RFP_Letter_Final_09 Jun 25.pdf

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL STAR-FISH CALL #014

SUBJECT: Space Technology Advanced Research – Fast-tracking Innovative Software and Hardware (STAR-FISH) Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) # FA9453-21-S-0001, CALL 014, Request for Proposal (RFP), Entitled “Space Data Networking Experimentation (SDNX)”

1. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is requesting a Request for Proposal, entitled “Space Data Networking Experimentation (SDNX)”. This request is in response to the STAR-FISH ARA #FA9453-21-S-0001, CALL 014, and interested parties are invited to respond to this RFP. This RFP is an expression of interest only and does not commit the Government to pay for proposal preparation cost. The cost of preparing proposals in response to this RFP is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resulting contract or to any other contract. However, it may be an allowable expense to the normal bid and proposal indirect cost as specified in FAR 31.205-18. The Government is using their right to utilize the One-Step Process as outlined in the STAR-FISH ARA #FA9453-21-S-0001.

2. The Government anticipates entering into a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) contract. As a result, AFRL is requesting a technical and cost (fully disclosed) proposal. In accordance with FAR 16.301- 3(a)(3), A cost-reimbursement contract may only be used when the contractor’s account system is adequate for determining costs applicable to the contract or order. The Government is prohibited from awarding a CPFF contract without an adequate accounting system. Companies that DO NOT have an approved accounting system will have to submit a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) proposal to be considered.

a. The funding profile for the RFP is shown below. Note: This profile is an estimate only and will not be a contractual obligation for funding. All funding is subject to Government discretion and availability; and due to budget uncertainties, funding may change with little or no notice.

FY 2025 $1,000,000

FY 2026 $20,000,000

FY 2027 $15,000,000

Total $36,000,000

b. The Government anticipates a period of performance as follows:

Period of Performance Months after Receipt of Offer (MARO) Basic Effort 4 Option Not to Exceed 24 Plus (+) 3 Months of Final Report 3 Total Period of Performance 31

c. Draft Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) Structure:

CLIN 0001: Basic Effort (Separately Priced) (CPFF)

CLIN 0002: Data & Reports (NSP) (CPFF)

Option CLIN 1001: Non-Priced Option for Post Basic Effort Work*

Option CLIN 1002: Option for Post Basic Effort Data & Reports (NSP) (CPFF)

3. The technical proposal shall not exceed 15 pages and all graphics, photos or charts. All images must be placed within the margins: 0.5” for top, left and right, and 0.65” on the bottom. Font must be no smaller than 11 pt.

4. Provide a nonproprietary Contractor Statement of Work (CSOW) in word document format (editable).

If milestones are included, do not use hard dates, use # of days or months. Also, do not use Key Personnel names or Subcontractor names within the CSOW. The Government Statement of Objectives (Attachment 5) is provided for reference.

The CSOW, a stand-alone document, should detail the research to be accomplished and should be suitable for incorporation into the awarded document. The proposed CSOW should summarize the technical methodology and the task description, but not to the extent to make the awarded instrument inflexible. Do not include any proprietary information in the CSOW. The CSOW should include the anticipated deliverables (hardware, software, reports, etc.). The following is offered as a recommended format for the CSOW. The CSOW should be structured in two sections: Scope and Requirements.

SCOPE: This section includes a statement of what the program covers. This should include the technology area to be investigated, objectives/goals, and major milestones for the effort. It defines the breadth and limitations of the work to be done.

REQUIREMENTS: This section identifies the specific work to be performed. The work effort should be arranged into major tasks and identified in separately numbered paragraphs. Each numbered major task should delineate by subtask the work to be performed and should follow an outline numbering scheme. The CSOW must identify all reviews and when/where (identify by milestone or task) that will be conducted. It must also identify any and all items (hardware, software, reports, etc.) to be delivered to the Government as a result of the program. When proposing, indicate the appropriate CDRLs for your effort in the CSOW (see paragraph 6 below). Note: The requested CSOW should not exceed eight (8) pages and does not count against the technical proposal page count limit.

*Option CLIN 1001: Non-Priced Option for Post Basic Effort Work – RAPID team intends to award multiple awards for (Base - Phase 1 study - CLIN 0001); pending results of the study phase, Non- Priced Option (Option – Phase 2 – CLIN 1001) will be negotiated.

5. Provide a fully disclosed cost proposal in accordance with Attachment 1, AFRL/RVK Cost Proposal Instructions for APC. This effort will include one priced CLIN at award, CLIN 0001 Basic Effort.

Therefore, your proposal shall include one priced CLIN: CLIN 0001. A breakout of CLIN 0001 prices should be by cost element of Offeror Fiscal Year (OFY). In addition, please provide fully disclosed cost proposals from any and all consultants and subcontractors, as applicable, and supporting documentation. Your analysis of these proposals should be included in your proposal package (FAR 15.404-3(b)).

6. Exhibit A, Contract Data Requirements Lists (CDRLs), DD Form 1423-1, will be incorporated into any resulting contract. You should review the DD Form 1423’s, indicate the appropriate CDRLs for your effort in the CSOW and the applicable CSOW paragraph in Block 5 of the associated CDRL and return them to my office. You will need to complete blocks 17, Price Group and 18, Estimated Total Price. The price of the data should only include the estimated cost to type, reproduce, and disseminate the report. The data will not be separately priced in the contract document, but this pricing information is still required. An explanation of the DD Form 1423 is also included at Attachment 2.

7. Please complete and return the Contractor’s Verification of Proposal form at Attachment 2. The Government requests a minimum of 180 calendar days for reviewing and processing any contract award resulting from the RFP letter. Please state an acceptance period for your cost proposal, preferably 180 days from your signature.

8. Please complete and return the List Of Technical Data To Be Furnished With Restrictions form at Attachment 3.

9. The resulting contract will be subject to the clauses DFARS 252.225-7008 “Restrictions on the Acquisition of Specialty Metals” and DFARS 252.225-7009 “Restrictions on Acquisition of Certain Articles Containing Specialty Metals”.

10. The resulting contract will be subject to DFARS 252.204-7008 “Export-Controlled Items”. You are reminded of the responsibilities of working on a defense contract involving non-US and foreign citizens. Work involving technical information and/or Controlled Unclassified Military Information (CUMI) is export controlled and will require advanced approval from the AFMC Command Foreign Disclosure office. Contractors should note that failure to comply may result in the possibility of fines and /or prison sentences. Compliance failure also includes USAFD information that may be provided to unauthorized individuals or foreign government officials in the US or abroad.

11. Identify all key personnel involved in the project. Include information directly related to education, experience, and citizenship. A technical resume for the principal investigator, including publications, if any, must also be included. Concise technical resumes for subcontractors and consultants, if any, are also useful. This is not counted against the technical proposal page limit.

12. Please complete and return the Proposal Adequacy Checklist at Attachment 4.

13. Small Business Subcontracting Plans are required under FAR 19.702 for efforts anticipated to exceed $750,000. The company shall submit applicable subcontracting plans in accordance with the requirements set forth in FAR 19.704 and DFARS 219.704. Small business is exempt from this requirement. If a company has a master subcontracting plan, as described in FAR 19.701, a copy of the plan shall be submitted with the proposal.

14. Please provide evidence showing that the contractor has adequate financial resources (i.e. financial statements, balance sheets, income statements, line of credits, etc.) to perform the contract, or the ability to obtain them (see FAR 9.104-1(a); FAR 9.104-3(a)).

15. The DD Form 254, DoD Contract Security Classification Specification, is in process and will be incorporated in the resulting contract once approved. No classified facility space is required however security clearance required is: SECRET.

16. Please ensure your company, as well as any subcontractors proposed, is registered and active in the System for Award Management (SAM). To register, visit https://www.sam.gov.

17. Please ensure your company, as well as any subcontractors proposed, is registered and active in the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS). To register, visit https://www.sprs.csd.disa.mil/access-nongov.htm.

18. In accordance with FAR 9.5, Organizational Conflict of Interest, the Offeror will be required to perform its own OCI analysis and submit the results of that analysis as part of its proposal submission. Specifically, the Offeror shall analyze the planned effort for actual or potential OCI situations associated with its or any of its associate organizations’ performance under any contract it or its associated organizations have been or may be awarded by any federal agency or other entity.

The Offeror shall describe in detail the methodology used to identify actual or potential OCI issues. If the Offeror identifies any actual or potential OCI with respect to the performance of itself or its associated organizations, the Offeror shall provide an OCI mitigation plan to be incorporated into any resulting contract.

19. Please complete Standard Form (SF) 424, Research and Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Form (Attachment 6) as well as the Security Program Questionnaire (Attachment 7).

20. Submit your proposal via DoD Safe, https://safe.apps.mil/, no later than 23 June 2025, 12:00 p.m.

Mountain Standard Time to the following:

a. Program Manager: Dr. Rachel Hock-Mysliwiec / rachel.hock-mysliwiec@spaceforce.mil

b. Program Manager: Mr. Michael Lopez / michael.lopez.44@us.af.mil

c. Contracting Officer: Ms. DeAnna Salazar / deanna.salazar@spaceforce.mil

d. Alternate Contracting Officer: Mr. Nathan McMillen / nathan.mcmillen.1@spaceforce.mil

Note: Before submitting the proposal, please contact Contracting Officer no later than two (2) work days to receive a drop-off request. A drop-off request is valid for 14 days. You will receive an automated email containing the instructions for uploading the file(s). If you did not receive an automated e-mail message for your drop-off request within 2 business days, please contact the Contracting Officer.

21. This RFP is not an authorization to commence work or to incur any costs to perform the work described. Work is not to be implemented until appropriate contractual action is taken to implement the work. Any work performed or expense incurred prior to that time will be at your own risk.

22. All questions (including those technical in nature) shall be sent in writing no later than 23 May 2025, 12:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time to the POCs identified in paragraph 19 (c & d).

DeAnna R. Salazar Contracting Officer

Attachments:

1. AFRL/RVK Cost Proposal Instructions

2. Contractor’s Verification of Proposal

3. List Of Technical Data To Be Furnished With Restrictions

4. Proposal Adequacy Checklist

5. SDNX Statement of Objectives (SOO) (CUI - Distro D)

6. SF 424 Research and Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded Form)

7. Security Program Questionnaire

Exhibits:

A. Contract Data Requirements List and Pricing of Contract Data Requirements (DD 1423) cc: AFRL/RVEX Dr. Rachel Hock-Mysliwiec