FAQ.docx

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) FA8650-23-S-5720 Amendment 1 6 January 2023 Summary: This document consolidates and answers questions that the Government office is receiving. This BAA remains a full and open competition, and dialogue/communication between Prospective Offerors and Government representatives is still encouraged; see BAA Overview, “Communication Between Prospective Offerors and Government Representatives.” These answers do not overwrite, alter, supersede, or replace the instructions within the BAA. This will be the only issuance of a FAQ for this BAA, and no Industry Day meetings will take place.

Q: Why is this FAQ being produced?

A: This FAQ is to provide all Prospective Offerors with the same information to keep competition fair, whether an offeror has contacted the Government POCs directly or not. BAAs are lengthy, with multiple steps and instructions, and this FAQ serves to educate and clarify the meaning of items within the BAA. The Government team takes proper conduct and information controls very seriously, in order to keep competition fair.

Q: How does this BAA relate to other BAAs?

A: This BAA is an isolated solicitation. It does not coordinate or conflict with other solicitations, and it is not a Call under another BAA. Interested parties are encouraged to utilize the Government Point of Entry at SAM.gov to seek out opportunities, including for other BAAs or other Departments utilizing SAM.gov.

Q: Should I submit a full Technical Proposal?

A: We are currently in Step 1 of this BAA, and only White Papers are being requested. Please follow the instructions in the BAA regarding White Paper submission.

Q: Can I submit White Papers and Proposals for future Task Orders under this BAA?

A: This BAA is a one-time solicitation, which will result in one Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract award. Task Orders (TOs) are issued under the IDIQ contract, and only the IDIQ contract awardee receives these issued TOs. White Papers submitted after the deadline stated in the BAA will not be considered. Proposals that are not solicited by the Government in accordance with the BAA will not be considered.

Q: I have a solution for a specific subject area covered in the IDIQ Statement of Objectives. Can I propose to only that?

A: This BAA is for a program that will last several years. The IDIQ contract awardee is expected to be able to perform under all subject areas and research techniques. White Papers should address the entire requirement. Other solicitations are available at SAM.gov, to include AFRL’s Manufacturing Technologies Directorate’s Open BAA FA8650-21-S-5001. Prospective Offerors are encouraged to submit ideas and solutions to the most appropriate solicitation, but must adhere to the instructions within those solicitations. Each solicitation will have a Point of Contact, and if you have questions on the applicability of your solution to that solicitation, do not hesitate to reach out to that POC. While the POCs do not have an omnibus knowledge of all solicitations, they will do their best to assist you.

Q: Can I submit multiple White Papers?

A: Each White Paper received will be considered on its own merits. If an offeror chooses to submit multiple White Papers, those White Papers will be assessed separately and will not be combined to address an overall solution.

Q: Should I submit White Papers to address the IDIQ, TO1, and TO2 individually?

A: Submit one White Paper that addresses all three. Structure and focus areas of the White Paper, and details of the SOOs, are covered in the BAA. Details a Prospective Offeror provides within their White Paper are up to the business judgment of each Prospective Offeror, so long as it meets the BAA instructions.

Q: I am not an expert in all subject areas in the IDIQ. Can I still participate?

A: Yes, and you are encouraged to do so. The IDIQ Statement of Objectives (SOO) addresses anticipated subject areas and research techniques. The White Paper should address how a Prospective Offeror will manage this program, including knowledge base, familiarity with the industry, capacity, capability, ability to subcontract and how significant that subcontracting will be, etc. Prospective Offerors are not required to have manufacturing capability for all subject areas. The IDIQ contract awardee must be able to provide to the Government the results of research from any subject area or technique within the IDIQ SOO, as issued under TOs.

Q: How should I mark the White Paper?

A: While White Papers are generally Proprietary by nature, it is the Prospective Offeror’s responsibility to determine status of information within the White Paper, and mark appropriately for any information that is Export Controlled, or Controlled Unclassified Information. DO NOT submit Classified Information in the White Paper!

Q: Will BAA Step 2 information be used to analyze the Step 1 White Papers?

No. White Paper instructions, criteria, and how the Government will analyze are specific to Step 1, and are stated within the BAA. Step 2 instructions and communications are stated within the BAA, but will not begin until that Step of the BAA is executed. Please read the instructions thoroughly on content and timing.

Q: Is there a set-aside for this BAA?

No, this is a full and open competition. As is typical for Research and Development utilizing a BAA governed by FAR Part 35, the Government is seeking the best scientific or technical solution, which allows for opening the solicitation to any Prospective Offeror.

Q: I would like to subcontract with the awardee. When can I know this information?

A: Synopsis of Contract Award will be conducted in accordance with FAR Part 5.3. Feedback Sessions for unsuccessful offerors are governed by BAA, Section VII.3. Prime-Subcontractor relationships are the responsibility of those parties.

Q: Is this for Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS)?

A: No. This effort is Research and Development governed by FAR Part 35, and is not A&AS or otherwise a Service governed by FAR Part 37.