18S5008_GRAPE Call 0003.pdf

Advanced Research Announcement (ARA): CALL 003

NAICS Code: The NAICS Code for this acquisition is 541715 and the small business size is 1,000 employees.

Federal Agency Name: Air Force Research Laboratory, AFRL/RXMZ Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Energy Office

ARA Title: Energy Office – Government Requirement for Advanced Power and Energy (GRAPE)

ARA Type: CALL 003

ARA Number: FA8650-18-S-5008

**Note The Government hereby suspends white paper submission for Agile Combat Equipment. If the Government receives a white paper tied to this active CALL 003 project area, the white paper will not be reviewed. At the closing date and time (See Full Text Announcement below) of the CALL 003 the submission of White Papers under this project area will resume until further notice.

*This CALL 003 is a closed one-step Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Agile Combat Equipment in accordance with the attached Statement of Object (SOO). Submitted proposals will be evaluated IAW the proposal review information and may be selected for negotiations and award. No white papers will be reviewed under this CALL 003 in the project area of Agile Combat Equipment. Please see FA8650-18-S- 5008 ARA Amendment 5 for submitting white papers in the other project areas.

Offerors should monitor the official U.S. government website for federal awards at https://SAM.gov in the event this announcement is amended.

NOTE: Any proposal received at the Government Office designated in this ARA CALL 003 after the exact time specified (See Full Text Announcement for date and time) for receipt of offers is “late” and will not be considered except at the Contracting Point of Contract’s discretion. Early white paper/proposal submission is encouraged.

Submission: CALL Proposals must be submitted via e-mail to the Contracting Point of Contact (POC): Charlotte Chumack, Contracting Officer, Charlotte.Chumack@us.af.mil AFRL/RXKMS, Bldg 45, 2130 8th St., Wright- Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7541. It is the offeror’s responsibility to ensure the proposal is received. A DoD Safe Link can be provided upon request by the offeror. Please submit a DoD Safe Link request at least 7 days in advance.

As an Alternate for submission please contact via email, Contract Specialist Yanosh Cerovcevic, Yanosh.Cerovcevic@us.af.mil.

THIS WILL BE A ONE-STEP SOLICITATION: This Air Force Research Laboratory, AFRL/RX Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is soliciting Proposals for CALL 003. Please refer to ARA Amendment 5 for more information regarding proposal submission information and proposal content and form. The GRAPE ARA is open until 2026 and the ceiling is sufficient for this effort.

Please note that any Roman Numeral Sections shown within this call references back to the ARA Amendment 5 Announcement Section of same Roman Numeral.

Type of Contract/Instrument: The Air Force reserves the right to award Contract(s) and/or Other Transaction(s) pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 4023, based on the instrument deemed most appropriate. It is anticipated that awards under this ARA will generally be Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) or Firm Fixed Price (FFP). REMINDER:

Cost reimbursement contracts require successful offerors to have an accounting system considered adequate for tracking costs applicable to the contract.

NOTE: If proposing a Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) based contract, the FAR clause references in this ARA shall apply. This announcement incorporates FAR and supplement provisions and clauses by reference. The full text of these provisions and clauses can be found at http://acquisition.gov. If proposing an Other Transaction-like Agreement pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 4023, these FAR references and clauses would not apply. The terms and conditions of an OT agreement should be developed and negotiated on a case-by-case basis.

Estimated Cost: $14,000,000.00 - $25,000,000.00 ($14m-$25M)

Anticipated Number of Awards: One Award is Anticipated. However, the Air Force reserves the right to award zero or multiple agreements and/or contracts, for all, some, or none of the CALL 003 work based on the offeror’s ability to perform desired work and funding fluctuations. There is no limit on the number of agreements or contracts that may be awarded to an individual offeror.

Communication Between Prospective Offerors and Government Representatives: Dialogue between prospective offerors and Government representatives is encouraged until submission of proposals. Discussions with any of the points of contact shall not constitute a commitment by the Government to subsequently fund or award any proposed effort. No guidance related to technical approach will be given. However, questions related to the objectives of the effort or prior similar efforts may be answered. Only Contracting Officers are legally authorized to commit the Government. If there is any doubt as to whether a response provides a competitive advantage, the answer will be posted publicly via an amendment to this ARA on SAM.gov for all contractors to review.

Address technical questions and contracting questions to the Contracting POC: Charlotte Chumack, Contracting Officer, e-mail address:

charlotte.chumack@us.af.mil and Yanosh Cerovcevic, Contract Specialist, Yanosh.Cerovcevic@us.af.mil

System for Award Management (SAM) Registration: SAM is the primary Government repository for prospective federal awardee information and the centralized Government system for awards. It replaces CCR/FedReg, On-line Representations and Certifications (ORCA) and the Excluded Parties Lists System (EPLS). Offerors shall be registered in the KSAM database prior to submitting an invoice and through final payment of any award resulting from this ARA. Offerors may obtain information on registration and annual confirmation requirements via the SAM accessed through https://sam.gov or by calling 866-606-8220.

Full Text Announcement

I. Program Description: Air Force Research Laboratory, AFRL/RXMZ Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Energy Office (AFRL/RXMZ) is soliciting CALL 003 in accordance with ARA Amendment 5.

1. Statement of Objective/Description of Technical Area(s): Please see the attached SOO for a detailed description of this CALL 003. The following research areas are of interest in this CALL 003.

Agile Combat Equipment Innovative solutions that improve energy efficiency, autonomy, combat agility during CONUS / OCONUS operations, and operator health and safety conditions. Enable electrification of the flight line and associated equipment with full-electric or diesel-electric hybrid solutions, including but not limited to the planning, development, testing, and coordination of charging infrastructure and architecture across DAF installations.

2. Security REQUIREMENTS

Operations Security (OPSEC)

The contractor shall participate in all activities associated with the disciplines of the organization’s Industrial Security, Information Security, Personnel Security, Operations Security (OPSEC), and Antiterrorism programs, following appropriate measures in each program as required for this particular contract. Security measures are required to reduce program vulnerability from successful adversary collection, exploitation of critical information, and violations of export control requirements. The prime contractor shall ensure all subcontractors, if applicable, conform to these requirements as required by the prime contractor.

Program Protection Plan (PPP) Requirements

Any potential critical program information (CPI) generated as part of this effort will be reviewed to determine the need for a PPP or to be included as part of an existing PPP.

CUI Information

The contractor shall ensure that personnel associated with this effort have annual training on OPSEC as well as Information Handling, Marking, Storage, Transmission, Release, Destruction and Reporting points related to Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

Sharing of Information

Approval of technical and programmatic information shared external to this effort shall be approved by the CO IAW DFARS 252.204-7000.

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

4. Deliverable Items: * The following deliverables are anticipated:

Scientific & Technical Reports (Final Report), DI-MISC-80711A/T

Funds & Man-Hour Expenditure Report, DI-FNCL-80331A/T

Contract Funds Status Report, DI-MGMT-81468/T

Status Report, DI-MGMT-80368A/T Presentation Material, DI-ADMN-81373/T Test Plan (Demonstration Test Plan), DI-NDTI-80566A/T

Material & Processing Digital Data Package (MPDDP), DI-MISC-82020/T

Scientific & Technical Reports (Data Management Plan)

DI-MISC-80711A/T

*Final deliverables will be determined at the time of contract award.

5. Schedule: 60 months. (57 month Technical Effort and 3 months for final reports)

6. Other Requirements:

a. Program security classification: Unclassified

b. OPSEC: see Program Security Requirements (above)

c. Foreign participation: Foreign participation may not be permitted.

Notice to Foreign-Owned Firms: Such firms are asked to immediately notify the Contracting Officer before deciding to respond to this announcement. Foreign contractors should be aware that restrictions might apply which could preclude their participation in this acquisition.

d. This acquisition involves data that is subject to export control laws and regulations. Only contractors who are registered and certified with the Defense Logistics Agency and have a legitimate business purpose may participate in this solicitation. Contact the U.S./Canada Joint Certification Program Office, Defense Logistics Agency, Logistics Information Services J34, HDI Federal Center, 74 Washington Avenue

N., Battle Creek, Michigan 49037-3084, (1-800-352-2255) or the Joint Certification Program Office (JCO) at JCP-ADMIN@dla.mil for further information on the certification process. You must submit a certified approved DD Form 2345, Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement, with your proposal.

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

c. Export Control: Information involved in this research effort is subject to

Export Control (International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) 22 CFR 120-131, or Export Administration Regulations (EAR) 15 CFR 710-774).

d. Export-Controlled Items: As prescribed by DFARS 225.7901-4, DFARS

252.225-7048, “Export-Controlled Item (JUN 2013)” is contained in this solicitation. This clause shall be contained in ALL resulting contracts.

e. Safety: The following safety requirements will be incorporated into the award: Must comply with all Air Force, federal, state and local safety and environmental regulations. Must comply with system safety requirements contained in MIL-STD 882E, Section 4 “Other Requirements” for any deliverable systems or hardware.

f. Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) may apply to contract awards resulting from this ARA. Interim and final evaluations of contractor performance for contract awards will be prepared in accordance with DAFFARS 5342.1503. The final performance evaluation will be prepared at the time of completion of work. In addition to the final evaluation, interim evaluation(s) will be prepared annually. Awardees will be requested to provide a POC to receive notifications of the opportunity to provide feedback. The contractor will be permitted 14 days to review the document and to submit additional information or a rebutting statement. If agreement cannot be reached between the parties, the matter will be referred to an individual one level above the Contracting Officer, whose decision regarding the CPARS submission will be final.

Copies of the assessments, contractor responses, and review comments, if any, will be retained as part of the contract file, and may be used to support future award decisions for other procurements.

7. Other Information:

a. Government Furnished Property (GFP) Availability: None anticipated

In accordance with FAR 45.201(b), the contractor is responsible for all costs related to making the property available for use, such as payment of all transportation, installation or rehabilitation costs.

GFP the following clauses/provisions apply:

i. FAR 52.245-1 Government Property or FAR 52.245-1, Alt II if the resulting contract is with a nonprofit organization or applied research at nonprofit organizations (SEP 2021);

ii. FAR 52.245-9 Use and Charges (Apr 2012);

iii. DFARS 252.211-7003, Item Unique Identification and Valuation

(Jan 2023);

iv. DFARS 252.245-7003, Contractor Property Management System

Administration (April 2012)

v. DFARS 252.245-7005, Management and Reporting of Government

Property (Jan 2024);

b. Additional information regarding technical information for this effort is only available by requesting an Unclassified Distribution D Supplemental Package (via email only). The Supplemental Package can be requested by contacting the RXMZ Program Office, Bill Fearon, William.Fearon.ctr@us.af.mil, and the Contracting Officer, Charlotte Chumack, Charlotte.Chumack@us.af.mil. The request should includee your company name, a company Point of Contact, address, and a copy of a current/valid DD Form 2345 “Military Critical Technnology Data Agreement.” This Supplemental Package with the full text technical description will be necessary to understand the effort and provide a good technical and cost proposal for each. Additional information that may be needed to secure a DD Form 2345 can be found in the original FA8650-18-S-5008 - Call 00

c. Base Support/Network Access:

Design approval will require by the 460 CES Buckley SFB, 13 SWS Clear AK, SBD2, Delta 4 and any other applicable Space Force offices as needed.

Any Basing Action(s) will require approval by and presented to the 460 CES Buckley SFB Facility Utilization Board processes before any construction related activity begins.

The bed down location, utility routes, proposed equipment and facilities affected, etc. will need to be identified and approved through 460 CES Buckley SFB.

Before the end of the contract the Disposition or Transition plan will require approval of the 460 CES Buckley SFB.

Clear Space Force Station will provide coordination of contractor access.

d. Data Rights Desired: Unlimited Data Rights desired

**Please See ARA Amendment 5 for additional Details regarding Data Rights.

II. Award Information

1. Anticipated Award Date: August 2025

2. Anticipated funding: For this CALL 003 is $14,000,000.00-$25,000,000.00 ($14m base cost, up to $25M with options)*

FY25 FY26 FY27 FY28 FY29 TOTAL

Base Contract $1.5M $5.5M $3.0M $1.5M $2.5M $14.0M

(OPTION) Additional Storage System Capacity

0 0 0 $4.0M $1.0M $5.0M

(OPTION) Capacitance for Load Leveling

$0.5M $0.5M $3M 0 0 $4.0M

(OPTION)

Disposition/Transition

$2.0M $2.0M

Total $2.0M $6.0M $6.0M $5.5M $5.5M $25M**

*This funding is an estimate only and not a contractual obligation for funding. All funding is subject to change due to Government discretion and availability. Potential offerors should be aware that due to unanticipated budget fluctuations funding in any or all areas may change with little or no notice.

**The total is a Government ROM that will be evaluated based on the technical approach and cost realism.

III. Eligibility Information

- Please See ARA Amendment 5

IV. Proposal and Submission Information

- Please See ARA Amendment 5 Section IV. Para. 3. Section a.,b.,d (pages 16-

21) for guidance on Proposal Page limitations and Fonts for Technical/Management, Cost/Business, SOW and Section K requirements.

- Please do not submit any hard copy or Cd’s, follow instructions above to email or request DoD Safe Link for proposal submission.

V. Proposal Review Information

- The below Peer or Scientific Review Criteria and Review and Selection will be used for this CALL 003.

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

a. Technical:

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

(2) The offeror’s understanding of the scope of the technical effort.

(3) The soundness of the offeror’s technical approach includes whether the proposal identifies major technical risks, clearly defines feasible mitigation efforts, and demonstrates related experience and qualifications of technical personnel.

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

- PROPOSAL - Review and Selection Process

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

(1) Selectable: Proposals are recommended for acceptance if sufficient funding is available

(2) Not Selectable: Even if sufficient funding existed, the proposal should not be funded.

b. No other criteria will be used.

c. Prior to award of a potentially successful offer, the Contracting

Officer will make a determination regarding price reasonableness.

VI. CALL Proposal and Submission Instructions (One-Step) ** Note: Offerors should be alert for any ARA amendments.

ONE STEP CALL Instructions: One Step Calls will follow the requirements found in IV. Para. 3 of ARA Amendment 5. Proposals against One Step Closed Calls will be due NLT than the date and time specified below:

- 28 July 2025 at 12:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time

VII. Call Proposal Review Information (One-Step)

Proposal Peer or Scientific Review Criteria: One Step Calls will be reviewed against the evaluation criteria listed within Section V of this

CALL 0003.

VIII. CALLS White Paper / Proposal Submission Instructions (Two-Step)

- Not Applicable to this CALL 003.

IX. CALL White Paper / Proposal Review Information (Two-Step)

- Not Applicable to this CALL 003.

X. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices: Offerors will be notified whether their proposal is recommended for award. The notification is not to be construed to mean the award of a contract is assured, as availability of funds and successful negotiations are prerequisites to any award.

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

3. Reporting: See Section I. Para 4 for potential reporting requirements. Final requirements will be specified in the final negotiated contract.

XI. Other Information : Please See ARA Amendment 5 “Section XI Other Information” for additional details pertaining to this section and information provided.

1. Acquisition of Commercial Items

2. Support Contractors

3. Item Unique Identification and Valuation

4. Informal Feedback Sessions

5. Wide Area Work Flow

6. Forward Pricing Rate Agreements

7. Pre-Award Clearance

8. Limitations on Pass-Through Charges

9. Associate Contractor Agreements

10. Post-Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation

11. Employment Eligibility Verification

12. Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Sub-contract/Sub-recipient

Awards

13. Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters

14. Accelerated Payment to Small Business Subcontractors

15. Terms of Service, Open-Ended Indemnification and Unenforceability of Unauthorized Obligations

16. Whistleblower Protections

17. Contractor Business Systems

18. Safeguarding of Unclassified Controlled Technical Information

19. Ombudsman

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

Attachments:(See Below Pages) Atch. 1- DFARs 252.227-7017 Data Assertion Table Atch. 2- Statement of Objective