FA8650-19-S-6001-Q&As.pdf

FA8650-19-S-6001

MOLECULAR ASSESSMENT AND SENDING TECHNOLOGIES (MAST) PROGRAM

INDUSTRY DAY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

22 FEBRUARY 2019

Below are the Questions and Answers related to FA8650-19-S-6001 Industry Day, held on 7 February 2019.

1. QUESTION: How many total FTEs are anticipated and at what clearance level?

ANSWER: This is an R&D contract, not a services contract. Contractors will be asked to respond to AFRL’s broad research objectives, with their unique and innovative research approach. Staffing levels will be determined by the Contractor based on the unique research approach. This effort is not expected to exceed an unclassified security level.

2. QUESTION: Is it the Government’s intent that Contractor’s leverage AFRL labs or use our own lab space?

ANSWER: AFRL laboratory space will be available for use by Contractors, and will be specified in the BAA, but it is not a requirement that performance occur at AFRL. Contractors are welcome to leverage AFRL facilities, however, you should propose the place of performance that is most appropriate for your unique research approach.

3. QUESTION: What level of facility clearance is required for the contractor site delivery?

ANSWER: The effort is not anticipated to exceed an unclassified security level.

4. QUESTION: What technologies and programming languages (commercial and open source) are used by the MAST program for data management and analysis? How do you envision Data Analytics will be required across the entire effort?

ANSWER: Computer programming languages (e.g., python, java, C++). Examples of bioinformatics software include GeneMap, DAVID, Pathway Architect, GeneSpring. Result pathways from data mining and analyses will be used to develop mechanistic multistage biological models. SMARTABASE platform model for data integration, Airman Data Analysis & Performance Tracking System (ADAPTS) readiness assessment to support data integration with multiple monitors and assessments.

5. QUESTION: What did you mean by Single-Award IDIQ? How do you envision the

IDIQ unfolding at the Task Order level? How do you expect to see costs estimated?

ANSWER: Please note the final acquisition strategy for the MAST program has not yet been approved, and is subject to change. The Government anticipates issuing one IDIQ award for this effort. At this time, it is anticipated 3 initial Task Orders will be released with the BAA, and subsequent Task Order requirements will be released after IDIQ award. Release of subsequent Task Orders will be based on various factors including (but not limited to) progression of the research, funds availability, etc. For initial award, contractors will propose a technical approach for the entire IDIQ effort, inclusive of all Technical Areas as stated in the Statement of Objectives (to be provided with BAA). Technical and cost volumes will also be required for each initial Task Order released with the BAA.

6. QUESTION: What is the Period of Performance for this effort?

ANSWER: The period of performance for the overall IDIQ is anticipated to be 96 months. The ordering period will be 60 months.

7. QUESTION: When do you anticipate BAA release?

ANSWER: At this time, we anticipate BAA release to be early March 2019

8. QUESTION: What is the anticipated proposal turnaround time for this effort?

ANSWER: At this time, we anticipate proposals will be due 45 days after the solicitation is released.

9. QUESTION: How many task orders do you anticipate under this effort?

ANSWER: It is anticipated that 3 initial Task Orders will be solicited at the time the BAA is released. It is estimated that an additional 10 Task Orders will be released during the ordering period of the IDIQ.

10. QUESTION: What types of funding will be utilized?

ANSWER: This is primarily a basic and applied research effort. As such, the preponderance of funding will be RDT&E Budget Activity 6.1-6.3. Depending on the needs of the program, other funds such as higher Budget Activity RDT&E, DHP or O&M may be utilized.

11. QUESTION: How important is technical transition as part of this effort?

ANSWER: As stated above, this effort will be focused on basic and applied research. While operational transition is always a concern and a consideration, the anticipated scope of this program does not include transition activities at this time.

12. QUESTION: How do you expect the different research teams to interact? Will it be more segregated, or will they be required to interact more regularly?

ANSWER: We are creating a research program that is based in collaboration that will leverage other research areas related to human performance augmentation/optimization. Therefore, we encourage interaction of research teams.

13. QUESTION: Will there be an opportunity to submit questions during the BAA process?

ANSWER: A timeframe will be established within the BAA for when questions will be accepted after the solicitation is posted. The PCO will always consider questions that may have a material impact on the acquisition. Question and Answers received at any point in the acquisition may be posted on fbo.gov to ensure a fair opportunity for all offerors.

14. QUESTION: When is anticipated selection?

ANSWER: The selection decision is anticipated to be released in early June 2019, with the IDIQ award anticipated for mid-August 2019.

15. QUESTION: Will Contractors be required to obtain their own samples under this effort?

ANSWER: Samples are obtained according to the experimental design and objective of the project. The study development will dictate the quality of samples that will be required to obtain for subsequent assays and data analysis.

16. QUESTION: Have you considered a Cooperative Agreement for this effort?

ANSWER: The Government reserves the right to use whatever contractual instrument is most appropriate for the selected research approach. However, please note that at this time, the Government anticipates awarding a FAR-based contract for this effort. It’s the Government’s position that the research objectives better align with a FAR-based contract (direct benefit to the Government) versus a Cooperative Agreement (public purpose).

17. QUESTION: How will you handle Intellectual Property and Data Rights?

ANSWER: The Government anticipates Unlimited Data Rights as part of this effort. However, Contractors will be expected to identify in their proposal if they intend to deliver data with less than Unlimited Rights. Similarly, any Intellectual Property should be identified in the proposal, and will be addressed as needed.

18. QUESTION: Has the SMART database been approved by AF to use on the Cloud?

Are you looking for another capability that can be hosted for you?

ANSWER: We are currently waiting on approval by the AF to use SMARTABASE on the cloud services. The acquisition strategy for this area is still being finalized.