CWDP_BAA_02_May_2019_Amend_1.pdf

SUBJECT: TWO-STEP BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA)

FA8730-19-S-0001, Amendment 1 (29 May 2019)

Commercial Weather Data Pilot (CWDP)

Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) Aerospace Management Systems Division (HBA)

Weather Systems Branch (HBAW)

SECTION 1 - INTRODUCTION

The AFLCMC Aerospace Management Systems Division (AFLCMC/HBA), Contracting Branch (AFLCMC/HBAK) invites innovative technical approach concept papers addressing commercial solutions to monitor or forecast the terrestrial or space environment with the objective of providing improved global weather data and products for the Department of Defense (DoD), national, and international missions. The solutions should range from data procurement, technology pilots, to analyses and assessments.

The DoD relies on Air Force Weather systems to deliver weather data and technologies from military, U.S. civil government, and international partners’ sensors and satellites. These resources along with other ground, air, and space-based hardware and software technologies provide critical weather information and forecasts for military operations. As a continuation of efforts initiated under House Resolution 4909 SEC. 1610 (Pilot Program on Commercial Weather Data), CWDP seeks to advance terrestrial and space weather observations, analysis, and predictions from research to operations through increased commercial industry collaborations.

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is issued under the provisions of paragraph 6.102(d)(2) of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Contracts awarded based on responses to this BAA are considered to be the result of full and open competition and in full compliance with the provisions of Public law 98-369, “The Competition in Contracting Act of 1984.”

This is an open (available for twelve months), two-step (concept paper followed by requested proposal) BAA. Concept papers shall be submitted as specified in “Section 3, Part A” of this BAA. The Government will evaluate concept papers against the criteria stated in this announcement. Those offerors whose concept papers are of interest may be invited to submit a formal proposal by the Contracting Officer following the specifications provided in “Section 3, Part B” of this BAA. Offerors whose concept papers are determined to not be of interest are not precluded from submitting a proposal following the specifications in “Section 3, Part B” if they so desire. All offerors submitting concept papers will be contacted by the Government either notifying them that the effort proposed is not of interest to the Government, or with a request for a formal cost and technical proposal by a specified date. An invitation to submit a complete technical proposal, which includes a Statement of Work and a cost proposal, does not assure that the submitting organization will be awarded a subsequent contract.

Non-Government advisors will be used in the evaluation of concept papers and proposals and have signed non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with the Government. Additional NDAs will not be required; instead, a response to this BAA will be considered an implicit acknowledgement and acceptance of the fact that non-Government advisors will be assisting the Government in this process. The Government understands that information provided in response to this BAA is presented in confidence and may contain trade secret, commercial or financial information, and it agrees to protect such information from unauthorized disclosure to the maximum extent permitted or required by-

a. 18 USC 1905 (Trade Secrets Act);

b. 18 USC 1831 et seq. (Economic Espionage Act);

c. 5 USC 552(b)(4) (Freedom of Information Act);

d. Executive Order 12600 (Pre-disclosure Notification Procedures for Confidential Commercial

Information); and

e. Any other statute, regulation, or requirement applicable to Government employees.

Concept papers may be submitted electronically, via the appropriate communication channels (NIPR, SIPR, JWICS), to the contracting officers/specialists:

Primary:

Ms. Kimberly McPhillips Contracting Officer kimberly.mcphillips@us.af.mil Phone Number: 781-225-2910

Alternates:

Ms. April Webb Contracting Specialist april.webb.2@us.af.mil Phone: 781-225-4938

Ms. Kathy Hines Contracting Specialist kathleen.hines.1@us.af.mil Phone: 781-225-5440

Electronic submissions are highly preferred. In the event electronic submission is not possible, concept papers in response to this announcement shall be submitted to:

Contracting, AFLCMC/HBAK

ATTN: BAA FA8730-19-S-0001

75 Vandenburg St. Bldg 1630 Hanscom AFB, MA. 01731-1634 mailto:kimberly.mcphillips@us.af.mil mailto:april.webb.2@us.af.mil mailto:kathleen.hines.1@us.af.mil

Concept papers shall reference the above BAA number in the subject/title of the response.

Submissions shall be either PDF files or Microsoft Word Documents. This announcement is effective from 02 May 2019 through 01 May 2020. Concept papers may be submitted at any time during this period. The Aerospace Management Systems Division Program Office (AFLCMC/HBAW) acknowledges that funding constraints severely limit contract activities, but anticipates the ability to execute a limited number of projects through this timeframe.

Please contact the Contracting Officer for submission of any potentially sensitive or classified material.

SECTION 2 - AREAS OF RESEARCH INTEREST

Solutions should range from data procurement, technology pilots, to analyses and assessments.

Also, solutions are desired across a wide array of relevant technologies including ones that observe or simulate characteristics of the ground, atmosphere, space, or a combination of these domains to achieve military applicability. The CWDP broadly categorizes solutions as follows:

1. Testing, evaluation, calibration/validation, or deployment of commercial spaced-based weather sensors. Additional notes:

a. While the focus is on commercial satellite data, proposers to this CWDP may use satellite, airborne, and ground-based systems in order to ultimately assess the value of the commercial satellite weather data.

b. While this CWDP is not intended for sensor development, it may be used to accelerate the deployment and testing of sensors in the final stage of development.

2. Delivery of commercial data already available (i.e., that does not require the testing/evaluation, calibration/validation, or other phases included in item 1).

3. Associated tools or techniques for exploitation of the data and integration into Air Force Weather systems and models.

Special emphasis will be given on projects that are closer to being operationally ready, utilize observed (vs. simulated) data, focus on an Air Force enterprise model, and/or addresses current and anticipated gaps in Space Based Environmental Monitoring (SBEM), as described in the following categories:

1. Cloud characterization

2. Theater weather imagery

3. Ocean surface vector winds

4. Ionospheric density

5. Snow depth

6. Soil moisture

7. Equatorial ionospheric scintillation

8. Tropical cyclone intensity

(changed from density)

9. Sea ice characterization

10. Low Earth Orbit (LEO) energetic charged particle characterization

11. Electric field

In addition to the SBEM gaps listed above, other Air Force Weather mission or capability areas of interest that might be addressed through exploitation of commercial weather data to include, but are not limited to, the following:

- Surface and Cryosphere Characterization

- Global Weather Radar Depiction

- Hydro-meteorology Monitoring and/or Prediction

- Global Precipitation Monitoring and/or Prediction

- Space Weather Modeling

- Tropospheric Sensing and Profiling

- Directed Energy Mission Planning

- Vertical Temperature and Moisture Profiles

- Global Terrestrial Weather Modeling

Regarding acquisition and analysis of commercial environmental data:

1. AFLCMC/HBA needs to understand the characteristics of the sensing strategy (such as the amount of data, coverage, etc.) required to achieve a certain level of model and application performance on Air Force enterprise models and the computational resources required.

2. The planned orbit characteristics and data density shall be sufficient (i.e., adequate for the purpose) for improving analysis, nowcasting, and prediction of military relevant environmental parameters.

3. The utility of data shall be measured through standard measures of accuracy, reliability, precision, latency, and quality.

4. Other relevant novel measures should demonstrate the utility of the data in global military operations, to include aspects of military planning, execution and all levels of decision-making.

SECTION 3 – GUIDELINES FOR PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION OF CONCEPT

PAPERS AND PROPOSALS

This is an open (available for twelve months), two-step (concept paper followed by proposal) BAA. The purpose of the concept paper is to preclude effort on the part of the offeror whose proposed work is not of interest to the Government. Accordingly, offerors are encouraged to submit concept papers following the guidelines detailed below (Section 3 Part A). Offerors are encouraged to submit proposals following the guidelines detailed below (Section 3 Part B) after they have submitted a concept paper and have been notified by the Contracting Officer of the Government’s interest in receiving a full proposal. Offerors whose concept papers were not deemed to be of interest are not precluded from submitting other concept papers or proposals.

An invitation to submit a complete proposal, which includes a Statement of Work and a cost proposal, does not assure that the submitting organization will be awarded a subsequent contract.

Concept submissions should specifically identify the focused capabilities listed in Section 2 above.

Guidelines for All Submissions (Concept Papers and Proposals)

1) The cost of preparing responses to this BAA is not considered an allowable direct charge to any contract.

2) Unnecessarily elaborate brochures or proposals are not desired.

3) Concept papers and proposals should be created using 8.5 x 11 inch portrait format pages with single spaced Times New Roman 12 point font with 1” margins. Landscape is acceptable for charts and graphs only.

4) Use of a diagram(s) or figure(s) to depict the essence of the proposed solution is strongly encouraged.

5) Multiple concept papers addressing different topic areas may be submitted by the same organization, however each concept paper may only address one concept based on the stated Government areas of research interest (Section 2). Submitters may update a current concept paper or proposal at any time during the twelve month announcement period.

6) On the title page of the submission, identify if you or a proposed sub-contractor are a small business such as 8(a), small disadvantaged business, woman-owned business, HUBZone small business, Veteran-owned business, service disabled veteran owned business, historically black college or university and minority institution.

7) The technical and cost information will be evaluated at the same time during the evaluation process. No further evaluation criteria will be issued in order to award a contract under this BAA. Period of performance for all contracts awarded under this BAA must be no greater than 24 months.

8) Foreign-Owned businesses may be a submitter alone or through some form of teaming arrangement with one or more United States-owned businesses. The ability to obtain a contract based upon a submittal may depend, however, upon whether Government information the foreign-owned business requires access to in order to perform under the contract (1) necessitates clearance of the business under a Special Security Agreement and

(2) approval of a National Interest Determination (see 10 U.S.C. 2536(b)(1)(A), DoD

5220.22-M, and AFI 31-601) that release of proscribed information to the foreign-owned business shall not harm the national security interests of the United States. Failure to obtain the clearance or denial by the cognizant authority of release of the proscribed information to the foreign-owned business would preclude award of a contract.

9) Security Requirements: The submittal process under this BAA is intended to be as streamlined as possible to allow the Government to leverage the latest technology advances.

Every precaution must be taken to protect potentially sensitive or classified material. Such material should not be transmitted across open-source media like public phone, fax, internet, or e-mail. If a submitter has any reason to believe their concept may reference ideas or operations that require special protection, the submitter should immediately contact the Contracting Officer at kimberly.mcphillips@us.af.mil and Contracting Specialists at april.webb.2@us.af.mil and kathleen.hines.1@us.af.mil for further instruction. Submitters who are supported by an accredited security office may be bound by specific law and regulations directing the proper methods for transmission of classified responses.

10) Identification of Partner Agency: Within the concept paper submission an offeror may identify a Government agency that may be interested in pursuing and funding the concept presented, as long as such concept is within the scope of a BAA (FAR 35.016(a)), within scope of this BAA, within scope of the weather systems and focus area listed in Section 2 and not a known requirement of the partnering agency.

11) Submissions shall include a “data management approach” including a description as to how the Offeror plans to satisfy the Government’s desire to obtain the necessary license rights and delivery of technical data and computer software (to include computer software documentation) to allow third parties, Government and Non-Governmental (with signed non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)), access for validation, verification, analysis, evaluation and sustainment/maintenance as deemed necessary by the Program Office. The Government is particularly sensitive to assertions that may be made for technical data and/or software relating to critical system modules and components; as well as to any assertions for information associated with key components and hardware and/or software interfaces, which may affect the planned strategy.

12) Questions regarding the objectives or preparation of the concept paper or proposal shall be addressed to the Contracting Officer at kimberly.mcphillips@us.af.mil and Contracting Specialists at april.webb.2@us.af.mil and kathleen.hines.1@us.af.mil.

Section 3 Part a: CONCEPT Paper Preparation (Step 1 of the 2-part BAA process)

Submitter’s concept papers shall not exceed four (4) pages.

Title Page (does not count against 4-page limit)

Company Name, CAGE Number (if applicable), Title, Offeror, Date, E-Mail Address, Phone, mailto:kimberly.mcphillips@us.af.mil mailto:april.webb.2@us.af.mil mailto:kathleen.hines.1@us.af.mil mailto:kimberly.mcphillips@us.af.mil mailto:april.webb.2@us.af.mil mailto:kathleen.hines.1@us.af.mil

Fax, Organization/Office symbol, and Address. Identify if you or a proposed sub-contractor are a small business such as 8(a), small disadvantaged business, woman-owned business, HUBZone small business, Veteran-owned business, service disabled veteran owned business, historically black college or university and minority institution. Identification of potential sponsor(s) organizations.

ROM Cost and Schedule Page (does not count against the 4-page limit)

Provide a rough order of magnitude (ROM) of the cost of the effort proposed in the concept paper. Provide a top level schedule that shows project completion within 24 months.

Technical Approach Section A

Technology Concept – describe the technical approach and procedures of your proposed research. As part of the proposed research, identify the concept’s current TRL as well as a suggested path to mature the TRL of the research. Identify aspects which may be considered proprietary or Scientific and Technical Information.

Technical Approach Section B

Operational Impact – describe how the USAF will be impacted by the deliverable(s) of your contract. If applicable, describe the impact to the joint operational community. Explain the beneficial impacts and quantify them as appropriate. Detail who the operational users of the technology are expected to be.

BASIS FOR CONCEPT PAPER EVALUATION

Concept papers will be evaluated as they are received through a peer review and scientific review process. Individual concept paper evaluations will be based on acceptability or non-acceptability without regard to other submissions received under this announcement. The Government Office will complete coordination and review of Concept Papers within 60 calendar days and notify the submitter of any status. Evaluations are completed unilaterally and are at the complete discretion of the Government evaluators. Concept papers will be evaluated under the following criteria:

1) The overall scientific and/or technical merits of the proposal, including the approach for the development and/or enhancement of the proposed technology,

2) Affordability of the ROM costs for the proposed concept,

3) Degree to which the proposed concept schedule is achievable,

4) Contribution to the Requirement - The degree to which the proposal is relevant, including the degree to which it enhances and / or accelerates development of capabilities.

Section 3 Part b: PROPOSAL Preparation (Step 2 of the 2-part BAA process)

1) Submitter’s proposal shall not exceed twenty (20) pages.

2) Title Page (does not count against 20-page limit)

3) Each proposal submitted should consist of two volumes: Volume 1 should provide the technical proposal and Volume 2 should address the price/cost/schedule portions of the proposal.

4) Proposals containing data that is not to be disclosed to the public for any purpose or used by the Government except for evaluation purposes shall include the following sentences in accordance with FAR 52.215-1(e)(1) and (2) on the cover page:

“This proposal includes data that shall not be disclosed outside the Government and shall not be duplicated, used, or disclosed -- in whole or in part -- for any purpose other than to evaluate this proposal. If, however, a contract is awarded to this offeror as a result of -- or in connection with -- the submission of this data, the Government shall have the right to duplicate, use, or disclose the data to the extent provided in the resulting contract. This restriction does not limit the Government's right to use information contained in this data if it is obtained from another source without restriction. The data subject to this restriction are contained in sheets [insert numbers or other identification of sheets]”

Each restricted data sheet should be marked as follows:

“Use or disclosure of data contained on this sheet is subject to the restriction on the title page of this proposal.”

Volume 1, Technical Proposal

Title Page

Company Name, CAGE Number, Title, Offeror, Date, E-Mail Address, Phone, Fax, Organization/Office symbol, and Address. Include an abstract which provides a concise Statement of Work (SOW) and basic approach to be utilized.

Propose a Technical Approach

A reasonably complete discussion stating the background and objectives of the proposed work, the approaches to be considered, and the resources to be employed. Include the nature and extent of the anticipated results. Include ancillary and operational issues such as certifications, algorithms, and any engineering/software development methodologies to be used. This proposal must include Basis of Estimate (BOE) hours and a Statement of Work (SOW). The BOEs shall provide the basis, rationale, estimating methodology, labor category breakout tables, and any historical actuals used to derive the proposed labor estimates. Provide a detailed project schedule that outlines the various phases of work to be accomplished within 24 months You may refer to the concept paper that prompted this proposal request, but do not duplicate it.

Government Support Required

Identify the type of support, if any, the offeror requests of HBAK or the Government in general such as facilities, equipment, data, and information or materials.

Volume 2, Cost Proposal

Cover Sheet (1 Page)

Proposal pricing cover sheet for total proposal to include the type of contract proposed. Identify if you or a proposed sub-contractor are a small business such as 8(a), small disadvantaged business, woman-owned business, HUBZone small business, Veteran-owned business, service disabled veteran owned business, historically black college or university and minority institution.

Please include your representation and certification of cost and pricing data.

Cost Element Summary

Summary by cost element for each contract line and sub-line item and for the total proposal.

Forecast the annual dollar commitments for the proposed contract period.

Labor Summary

Labor summary for the total proposal by categories, rates, and hours. Include an explanation of how labor rates are computed, including base rates and escalation. Show the level of effort, if applicable. For proposals from universities, the times and amounts to be charged should be identified by academic year and summer effort. Identification of indirect rates by calendar year, an explanation of how they were established, and the base to which they apply.

Bill of Materials (BOM)

Provide a bill of materials detailing items by type, quantity, unit price, total amount, and source of estimate. Provide vendor quotes if applicable.

Summary of Travel

Provide a proposed summary of travel by destination, purpose, number of people and days, to include all applicable travel costs.

Subcontracts

If subcontractors will be used, provide price/cost analysis, and a justification to use the subcontractors if their participation was not competed.

Special Tooling or Test Equipment

When special tooling, and/or test equipment is proposed, attach a brief description of said 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.

BASIS FOR PROPOSAL EVALUATION

Proposals will be evaluated as they are received through a peer review process as well as through a scientific review process. Individual proposal evaluations will be based on acceptability or non-acceptability without regard to other submissions received under this announcement.

Proposals will be evaluated under the following criteria listed:

1) Feasibility, risk, value, and/or any other considerations the Air Force feels may come into play,

2) The overall scientific and/or technical merits of the proposal, including the approach for the development and/or enhancement of the proposed technology,

3) The potential contributions to the technical objective of the effort and the extent to which the proposed effort will contribute to the specified capability,

4) The extent to which the vendor demonstrates relevant technology and domain knowledge, the vendor's capabilities, related experience, facilities, techniques, or unique combination of these which are integral factors for achieving the proposal objectives,

5) The extent to which existing capabilities and standards are leveraged and the relative maturity of the proposed technology in terms of reliability and robustness,

6) Realism of the proposal performance schedule

7) Realism and reasonableness of the costs

8) Government funds availability*

9) Degree to which Intellectual Property/Propriety Data restricts implementation of system.

* A Contracting Officer is the only authorized person with the authority to enter into, administer, modify, or terminate a Government contract in accordance with 1.602-1 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).