20-S-5028_Amendment 0003.pdf

FA8650-20-S-5028

Amendment 0003

BioIndustrial Manufacturing Innovation Institute (MII)

Funding Opportunity Announcement Number: FA8650-20-S-5028

Amendment Number: 0003

The purpose of this amendment is to modify the requirements for the white papers due to the COVID-19 situation.

These unusual times test our capacity and capability to function at what we previously considered a normal battle rhythm. While the response to this challenge by our U.S. industries has been heartening, it also has highlighted gaps in our ability to rapidly respond to the current COVID-19 pandemic. This strengthens our resolve to remain on track and on schedule to establish the BioIndustrial Manufacturing Innovation Institute.

We recognize and understand the readjustment to business operations that COVID-19 requires.

We decided on March 19, 2020 to extend the deadline by 1 week for concept papers to accommodate disruptions while everyone migrated to telework operations. While the deadline for concept papers will remain May 4 at 3:00PM EST, the following modifications will be made to the requirements of the concept paper submission in an effort to reduce the burden on respondents during this challenging time:

1. FOA, Page 27: Proposed quick start projects are reduced to abstracts. Therefore, it is not required to include responses to criteria #3, 4, and 6 under the common example project elements in the key elements section.

2. FOA Page 43, Paragraph C.2.c.3 Technical Plan should be changed to read:

Section 3: Technical Plan. The Technical Plan should include a technical strategy, description of proposed innovations beyond current practice, and initial drafts of plans for three proposed quick start technical projects that illustrate how the offeror and its members will generate and execute projects. A proposed Statement of Work is not required at this point.

3. FOA, Page 26: We are reducing the number of required quick start projects, for the concept papers only to 3, down from 5. One topic must be on data/digital infrastructure, one topic must be on demonstration of scale up production of a DoD-relevant molecule, and a third must address the topic of Education and Workforce Development.

Please note that letters of commitment are not required in the concept paper. The Cost Share section (Factor 1, d) need only describe the cost share necessary for the BioIndustrial MII to function successfully.

The timeline for the full proposal remains unchanged. We will provide notifications in early June and full proposals will be due in July 2020. We are committed to accommodate any issues to ensure compliance with all Federal, State, and Local COVID-19 guidance or regulations. For example, we are preparing to move any site visit conducted after review of full proposals to virtual submissions should travel restrictions be extended. Please contact Mary Ann Sharits (mary.sharits@us.af.mil) using the subject line: “BioIndustrial MII Questions” should you encounter any issues complying with COVID-19 regulations while developing your submissions to the FOA.

We are grateful to the biotechnology community, and the critical role that you play in this and future high consequence events. The COVID-19 outbreak underscores the vital need for this Institute to be established as soon as possible, and we remain committed to developing this partnership with you.

THE DUE DATE FOR CONCEPT PAPERS IS AS FOLLOWS:

First Step: Concept Paper Due Date and Time: The deadline for receipt of concept papers is no later than 3:00 PM Eastern Time (ET) on Monday, 4 May 2020. See Section IV for further information.

AGENCY CONTACTS

Address contracting or technical questions to the Contracting POC:

Mary Ann Sharits Agreements Officer, AFRL/RXKMC 2130 Eighth Street, WPAFB, OH 45433

(937) 713-9898 mary.sharits@us.af.mil mailto:mary.sharits@us.af.mil

2. FOA Page 43, Paragraph C.2.c.3 Technical Plan should be changed to read: