RFI_Background_Info_IAC_MAC_6-17-16.docx

DoD INFORMATION ANALYSIS CENTERS (IAC) MULTIPLE AWARD CONTRACT (MAC)

VEHICLE SOURCES SOUGHT/REQUEST FOR INFORMATION BACKGROUND INFORMATION

A. OVERVIEW/SUMMARY – IAC MAC

1.) This Sources Sought Synopsis/Request for Information (RFI) is intended to obtain information regarding small business capability, capacity and financial viability to enable the Government to determine the most appropriate acquisition strategy for this Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) Information Analysis Centers (IAC) Multiple Award Contract (MAC) acquisition, given the requirements of FAR 19.502-2(b) and 19.502-3. Any small business set-aside provisions established in the contracts awarded under the IAC MAC vehicle will be subject to the Limitation on Subcontracting Clause (FAR 52.219-14). The requirements of this clause will be incrementally measured at either the contract level on an annual basis, across all Technical Area Tasks (TATs) aka Task Orders awarded under each contract or on a Task Order by Task Order basis (to be determined). POTENTIAL SMALL BUSINESS (SB) PRIME AND SUBCONTRACTORS FOR IAC MAC ARE ENCOURAGED TO COMPLETE THE RFI QUESTIONNAIRE (ATTACHMENT 1) AND ELECTRONICALLY RETURN IT NLT 4:00 [P.M.] CST-Close of Business on 15 July 2016 TO IACMAC@us.af.mil.

To determine if IAC MAC could be conducted as a 100% small business set-aside or partial small business set-aside, the Government must be confident that sufficient responsible small businesses, inclusive of teaming partners, would submit responsive offers which are competitive in terms of market prices, quality, and delivery and would successfully perform any Task Orders that might arise. As the term "respondent" is used herein, this term refers to the respondent and any specific, named subcontractors or other specific, named teammates it addresses in its response. As used herein, the term "subcontractor" has the meaning as defined at FAR 44.101 and includes vendors, suppliers, consultants, or any other firm or organization that a prime contractor would purchase from, in order to perform a Task Order. For small business respondents contemplating performing as a prime contractor, the Government will consider, when evaluating whether any portion of this requirement could be conducted as a small business set-aside, the provisions of FAR 52.219-14 and how the respondent would adhere to that clause. See paragraph 3 below.

2.) IAC MAC Details

· Contemplated Acquisition Strategy: Multiple-Award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle seeking to award multiple IDIQ contracts per award pool. The number of awards sought will be established in the RFP and will be based on the results of market research. The Government is contemplating three separate award pools: 1) A full and open competition/unrestricted pool for 21 scope areas as described in this RFI Background document. This pool is open to all sources; 2) A small business set aside pool for 21 scope areas for which Technical Area Tasks (TATs), aka Task Orders with a total estimated ceiling or firm fixed price below an amount of ($TBD) will be set aside for exclusive small business competition among awardees in this pool; and 3) A full and open competition/unrestricted pool for the technical scope focus area of Chemical, Biological, Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) defense services.

· The source selection approach to be used for all pools (each will have a separate source selection) will utilize a trade-off among price and non-price factors. This contract vehicle is a consolidated follow-on to the DTIC IAC Defense Systems Technical Area Task (DS TAT), Homeland Defense and Security TAT (HD TAT) and Cyber Security and Information Systems TAT (CS TAT) contract vehicles. It is anticipated that the IAC MAC vehicle contracts will be awarded by Pool, over a period of approximately one - six months. Awards are projected to occur during the first quarter of FY 19. Information on the IAC contracts is available at http://iac.dtic.mil/.

· Estimated Ceiling: The estimated ceiling value for the vehicle (all contracts/pools combined) is $28B based on current, historical and projected requirements for the entire 10 year maximum ordering period, all options included.

· Contemplated NAICS / SB Size Standard: 541712, Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology) – 1000 Employees.

· Use and Ordering: Customers eligible to use the IAC MAC vehicle are primarily DoD agencies but may include civilian federal agencies and other entities in academia or industry authorized to use DTIC services. IAC MAC will be open to all federal agencies. It is anticipated that the primary ordering office will be AFICA/KD. Technical oversight of orders will be performed jointly by the customer and contract-level Contracting Officer's Representatives (CORs).

· Contract Type/Scope: IAC MAC Task Order contract types permitted will be cost reimbursement, firm fixed price and fixed price level-of-effort. It is anticipated that all orders will be competed using the FAR 16.5 "Fair Opportunity" process and have periods of performance up to five years. All orders must fall within the technical scope area(s) of the applicable IAC MAC award pool (as detailed further herein), require research and development (R&D) services or advisory services, and generate scientific and technical information (STI) in the form of deliverables that will be submitted to and stored by DTIC and shared across the DTIC scientific and technical (S&T) communities of interest. R&D requirements will primarily involve applied (also known as advanced) research and development, but may involve some basic research.

· Usage Costs: All Task Orders will be 100% funded by the requiring activity (RA) customer who initiates the order requirement. Customers will pay DTIC a fee-like "Customer Shared Direct Cost" (CSDC) to place orders on their behalf. The CSDC is adjusted annually and is typically about 1-2% of the obligated value of the Task Order. DTIC will provide direct support to potential customers in preparing Task Order requirements packages and working with the ordering contracting office(s). These services are not separately charged to the RA and are provided as part of the CSDC.

· Estimated Draft Request for Proposals (RFP) Issue Date: Fall 2016

· Estimated Contract(s) Award Date: Fall 2018

3.) Teaming: Small businesses interested in pursuing this opportunity may consider teaming arrangements, partnerships, joint ventures, etc. to facilitate their participation. Interested parties are encouraged to visit the DOD Guidebook on Small Business Teaming at:

http://www.acq.osd.mil/osbp/docs/dod_OSBP_Guidebook_for_Facilitating_Small_Business_Team_Arrangements.pdf , The Guidebook explains how the small business size standards and Limitations on Subcontracting (FAR 52.219-14) clause requirements apply to various types of small business teaming arrangements. As used in the Guidebook and for this requirement, the term "teaming arrangement" is a broad term that encompasses traditional prime/subcontractor relationships as well as other arrangements such as joint ventures and partnerships. See FAR definition of “contractor team arrangement” at FAR 9.601.

4.) Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI): The prime contractors for the IAC Basic Center of Operations Contracts, e.g. (CSIAC, DSIAC and HDIAC) are not precluded from being a Prime or Subcontractor on this IAC TAT contract. However, BCO prime contractors will be precluded from proposing on individual TATs as a prime or subcontractor when the predominant or a significant portion of the TAT PWS scope falls under the same scope as their BCO contract; this restriction will be addressed in TAT-specific OCI language. The IAC TAT RFP and resulting contract will contain an OCI clause. When responding to this RFI, companies should consider these OCI restrictions when contemplating their team composition.

5.) The Government will assess the capability, capacity, and financial viability of potential offerors' responses to this sources sought/request for information to help determine the acquisition strategy, including small business approach. DTIC does not have an estimate of the typical quantities, dollar values, places of performance, and periods of performance or technical scope focus areas of Task Orders that might arise each year on the IAC MAC. However, historical information about Task Orders issued under DS TATs, HD TATs and SNIM for FY 15 is provided herein (NOTE: SNIM is the predecessor contract to the Cyber Security and Information Systems (CS TAT) contract; the CS TAT period of performance started 1 December, 2015. SNIM and CS TATs have the same scope. Respondents are encouraged to take into account this historical TAT information when completing this RFI Questionnaire in order to demonstrate capability, capacity and financial viability to perform any award pools under IAC MAC.

1. Pool 1 – 21 Scope Areas/Unrestricted: The anticipated amount of Task Orders that are to be awarded on this contract is approximately 200 typical Task Orders concurrently by the 4th year, with a typical Task Order being valued at $24M, with a period of performance of 48 months. The Government contemplates awarding 10 contracts in this Pool. The Government estimates that on average a contractor in this pool would be able to provide $120M in services with approximately 600 FTEs per year by the 4th year, and covering all 21 scope areas. Respondent also must demonstrate capacity in all of the following three scope areas: 1) Survivability, Reliability, 2) Maintainabilty, Quality, Supportability and Interoperability (RMQSI), and 3) Modeling & Simulation and have experience in some of the remaining 19 scope areas.

2. Pool 2 – 21 Scope Areas/Small Business Set Aside: The anticipated amount of Task Orders that are to be awarded on this contract is approximately 60 typical Task Orders concurrently by the 3rd year, with a typical Task Order being valued at $9.9M with a period of performance of 36 months. The Government contemplates awarding 4 contracts in this Pool. The Government estimates that on average a contractor in this pool would be able to provide $49.5M in services with approximately 250 FTEs per year by the 3rd year, and covering a majority of the 21 scope areas. This is the Small business pool and therefore a contractor in this pool would have to supply approximately 125 FTEs of their own employees to fulfill the “Limitations on Subcontracting” 50% rule. Respondent also must demonstrate capacity in all of the following three scope areas: 1) Survivability, Reliability, 2) Maintainabilty, Quality, Supportability and Interoperability (RMQSI), and 3) Modeling & Simulation and have experience in some of the remaining 18 scope areas.

3. Pool 3 – 1 Scope Area (CBRN), Unrestricted: The anticipated amount of Task Orders that are to be awarded on this contract is approximately 24 typical Task Orders concurrently by the 4th year, with a typical Task Order being valued at $28M, with a period of performance of 54 months. The Government contemplates awarding to 4 contractors in this Pool. The Government estimates that on average a contractor in this pool would require approximately 218 FTEs per year by the 4th year, and predominantly covering the CBRN defense scope area. Respondent also must demonstrate ability to meet all CBRN requirements (top secret clearance and labs access, described under Scope Area CB-1 CBRN Defense).

Historically, the predominant portion of the cost of performing a typical Task Order has been labor/services with "other direct costs" (travel, materials, supplies, facilities charges, etc.) being incidental relative to labor. Therefore, "capacity" will primarily entail a respondent demonstrating an ability to staff multiple Task Orders concurrently with an appropriate number of individuals who possess the qualifications and clearances required by the Task Orders. If the respondent is a small business contemplating performing as a prime contractor, the Government will consider the respondent's demonstrated ability to perform this effort within the constraints of the FAR 52.219-14 Limitation on Subcontracting Clause (which will apply to any award pools with a small business set aside feature). Personnel resources may be in the form of existing and currently available prime contractor employees, teammate/subcontractor employees, or the respondent's ability to recruit and hire necessary new employees in time to propose and successfully perform the Task Order. Respondents should show the number of available employees with relevant qualifications that the respondent currently employs, a brief description of the subject matter and management expertise of the supervisors who would manage Task Orders, and the in-house resources they possess to recruit and hire subject matter experts quickly. Vague and generalized statements such as "we will hire highly qualified personnel as needed” would not demonstrate that the respondent has the necessary capacity.

For the portion of labor or facilities that the respondent would subcontract out, if any, a demonstration of "capacity" requires the respondent to address existing or planned agreements/subcontracts/ purchase orders with specific, named, entities and a demonstration of those entities' capability and capacity. The respondent is required to demonstrate that those entities, in combination with the prime, would possess the resources necessary to perform the contemplated magnitude of Task Orders and have the ability to deliver those resources in a timely manner to the customer. The respondent's ability to timely enter into appropriate agreements with qualified subcontractors and to successfully manage those subcontractors, is paramount and will be a significant element of the Government's evaluation of capacity. Generalized and vague statements such as "we would subcontract for personnel with specialized knowledge as needed" would not demonstrate that the respondent has the necessary capacity.

In response to individual Task order RFPs, prime contractors will be permitted to propose new subcontractors that were not members of their original team at the time of contract award. All new proposed subcontractors will be subject to Contracting Officer evaluation and consent pursuant to FAR 44.101, prior to award of a Task Order.

IAC MAC Task Order Proposal Requests (TOPRs) aka RFPs will typically be issued with a 30-day proposal response time with estimated TO ceiling values ranging from a few hundred thousand dollars to $100 million dollar plus efforts (over the entire Task Order period of performance). The lead time from delivery of a proposal to when the contractor begins performing the Task Order is typically 3-6 months.

Table 1 below provides the FY15 TATs ceiling value and number for Task Orders awarded in each scope family (1) Cyber Security and Information Systems, 2) Defense Systems and 3) Homeland Defense and Security) over $100M, between $50M and $100M, between $10M and $50M, between $5M and $10M, and under $5M for the SNIM, HD TAT and DS TAT contracts.

c. “Financial Viability” means the respondent has the necessary financial ability to perform this acquisition. For example, the respondent can demonstrate credit worthiness by providing its Dun & Bradstreet rating, recent annual revenue/sales figures, descriptions of available lines of credit, etc.

B. IAC MAC SCOPE

IAC MAC requirements will consist of R&D as defined at FAR 35.001, and/or other advisory services. R&D services will consist of predominantly “applied” research and/or development efforts for the primary purpose of advancing scientific and technical knowledge or applying that knowledge to the extent necessary to achieve agency and national goals.

R&D Services shall be focused on enhancing the productivity of the Defense Research and Engineering community in performing their mission of ensuring that warfighters today and tomorrow have superior and affordable technology to support their missions, and to give them revolutionary war-winning capabilities. All Task Orders must generate a significant amount of STI.

Representative tasks that may be ordered within the IAC MAC scope include: technical development, technology evaluation, development of plans and frameworks, technology implementation, technical research and analyses, training (non-routine), technology-related operations and support (non-routine) development analysis, general technical subject matter expertise, and facilitation or participation in technical conferences and meetings.

The IAC MAC scope does not include routine operational and maintenance-type services such as data entry, maintenance and training on fully developed/deployed systems, help-desk support on developed systems, functions that are solely administrative, etc. All TATs must be for the primary purpose of analysis or development that will generate STI. Routine "operational" type services will be permitted to be included on a Task Order as long as they are incidental to, and necessary for, completion of related scientific and technical analysis/developmental efforts that will generate STI.

IAC MAC Award Pools The DoD IACs is contemplating establishing three contracts/pools under the IAC MAC contract vehicle, each with multiple awards. The Government contemplates approximately ten awardees for Pools 1 through 3 combined (Full and Open/Unrestricted, CBRN Defense and Small Business Set-Aside) and four awardees for Pool 2 only (Small Business Set Aside). This number is subject to change based on the results of market research and best value determinations made during the source selection process. Each pool will be a separate contract with a separate source selection and competed through its own solicitation proposal instructions and evaluation criteria. This acquisition strategy is still under development and is subject to change. The DoD IACs is soliciting input from industry via this RFI and ongoing market research to identify the optimal acquisition approach. Table 2 below provides a description of the contemplated pools.

Table 2 - Contemplated Award Pools

Pool Number

Award Pool Name

Description

Scope Focus Area Definitions Defense Systems Scope Family – Included in Pools 1 and 2; Ten Scope Areas Scope Area DS-1 Survivability and Vulnerability refers to the science and technology for remaining mission- capable after a military engagement. The term “survivability” relates to the survivability of DoD platforms to avoid or survive a hostile threat (survivability of platforms and ability against specific threats). The scope of this contract is focused on the research and analysis of this subject matter area. This subcategory comprises four elements: Susceptibility - the likelihood of being detected, identified, and hit; Vulnerability - the effects of being hit by a weapon; Recoverability - damage control, restoration, mission continuation, and escape and evacuation; and Lethality – the effectiveness of munitions. Examples of topics that fall within the general scope of Survivability and Vulnerability (this list is not all-inclusive) are shown below -- the contractor shall have the capability to perform research and R&D-related analysis and advisory and assistance services in the following scientific and technical information (STI) subject areas:

Survivable conventional force requirements; air platform survivability/vulnerability; ground system survivability/vulnerability; ship survivability/vulnerability; systems survivability; low observable technology requirements for system survivability; space related survivability; laser effects; advanced materials for enhanced survivability; high power microwave (HPM) susceptibility and vulnerability; battle damage repair; advanced weapon survivability/vulnerability; helicopter survivability/vulnerability; missile system survivability/ lethality analysis; aircraft survivability equipment; munitions/ammunition vulnerability; live fire testing analysis; ballistic test facility; modeling and simulation tools that are vital to survivability/vulnerability and lethality analysis; integrated survivability; crew casualty methodology improvement; support of combat operations; damage repair methodologies; and logistics implications of survivability.

Additionally, the contractor shall have the capability to perform research and R&D-related analysis and advisory and assistance services in the following non-nuclear threats scientific and technical information (STI) subject areas: conventional weapons, directed energy weapons, chemical and biological weapons, and non-lethal weapons.

Scope Area DS-2 Reliability, Maintainability, Quality, Supportability, and Interoperability (RMQSI) is composed of how well each weapons system is designed and manufactured, and its maintainability over time. The scope of this contract is focused on the research and analysis of this subject matter area. Examples of topics that fall within the general scope of RMQSI (this list is not all-inclusive) are shown below -- the contractor shall have the capability to perform research and R&D-related analysis and advisory and assistance services in the following scientific and technical information (STI) subject areas:

RMQSI applications in the following areas: interrelations between forms/functions/ shapes/ behaviors/structures/dynamics, principles and constraints that govern the interactions between multiple functions; the multi-functional component integration issues and system adaptation capabilities that allow systems to select and switch functions based on tasks and environments; and reliability and life-lengthening methodologies for analyzing mechanical and electrical systems, especially those with extremely low failure rates.

Additionally, the contractor shall have the capability to perform research and R&D-related analysis and advisory and assistance services in the following RMQSI scientific and technical information (STI) subject areas: System Acquisition Planning and Management; Systems Interoperability Assessment; Integrated Supply Chain Management; Application of Non-Developmental and Commercial Technology in Military Applications; Reliability Centered Maintenance Implementation; Logistics Management and Planning Tools; Root Cause Analysis; Corrective Action and Re-engineering; Sustainment Management Planning; Reliable Human Factors; Integrated Reliability & Maintainability (R&M) Test Planning; Affordability and Life Cycle Cost Analysis; Environmental Characterization; Quality Improvement Planning and Implementation; Design Trade-Off Analysis; and System/Equipment Lifetime Extension Analysis.

Scope Area DS-3 Military Sensing includes all sensing applications that apply to the defense of the United States of America. The scope of this contract is focused on the research and analysis of this subject matter area. Examples of topics that fall within the general scope of Military Sensing (this list is not all-inclusive) is shown below – the contractor shall have the capability to perform research and R&D-related analysis and advisory and assistance services in the following scientific and technical information (STI) subject areas:

X-ray, ultraviolet (UV), visible/optical, infrared, radar, laser, acoustic, aroma, and many other sensors; electronic warfare and countermeasures systems; and the fusion, processing, distribution, and display of sensed information; sensors, sensor subcomponents and materials technology; counter-countermeasures; directed energy/active systems; target, background and atmospheric phenomenology; manned and automated target acquisition/discrimination techniques.

The following are types of sensors the contractor shall have the capability to perform research and R&D-related analysis and advisory and assistance services: electromagnetic (EM); electro-optical (EO); infrared (IR); radar; acoustic; seismic; magnetic; fused sensor combinations. Spectral bands of EM sensors of interest include all wavelengths from the UV through radar (radio waves).

Scope Area DS-4 Advanced Materials is composed of traditional material and processes science, engineering and technologies in the context of defense systems and military applications. The scope of this contract is focused on the research and analysis of this subject matter area. Examples of topics that fall within the general scope of Advanced Material (this list is not all-inclusive) is shown below -- the contractor shall have the capability to perform research and R&D-related analysis and advisory and assistance services in the following scientific and technical information (STI) subject areas:

Organic materials and organic-matrix composites including aerospace structural/thermal composites and hard coatings for wear and corrosion resistance; effects of ion bombardment; material and component technologies; self-assembly of microstructures for advanced materials including tubules; advanced ceramics and ceramic sol gels; and the assessment of potential applications including: controlled release, advanced composites for electronic, structural, and thermal applications, and environmental applications.

The scope also includes manufacturing and testing, including: all processing and fabrication methods associated with the design, research and development and repair/remanufacturing of metals, composites, and energetic and munitions technologies; new and existing machine intelligence; non- destructive evaluation (NDE), testing and inspection; corrosion mitigation; mortar tubes; weapons system life extension; thermal controls and batteries; processing techniques that can be developed for rapidly synthesizing materials and structures at low environmental and fiscal costs; and emerging technologies such as non-reflecting and self-cleaning surfaces, biocompatible silk, energetic material (for example, pyrotechnic compositions and explosives) and nanotechnology (for example, designing and developing nano-materials, nano-particles, and potential device application) .

Scope Area DS-5 Energetics refers to the scientific study of energy under transformation in the context of defense systems and military applications. The scope of this contract is focused on the research and analysis of this subject matter area. Examples of topics that fall within the general scope of Energetics (this list is not all-inclusive) is shown below -- the contractor shall have the capability to perform research and R&D-related analysis and advisory and assistance services in the following scientific and technical information (STI) subject areas:

Disruptive energetics; swarming bullets; micro- munitions; detonation science, chemical engineering, reactive metals used as explosives and chemical propulsion; all aspects of rocket propulsion ranging from small scale liquid engine components and tactical motors to launch booster class engines and strategic rocket motors as well as intermediate devices including combined cycle designs, spacecraft propulsion and space and missile propulsion system components; research into propulsion concentrated on processes characteristic of reciprocating (diesel) and gas turbine engines and the combustion dynamics of propellants used for gun and missile propulsion; emerging technologies relating to the research and evaluation of hybrid propulsion as a viable propulsion alternative to conventional propulsion; hybrid fuels and oxidizers; pyrotechnics; and rocket nozzle technology and propellant grains.

Scope Area DS-6 Non-Lethal Weapons and Information Operations covers weapons, devices, operations, tactics and munitions that are explicitly designed and primarily employed to immediately incapacitate targeted personnel or materiel, or to act as force multipliers through the use of political, military, economic and ideological activities, while minimizing fatalities, permanent injury to personnel, and undesired damage to property in the target area or environment. Non-lethal weapons and information operations are intended to have reversible effects on personnel and materiel. The scope of this contract is focused on the research and analysis of this subject matter area. Examples of topics that fall within the general scope of Non-lethal Weapons and Information Operations (this list is not all-inclusive) are shown below -- the contractor shall have technical familiarity to work with these STI subject areas: Sound (sonic weaponry, acoustic weapons); stench warfare (stink bombs); military information support operations; sock rounds, pepper spray; entangling devices; and the use of non-lethal weapons to combat asymmetric threats and operations on a real-time basis in the battlefield and at greater than small arms range.

Scope Area DS-7 Directed Energy Weapons includes weapons that emit energy in an aimed direction without the means of a projectile. The scope of this contract is focused on the research and analysis of this subject matter area. Examples of topics that fall within the general scope of Directed Energy Weapons (this list is not all-inclusive) are shown below -- the contractor shall have the capability to perform research and R&D-related analysis and advisory and assistance services in the following scientific and technical information (STI) subject areas:

Electronic warfare with subcategories of electronic attachment, electronic protection and electronic warfare support; electromagnetic power – bombs; electro laser and other electroshock weapons; radio frequency technologies; microwaves to disable communications; pulsed energy projectiles; electromagnetic radiation; particle energy projectiles; particle beam weapons; electron particle beam weapons; high-energy laser and related technologies; and countermeasures such as reflective coatings , gas envelopes and chaotic trajectories, and all processing and fabrication methods associated with the design, research and development, production and repair of directed weapons.

Scope Area DS-8 Autonomous Weapon Systems is composed of ground, air, or sea-launched kinetic munitions that utilize on-board sensors, algorithms, and control methods to improve estimates on the target state, to understand the implications of the engagement situation/environment, or to develop engagement geometries that are otherwise unavailable to a conventional weapon. The scope of this contract is focused on the research and analysis of this subject matter area. Examples of topics that fall within the general scope of Autonomous Weapon Systems (this list is not all-inclusive) are shown below -- the contractor shall have the capability to perform research and R&D-related analysis and advisory and assistance services in the following scientific and technical information (STI) subject areas:

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (airplanes, helicopters, drones); unmanned submarines and surface vessels (boats, sea robotics); unmanned ground vehicles (robots, tanks, hummers); and the following as they pertain to autonomous systems: precision effects; precision control; timely precision stand-off; responsive and dynamic targeting; difficult target defeat; semi-autonomous weapons; miniature autonomous systems; full range of weapon capabilities of manned weapons; operations of autonomous agents such as anti-traction and anti-reaction chemicals; counter-mobility agents; pulsed energy projectiles; plasma weapons; advanced optical and communications technologies; stochastic pursuit-evasion differential games with multi-players; hunter-prey relationships and swarming behavior; challenging environments (for example, littorals, urban, adverse weather, night, denial, deception, active defenses) and networked operations.

Scope Area DS-9 Weapons Systems refers to any integrated system, usually computerized, for the control and operation of weapons; this includes strategic and tactical, offensive and defensive weapons. This domain area covers any facet of technical research and analysis related to Weapons Systems that is not covered in a more specific bolded sub-category. The scope of this contract is focused on the research and analysis of this subject matter area. Examples of topics that fall within the general scope of Weapon Systems (this list is not all-inclusive) are shown below -- the contractor shall have the capability to perform research and R&D-related analysis and advisory and assistance services in the following scientific and technical information (STI) subject areas:

Space and anti-satellite systems; soldier systems; future combat systems; guidance systems; tanks, aircraft, ship, submarine, and missile systems; countermeasures against laser-guided or laser-aided threats; revolutionary lethal, less lethal and non-lethal munitions-related research for new airframe/ordnance and guidance/control technology weapon paradigms; and the environmental impacts of weapon systems (for example, safe disposal of weapons, materials, and components; energy consumption, conservation and management; and environmental remediation and restoration.

Scope Area DS-10 C4ISR Systems, procedures, and techniques used to collect and disseminate information, principally through Radio Frequencies propagated in the electro-magnetic spectrum. This includes intelligence collection and dissemination networks, command and control networks, and systems that provide the common operational/tactical picture. C4ISR also includes information assurance products and services, as well as communications standards that support the secure exchange of information by C4ISR systems (digital, voice, and video data to appropriate levels of command). Example technologies include hardware, such as radios, receivers, satellites, relays, routers, computers, and other information technology infrastructure. For Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance ("ISR"), examples include the use of remote sensors (infrared, optical, radio frequency sensors) placed on platforms such as satellites and unmanned vehicles. For Command and Control, technologies require computing power and computer algorithms to fuse multiple sensor inputs and data streams into decision-support software to provide situational awareness. Other software algorithms and programs applied to C4ISR include those that ensure interoperability among disparate communications systems, encryption algorithms to ensure secure communications, signal detection and image processing methods, antijamming and low probability of signal intercept techniques, communications networking protocols, and inertial navigation. Threat warning systems and electronic countermeasures such as jamming techniques and decoys are also included in this technology area.

Homeland Defense and Security Scope Family – Included in Pools 1 and 2; Seven Scope Areas Scope Area HD-1 Homeland Defense & Security is composed of Counterterrorism, Environmental Security, Aviation Security, Law Enforcement, Fraud Protection, Building and Facilities Security, Border Security, Disaster/Emergency Response and Recovery, and Cyber Security/Information Management. This is a domain area that covers any facet of homeland defense/security that is not covered in a more specific bolded sub-category below. The scope of this contract is focused on the research and analysis of this subject matter area. Examples of topics that fall within the general scope of Homeland Defense and Security (this list is not all-inclusive) are shown below. The contractor shall have the capability to perform research and analysis and other advisory services in the following scientific and technical information (STI) subject areas:

(1) IED/terrorist attack prediction; (2) technology and methods to detect explosives in public spaces and transportation networks ; (3) spectrum management (i.e., the federal government’s use of the radio frequency spectrum) ; (4) emergency response information networks ; (5) analysis of terrorist tactics and strategies ; (6) operational threat response and recovery; (7) air and space domain surveillance and intelligence integration ; (8) homeland defense-related sensor and imaging technology (i.e., non-military) ; (9) technology and methods for protection against counterfeiting and trafficking (10); the detection/prevention of documentation- and computer-related fraud; (11) emerging technologies relating to physical security, exposing identity theft, controlling access across borders; (12) and emerging technologies relating to building, sustaining, and improving capabilities to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards including natural disasters and terrorist attacks .

Scope Area HD-2 Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) is the protection of infrastructure and resources critical to national security, and is composed of National Infrastructure, Physical and Virtual Systems, Cyber Infrastructure and Continuity of Operations (COOP). The scope of this contract is focused on the research and analysis of this subject matter area. Examples of topics that fall within the general scope of CIP (this list is not all-inclusive) are shown below. The contractor shall have the capability to perform research and analysis and other advisory services in the following scientific and technical information (STI) subject areas:

(1) Emerging technologies and methodologies relating to public health ; (2) financial services ; (3) security services (police, military) ; (4) telecommunications ; (5) agriculture ; (6) security threats posed from cyber warfare and operational factors and functions ; and (7) COOP planning . Technology could include network development and analysis tools, failure modeling and simulations, analysis of data streams, development of new affordable, transportable utility components, telecommunications, blast analysis and protection, and surveillance methods and technology.

Scope Area HD-3 Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) are defined as weapons that can kill a large number of people or cause damage to man-made structures, national structures or the biosphere. The scope of this contract is focused on the research and analysis of this subject matter area. Examples of topics that fall within the general scope of WMD (this list is not all-inclusive) are shown below. The contractor shall have the capability to perform research and analysis and other advisory services in the following scientific and technical information (STI) subject areas:

(1) International weapons technology and proliferation ; (2) arms control ; (3) technologies for preparedness, countermeasures and investigations ; (4) research and analysis related to WMD and IED-related international R&D technology, including implications of emerging threat information and queries from the intelligence community ; (5) emerging technologies relating to missiles (ballistic and cruise) ; (6) and non-conventional military weapons (for example, research and analysis related to IEDs).

Scope Area HD-4 Biometrics is the automated methodology to uniquely identify humans using their physiological or behavioral attributes. The scope of this contract is focused on the research and analysis of this subject matter area. Examples of topics that fall within the general scope of Biometrics (this list is not all-inclusive) are shown below. The contractor shall have the capability to perform research and analysis and other advisory services in the following scientific and technical information (STI) subject areas:

(1) Emerging technologies relating to fingerprints, footprints, palm print, and hand geometry; (2) facial recognition including facial thermograph ; (3) gait recognition; (4) eye retinal and iris recognition; (5) odor/scent; (6) typing rhythm; (7) voice patterns; (8) signature; (9) vein scan ; (10) blood pulse; (11) nail bed identification; and (12) ear shape. Technology could include devices for synthesis, analysis, measurement and characterization of biological structures and features, devices to acquire biometric data, biometric screening capabilities, biometric detection devices and methods, and biomathematics.

Scope Area HD-5 Medical is composed of any facet of medical research relating to homeland defense and security or military operations. The scope of this contract is focused on the research and analysis of this subject matter area. Examples of topics that fall within the general scope of Medical (this list is not all-inclusive) are shown below. The contractor shall have the capability to perform research and analysis and other advisory services in the following scientific and technical information (STI) subject areas:

(1) Traumatic brain injury; (2) mental health; (3) amputation; (4) prosthetics; (5) limb salvage; (6) rehabilitation; (7) burn treatment including thermal, electrical, chemical and laser; (8) prevention and treatment of hearing loss, vision loss and spinal cord injuries; (9) clinical informatics – the organization of healthcare information; (10) aviation and combat life support equipment; (11) regenerative medicine (the use of expanded stem cells in an effort to facilitate recovery of marrow that has been exposed to radiation and chemical weapons); (12) infectious diseases; (13) pharmaceuticals; (14) non-invasive and remote assessment of physiological status; (15) pre-symptomatic diagnoses technology; (16) molecular genetics and genomics; (17) soldier performance optimization; and (18) emerging technologies in diagnostic assays, disease vector control and protection systems.

Scope Area HD-6 Cultural Studies is composed of cultural and sociological analysis – research into the ideology, political and economic nature of a culture in order to better understand its people and government for national security purposes. The scope of this contract is focused on the research and analysis of this subject matter area. Examples of topics that fall within the general scope of Cultural Studies (this list is not all-inclusive) are shown below. The contractor shall have the capability to perform research and analysis and other advisory services in the following scientific and technical information (STI) subject areas:

(1) Cultural anthropology (for example, collecting data about the impact of global, economical and political processes on local cultural realities); (2) cultural diplomacy (for example, initiation or facilitation of information exchange with an aim to yielding a long-term benefit and build relationships and enhancing socio-cultural understanding); (3) public diplomacy (for example, communication with foreign publics to establish a dialogue designed to inform and influence); (4) strategic communication (for example, communicating directly and clearly with regard to the operations, structures and processes of the DoD); (5) study of terrorism and responses to terrorism; (6) research on individual and group behavior, quantitative techniques to describe and understand social and economic systems, graph theory and network analysis to model social networks and complex system behaviors; (7)socio-cultural computing; (8) human adaptation and response to perturbations (e.g., climate change, mass migration, war); (9) interactions between human and natural systems; (10) technologies to enable/enhance language learning; (11) theology/comparative religions; and (12) military information support operations (formerly referred to as “psychological warfare and operations”).

Scope Area HD-7 Alternative Energy – is composed of novel, non-traditional and emerging sources and technologies for harvesting, generating, storing, transmitting/transporting and reusing energy. The scope of this contract is focused on the research and analysis of this subject matter area. Examples of topics that fall within the general scope of Alternative Energy (this list is not all-inclusive) are shown below. The contractor shall have the capability to perform research and R&D-related analysis and advisory and assistance services in the following scientific and technical information (STI) subject areas:

(1) Fusion energy; (2) renewable energy including solar, hydro and wind power; (3) geothermal; (4) fossil fuels; (5) hydrogen energy; (6) bio-energy/biofuels; (7) advanced energy storage, distribution and generation; (8) portable, efficient and compact power technologies; (9) energy recovery and conversion including resource reuse and transformation; (10) micro-scale power sources; (11) novel electrical and magnetic materials; (12) biomimetics; and (13) nuclear batteries.

Cybersecurity and Information Systems Scope Family – Included in Pools 1 and 2; Four Scope Areas Scope Area CS-1 Software Data and Analysis is defined as the process of inspecting, cleaning, transforming, and modeling data with the goal of highlighting useful information, suggesting conclusions, and supporting decision making. The scope, as it relates to the DoD RDT&E communities‘ needs, includes the entire field of software technologies and engineering , specifically as related to information, documentation, databases, model and architecture repositories, analysis, training, testing, data synthesis, hardware, software, standards, economic consideration of selection of techniques and processes, and interoperability. The contractor shall have technical familiarity to work with the following STI subject areas:

Installation, demonstration, test, validation and evaluation of new and…