AF_Explore_Opportunity_Call.pdf

Air Force Explore Opportunity Call

Announcement Number: FA8650-19-S-9345

Background

The Air Force Science and Technology (S&T) Strategy (April 2019) drives coordinated efforts to provide Airmen the scientific and technological advances needed to deter war and protect vital national interests. The strategy seeks to enhance Air Force technological advantage and military superiority during a time of great power competition through 2030 and beyond. Aligned with the National Defense Strategy, it calls for a rapidly innovating force with disruptive capabilities powered by scientific and technological advances. Through sustained commitment to the goals outlined in the Science and Technology Strategy, the Air Force will set an unmatched pace in the delivery of transformational capabilities to Joint warfighters in support of national defense.

Vision

The guiding vision of the Strategy is an Air Force that dominates time, space, and complexity in future conflict across all operating domains to project power and defend the homeland. It calls for unmatched pace of action, seeks unparalleled awareness, reach and effect, and drives the force to harness the power of complexity to enhance resilience in contested environments and to impart overwhelming confusion on adversaries. Air Force science and technology will propel the transformational operational capabilities that will make this vision a reality.

The Air Force has identified five strategic capabilities that directly support this guiding vision:

Global Persistent Awareness Resilient Information Sharing Rapid, Effective Decision-Making Complexity, Unpredictability, and Mass Speed and Reach of Disruption and Lethality

The transformational science and technology that will advance solutions along these capabilities will aim for significant technical achievements that demonstrate the viability of leap-ahead capabilities.

See Air Force Science and Technology Strategy.

Air Force (AF) Explore Opportunity Call

AF Explore Opportunity Call consists of a three step process to identify, and potentially fund, the maturation of transformational Capability Ideas that address three AF Explore Functional Challenges (Appendix #1) while advancing one, or more, of the five Air Force Strategic Capabilities. In order to realize the vision of the Strategy, AF Explore is seeking transformational Capability Ideas from the nation’s best and brightest innovators in industry, academia, government, non-profits and other non-traditional partners.

Capability Ideas include an associated Idea Maturation Plan which consists of aggressive, short-duration applied research and development efforts to assess operational viability and demonstrate feasibility of transformational warfighter capabilities, including their associated business and use cases. Idea Maturation Plans can demonstrate operational viability and feasibility of the Capability Idea through https://www.af.mil/Portals/1/documents/2019%20SAF%20story%20attachments/Air%20Force%20Science%20and%20Technology%20Strategy.pdf?ver=2019-04-17-131216-723&timestamp=1555530064092 various approaches including, but not limited to: modeling & simulation, military utility experimentation, exercise participation, technical analysis, technology/concept maturation, risk reduction activities, and subject matter expertise input.

Three Step Process Summary

Step 1 - White Papers: AF Explore Capability Idea White Papers may be submitted in accordance with Section 1.0, below. AF Explore government evaluators will review and evaluate responses on their own merit and invite selected submitters to participate in Step 2.

Step 2 – Briefing Deck and Oral Presentations: Invited submitters will further expand on their Capability Idea and Idea Maturation Plan through a briefing deck and oral presentation to AF Explore government evaluators, to include an opportunity to answer government questions about the submittal. AF Explore government evaluators will review and evaluate responses on their own merit and invite selected submitters to participate in Step 3.

Step 3 - Funding Pathways: To pursue funding the maturation of Capability Ideas selected for Step 3, AF Explore has established a Nongovernment Funding Pathway and a Government Funding Pathway:

Nongovernment Pathway includes, but is not limited to, FAR 35 R&D Contract, FAR 12 Commercial R&D Contract pursuant to Commercial Solutions Opening Deviation, Other Transaction Agreement (10 U.S.C.

§ 2371b, 10 U.S.C. § 2371, 10 U.S.C. § 2373), SBIR/STTR Phase III or Phase II Funding Increase, Cooperative Research and Development Agreement, Assistance Instrument, etc. See Appendix #2 for more information.

* AF Explore Opportunity Call satisfies the requirements of FAR 35.016 “Broad Agency Announcement,” and Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) Class Deviation dated 26 June 2018. In addition, the Call will be posted on the Government point of entry for 45 days thereby satisfying the requirements of FAR 35.016(c), CSO Deviation, FAR 5.201 and FAR 5.203.

Government Pathway includes, but is not limited to, Interagency Agreement, Memorandum of Agreement, Support Agreement, Military Interdepartmental Purchase Request (MIPR), etc.

AF Explore Opportunity Call: Specifics and How to Participate

1.0 Step 1 - AF Explore Capability Idea White Paper

1.1 AF Explore Functional Challenges:

1.1.1 AF Explore seeks transformational Capability Ideas and associated Idea Maturation Plans in response to the AF Explore Functional Challenges provided in Appendix #1.

1.1.2 Idea Maturation Plans are aggressive, high-risk, short-duration (6-18 months) applied research and development efforts to assess the operational viability and demonstrate feasibility of transformational warfighter capabilities and their associated business/use case. These efforts include various approaches such as, but not limited to: modeling & simulation, military utility experimentation, exercise participation, technical analysis, technology/concept maturation, risk reduction activities and subject matter expertise input.

1.1.3 The inaugural AF Explore anticipates funding up to four to eight Capability Ideas with approximate values of $1M-$2M; however, the Air Force reserves the right to fund all, some, or none of the Capability Ideas invited to Step 3.

1.1.4 Parties may submit White Papers to multiple Functional Challenges. Additionally, parties may submit more than one White Paper per Functional Challenge. DO NOT COMBINE submittals; each White Paper must be submitted separately. White Papers will be evaluated on their own merit.

1.2 Submittal: All White Papers must be submitted through www.afexplore.com utilizing the provided template. AF Explore will begin receiving submittals by, or before, 14 October 2019. All submittals must be received by 11:59 PM Pacific Time on 11 November 2019. For planning purposes, the www.afexplore.com template will be the equivalent of a two page White Paper.

All submittals must be unclassified.

1.3 Evaluation: White Papers will be evaluated on their own merit through a peer and scientific review process. White Papers will either be categorized as “Selected for Step 2” or “Not Selected for Step 2.”

Step 1 selections will be based on the technical evaluation, importance to agency programs and funding availability. Evaluation Criteria are listed below, which are of equal importance:

• Relevance: Does the Capability Idea submitted address an AF Explore Functional Challenge and advance one (or more) of the five Strategic Capability areas?

• Transformational: Does the Capability Idea enable a transformational warfighting capability?

• Operational Viability: Does the Capability Idea demonstrate operational utility and value?

• Demo Feasibility: Is the Capability Idea both cost and technologically feasible?

Note: The Cost Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) submitted in Step 1 is anticipated to be a low-fidelity ROM – a bottom-line ROM estimate for the Capability Idea and Idea Maturation Plan. It will be evaluated with regards to technical feasibility and anticipated funding plans.

1.4 Notification: It is anticipated that notification of Step 1 results will occur on, or about, 25 November 2019. All submitters will be notified regarding their evaluation status. Those selected for Step 2 will receive a Step 2 Invitation.

1.5 Additional Information:

1.5.1 Teaming and Partnerships: Teaming and Partnerships are encouraged to achieve leap-ahead capabilities. As a part of this multi-step process, additional partnering may be encouraged in later steps to complete teams and produce viable transformational capabilities.

This includes partnering with other government agencies, other companies, and/or other academic performers. Partnering relationships will be encouraged, but not mandatory, and sensitive/proprietary data will be protected throughout the process. Partnering recommendations are not an indication that a submitter, or the recommended partner, has been selected or will be selected for a subsequent step or for funding.

http://www.website.com/ http://www.afexplore.com/

1.5.2 By submission of its Capability Idea, the submitter agrees that the Government —

(1) May reproduce the submittal, or any portions thereof, to the extent necessary to evaluate the submittal.

(2) Will use information contained in the submittal for purposes of evaluation and shall not disclose, directly or indirectly, such information to any person, including potential evaluators, unless the Contracting Officer has authorized that person to receive such information.

Subsequent to final awards under the AF Explore Opportunity Call, the Government shall have rights to use, modify, reproduce, release, perform, display, or disclose information contained in the submittal(s) within the Government. Further, the Government shall not release, perform, display, or disclose such information outside the Government without the Contractor's written permission.

Additionally, the Government will protect any proprietary or sensitive information it receives in response to this Call, provided the information is: (1) appropriately and properly marked as “proprietary” and (2) is not otherwise available to the Government without restriction.

Proprietary information must be clearly marked on the cover and each page of the submittal with an appropriate legend. The Government shall not be liable for direct, incidental or consequential damages caused by the disclosure of any sensitive or proprietary information that is not properly marked.

1.5.3 AF Explore Team will not be using contractor personnel to review submittals and only Government employees will have access for evaluations. Limited Government contractor personnel will be performing tasks associated with administration of www.afexplore.com and may have access to submittals during the course of their activities. The contractor has in place a non-disclosure agreement under which its employees and subcontractors are prohibited from disclosing, for any purpose, information submitted to and stored by the AF Explore website.

1.5.4 Notwithstanding anything in this call, each Capability Idea will be evaluated on its own merits. The Air Force reserves the right to select any number of participants at each step of AF Explore.

2.0 Step 2 - AF Explore Briefing Deck Submittal and Oral Presentations

2.1 Invitation and Submittal: Step 2 invitees will be requested to submit a Briefing Deck further detailing their Capability Idea and Idea Maturation Plan to be followed by a one-on-one oral presentation session with AF Explore evaluators. Oral presentations will be used to present and discuss the content of the Briefing Deck and Idea Maturation Plan. It is anticipated that oral presentations will also include a Q&A portion between evaluators and submitters. Specific Briefing Deck content instructions and additional details pertaining to Step 2 will be contained in the Step 2 Invitation.

2.2 Planning Information: The Briefing Deck size will be limited (anticipate 20-30 slides), and the content will expand on the White Paper and Idea Maturation Plan to include a higher fidelity Cost ROM. It is anticipated that Step 2 submittal will be 20-30 days after notification of Step 2 Invitation. In addition, all Step 2 participants will be allotted the same amount of time for oral presentations, which is anticipated http://www.afexplore.com/ to be a maximum of one hour (final details will be included in the Step 2 Invitation). Finally, it is anticipated that a common date, or dates, will be established for all oral presentations dependent on the number of Capability Ideas selected for Step 2 (see 2.6 below for more information).

2.3 Evaluation: Briefing Decks and associated oral presentations will be evaluated on their own merit through a peer and scientific review process and will be categorized as “Selected for Step 3” or “Not Selected for Step 3.” Step 2 selections will be based on the technical evaluation, importance to agency programs and funding availability. See below for evaluation criteria, which are listed in descending order of importance:

• Transformational Impact and Operational Value to the Air Force: Capability Idea demonstrates operational value and transformational impact on Air Force warfighting capabilities including whether the submittal provides sufficient supporting information and data.

• Soundness of the Idea Maturation Plan: Submittal provides sound approaches and/or methods to mature and validate the Capability Idea, and presents a team or partnership with the necessary experience and expertise to execute the plan.

• Cost/Schedule Realism: Cost/schedule data is realistic for the Idea Maturation Plan and demonstrates an understanding of the required effort.

Note: The Cost ROM submitted in Step 2 will be a higher-fidelity ROM and is anticipated to provide more details into top-level cost element estimates. The Step 2 Invitation will provide specific guidance for ROM submittal.

2.4 Pathway Identification: As part of Step 2, nongovernment and government submitters will be asked to identify a preferred funding/award mechanism should they be selected for Step 3 (see Funding Pathway discussion on Page 2 above).

2.5 Location(s) for Oral Presentations: To be determined. AF Explore may utilize a single location or regional locations for oral presentations. In addition, although face-to-face oral presentations are preferred, the government does not want to preclude any party from the AF Explore Opportunity Call based on their ability to travel, and will allow video teleconference on a case by case basis.

2.6 Notification: Step 2 participants will be notified of their selection status for Step 3 and will either be “Selected for Step 3” or “Not Selected for Step 3.” It is anticipated that notification will occur no later than 30 days after oral presentations.

3.0 Step 3 – Funding Pathways

3.1 Funding Pathway Process Summary: AF Explore will pursue funding the Capability Ideas selected for Step 3. Based on the type of entity, Step 3 invitees will follow the processes associated with the applicable funding pathway, as described below:

3.2 Nongovernment Pathway: The process for nongovernment entities selected for Step 3 follows:

• An AF Contracting Officer will provide a letter request for proposal (RFP) requesting submittal of a technical summary/proposal, Statement of Work (SOW) and full cost proposal. For planning purposes, all efforts will require a final report deliverable and additional reporting may be required or beneficial depending on the specific Idea Maturation Plan and selected award instrument.

• Identification of the appropriate award instrument will occur either in the letter RFP or shortly thereafter. During Step 3, the AF Contracting Officer will provide a draft instrument/agreement, instrument specific requirements, etc.

• The technical and cost proposal will be evaluated for technical soundness/merit and realism (as appropriate) to ensure the proposal reflects a clear understanding of the SOW. Award will be based on the technical evaluation, importance to agency programs, funding availability and successful negotiations.

• Prior to award, the AF Contracting Officer will make a determination regarding price reasonableness.

• Step 3 letter RFP is not to be construed as a contractual commitment on the part of the government. Availability of funds and successful negotiations are a prerequisite for any award.

Only a warranted Contracting Officer can bind the Government.

3.3 Government Pathway: The process for government entities selected for Step 3 follows:

• An AF Explore government team member will contact the submitter point of contact to begin the process of identifying the appropriate mechanism to partner and fund the Capability Idea.

• Based on the type of mechanism selected, applicable statutory, regulatory and agency procedures will be followed.

• In addition, dependent on the type of mechanism selected, an AF Explore government team member (or authorized representative) will request additional technical and cost information, including an associated SOW (or similar documentation). This information will be evaluated for technical soundness/merit and realism (as appropriate) to ensure the information reflects a clear understanding of the support/work to be accomplished. The decision to fund the Capability Idea will be based on the technical evaluation, importance to agency programs, funding availability and successful agreement on terms and conditions specific to applicable regulations and agency procedures.

• Step 3 selection is not to be construed as commitment between parties. Availability of funds and agreement on terms and conditions are a prerequisite for any funding commitment. Only personnel with the authority to enter into the agreement can bind the parties.

4.0 Additional Important Information:

4.1 Submitters are advised the Government will not pay for any information or administrative cost incurred in response to this Call. Please be advised that all submissions become USG property and will not be returned. All costs associated with responding to this Call will be solely at the responding party’s expense.

4.2 Questions pertaining to the AF Explore Opportunity Call should be submitted in writing to afexplore@us.af.mil. Answers to the questions will be posted on the FBO website and www.afexplore.com. Note: Although AF Explore is also posted on www.grants.gov, Q&A’s will only be posted on FBO and the AF Explore website.

4.3 Answers may be provided directly to the party if proprietary information is involved, or the answer addresses a question specific to party. In addition, www.afexplore.com will include a Frequently Asked Questions, which should be viewed prior to submitting any questions.

4.4 www.afexplore.com may include supplemental information about AF Explore. Examples include information regarding outreach and informational events. It is recommended that interested parties monitor both www.fbo.com and www.afexplore.com.

4.5 All amendments, modifications, questions and answers, and other communication regarding this Call will be posted on www.fbo.gov and www.afexplore.com. Note: Although AF Explore is also posted on www.grants.gov, amendments and modifications will only be posted on FBO and the AF Explore website.

4.6 In the event of any conflict or discrepancy between the AF Explore Opportunity Call information on www.fbo.gov and www.afexplore.com, the information on www.fbo.gov shall prevail.

4.7 AF Explore Opportunity Call is limited to U.S. entities. If selected for Step 3 Nongovernment Pathway, foreign participation at a sub/teaming level will be reviewed and an authorization determination will be made at that time.

4.8 Nongovernment Pathway System for Award Management (SAM) Registration: SAM is the primary Government repository for prospective federal awardee information and the centralized Government system for certain contracting, grants and other assistance related processes. It replaces CCR/FedReg, Online Representations and Certifications (ORCA) and the Excluded Parties Lists System (EPLS). By submission of an AF Explore Capability Idea, the submitter acknowledges the requirement that a prospective awardee shall be registered in the SAM database prior to award, during performance, and through final payment of any contract, assistance instrument or Other Transaction Agreement resulting from the AF Explore Opportunity Call. Submitters may obtain information on registration and annual confirmation requirements via the SAM accessed through https://www.acquisition.gov or by calling 866- 606-8220.

4.9 Industry Pathway Other Transactions for Prototype (OTP) under 10 U.S.C. § 2371b: The AF Explore Opportunity Call is considered competitive under 10 U.S.C. § 2371b. A transaction entered into and successfully completed under this authority may provide for the award of a follow-on production contract or transaction pursuant to 10 U.S.C. § 2371b(f). Further details related to the potential award of a non-competitive follow-on production contract will be contemplated at the time of award of an

OTP.”

Questions. For general questions please refer to www.fbo.gov and www.afexplore.com. For announcement-specific questions, please check the website prior submitting a question. All questions must be submitted to afexplore@us.af.mil.

Air Force Contracting Point of Contact: Joel M. Watson Contracting Officer, joel.watson@us.af.mil mailto:afexplore@us.af.mil http://www.website.com/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.website.com/ http://www.afexplore.com/ http://www.fbo.com/ http://www.afexplore.com/ http://www.fbo.gov/ http://www.website.com/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.fbo.gov/ http://www.afexplore.com/ http://www.fbo.gov/ http://www.fbo.gov/ http://www.afexplore.com/ mailto:afexplore@us.af.mil mailto:joel.watson@us.af.mil

Appendix #1: AF Explore Functional Challenges

AF Explore Opportunity Call seeks transformational Capability Ideas that address one of the following Functional Challenges and advance at least one of the five Strategic Capabilities outlined in the Air Force Science and Technology Strategy. Parties may submit White Papers to multiple Functional Challenges.

Additionally, parties may submit more than one White Paper per Functional Challenge. DO NOT COMBINE submittals; each White Paper must be submitted separately. White Papers will be evaluated on their own merit.

Capability Ideas include an associated Idea Maturation Plan which consists of aggressive, short-duration applied research and development efforts to assess the operational viability and demonstrate feasibility of transformational warfighter capabilities including their associated business and use cases. Idea Maturation Plans can demonstrate operational viability and feasibility of the Capability Idea through various approaches including, but not limited to: modeling & simulation, military utility experimentation, exercise participation, technical analysis, technology maturation, risk reduction activities, and subject matter expertise input.

Functional Challenge 1: In-Flight Rearming and Refueling

The Air Force envisions future scenarios in which runways on their forward main operating bases are destroyed shortly after aircraft have been sent on missions. One approach to keep operations flowing while the runways are being repaired may be to re-arm and refuel aircraft in flight. This may be required several times before landing at another operating location with functioning runways. The Air Force is interested in transformational Capability Ideas for in-flight rearming and refueling to preserve a competitive advantage and maintain operations in the future battlefield.

Functional Challenge 2: Personnel Recovery Kit Delivery

When pilots eject from aircraft, they may spend hours or days on the ground waiting for rescue teams. For injured pilots, the first two hours are the most crucial for providing immediate medical care but the medical kits and robust communications systems needed to support an isolated Airman are often too big to fit in the aircraft ejection-seat. The Air Force is interested in transformational Capability Ideas for delivery of an on-demand package/medical kit, ranging from the size of a box of band-aids to a small refrigerator, from space to any location in under two hours.

Functional Challenge 3: Vehicle Tracking Through Commercial Imagery

With the proliferation of commercial imagery providers it may now be possible to use a single commercial imagery source (or stitch together multiple sources) along with predictive analytics to track a vehicle in an urban environment for at least 6 hours. One benefit of this capability would be tracking an airman after ejecting from his aircraft if he is recovered by the local population. The Air Force is interested in transformational Capability Ideas for utilizing commercial imagery to track a vehicle in an urban environment for at least 6 hours.

Appendix #2 - Summary of Potential Nongovernment Pathway Award Instruments

The following provides a brief summary of potential award instruments available in the Nongovernment Pathway under Step 3 of AF Explore. The summary is provided for planning purposes only and does not limit the potential award instruments available under AF Explore.

1) R&D Procurement Contract

Authority: Federal Acquisition Regulations and associated supplements (DFARS, AFFARS, etc.)

Description: Utilized for acquiring supplies or services by and for the use of the Federal Government. A FAR based contract will include all applicable FAR and associated FAR supplement clauses. For the purpose of AF Explore, potential contract types include, but are not limited to, cost reimbursement (ie.

Cost Plus Fixed Fee), Firm Fixed Price, etc. The use of a cost-reimbursement contract type is generally appropriate for R&D due to the absence of precise specifications and difficulties in estimating costs with accuracy (resulting in a lack of confidence in cost estimates). Use of a cost reimbursement contract type requires contractors to have an approved accounting system.

2) Defense Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) Pilot Program

Authority: Class Deviation – Defense Commercial Solutions Opening Pilot Program, dated 26 June 2018 (https://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/policy/policyvault/USA001228-18-DPAP.pdf)

Description: Can be used to fulfill requirements for research and development to acquire innovative items, technologies and services as commercial items (FAR 12 R&D Contract). For the purpose of AF Explore, appropriate use may be to obtain solutions or potential new capabilities that fulfill requirements, close capability gaps, or provide potential technological advancements. In accordance with the Deviation, “innovative” means any technology, process, or method, including research and development, that is new as of the date of submission of a proposal, or any application that is new as of the date of submission of a proposal of a technology, process, or method existing as of such date.

3) Assistance Instruments (Grants and Cooperative Agreements)

Authority: 10 U.S.C. § 2358 and governed by the guidance in Title 2, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, “Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards” as modified and supplemented by the Department of Defense’s (DoD) interim implementation in 2 CFR Part 1103 [79 FR 76047, December 19, 2014] and 2 CFR Part 1125. Provisions of Chapter 1, Subchapter C of Title 32, CFR, “DoD Grant and Agreement Regulations” other than parts 32 and 33 continue to be in effect and apply as stated.

Description: Assistance Instruments may be used for purposes of basic, applied, and advanced research when the principal purpose is to transfer a thing of value to carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation instead of acquiring property or services for the direct benefit/use of the Federal Government.

Grant: Substantial involvement is not expected between the Air Force and recipient (31 U.S.C. § 6304) https://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/policy/policyvault/USA001228-18-DPAP.pdf

Cooperative Agreement: Substantial Involvement is expected between the Air Force and recipient (31 U.S.C. § 6305)

4) Other Transaction for Research (OTR) (https://aaf.dau.edu/contracting-cone/ot/research/)

Authority: 10 U.S.C. § 2371

Description: Instrument other than a procurement contract, grant, or cooperative agreement. OTRs issued pursuant to 10 USC 2371 are appropriate for basic, applied, and advanced research efforts related to weapon systems or other military needs. For AF Explore, use of OTRs may be beneficial for dual-use (commercial and government) technologies. Any type of recipient may receive an OTR (for-profit, non-profit, etc.) and the award should include cost sharing to the maximum extent practicable (generally 50/50 but can be otherwise based on specific considerations). Paid up license and march-in rights in patents are not required. Terms and conditions are established via negotiated articles vs.

standard clauses.

5) Other Transaction for Prototype (OTP) (https://aaf.dau.edu/contracting-cone/ot/prototype/)

Authority: 10 U.S.C. § 2371b

Description: Prototype OTs are appropriate for research and development and prototyping activities to enhance mission effectiveness of military personnel and supporting platforms, systems, components, or materials. Prototype OTs may provide a streamlined path to award a non-competitive follow-on Production OT or FAR contract. For AF Explore, OTP’s may be beneficial for approaches such as, but not limited to, military utility experimentation, prototyping, etc. A transaction entered into and completed under this authority for a prototype project may provide for the award of a follow-on production contract or transaction pursuant to 10 U.S.C. § 2371b(f). Further details related to the potential award of a non-competitive follow-on production contract or agreement will be contemplated at the time of award of an OTP.

Under this authority, a “prototype project” is defined as a project addressing a proof of concept, model, reverse engineering to address obsolescence, pilot, novel application of commercial technologies for defense purposes, agile development activity, creation, design, development, demonstration of technical or operational utility, or combinations of the foregoing. A process, including a business process, may be the subject of a prototype project. Common Application of authority:

• R&D activities to advance new technologies and processes and prototyping or models to evaluate feasibility or utility of a technology

• To address perceived obstacles to doing business with the government by non-traditional vendors to include intellectual property rights and compliance with cost accounting standards

• For flexibility to tailor agreements to reach non-traditional vendors with innovation research development and demonstration (RD&D) solutions

• For negotiable funding arrangements, payment milestones, and length of agreement to achieve research and prototype projects https://aaf.dau.edu/contracting-cone/ot/research/ https://aaf.dau.edu/contracting-cone/ot/prototype/

6) Other Transaction for Experimentation (OTE)

Authority: 10 U.S.C. § 2373

Description: Appropriate application for AF Explore would be research and development for experimental and test purposes such as military utility experimentation, exercise participation, risk reduction test/experiment activities, etc. Authority states the Secretary of Defense and the Secretaries of the military departments may each buy ordnance, signal, chemical activity, transportation, energy, medical, space-flight, telecommunications, and aeronautical supplies, including parts and accessories, and designs thereof, that the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary concerned considers necessary for experimental or test purposes in the development of the best supplies that are needed for the national defense. Purchases under this section may be made inside or outside the United States and by contract or otherwise. For AF Explore, an OTE may be utilized in lieu of a CSO FAR 12 or FAR 35 R&D Contract.

Terms and conditions are established via articles vs. standard clauses.

7) SBIR Phase III

Authority: 10 U.S.C. § 638 and U.S. Small Business Administration SBIR/STTR Policy Directive dated 02 May 2019 (https://www.sbir.gov/sites/default/files/SBIR-STTR_Policy_Directive_2019.pdf)

Description: A SBIR Phase III refers to work that derives from, extends, or completes an effort made under prior SBIR/STTR Funding Agreements (Phase I and/or Phase II), but is funded by sources other than the SBIR program. See Policy Directive, Section 4, Paragraph (c) for further information.

8) Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA)

Authority: 15 U.S. Code 3710a

Description: A CRADA is a written agreement between one or more federal laboratories and one or more non-federal parties under which the government, through its laboratories, provides personnel, facilities, equipment or other resources with or without reimbursement (but not funds to non-federal parties). The non-federal parties provide personnel, funds, services, facilities, equipment or other resources to conduct specific research or development efforts that are consistent with the mission of the laboratory.

https://www.sbir.gov/sites/default/files/SBIR-STTR_Policy_Directive_2019.pdf