FY21 MDA STEM BAA_20210819.pdf

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited

Missile Defense Agency (MDA)

National Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Outreach

Program

Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)

Broad Agency Announcement No. HQ0860-21-S-0002

Innovation, Science and Technology Directorate

Missile Defense Agency

5222 Martin Road

Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898

Approved for Public Release 21-MDA-10931 (19 Aug 21) 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION I: ANNOUNCEMENT OVERVIEW

SECTION II: ANNOUNCEMENT DESCRIPTION

SECTION III: ELIGIBLE OFFERORS/APPLICANTS

SECTION IV: MDA STEM OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES

SECTION V: GENERAL INFORMATION

SECTION VI: WHITE PAPER SUBMISSION

SECTION VII: WHITE PAPER EVALUATION

SECTION VIII: AWARD INFORMATION

SECTION IX: ATTACHMENTS

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SECTION I: ANNOUNCEMENT OVERVIEW

A. Agency Name: Missile Defense Agency

B. Broad Agency Announcement Title: National Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Outreach Program

C. Broad Agency Announcement Type: Two-Step Closed Broad Agency

Announcement

D. Broad Agency Announcement Number: HQ0860-21-S-0002

E. North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code: 541715 -

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences

(except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

F. Instrument Type: Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Procurement Contract

SECTION II: ANNOUNCEMENT DESCRIPTION

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has established this Broad Agency

Announcement (BAA) in pursuit of a National Science, Technology, Engineering and

Mathematics (STEM) Outreach Program. The purpose of this announcement is to acquire white papers from a broad, innovative spectrum of candidates, who are well versed in science and engineering disciplines to prompt interest of STEM-based education and careers among youth and college students. Additionally, this announcement seeks ingenious and contemporary methods for teacher professional development. Emphasis is on delivering impactful STEM learning experiences across three tiers (K-12, college, and teachers/educators).

This BAA seeks strong entities to develop robust national programs to enhance learning environments. Innovative, hands-on concepts are sought to instill and advance

STEM-based learning foundations. Year-round programs are urged to promote a continuum of learning with improved student outcomes. Most importantly, program curriculums to aid in understanding of missile defense concepts and challenges is critical.

Programs are encouraged to take advantage of both virtual and in-class instruction.

This BAA is a competitive, science and technology program initiative. This BAA is used to fulfill MDA’s requirement for services directed toward advancing STEM

Outreach initiatives on a national scale. Potential offerors are invited to learn more about

MDA and the MDA STEM Program at https://www.mda.mil and https://www.mda.mil/about/STEMoutreach.html.

This is a Two-Step BAA issued under the provisions of FAR 6.102(d)(2), which provides for competitive selection of research proposals. Any contract award(s) based on responses to this BAA are considered to be the result of full and open competition and in https://www.mda.mil/ https://www.mda.mil/about/STEMoutreach.html

Approved for Public Release 21-MDA-10931 (19 Aug 21) 4 full compliance with the provisions of Public Law 98-369 sec. 2701, the “Competition in

Contracting Act of 1984."

The following information is relative to Step-One, which is the call for submission of white papers. MDA will contact offerors whose white paper is selected to proceed to Step-Two, which is submission of a formal proposal. DO NOT submit any formal proposal documents until requested by the MDA Contracting Office.

SECTION III: ELIGIBLE OFFERORS/APPLICANTS

All qualified offerors who meet the requirements of this BAA are eligible to submit a white paper. Eligible organizations include:

Private industry (large and small businesses);

Domestic accredited colleges, universities or institutions of higher learning registered by the U.S. Department of Education; and

Non-profit organizations

Government Entities (e.g. Government/National laboratories, militarily educational institutions, etc.) interested in this announcement are directed to email the address listed in

Section V., Paragraph E. for further information.

Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) are not prohibited from responding to this announcement. However, the FFRDC’s sponsoring agency must first make a determination that the effort being proposed falls within the purpose, mission, general scope of effort, or special competency of the FFRDC, and that determination must be included in the FFRDC’s response. In addition, MDA must make a determination that the work proposed would not place the FFRDC in direct competition with domestic private industry. Only after these determinations are made, would a decision be made concerning the FFRDC’s eligibility to receive an award.

White papers must identify any non-U.S. citizens proposed to perform on any efforts under this announcement. MDA approval will be required for any non-U.S. citizens prior to contract award.

SECTION IV: MDA STEM OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES

A. MDA STEM Program Overview

The STEM Program serves as an educational liaison unit for the MDA. Its philosophy embraces educating students in four disciplines – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Rather than teaching the four disciplines as separate and discrete subjects, MDA STEM integrates them into a cohesive learning paradigm based on real-world applications with a direct relation to MDA national security interests. This learning perspective introduces students at various ages to fundamental skills such as the scientific method, logical foundations, and computational thinking with regard to everyday problems. The MDA STEM mission is to implement signature programs that fill STEM education gaps based on national defense needs and collaborate in STEM-supported events

Approved for Public Release 21-MDA-10931 (19 Aug 21) 5 to inspire, cultivate, and enhance STEM engagement across a three-tiered target group; K-

12, college, and educators - to prepare the next generation of STEM professionals. With almost two decades of national security services, MDA continues to nurture and perpetuate essential STEM technical skills for the emergence of America’s next-generation workforce of scientists and engineers.

There is a growing decline of scientists and engineers, which has placed America’s talent pipeline at risk. The shortage of multi-disciplinary engineers is challenging the future human capital resources necessary to sustain domestic, business, and global dominance.

Emphasis moving forward is to foster development of technical skills aligned with new technologies to increase the number of scientists and engineers. The MDA STEM Outreach

Program Office is charged with this great task. The ultimate goal is to prepare future scientists and engineering professionals through national outreach programs, which directly engage communities, schools systems, colleges/universities, academia and industry. To achieve this goal, a matrix of services to address education deficiencies is necessary.

B. MDA STEM Outreach Program Objectives

White papers are solicited for innovative STEM-based programs to advance state-of-the-art learning in scientific and engineering disciplines, which align with missile defense interests and technologies. The specific objectives described in this announcement should be viewed as suggestive, rather than limiting. The MDA STEM Outreach Program is interested in receiving white papers that address all three objectives described below:

1. Objective 1: K-12 STEM-Based Learning includes grade-level appropriate introduction and teaching of STEM techniques and STEM-based technologies for students across the nation (in-classroom and virtual). Hands-on instruction and exercises are a plus.

The target student base is one or more of the following: Title 1 schools, rural distant schools, inner city at-risk schools, economically disadvantaged schools and communities, and traditionally underrepresented/underserved entities. An example of relevant STEM literacy topics includes, but is not limited to; problem solving, decision making, critical thinking, algorithms, coding, math logic, engineering, engineering design, robotics, digital literacy, cyber security, artificial intelligence, and additive manufacturing.

2. Objective 2: College STEM-Based Department of Defense Learning strives to bring real-world Department of Defense problems/projects to the classroom in preparation for transition to the workforce or federal service. This initiative should model a team, classroom, or individual project, which addresses an industry need and correlates with the major course of collegiate study. In blending core college courses with modern industry problems, students will gain practical work experience before entering professional employment. Additionally, they will become familiar with industry best practices.

Collaboration, partnerships, and experience with industry subject matter experts make this a most valuable exercise. The target is lesser technically and financially endowed colleges and universities with emphasis on traditionally underserved/underrepresented institutions

Approved for Public Release 21-MDA-10931 (19 Aug 21) 6 to include historically black and minority institutions. Desired outreach is year-round and may coincide with school semesters. Virtual and in-class learning is highly endorsed.

3. Objective 3: Teacher STEM-Based Professional Development refines the technical competency and self-efficacy of educators with contemporary trends. This is a key element as most teachers charged with teaching STEM in the classroom are not from engineering backgrounds. This initiative serves to advance educators of school systems with a significant concentration of underserved and/or underrepresented students as their primary stakeholder base. Desired outreach is year-round and may coincide with school semesters. Virtual and in-class learning is highly endorsed.

SECTION V: GENERAL INFORMATION

A. Response Date

White papers submitted in response to this announcement must be received by MDA no later than October 4, 2021 5:00 PM MT. Offerors are responsible for monitoring the Contract Opportunities website (https://sam.gov) for any amendments to this announcement.

B. Anticipated Awards

A single award is anticipated under this BAA. However, MDA reserves the right to make multiple awards or no awards in response to the white papers submitted. MDA also reserves the right to award all, some, or none of a particular white paper. The funded amount and period of performance for any award may vary depending on the approach to be pursued by the offeror.

C. Period of Performance

Award is anticipated to consist of one (1) year base period of performance with the potential for up to two (2) severable option periods (12 months each) for subsequent performance. Contract award is anticipated no later than November 30, 2021. The inclusion and exercise of options in any resulting award is at the discretion of the

Government.

D. Funding Availability

The estimated funding profile for award is:

Period Duration Estimated Cost Funds Available

Base 12 months $650,000 Yes

Option 1 12 months $650,000 No

Option 2 12 months $650,000 No

Total $1,950,000

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Offerors should be aware that funding availability is subject to change with little or no notice.

E. Communications

All communication regarding this announcement should be UNCLASSIFIED and submitted via email to MDASTEMBAA2021@mda.mil. DO NOT EMAIL

CLASSIFIED INFORMATION.

Dialogue with any Government representative shall not constitute a commitment by the Government to subsequently fund or award any proposed effort. Any dialogue that takes place will not be taken into consideration during the evaluation of white papers. Only

Contracting Officers are legally authorized to commit the Government.

F. Contract Type

It is anticipated for any award made as a result of this contract to be cost-reimbursement in nature. In accordance with FAR 16.301-3(a)(3), cost-reimbursement type contracts require successful offerors to have an accounting system considered adequate for determining costs applicable to the contract. No opportunities for grants, cooperative agreements or other transactions exist under this BAA.

G. System for Award Management Registration

Prime offerors are notified that to be eligible for payment, they must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at https://www.sam.gov. By submission of a white paper, the prime offeror acknowledges the requirement that prime awardee shall be registered in the SAM database prior to award, during performance, and through final payment of any award resulting from this BAA.

H. Export Control Requirements

The topics in this announcement may cover export controlled technologies that are subject to U.S. Export Control laws (ITAR 22 CFR 120-130 and/or EAR 15 CFR 730-

774). Offerors are advised the proposed performance of any foreign nationals (FNs) may be restricted due to the nature of the work. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of FNs, their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN.

I. Security Requirements

White papers and awards under this announcement are expected to be submitted and performed at the UNCLASSIFIED level.

J. Disclosure of Information and Compliance with Safeguarding Covered

Defense Information Controls

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All offerors are advised that any awards resulting from this announcement may include regulations related to the restricted release of unclassified information should the awardee have access to or generate unclassified information that may be sensitive and inappropriate for release to the public. Offerors are advised that any contract(s) awarded as a result of this BAA will be subject to the following provisions and clauses:

DFARS 252.204-7000, Disclosure of Information

DFARS 252.204-7008, Compliance with Safeguarding Covered Defense

Information Controls

DFARS 252.204-7019, Notice of NIST SP 800-171 DoD Assessment

Requirements

DFARS 252.204-7012, Safeguarding Covered Defense Information and

Cyber Incident Reporting

DFARS 252.204-7020, NIST SP 800-171 DoD Assessment Requirements

K. Organizational Conflicts of Interest and Unfair Competitive Advantage

The Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) rules, procedures and responsibilities described in FAR 9.5 “Organizational and Consultant Conflicts of Interest”, DFARS 209.5

“Organizational and Consultant Conflicts of Interest,” and FAR 3.101-1 “Standards of

Conduct – General, are applicable to the offeror, any affiliate or successor-in-interest, as well as any co-sponsor, joint-venture partner, consultant, subcontractor or other entity participating in the performance of any effort under this BAA. FAR subpart 9.5, “Organizational and Consultant Conflicts of Interest” and DFARS Subpart 209.5, “Organizational and Consultant Conflicts of Interest” prescribe responsibilities, general rules, and procedures for identifying, evaluating, and resolving OCIs. In addition, FAR

3.101-1 “Standards of Conduct – General” addresses unfair competitive advantages that can result from contractors hiring former Government employees (see Government

Accountability Office decisions Health Net Fed. Svcs, B-401652.3, B-401652.5, and

Obsidian Solutions Group, LLC, B-417134, B-417134.2 for further details). It is MDA policy to ensure all appropriate measures are taken to resolve OCIs arising under FAR 9.5 or DFARS 209.5 and unfair competitive advantages arising under FAR 3.101-1 to prevent the existence of conflicting roles that might bias a contractor’s judgement and deprive

MDA of objective advice or assistance, and to prevent contractors from gaining an unfair competitive advantage.

All offerors must identify and analyze any potential or actual OCIs that exist as a result of responding to this announcement. All offerors are required to submit a completed

MDA Form DA-78-F2 OCI Analysis/Disclosure Form (Attachment 1) for themselves and any proposed subcontractors with submission of the white paper. Based on the information submitted, as well as additional information requested by MDA (if necessary), MDA will conduct an OCI analysis prior to the award of any contract.

L. Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software

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All offerors, to the maximum extent practicable, should appropriately define the respective rights of the Government regarding technical data and/or computer software to be delivered under the proposed effort. This includes both commercial and noncommercial items. Offerors must include the completed table at DFARS 252.227-7017 “Identification and Assertion of Restrictions on the Government’s Use, Release or Disclosure of Technical

Data or Computer Software”, for themselves and any proposed subcontractors, with their white paper submission. If no rights are being asserted, the table should state “None”.

Rights may be further negotiated prior to any contract award.

SECTION VI: WHITE PAPER SUBMISSION

A. White Paper Submissions

MDA will protect all white papers and proprietary information from unauthorized disclosure and will only disclose the contents for the purpose of evaluation. Offerors are responsible for marking proprietary information with the proper disclosures.

This announcement does not commit the Government to pay for the preparation of white papers. The cost of preparing a response to this announcement is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resulting contract award.

The Government intends to evaluate white papers and make recommendations for offerors to proceed to Step-Two without discussions; however, the Government reserves the right to hold discussions with the offeror if deemed necessary.

All white papers submitted in response to this announcement will be properly disposed of six months following the closing date of this BAA.

B. White Paper Submission Guidelines

White papers should be submitted via UNCLASSIFIED email to

MDASTEMBAA2021@mda.mil The subject line of the email should read “HQ0860-21-S-0002 White Paper

Submission_<<Name of Offeror>>”

The white paper must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format and included as an attachment to the email

DO NOT SEND – Hardcopies of white papers (including facsimiles), ZIP files, and/or password-protected files. Oral presentations are not permitted as an acceptable substitute for a white paper submission.

C. White Paper Requirements

White papers submitted in response to this announcement must include the following:

1. Title Page

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2. Executive Summary

3. Program Description

4. Program Plan and Milestone Chart

5. Description of Relevant Experience

6. Rough Order of Magnitude

7. Program Summary Quad Chart

White papers are limited to 15 pages, should be letter size (8.5 x 11 inches), have one-inch margins on all sides, and use a 12-point font. Any pages beyond these limitations will not be evaluated. The white paper should address the entire proposed period of performance, including all options. The Title Page, Program Plan and Milestone Chart, Rough Order of Magnitude and Program Summary Quad Chart are not included in the page limitations.

D. White Paper Content

1. Title Page (not included in page count):

a. Labeled “WHITE PAPER, BAA NUMBER HQ0860-21-S-0002”

b. Prime offeror name and type (large business, small business, non-profit, university, FFRDC, etc.)

c. White paper reference number created by the offeror

d. Title of effort

e. Proposed contract type

f. Name, title, telephone number, and email address of offeror’s technical point of contact

g. Name, title, telephone number, email address, and official mailing address of the authorized contracting representative

h. Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code and Dun & Bradstreet

(DUNS) number

i. Date offer is submitted and duration of validity statement

j. Non-proprietary abstract paragraph not to exceed 250 words

2. Executive Summary (included in page count): Summarize the proposed

STEM Outreach Program, objectives, and approach to stimulate and influence interest of STEM-based education and careers among youth and college students.

Further, include program actions for providing teacher/educator professional development training. Discuss how the proposal contributes to the MDA mission and will advance the next-generation workforce. Reference Section IV., Paragraph B., STEM Program Outreach Objectives, to ensure all objectives are addressed.

3. Program Description (included in page count): Describe the techniques, methods, or ideas that will be addressed in the white paper, the innovation aspect, and to what degree it advances the STEM Outreach Program initiatives. Discuss relationships to similar STEM outreach initiatives. Identify the nature and extent

Approved for Public Release 21-MDA-10931 (19 Aug 21) 11 of the anticipated results and how the results will be demonstrated. Describe the facilities hosting the outreach program(s) to include office space, community centers, college/universities, industry/government installations, etc. Provide a detailed account of resources namely computers, seating capacity, communications equipment, printers, and media/internet/IT capability for in-classroom and remote operations. Discussion should be segmented into logical tasks and be clearly severable between the base period and subsequent option periods.

4. Program Plan and Milestone Chart (not included in page count):

Describe, in detail, the management plan, technical objectives, and how the plan will be executed. Milestones should indicate when specific objectives are expected to be met in the overall schedule of the program and should identify the specific accomplishments necessary to proceed to the next task. Describe, in detail, the critical path of activities for the entire project. Identify areas of risk and uncertainties. Describe resolution or mitigation approaches.

5. Description of Relevant Experience (included in page count): Include a description of previous or similar (in-house or external) efforts in support of

STEM outreach. For each such effort, provide a list that includes the title of effort, contract number (if applicable), funding organization (customer), and a brief summary of results. Provide a description of the offeror’s team skill set depth and breadth, and record of accomplishment, in the areas of science, engineering and

STEM education.

6. Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) (not included in page count): Furnish

Tables 1-3 (provided as Attachment 2) with the white paper submission for the entire performance period, including a breakout by cost element (Labor, Materials, Travel, Other Direct Costs, Fee/Profit, etc.). Offerors are discouraged from proposing costs associated with re-furbishing and/or updating facilities.

7. Program Summary Quad Chart (not included in page count): The non-proprietary and unclassified Quad Chart shall be prepared in landscape orientation as an editable Power Point and provided as an attachment to the white paper. A Quad Chart template is provided as Attachment 3. The Quad Chart should be formatted as stated and include the following information:

a. Heading

i. Title of White Paper

b. Upper Left Quadrant: Contribution to Missile Defense Agency STEM

Outreach Program

i. Summary statement indicating significant contribution to the MDA

STEM Outreach Program, mission, and future workforce

c. Upper Right Quadrant: Description of Approach, Training, and

Technology

i. Picture or graphic illustrating proposed approach, training, and technology to be used (education modules, technology tools, Approved for Public Release 21-MDA-10931 (19 Aug 21) 12 computers, programming languages, engineering kits, communication platforms for teaching, etc.

d. Lower Left Quadrant: Top Level Tasks and Milestones

i. Goals or accomplishments in chronological order (max of ten (10))

e. Lower Right Quadrant: Program Execution

i. Offeror Name

ii. Period of Performance (number of months)

iii. Estimated Total Cost (broken out by base and option periods)

SECTION VII: WHITE PAPER EVALUATION

A. Evaluation Panel

The Government may use selected FFRDCs, University Affiliated Research

Centers (UARCs), non-Government contracted support, and other non-Governmental personnel to assist in the evaluation and administrative handling of white papers submitted in response to this announcement. These persons are bound by appropriate non-disclosure agreements and organizational conflict of interest statements to protect proprietary and source selection information. Non-Government advisors are limited to reviewing white papers and providing technical advice to the Government and are prohibited from making recommendations for selection. Submission of white papers in response to this BAA constitutes the offeror’s acknowledgment and consent to the use of non-Government personnel during the evaluation process.

B. Evaluation Criteria

White papers will be evaluated against: 1) Technical Achievement, 2) Relevant

Experience/Facilities, and 3) Program Management, as described below. These three factors are significantly more important than cost or price. Technical Achievement is equally as important as Relevant Experience/Facilities and Program Management combined. The sub-criteria within each criteria are equally important.

1. Technical Achievement: focuses on the explanation and justification of the overall scientific and/or technical merits of the white paper, potential benefits of the effort to the MDA mission and the National STEM Outreach Program, and innovation potential.

Objectives:

a. Identification of objectives

b. Explanation of the underlying science, technology, and education features with regard to the objectives

c. Predicted results based on the STEM educational approach

MDA Benefits and Innovation:

a. Alignment to the MDA mission and National STEM Outreach Program objectives

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b. Identification of applications used to advance STEM Outreach Program efficacy

c. Identification of both tangible and intangible benefits to MDA

d. Explanation of how the proposed innovation tactics expand beyond the current state of STEM learning and practices

2. Relevant Experience/Facilities: focuses on the explanation and justification of the offeror’s team qualifications and capabilities, including relevant experience of the team members who are critical to achievement of the proposed objectives coupled with the facilities, techniques, or unique combinations of these, which are integral factors for achieving the proposed objectives.

Relevant Experience:

a. Description of the offeror’s team skill set depth and breadth to address science, engineering and STEM education facets

b. Description of the offeror’s team record of accomplishment in the area of science, engineering and STEM education

Facilities:

a. Description of the overall facility capabilities and the offeror’s approach to physically host and execute the proposed tasks, including security protocols and managing/safeguarding sensitive information as necessary

3. Program Management: focuses on the explanation and justification of the planned programmatic structure, initial risk assessment, and initial cost structure and realism necessary for the successful execution of the proposed tasks.

a. Task outline and task description details

b. Project schedule details and task flow logic

c. Identification of deliverables/products/expected outcomes and alignment to objectives

d. Risk identification and mitigation approach

e. Cost estimate thoroughness and realism

SECTION VIII: AWARD INFORMATION

In accordance with FAR 35.016(e), the primary basis for selection of white papers is technical merit, importance to agency programs and funding availability. The MDA

Contracting Office will notify offerors if their white paper was selected or not selected for

Step-Two. Selected notifications will state whether MDA would like to pursue the entire white paper or a portion of the white paper.

If a white paper is selected for Step-Two, the MDA Contracting Office will contact the offeror with a request for formal proposal. The request does not mean a contract award is assured, as availability of funds and successful negotiations are prerequisites to any award. DO NOT submit any formal proposal information until a request from the MDA

Contracting Office is received.

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If requested, a debriefing of white paper evaluation results can be provided.

Debriefing content may vary to be consistent with the procedures that govern BAAs.

SECTION IX: ATTACHMENTS

1. OCI Analysis/Disclosure Form, DA-78-F2

2. ROM Tables (Excel worksheets)

3. Quad Chart Template