PACIFIER_BAA_(FA9451-18-S-0003)_20180323.pdf

FA9451-18-S-0003

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BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Air Force Research Laboratory

Directed Energy Directorate

ANNOUNCEMENT OVERVIEW

NAICS CODE: 541715

SIZE STANDARD: 1,000 Employees

FEDERAL AGENCY NAME: Air Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy Directorate, Laser Division (AFRL/RDL)

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT TITLE: Pulsed And Continuous wave Innovation For Integration and Effects Research (PACIFIER)

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: FA9451-18-S-0003

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: This is the initial announcement of FA9451-18-S- 0003, a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) with Calls

BRIEF PROGRAM SUMMARY: This is a five (5) year Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) describing the research areas of interest for “Pulsed And Continuous wave Innovation For Integration and Effects Research (PACIFIER)”. This BAA allows for submission of proposals at a specified date and time, requested through the issuance of Calls at various times against this BAA. Calls will be issued on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website at http://www.fbo.gov under this BAA number. The Calls will contain a specific description of the research effort, anticipated period of performance, estimated funding profile and any other pertinent information. This BAA will be reviewed annually and updates will be published to FBO.

This annual review shall meet the requirement of FAR 35.016(c) to publish the BAA no less frequently than annually. Any changes to or cancellation of this BAA will be posted to FBO as amendments to the BAA. Offerors MUST monitor FBO for amendments to the BAA and posting of Calls.

PROPOSAL DUE DATE AND TIME: NO PROPOSALS SHALL BE SUBMITTED AGAINST

THIS BAA. Proposal due dates and times will be specified in each Call. Proposals received after the specified due date and time shall be governed by the provisions of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.215-1(c)(3) Instructions to Offerors – Competitive Acquisitions (JAN 2017).

This installation observes strict security procedures to enter the facility. These security procedures are NOT considered an interruption of normal Government processes and proposals received after the specified due date and time as a result of security delays will be considered “late”. Commercial carriers may not honor time-of-day delivery guarantees on military installations. Early proposal submission is encouraged.

GENERAL INFORMATION: This acquisition is unrestricted and issued under the provisions of FAR 6.102(d)(2) Use of Competitive Procedures, that provides for the competitive selection of research proposals. Proposals submitted in response to any Calls associated with this

Page ii of iii announcement and are selected for award are considered to be the result of full and open competition and in full compliance with the provisions of PL 98-369, the Competition in Contracting Act of 1984.

SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT REGISTRATION: The provisions at FAR 52.204-7 System for Award Management (OCT 2016) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 252.204-7007 Alternate A, Annual Representations and Certifications (JAN 2015) are incorporated into this announcement and FAR Clause 52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance (OCT 2016) will be part of any award resulting from this BAA.

Potential offerors are notified that to be eligible for an award under this announcement they must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and submit annual representations and certifications via SAM at https://www.sam.gov. These FAR and DFARS level representations and certifications are required in addition to the representations and certifications specific to this announcement and the associated Calls. By submission of an offer, the offeror acknowledges the requirement that a prospective awardee shall be registered in the SAM database prior to award, during performance, and through final payment of the contract.

SAM replaces the Central Contractor Registration (CCR)/FedReg, On-line Representations and Certifications (ORCA) and the Excluded Parties Lists System (EPLS).

TYPE OF CONTRACT: The Air Force reserves the right to award the contract type under the FAR that is best suited to the nature of research proposed. Contract type determination will be made at the Call level; however, it is anticipated that any awards based on this announcement will be cost reimbursable (which requires successful offerors to have an accounting system considered adequate for tracking costs applicable to the contract). No opportunities for assistance instruments, including grants, cooperative agreements, or technology investment agreements exist under this announcement.

ANTICIPATED NUMBER OF AWARDS: The Air Force anticipates awarding a minimum of one contract per Call. However, the Air Force reserves the right to make multiple awards or no awards pursuant to a Call.

ESTIMATED PROGRAM COST: The estimated ceiling for this BAA is $97.5M. This funding profile is an estimate only and will not be a contractual obligation for funding. All funding is subject to change due to Government discretion and availability. All potential offerors should be aware that due to unanticipated budget fluctuations, funding in any or all areas may change with little or no notice.

TECHNICAL POINT OF CONTACT (TPOC):

a. Mr. Shane Johnson

AFRL/RDL

Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5776 Phone: 505-846-2376 Email: shane.johnson.15@us.af.mil

b. Each Call will include specific Technical Points of Contact

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CONTRACTING POINT OF CONTACT:

a. Ms. Ashley Korman AFRL Det 8/RVKDL Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5776 Phone: 505-846-4409 Email: ashley.korman@us.af.mil

b. Each Call will include specific Contracting Points of Contact

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Air Force Research Laboratory

Directed Energy Directorate

FULL TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT

NAICS CODE: 541715

SIZE STANDARD: 1,000 Employees

FEDERAL AGENCY NAME: Air Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy Directorate, Laser Division (AFRL/RDL)

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT TITLE: Pulsed And Continuous wave Innovation For Integration and Effects Research (PACIFIER)

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: FA9451-18-S-0003

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: This is the initial announcement of FA9451-18-S- 0003, a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) with Calls

I. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A. This is a five (5) year Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) describing the research areas of interest for “Pulsed And Continuous wave Innovation For Integration and Effects Research (PACIFIER)”. This BAA allows for submission of proposals at a specified date and time, requested through the issuance of Calls at various times against this BAA.

Periodically, over the five (5) year period (calculated from the publication date of this BAA), Calls will be issued on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website at http://www.fbo.gov under this BAA number. Calls will contain a specific description of the research effort, anticipated period of performance, estimated funding profile and any other pertinent information. Calls may be announced sequentially or concurrently. The Government reserves the right to issue multiple Calls in one Technical Area or Calls containing multiple Technical Areas. The Government also reserves the right to issue no Calls for any given Technical Area.

B. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy Directorate, Laser Effects Research Modeling and Simulation Branch (AFRL/RDLE) at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico contributes to the Air Force goal of developing an effective and optimized end-to-end laser weapon system by researching the corresponding lethality potential on targets of interest in addition to pursuing laser system development for the potential of new offensive and defensive Air Force applications. Weapon lethality potential is linked to target vulnerability, which must be researched concurrently. The corresponding design of the beam control and propagation components are essential, but these systems are topics of separate research. They do, however, interface with the laser effects interaction research goals of this Call via the inference of overall specifications required to produce an effect on target. The physical phenomenology of the laser target interaction, of interest here, is a complex coupling of several localized physical processes leading to system level effects that must be understood. AFRL/RDLE has developed state-of-the-art predictive and experimental processes over decades of research. However, laser powers and beam qualities are continuously improving along with the emergence of advanced target materials. These require cutting edge innovation for the potential applications, technology development and demonstration, improvement of experimental capabilities, properties measurements, and computational physics methods.

C. This effort is divided into 5 separate Technical Areas as listed below:

i. Technical Area #1: Laser Interaction Testing

The objective of the Laser Interaction Testing technical area is to plan and conduct laser interaction testing to evaluate laser material interactions, component failures, and target vulnerabilities; design and implement novel test diagnostic equipment;

develop and manage testing capabilities and laboratory functionality; while addressing the need for well controlled experimental procedures to quantify the effects of high energy lasers interacting with individual materials, multi-material subsystems, and/or fully functional targets. Key areas include:

• Characterize laser parameters and target material or sensor component response with high heating rates

• Plan and conduct well controlled experimental procedures to quantify the effects of high energy lasers interacting with individual materials, multi-material subsystems, and/or fully functional targets

• Acquire or design and fabricate representative test articles or surrogates

• Analyze experimental data and conduct failure mode analysis

ii. Technical Area #2: Laser Interaction Modeling and Simulation (M&S)

The objectives for the Laser Interaction Modeling and Simulation technical area are to plan and conduct research leading to the development of advanced computational methods for predicting the physical phenomenology resulting from high energy laser interactions, represent the target response, and simplify physics-based models to an engineering level for integration into engagement and mission level models. The tools are concurrently applied to predict ongoing experiments resulting in data leading to the continued development of credible, verified, and validated methods and innovative physics algorithms. Prediction of the laser interaction must take into account a spatially and temporally resolved beam irradiance profile, absorption into the target, localized thermo-structural response, coupled physical phenomena, and resulting damage modes. The results are applied to infer macro-level structural response. Quantification of uncertainty is essential to determine the appropriate application of the results. Collaboration between the Laser Interaction M&S technical area and the Laser Interaction Testing technical area will occur at all phases of testing to ensure proper code input is obtained and that test design reflects the needs of the modeling technical area. Key areas include:

• Apply and develop physics-based codes for predicting high-fidelity laser target interaction effects

• Support ongoing laser effects testing with pre-test predictions

• Interpret and utilize post-test data to improve M&S prediction capability

• Improve verification and validation of in-house subroutines as applied in overall models

• Cross-validate and interface with system level engineering and probabilistic models

• Address localized material thermo-mechanical damage with high-fidelity tools that may be applied in a series or fully coupled to address synergistic processes such as combined fluid, structural, and/or energetic interactions

iii. Technical Area #3: Laser Vulnerability Assessments

The objectives for the Laser Vulnerability Assessments technical area are to plan and conduct assessments that combine target vulnerability data from testing, target optical signature measurements, target exploitation intelligence, system level fault tree and failure mode analysis, effects models and computational predictive results into a comprehensive vulnerability assessment to support mission studies.

Interpretation of post-test data, calibration into physical quantities, uncertainty, confidence intervals, and regimes of applicability are applied to result in:

• End-to-end vulnerability assessment and engagement predictions

• Probabilistic confidence intervals and uncertainties

• Improved and validated system level engineering and statistical tools

• Trade-studies for future laser target interactions

iv. Technical Area #4: Laser Engagement Modeling

The objective of the Laser Engagement Modeling technical area is to improve fly-out engagement model fidelity to support laser lethality evaluations on targets of interest;

operate and modify engagement models incorporating tracking algorithms and laser effects data to generate estimations of laser R&D technology effectiveness; evaluate the structural implications to flight due to laser effects on a target. The improvement of the fly-out models includes working with developers to extend the capability of the models to contain the most recent missiles, and aircraft in addition to the integration of laser interaction test results.

v. Technical Area #5: Laser Design and Development

The objective of the Laser Design and Development technical area is to plan, design, develop, and demonstrate high-energy laser technologies extensible to the production of a laser technology that could be implemented on an aircraft. Research and development of the laser technology and its respective support systems may include evaluation and implementation of new laser media, cavity design, design of new pump configurations, additions of seed lasers, thermal management, vibrational analysis, laser size weight and power (SWaP) analysis, laser packaging, literature studies on laser technologies, materials testing, diode pumping of laser media, risk reduction testing, vendor component identification and procurement, multi-disciplined design and engineering, and beam quality considerations with special attention to significantly higher levels of laser output energy than previously demonstrated.

D. In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 35.002, Research and Development (R&D) contracts are directed towards objectives for which the work or methods cannot be precisely described in advance. It is difficult to judge the probabilities of success or required effort for technical approaches, some of which offer little or no early assurance of full success. Due to the nature of R&D, improvements in technology may result in possible changes to the contractor’s technical proposal or statement of work, prior to award or after technical performance has commenced. Offerors are advised that additional latitude for changing a contract may exist when the contract is for R&D, noting that the scope of such contracts is often flexible, to all unanticipated changes due to lack of definitiveness of the Government’s objectives.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Type of Contract: The Air Force reserves the right to award the contract type under the FAR that is best suited to the nature of research proposed. Contract type determination will be made at the Call level; however, it is anticipated that any awards based on this announcement will be cost reimbursable (which requires successful offerors to have an accounting system considered adequate for tracking costs applicable to the contract). No opportunities for assistance instruments, including grants, cooperative agreements, or technology investment agreements exist under this announcement.

B. Anticipated Number of Awards: The Air Force anticipates awarding a minimum of one contract per Call. However, the Air Force reserves the right to make multiple awards or no awards pursuant to a Call.

C. Estimated Program Cost: The estimated ceiling for this BAA is $97.5M. This funding profile is an estimate only and will not be a contractual obligation for funding. All funding is subject to change due to Government discretion and availability. All potential offerors should be aware that due to unanticipated budget fluctuations, funding in any or all areas may change with little or no notice.

III. POINTS OF CONTACT

A. Technical Point of Contact (TPOC)

i. Mr. Shane Johnson

AFRL/RDL

Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5776 Phone: 505-846-2376 Email: shane.johnson.15@us.af.mil

ii. Each Call will include specific Technical Points of Contact

B. Contracting Point of Contact

i. Ms. Ashley Korman AFRL Det 8/RVKDL Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5776 Phone: 505-846-4409 Email: ashley.korman@us.af.mil

ii. Each Call will include specific Contracting Points of Contact

C. Ombudsman: Air Force Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (AFFARS) Clause

5352.201-9101 Ombudsman (JUN 2016) is incorporated into this announcement and will be a part of any awards resulting from this BAA. An Ombudsman has been appointed to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and others for this acquisition. Before consulting an ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the Contracting Point of Contact listed above for resolution.

Ombudsman:

Ms. Lisette K. LeDuc 1864 Fourth St.

Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433-7130 Phone: 937-904-4407 Email: lisette.leduc@us.af.mil

Alternate Ombudsman:

Ms. Kimberly L. Yoder 1864 Fourth St.

Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433-7130 Phone: 937-255-4967 Email: kimberly.yoder@us.af.mil

IV. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Offerors/Applicants: This acquisition is unrestricted. All responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government’s needs are encouraged to submit a proposal. Due to the nature of this research effort, foreign participation at the prime contractor level is prohibited. U.S. based offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s). Offerors are advised FNs proposed to perform may be restricted under U.S. Export Control Laws due to the nature of the technical data.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching: The Government is not considering a cost sharing or matching arrangement.

C. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs): The following guidance is provided for Department of Defense (DoD) and Non-DoD sponsored FFRDCs contemplating submitting a proposal (as either a prime, subcontractor or part of a teaming agreement) against any of the Calls under this BAA. FAR 35.017-1(c)(4) Sponsoring Agreements, prohibits a FFRDC from competing with any non-FFRDC in response to a Federal agency request for proposal for other than the operation of an FFRDC. However, there is no regulation prohibiting FFRDCs from responding to solicitations and announcements. If responding to an announcement or solicitation, the FFRDC’s sponsoring agency must make a determination that the effort being proposed falls within the purpose, mission, general scope of effort or special competency of the

FFRDC, the work would not place the FFRDC in direct competition with domestic private industry and demonstrate the FFRDC can accept work from other than the sponsor. This information must be included in the proposal. After this information is received and reviewed, a determination will be made concerning the FFRDC’s eligibility to receive an award.

DFARS 235.017-1(c)(4) allows DoD-sponsored FFRDCs that function primarily as research laboratories (C3I Laboratory operated by the Institute for Defense Analysis, Lincoln Laboratory operated by Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Software Engineering Institute operated by Carnegie Mellon), to respond to solicitations and announcements for programs which promote research, development, demonstration, or transfer of technology. Therefore, these three named DoD-sponsored FFRDCs may be awarded a contract under a BAA even if they are competing against the private sector.

D. Government Agencies: If a Government agency is interested in performing work, contact the TPOC identified in this announcement. If those discussions result in a mutual interest to pursue the agency’s participation, the effort will be pursued independently of this announcement.

E. Export Control DD Form 2345 (Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement):

Information involved in these research areas is subject to U.S. Export Control laws (International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) 22 CFR 120-131 or Export Administration Regulations (EAR) 15 CFR 710-774). Potential offerors are notified that to be eligible for an award under this announcement they must be certified and active in the U.S./Canada Joint Certification Office, Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), Logistics Information Services, U.S./Canada Joint Certification Program (JCP). Information regarding this certification can be found at https://www.dlis.dla.mil/jcp/. DFARS Clause 252.225-7048 Export Controlled Items (JUN 2013) is incorporated into this announcement and will be part of any awards resulting from this BAA.

F. Security Requirement: FAR 4.4 Safeguarding Classified Information Within Industry, requires a DD Form 254, DoD Contract Security Classification Specification, be incorporated into the contract when the contractor may require access to classified information. The DD Form 254 provides the contractor (or subcontractor) security requirements and classification guidance necessary to perform on a classified contract.

Each Call will identify the applicable security requirements.

V. COMMUNICATIONS

A. The acquisition team intends to manage communications in a manner best designed to facilitate the submittal of optimal proposals while not providing any unfair competitive advantages.

B. Dialogue between prospective offerors and Government representatives is encouraged until submission of proposals. Any questions from prospective offerors regarding the BAA and associated Calls will be answered via FBO. Dialogue with any of the points of contact listed shall not constitute a commitment by the Government to subsequently fund or award any proposed effort. Any dialogue that has taken place will not be taken into consideration during the evaluation of proposals. Only Contracting Officers are legally authorized to commit the Government.

C. After proposal receipt, all communication shall be in writing to the contracting office. Only the Contracting Officer will discuss pricing or contractual issues.

D. The Government may contact offerors to clarify certain aspects of the proposal. 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.

VI. OTHER

A. Government Furnished Property (GFP) / Contractor Acquired Property (CAP):

i. Government Furnished Property (GFP): Scheduled GFP is not anticipated for any

Calls under this announcement.

ii. If GFP is proposed, the Government will provide maximum accommodation possible for requests of GFP or other permitted assistance that arise during the performance of the contract. In accordance with FAR 45.201(b) Solicitation, the contractor is responsible for all costs related to making the property available for use, such as payment of all transportation, installation or rehabilitation costs.

iii. In accordance with FAR 45.201(c) Solicitation, if GFP is requested, offerors shall submit the following information with the proposal:

1. A list or description of all Government property that the offeror or its subcontractors propose to use on a rent-free, non-interference basis. The list shall identify the accountable contract under which the property is held and the authorization for its use (from the Contracting Officer having cognizance of the property);

2. The dates during which the property will be available for use (including the first, last, and all intervening months) and, for any property that will be used concurrently in performing two or more contracts, the amounts of the respective uses in sufficient detail to support prorating the rent;

3. The amount of rent that would otherwise be charged in accordance with FAR Clause 52.245-9 Use and Charges (APR 2012); and

4. A description of the offeror’s property management system, plan, and any customary commercial practices, voluntary consensus standards, or industry-leading practices and standards to be used by the offeror in managing Government property.

iv. Contractor Acquired Property (CAP): Offerors may propose CAP as necessary to fulfill the Government’s need. Offerors should be aware that the Government will cross-check any proposed CAP with Government inventory for availability.

v. The following clauses will be incorporated into any cost reimbursement contracts resulting from this announcement: FAR 52.245-1 Government Property (JAN 2017) or Alternate I (APR 2012); FAR 52.245-9 Use and Charges (APR 2012); DFARS 252.211-7007 Reporting of Government Furnished Property (AUG 2012); DFARS

252.245-7001 Tagging, Labeling and Marking of GFP (APR 2012); DFARS 252.245- 7002 Reporting Loss of Government Property (APR 2012); DFARS 252.245-7003 Contractor Property Management System Administration (APR 2012); and DFARS 252.245-7004 Reporting Reutilization and Disposal (DEC 2017).

B. Data Rights: AFRL is engaged in the discovery, development and integration of warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyber forces. As such, rights in technical data and non-commercial software (NCS) developed or delivered under any resulting contracts are of significant importance.

Per DFARS 227.7103-1, DoD policy is to acquire only the technical data and the rights in that data, necessary to satisfy Government needs. Technical data, NCS and NCS documentation developed with mixed funding are expected to be delivered with at least Government Purpose Rights. Offerors that propose delivery of technical data, NCS, or NCS documentation subject to Government Purpose Rights should fully explain what 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 project, and address whether those portions or processes are segregable.

Offerors that propose delivery of technical data, NCS, or NCS documentation subject to Limited Rights, Restricted Rights, or Specifically Negotiated License Rights will be considered. Proposals should fully explain what 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 and how the incorporation will benefit the project.

Offerors are reminded that completion of DFARS Clause 252.227-7017 Identification and Assertion of Use, Release or Disclosure Restrictions (JAN 2011) is required under DFARS Clause 252.227-7013 Rights in Technical Data - Noncommercial Items (FEB 2014) and DFARS Clause 252.227-7014 Rights in Noncommercial Computer Software and Noncommercial Computer Software Documentation (FEB 2014). Data rights offered other than “Unlimited Rights,” as defined in DFARS 227.7103-5, should be identified in DFARS Clause 252.227-7017. If no data rights are being asserted state “none” in the assertions. Assertions must be completed with specificity in regard to each item, component or process listed. Nonconforming assertions lists will be rejected.

DFARS Clause 252.227-7014(d) describes requirements for incorporation of third party computer software (commercial and noncommercial). Any commercial software to be incorporated into a deliverable must be clearly identified in the proposal. Many commercial software licenses may not be acceptable to the Government, therefore commercial software licenses proposed for delivery to the Government must be approved by the Contracting Officer prior to award.

The terms Unlimited Rights, Government Purpose Rights, Limited Rights and Specifically Negotiated License Rights in technical data are as defined in DFARS Clause 252.227-7013. The terms Unlimited Rights, Government Purpose Rights, Restricted Rights and Specifically Negotiated License Rights in NCS and NCS documentation are as defined in DFARS Clause 252.227-7014. The term Commercial Computer Software is as defined in DFARS Clause 252.227-7014.

VII. PROPOSAL AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. General Information

i. NO PROPOSALS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED AGAINST THIS BAA. Proposal due dates and times will be specified in each Call. Proposals received after the due date and time specified in the Call shall be governed by the provisions of FAR 52.215-1(c)(3).

ii. CLASSIFIED INFORMATION SHOULD NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE PROPOSAL

OR SUBMITTED WITH THE PROPOSAL.

iii. Potential offerors are requested to advise the Contracting Officer POC(s) identified in the Call if they intend to submit a proposal. Such notification is merely a courtesy and is not a commitment by the offeror to submit a proposal.

iv. This announcement and all associated Calls are an expression of interest only and do not commit the Government to pay for proposal preparation cost. The cost of preparing a proposal in response to a Call is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resulting contract or to any other contract. It may however, be an allowable indirect expense as specified in FAR 31.205-18 Independent Research and Development and Bid and Proposal Costs.

v. There are no limits to the number of proposals an offeror may submit for any given

Call (unless otherwise specified in the Call).

vi. Offerors may be ineligible for award if all requirements of this announcement and the Call are not met by the proposal due date and time specified in the Call.

vii. Offerors are advised that data included in proposals submitted to the Government in response to Calls associated with this announcement may be released to non- Government advisors for technical advice. Non-Government advisors will strictly serve in an advisory capacity and only to the Government evaluators. Non- Government advisors will have the appropriate Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) clauses in their contracts with AFRL and will complete any required Non- Disclosure Agreements. If applicable, the use and identification of any non- Government advisors will be identified in the Call.

B. Proposal Submission

i. Offerors should apply the restrictive notice prescribed in the provisions of FAR

52.215-1(e) Instructions to Offerors—Competitive Acquisition (JAN 2017). Properly marked proprietary information will be treated in accordance with DFARS Clause 252.227-7016 Rights in Bid or Proposal Information (JAN 2011).

ii. Each proposal shall consist of a Technical Volume and a Business/Cost Volume.

The Technical Volume and Business/Cost Volume must be submitted in separate volumes and shall be valid for at least 180 days from the due date specified in the Call. Proposals must reference the company name, BAA number, Call number and include a unique contractor-generated proposal identification number.

iii. Each proposal shall include one (1) cover letter, one (1) original copy, three (3) hard copies and three (3) electronic copies (CD-R, PC format). CD-Rs should be labeled with the company name, BAA number, Call number, and proposal/volume title. Each proposal and volume should be on a separate CD-R. Electronic copies of the cost proposal worksheet(s) must be in Microsoft Office Excel 2010 or later and must contain all cell formulas. If there are any discrepancies between the paper copies and the electronic versions of the proposal, the original printed copy will take precedent.

C. Proposal Preparation Instructions

i. Cover Letter: The cover letter shall identify the BAA number, Call number, a statement that the proposal is valid for 180 days (from the due date specified in the Call), provide technical and contracting points of contact, Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code, Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number, and a statement indicating if the firm is a small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a), or woman-owned small business concern. The proposal must be signed and dated by an authorized official of the organization.

ii. Technical Volume:

1. Page Limitation: The page limitation for the Technical Volume will be specified in each Call.

2. Format:

a. The Technical Volume shall be prepared and submitted in Microsoft Word format. Font shall be standard 12-point font Arial. Pages shall be single-spaced, double-sided (each side counts as one page), 8.5 by 11 inches, with at least one-inch margins on all sides.

b. Smaller type may be used in figures and tables as long as it is clearly legible.

The use of figures and tables should not be used to circumvent Technical Volume formatting restrictions.

c. Pages shall be numbered starting with the cover page as Page 1.

d. The page limitation covers all information including indices, photographs, foldouts (counted as one page for each 8.5 by 11 inch portion), tables, charts, appendices, attachments, etc. Blank pages, title pages, tables of content, lists, tabs and/or cover pages are not included in the page count.

e. 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.

3. Content: The proposal shall include a discussion of the nature and scope of the research and the technical approach. The Technical Volume must convey an understanding of the problems or limitations of the Technical Area(s) described in the Call and the intended application(s). The Technical Volume shall include (at a minimum) the following items:

a. Executive Summary: Describe the proposed program, objectives, and approach. 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 Government’s objectives. This should provide a vision of what will ultimately be achieved and what solution this effort will produce.

b. Program Description: Describe the techniques, methods, materials, or ideas that will be addressed in this proposal, their innovativeness, and to what degree they advance the state-of-the-art.

c. Program Plan: Describe in detail the planned approach and how the plan will be executed. This section should include all technical aspects of the approach. Provide technical detail and analysis necessary to support the technical approach proposed. Clearly identify the core of the intended approach. The “new and creative” solution to the problem(s) should be developed and analyzed in this section. Include a risk assessment of key technical, schedule or cost areas and their potential impact on the program.

Identify why proposed subcontractors were selected and what tasks they are to perform.

d. Milestone Chart: Indicate when specific objectives are expected to be met in the overall program schedule and identify the specific accomplishments necessary to proceed to the next task. Provide a schedule of when the deliverable items identified in the Call are to be delivered.

e. Facilities and Equipment Description: Describe the facilities that can be used to achieve the goals of the program, in terms of manufacturing capability, testing facilities, and/or any relevant specialized equipment.

f. Description of Relevant Prior Work: Provide a list of related previous or current Government, commercial, or internally funded work performed during the past five (5) years (from the date of the Call). For each effort, provide the principal investigator, title of effort, contract number, brief summary of results, dollar value, and a technical and contracting point of contact (including phone numbers) for the funding organizations.

g. Management Plan: Offerors should provide an approach that demonstrates the ability to effectively and efficiently manage and administer the research program to a successful conclusion.

h. Resumes of Proposed Personnel: Include resumes for all proposed personnel, consultants or subcontractors (that might be used for completion of the technical effort). Provide position descriptions for any positions not filled at the time of proposal submittal. Resumes of Proposed Personnel are not included in the Technical Volume page limitation, but are held to the same formatting requirements as the Technical Volume.

i. Contractor’s Statement of Work (C-SOW): The C-SOW (a non-proprietary, stand-alone document) should detail the research to be accomplished under the effort and be suitable for incorporation into any awarded document. Do not include any proprietary information or markings in the C-SOW. The proposed C-SOW should summarize the technical methodology and the task description, but not to the extent to make the awarded instrument inflexible.

The C-SOW is not included in the Technical Volume page limitation, but is held to the same formatting requirements as the Technical Volume.

iii. Business/Cost Volume

1. Separate the Business/Cost Volume into a Business Section and a Cost Section.

2. Business Section: The Business Section should contain all business aspects of the proposed contractual arrangement (such as proposed contract type), any exceptions to the terms and conditions of the BAA or Call (provide rationale), and any other information not technically related. The Business Section has no page limitations; however, as a goal should be kept to 20 pages. The Business Section should also include the following items as appropriate:

a. Completed Representations and Certifications (Section K), as included in the Call.

b. For any subcontractors proposed, a subcontractor analysis in accordance with FAR 15.404-3(b) Subcontract Pricing Considerations. Include the CAGE code and DUNS number for all proposed subcontractors.

3. Cost Section: The Cost Section shall be submitted in accordance with the applicable Cost Proposal Instructions (provided with the Call). Determination of Adequate Price Competition (APC) will be made at the Call level. Should the Contracting Officer determine APC does not exist; certified cost and pricing data will be required in accordance with FAR 15.403-4 Requiring Certified Cost or Pricing Data. The Cost Section has no page limitations.

VIII. PROPOSAL REVIEW AND EVALUATION PROCESS

A. Proposals will be evaluated in accordance with FAR 35.016 utilizing a peer or scientific review process.

B. Evaluation criteria will be determined at the Call level.

IX. CATEGORIZATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

A. Based on the evaluation, proposals will be categorized as Highly Recommended, Selectable or Not Selectable (see definitions below):

i. Highly Recommended: Well-conceived scientifically and technically sound proposal pertinent to accomplish goals and objectives. Proposals are recommended for acceptance if sufficient funding is available, and normally are displaced only by other Highly Recommended proposals.

ii. Selectable: Scientifically or technically sound proposals that may require 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.

iii. Not Selectable: Proposal is not technically sound or does not meet agency needs.

Even if sufficient funding existed, the proposal should not be funded.

B. The Government reserves the right to award some, all or none of the proposals received in response to a Call. When the Government elects to award only part of a proposal, the selected part may be categorized as Highly Recommended or Selectable, even though the proposal as a whole may not merit such a categorization.

C. Selection for award will be based on technical, importance to agency programs and funding availability.

X. AWARD ADMINISTRATION

A. Award Notices: Offerors will be notified whether their proposal is recommended for acceptance in writing by a letter from the Contracting Officer. A notification of proposal acceptance should not be construed to mean the award of a contract is assured, as availability of funds and successful negotiations are prerequisites to any award.

B. Funding Availability: Offerors may be notified that their proposal was categorized “Selectable”, but not recommended for acceptance due to funding availability. Should funding become available, the Government reserves the right to recommend the proposal for acceptance.

C. Debriefings: When requested, a debriefing will be provided. The debriefing process will follow the guidelines in FAR 15.505 Preaward Debriefing of Offerors and FAR 15.506 Postaward Debriefing of Offerors. Debriefing content may vary to be consistent with the procedures that govern BAAs (FAR 35.016 Broad Agency Announcement).

XI. OTHER INFORMATION

A. Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI): OCI may apply to individual efforts, but cannot be determined at the issue of this announcement. If applicable, OCI concerns will be addressed at the Call level. Any OCI issues and the need for applicable clauses will be resolved prior to the award of any contract.

B. Support Contractors: The AFRL Directed Energy (RD) and Space Vehicles (RV) Directorates have contracted for various business and staff support services, 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 only. 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. Any objection to this administrative access must be stated in the Business Section of the Business/Cost Proposal.

C. Wide Area Work Flow Notice: Any awards resulting from this announcement will contain DFARS Clause 252.232-7003 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests and Receiving Reports (JUN 2012), which requires electronic submission of all payment requests. Any awards resulting from this announcement will establish a requirement to use WAWF-RA for invoicing and receipt/acceptance, and provide coding instructions applicable to the contract. Contractors are encouraged to take advantage of available training (both web-based and through the cognizant Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) office), and to register in the WAWF-RA system. Information regarding WAWF-RA, including the web-based training and registration, can be found at https://wawf.eb.mil/. Note: The WAWF-RA requirement does not apply to contractors audited by an agency other than the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA).

D. Item Identification and Valuation: Any awards resulting from this announcement may contain DFARS Clause 252.211-7003 Item Unique Identification and Valuation (MAR 2016), which requires unique item identification and valuation of any deliverable item for which the Government’s unit acquisition cost is $5,000 or more; subassemblies, components, and parts embedded within an item valued at $5,000 or more; or items for which the Government’s unit acquisition cost is less than $5,000 when determined necessary by the requiring activity for serially managed, mission essential, or controlled inventory. Also included are any DoD serially managed subassembly, component, or parts embedded within a delivered item and the parent item that contains the embedded subassembly, component, or part. Per DFARS 211.274-3 Policy for Valuation, it is DoD policy that contractors shall be required to identify the Government’s unit acquisition cost for any deliverable end items to which item unique identification applies. Therefore, proposals must clearly break out the unit acquisition cost for applicable deliverable items (per DFARS 211.274-3 “for cost-type or undefinitized line, subline, or exhibit line items, the contractor’s estimated fully burdened unit cost to the Government at the time of delivery”). Per DoD, “fully burdened unit costs” would include all direct, indirect, general and administrative costs, and an appropriate portion of fee. For more information, visit: http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/pdi/uid/index.html.

E. Forward Pricing Rate Agreements: Offerors with forward pricing rate agreements (FPRAs) and/or forward pricing rate recommendations (FPRRs) should submit them with the Cost Section.

F. Pre-Award Clearance: Pursuant to FAR 22.805 Procedures, a pre-award clearance must be obtained from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) prior to award of a contract (or subcontract) of $10,000,000 or more unless the contractor is listed in OFCCP’s National Pre-award Registry (http://www.dol-esa.gov/preaward). This registry indicates the contractor has been found “in compliance” within the past two years with the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) regulations the OFCCP is mandated to enforce. The registry is updated nightly and facilities reviewed more than two years ago are removed and new ones are added. Award may be delayed if the apparent successful offeror is not currently listed in the registry and the Contracting Officer must request a pre-award clearance from the OFCCP.

G. Limitations on Pass-Through Charges: Any awards resulting from this announcement may contain FAR Clause 52.215-23 Limitations on Pass-Through Charges (OCT 2009) or Alternate I (OCT 2009). The offeror shall identify in its proposal the total cost of the work to be performed by the offeror and the total cost of the work to be performed by each subcontractor under the contract. If the offeror intends to subcontract more than seventy (70) percent of the total cost of work to be performed under the contract, the offeror shall identify in its proposal—(i) the amount of the offeror’s indirect costs and profit/fee applicable to the work to be performed by the subcontractor(s); and (ii) a description of the added value provided by the offeror as related to the work to be performed by the subcontractor(s). If any subcontractor proposed under the contract intends to subcontract (to a lower-tier subcontractor) more than seventy (70) percent of the total cost of work to be performed under its subcontract, the offeror shall identify in its proposal—(i) the amount of the subcontractor’s indirect costs and profit/fee applicable to the work to be performed by the lower-tier subcontractor(s); and (ii) a description of the added value provided by the subcontractor as related to the work to be performed by the lower-tier subcontractor(s).

H. Post-Award Small Business Program Representation: Any awards resulting from this announcement may contain FAR Clause 52.219-28 Post-Award Small Business Program Representation (JUL 2013). This clause requires a contractor to represent its size status when certain conditions apply. The clause provides detail on when the representation must be completed and what the contractor must do when a representation is required.

I. Small Business Subcontracting Plans: Unless an exemption applies, small business subcontracting plans are required for efforts expected to exceed the thresholds in FAR

19.702 Statutory Requirements. Prospective offerors shall submit applicable subcontracting plans in accordance with the requirements set forth in FAR 19.704, DFARS 219.704 and AFFARS 5319.704. The subcontracting plan shall be submitted with the Business Section of the Business/Cost Volume and be suitable for incorporation into the awarded contract (no proprietary information or markings). If a company has a master subcontracting plan (as described in FAR 19.701) or a comprehensive subcontracting plan (as described in DFARS 219.702), a copy of the master/comprehensive plan shall be submitted with the proposal.

For proposed subcontracting plans with goals below the current DoD goals (http://business.defense.gov/About/Goals-and-Performance/), the offeror shall provide additional information demonstrating how it intends to provide meaningful subcontracting opportunities and rationale as to why the goals were not attainable. In accordance with FAR 19.702 Statutory Requirements, if the apparent successful offeror fails to negotiate a subcontracting plan acceptable to the Contracting Officer within the time limit prescribed by the Contracting Officer, the offeror will be ineligible for award.

J. Associate Contractor Agreements (ACAs): ACAs are agreements between contractors working on Government contracts that specify requirements for them to share information, data, technical knowledge, expertise, or resources.