FA9451-21-S-0001_Call_0006_MJOLNIR_With_Attachments.pdf

FA9451-21-S-0001 Call 0006

MJÖLNIR

MJÖLNIR

Closed One-Step Call

Issued Under

Directed Energy Technology Experimentation Research (DETER) Advanced Research Announcement (ARA)

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

NAICS Code: The NAICS Code for this acquisition is 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) and Small business size standard is 1,000 employees

Federal Agency Name: Air Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy, Phillips Research Site, Kirtland AFB NM (AFRL/RD)

ARA Number: FA9451-21-S-0001

ARA Title: Directed Energy Technology Experimentation Research (DETER)

Call Number: Call 0006

Call Title: MJÖLNIR

DETER Topic Area: 3. Directed Energy Weapon Systems

Call Type: Closed One-Step Call with full technical and cost proposal submittals due no later than the specified date and time. This acquisition is unrestricted.

Purpose of Call: The Air Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy Directorate High-Power Electromagnetics Division (AFRL/RDH) is seeking proposals which could result in an award under the authority of 10 U.S.C. § 2373 to fulfill the requirements of the MJÖLNIR Statement of Work

(SOW).

Call Specific Information: All requirements of the DETER ARA (as amended) are applicable unless otherwise stated in this Call. Offerors are advised to review the ARA and Call thoroughly when preparing proposals in response to this Call. Offerors should monitor the SAM.gov website at https://sam.gov for amendments to the DETER ARA and/or this Call.

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II. BRIEF PROGRAM SUMMARY

This is a Closed, One-Step Call to solicit proposals for the Air Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy Directorate, High Power Electromagnetic Division MJÖLNIR effort.

A. Overview

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Directed Energy Directorate (RD), High Power Electromagnetics (HPEM) Division (RDH), Kirtland AFB New Mexico, is the Air Force’s Center of Excellence for research in HPEM technology and functions as the Air Force Material Command’s center for HPEM technology development, prototyping, demonstration, and support. Future HPEM weapons potentially contribute a unique capability for the Air Force to control and dominate the electromagnetic spectrum for a variety of warfare options. Military and civilian systems, both domestic and international, increasingly rely on sophisticated electronics and cyber access and control at some level. The goals of the Applications Branch (AFRL/RDHA) are two-fold: 1) to promote projects, research, scientific studies providing high payoff research and development leading to advances in HPEM science and technology; and 2) demonstrate and mature technologies in preparation for insertion into programs of record.

B. Objective

The objective of MJÖLNIR is to procure a single, near-production representative, cost-effective counter-unmanned aerial system (cUAS) that is suited to operational environments and performs at levels equal to or greater than AFRL’s existing Tactical High-Power Microwave Operational Responder (THOR) cUAS prototype. This prototype development intends to capitalize on earlier high-power microwave (HPM) systems and enable future transition to a program of record. The Statement of Work (SOW) is included as Attachment 1.

C. Deliverables

Hardware and software deliverables are specified in the SOW.

Data deliverables are included in Attachment 3 and in the SOW. The Offeror may propose additional data items. Any additional data items shall be selected from DoD 5010.12-M and specified on DD Form 1423.

D. Schedule

The anticipated period of performance is 33 months technical effort with an additional 3 months allotted for final reporting.

III. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Anticipated Award Type The Government reserves the right to award any appropriate instrument; this includes, but is not limited to, any contract type under the FAR, grant, cooperative agreement, or Other Transaction (OT) for Prototype, or OT for Research, Arrangement or Procurement for Experimental Purposes pursuant to 10 U.S.C § 2373. Purchases under 10 U.S.C § 2373 may be made inside or outside the United States and by contract or otherwise. Chapter 137 of Title 10 applies only when such purchases are made in quantities greater than necessary for experimentation, technical evaluation, assessment of operational utility, or safety or to provide a residual operational capability.

It is anticipated that an award under this Call will be a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) completion type award. Cost reimbursement awards require successful Offerors to have an accounting system considered adequate for tracking costs applicable to the award.

B. Anticipated Number of Awards

Although the Government anticipates making one award under this Call, the Government reserves the right to award zero, one, or more agreements, arrangements, grants, other transactions, or contracts, etc. for all, some or none of the proposed effort based on the Offeror’s ability to perform required work and funding availability.

C. Estimated Project Cost

This funding profile is only an estimate and is not an obligation for funding. All funding is subject to change at the Government’s discretion and/or by the availability of funds.

Potential Offerors should be aware that, due to unanticipated budget fluctuations, funding may change with little or no notice.

Fiscal Year (FY) FY22 FY23 Total Total Estimated Funding $14M $6M $20M

D. Availability of Funds Notice to Offerors: Funds are not presently available for this effort. No award will be made under this Call until funds are available. The Government reserves the right to cancel this Call, either before or after the closing date. In the event the Government cancels this Call, the Government has no obligation to reimburse an Offeror for any costs. Funding Restrictions & Recovery of Costs for Submission of Proposals.

IV. OTHER INFORMATION

A. Communication

Communication between Prospective Offerors and Government The acquisition team intends to manage communications facilitating the submission of optimal proposals without creating unfair competitive advantages.

Dialogue between prospective Offerors and Government points of contact identified in this Call is encouraged until proposal receipt. No guidance related to technical approach will be given. However, questions related to work to be performed may be answered. If there is any doubt as to whether a response provides a competitive advantage, the answer will be posted publicly via an amendment to this Call on https://sam.gov for all potential Offerors to review.

The deadline for submitting questions is no later than 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time 20 August 2021. Dialogue with any of the points of contact shall not constitute a commitment by the Government to subsequently fund or award any proposed effort. Any dialogue that takes place will not be taken into consideration during the evaluation of proposals.

After proposal receipt, all communication will be in writing to the contracting office. Only the Contracting/Agreements Officer or Contract Specialist will discuss pricing and/or contractual issues.

The Contracting/Agreements Officer or Contract Specialist may contact Offerors to clarify certain aspects of the proposal.

Notice to Offerors Regarding Communications with the Government Only Contracting/Agreement Officers are legally authorized to commit the Government. Communications with any points of contact shall not constitute a commitment by the Government to subsequently fund and/or award any proposed effort.

Government Points of Contact

1. Technical:

AFRL.RDH.ACQUISITIONSMAILBOX@us.af.mil

2. Contracting:

Primary: Mr. Adan Dominguez, Contract Specialist, AFRL/RDKP adan.dominguez.2@us.af.mil

Alternate: Ms. Deborah Moyer, Contracting/Agreements Officer, AFRL/RDKP deborah.moyer@us.af.mil https://sam.gov/ mailto:AFRL.RDH.ACQUISITIONSMAILBOX@us.af.mil

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B. Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) No known actual or potential Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) situations exist with respect to this Call. Offerors shall perform their own OCI analysis (to include potential OCI situations associated with any teammates or subcontractors). Offerors shall describe the methodology used to identify any actual or potential OCI issues. If the Offeror identifies any actual or potential OCIs, the Offeror shall provide an OCI mitigation plan. The Offeror’s mitigation plan will be determined acceptable solely at the discretion of the Contracting/Agreements Officer. If the Contracting/Agreements Officer unilaterally determines any such OCI cannot be satisfactorily avoided or mitigated, the Contracting/Agreements Officer may affect other remedies deemed necessary. All OCI issues will be resolved prior to award.

C. Critical Program Information (CPI)/Program Protection Plan (PPP)

Awardees that require access to Critical Program Information (CPI) will receive training on the Tactical High Power Microwave Operational Responder (THOR) Program Protection Plan (PPP). Copies of the PPP will be provided to the Awardee when deemed necessary by the AFRL Technical Directorate (TD). In the event the Awardee’s role does not require access to the complete PPP, a tailored version will be provided to ensure distribution restrictions are enforced. Any updates/changes to the applicable PPP will also be provided as deemed necessary by the TD.

All Offerors (including subcontractors/subawardees) shall supplement their current security practices by requiring any personnel involved in executing this award where critical program information (CPI) has been identified to protect the CPI to the standards articulated in the Program Protection Plan and in accordance with DoDI 5200.39. Upon award, all identified Awardees (including subcontractors/subawardees) shall acknowledge and meet the requirements stated by the Program Manager for the protection of CPI. The Awardee must immediately notify the U.S. Government upon the discovery of any nonconformance with CPI protections.

D. Access to Government Installations, Base Support, Network On an as-needed basis, the Government may provide the Awardee with access to facilities, inclusive of items incidental to the place of performance such as office space, office supplies, personal computers, telephones for Awardee’s on-site personnel, and other equipment as necessary.

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E. Government Furnished Property (GFP) Availability GFP is not anticipated. Any requests for GFP items required to perform the proposed effort must be separately identified in the Offeror’s proposal. The terms and conditions regarding the GFP, if any, will be negotiated and otherwise established in accordance with all applicable statutes, rules, regulations, and DoD/Air Force mandatory policies.

F. Data Rights AFRL is engaged in the discovery, development, and integration of warfighting technologies for our air, space, and cyberspace forces. As such, rights in technical data and Non-Commercial Software (NCS) developed or delivered under award(s) resulting from this Call are of significant concern to the Government. The Government will therefore carefully consider any restrictions on the use of technical data, NCS, and NCS documentation, which could result in transition difficulty, or less-than full and open competition for subsequent development of this technology.

At a minimum, the Government requires Government Purpose Rights. This is largely a result of the Government’s previous funding, in whole or in part; of many if not all of the items identified or otherwise implied in the attached SOW and/or other attached documents. Data rights will be negotiated before award.

Offerors that propose delivery of noncommercial technical data, NCS, NCS documentation, or otherwise and that seek to provide the Government anything less than government purpose rights should fully explain how a portion of the data was developed at private expense. Specifically, Offerors must explain what noncommercial technical data, NCS, or NCS documentation developed with costs charged to indirect cost pools and/or costs not allocated to a Government contract will be incorporated, how the incorporation will benefit the program, and address whether those portions or processes are segregable.

Offerors shall include data rights assertions as part of the Business Section of the proposal (Attachment 5). Assertions must be completed with specificity. Each assertion must identify the technical data or computer software to be delivered and the associated item, component, or process developed exclusively or partially at private expense to which it pertains. Nonconforming data rights assertion lists may not be accepted until submitted in accordance with applicable statutes, rules, regulations, and policies.

Government Purpose Rights

The Government shall receive Government Purpose Rights in all noncommercial technical data, noncommercial computer software, and noncommercial computer software documentation developed with mixed funding. “Developed with mixed funding” means development was accomplished partially with costs charged to indirect cost pools and/or costs not allocated to a Government contract, and partially with costs charged directly to a Government contract.

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Unlimited Data Rights The Government shall receive unlimited rights in all noncommercial technical data, noncommercial computer software, and noncommercial computer software documentation developed exclusively with Government funds. This includes but is not limited to: Data pertaining to an item, component, or process which has been or will be developed exclusively with Government funds and studies, analyses, test data, or similar data produced for this contract, when the study, analysis, test, or similar work was specified as an element of performance.

The Government shall have unlimited data rights for the following:

Form, fit, and function data;

Corrections or changes to data furnished to the Awardee by the

Government;

Data otherwise publicly available or that has been released or disclosed by the Awardee or subcontractor without restrictions on further use, release or disclosure, other than a release or disclosure resulting from the sale, transfer, or other assignment of interest in the data to another party or the sale or transfer of some or all of a business entity or its assets to another party;

Studies, analyses, test data, or similar data produced for this Arrangement, when the study, analysis, test, or similar work was specified as an element of performance;

Data necessary for operation, maintenance, installation, or training;

Computer software documentation required to be delivered under this

Arrangement;

Data that will be delivered, furnished, or otherwise provided to the

Government under this award, in which the Government has previously obtained rights, shall be delivered, furnished, or provided with the pre-existing rights, unless the parties have agreed otherwise, or any restrictions on the Governments rights to use, modify, reproduce, display or disclose the data have expired or no longer apply.

G. Non-Government Advisors

Offerors are advised that data included in the proposals submitted to the Government in response to this Call may be released to non-Government advisors to assist the Government evaluators with cost/price analysis. Any non-Government advisors will strictly serve in an advisory capacity and only to the Government evaluators. Non-Government advisors have the appropriate Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) clauses in the contract with AFRL and may complete any required Non-Disclosure Agreements. Radiance Technologies, Inc (and its subcontractors), performing under FA9451-18-F-0046 (Systems Engineering and Modeling Simulation Support) will provide this non-Government advisory support.

Any objections to disclosure or concerns regarding the use of non-Government advisors:

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Shall be provided in writing to the Contracting/Agreements Officer within 10 days of Call issuance; and

Shall include a detailed statement of the basis for objection. The detailed statement shall identify the specific portions of the proposal the Offeror objects to disclosure to non-Government advisors.

If there are no concerns regarding the use of non-Government advisors, the

Offeror shall include the following statement in the Business Section of the proposal:

I understand technical and cost/price data submitted to the Government in response to this announcement may be released to non-Government advisors. I consent to release of any proprietary, confidential, or privileged commercial or financial data provided by the firm(s) named below in response to this announcement, to non-Government advisors for review and analysis:

Firm:

Name (individual authorized to commit firm):

Title:

Date of Execution:

H. Associate Contractor Agreements (ACA) ACAs are agreements between contractors working on Government contract projects that specify for them to share information, data, technical knowledge, expertise, or resources.

The Contracting Officer may require ACAs when contractors working on separate Government contracts must cooperate, share resources or otherwise jointly participate in working on contracts or projects. Prime contractor to subcontractor relationships do not constitute ACAs.

ACA participation The contractor shall enter into Associate Contractor Agreements (ACA) for any portion of the contract requiring joint participation in the accomplishment of the Government’s requirement. The agreements shall include the basis for sharing information, data, technical knowledge, expertise, and/or resources essential to the MJÖLNIR effort, which shall ensure the greatest degree of cooperation for the development of the program to meet the terms of the contract. Associate contractors are listed in paragraph f) below.

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ACAs shall include the following general information:

(1) Identify the associate contractors and their relationships.

(2) Identify the program involved and the relevant Government contracts of the associate contractors.

(3) Describe the associate contractor interfaces by general subject matter.

(4) Specify the categories of information to be exchanged or support to be provided.

(5) Include the expiration date (or event) of the ACA.

(6) Identify potential conflicts between relevant Government contracts and the ACA; include agreements on protection of proprietary data and restrictions on employees.

A copy of such agreement shall be provided to the Contracting/Agreements Officer for review before execution of the document by the cooperating contractors.

The contractor is not relieved of any contract requirements or entitled to any adjustments to the contract terms because of a failure to resolve a disagreement with an associate contractor.

Liability for the improper disclosure of any proprietary data contained in or referenced by any agreement shall rest with the parties to the agreement, and not the Government.

All costs associated with the agreements are included in the negotiated cost of this contract. Agreements may be amended as required by the Government during the performance of this contract.

The following contractors are associate contractors with whom agreements are required:

Contractor Address Program/Contract

TBD

I. Support Contractors

The AFRL Directed Energy (RD) and Space Vehicles (RV) Directorates have contracted for various business and staff support services, (e.g. LTD Global, LLC., and Chenega Integrated Security Solutions, LLC and its subcontractors (LMATA Government Services LLC and Schafer Corporation)) some of which require contractors to obtain administrative access to proprietary information submitted by other contractors. Administrative access is defined as "handling or having physical control over information for the sole purpose of accomplishing the administrative functions specified in the administrative support contract, which do not require the review, reading, or comprehension of the content of the information on the part of non-technical professionals assigned to accomplish the specified administrative tasks." These contractors have signed general non-disclosure agreements and organizational conflict of interest statements. The required administrative access will be granted to non-technical professionals. Examples of the administrative tasks performed include: a) Assembling and organizing information for R&D case files; b) Accessing library files for use by Government personnel; and c) Handling and administration of proposals, contracts, contract funding and queries. Consent to administrative access is

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inferred by submitting a proposal. Any objection to administrative access must be provided in writing to the Contracting/Agreements Officer within ten (10) days of Call issuance.

V. SECURITY

This effort will require access to and processing of classified information at the Secret level. A DoD Contract Security Classification Specification, DD Form 254 will be incorporated in the award document. The DD Form 254 provides the contractor (or subcontractor) the security requirements and the classification guidance necessary to perform on a classified contract. A DD Form 254 is included as Attachment 2.

The successful Offeror will need Secret facility clearance and Secret safeguarding capability prior to award and throughout the period of performance.

Offerors must verify their Cognizant Security Office information is current with Defense Security Service (DSS) at http://www.dss.mil.

VI. ELIGIBILITY

A. Overview All responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government’s requirement may submit a proposal. Small Businesses, Historically Black Colleges (HBCU), Minority Institutions (MI), Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), Woman-Owned Businesses, and Service- Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses are encouraged to submit proposals; however, no part of this Call is a set-aside. Failure to meet eligibility information and submit a complete package in response to the announcement may make an Offeror ineligible for award.

B. System for Award Management Before the Government can issue an award, an Offeror must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) https://Sam.gov.

C. Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment Before the Government can issue an award, an Offeror must be registered in the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE) https://piee.eb.mil/.

D. Export Control This announcement involves data that is subject to subject to Export Control and/or International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) 22 CFR § 120 et. seq., and/or Export Administration Regulations (EAR) 15 CFR § 730 et. seq. Only Offerors who are registered and certified in the Joint Certification Program (JCP) with the Defense Logistics Services Center (DLSC) and have a legitimate business purpose may participate in this call. Contact the Defense Logistics Services Center, 74 Washington Avenue N., Battle Creek, Michigan 49037-3084 (877-352-2255 or JCP-Admin@dla.mil) for further information on the certification process. More current contact information for DLSC may be available at https://www.dla.mil/HQ/LogisticsOperations/Services/JCP/ Offeror’s must submit a copy of your approved DD Form 2345, Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement, within the Business Section of the proposal or a statement that the organization has already been certified and register in the JCP with DLSC.

https://sam.gov/ https://piee.eb.mil/

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E. Foreign Participation Foreign Participation is not permitted.

AFRL Policy on Employment of Non-US Citizen Offerors applies to this Call. Offeror employees/agents requiring access to USAF bases, AFRL facilities, and/or access to U.S.

Government Information Technology networks in connection with the work on any subsequent award must be U.S. citizens. Possession of a permanent resident card (“Green Card”) does not equate to U.S. citizenship. This requirement does not apply to foreign nationals approved by the U.S. Department of Defense or U.S. State Department under international personnel exchange agreements with foreign Governments. Any waivers to this requirement must be granted in writing by the Contracting/Agreements Officer prior to providing access.

VII. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION INFORMATION

CLASSIFIED MATERIAL SHALL NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE PROPOSAL AND SHALL

NOT BE SUBMITTED WITH THE PROPOSAL.

A. Proposal Preparation Costs

This Call is an expression of interest only and does not commit the Government to pay for proposal preparation costs. The costs of preparing proposals in response to this Call is not considered an allowable direct cost to a resultant award. The Government will not reimburse Offerors/Awardees for direct costs relating to the submission of proposals submitted in response to this Call. However, the costs may be allowable as indirect expenses in resulting awards provided those costs are allocable and reasonable.

There is no limit to the number of proposals an Offeror may submit, however, each proposal must be stand-alone.

B. General Information

Proposal Due Time and Date

Full technical and business/cost proposals must be submitted in response to this Call no later than 12:00 p.m., Mountain Time, 13 September 2021. NO

HARD COPY PROPOSALS WILL BE ACCEPTED. HAND

DELIVERIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

NOTE: Offerors may be ineligible for award if all requirements of this Call are not met by the due time and date.

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Proposal Submission Proposals shall be submitted electronically via the Department of Defense (DoD) Secure Access File Exchange (SAFE) website (https://safe.apps.mil/). The Government will only accept electronic proposals submitted using DoD SAFE with notification sent to the following email addresses:

adan.dominguez.2@us.af.mil deborah.moyer@us.af.mil

If an Offeror does not have a Common Access Card (CAC) to send files via the DoD SAFE website, contact the above Contracting Points of Contact to obtain a passcode. Currently DoD SAFE drop-off passcodes are valid for fourteen (14) days. Requests for passcode(s) should be submitted thirteen (13) calendar days prior to due date for submission.

DoD SAFE automatically deletes uploaded documents seven (7) days after submission of the documents and codes are no longer valid for Government retrieval. Therefore, it is encouraged to contact the persons identified above to verify that the documents were successfully retrieved. If multiple drop-offs are necessary for the submission, request several passcodes and label each submission accordingly; such as transmission 1 of 3, transmission 2 of 3, etc.

Any proposal, modification, or revision received by the Government office through the electronic method authorized by this solicitation after the exact time specified for receipt of offers is "late" and will not be considered unless it is received before award is made, and the Contracting/Agreements Officer determines that accepting the late offer would not unduly delay the acquisition; or it is the only proposal received.

Early proposal submission is encouraged.

C. Intent to Respond Potential Offerors are requested to advise the Contracting POCs identified in the Call if they intend to submit a proposal in response to this Call. Such notification is merely a courtesy and is not a commitment by the Offeror to submit a proposal. Although not providing notice of intent to respond will not make an Offeror ineligible for award, it is respectfully requested for Government planning purposes.

mailto:adam.graham.8@us.af.mil mailto:elizabeth.kennedy.4@us.af.mil

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D. Government Reference Documents A supplemental information package containing technical information is available for potential Offerors. This package contains both Secret and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) data. Offerors must have a valid U.S. security clearance of Secret or higher in order to receive the information package which is classified at the Secret level.

This package will only be released to Offerors who have signed the Non-Disclosure Agreement and possess the appropriate clearances. All classified material must be handled in accordance with the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) (32 CFR Part 117) and National Industrial Security Program: Industrial Security Procedures for Government Activities (DoD Manual 5220.22, Vol 2). DoD guidance for CUI: DoD Instruction 5200.48. REQUESTS FOR ACCESS TO THE

MJÖLNIR BIDDER’S LIBRARY MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN 12:00

P.M. MOUNTAIN TIME ON 11 AUGUST 2021. REQUESTS WILL NOT BE

ACCEPTED AFTER THIS TIME/DATE. Instructions for requesting the Bidder’s Library are located at Attachments 4, 4a and 4b of this Call.

E. Proposals that include data restricted from public disclosure or used by the Government for any purpose should be marked with the proper disclosure and use of data restrictions.

It is the Offeror’s responsibility to mark the relevant portions of the proposal appropriately if submitting proprietary information.

Offerors that include data in their proposals that they do not want disclosed to the public for any purpose, or used by the Government except for evaluation purposes, shall: Mark the title page with the following legend:

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];

Mark each sheet of data an Offeror wishes to restrict with the following legend:

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

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F. Proposal Requirements Specific Proposal Format

Page Size: 8 1/2 inches x 11 inches Each proposal Volume shall be a single Portable Document Format (PDF) or Microsoft Word document. This does not include Microsoft Excel workbooks/spreadsheets for the Cost Section of the Business/Cost Volume. Files shall be virus-free and must not be locked or password protected.

Margins: 1 inch on each side Spacing: Must be “normal,” not condensed in any manner and single spaced.

Font: Arial 11+ point font on all text except as otherwise provided.

Exceptions: Line spacing and font requirements do not have to be followed for illustrations, flowcharts, drawings, and diagrams.

These exceptions shall not be used to circumvent formatting requirements and page count limitations by including lengthy narratives in such items. Smaller type may be used in figures and tables as long as it is clearly legible.

Any other information (e.g. captions, restrictive markings) shall not be smaller than Arial 10 point font or equivalent.

Page Limit:

(1) Technical Volume page limit is a total of 40 pages. The page limitation covers all information including indices, photographs, tables, charts, appendices, attachments, etc. Cover page, blank pages, title pages, tables of content, lists, tabs, cover sheets and resumes are not included in the page count.

Note: The Government will check the Technical Volume for conformance to the stated requirements. Any pages in excess of the stated page limitation will not be considered for evaluation purposes.

(2) Business/Cost Volume Page Limit: No page limitations for the Business Section; however, as a goal, should be kept to 50 pages.

Cost break-outs shall be submitted in Microsoft Excel with the formulas included and unlocked, all other information should be provided in Portable Document Format or Microsoft Word document.

Page Numbers: Include page numbers on each page in the following format: Page ___ of ___. For example, Page 1 of 7, Page 2 of 7, etc.

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Cover Page Content Offerors must submit a cover page, with a complete technical/business/cost proposal.

The cover page shall include at a minimum:

(1) ARA number: FA9451-21-S-0001

(2) Call number: Call 0006 MJÖLNIR

(3) DETER Topic Area(s): Directed Energy Weapon Systems

(4) Proposal title/Unique proposal identification number

(5) Offeror organization name/address

(6) Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code (if applicable)

(7) Organization/Business size

(8) Technical and contracting points of contact to include telephone number and email

(9) List all proposed subcontractors and include CAGE Code

(10) The classification level at which the Offeror’s organization is cleared for facility and safeguarding classified information/material:

(11) Validity Statement: Proposal shall include a statement that proposal is valid for a minimum of 180 days from proposal due date

(12) Type of Contract/Instrument Proposed:

NOTE: If proposing a Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) type contract, the required FAR and supplement provisions and clauses are considered incorporated by reference into this Call. The full text of these provisions and clauses can be found at https://www.acquisition.gov.

The negotiated terms and conditions of a non-FAR award are anticipated to be comparable to those terms and conditions applicable to a FAR type award.

The Technical and Business/Cost Volumes must be submitted in separate volumes.

Unnecessarily elaborate brochures or presentations beyond that to present a complete and effective proposal are not desired.

G. Technical Volume

The Technical Volume shall include a discussion of the nature and scope of the research and technical approach. Except for cost/price, the technical proposal content should cover the items listed in the proposal evaluation criteria. The Technical Volume shall include (at a minimum) the following items:

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Executive Summary The Executive Summary allows Offerors to concisely present the important aspects of the proposal. The summary should present an organized progression of the work to be accomplished, without the technical details, so that the reader can grasp the core context of the proposal. A description of the innovation and benefits of the proposed approach and relationship to previous efforts should be discussed. It should summarize the technical issues addressed by the Offeror’s proposal without repeating the objectives. This summary should provide a vision of what the solution will ultimately achieve and the end result.

Explanation of how the proposed effort provides benefits to the national defense and a strategy for verifying those intended benefits.

Technical Approach Describe the techniques, methods, materials, or ideas that will be addressed in this proposal for achieving the requirements in the SOW. The Technical Approach should convey to the Government that the Offeror has a credible plan and is capable of achieving the requirements in the SOW based on previous successes/experience. In this section, the Offeror should provide as much technical detail and analysis as is necessary or useful to support the proposed technical approach. Discussion of the Offeror’s proposed technical approach/solution; all relevant assumptions; an overview of tasks and methods to achieve each objective; and expected results.

Technical Discussion No technical approach is without its limitations or shortcomings. Issues should be identified and compared with the successes/failures of previous approaches. A tradeoff analysis is a good way to make this comparison and should be supported by theory, simulation, modeling, experimental data, or other sound engineering and scientific practices. Any new or innovative technologies proposed must be referenced and cited in literature to support proposed advancements.

Facilities and Equipment description

Describe the facilities that will be used to achieve the goals of the program, in terms of manufacturing capability, testing facilities, and/or any relevant specialized equipment.

Also describe the ability to leverage these facilities and equipment to allow for scaling the numbers of systems that are capable of being produced.

Risk Analysis and Alternatives Offerors need to have an understanding of the risk factors involved with its proposed approach. Include a risk assessment of key technical, schedule or cost areas and their potential impact on the program. Propose specific risk reduction milestone events and accomplishment criteria. If subcontractors are involved, identify why the proposed subcontractors are selected and what tasks they are to perform.

Management Plan

Offerors should provide an approach that demonstrates the ability to effectively and efficiently manage and administer the effort to a successful conclusion, to include:

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Schedule, cost, and risk management approach Subcontractor management and quality control Safety Security Proposed level of interaction with the Government Team

Capabilities, Relevant and Past Experience/Performance

The Offeror should describe any capabilities that are uniquely supportive of the technology to be pursued. The proposal must include any information on prior work in the technical areas, descriptions of available equipment, data, and facilities as attachments to the technical proposal. This information will be used in the proposal evaluation to help determine the soundness of the technical approach.

Capabilities and Relevant Experience Previous and/or current R&D Experience Facilities/Resources

Resumes of Key Individuals

Key personnel, consultants or subcontractors to support the effort and evidence of expertise and experience to accomplish the effort. Include resumes for proposed key personnel, consultants or subcontractors. Include the full time equivalent (FTE) percent (%) of their time commitment to this effort. Full time equivalent is defined at 40 hours per week.

Suggested key personnel are: Program Manager, Chief Engineer, Principal Investigator, and Segment Leads (if any). Provide position descriptions for any positions not filled at the time of proposal submittal. Resumes can be attached to the Technical Volume, are limited to three (3) pages each, and do not count toward the Technical Volume page limit.

Technical Data Identify any technical data that will be delivered with less than unlimited rights (reference paragraph IV.F).

H. Business/Cost Volume (separate into Business and Cost Sections)

Business Section The Business Section should contain all business aspects to the proposed contractual arrangement, such as type of award. The Business Section should contain any other information not technically related. The Business Section has no page limitations;

however, as a goal, should be kept to 50 pages.

The Business Section, at a minimum, should include the following items as appropriate:

All Offerors must propose prices for data by completing Blocks 17 (Price Group) and 18 (Estimated Total Price) of the data item deliverables. Data price estimates will not be used for contract pricing purposes.

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If proposing a FAR award, any subcontractors proposed, a subcontractor analysis in accordance with FAR 15.404-3(b) Subcontract Pricing Considerations.

If proposing a FAR award, unless exempt in accordance with FAR 19.702 Statutory Requirements, a small business subcontracting plan is required.

Asserted restrictions on technical data. This shall be a stand-alone page with no proprietary markings. If selected for award, this will become an attachment to the award.

Agreement of non-Government advisor statement.

Approved DD Form 2345, Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement or statement as indicated in paragraph VI.D.

Cost Section Clear, concise, and accurate cost proposals reflect the Offeror's financial plan for accomplishing the effort contained in the technical proposal. The Cost section shall be submitted in accordance with the Cost Proposal Instructions included as Attachments 6 and 7 to this Call. Offerors shall utilize the cost proposal instructions that correspond to the award type proposed. Attachment 6 is applicable to non-FAR awards and Attachment 7 is applicable to FAR awards. Submit the cost proposal worksheets in Microsoft Excel. The file must contain all cell formulas and submit fully disclosed cost spreadsheets, including rate tables for all direct and indirect rates. The Cost Section has no page limitations.

Offerors who have forward pricing rate agreements (FPRAs) and forward pricing rate recommendations (FPRRs) should submit them with their Cost Section.

NOTE: Successful Offerors must have an accounting system considered adequate by the Contracting/Agreements Officer for tracking costs applicable to the award.

VIII. PROPOSAL EVALUATION

Proposals will be evaluated against the criteria listed below utilizing a peer or scientific review process.

A. Proposal Evaluation Criteria The evaluation criteria will be used to determine whether an Offeror should be recommended for award. Technical Merit and Ability to Build Multiple Units are of equal importance and are first in order of priority. Cost/Price is the lowest in order of priority and is of less importance than both Technical Merit and Ability Build Multiple Units.

At any point during the peer or scientific review for technical merit and ability to build multiple units, any proposal deemed not scientifically or technically sound or does not meet agency needs will not be further reviewed. For a proposal to be reviewed for Ability Build Multiple Units, it must at a minimum, be deemed scientifically and technically sound but needing additional development for Technical Merit. For a proposal to be reviewed for Cost/Price, it must at a minimum, be deemed scientifically or technically sound but needing additional development for both Technical Merit and Ability Build Multiple Units.

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Technical Merit Technical Merit shall be evaluated based on the following criteria, which are of equal importance.

Overall scientific or technical merit:

• Program goals and expected results are anchored by theory, analysis or data

• Assumptions are logical, reasonable and appropriate

• Offeror demonstrates knowledge and experience building and testing gigawatt class high power microwave systems and applies state-of-the-art methods

• The potential for AFRL to transition the research and development deliverables to future Government needs. Any proposed restrictions on technical data or computer software will be considered

Soundness of the Offeror’s technical approach:

• Approach is defined, logical and feasible

• Schedule, speed of delivery (tech readiness date), and required resources are reasonable and appropriate

• Proposed measurement and test processes will yield data necessary to evaluate system performance

• Proposed key personnel have appropriate qualifications and demonstrated experience to perform proposed effort

Ability to Build Multiple Units Ability to transition the technology and the integration process to build multiple units shall be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Proposed effort is logically mapped and the design allows for scaling the number of end units capable of being produced

Cost/Price Cost/Price is the lowest in order of priority and is of least important. The evaluation will determine if the proposed cost/price is realistic. Realistic will entail evaluating the likelihood that the proposed technical approach can be successfully accomplished for the cost proposed.

Note 1: Prior to award of a potentially successful offer, the Contracting/Agreements Officer will make a determination regarding price reasonableness.

No further evaluation criteria will be used. Individual proposal evaluations will be performed using these evaluation criteria without regard to other proposals submitted under this Call.

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B. Proposal Categories Proposals will be reviewed against the criteria described above. Based on the peer or scientific review process, proposals will be categorized as:

Highly Recommended: Well-conceived scientifically and technically sound proposal pertinent to accomplish goals and objectives. Proposals are recommended for acceptance (subject to availability of funds) and normally are displaced only by other Highly Recommended proposals.

Selectable: Scientifically or technically sound proposals that may need additional development. Proposals are recommended for acceptance if sufficient funding is available, but at a lower priority than Highly Recommended proposals. To ensure a diversity of approaches, a Selectable proposal may be prioritized over a Highly Recommended proposal if the Selectable proposal presents a unique approach unlike any of the Highly Recommended proposals.

Not Selectable: Proposal is not scientifically or technically sound or does not meet agency needs. Even if sufficient funding existed, the proposal will not be funded. Not selectable proposals will not be retained.

IX. AWARD

Recommendation for award will be based on the proposal categorization and availability of funds.

Offerors will be notified whether its proposal is recommended for award in writing from the Contracting/Agreements Officer. The notification of recommendation for award is not to be construed to mean an award is assured, as availability of funds and successful negotiations are prerequisites to any award.

When the Government elects to award only part of a proposal, the selected part may be categorized as Highly Recommended or Selectable although the proposal as a whole may not merit such a categorization.

The Government may award some, all, or none of the proposals received, and may award without negotiation; however, the Government reserves the right to negotiate with any Offeror(s) whose proposal is recommended for award and funds are available.

In the event the Government is unable to conclude negotiations with the apparent successful Offeror, it reserves the right to conduct negotiations with another acceptable Offeror.

X. WITHIN SCOPE MODIFICATIONS

Potential Offerors are advised that due to the inherent uncertainty of research and development efforts, awards resulting from this announcement may be modified during performance to make within scope changes, that may increase the estimated cost of award, increases to the period or performance, statement of work or changes to the quantity or frequency of deliverables.

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XI. ATTACHMENTS

Attachment 1 – Statement of Work (SOW) Attachment 2 – Solicitation DoD Contract Classification Form DD Form 254 Attachment 3 – Data Item Deliverables Attachment 4 – Bidder’s Library Notice Attachment 4a - Bidder’s Library Request Form Attachment 4b – Bidder’s Library Non-Disclosure Agreement Attachment 5 – Asserted Restrictions on Technical Data Attachment 6 – Cost Proposal Instructions Non-FAR 10 U.S.C 2373 Attachment 7 – Cost Proposal Instructions FAR

Attachment 1

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

26 July 2021

1.0 BACKGROUND

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Directed Energy Directorate (RD), High Power Electromagnetics (HPEM) Division (RDH), located at Kirtland AFB New Mexico, is the Air Force’s Center of Excellence for research in HPEM technology and functions as the Air Force Material Command’s center for HPEM technology development, prototyping, demonstration, and support. Future HPEM weapons potentially contribute a unique capability for the Air Force to control and dominate the electromagnetic spectrum for a variety of warfare options. Military and civilian systems, both domestic and international, increasingly rely on sophisticated electronics and cyber access and control at some level. The Applications Branch (AFRL/RDHA) is charged with developing HPEM technology that is compact, lightweight, affordable, supportable, and effective on the modern battlefield. The goals of the Applications branch are two-fold: 1) to promote projects, research, scientific studies providing high payoff research and development leading to advances in HPEM science and technology; and 2) demonstrate and mature technologies in preparation for insertion into programs of record.

2.0 GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND SCOPE OF WORK TO BE PERFORMED

AFRL is interested in developing, testing and demonstrating a mature prototype based on the first generation technology demonstrator, high-power microwave (HPM) counter unmanned aerial system (cUAS) prototype. The contractor shall design, develop, build, test and deliver a mature prototype in accordance with the requirements laid out in this SOW and Functional Requirements Document (FRD).

3.0 WORK TO BE PERFORMED

3.1 The contractor shall manage the execution of the tasks associated with the development and integration of the various subsystems into a mission capable weapon system including planning, budgeting, scheduling, supporting reviews, earned value management tracking progress, and providing status updates.

3.1.1 Prototype Study: The contractor shall conduct a prototype study to identify approaches to meet the functional requirements of the prototype which address operational suitability and overall Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability (RAM) of the prototype. The study shall include requirements derivation, interface definition and controls, system and subsystem trade studies, safety analysis, and engineering design parameters.

3.1.2 Design: The contractor shall design the prototype for operation on a ground based transportable platform. This includes analysis and design of components and subsystems to make them suitable for use in the environment described in the

FRD (CDRL A011, A012, A019).

3.1.3 Fabrication and Integration: The contractor shall fabricate or acquire all components necessary to produce the HPM weapon and platform. The contractor shall also integrate the HPM weapon with the platform.

3.1.4 Transportability:

3.1.4.1 The prototype shall be transportable but operate in static conditions.

3.1.4.2 The prototype shall meet the transportability requirements described in the FRD.

3.1.5 Weapon Control and User Interface: The contractor shall develop a User Control for…