AOI_AETC CSO FY 20_1 Digital University 31Jan20.pdf

Air Education and Training Command (AETC) Commercial Solution Opening (CSO) for Fiscal Year 20

Notice ID: FA3002-20-S-0001

Project Name: Area of Interest (AoI) #1 – Digital University

1. General Information

1.1. AoI Background

The United States Air Force (USAF) desires to provide access to digital and technology training to all Airmen. In response to the digital transformation, the USAF would like to provide upskilling training to the total force, particularly leveraging digital natives, to enable organic personnel to field a digital force.

The USAF would like to provide this training via online offerings to Airmen through industry leaders.

This solicitation will serve as an initial prototype to collect data for the Air Force on the viability of online training offerings.

The initial solicitation primarily focuses on digital and technology skills such as software development, systems engineering, data science, cloud, and design, but shall not be limited to only these domains.

Industry-leading online providers are requested to submit their solutions in accordance to the FY20 AETC Commercial Solutions Opening and the information provided below.

Solutions Briefs must demonstrate a unique process or approach designed to provide training to multitudes of Airmen. 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, Request for Commercial Solution Proposal (CSP).

Phase 3 Request for Commercial Solution Proposal (CSP): Those companies whose Solution Brief and Pitch are evaluated to be of merit and are selected for potential award of a Prototype OT or traditional FAR Part 12 based contract, subject to availability of government funds, may be invited to submit a full written proposal following the instructions provided in Section 3.4 of the FY20 AETC CSO. The Government will not pay companies for costs associated with developing materials in Phase 3, unless otherwise stipulated within the AoI. Successfully evaluated companies may be extended the opportunity to scale its solution with two additional one-year performance options (i.e. two option each of a year in duration). The government reserves the right to extend agreements, contracts, or other to all, some, or none of the selected solutions and all agreements, contracts, or other will be made based on the availability of government funds.

NOTE: The Government reserves the right to forgo Phase 2 and go directly to Phase 3.

2. AoI Constraints

2.1. Courseware

2.1.a. The purpose of this AOI is to provide access to courseware encompassing learning tracks such as software development, systems engineering, data science, artificial intelligence, robotic process automation, cloud, cybersecurity, and design. Additional learning tracks submitted by companies may be considered by the Government.

2.1.b. Courseware shall be pre-developed and updated as necessary to match industry trends and requirements.

2.1.c. Courseware shall be modular, accessible online, and on-demand capable of providing just-in-time training access.

2.1.d. Courseware shall be created by experts in their respective field.

2.2. Assessments

2.2.a. Government requires pre-course assessments to:

2.2.a.1. Baseline current individual skillsets.

2.2.a.2. Recommend courseware and learning tracks for individual users.

2.2.b. Company shall detail validation of learning and competencies after completing courseware.

2.2.c. Assessments shall provide USAF administrator(s) insight into individual, team, and overall organizational skills.

2.3. Credentials, Certifications, and/or other Experience Indicators (herein referred to as credentials)

2.3.a. USAF desires industry accepted credentials.

2.3.a.i. Details of who in the tech industry accepts them.

2.3.a.ii. Details regarding how Airmen qualify for them.

2.3.a.iii. Details capable of validating Airmen who earn such credentials.

2.3.a.iv. Details showing how the Air Force and industry can verify Airmen who are credentialed.

2.4. Learning Management System (LMS)

2.4.a. USAF requires a commercialized, completed, and intuitive LMS.

2.4.b. USAF desires to minimize hardware and software requirements for Airmen to complete training and assessments.

2.5. Administrative Tools

2.5.a. Licenses shall be immediately transferable to other Airmen upon addition or removal from training platform.

2.5.b. USAF administrators shall be able to identify awarded credentials, top performers, or other unique analytical insights of Airmen within the platform.

2.5.c. USAF administrators shall be able to create custom training tracks composed of multiple courses.

2.5.d. Company shall assist USAF administrators to develop appropriate business rules.

2.6. Reports

2.6.a. Company shall provide the USAF the ability to create and export custom reports.

2.6.b. Company shall provide the USAF details on Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).

2.6.b.i. In the future the Air Force would like to connect Company’s offerings to USAF personnel systems for automatic updating.

2.7. Customer Support

2.7.a. Company shall include tutorials or training for USAF administrators.

2.7.b. Company shall provide support for Airmen students.

2.7.c. Detail how Company will ensure successful platform launch and contribute to Airmen’s successfully completing training.

2.8. Pricing strategy

2.8.a. Seats shall be priced for access for one year.

2.8.b. Company shall propose a firm-fixed price per batch purchase with a per-student price breakdown for this prototype.

2.8.b.i. 0-100 seats

2.8.b.ii. 101-500 seats

2.8.b.iii. 501-1000 seats

2.8.c. Company shall propose scaling price options for larger offerings, including enterprise access (if applicable).

2.8.d. Government shall be able to procure additional licenses upon receipt of additional funds throughout the prototype.

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 5:00 P.M. (CDT) on 19 February 2020, with subject line stating DIGITAL U SOLUTIONS BRIEF to 338SCONS.PKX.CSO@us.af.mil. Solution briefs received in 338SCONS.PKX.CSO@us.af.mil inbox 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 shall not exceed five (5) single side written pages (Solution briefs can be double sided, but cannot exceed two double sided pages, and one single side page) using 12-point font or, alternatively, Solution Briefs may take the form of briefing slides which should not exceed fifteen

(15) slides. 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’s name, solution name, solicitation number, date of submission, point of contact name, email address, phone number, and the company’s address.

This page will not count towards the page/slide limitation.

mailto:338SCONS.PKX.CSO@us.af.mil mailto:338SCONS.PKX.CSO@us.af.mil

3.2.1.2. Executive Summary/Description

• 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.

3.2.1.3. 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.

3.2.1.4. 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 current market.

4. Evaluation of Phase 1 – Solution Briefs

4.1. General

The Solution Brief shall be evaluated against the published FY20 AETC CSO evaluation criteria.

The general FY20 AETC CSO Phase 1 evaluation criteria shall be used to evaluate and rate the proposed solution brief. The FY20 AETC CSO evaluation criteria are listed in the initial CSO 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 by a team during a virtual presentation. The presentation should be no longer than 45 minutes in length which is comprised of a 30 minute presentation from the company and 15 minutes for any questions and answers from the evaluation panel.

The general FY20 AETC CSO Phase 2 evaluation criteria shall be used to evaluate and rate the proposed pitch presentation. The FY20 AETC CSO evaluation criteria are listed in order of importance from top to bottom. If a pitch does not sufficiently meet the evaluation criterion, the solution brief will not be further considered for Phase 3- Request for Commercial Solution Proposal (CSP).

NOTE: The Government reserves the right to forgo Phase 2 and go directly to Phase 3.

6. Evaluation of Phase 3 - CSP

6.1. General

Upon conclusion of the evaluation of the Pitch presentations, the Government will down-select and invite companies 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 Solution

• Volume 2: Price

The submitted proposal shall be evaluated against the published FY20 AETC CSO evaluation criteria.

The general FY20 AETC CSO Phase 3 evaluation criteria shall be used to evaluate and rate the Phase 3 proposal submittal. The FY20 AETC CSO evaluation criteria are listed in order of importance from top to bottom. If a proposal does not meet the following proposal adequacy requirements, the proposal will be disqualified from a Phase 3 award.

The Government panel of subject matter experts will first review the proposal for adequacy, eligibility, and determine if the following requirements are met:

• If the technical approach and respective risk elements are acceptable.

• If the proposal performance schedule & requested Gov’t support is realistic and/or adequate.

• If the proposed price is fair and reasonable.

If the Government decides to pursue a prototype OT, then the proposal must meet the following proposal adequacy items to be considered.

• Fits the definition of a prototype: does/does not fit the CSO definition of a prototype.

• Quantity: quantity is/is not limited to that needed to prove technical or manufacturing feasibility or evaluate military utility.

• Meets mission effectiveness standard: Is/is not directly relevant to enhancing DoD mission effectiveness.

• Meets non-traditional participation/cost share requirement: At least one Non-traditional defense contractor contributes to a significant extent; or all of the participants (other than the government) are small businesses not; or at least one-third (1/3) of total prototype project cost is paid by parties other than the Government; or the Agency’s Senior Procurement Executive (SPE) determines in writing that exceptional circumstances justify OTA use.

• Defense Utility: Solution is/is not applicable to a DoD platform, system, process or component

• Meets all OT requirements.

If the proposal does not meet these items, that proposal will be disqualified from a Phase 3 award. In contrast, if AETC decides to pursue a prototype contract (Non-OT), the requirements above will NOT be used.

6.1.1. In addition to the FY20 AETC CSO Phase 3 Basis of Evaluation, the following factor will also be used to evaluate and rate Phase 3 Basis of Evaluation.

6.1.1.a. Curriculum content, innovative methodologies to the overall platform, company’s past performance and credentials, customer support, demonstrated Air Force demand, and impacts from analytical insights the platform can provide.

6.2. Technical Proposal Solution (Volume One)

Each selected company 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 company must provide a technical volume that includes a Statement of Proposed Work (SOPW) with the following tabbed sections:

• Section 1 - Background

• Section 2 - Courseware

• Section 3 - Skill Assessments

• Section 4 - Credentialing, Certifications, and/or Experience Indicators

• Section 5 - LMS and Platform

• Section 6 - Analytics and Insights for the USAF

• Section 7 - Customer Success Plan

• Section 8 - Administrative Tools

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

6.3. Price (Volume Two)

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

6.3.1.a. Basic Period: The Company shall submit a Price Volume with a firm-fixed price proposal roll-up to successfully implement and complete the proposed prototype. As part of their Price Volume, the Company shall also submit a breakdown of labor, materials and other than direct costs (ODC). The Price Volume shall include the total price 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.

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

(Option prices must assume scaling program to larger amounts of seats to include further batch license purchases).

7. AoI Open Period

This AoI shall close at 11:59 P.M., 19 February 2020 for Phase 1. Subsequent Phases will have different closing dates outlined in correspondence with respondents.

8. Point of contact

AoI questions shall be sent to all below POCs:

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

Contracting Officer: Mr. Michael Piller michael.piller.1@us.af.mil

Contracting Specialist: Maj Jessica Steinhoff jessica.steinhoff@us.af.mil