ARA_Announcement_RTD2_CALL1_FINAL.pdf

Advanced Research Announcement (ARA)

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: Rapid Technology Development and Demonstrations (RTD2) to Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) entitled, “Architecture Refinement, Demonstation and Integration Systems (ARDIS) Program.

ARA Type: This is the initial Announcement for Call 1.

ARA Number: FA8650-19-S-1110 Call 1

THIS IS A SOLICITATION FOR CALL 1. THIS SOLICITATION IS A ONE-STEP

CALL ISSUED UNDER Architecture Refinement, Demonstration and Integration Systems (ARDIS).

First Step: PROPOSAL DUE DATE AND TIME: 14 FEB 2019, 3:00 PM EST (Wright-Patterson AFB Time)

NOTE: Proposal receipt after the due date and time shall be governed by the provisions of FAR 52.215-1(c)(3). Any white paper or proposal received at the Government Office designated in this ARA after the exact time specified for receipt of offers is “late” and will not be considered except at the Contracting Point of Contract’s discretion. It should be noted that this installation observes strict security procedures to enter the facility. These security procedures are NOT considered an interruption of normal Government processes, and proposals received after the above stated date and time as a result of security delays will be considered “late.”

Furthermore, note that if offerors utilize commercial carriers in the delivery of proposals, they may not honor time-of-day delivery guarantees on military installations. Be advised, if the U.S. Postal Service is used, this building only receives U.S. Postal Mail twice a week and delivery by that means may not meet the proposal due date and time established herein. Early white paper/proposal submission is encouraged.

Submission: Proposals must be submitted to a Contracting Point of Contact (POC):

Cynthia Brockert, Contract Negotiator or Sarah Chaffe, Contracting Officer, AFRL/RQKSR, Bldg 45, 2130 8th St., Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7541.

Solicitation Request: Air Force Research Laboratory, AFRL/RY Sensors Directorate, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is soliciting proposals on the research effort described below.

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. 2373, based on the instrument deemed most appropriate. It is anticipated that awards under this Call will generally be Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) or Cost type contracts. 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 the full ARA announcement shall apply. The announcement incorporates FAR and supplement provisions and clauses by reference. The full text of these provisions and clauses can be found at http://farsite.hill.af.mil If proposing an Other Transaction (OT) pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2373, 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 Program Cost: The total estimated program value for Call 1 is $67,000,000 with an anticipated technical effort of 57 months plus 3 months for final report.

Anticipated Number of Awards: The Air Force anticipates awarding one contract as a result of this announcement. However, the Air Force reserves the right to award zero, one, or more other transactions and/or contracts, for all, some or none of the solicited effort based on the offeror’s ability to perform desired work and funding fluctuations. There is no limit on the number of other transactions or contracts that may be awarded to an individual offeror.

Brief Program Summary: Air Force Research Laboratory, Sensors Directorate is soliciting technical and cost proposals under this announcement that support the needs of the Sensors Directorate. AFRL/RY has a need to explore sensor system integration across multiple sensor research areas across multiple domains and/or cyber environments. DoD systems have become increasing complex over the years and our warfighter’s needs are continually changing to keep up with our adversaries.

More than ever, the Air Force needs to develop new and novel concepts for sensor systems across multiple domains and spectrums that aid in Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR), targeting, combat identification, battlespace awareness, protection of airborne assets in contested environments, and reliable electronic components within our sensor systems. The RTD2 program will assess and understand requirements; perform operationally relevant analysis; perform technical analysis;

assess advanced technologies; support ground and flight integration, demonstration, and test; explore sensor systems integration; research, develop, assess and understand new ways of Systems Engineering (SE) and integration;

perform research, development, and analyses of these systems in operationally relevant environments, both through laboratory and real-world flight http://farsite.hill.af.mil/ testing; assess advanced SE/Systems of Systems (SoS) technologies, including open architecture, adaptable interface, and system composition technologies.

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 FedBizOpps for all contractors to review. For those white papers not selected to provide a full proposal, notification and feedback will be managed by the Contracting POCs.

Address technical questions to the Technical POC: Capt. Juliana Nine, 2241 Avionics Circle, WPAFB, OH 45433, 937-713-4330, Juliana.nine.1@us.af.mil

Address contracting questions to the Contracting POC: Sarah E. P. Chaffe, Contracting Officer, AFRL/RQKSR, 2130 Eighth Street, Area B, Bldg. 45, Wright- Patterson AFB, OH, 45433-7541, phone number: (937) 713-9952, e-mail address: sarah.chaffe@us.af.mil or Cindy Brockert, Contract Negotiator, AFRL/RQKSR, 2130 Eighth Street, Area B, Bldg. 45, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7541, phone number: (937) 713-9840, e-mail address:

cynthia.brockert@us.af.mil.

mailto:Juliana.nine.1@us.af.mil mailto:sarah.chaffe@us.af.mil mailto:cynthia.brockert@us.af.mil

Full Text Announcement

I. Program Description:

Air Force Research Laboratory, Sensors Directorate (AFRL/RY) will be soliciting technical and cost proposals for the following research effort:

1. Statement of Objectives (SOO) – See Attachment 1.

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 that may increase overall contract ceiling amount.

3. Deliverable Items:

a. Data Items: reference paragraph 7.0 - Deliverables of the SOO, Attachment 1, for applicable CDRLs. CDRLs are exhibit A of the ARDIS model contract.

b. Software: See SOO, paragraph 7.0 - Deliverables.

c. Hardware: See SOO, paragraph 7.0 - Deliverables.

4. Schedule:

See SOO, paragraph 5.0 – Period of Performance.

5. Other Requirements:

Program Security Classification: The Security Classification for RTD2 is Top Secret classification/safeguarding capability. A DD254 is attached to this Call. Offerors must verify their Cognizant Security Office information is current with Defense Security Service (DSS) at www.dss.mil.

PROGRAM SECURITY REQUIREMENTS:

Individuals must be US citizens and may be required to have SCI DCID 6/4 Top Secret Eligibility based on a SSBI/SBPR to work classified efforts.

Any/all SCI and/or SAP work will be required to be conducted within an accredited Special Access Program Facility (SAPF) and/or a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF). Specific security details and requirements will be outlined within future task orders. All classified efforts must be in compliance with National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM). Other regulations/policies that may apply to this contract are JAFAN 6/0 (Revision 1); DoD Directive 5205.07 (Vol 1-4); AFMAN 16-

703 V3; SAF/AAZ

Memorandum” Air Force Special Access Programs Nomination Process http://www.dss.mil/

(SAPNP)” (30 Sep 2013); USD(I) Memorandum, Special Access Programs Nomination Process (20 May 2013); JAFAN 6/3 Implementation Guide, Version 1 (Sep 2006); DoD SAPCO Memorandum, Transition to the Risk Management Framework (RMF) (18 Dec 2013); Joint Special Access Program Implementation Guide (JSIG) (9 Oct 2013); Intelligence Community Directives (ICD) 704 and 705; other applicable SCI regulations/policy; other applicable Security Classification Guides (SCG);

and other applicable regulations/policy and subsequent revisions.

a. Export Control: Information involved in this research effort may be subject to Export Control (International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) 22 CFR 120-131, or Export Administration Regulations (EAR) 15 CFR 710- 774). If effort is subject to export control, then a Certified DD Form 2345, Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement, will be required to be submitted with proposal.

b. 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.

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

6. Other Information:

a. Government Furnished Property (GFP) Availability: Access to appropriate government facilities and platforms will be provided by the Government as appropriate and necessary to conduct experimentation. Additional GFP use may be considered if proposed and found to be in the best interest of the Government.

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.

b. Base Support – See SOO, paragraph 9.0 – Base Support

c. Data Rights – desired by the contractor should be included with proposal submission as part of the Section K.

The Air Force Research Laboratory is engaged in the discovery, development, and integration of warfighting technologies for our air, space, and cyberspace forces. As such, rights in technical data and NCS developed or delivered under this contract are of significant concern to the Government. The Government will therefore carefully consider any restrictions on the use of technical data, NCS, and NCS documentation which could result in transition difficulty or less-than full and open competition for subsequent development of this technology.

In exchange for paying for development of the data, the Government expects technical data, NCS, and NCS documentation developed entirely at Government expense to be delivered with Unlimited Rights.

Technical data, NCS, and NCS documentation developed with mixed funding are expected to be delivered with at least Government Purpose Rights. Offers that propose delivery of technical data, NCS, or NCS documentation subject to Government Purpose Rights should fully explain how the data was developed at private expense. Specifically, offers must explain what technical data, NCS, or NCS documentation developed with costs charged to indirect cost pools and/or costs not allocated to a Government contract will be incorporated, how the incorporation will benefit the program, and address whether those portions or processes are segregable.

Offerors that propose delivery of technical data, NCS, or NCS documentation subject to Limited Rights, Restricted Rights, or Specifically Negotiated License Rights will be considered. Proposals should fully explain what technical data, NCS, or NCS documentation developed with costs charged to indirect cost pools and/or costs not allocated to a Government contract will be incorporated and how the incorporation will benefit the program and whether those portions or processes are segregable.

Offerors shall include the data rights assertions as required by DFARS 252.227- 7017, Identification and Assertion of Restrictions on the Government’s Use, Release, or Disclosure of Technical Data or Computer Software. The assertions list is included in Section K and due at time of proposals. Assertions must be completed with specificity. Each assertion must identify both the data and each such item, component, or process listed. Nonconforming assertions lists will be rejected.

Terms used in this section are defined in the clauses at 252.227-7013, Rights in Technical Data-Noncommercial Items, and 252.227-7014, Rights in Noncommercial Computer Software and Noncommercial Computer Software Documentation.

THIRD PARTY SOFTWARE (COMMERCIAL AND NONCOMMERCIAL):

DFARS 252.227-7014(d) describes requirements for incorporation of third party computer software. Any third party software (commercial and noncommercial) to be incorporated into a deliverable must be clearly identified in the proposal. Prior to delivery of any third party software, the contractor will obtain an appropriate license for the Government, and the written approval of the contracting officer.

Any third party software to be delivered to the Government that are not reasonably identifiable at proposal submission, must still be approved by the contracting officer prior to incorporation into a system deliverable. This obligation to obtain pre-approval by the contracting officer, as described above, continues throughout contract administration.

The Government will neither accept nor execute a DD Form 250 for the software deliverables until the Contractor obtains from all third party software suppliers and/or vendors (Licensor) licenses that comply with the following terms and conditions for the Government (Licensee):

1. The license shall not subject the Government to liability that is indefinite or indeterminate, such as an indemnification clause, as it would constitute an obligation in advance or in excess of an appropriation and violate the Anti-Deficiency Act.

2. The license shall not create a contingent liability for the Government.

This includes, but is not limited to: unilateral price increases, automatic assessment of charges, and automatic renewal of the license.

3. The license shall be governed by Federal Statutes, Case Law, and

Federal Regulations, and shall not be subject to the laws or jurisdiction of any municipality, state, or foreign country.

4. The license shall not include non-substitution language that would preclude or limit the Government from using another vendor/reseller and/or product to fulfill Government requirements.

5. The license shall not comment on entitlement to attorney fees.

6. The Licensor shall not have the authority to unilaterally terminate the license. All remedies available shall be consistent with the Disputes Clause in the underlying basic contract.

7. The Licensor shall not have the right to enter the premise or monitor the networks of Licensee for the purpose of auditing the use of the license.

8. The Licensor shall not use any injunctive relief clauses as the

Licensor cannot prevent the Licensee from performing mission operations.

9. The Licensor shall not have the authority to control any litigation between a third party and the Licensee.

10.The Licensor shall not use the fact that the Licensee is using the Licensor's products in any notification to the public (e.g., no publicity rights permitted).

II. Award Information:

1. Anticipated Award Date: 30 April 2019

2. Anticipated funding – See SOO, paragraph 6.0 – Funding Profile

III. Eligibility Information:

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

2. Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost Sharing is not required.

3. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers: The following guidance is provided for Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) contemplating submitting a proposal, as either a prime or subcontractor. FAR 35.017-1(c) (4) prohibits an FFRDC from competing with any non-FFRDC concern in response to a Federal agency request for proposal for other than the operation of an FFRDC (with exceptions stated in DFARS 235.017-1(c) (4)). There is no regulation prohibiting an FFRDC from responding to a solicitation. However, the FFRDC’s sponsoring agency must first make a determination that the effort being proposed falls within the purpose, mission, general scope of effort, or special competency of the FFRDC, and that determination must be included in the FFRDC’s proposal.

In addition, AFRL must make a determination that the work proposed would not place the FFRDC in direct competition with domestic private industry.

Only after these determinations are made, would a determination be made concerning the FFRDC’s eligibility to receive an award.

4. Government Agencies: If a Government agency is interested in performing work, contact the Program Manager identified in the ARA. If those discussions result in a mutual interest to pursue your agency's participation, the effort will be pursued independent of this announcement.

5. Other:

a. Foreign Participation: Foreign Participation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. If it is determined that foreign participation is not allowed, the US Prime Contractor and/or Sub-Contractor may hire foreign national with prior FDO approval; however, FNs will be limited to Public Domain information only. Public Domain information is defined as information that is releasable to the general public and sometimes referred to as open source material. Examples include but are not limited to newspapers, magazines and information posted on the internet. Any proprietary information will have to be appropriately protected.

b. This acquisition may involve data that is subject to export control laws and regulations. This determination will be made on a case-by-case basis.

If the data is determined to be subject to export control laws, only contractors who are registered and certified with the Defense Logistics Services Center (DLSC) and have a legitimate business purpose may participate in this solicitation. Contact the Defense Logistics Services Center, 74 Washington Avenue N., Battle Creek, Michigan 40917-3084 (1-800-352-3572) for further information on the certification process. You must submit a copy of your approved DD Form 2345, Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement, with your proposal.

You may be ineligible for award if all requirements of this solicitation are not met on the proposal due date as identified above.

IV. Proposal and Submission Information:

1. Proposal Instructions:

a. General Instructions:

(1) Offerors will submit a technical and cost proposal within 30 working days of the proposal request. After receipt, proposals will be reviewed in accordance with the award criteria in Section V.

below. Proposals will be categorized and subsequently selected for negotiations.

(2) Technical/management and cost/business volumes should be submitted in separate volumes and must be valid for 180 days.

(3) Proposals must reference the announcement number FA8650-19-S- 1110 and relevant research area(s).

(4) Offerors must submit one-original and 1 hard copies of their proposals to the Contracting POC.

(5) Offerors must include 2 CDs in Microsoft Office or Adobe format containing all electronic versions of required submittals. All electronic versions must match the hard copies. (a) The cost file(s) spreadsheets must be in Microsoft Excel and include the formulas for calculating cost element bases (i.e., G&A, O/H, etc.) b) The CDs should be labeled with the company name and proposal title.

(6)Offerors are advised that only Contracting Officers are legally authorized to contractually bind or otherwise commit the Government.

(7)The cost of preparing proposals in response to this Call 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.

(8)No classified technical proposals or cost volumes are expected.

Offerors are encouraged to keep all elements of the proposal package unclassified. In the rare case where an offeror has a need to submit a classified appendix, please contact the technical POC for delivery instructions.

b. Technical/Management Proposal:

(1) Page Limitations: The following describes proposal page limitations:

a) The Technical/Management Proposal shall be limited to 20 pages. Technical/Management proposals and Statements of Work must be provided in Microsoft Word. Signed pages may be submitted in Adobe.

b) Font shall be standard 10-point business font Arial.

c) Character spacing must be “normal,” not condensed in any manner.

d) Pages shall be double-spaced (must use standard double-space function in Microsoft Word), double sided (each side counts as one page), 8.5 by 11 inches, with at least one-inch margins on both sides, top and bottom.

e) 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, and diagrams. These exceptions shall not be used to circumvent formatting requirements and page count limitations by including lengthy narratives in such items.

f) Pages shall be numbered starting with the cover page being

Page 1, and the last page being no greater than Page 20. 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.

g) The proposal page limit does not include the offeror’s proposed Statement of Work (SOW); however, the same formatting rules apply to the SOW, which is limited to 10 pages.

h) Please Note: The Government will check the proposal and

SOW for conformance to the stated requirements. Any pages in excess of the stated page limitation after the format check will not be considered for review purposes.

(2) The Technical/Management proposal(s) shall include a discussion of the nature and scope of the research and the technical approach.

Additional information on prior work in this area, descriptions of available equipment, use of base support (if desired), data and facilities and resumes of personnel who will be participating in this effort should also be included as attachments to the technical proposal. This volume(s) shall include a SOW(s) detailing the technical tasks proposed to be accomplished under the proposed effort and suitable for contract incorporation. Do not include any proprietary information in the SOW. In addition to the contractor proposed SOW, a Government generated SOW attachment containing additional contracting requirements will be included in any resulting contracts.

(3) Any questions concerning the technical proposal or SOW preparation shall be referred to the Contracting POC.

c. Cost/Business Proposal:

(1) Separate the proposal into a business section and cost section.

a) The business section should contain all business aspects to the proposed contract, such as type of contract, any exceptions to terms and conditions of the announcement, any information not technically related, etc. Provide rationale for exceptions.

b) Identify any technical data that will be delivered with less than unlimited rights.

c) Subcontracting Plans: For efforts to exceed $700,000, Subcontracting Plans shall be submitted in the cost/business proposal. Reference FAR 19.704, DFARS 219.704, and AFFARS 5319.704(a) (1) for subcontracting plan requirements. Small business concerns are exempt from this requirement.

d) Limitations on Pass-Through Charges: As prescribed in FAR

15.408(n)(1) & 15.408(n)(2), provisions 52.215-22, “Limitations on Pass Through Charges- Identification of Subcontract Effort (Oct 2009),” apply.

e) Completed Certifications and Representations will be sent when a proposal is requested and are due with the submission of the proposal. Offerors may also be required to submit updated or supplemental Certifications and Representations based on the specifics of their proposal.

f) If an offeror proposes the use of Government Furnished

Property (GFP), other than GFP identified in this Call, the offer must specifically identify each piece of GFP in the Cost/Business Proposal and propose and substantiate a rental cost for evaluation purposes in accordance with FAR 45.202. Include the following information in the proposal:

(i) A list describing all Government property that the offeror or its subcontractors propose to use on a rent-free basis. The list shall identify the accountable contract under which the property is held and the authorization for its use (from the contracting officer having cognizance of the property);

(ii) The dates during which the property will be used and, for any property that will be used concurrently in performing two or more contracts, the amounts of the respective uses in sufficient detail to support prorating the rent;

(iii) The amount of rent that would otherwise be charged in accordance with FAR 52.245-9, Use and Charges; and

(iv) The voluntary consensus standard or industry leading practices and standards to be used in the management of Government property, or existing property management plans, methods, practices, or procedures for accounting for property.

(2) Cost Element Breakdown: Clear, concise, and accurate cost proposals reflect the offeror's financial plan for accomplishing the effort contained in the technical proposal. As a part of its cost proposal, the offeror shall submit the information outlined below, together with supporting breakdowns. All direct costs (labor, material, travel, computer, etc.) as well as labor and overhead rates should be provided by contractor fiscal year (CFY). Detailed cost element breakdowns by Government Fiscal Year or calendar year are not required. The supporting schedules may include summary level estimating rationale used to generate the proposed costs. The cost element breakdown(s) should include the following if applicable.

a) Direct Labor: Direct labor should be detailed by number of labor hours by category of labor.

b) Labor and Overhead Rates: Direct labor hours, with their applicable rates, must be broken out and the bases used clearly identified. The source of labor and overhead rates and all pricing factors should be identified. For instance, if a Forward Pricing Rate Agreement (FPRA) is in existence, that should be noted, along with the Administrative Contracting Officer’s (ACO's) name and telephone number. If the rates are based on current experience in your organization, provide the historical base used and clearly identify all escalation, by year, applied to derive the proposed rates. If computer usage is determined by a rate, identify the basis used and rationale used to derive the rate.

c) Material/Equipment: List all material/equipment items by type and kind with associated costs and advise if the costs are based on vendor quotes, data and/or engineering estimates; provide copies of vendor quotes and/or catalog pricing data.

d) Subcontractor Costs: Submit all subcontractor proposals and analyses with your cost proposal (See FAR 15.404-3(b)). If the subcontractor will not submit cost and pricing information to the offeror, this information must be submitted directly to the Government for analysis. On all subcontracts and interdivisional transfers, provide the method of selection used to determine the subcontractor and the proposed contract type of each subcontract. An explanation shall be provided if the offeror proposes a different amount than that quoted by the subcontractor. The offeror’s proposal must:

(i) Identify principal items/services to be subcontracted.

(ii) Identify prospective subcontractors and the basis on which they were selected. If non-competitive, provide selected source justification.

(iii) Identify the type of contractual business arrangement contemplated for the subcontract and provide rationale

(iv) Identify the basis for the subcontract costs (e.g., firm quote or engineering estimate, etc.).

(v) Identify the cost or pricing data submitted by the subcontractor.

(vi) Provide an analysis of the proposed subcontract in accordance with FAR 15.404-3(b). Provide an analysis concerning the reasonableness, realism and completeness of each subcontractor’s proposal. If the analysis is based on comparison with prior prices, identify the basis on which the prior prices were determined to be reasonable.

The analysis should include, but not be limited to, an analysis of: materials, labor, travel, other direct costs and proposed profit or fee rates.

e) Special Tooling or Test Equipment: When special tooling, and/or test equipment is proposed, attach a brief description of items and indicate if they are solely for the performance of this particular contract or project and if they are or are not already available in the offeror's existing facilities. Indicate quantities, unit prices, whether items are to be purchased or fabricated, whether items are of a severable nature and the basis of the price. These items may be included under Direct Material in the summary format.

f) Consultants: When consultants are proposed to be used in the performance of the contract, indicate the specific project or area in which such services are to be used. Identify each consultant, number of hours or days to be used and the consultant's rate per hour or day. State the basis of said rate and give your analysis of the acceptability of the consultant's rate.

g) Travel: Travel costs must be justified and related to the needs of the project. Identify the number of trips, the destination and purpose. Travel costs should be broken out by trip with number of travelers, airfare, per diem, lodging, etc.

h) Computer Use: Detail the amount and kind of computer usage, the cost, and how the costs were derived.

i) Facilities Capital Cost of Money: If Facilities Capital Cost of Money is proposed, a properly executed DD Form 1861 is required.

j) Project Funding Profile: Offerors should include a project funding profile by Government Fiscal Year (GFY) (1 Oct through 30 Sept) for budgetary purposes. This will enable the Government to easily identify program funding needs by GFY.

k) If an offeror takes exceptions to the requirements called out in the announcement (e.g., base support, Government-furnished property (GFP), CDRLs), the exceptions should be clearly stated in the cost proposal.

l) Forward Pricing Rate Agreements: Offerors who have forward pricing rate agreements (FPRA’s) and forward pricing rate recommendations (FPRR’s) should submit them with their proposal.

m) Cost/Business proposals have no page limitations.

c. Proposal Content Summary:

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

V. Proposal Review Information:

1. 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.

i. 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) Soundness of the offeror’s technical approach including whether the proposal identifies major technical risks, clearly defines feasible mitigation efforts, and demonstrates recent and relevant 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.

ii. 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).

2. 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.

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

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. Award Administration Information:

1. Award Notices:

Offerors will be notified whether their white paper is recommended to submit a full technical and cost proposal on or about 30 days after receipt of the white paper. 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 Contract Data Requirements Lists (CDRLs) attached.

VII. Other Information:

1. Acquisition of Commercial Items: Based upon market research, the Government is not using the policies contained in Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items, in this solicitation. However, interested offerors may identify to the Contracting Officer their interest and capability to satisfy the Government’s requirement with a commercial item within 15 days of this notice.

2. Support Contractors: Only Government employees will participate in Peer or Scientific Reviews. Offerors are advised that employees of commercial firms under contract to the Government may be used to administratively process proposals, monitor contract performance, or perform other administrative duties requiring access to other contractors' proprietary information. These support contracts include nondisclosure agreements prohibiting their contractor employees from disclosing any information submitted by other contractors or using such information for any purpose other than that for which it was furnished.

3. Item Unique Identification and Valuation. It is DoD policy that contractors shall be required to identify the Government’s unit acquisition cost for all deliverable end items for which Item Unique Identification applies.

Therefore, proposals must clearly break out the unit acquisition cost for any deliverable items. See DFARS 211.274-3, Policy for Valuation, for more information. (Per DoD, “fully burdened unit costs” to the Government would include all direct, indirect, G&A costs, and an appropriate portion of fee). For more information, see the following website:

http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/pdi/uid/index.html.

4. Wide Area Work Flow: NOTICE: Any contract award resulting from this solicitation will contain the clause at DFARS 252.232-7003, Electronic Submission of Payment Requests and Receiving Reports (Jun 2012) which requires electronic submission of all payment requests. Any contract resulting from this solicitation will establish a requirement to use WAWF-RA for invoicing and receipt/acceptance, and provide coding instructions applicable to this contract via the clause at DFARS 252.232-7006, Wide Area Workflow Payment Instructions (May 2013). Contractors are encouraged to take advantage of available training (both web-based and through your local DCMA office), and to register in the WAWF-RA system. Information regarding WAWF-RA, including the web-based training and registration, can be found at https://wawf.eb.mil. Note: This WAWF- RA requirement does not apply to Universities that are audited by an agency other than DCAA.

5. Forward Pricing Rate Agreements: Offerors who have forward pricing rate agreements (FPRAs) and forward pricing rate recommendations (FPRR’s) should submit them with their proposal.

6. Pre-Award Clearance: Pursuant to FAR 22.805, a preaward clearance must be obtained from the U.S. Department Of Labor, Employment Standards Administration, Office Of Federal Contract Compliance Program’s (OFCCP) prior to award of a contract (or subcontract) of $10,000,000 or more unless the contractor is listed in OFCCP’s National Preaward Registry http://www.dol-esa.gov/preaward. Award may be delayed if you are not currently listed in the registry and the contracting officer must request a preaward clearance from the

OFCCP.

7. Limitations on Pass-Through Charges. As prescribed in FAR 15.408(n)(1) & 15.408(n)(2), provisions 52.215-22, Limitations on Pass Through Charges – Identification of Subcontract Effort (OCT 2009), and 52.215-23, Limitations on Pass-Through Charges (OCT 2009), are contained in this solicitation by reference. Any contract valued greater than the threshold for cost or pricing data threshold, except fixed price contracts awarded on the basis of adequate price competition, resulting from this solicitation, shall contain the Clause at FAR 52.215-23 (or Alt I).

http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/pdi/uid/index.html http://www.dol-esa.gov/preaward http://www.dol-esa.gov/preaward

8. Associate Contractor Agreements: Associate Contractor Agreements (ACAs) are agreements between contractors working on Government contracts that specify requirements for them to share information, data, technical knowledge, expertise, or resources. The contracting officer may require ACAs when contractors working on separate government contracts must cooperate, share resources or otherwise jointly participate in working on contracts or projects. Prime contractor to subcontractor relationships do not constitute ACAs.

For each award, the contracting officer will identify associate contractors with whom agreements are required.

9. Post-Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation: As prescribed in FAR 19.309(d), FAR Clause 52.219-28, Post-Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (JUL 2013), is incorporated by reference in this solicitation. This clause will be contained in any contracts resulting from this solicitation. This clause requires a contractor to rerepresent its size status when certain conditions apply. The clause provides detail on when the rerepresentation must be complete and what the contractor must do when a rerepresentation is required.

10. Employment Eligibility Verification: As prescribed by FAR 22.1803, FAR Clause 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (AUG 2013), is hereby incorporated by reference in this solicitation. Any contract awarded as a result of this ARA that is above the Simplified Acquisition Threshold, and contains a period of performance greater than 120 days, shall include this clause in its contract.

This clause provides the requirement of contractors to enroll as a Federal Contractor in the E-Verify program within 30 days after contract award.

11. Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Sub-contract/Sub- recipient Awards: Any contract valued at $25,000 or more, excluding classified contracts or contractors with individuals, must contain FAR 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (JUL 2013).

12. Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters: Any contract or assistance award that exceeds $550,000; and when offeror checked “has” in paragraph (b) of the provision FAR 52.209-7, shall contain the clause/article, FAR 52.209-9 “Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (JUL 2013).”

13. Accelerated Payment to Small Business Subcontractors: As prescribed in FAR 32.009-2, FAR 52.232-40, Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (DEC 2013), is hereby incorporated by reference.

14. Terms of Service, Open-Ended Indemnification and Unenforceability of Unauthorized Obligations: As prescribed in FAR 32.706-3, FAR 52.232-39, Unenforceability of Unauthorized Obligations (JUN 2013), is hereby incorporated by reference.

15. Whistleblower Protections: As prescribed in DFARS 203.970, DFARS 252.203-7002, Requirement to Inform Employees of Whistleblower Rights (SEP 2013), is hereby incorporated by reference.

16. Contractor Business Systems: DFARS 252.242-7005, Contractor Business Systems (FEB 2012), is hereby incorporated by reference.

17. Safeguarding of Unclassified Controlled Technical Information: As prescribed in DFARS 204.7303, DFARS 252.204-7012, Safeguarding of Unclassified Controlled Technical Information (NOV 2013), is hereby incorporated by reference.

18. Ombudsman: The Ombudsman clause, AFFARS 5352.201-9101 Ombudsman (NOV 2012) will be contained in any contracts or agreements resulting from a Call for Proposals. The AFRL Ombudsman is Lisette K. Leduc, Director of Contracting, AFRL/PK, (937) 904-4407, email:

lisette.leduc@us.af.mil.

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

a. Proposals are due to the Contracting POC.

b. Proposals are due no later than the due date and time specified in this announcement.

c. Proposal page limits are strictly enforced. See Section IV.3.b.of the solicitation for page limits.

d. If a contract is proposed, completed Certifications and Representations

(Section K) are required. Certifications and Representations (Section K) can be found at www.sam.gov.

e. The Cost/Business Proposal must contain all information described in the Content and Form of Proposal Section.

f. For any subcontracts proposed, the Cost/Business Proposal must contain a subcontractor analysis IAW FAR 15.404-3(b).

g. Offerors other than small businesses are to include a subcontracting plan in Microsoft Word Readable Format on a CD ROM as well as a hard copy.

h. Proposals must be submitted in the format specified in Section IV.

i. Offerors who have Forward Pricing Rate Agreements (FPRA’s) and Forward

Pricing Rate Recommendations (FPRR’s) should submit them with their mailto:lisette.leduc@us.af.mil http://www.sam.gov/

j. If a DD254 is applicable, offerors must verify their Cognizant Security

Office information is current with Defense Security Service (DSS) at www.dss.mil.

k. Due to this effort being subject to export control, offerors must submit a Certified DD Form 2345, Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement, with

ATTACHMENT:

1 – Statement of Objectives 2 - DD254 Contract Security Classification Specification for FA8650-19-S-1110

CALL 1

http://www.dss.mil/