RIF_FY18_Q&A.pdf

Q: If multiple small businesses team with a large business such that combined the small businesses complete greater than 51% of the work effort, would the proposal receive the small business preference during selection? As example, small business 1 completes 30% of the work, small business 2 completes 25% and the large business team member 45% of the effort, would a proposal coming from this teaming be considered small business as prime contractor?

A: To receive small business preference, 51% of the work effort needs to be completed by small business and the prime contractor needs to be a small business.

Q: Does buying raw materials from a corporation make that corporation a subcontractor?

A: Buying raw materials from a corporation does not make that corporation a subcontractor. A subcontractor is actually performing part of the development effort which can be inclusive of analysis, design, test, etc.

Q: If selected for award, can a project be funded through separate contracts?

A: The recommended approach would be to form a partnership or prime-subcontractor relationship, as RIF does not intend for the government to serve as system integrator between two or more offerors.

However, offerors are free to propose whatever arrangements they choose and government evaluators will note risks associated with the proposals and include as part of the evaluation.

Q: Is there an instruction document for the RIF Cover Sheet? Where would you locate the different versions for each of the DoD components?

A: Upon entering the RIF portals, you will be prompted to complete the necessary cover sheet information. You must finish the cover sheet before the system will allow you to proceed.

Q: Does a State University have a preferential status like a small business?

A: Universities do not receive the same selection preference for RIF as small businesses; however, that does not preclude universities from submitting RIF white papers for funding consideration.

Q: Is there a list of previous RIF awards?

A: The list of awarded RIF projects is posted to the Defense Innovation Marketplace website here:

http://www.defenseinnovationmarketplace.mil/rif.html

Q: Are there any HUBZone Subcontracting requirements for the RIF program?

A: There are no HUBZone contracting requirements for RIF. However, each of the Services and Agencies do have annual HUBZone goals that they try to meet. Whether or not your HUBZone status will be considered in the award process would be up to the organization that is sponsoring the project.

Q: Is Rapid Innovation Fund Strictly for Small Business?

A: RIF is not strictly limited to small business; however, selection preference is given to small business.

Q: If a small business was recently acquired by a large business, would it still receive small business preference for RIF if the company still runs autonomously from the new owners?

http://www.defenseinnovationmarketplace.mil/rif.html

A: It would no longer be considered a small business if it is a wholly owned subsidiary of a large business.

Q: Am I able to submit multiple white papers against different requirements?

A: You are welcome to submit multiple proposals against multiple requirements, even when proposing the same technology.

Q: The white paper proposal is required to be unclassified, yet a majority of the relevant technical details we are considering are classified. Is it OK to mention that details are classified and will be provided upon request in the white paper?

A: Yes, the white paper can provide notice that classified information can be made available upon request. If the white paper is selected for invitation to submit a final proposal, the government can then request the vendor to submit classified information under proper procedure.

Q: Is a prior Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) project required in order to compete for RIF?

A: Prior SBIR experience is not required to participate in RIF.

Q: What is the level of detail required for a RIF white paper cost estimate?

A: It is the submitter's responsibility to provide a reasonable and defendable cost estimate for RIF while balancing the space available for the other sections of the Technical Description (Contribution to the Requirement, Technical Approach, and Schedule).

Q: Is proprietary information allowed in RIF white papers?

A: Proprietary information is allowed in white papers/quad charts but we recommend marking it as such. All white paper evaluators have signed Non-Disclosure Agreements prohibiting the unauthorized disclosure of proprietary information.

Q: Can an offeror submit more than one white paper addressing a single requirement as long as each white paper only addresses one requirement?

A: Yes.

Q: Can you please clarify the reason for only allowing companies with North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes 541714 and 541715 to submit RIF whitepapers?

A: The purpose of RIF is to accelerate fielding of innovative technologies from small business into military systems. Furthermore, the RIF budget as appropriated by Congress, falls under the Defense- Wide RDT&E funding category. The NAICS codes designated in the BAA (correct codes are 541714 & 541715 per Amendment #3) were identified based on the type of work that is considered appropriate and necessary to be responsive to all requirements. Additional NAICS codes were not deemed suitable for inclusion.

Q: Section 9.5.1 of the FY18 RIF Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) states "The White Paper submission is limited to four pages, which includes Sections Two (Technical Description) and Three (Quad Chart)."

Does this mean the quad chart is one of the four pages?

A: Yes, the Quad chart counts as one of the four (4) pages. The remaining three (3) pages are reserved for the Technical Description.

Q: When is the deadline for contacting the topic authors?

A: April 12th is the closing date for the FY18 RIF BAA and also the final day for contacting requirement Technical Points of Contact (TPOCs). The RIF Team encourages offerors to submit questions as soon as possible in order to provide TPOCs maximum response time.

Q: What kinds of contractual relationships for using subcontractors are permitted? If permitted, we could reduce the overall project cost by using some offshore resources for testing and support? Do they have to be all with US citizens given we are a commercial company?

A: "Foreign participants and/or individuals may participate to the extent that such participants comply with any necessary Non-Disclosure Agreements, Security Regulations, and any other applicable statutes.

Some requirements may cover export-controlled technologies. Research in these areas is limited to “U.S. persons” as defined in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR §1201.1."

As stated above, foreign participation in RIF is allowed and there have even been past project contracts awarded directly to foreign industry.

Q: For schedule planning, what is the expected contract date for awards?

A: The OSD RIF team has set a target date of April 2019 for FY18 RIF contract awards; however, awards must be made no later than 30 September 2019.

Q: Is a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number required in order to submit a white paper?

A: Yes, a DUNS number is required in order to submit a RIF white paper; however, it is free and can be created within 1 business day. Here is a link to the site where you can register for a DUNS number:

https://iupdate.dnb.com/iUpdate/viewiUpdateHome.htm

In order to do business with the US Government, I also recommend you complete the registration for System for Award Management (SAM), which includes DUNS registration:

https://www.sam.gov/portal/SAM/#1

Q: Where and when should a large business submit a subcontracting plan?

A: A short description of the teaming arrangement should be provided in the white paper technical description. If selected to submit a full proposal, further information can be provided at that time.

Q: Can I submit a white paper if it does not address a technical requirement listed in the BAA?

A: No. In order to be considered, white papers must address a requirement from the BAA.

Q: When does the BAA close?

A: The FY18 RIF BAA closes for white paper submissions at 3:00 P.M. Eastern Time on April 12th, 2018.

https://iupdate.dnb.com/iUpdate/viewiUpdateHome.htm https://www.sam.gov/portal/SAM/#1

Q: If the proposed RIF project is based on SBIR technology and the work under the RIF is “work that derives from, extends, or completes an effort made under prior SBIR funding agreements"(citing SBA SBIR Program Policy Directive), will any resulting RIF contract also be considered to be a Phase III SBIR as defined in and required by the SBA SBIR Program Policy Directive?

A: Yes, efforts funded in whole or in part by DoD that continue to mature and/or apply SBIR developed technologies will be considered Phase III SBIRs and are subject to accompanying data rights. These rights can be negotiated differently if advantageous to offeror and DoD and both parties can agree on terms.

Q: If the proposed RIF project is based on SBIR technology and the work under the RIF is "work that derives from, extends, or completes an effort made under prior SBIR funding agreements" will any resulting RIF contract contain DFARS clause 252.227-7018?

A: It certainly can, but not required if offeror and DoD find it mutually advantageous to negotiate different terms. To be included the company offering the SBIR based technology must assert its SBIR data rights and ask that the clause be included in the contract.

Q: Are SBIR data rights considered to "present transition difficulty and/or increased risk/cost to the Government" and therefore needing to be addressed in this section?

A: SBIR rights can at times present challenges and or risk of increased costs to the government, particularly in situations that involve integration with other existing systems, thus it is best to address the possibility in the proposal per the BAA.

Q: Are Government purpose license rights considered to "present transition difficulty and/or increased risk/cost to the Government" and therefore needing to be addressed in this section?

A: Not usually, government purpose rights are the means through which government reduces risk to transition and/or increased costs to the government, thus no reason to address per BAA section 2.

Q: Is the presence of SBIR data rights considered to present a cost risk that will be evaluated under Factor 4?

A: Not necessarily, but there might be circumstances in which that may be the case, especially associated with integration with an existing system.

Q: Is the presence of Government purpose license rights considered to present a cost risk that will be evaluated under Factor 4?

A: Not usually.

Q. In general, under this solicitation, how does the government weigh the presence of SBIR data rights and Government Purpose License Rights in its rating of whitepapers?

A: Rating of white papers takes into account all evaluation factors per BAA instructions. SBIR data rights and Government purpose rights and their associated advantages and risks are assessed as part of the evaluation factors and are dependent up on the particulars of the proposals.

Q: Can a DoD project office submit a RIF white paper?

A: No. One of the goals for RIF is to stimulate small business. Awarding RIF projects to government offices does not achieve the intent of RIF.