A23 I4NI_RCPP_1Amd01.docx

RCPP# HQ003420RCPPKRM091820

INSTITUTE FOR NASCENT INNOVATIONS (I4NI)

REQUEST FOR CONSORTIUM PROTOTYPE PROPOSAL (RCPP)

AMENDMENT 1

Title: Institute for Nascent Innovations (I4NI) Request for Consortium Prototype Proposal Number: HQ003420RCPPKRM091820 Technology Objective: Consortium for Prototypes for Emerging Threats Security Classification: Unclassified Questions Due Date: October 2, 2020 at 3:00PM local D.C. time Proposal Due Date: October 9, 2020 at 5:00PM local D.C. time

Description of Requirement:

NSIN is looking for a non-profit Consortium Manager to manage an unrivaled problem-solving consortium network that adapts to the emerging needs of those who serve in the defense of national security to be called the Institute for Nascent Innovations (I4NI) Consortium. The I4NI Consortium Manager should configures this network, establish regional clusters, and connect STEM oriented innovators and new players across communities (e.g. academia, universities, small businesses, industry, laboratories, entrepreneurs, government academic institution/lab, inventors), inventors that might not traditionally cross paths or be part of the defense supply chain. NSIN requires this I4NI Consortium to come together in an applied way and harness their collective experiences to develop diverse solutions to some of the government’s most novel, emerging challenges. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us the challenges our nation faces in several novel technology spaces, including, material sciences, deep learning, cyber security, high performance computing, etc., the technologies that are required to build those materials and the technologies and tools to secure the supply chain in the current operating environment. Moreover, even these are just the challenges the Government recognizes today, there are new problems and challenges we are discovering in real-time but lack the industry configuration to solve these problems as the challenges arise.

This I4NI Consortium will be a problem-solving network, which will bring together the disparate communities described above. The I4NI Consortium will be bring together diverse communities that can collaborate on prototyping projects, functioning as a strategic responsive cell. The government will utilize the industry configuration to identify complex challenges and prototype product-oriented solutions. The overarching goal is to continue to utilize the developed network to analyze emerging problem sets and continuously develop prototype solutions for the government. The I4NI Consortium Manager will report to the managing director of NSIN, who will prioritize the problem sets for the Consortium. The Consortium Manager will be the prime awardee for each prototype Other Transaction (OT), the consortium member(s) will serve as the sub-awardee(s) to the Consortium Manager.

The I4NI Consortium Manager will be expected to:

· Identify entities to be included in the problem-solving network and bring these key entities onboard.

· Develop and create the industry configuration of the problem-solving network.

· Create a process to bring key entities onboard both initially and during the life of the consortium OT agreement.

· Act as an integrator and program manager to support the Government and consortium members in solving DoD’s emergent threats problem sets.

· Maintain and manage a robust membership able to meet emergent threats.

· Create an environment in which the network will operate.

· Develop a multi-year operating process for the consortium to create tools, techniques and methodologies for solving complex DoD sponsored problem sets.

I. Authority

The Consortium OT agreement will be placed under the prototyping authority of 10 U.S.C Section § 2371b. After placing this “umbrella” OT agreement with the Consortium Manager, the Government intends to award subprojects, via the I4NI Consortium Manager, to consortium members for an indefinite number of prototype projects.

II. Appropriate Use of the Authority

A prototype project awarded under an OT agreement must meet at least one of the following conditions:

1. There is at least one nontraditional defense contractor (NTDC) or nonprofit research institution participating to a significant extent in the prototype project.

2. All significant participants in the transaction other than the Federal Government are small businesses (including small businesses participating in a program described under section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. § 638)) or nontraditional defense contractors.

3. At least one third of the total cost of the prototype project is to be paid out of funds provided by sources other than the Federal Government.

An NTDC is an entity that is not currently performing and has not performed, for at least one year preceding the issuance of a prototype project solicitation, any contract or subcontract for the DoD that is subject to full coverage under the FAR-based Cost Accounting Standards (“CAS”). A subsidiary or a division of a traditional defense contractor may still qualify as an NTDC.

Significant participation is determined on a project basis and is based on the importance of the NTDC contribution to the overall execution or outcome of the proposed project. 10 U.S.C. § 2371b does not prescribe a monetary threshold or percentage value to justify significance. Examples of “significant” participation are:

· Supplying a new key technology or product, or unique capability;

· Causing a material and quantifiable reduction in the project cost or schedule;

· Causing a measurable increase in the performance of the prototype;

· Accomplishing a significant amount of the effort;

· Value-added analysis not based on percentage of project work or value.

III. Potential for Follow-On Production

10 U.S.C. § 2371b authorizes DoD to structure OT agreements with potential to award a follow-on, sole source production contract or transaction to the OT agreement participants. Two criteria must be met to use this authority; 1) competitive procedures were used to select the company and 2) the participants must have successfully completed the prototype project provided for in the transaction. This RCPP is leveraging competitive procedures and meets the first criterion needed to use the follow-on authority provided under title 10 U.S.C. § 2371b.

In accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 2371b the government and company can consider the OT agreement or portions thereof successfully completed upon acceptance of specific: Milestones, objectives, outcomes, or accomplishments as outlined in the SOW. In accordance with Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) policy, successful completion may occur prior to the completion of the entire prototype project. Additionally, completion can occur prior to the conclusion of a prototype project to allow the Government to transition any aspect of the prototype project determined to provide utility into production while other aspects of the prototype project have yet to be completed.

IV. Schedule

Period of performance is 5 years with an option for an additional 5 years.

V. Evaluation Factors

The Government will conduct an evaluation of all proposal(s) submitted in response to this RCPP. Proposals may not exceed 10 pages. A selection will be made and negotiations may be conducted with companies responding to this RCPP. In the event that the Government is unable to come to terms with the initial selectee(s), the Government may reevaluate the proposal responses and make another selection.

The evaluation will be based on an integrated qualitative assessment of the below criteria.

1. Evaluation of the understanding of the requirement, consortium structure, and management, to include process for onboarding consortium members (e.g. standards, flexibility, ease to join, equality among members).

2. Identified nontraditional and/or small business participants.

3. Description of experience and performance in developing the industry configuration NSIN requires.

4. Technical ability of the vendor to provide support to members to participate in government programs and activities.

5. Cost, including proposed membership fee and management fee charged to Government for projects. However, the Government is open to different pricing arrangements, including, a fee structure, fixed-price arrangements, etc.

VI. Basis for Selection

It is the Government's intention to negotiate, select and fund the proposal from the submitted proposal(s) that is most advantageous to the Government. The proposal selection will be conducted in accordance with Government procedures and the evaluation criteria. The proposal selection decision will be formally communicated to the responding vendors.

VII. Contractor Evaluation Support

It is Washington Headquarters Services’ policy to treat all submissions as “source selection information” as defined by 41 U.S.C. § 2101(7), and to disclose the contents only in accordance with 41 U.S.C. § 2102. Restrictive notices notwithstanding, during the evaluation process, submissions may be handled by support contractors for administrative purposes and/or to assist with technical evaluation. All support contractors performing this role are expressly prohibited from performing sponsored technical research and are bound by appropriate nondisclosure agreements. Proposals and other submissions during the selection process will only be utilized for evaluation and negotiation purposes.

VIII. Data Rights

An overall data rights scheme will be included in the resultant consortium OT agreement. However, each subproject awarded under the umbrella agreement may negotiate data rights for that individual subproject.

IX. Export Control

Research findings and technology developments arising from the resulting subprojects may constitute a significant enhancement to the national defense and to the economic vitality of the United States. As such, in the conduct of all work under the subsequent PPA(s), the recipient will comply strictly with the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (22 CFR 120-130), the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (DoD 5220.22-M) and the Department of Commerce Export Regulation (15 CFR 730-774).

X. Legally Responsible Entity

A legally responsible entity shall be identified who may execute the agreement and legally bind that entity. The legally responsible entity will ultimately be responsible for successful agreement performance.

XI. System for Award Management (SAM)

The legally responsible entity must register in SAM and maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which they have an active federal award or proposal under consideration by the Government. Information on SAM registration is available at http://www.sam.gov.

XII. Points of Contact

Proposal submissions and questions should be directed to Mr. Khalil Mack, at khalil.r.mack.civ@mail.mil, and Ms. Christina Mazzoli, at christina.n.mazzoli.civ@mail.mil, of the Washington Headquarters Services, Acquisition Directorate. The deadline for question submission is 1500 ET, Friday October 2; any questions submitted after the deadline may not be answered.

XIII. Proposal Format

· General

The following formatting requirements apply:

Times New Roman 10 (or larger), single-spaced, single-sided, 8.5 by 11 inches Smaller type may be used in figures and tables, but must be clearly legible Margins on all sides (top, bottom, left and right) should be at least 1 inch Page limit is ten (10) pages; excluding the cover sheet, data rights assertions, Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM), and Affirmation of Business Status Certification (ABSC) Proposals shall include a cover sheet, not counted toward the page limit, that includes:

· Prototype Project Title

· Primary point of contact, technical point of contact and FSO, if applicable, including name, address, phone, and e-mail contact information.

· DUNS No. and CAGE Code

· Technical Requirements

Each proposal shall contain the following information:

· ABSC for the Consortium Manager (non-profit, small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a)-certified small disadvantaged business, HUBZone small business, woman-owned small business, very small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business) will be based upon North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code No. 541715 “Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology).” “Small business concern” means a concern, including its affiliates that is independently owned and operated, not dominant in the field of operation in which it is bidding on Government contracts, and qualified as a small business under the criteria and size standards in 13 CFR part 121. A small business concern for the purposes of this procurement is generally defined as a business, including its affiliates, averaging no more than 15 million dollars.

· Configuration of the problem-solving network to include proposed bylaws/membership agreement (bylaws and membership agreement do not count towards the page limit).

· Entities identified to be included in the problem-solving network and process to bring these entities onboard both initially and during the life of the consortium OT agreement. Explain how these entities fit within the proposed scope of the consortium. The Government envisions a low barrier to entry, including, low membership fees, and a concise, simple, easy to understand agreement for new entrants to the defense industry. The Government also envisions rapid vetting and processing of new members. Letters of commitment may be submitted on behalf of the proposed consortium members and will not count towards the overall page limit.

· Corporate competencies and past performance demonstrating the Consortium Manager’s ability to run the consortium both administratively and technically, as an integrator and program manager supporting consortium members and the Government in solving its problem sets.

· A multi-year operating process for the network to create tools, techniques and methodologies for solving complex DoD sponsored problem sets.

· Membership Fees and Subproject Management Fee

Include the cost to run the consortium, including proposed membership fee and management fee charged to Government for each subproject. As mentioned, the Government is interested in any unique pricing arrangements. This section does not count toward the page limit.

· Affirmation of Business Status Certification (ABSC)

Each Consortium Manager submitting a proposal shall include a completed ABSC in the format provided below. This certification shall be included as an attachment to the proposal and will not count toward the page limit.

Affirmation of Business Status Certification (ABSC)

Check one of the following boxes:

|_| Nontraditional Defense Contractor (NTDC) — A Non-traditional Defense Contractor is an entity that is not currently performing and has not performed, for at least the one-year period preceding the issuance of this Request for Proposals by the Department of Defense, any contract or subcontract for the Department of Defense that is subject to full coverage under the cost accounting standards prescribed pursuant to Section 1502 of Title 41 of the U.S. Code and the regulations implementing such section.

All small businesses are considered NTDCs. A small business is a business concern as defined under Section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. § 632). To be considered a small business for the purposes of this RWP, a concern must qualify as a small business under the size standard for the proposed North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code, as described at 13 C.F.R. 121.201.

|_| Nonprofit Research Institution — means a nonprofit institution, as defined in 15 U.S.C. § 3703, and includes federally funded research and development centers, as identified by the National Scientific Foundation in accordance with the Government-wide Federal Acquisition Regulation issued in accordance with 41 U.S.C. § 1303(a)(1) (or any successor regulation thereto).

|_| Traditional Defense Contractor — A traditional defense contractor is an entity that does not meet the definition of a Non-traditional Defense Contractor (NTDC) or a Nonprofit Research Institution.

This is to certify that the above is accurate, complete and current as of insert date for proposal #HQ003420RCPPKRM091820.

Signature (electronic signature is acceptable)

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