FOA-20-AFRL_RVKE-0001 Amd 03 15 Mar 2021.pdf

FOA-20-AFRL/RVKE-0001 15 March 2021 Amend 03

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE NEW MEXICO

Future Scholars for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

Workforce Development Programs

Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA)

1. Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number: FOA-20-AFRL/RVKE-0001

2. Federal Assistance Number (CFDA): 12.560, DOD, NDEP, DOTC-STEM Education Outreach

Implementation

3. Announcement Type and Key Dates:

Announcement Type Amendment 03- Changes Highlighted in Yellow

Amendment 02

Amendment 01

Attachment Date 15 March 2021

24 July 2020

10 July 2020

FOA Issue Date 19 June 2020

Initial Submission Deadline For Proposals 21 July 2020, 2:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

Final Submission Deadline For Proposals 22 July 2024, 2:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

This is a five year open Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) accepting proposals from the date of publication for award of grants and cooperative agreements, subject to the availability of funds. Once the

FOA has reached the five year period and/or funds are no longer available, the announcement will be modified to reflect the announcement as closed. This FOA will be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure awards are pertinent to the Government’s needs and ceiling values.

***Due to Government funds availability, Letters of Intent and/or Proposals are NOT currently being accepted. Should funds become available, the FOA will be updated to accept Letter of Intent and/or

Proposals.

Proposals may be submitted any time from the FOA issue date, until the final submission deadline for proposals; proposals will be evaluated as they are received. Prior to submitting a proposal, Recipients are required to submit a Letter of Intent to the Points of Contact (POCs) listed in Section VII - Federal

Awarding Agency Contact(s). See Section III- Eligibility Information for Letter of Intent details. All proposals must be submitted electronically through the Grants.gov government-wide electronic portal at https://www.grants.gov/. No hard copy submissions will be accepted.

4. Registration Requirements:

There are several one-time actions that must be completed in order to submit an application in response to this FOA (e.g., obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet https://www.grants.gov/

(D&B), register with the System for Award Management (SAM.gov), and register with Grants.gov).

Recipients who are not currently registered with SAM.gov and/or Grants.gov should allow sufficient time to complete registration. It is suggested that the registration process be started as soon as possible.

Questions relating to the Grants.gov registration process, system requirements, or application submission must be directed to Grants.gov at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov.

Table of Contents Section I-Funding Opportunity Description 4

A. Summary 4

B. Background 4

C. Program Description 4

D. Authorizations 5

Section II- Federal Award Information 6

A. Funding Amount and Period of Performance 6

B. Place of Performance 6

C. Minimum and Maximum Award Size 6

D. Type of Award Instrument 7

Section III- Eligibility Information 7

B. Cost Sharing or Matching 8

C. Other 8

Section IV- Application and Submission Information 10

A. Address to Request Application Package 11

B. Content and Form of Application Submission 11

C. Unique entity identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) 18

D. Submission Dates and Times 18

E. Intergovernmental Review 18

F. Funding Restrictions 18

G. Submissions From Successful Recipients 19

H. Other Submission Requirements 19

Section V - Application Review Information 19

A. Criteria 19

B. Review and Selection Process 21

C. Notice of Selection and Awards 23

Section VI- Federal Award Administration Information 23

A. Federal Award Notices 23

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements 24

C. Reporting 24

Section VII- Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) 26

A. Questions 26

B. Letter of Intent 26

C. Contacts 26

Section VIII- Other Information 27

Section IX- Appendix, Attachments, and References 28

Section I-Funding Opportunity Description

A. Summary

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, is seeking innovative applications for Future Scholars under Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

(STEM) Workforce Development Programs. AFRL intends to award multiple grants and cooperative agreements, subject to the availability of funds.

AFRL anticipates a total of $50,000,000.00 of Federal funding for multiple awards under this FOA.

Proposed efforts may range in size, complexity and periods of performance. The Government is seeking unclassified proposals that do not contain proprietary information. Proprietary information is defined as information that is not public knowledge and that is viewed as the property of the holder. The

Government reserves the right to make multiple awards or no awards pursuant to this announcement.

B. Background

In accordance with the Federal STEM Strategy, “The pace of innovation is accelerating globally, and with it the competition for scientific and technical talent. Now more than ever the innovation capacity of the

United States—and its prosperity and security—depends on an effective and inclusive STEM education ecosystem.” Furthermore, the DoD STEM Mission is to “attract, inspire, and develop exceptional STEM talent across the education continuum to sustain the Department’s Technological edge.”

To meet the Federal STEM Strategy and the DoD STEM Mission, AFRL seeks methods in which it can more effectively cultivate a diverse, agile, and world-class STEM workforce. AFRL fully encourages future Workforce Development programs or projects that align with the strategic, operational, and tactical needs of our nation’s defense. By encouraging a broad range of Workforce Development programs or projects, AFRL hopes to put the STEM workforce in a position for success in an ever-changing and competitive world.

C. Program Description

This FOA supports STEM Workforce Development programs or projects that align with the Federal

STEM Strategy and the DoD STEM Mission. This announcement encourages programs or projects that improve the capacity of education systems and communities to create impactful STEM educational experiences for students and teachers, and prepare the 21st century STEM workforce. AFRL’s Workforce

Development programs or projects include, but are not limited to:

Internships (High School through Doctoral)

Fellowship Apprentice/Residency Programs

College or University project-based learning programs

Formal or informal workforce development programs or projects that align with the Federal

STEM Strategy and DOD STEM Mission

Before submitting an application, Recipients are highly encouraged to read the Federal STEM Education

Strategy at https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/STEM-Education- Strategic-Plan-

2018.pdf and the DoD STEM’s Mission at https://dodstem.us/.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/STEM-Education-%20Strategic-Plan-2018.pdf https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/STEM-Education-%20Strategic-Plan-2018.pdf https://dodstem.us/

i. Program Goals. AFRL’s program goals are to:

1. Address geographic disparities and broaden participation for underrepresented and underserved communities.

2. Foster community engagement that support and encourage STEM learning, understanding, build

STEM skills and literacy in an evidence-based and innovative manner.

3. Increase awareness of DoD and AFRL science and technology priorities such as artificial intelligence/machine learning, biotechnology, cyber security and DoD science and technologies.

4. Develop partnerships with industry and other organizations to promote sustainable STEM

Workforce Development programs or projects.

ii. Program Objectives. AFRL’s program objectives are to:

1. Provide opportunities for intellectual challenge and collaboration by promoting scientific interactions between the academic community and scientists at the AFRL’s laboratories and facilities.

2. Develop and maintain a long-term recruiting pipeline supporting the AFRL’s laboratories and facilities by training and educating the next generation of scientists and engineers in fundamental research of relevance to the Federal STEM Strategy, the DoD STEM Mission, and AFRL’s STEM driven activities.

3. Support graduate students pursuing advanced degrees (i.e. Masters and PhDs) in areas of relevance to STEM literacy, innovation, and employment.

4. Provide program participants with exposure to researchers and the environment AFRL’s laboratories and facilities and make participants aware of future career and employment opportunities at AFRL.

D. Authorizations

In accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 2192, this publication constitutes a FOA as contemplated in the

Department of Defense Grants and Agreements Regulations (DoDGARS) 32 C.F.R., National Defense.

The Government (AFRL) reserves the right to select for award all, some, or none of the applications in response to this announcement. The Government provides no funding for direct reimbursement of application development costs. Technical applications and budgets (or any other material) submitted in response to this FOA will not be returned. This FOA is intended for applications that provide strategic solutions and that meet the evaluation criteria specified in this FOA.

The Government reserves the right to cancel this notice, either before or after the closing date. In the event the Government cancels this solicitation or a Recipient is not selected for an award, the Government is under no obligation to pay for any costs associated with preparing or submitting an application to this

FOA.

The Government will not issue paper copies of this announcement. A formal Request for Applications, solicitation, and/or additional information regarding this announcement will not be issued.

Section II- Federal Award Information

A. Funding Amount and Period of Performance

The Government intends to award multiple grants and cooperative agreements, subject to the availability of funds.

As previously stated, AFRL anticipates a total of $50,000,000.00 of Federal funding for multiple awards under this FOA, subject to the availability of funds. Proposed efforts may range in size, complexity and period of performance, but not to exceed 60 months in length. The Government reserves the right to make multiple awards or no awards pursuant to this announcement.

For Proposals with more than one budget period, performance continuation will be contingent upon several elements. Specifically, AFRL may evaluate program or project performance, schedule adherence, the extent milestone objectives are met, compliance with reporting requirements, and overall contribution to the program goals. As a result of this evaluation, AFRL may, at its discretion, authorize the following actions:

(1) Continue to fund the program/project, contingent upon the availability of funds;

(2) Recommend redirection of propose effort;

(3) Place a hold on Federal funding, pending further supporting data; or

(4) Discontinue funding because of insufficient progress, change in strategic direction, or lack of funding.

AFRL expects projects to be completed within the proposed performance period. Any requests for no-cost extensions must be fully justified and submitted no later than 60 days before the end of the period of performance. All requests shall be approved by the Grants and Agreements Officer in coordination with the designated Program Manager.

The anticipated period of performance for five year proposals is:

26 October 2020 through 27 October 2025.

B. Place of Performance

Anticipated places of performance include but are not limited to AFRL’s Air Force Materiel Command

(AFMC), installations located at:

Directed Energy Directorate (RD), Kirtland AFB, NM

Space Vehicles Directorate (RV), Kirtland AFB, NM

Munitions Directorate (RW), Eglin AFB, FL

Air Vehicles Directorate (RB), Wright Patterson AFB, OH

Propulsion Directorate (RZ), Wright Patterson AFB, OH

711 Human Performance Wing (RH), Wright Patterson AFB, OH

Information Directorate (RI), Rome, NY

C. Minimum and Maximum Award Size

Floor (i.e., the minimum amount for an individual award made under this announcement): The minimum amount for a proposed effort will be $25,000.00.

Ceiling (i.e., the maximum amount for an individual award made under this announcement): The maximum amount for a proposed effort will be $5,000,000.00 per year for a five year total of

$25,000,000.00. Applications for larger amounts may be considered based on funding availability.

NOTE: The Government reserves the right to fund, in whole or in part, any, all, or none of the proposals submitted in response to this FOA.

D. Type of Award Instrument

Awards will take the form of grants and cooperative agreements, subject to the availability of funds.

Any assistance instrument awarded under this announcement will be governed by the award terms and conditions that conform to DoD’s implementation of OMB guidance in 2 C.F.R. 200, Uniform

Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards; 32 C.F.R., National Defense, DoD Research & Development General Terms and Conditions (July 2018) located at:

https://www.onr.navy.mil/work-with-us/manage-your-award/manage-grant-award/grants-terms-conditions, and FAR Part 31, Contract Cost Principles.

NOTE: Grant and Cooperative Agreements do not include the delivery of software, prototypes, and other hardware deliverables.

Section III- Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Recipients

Institutions of higher education, nonprofit institutions, nonprofit organizations, States, local governments, Indian tribes, consortia of such institutions or nonprofit institutions/organizations are eligible Recipients and may submit proposals under this FOA.

Defense laboratories, military universities, and warfare centers, as well as other Department of Defense and civilian agency, are not eligible to receive awards under this FOA and must not submit proposals in response to this FOA. Federally Funded Research & Development Centers (FFRDCs), including

Department of Energy National Laboratories, are not eligible to receive awards under this FOA.

However, teaming arrangements between FFRDCs and eligible principal Recipients are allowed so long as they are permitted under the sponsoring agreement between the Government and the specific FFRDC.

Please note, the Recipient, if successful, shall be the responsible authority regarding the settlement and satisfaction of all contractual and administrative issues, including but not limited to, disputes and claims arising out of any agreement between the Recipient and the FFRDC contractor.

University Affiliated Research Centers (UARC) are eligible to submit applications under this FOA unless precluded from doing so by their Department of Defense UARC contract.

To prevent the bias and unfair competitive advantage resulting from conflicting rules, Recipients must identify in their application any organizational conflict of interests which may exist. If a Recipient has an actual or potential organizational conflict of interests, the application must identify the organizational conflict of interests and the mitigation plan to address it.

Foreign entities will not be considered for this award. All prime recipients receiving funding under this FOA must be incorporated (or otherwise formed) under the laws of a state or territory of the United

States.

Information Regarding Non-U.S. Citizens Assigned to AFRL’s Programs or Projects. In an effort to continue improving AFRL’s security posture, better manage risks to the critical mission areas, and better align contractor access requirements, AFRL will not allow individuals who are non-U.S. citizens to work within AFRL facilities or to have access to US Government IT networks, unless a waiver requested has https://www.onr.navy.mil/work-with-us/manage-your-award/manage-grant-award/grants-terms-conditions been granted by the Grants and Agreements Officer. Individuals requiring access to USAF bases, AFRL facilities, and/or access to U.S. Government Information Technology (IT) networks in connection with the work on the proposed effort must be U.S. citizens. For the purpose of base and network access, 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. It also does not apply to dual citizens who possess U.S. citizenship, to include Naturalized citizens.

In the event a Recipient is unable to hire a U.S. citizen due to a rare, highly-specialized, needed expertise, a waiver request must be submitted from the organization to the Grants and Agreements Officer. Any waivers to this requirement must be granted in writing by the Grants and Agreements Officer prior to providing access. Specific format for waiver request will be provided upon request from the Grants and

Agreements Officer. The above requirements are in addition to any other contract requirements related to obtaining a Common Access Card (CAC).

For purposes of the paragraph above, if an IT network/system does not require AFRL to endorse a

Recipient’s application to said network/system in order to gain access, the organization operating the IT network/system is responsible for controlling access to its system. If an IT network/system requires an

U.S. Government sponsor to endorse the application in order for access to the IT network/system; AFRL will only endorse the following types of applications; consistent with the requirements above:

(1) Contractor employees who are U.S. citizens performing work under this award.

(2) Contractor employees who are non-U.S. citizens and who have been granted a waiver.

Please note that, any additional access restrictions established by the IT network/system owner apply.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost sharing or matching is not required.

C. Other

Pre-applications Requirements: Letter of Intent

Prior to submitting an application through Grants.gov, Recipients are required to submit via e-mail a

Letter of Intent to the designated Grants and Agreements Officer and Contracting Specialist listed in

Section VII - Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s). Please note, there is no deadline for the submission of the Letter of Intent. Letter of Intent requirements as follows:

● Letter of Intent. The Letter of Intent shall not exceed two (2) pages and at a minimum provide the following details:

o Title of the proposed effort.

o Description of the proposed effort, to include by not limited to:

Summary of how the proposed effort meets the AFRL’s programs Goals and Objectives as stated in Section I - Funding Opportunity Description.

Rationale for the proposed effort.

Details of how the success of the proposed effort will be met and the Recipient’s capacities to achieving success in the proposed effort.

o Proposed period of performance (identify both the base period and any options, if applicable).

o Total proposed budget (identify both the base period and any options, if applicable).

o Administrative/business contact (name, address, phone, email address).

Letter of Intent Review and Notification: The Letter of Intent will be reviewed in coordination with the Grants and Agreements Officer and designated Program Manager(s) listed in Section VII -

Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s). This procedure is intended to (1) minimize unnecessary efforts in proposal preparation, (2) inform Recipients of availability of funds, and (3) track number of interested Recipients in the funding effort. The Letter of Intent will be reviewed within five (5) working days of receipt.

Recipients may be contacted by the Program Manager(s) to discuss the proposed effort in the Letter of Intent. After review of the Letter of Intent, interested Recipients will be informed and instructed by the Grants and Agreements Officer or Contracting Specialist in writing of the following:

o The Letter of Intent meets the Goals and Objectives of the FOA. At this time, the AFRL invites the interested Recipient to submit a Full Application through Grants.gov. Interested Recipients will be provided 30 business day’s submission deadline from notification date

(Day/Month/Year).

o The Letter of Intent meets the Goals and Objectives of the FOA. However, due to funds availability, the Program Manager(s) ask that the interested Recipient NOT submit a Full

Application through Grants.gov. Should funds become available, the interested Recipient will be contacted by the Grants and Agreements Officer or Contracting Specialist and invited to submit a

Full Application through Grants.gov. Please note, ARFL does NOT have an anticipated time line for availability of funds.

o The Letter of Intent does NOT meet the Goals and Objectives of the FOA. However, interested

Recipients may be provided the option to resubmit a new Letter of Intent that meets the Goals and

Objectives as stated in Section I - Funding Opportunity Description.

o Recipients who do not receive an invitation to submit a Full Application are not entitled to a debrief.

NOTE: AFRL reserves the right to reject a Letters of Intent provided by an interested Recipient. In the case of rejection, the interested Recipient will be instructed in writing by the Grants and Agreements

Officer or Contracting Specialist to NOT submit a Full Application through Grants.gov.

● Letter of Intent Responsibility: Recipients are responsible for ensuring the Letter of Intent is received by the Grants and Agreements Officer or Contracting Specialist before the initial or final submission proposal deadlines. Proposals submitted without prior submission of a Letter of Intent, will NOT be considered for the proposed effort.

NOTE: Submission of a Letter of Intent does not warrant for a successful proposal or Award.

*** Due to Government funds availability, Letters of Intent are NOT currently being accepted. Should funds become available, the FOA will be updated to accept Letter of Intent. If you have questions, please contacted by the Grants and Agreements Officer or Contracting Specialists.

System of Award Management (SAM): To be eligible for an award, the Recipient must be registered in the System of Award Management (SAM) before submitting its application; provide a valid unique entity identifier in its application; and continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a

Federal awarding agency. Organizations are now required to send a notarized letter with their Employee

Identification Number (EIN) in conjunction with the SAM registration process. If the organization does not have either an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Tax Identification Number (TIN), allow at least 2 weeks to receive this information from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Recipients should allow

3 to 4 weeks to complete the entire SAM registration process. If a Recipient has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the AFRL is ready to make a Federal award, the AFRL may determine that the Recipient is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another Recipient. Additional information and step-by-step registration directions are detailed in the SAM User Guide and other General Services Administration (GSA) training materials in the Help area at https://www.sam.gov/.

Profit or Fee: Profit or fee is unallowable under this FOA.

Project Abstract: A project abstract is required with the application and must be publically releasable as specified by this document.

NOTE: White papers are NOT required or encouraged for this FOA and will not be reviewed.

Section IV- Application and Submission Information

The Government seeks only Full Applications that (1) have submitted a Letter of Intent to the Grants and

Agreements Officer and Contracting Specialist, (2) have received in writing notification from the Grants and Agreements Officer or Contracting Specialist to proceed with a Full Application through Grants.gov, and (3) meet the eligibility requirements of Section III - Eligibility Information. Full Applications submitted under this FOA must seek to address unclassified efforts. No classified applications shall be submitted.

Full Applications must conform to the following form and content requirements, including maximum page lengths (described below) and must be submitted via Grants.gov. AFRL will not review or consider applications submitted after the applicable deadline, or incomplete submissions. AFRL will not extend deadlines for Recipients who fail to submit required information and documents due to server/connection congestion.

The application must conform to the following requirements:

Must be submitted in Adobe PDF format unless stated otherwise;

All pages must be formatted to fit on 8.5 x 11 inch paper with margins not less than one inch on every side, with font not smaller than 11 point;

References must be included as footnotes or endnotes in a font size of 10 or larger. Footnotes and endnotes are counted toward the maximum page requirement;

Page numbers must be included in the footer of every page; and

Each submission must not exceed the specified maximum page limit, including cover page, charts, graphs, maps, and photographs when printed using the formatting requirements set forth above and single spaced. If Recipients exceed the maximum page lengths indicated below, AFRL will review only the authorized number of pages and disregard any additional pages.

AFRL urges Recipients to carefully review their application and to allow sufficient time for the submission of required information and documents. Applications that pass the initial eligibility review will undergo comprehensive technical merit review according to the criteria identified in Section V-

Application Review Information of the FOA.

NOTE: Titles given to the Applications should be descriptive of the STEM efforts and should NOT be a copy of the title of this announcement.

https://www.sam.gov/

A. Address to Request Application Package

Recipients shall be aware of the following:

● Applications will be reviewed only if (1) are received electronically through https://www.grants.gov/; and (2) the Recipient has submitted via e-mail a Letter of Intent to the

Grants and Agreements Officer and Contracting Specialist, and has received in writing, after review of the Letter of Intent, notification from the Grants and Agreements Officer or Contracting Specialist to proceed with the proposed effort and submit a Full Application through Grants.gov.

● All relevant material and announcements and/or information to this FOA will be made available at https://www.grants.gov/. It is the responsibility of the Recipient to check Grants.gov for updates.

● Recipients are responsible for making sure the application is submitted, received, and validated by

Grants.gov before the application deadline. If application package is submitted late, the application will be ineligible for consideration.

● The Government will not issue paper copies of this announcement. A formal Request for Proposals

(RFP), solicitation, and/or additional information regarding this announcement will not be issued.

B. Content and Form of Application Submission

i. Component Pieces of The Application

Through Grants.gov, Recipients must complete the mandatory Grants.gov forms in accordance with the instructions provided on the forms and the additional instructions below. Files/documents that are attached to the forms must be in Adobe Portable Document Format (.pdf) unless otherwise specified in this announcement.

ii. Required Forms/Documents

All Recipients, including sub-recipients or sub-awardees, must complete the mandatory forms and any applicable optional forms (e.g., SF-LLL- Disclosure of Lobbying Activities) in accordance with the instructions provided below.

1. Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 (Research and Related)

In Grants.gov, complete this form first as the forms are designed to fill in common required fields across other forms. Complete all of the required fields in accordance with the “pop-up” instructions on the form. This form is also mandatory for all sub-Recipients or sub-recipients as summarized in

Subsection 11. below.

2. Project/Performance Site Location(s)

In Grants.gov, indicate the primary site where the work will be performed. If a portion of the project will be performed at any other site(s), identify the site location(s) in the blocks provided. If there are more than two site locations (i.e. sub-Recipients), attach a single file titled “Additional Site

Locations.pdf” with the relevant information and click on “Add Attachment,” at the bottom of the

Project/Performance Site Location(s) form to attach.

3. Project Abstract

The project abstract must contain a summary of the proposed activity suitable for dissemination to the public. It should be a self-contained document that identifies the name of the Recipient, the Project

Director(s), the project title, the objectives of the project, a description of the project, milestones listed by year (is applicable), technical approaches, anticipated outcome of the effort, if successful, and impacts on DoD capabilities.

This document must not include any proprietary or sensitive business information as the Government may make it available to the public after awards are made. The project abstract must not exceed one

(1) page when printed using standard 8.5" by 11" paper with 1" margins (top, bottom, left and right)

{single spaced} with font not smaller than 11 point. The project abstract must be marked by the

Recipient as “Approved for Public Release”.

4. Project Narrative or Technical Volume to include:

The project narrative or technical volume must not exceed 20 pages, including cover page, table of contents, charts, graphs, maps, photographs, and other pictorial presentations, when printed using standard 8.5" by 11" paper with 1 inch margins (top, bottom, left, and right) [select single or double spaced]. EVALUATORS WILL REVIEW ONLY THE NUMBER OF PAGES SPECIFIED IN

THE PRECEDING SENTENCE. The font must not be smaller than 11 point. Do not include any

Internet addresses (URLs) that provide information necessary to review the application because the information contained in these sites will NOT be reviewed.

EXCLUDED from the Project Narrative or Technical Application 20 pages limit are: Budget justification workbook, resumes, and letters of support.

The Project Narrative or Technical Volume must include the following sections:

a. Cover Page (1 Page Maximum). The cover page must include the following information:

● FOA Number: FOA-20-AFRL/RVKE-0001

● Proposed Title of Application

● Identity of prime Recipient and complete list of sub-Recipients, if applicable

● Technical contact (name, address, phone, email address)

● Administrative/business contact (name, address, phone, email address)

● Proposed period of performance (identify both the base period and any options, if applicable)

● Total proposed budget (identify both the base period and any options, if applicable)

b. Table of Contents (2 Page Maximum). A listing of the sections within the application, including corresponding page numbers.

c. Project Schedule and Milestones (2 Pages Maximum). A summary of the schedule of events and milestones.

d. Technical Approach and Justification. Recipient’s applications must consist of a clear description of the strategy, technical approach and justification being proposed. Do not include proprietary or confidential information. This section should describe the relevance of the proposed effort to the goals and objectives of the FOA. The application should expound and discuss the technical concept to include, but not limited to, details on:

i. Program or Project Objectives: This section should provide a clear, concise statement of the specific goals/objectives/aims of the proposed effort.

ii. Recruitment Strategy. The recruitment of participants is crucial to the success of any proposed effort. Recipient’s application must detail the organizations plan to advertise the opportunities, attract and recruit diverse and highly qualified participants, students and/or staff. This may include, but is not limited to:

Details on the Recipients target participants for the proposed effort (high school students, undergraduate students, etc.).

Recruitment plans or strategy for participants, students, faculty, etc.

Where applicable, the approach for recruitment of underrepresented and underserved communities.

Approach to develop and maintain a website to aid in program or project advertisement, online applications and related material, manage mentor/intern/resident portals, provide important dates, news, resources, etc.

Develop criteria for selections and review process of participants, such as interviews.

iii. Coordination Plan. Recipient’s application must detail the organization’s plans to provide coordination efforts between the Recipient, proposed effort participants and the

Government representatives. This may include, but is not limited to:

Develop mentorship programs for participants.

Develop written review or evaluation progress reports for participants, indicating potential problems if found and recommended solutions.

Identify specific workforce needs or potential gaps in technical areas and recommend changes.

Address the development of curricula, including courses, workshops, seminars, etc., with an emphasis on how the curricula will help prepare the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Offer program participants career development opportunities such as resume workshops, mentorship talks, career fair, program finale (poster session/oral presentation opportunity).

Provide details on how on-site and/or off-site program coordination will occur.

iv. Operational Plan. The Recipient’s application must detail the organization’s daily operational plan on the proposed effort. This may include, but is not limited to:

Where applicable, relationships and communication plan with any sub-recipients, sub-awardees, consultants, or collaborators of the proposed effort.

The approach to project risk management, a description of how project changes will be handled, and how communications will be maintained among project team members.

Describe how interactions with the AFRL’s laboratories or facilities Government representatives will occur and how participants will be engaged with such representatives.

Describe how the proposed effort will promote Workforce Development in STEM emerging fields that will prepare the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Describe how the organizational structure and program design (i.e. the framework) will work as a whole and how it will enable synergistic research, education, and workforce development.

v. Management Plan. The Recipient applications must detail the organization’s daily management and oversight plan. This may include, but is not limited to:

Management team qualifications, roles, and responsibilities. Recipients must include resumes for the Project Director/ Principal Investigator and any other key personnel.

The technical and management aspects of the management plan, including systems and practices, such as financial and overall approach to and organization for managing the proposed effort.

Where applicable, provide details on any past experience in leading, managing, and administering similar projects.

Collect a set of program-specific measures of performance to include capture of participation rates, application rates, and data specific related to the goals of the proposed effort.

When applicable, help identify housing resources and other community resources for program participants.

When applicable, assist program or project participants to obtain access to the various work-site locations/facilities/computer network. This may also include assisting participants with security clearance.

When applicable, provide program or project participants stipends based on the established or approved college or university stipend rates. Recipients that do not have established or approved stipends rates, may utilize the established position classification standards under the 2020 General Schedule (GS) Classification

System and Locality Pay Tables by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's

Federal Position Classification and Qualifications website https://www.opm.gov/ .

This website provides Federal position classification, job grading, and qualifications information that is used to determine the pay plan, series, title, grade, and qualification requirements for most work in the Federal Government.

Provide details on the program or project assimilation and closeout processes or procedures.

e. Statement of Work (SOW). The SOW is an outline of specific aims of the proposed effort that establishes the milestones during the performance period of the award. The SOW should contain sufficient detail to be informative as a standalone document. There is no limit to the number of specific aims, tasks, or subtasks that can be described within the SOW. Please note, the SOW will be incorporated into the award in lieu of incorporating the entire technical proposal. The SOW must not include any proprietary information.

f. Metrics and Evaluation. Discuss the metrics and evaluation plans for the proposed effort.

Metrics and evaluation components must include but not be limited to:

● Anticipated data collection and results.

● Format in which proposed metrics and evaluation data will be shared with the Government.

● Logic models and program operating guidelines (if applicable).

g. Merit Review Criteria Discussion. The section should address each of the merit review criteria listed in Section V-Application Review Information. Provide sufficient information so that reviewers or evaluators will be able to evaluate the application in accordance with these merit review criteria.

https://www.opm.gov/

h. Budget Justification Workbook (Not part of the 20 Page Limit). Applications must include a cost proposal detailing direct labor (personnel), fringe benefits, travel, sub-recipients/subcontracts, consultants, equipment, materials and supplies, and other direct costs and indirect costs. The cost proposal, must provide a narrative explaining and justifying budget figures in enough detail so the Government can determine reasonableness. It must include all figures, calculations, and supporting documentation for determining cost allowance, allocation, and reasonableness. Justifications for costs must be explicitly stated. Recipients must categorize funds by year and provide separate annual budgets for projects lasting more than one year.

Recipients must use the attached Budget Justification Workbook to complete their budgets.

Recipients must provide a separate budget justification workbook for all sub-recipient or sub-awards that are expected to perform work.

Save the Budget Justification Workbook(s) as a separate file and click on "Add Attachment" on the Attachments form provided in Grants.gov.

i. Appendix 1 - Resume File (Not part of the 20 Page Limit). Provide a resume for all personnel having a major role, to include sub-recipients, sub-awardees and/or consultants if they meet the definition of major role. A major role is any individual who contributes in a substantive, measurable way to the execution of the proposed effort. The biographical information for each resume must not exceed 2 pages when printed on 8.5" by 11" paper with 1 inch margins (top, bottom, left, and right) [select single or double spaced] with font no smaller than 11 point and should include the following information, if applicable:

● Education and Training. Undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral training; provide institution, major/area, degree, and year.

● Professional Experience. Beginning with the current position list, in chronological order, professional/academic positions with a brief description.

Provide the Resume File as an appendix to the Project Narrative or Technical Volume. Do not attach as a separate file.

j. Appendix 2 – Letters of Support File (Not part of the 20 Page Limit). If applicable, provide letters of support from all sub-Recipients, sub-awardees, and consultants having a role in the proposed effort. The information for each letter of support must not exceed 2 pages when printed on 8.5" by 11" paper with 1 inch margins (top, bottom, left, and right) [select single or double spaced] with font no smaller than 11 point and should include the following information, if applicable:

● Relationship and role in the proposed effort.

● Extend of support in the proposed effort.

Provide the Letters of Support File as an appendix to the Project Narrative or Technical Volume.

Do not attach as a separate file.

5. SF-424A Detailed Budget Information – Non Construction Programs

Complete the budget form attached to this announcement in accordance with the SF-424A

Instructions provided in the document; each tab has detailed instructions. The Recipient must provide a separate budget for each year of support requested. The form will generate a cumulative budget for the total period of performance. The Recipient may request funds under any of the budget categories as long as the item and amount are necessary to perform the proposed work, meet all the criteria for allowance under the applicable Federal cost principles, and are not prohibited by the funding restrictions in this announcement.

6. Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (If applicable)

If applicable, provide a copy of the latest negotiated indirect cost rate agreement. An entity that has never received a negotiated indirect cost rate, may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10% of modified total direct costs (MTDC) which may be used indefinitely. If chosen, this methodology once elected must be used consistently for all Federal awards until such time as an entity chooses to negotiate for a rate, which the non-Federal entity may apply to do at any time. (See 2 CFR 200.414 for detailed information).

Save the rate agreement as a separate.pdf file and click on "Add Attachment" on the Attachments form provided in Grants.gov.

7. Systems of Award Management Lobbying Form/Certification Regarding Lobbying

Recipients and sub-Recipients may not use any Federal funds to influence or attempt to influence, directly or indirectly, Congressional action on any legislative or appropriation matters. In the System for Award Management (SAM.gov), complete the Certification Regarding Lobbying information to certify that no appropriated funds have been used for lobbying activities. This information is also mandatory for all sub-recipients or sub-awardees as determined in subsection 11. below.

8. SF-LLL - Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (If applicable)

If any funds other than Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with the grant/cooperative agreement, Recipients must complete and submit Standard Form-LLL, "Disclosure

Form to Report Lobbying."

This form is also required (if applicable) for all sub-recipients or sub-awardees as determined in subsection 11. below.

9. Assurances – Non-Construction Programs

Assurances for Non-Constructions Programs (SF-424B R&R) Form is not required. Exceptions –

This requirement does not preclude the collection of certifications, representations, or assurances that:

are required by law or regulations, are specific to DoD programs, or are necessary in order to conduct business.

10. Environmental Checklist

Recipients must complete Attachment I, AF Form 813 Request for Environmental Impact Analysis.

Save the questionnaire in a single file named “Env.pdf” and attach to the Attachments Form in

Grants.gov by clicking “Add Attachment.”

11. Sub-recipient File(s)

If sub-recipients or sub-awards are proposed, the following documents are mandatory as captured above:

● Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 (R&R)

● SF-4242A Detailed Budget Information – Non-Construction Program

● Budget Justification Workbook

● Current Indirect Cost Rate Agreement

● In SAM.gov complete the Lobbying Form/Certification Regarding Lobbying

● SF-Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if applicable); and

● Assurances – Non-Construction Programs form, please see note above.

12. Attachments Forms and Grants.gov Workspace

In Grants.gov, Recipients must create a Workspace, which allows the application components to be completed online and routed through the Recipient organization for review prior to submission. Once the Workspace has been created, participants (grant team members) can be added and the required forms can be completed and reviewed before submitting. For access to complete instructions on how to apply for opportunities, refer to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html.

Summary of Required Forms/Documents:

All applications must include the following mandatory forms/documents:

Name of Document Format Attach to Mandatory

1. Application for Federal Assistance SF-424

(R&R)

Grants.gov Form N/A Yes

2. Project/Performance Site Location(s) Grants.gov Form N/A Yes

3. Project Abstract PDF Attachments

Forms

Yes

4. Project Narrative File(s)

(to include: Appendix 1 - Resume File, Appendix 2- Letter of Support)

PDF Attachments

Forms

Yes

5. SF-424A Detailed Budget Information – Non

Construction Programs

Grants.gov Form Attachments Form Yes

6. Indirect Cost Rate Agreement PDF Attachments Form Yes

7. SAM.gov Lobbying Form/Certification

Regarding Lobbying

SAM.gov N/A Yes

8. SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Grants.gov Form N/A If Applicable

9. Assurances – Non-Construction Programs N/A N/A N/A

10. Environmental Checklist PDF Attachments Form Yes

11. Sub-Recipient File(s)

PDF Attachments Form Yes

12. Budget Justification Workbook(s)

(Not part of the 20 Page Limit) xlsx Attachments Form Yes https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html

NOTE: If the required forms summarized in the table above are not provided by the Recipient (to include mandatory sub-recipients documents), the Recipient’s package may be deemed non-responsive during the initial review and may not be forwarded for merit review. See Section V below for details regarding the initial review.

C. Unique entity identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

Each Recipient (unless the Recipient is an individual or Federal awarding agency excepted from those requirements under 2 C.F.R. § 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 C.F.R. § 25.110(d)) is required to:

i. Be registered in SAM before submitting its application;

ii. Provide a valid unique entity identifier in its application; and

iii. Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency.

AFRL may not make a Federal award to a Recipient until the Recipient has complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements and, if a Recipient has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the Federal awarding agency is ready to make a Federal award, the Federal awarding agency may determine that the Recipient is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another Recipient.

D. Submission Dates and Times

**** Due to Government funds availability, Letters of Intent and/or Proposals are NOT currently being accepted. Should funds become available, the FOA will be updated to accept Letter of Intent and/or

Proposals. If you have questions, please contacted by the Grants and Agreements Officer or Contracting

Specialists.

Letter of Intent and Proposals may be submitted any time from the FOA issue date, until the final submission deadline for applications; proposals will be evaluated as they are received. Prior to submitting a proposal, Recipients are required to submit a Letter of Intent to the Points of Contact (POCs) listed in

Section VII - Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s).

Final Submission Deadline for proposals 22 July 2024, no later than 2:00 PM EST.

Applications received after the Final Submission Deadline for proposals and specified time will be deemed late and will not be accepted for review. Recipients are encouraged to transmit applications well before the deadline. All proposals must be submitted electronically through the Grants.gov Government-wide electronic portal at https://www.grants.gov/.

APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE FINAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE WILL NOT BE

REVIEWED OR CONSIDERED FOR AWARD.

E. Intergovernmental Review

This effort is not subject to Executive Order 12372 - Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.

F. Funding Restrictions

Availability of Funds. Funding for all awards and future budget periods are contingent upon the availability of funds appropriation for the purpose of this effort and the availability of future-year budget authority.

Cost Principles. Costs must be allowable, allocable and reasonable in accordance with the applicable

Federal cost principles referenced in 2 CFR part 200 and FAR Part 31.

Pre-Award Costs. Pre-award costs are incurred at the Recipient's risk. The Government is under no obligation to reimburse such costs if for any reason the Recipient does not receive an award or if the award is made for a lesser amount than the Recipient expected.

Performance of Work in the United States. All work performed under this FOA must be performed in the United States. If the prime recipient fails to comply with the Performance of Work in the United

States requirement, AFRL may deny reimbursement for the work conducted outside the United States and such costs…