ARDIS ARA Call 06 - Amendment 1.pdf

Advanced Research Announcement (ARA), ARDIS Call 06

Overview Information

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/RY Sensors Directorate

ARA Title: Architecture Refinement, Demonstration and Integration Systems (ARDIS)

ARA Number: FA8650-19-S-1110 (Basic ARA)

Call Title: Resolute Sentry

Call Type: Initial Call 06 Announcement

THIS IS A TWO-STEP SOLICITATION FOR CALL 06 ISSUED UNDER ARDIS ARA.

Unless otherwise stated in this call, all requirements listed within the Basic ARA announcement are considered applicable. Offerors should monitor the Contract Opportunities website at www.sam.gov in the event this announcement is amended.

First Step: WHITE PAPER DUE DATE AND TIME - August 21, 2023 at 4:00 PM, Wright-Patterson AFB local time (EST). Only white papers are due at this time.

NOTE: White Paper/proposal receipt after the due date and time shall be governed by the provisions of FAR 52.215-1(c)(3).

White paper and proposal submissions shall be electronic only. The Offeror should email the Contracting Officer (“CO”) at jessica.vetter.1@us.af.mil and the Buyer at michaela.desch@us.af.mil to request an emailed DoD SAFE drop off link. DoD SAFE is a secure Department of Defense website designed for the exchange of sensitive information. The Offeror should use the DoD SAFE link to “drop off” the white paper and later the proposal if requested.

This Call contains attachments with Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). The Offeror should email the CO and Buyer to request the attachments and include a

DD2345 with the Offeror’s CAGE code and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). The Government will ensure a Basic Assessment is complete in the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) and registration in the Joint Certification Program (JCP) prior to providing the attachments via DoD SAFE.

Offerors are required to have emailed the CO and Buyer and request the attachments and DoD SAFE drop off link in enough time to have the white paper uploaded by the due date and time.

Early white paper/proposal submission is encouraged.

Second Step: PROPOSAL DUE DATE AND TIME – To be provided in the Requests for Proposals sent to offerors that submit white papers considered to meet the needs of the Air Force.

Submission: White Papers must be submitted to the Contracting Points of Contact

(POCs): Jessica Vetter, Contracting Officer (CO), jessica.vetter.1@us.af.mil, AFRL/RYKSE, Bldg. 45, 2130 8th St., WPAFB OH 45433-7541 and Michaela Desch, Buyer, michaela.desch@us.af.mil, AFRL/RYKSE, Bldg. 45, 2130 8th St., WPAFB OH 45433-7541.

Type of Contract/Instrument: The Air Force reserves the right to award the instrument best suited to the nature of research proposed. Accordingly, the Government may award any appropriate contract type under the FAR and/or Other Transaction(s) pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 4023, based on the instrument deemed most appropriate. It is anticipated the contracts awarded under this call will be C-type contracts with Cost Plus

Fixed Fee (CPFF) completion. Cost reimbursement contracts require successful offerors to have an accounting system considered adequate for tracking costs applicable to the contract.

Estimated Call Value: The total estimated call value for all awards is $20,000,000 (the

AF reserves the right to exceed this amount if determined to be in the best interest of the Government). The Air Force anticipates two to five C-type contracts ranging from $2-

3M with an Option CLIN for approximately $2M based on the portion(s) of the requirement covered and have the potential to meet the Air Force’s needs in the proposed white paper and later proposal.

Anticipated Number of Awards: The Air Force anticipates awarding two to five CPFF completion C-type contracts for this call. However, the Air Force reserves the right to award some, all, or none of the proposals.

Brief Call Summary: Offeror must request attachments containing CUI, including Attachment 1 Statement of Objectives (SOO), from the Contracting Officer and Buyer and must provide the offeror’s CAGE code and UEI.

Address technical questions to the Technical POCs:

Primary Technical POC Mark Lucas

AFRL/RYAT

2241 Avionics Circle, WPAFB, OH 45433

(937) 938-0900 mark.lucas.5@us.af.mil

Secondary Technical POC Jared Feldman

AFRL/RITB

525 Brooks Rd, Rome, NY 13441

(315) 330-4714 jared.feldman@us.af.mil

Address contracting questions to the Contracting POCs:

Jessica Vetter, Contracting Officer

AFRL/RYKSE

Michaela Desch, Buyer

AFRL/RYKSE

2130 Eighth Street, WPAFB, OH 45433 jessica.vetter.1@us.af.mil

2130 Eighth Street, WPAFB, OH 45433 michaela.desch@us.af.mil

Full Text Announcement mailto:jessica.vetter.1@us.af.mil mailto:michaela.desch@us.af.mil

I. Program Description: Air Force Research Laboratory, Sensors Directorate (AFRL/RY) is soliciting white papers (and later technical and cost proposals) on the following research effort. Unless otherwise stated in this call, all requirements listed within the Basic ARA solicitation are considered applicable. See Basic ARA for further detailed descriptions of items listed below.

1. Statement of Objective/Needs: This Air Force Research Laboratory’s Resolute

Sentry program two-step call requests high technology readiness level (TRL) industry services and microservices for integration and test in the Open Mission

Systems (OMS) Resolute Sentry Architecture.

There are two Resolute Sentry variants under development. Resolute Sentry Air is currently in development. Resolute Sentry Surface begins development in FY2024.

This call focuses on Resolute Sentry Air On-Ramp 1 and Resolute Sentry Surface early technical development. Services and microservices sought focus is further described in the technical data package.

This call requests industry address software integration and test in the

Government-owned Systems Integration Laboratory (SIL). Include a discussion of the nature and scope of the research and the offeror’s proposed technical approach(es) for some or all of Attachment 1 "Statement of Objectives (SOO)".

2. 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 and modifications under authority of DFARS 235.006-71.

3. Deliverable Items:

a. Data Items: See attached CDRLs dated 23 May 2023 (Attachment 2)

b. Software: Deliver source code and any developed and/or any modified software, to include computer software or databases, developed during the course of the effort. Software documentation to support the integration into the Resolute Sentry system and the subsequent transition. Supporting software documentation may include Software Sustainability Package, a Software Version Description, and test scripts for software verification. Any Commercial-

Off-the-Shelf (COTS) software licenses proposed to be delivered to the U.S.

Government under the contract shall be consistent with federal law and submitted to the Contracting Officer for review for acceptability. Although some license terms do not necessarily violate federal law, they may raise security concerns or limit use to such an extent that the license does not meet the

Government's needs.

c. Hardware: None anticipated.

4. Schedule: C-type contracts will be awarded for 9 months (6 month technical Period of Performance (PoP) with 3 months for final reporting) and an Option CLIN for 9 months (6 month technical Period of Performance (PoP) with 3 months for final reporting). If Option is exercised, the final report will be due the end of the

Option PoP to be inclusive of the Base and Option.

5. Other Requirements:

a. Program Security Classification: Individuals must be US citizens and have a security classification level up to TS/SCI. Classification will be up to TS/SCI;

security levels to be determined based on proposals. See Draft DD254

(Attachment 3). Offerors must verify their Cognizant Security Office information is current with Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency

(DCSA) at www.dcsa.mil.

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

Control (International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR)); therefore, a Certified

DD Form 2345, Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement, is required to be submitted with the proposal.

c. Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS):

CPARS is applicable.

d. Unique/Special Clauses: None anticipated.

e. Associate Contractor Agreement: None anticipated.

f. Options: One 9 month Option CLIN.

g. EVMS: None anticipated.

h. Ground and Flight Test: Both ground and flight tests are anticipated.

i. Science and Technology (S&T) Protection: In accordance with Air Force

Research Laboratory Instruction (AFRLI) 61-113, “Science and Technology (S&T) Protection for the Air Force Research Laboratory”, offerors are required to submit the following as part of their proposal:

1) A completed initial Standard Form (SF) 424, Research and Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Form, (Attachment 7) for all

Senior/Key Personnel proposed in support of the AFRLI 61-113 Personnel Risk Assessment requirement.

2) Documentation of a Security Program Plan in support of the AFRLI 61-113 Initial Institution S&T Protection Program Review requirement. This must include, at a minimum, a completed Security Program Questionnaire

(Attachment 5). Submittal may also include a pre-existing plan that that the offeror uses as a matter of course or plan developed specifically for this acquisition. The purpose of requesting the plan is to assess the offeror’s capacity for protection of the Government’s S&T. Failure to demonstrate a plan adequate to meet the needs of the requirements, as determined by the Government in its sole discretion, may be grounds for considering the proposal unawardable.

Government Procedures http://www.dcsa.mil/

The Government will review the submitted S&T protection documentation only for those proposals categorized as Selectable and selected for funding and negotiations.

S&T Protection Initial Risk Review:

• Personnel Risk Assessment: The Government will review non-government research key/senior performers identified by the offeror on the initial SF

424 for workload conflicts and conflicts of interest.

• Initial Institution S&T Protection Program Review: The Government will review the offeror’s security program information submitted in accordance with paragraph 2 of this section (above) to identify any potential risks and ensure appropriate measures are in place to protect S&T information.

The Government may require the offeror to submit additional information and/or a mitigation plan for any identified S&T protection risks. If the Government determines the offeror failed to provide adequate additional information; or an acceptable mitigation plan; or it is determined the offeror’s

S&T protection approach is high risk and does not provide adequate protection of S&T information, the Government may reject the proposal and withdraw it from consideration for award.

S&T Protection Annual Risk Review: In accordance with Attachment 6 (PZL SOW Supplemental Requirements), the Contractor shall provide an SF 424 with the following information: 1) an initial report of all Senior/Key Personnel at the time of award; 2) an annual report of all Senior/Key Personnel providing support; and 3) a report for any new Senior/Key Personnel who join the contract, agreement, grant, or OT. Any updated SF 424s for new Senior/Key Personnel supporting the award require coordination from the Government prior to the contractor employee receiving access to S&T information. The purpose of this report is oversight and should not be construed as relieving the contractor/recipient of any S&T Protection requirements within the contract, grant, agreement, or OT.

6. Other Information:

a. Government Furnished Property (GFP) Availability: GFP is not anticipated at this time unless proposed otherwise.

b. Government Furnished Information (GFI): CUI GFI is anticipated on this call. To assist with white paper development, the Government will provide the following CUI GFI attachments: Attachment 8 CUI GFI Limited Technical Data Package, Attachment 9 CUI GFI Resolute Sentry Overview Air and Surface

Variants, Attachment 10 CUI GFI RS Analytics Service Contract OMS 2.0, Attachment 11 CUI GFI RS Mission Plan Decision Service Contract OMS 2.0, and Attachment 12 CUI GFI C32846 B Consensus Fusion Service Contract OMS

2.0. The Offeror should email the CO and buyer to request the attachments and include a DD2345 with the Offeror’s CAGE code and Unique Entity

Identifier (UEI).

c. Base Support/Network Access: CAC issuance as required; AFRL/RY on-site cubicle and computing resources not anticipated.

d. Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI): TBD based on award.

e. Data Rights: Unlimited data rights are desired for this call. See detailed information contained within the Basic ARA. Government Purpose Rights may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Data Rights desired by the contractor should be included with proposal submission.

II. Award Information:

1. Anticipated Award Date: Approximately December 2023.

2. Anticipated funding: The total estimated call value for all awards is $20,000,000 (the AF reserves the right to exceed this amount if determined to be in the best interest of the Government). The Air Force anticipates two to five $2- 3M awards with an Option CLIN for approximately $2M based on the portion(s) of the requirement covered and have the potential to meet the Air Force’s needs in the proposed white paper and later proposal.

This funding plan 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.

III. Eligibility Information:

1. Eligible Offeror: This is an unrestricted solicitation. Small businesses are encouraged to propose on all or any part of this solicitation.

2. Other:

a. Foreign Participation: Foreign Participation is not authorized on this call due to the sensitive nature of the technology and its level of classification.

b. Export Control: This acquisition involves data that is subject to export control laws and regulations. Offeror must submit a copy of their approved DD Form 2345, Military Critical Technical Data agreement with their proposal.

NOTE: You may be ineligible for award if all requirements of this solicitation are not met on the white paper (and later proposal) due date, as identified in this call.

IV. White Paper/Proposal and Submission Information:

FY23 FY24 FY25 Total

$0.2M $15.8 $4.0M $20.0M

1. Overview: This Call consists of a two-step process described in detail below.

White Papers/Proposals submitted under this call shall be in accordance with the instructions provided both herein and within the Basic ARA announcement. The Government intends to review resulting white papers/proposals and award all, some, or none of the proposals received without negotiations/discussions.

However, the Government does reserve the right to negotiate with those offerors whose proposals have been selected for funding. Offerors should be alert for any call amendments that may change proposal requirements or permit extensions to proposal submission dates. No classified submittals will be accepted.

ONLY WHITE PAPERS ARE BEING SOLICITED AT THIS TIME.

2. First Step (White Paper) Instructions:

a. General: The FIRST STEP requests a white paper and a rough order of magnitude (ROM) cost. The white paper shall include a discussion of the nature and scope of the research and the offeror’s proposed technical approach(es) for some or all of Attachment 1 SOO. The Government will review the white papers in accordance with the FIRST STEP Peer or Scientific Review criteria, set forth in Section V below. Based on this review, the

Government will determine which of them have the potential to best meet the Air Force’s needs. Offerors will be notified of the disposition of their white paper. It is anticipated that Government review of the white papers submitted will take 15 working days. Those offerors submitting white papers assessed as meeting Air Force needs will be asked to submit a technical and cost proposal.

Those offerors not requested to submit a technical and cost proposal will be notified. A request for information on the white paper evaluation can be requested by the offeror. An offeror submitting a proposal without first submitting a white paper will not be eligible for award. The cost of preparing white papers in response to this Solicitation is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resulting or any other contract; however, it may be an allowable expense to the normal bid and proposal indirect cost as specified in

FAR 31.205-18.

b. Page Limitation: The White Paper shall be limited to 5 pages, prepared and submitted in Word format. Font shall be standard 10-point business font Arial.

Character spacing must be “normal,” not condensed in any manner. Pages shall be double-spaced (must use standard double-space function in Microsoft

Word), 8.5 by 11 inches, with at least one-inch margins on both sides, top and bottom. All text, including text in tables and charts, must adhere to all font size and line spacing requirements listed herein. Font and line spacing requirements do not have to be followed for illustrations, flowcharts, drawings, diagrams, cover page, table of contents, and restrictive/property markings (in header or footer). These exceptions shall not be used to circumvent formatting requirements and page count limitations by including lengthy narratives in such items. Pages shall be numbered starting with the cover page being Page 1, and the last page being no greater than Page 5. The page limitation covers all information including indices, photographs, foldouts (counted as 1 page for each 8.5 by 11 portion) tables, charts, appendices, attachments, resumes, etc.

The Government will not consider pages in excess of these limitations.

c. Format: The white paper will be formatted as follows:

1) Section A: ARA Number, Title of Program, Name of Company, Business Size, Company’s Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) number, Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number, Contracting POC and Technical POC with appropriate telephone numbers and email addresses for the POCs.

2) Section B: Period of Performance and Task Objectives

3) Section C: Technical Summary and Proposed Deliverables

4) Section D: Cost of Task (Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM))

d. Technical Portion: The technical portion of the white paper shall include a discussion of the nature and scope of the research and the offeror’s proposed technical approach/solution. It may also include any proposed deliverables.

Resumes, descriptions of facilities and equipment, a proposed Statement of Work are not required at this point.

e. Cost Portion: The cost portion of the white paper shall include a ROM cost estimate. No detailed price or cost support information should be forwarded;

only a time-phased bottom line figure should be provided.

f. Other Information: Multiple white papers within the purview of this announcement may be submitted by each offeror. If the offeror plans to submit more than one white paper, they must outline different technical approaches with anticipated separate awards and levels of effort. If the offeror wishes to restrict its white papers, they must be marked with the restrictive language stated in FAR 52.215-1(e).

g. White Paper/Proposal Content Summary: You may be ineligible for award if all requirements of this solicitation are not met on the white paper due date.

3. Second Step: Proposal Submission Information:

a. Overview: Proposals submitted under this call shall be in accordance with the instructions provided both herein and within the Basic ARA announcement. The Government intends to review resulting proposals and award all, some, or none of the proposal received without negotiations/discussions. However, the Government does reserve the right to negotiate with those offerors whose proposal has been selected for funding. Offerors should be alert for any

ARA/Call amendments that may change proposal requirements or permit extensions to proposal submission dates. No classified submittals will be accepted. The cost of preparing cost and technical proposals in response to this Solicitation is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resulting or any other contract; however, it may be an allowable expense to the normal bid and proposal indirect cost as specified in FAR 31.205-18.

b. Proposal Instructions:

1) The SECOND STEP consists of offerors submitting a technical and cost proposal within 30 working days of the Request for Proposal (RFP). After receipt, proposals will be reviewed in accordance with the criteria in Section V below. Proposals will be categorized and subsequently selected for negotiations.

2) The Offeror should request and use a DoD SAFE link to “drop off” the proposal electronically. Offerors are required to have emailed the CO and

Buyer to request the DoD SAFE link in enough time to have the proposal uploaded by the due date and time.

3) Technical/Management Proposal shall be limited to: 20 pages

4) Statement of Work (SOW) shall be limited to: 10 pages

5) Offerors must provide all of the following to be considered for award:

Technical/Management Proposal, SOW, and Business Proposal.

V. White Paper/Proposal Review Information:

1. FIRST STEP – White Paper Peer or Scientific Review Criteria: The white paper must address how the offeror plans to satisfy the requirements of

Attachment 1 SOO. While the SOO requirements must be addressed, the white paper must satisfy the criteria of the Peer or Scientific Review in this section. The

Government will review white papers to determine which of them have the potential to best meet the Air Force’s needs (in whole or in part) based on the following criteria, which are listed in equal order of importance:

a. Advanced and innovative solutions, ready for integration within the period of performance specified, capable of addressing one or more of the Government’s technical objectives. No additional weight is placed on the ability to meet more than one objective.

b. The offeror’s understanding of the scope of the technical effort.

c. Soundness of the offeror’s technical approach.

d. Affordability (Proposed ROM Cost Estimate).

Note: If white papers are viewed favorably with respect to the above criteria, the

Government may request full technical and cost proposals; however, any such request does not assure a subsequent award.

2. SECOND STEP – 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 importance.

a. Technical:

1) Advanced and innovative solutions, ready for integration within the period of performance specified, capable of addressing one or more of the

Government’s technical objectives. No additional weight is placed on the ability to meet more than one objective.

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

3) Soundness of the offeror’s technical approach including 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 proposal restriction on technical data or computer software will be considered.

b. Cost/Price: The cost/price criterion includes the realism of the proposed cost.

Cost/Price is a substantial factor, but ranked as the second order of priority.

(If an offeror proposes the use of GFP other than any GFP identified in this Call, and that proposed GFP provides the offeror an unfair competitive advantage, then FAR 45.202 requires rental equivalent be applied to the Cost Factor for evaluation purposes only).

3. SECOND STEP - 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.

d. As indicated in Section I.5.i. above, the Government will conduct a S&T Protection Initial Risk Review only for those proposals categorized as Selectable and selected for funding and negotiations.

NOTE: The Government reserves the right to award some, all, or none of the proposals. When the Government elects to award only part of a proposal, the selected part may be categorized as Selectable, though the proposal as a whole may not merit such a categorization.

VI. Award Administration Information:

Award Notices: Offerors will be notified whether their white paper is selected approximately 20 working days after white paper submission. Offerors will be notified whether their proposal is recommended for award approximately 30 days after proposal submission. The notification is not to be construed to mean that any contract award is assured, as availability of funds and successful negotiations are prerequisites to any award.

VII. Other Information:

Proposal Content Checklist: See Basic ARA.

ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment 1: Statement of Objectives (SOO) entitled, “Resolute Sentry” dated 2 June

Attachment 2: Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL), dated 23 May 2023

Attachment 3: Draft Contract Security Classification Specification (DD Form 254)

Attachment 4: Model Contract

Attachment 5: Security Program Questionnaire

Attachment 6: PZL SOW Supplemental Requirements

Attachment 7: SF 424

Attachment 8: CUI GFI Limited Technical Data Package

Attachment 9: CUI GFI Resolute Sentry Overview Air and Surface Variants

Attachment 10: CUI GFI RS Analytics Service Contract OMS 2.0

Attachment 11: CUI GFI RS Mission Plan Decision Service Contract OMS 2.0

Attachment 12: CUI GFI C32846 B Consensus Fusion Service Contract OMS 2.0.