a similar plan.

9. Classroom

a. Government requires a turn-key course prototype solution to include classroom space for no more than 6 students to be located in Austin, Texas or the immediate surrounding area. Only Air Force students may attend the proposed cohort prototype solution.

10. Other

a. Courses shall be ready to execute within 30-45 days of contract award.

b. Projected course dates:

i. Company 1: 01 May 2019 - 29 Aug 2019 (120 days)

ii. Company 2: 01 June 2019 - 28 Sep 2019 (120 days)

iii. Company 3: 01 July 2019 - 28 Oct 2019 (120 days)5:

iv. NOTE: All projected course dates dependent on actual contract award date.

c. Locations: All classes must take place within a 15 mile radius of downtown Austin, TX. USAF members will travel for in-residence training at the contractor’s proposed location.

d. Lodging and transportation: The USAF will remain responsible for student lodging, travel and transportation.

e. Security requirements: All projects, data, and discussions will be unclassified. Security clearances are not required, but instructors may be required to obtain a DoD Common Access Card (CAC).

Ensure proposed instructors are eligible and compliant with National Agency Check with Inquiries

(NACI).

3. PHASE 1 - Solution Brief Submission Requirements

3.1 Submission Requirements

Written solution briefs as described in 3.2 must be sent via e-mail submission by 11:59 P.M. (CDT) on 3 APRIL 2019, with subject line stating AETC NEXUS SOLUTION BRIEF to CSO.questions@gmail.com. Solution briefs received after the specified due date and time will be discarded and not be evaluated by the Government.

3.2 Written Solution Brief Requirements

3.2.1 Content of Solution Brief

The written Solution Briefs should not exceed five (5) single page written pages (Solution briefs can be double sided, but cannot exceed two double sided pages, and one single sides page) using 12-point font or, alternatively, Solution Briefs may take the form of briefing slides which should not exceed fifteen (15) slides unless otherwise stated on the subject AoI. Any pages or slides submitted beyond this limitation will be removed and not evaluated.

The written solution brief shall include and/or address the following:

3.2.1.1 Title Page (does not count against page limit)

● At a minimum, please include company name, solution name, solicitation number, date of submission, point of contact name, email address, phone number, and company address. This page will not count towards the page/slide limitation.

3.2.1.3. Executive Summary/Company Description

AREAS OF INTEREST (AOI): PROJECT NEXUS / FA3002-19-S-C001_A01

● Describe your commercial customer base and provide some examples of past contracts or sales of this service/solution from within the last two years.

● Describe your company – e.g. How long has it been in operation? Where is it located and headquartered, multiple locations, sales/R&D in U.S. and other countries? Number of current employees?

● Describe the management team – e.g. Who are they? What is their background and history and qualifications (previous startups, etc.)?

● Include other relevant corporate information, as applicable.

3.2.1.2. Solution/Technology Concept

● Describe the unique aspects of your technology/solution and the proposed work as it relates to this published AoI. Identify whether the effort includes the pilot or demonstration of existing commercial technology (identified as commercially ready and viable technology), or the development of a new technology or process to training/learning.

3.2.1.3 Company Viability

● Provide a brief overview of the company. Provide a summary of current fundraising to date and/or a summary of the top line (gross sales/revenues) and balance sheet. Provide a summary of product commercialization and go-to-market strategy.

4. Evaluation of Phase 1 – Solution Briefs

4.1 General

The Solution Brief shall be evaluated against the published AETC CSO evaluation criteria.

The general AETC CSO (insert link to FEDBIZOPS) Phase 1 evaluation criteria shall be used to evaluate and rate the proposed solution brief. The AETC CSO evaluation criteria are listed below in order of importance from top to bottom. If a solution brief does not meet the first or second evaluation criterion, the solution brief will not be further considered for Phase 2- Pitch Presentation. Upon conclusion of this round of Solution Brief evaluations, the Government will down-select offerors to further develop and submit a detailed pitch presentation.

5. Evaluation of Phase 2 - Pitch

5.1 General

The Pitch presentation shall be evaluated against the published AETC CSO evaluation criteria.

The general AETC CSO Phase 2 evaluation criteria shall be used to evaluate and rate the proposed pitch presentation. The AETC CSO (insert link to FEDBIZOPS) evaluation criteria are listed in order of importance from top to bottom. If a pitch does not meet the first or second evaluation criterion, the solution brief will not be further considered for Phase 3- Request for Prototype Proposal (RPP). NOTE: The Government reserves the right to forgo Phase 2 and go directly to Phase 3.

6. Evaluation of Phase 3 - RPP

6.1 General

Upon conclusion of evaluation of the pitch presentations, the Government will down-select and invite no more than three AoI participants to further develop and submit a detailed technical and price proposals. Each proposal submitted shall consist of a title page and two parts:

● Volume 1: Technical Proposal

AREAS OF INTEREST (AOI): PROJECT NEXUS / FA3002-19-S-C001_A01

● Volume 2: Price Volume

The submitted proposal shall be evaluated against the published AETC CSO evaluation criteria.

The general AETC CSO (insert link to FEDBIZOPS) Phase 3 evaluation criteria shall be used to evaluate and rate the Phase 3 proposal submittal. The AETC CSO evaluation criteria are listed in order of importance from top to bottom. If a proposal does not meet any of the first 3 proposal adequacy items in AETC CSO Section 3.4 (items 1-3) basis of evaluation, the proposal will be disqualified from a Phase 3 award. If AETC decides to pursue a prototype OT, then the proposal must met the proposal adequacy items in AETC CSO Section 3.4 (items 4-8) basis of evaluation to be considered. If not, that proposal will be disqualified from a Phase 3 award.

6.1.1. In addition to the AETC CSO Phase 3 Basis of Evaluation, the following factor will also be used to evaluate and rate Phase 3 Basis of Evaluation (item 1).

a. Curriculum content, innovative methodologies to the overall course, course plan with timeline and milestones for achieving learning objectives, capstone approach and management plan, and company’s past performance and credentials.

6.2 Technical Proposal Solution (Volume One)

Each selected AoI participant invited to Phase 3 must submit a technical proposal solution as part of their final proposal that identifies the work to be performed and the deliverables. Provide a detailed project schedule that outlines the various phases of required learning objectives within the stipulated period of performance. The AoI participant must provide a technical volume that includes a Statement of Proposed Work (SOPW) with the following tabbed sections:

● Section 1 - Background

● Section 2 - Course syllabus with courses, objectives, timelines, and milestone schedule

● Section 3 - Approach to capstone

● Section 4 - Tools and software applications for which access and training is provided

● Section 5 - Instructor and/or paired programmer plan

● Section 6 - Period and Place of Performance

● Section 7 - Proposed direct and ancillary hardware/software provided for class execution and direct student learning

● Section 8 - Post graduation and ecosystem support plan.

Please Note: The proposals must identify any proprietary information or associated intellectual property.

6.3 Price Volume (Part Two)

6.3.1. In addition to the instructions found in AETC CSO Section 3.4, Price Proposal, this AoI requires the following:

a. Basic Period: The offeror shall submit Price Volume with a firm-fixed price proposal roll-up to successfully implement and complete the proposed prototype (cohort) course. Breakdown of labor, materials and other than direct costs (ODC) shall be submitted. Within the price volume include price per cohort with a per-student price breakdown for this prototype. Price per student shall be inclusive of all required labor, equipment, material and software for turn-key solution.

b. Option Period(s): The offeror shall also submit a priced, firm-fixed price Option(s), for two subsequent years as detailed above.

AREAS OF INTEREST (AOI): PROJECT NEXUS / FA3002-19-S-C001_A01

(Option price must assume scaling program to accommodate up to 144 students per year (2 cohorts of 6 students each, per month, or similar plan within 15 miles of downtown Austin).

7. AoI Open Period – This AoI shall close at 11:59 P.M.; 3 APRIL 2019.

8. Point of contact

AoI questions can be sent to:

Progam Manager: Capt Kyle Palko kyle.palko@afwerx.af.mil

Contracting Specialist: Capt Jessica Steinhoff jessica.steinhoff@us.af.mil http://kyle.palko@afwerx.af.mil http://jessica.steinhoff@us.af.mil