BAA.pdf

ONR BAA 07-020

ONR BAA Announcement #07-020

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA)

Distributed Systems Processing

INTRODUCTION:

This publication constitutes a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) as contemplated in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.102(d)(2). A formal Request for Proposals (RFP), solicitation, and/or additional information regarding this announcement will not be issued.

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) will not issue paper copies of this announcement. The ONR reserves the right to select for award, all some or none of the proposals in response to this announcement. The ONR reserves the right to fund all, some or none of the proposals received under this BAA. ONR provides no funding for direct reimbursement of proposal development costs. Technical and cost proposals (or any other material) submitted in response to this BAA will not be returned. It is the policy of ONR to treat all proposals as sensitive competitive information and to disclose their contents only for the purposes of evaluation.

It is anticipated that awards under this BAA will take the form of cost plus fixed fee contracts.

Proposals submitted as a result of this announcement will fall under the purview of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Potential responders may obtain information on ONR programs and opportunities by checking the ONR website at http://www.onr.navy.mil. Specific information about BAAs and amendments and updates to this BAA will be found at that site under the heading “BAAs”.

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Agency Name - Office of Naval Research Contract and Grant Awards Division One Liberty Center 875 North Randolph Street, Suite 1425 Arlington, VA 22203-1995

2. Research Opportunity Title –

Distributed Systems Processing

3. Program Name –

Littoral Anti-Submarine Warfare (LASW)

4. Research Opportunity Number –

BAA 07-020

5. Response Date –

White papers: 30 APR 2007 not later than 2:00 PM ET Full Proposals:12 JUL 2007 not later than 2:00 PM ET

6. Research Opportunity Description -

Synopsis

The Distributed Systems Processing project of the LASW program is focused on the development and demonstration of automation technologies for Distributed ASW Systems. The primary effort will be field level detection, classification and localization technologies such as feature association across nodes and field level tracking. The results from this project are intended to be applicable to air, sea, and shore processing sites.

Terminology

The following terminology is used in this BAA.

Sensor – device, such as a hydrophone, that measures properties of signal and noise Node – group of sensors, such as an array or buoy, deployed and operated as a unit Field – group of nodes forming the distributed ASW system

Objective and Areas of Interest

The Office of Naval Research (ONR-32ASW) seeks proposals in inter-node detection and classification and in field level processing. Proposals for in-node automated detection will be considered provided they are related to the inter-node and field processing needs of distributed ASW systems. ONR is primarily interested in fields containing nodes of either active or passive acoustic sensors. Specific examples are the ADAR buoys used in air ASW or the bottom mounted arrays of the Integrated Undersea Surveillance System. However, proposals applicable to fields of non-acoustic sensors will be considered. In all cases, it is expected that algorithms proposed will operate in real-time with limited operator intervention.

Inter-node Detection and Classification

Proposals are sought for innovative technology development for feature estimation, feature association, and classification. Proposals are also sought on joint tracking and classification using both active and passive data. Feature estimation may address knowledge-based features that exploit a-priori threat or clutter knowledge or features derived from coarse-scale, robust exploitation of physics. The goal of feature estimation is the derivation of features for node-level classification for intra-node Detection, Classification, and Localization (DCL) needs and inter-node data fusion.

Feature association is the combination of features to support classification for both intra-node and inter-node data fusion. This area includes association methods for sparse data sets, in-situ training, and multi-modality feature association (e.g., active sonar, radar).

Classification technologies may involve both knowledge-based and physics features. However, proposals on situational and contextual classification will also be considered. Situational and contextual classification includes change detection or the identification and tracking of all new signals, features, or contacts that represent departure from quiescent state of scene awareness.

Examples include rapid acquisition of clutter distribution, exploitation of behavioral dichotomy that distinguishes threat from clutter, change detection, behavioral extrapolation, and exploitation of external systems such as Automatic Identification System (AIS).

Field Level Processing

Proposals are sought for innovative technology development to achieve the automated combination of all Detection/Classification/Localization evidence across nodes, time, and space.

Focus areas include multi-target, multi-node data association and fusion, including sparse and asynchronous sources and cross-node cueing, tracking of all contacts, threat contact identification, spatial and temporal registration, informational conflict resolution, and integration of constraints and restricted motion models.

In addition, ONR is interested in proposals addressing the limitations on field level processing imposed by constraints on communication bandwidth. Many distributed systems are intended to transmit data or to report contacts using Over-the-Horizon (OTH) communications, and such communications may allow only narrow communication bandwidths. Approaches that support OTH communications while achieving useful values of probability of detection and false alert rate are of interest.

In-node Automatic Detection

Also considered will be proposals for algorithms performing automated active or passive detection, clutter rejection, track management, or classification in a single node. The focus of this work is real-time feature development for data association across nodes and improved downstream classification.

7. Point(s) of Contact -

Questions of a technical nature shall be directed to the Technical Point of Contact, as specified below:

Dr. John A. Tague Program Manager Code 321US Office of Naval Research One Liberty Center 875 North Randolph Street, Suite 1425 Arlington, VA Tel: (703) 696-0807 Email: John_Tague@onr.navy.mil

Questions of a business nature shall be directed to the Contracting Officer, as specified below:

Brian Kehoe Senior Contracting Officer, Code 252 Office of Naval Research One Liberty Center 875 North Randolph Street Arlington, VA 22203-1995 Telephone: (703) 588-0610 Fax: (703) 696-3365 Email: kehoeb@onr.navy.mil

Important Note: The Technical and Business Points of Contact ARE NOT the delivery point for white papers.

8. Instrument Type(s) -

Awards will primarily be in the form of cost plus fixed fee completion contracts.

9. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Numbers –

N/A

10. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Titles –

N/A

11. Other Information – This announcement is restricted to work relating to basic and applied research and that portion of advanced technology development not related to a specific system or hardware procurement. Awards made under this BAA are for scientific study and experimentation directed towards advancing state of the art or increasing knowledge or understanding. For additional programmatic information and questions and answers see the following URL: http://www.onr.navy.mil/02/baa/07_020/.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) plans to award multiple technology development contracts that represent the best value to the Government in accordance with the evaluation criteria. The Office of Naval Research is seeking participants for this program that are capable of supporting the goals described in this announcement. Responders have the opportunity to be creative in the selection of the technical and management processes and approaches to address the areas of interest described above. Multiple awards are anticipated.

The period of performance of the awards typically ranges from one to four years (base year and up to three option years). ONR anticipates a budget of approximately $11,000,000 over the duration of the four year program. ONR plans to fund $300,000 to $600,000 per year, per award, using Budget Categories 6.2 and 6.3. However, lower and higher cost proposals will be considered. The estimated start date is 3 DEC 2007, subject to date of final award and availability of new fiscal year funds.

ONR has funded related technology development under numerous programs. Proposals that build on current or previous DoD work are encouraged. If responders are enhancing work performed under other ONR or DoD projects, they must clearly identify the point of departure and what existing work will be brought forward and what new work will be performed under this BAA.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

All responsible sources submitting a responsive proposal will be considered by the Government.

Due to the nature of the program area, there is limited opportunity for foreign companies and U.S. firms with foreign national performers to receive an award. Proposals in the area of passive sonar processing for undersea surveillance would involve work that would be export controlled.

In some cases proposals in this area would be classified. Some proposals in the area of active sonic processing for multi static systems could involve work that would not be export controlled.

Proposals in this area must be judged on a case-by-case basis. Proposals from federally-funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) and from Government laboratories will not be considered under this BAA. A U.S. subsidiary of a foreign firm may be eligible to receive an award if it has an appropriate facility clearance and is walled off from its foreign parent.

Independent organizations and teams are encouraged to submit proposals in any or all areas.

However, responders must be willing to cooperate and exchange software, data and other information in an integrated program with other contractors, as well as with system integrators selected by ONR.

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. Application and Submission Process -

White Papers are encouraged prior to submitting Full Proposals: The Navy's initial evaluation of the White Papers should give Responders some indication of whether a Full Proposal would likely result in an award. Initial Navy evaluations of the White Papers will be issued via E-mail notification on or around 12 June 2007. Detailed technical and cost proposals will be subsequently encouraged from those Responders whose proposed technologies have been identified through the above-referenced E-mail as being of "particular value" to the Navy.

However, any such encouragement does not assure a subsequent award. Any Responder may submit a Full Proposal even if it did not submit a White Paper or even if any White Paper submitted was not identified as being of "particular value" to the Navy.

2. ONR Presentation

In early April, ONR technical staff will make an unclassified oral presentation on the Distributed Systems Processing project. This presentation will last approximately one hour, and all organizations qualified to respond to this BAA may attend. Organizations should indicate a desire to attend by contacting the Technical Point of Contact for this BAA.

3. Content and Format of White Papers/Full Proposals -

The white papers and proposals submitted under this BAA may be classified up to the Secret level. Responders should submit white papers and proposals at the classification level needed to explain their ideas and concepts clearly and succinctly. The proposal submissions will be protected from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with FAR 15.207, applicable law, and DoD/DoN regulations. Responders must appropriately mark each page of their submission that contains proprietary information.

WHITE PAPER FORMAT

• Paper Size – 8.5 x 11 inch paper

• Margins – 1” inch

• Spacing – single or double-spaced

• Font – Times New Roman, 12 point

• Number of Pages – No more than seven single sided pages (excluding cover page and resumes) White Papers exceeding the page limit may not be evaluated.

• Copies – one e-mailed or mailed to Dr. John Tague

WHITE PAPER CONTENT

White papers are limited to seven pages and should include the following items:

1) Cover page, clearly labeled “White Paper”, including BAA title, number and date, title of white paper, administrative and technical points of contact along with telephone, fax numbers, and e-mail addresses. The cover page must also indicate whether the white paper is classified or unclassified. The cover page will not count toward the seven-page limit.

2) Technical Description, to consist of clear discussion of the scientific concept and associated technologies being proposed, development objectives of the proposed effort, a clear statement of the major scientific issues to be resolved to accomplish objectives, approaches to resolving these science issues, and a clear description of and schedule for demonstration of the significant aspects of the concept.

3) Managerial Description, to include partnering arrangements, if any, list of key personnel, specific prior experience of the offeror in the scientific areas addressed, facilities, and a plan of action with milestones.

4) Cost Description, to be a one page cost estimate on a yearly basis partitioned by major tasks.

5) One-page curriculum vitae for the principal investigator and key personnel should be submitted. One page limit per person. The vitae will not count toward the seven-page limit.

FULL PROPOSALS FORMAT – VOLUME 1 (Technical Proposal) and VOLUME 2 (Cost Proposal)

• Paper Size - 8.5 x 11 inch paper

• Margins - 1" inch

• Spacing - single or double-spaced

• Font - Times New Roman, 12 point

• Number of Pages - Volume 1 and Volume 2 are both unlimited as to the number of pages. Limitations within sections of the proposal are indicated in the individual descriptions shown below.

• Copies - one (1) original, five (5) additional hard copies and one electronic copy on a CD-ROM (in Microsoft Word or Excel compatible or PDF format).

FULL PROPOSAL CONTENT

Content of Volumes 1 and 2

Volume I: Technical Proposal

Each section of the Technical Proposal must start on a new page.

• Cover Page: This must include the words "Technical Proposal" and the following:

1) BAA number; 2) Title of Proposal; 3) Identity of prime Responder and complete list of subcontractors, if applicable; 4) Technical contact (name, address, phone/fax, electronic mail address) 5) Administrative/business contact (name, address, phone/fax, electronic mail address) and; 6) Duration of effort (differentiate basic effort and options). It also must indicate whether or not the proposal is classified.

• Table of Contents

• Statement of Work: (7 pages) A Statement of Work (SOW) clearly detailing the scope and objectives of the effort and the technical approach. It is anticipated that the proposed SOW will be incorporated as an attachment to the resultant award instrument.

To this end, such proposals must include a severable unclassified self-standing SOW without any proprietary restrictions, which can be attached to the contract or agreement award. Include a detailed listing of the technical tasks/subtasks organized by year.

• Project Schedule and Milestones: (1 page) A summary of the schedule of events and milestones.

• Assertion of Data Rights: For a contract award an Offeror may provide with its proposal assertions to restrict use, release or disclosure of data and/or computer software that will be provided in the course of contract performance. The rules governing these assertions are prescribed in Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) clauses 252.227-7013, -7014, and -7017. These clauses may be accessed at the following web address: http://farsite.hill.af.mil/VFDFARA.HTM . The Government may challenge assertions that are provided in improper format or that do not properly acknowledge earlier federal funding of related research by the Offeror.

The table submitted in accordance with these clauses should be a severable attachment to the proposal. If there are no claims of proprietary rights in pre-existing data, this section shall consist of a statement to that effect.

• Deliverables: A detailed description of the results and products to be delivered.

• Qualifications: (6 pages) A discussion of previous accomplishments and work in this, or closely related, areas, and the qualifications of the investigators. Key personnel resumes shall be attached to the proposal and will not count toward the page limitation.

• Management Plan: (7 pages) A discussion of the overall approach to the management of this effort, including brief discussions of the total organization; use of personnel;

project/function/subcontractor relationships; government research interfaces; and planning, scheduling and control practice. Identify which personnel and subcontractors (if any) will be involved. Include a description of the facilities that are required for the proposed effort with a description of any Government Furnished Equipment/Hardware/Software/Information required, by version and/or configuration.

VOLUME II: Cost Proposal

The Cost Proposal shall consist of a cover page and two parts. Part 1 will provide a detailed cost breakdown of all costs by cost category by calendar/fiscal year, and Part 2 will provide a cost breakdown by task/sub task using the same task numbers in the Statement of Work. Options must be separately priced.

• Cover Page: The use of the SF 1411 is optional. The words "Cost Proposal" should appear on the cover page in addition to the following information:

1) BAA number;

2) Title of Proposal;

3) Identity of prime Responder and complete list of subcontractors, if applicable;

4)Technical contact (name, address, phone/fax, electronic mail address)

5)Administrative/business contact (name, address, phone/fax, electronic mail address);

6)Duration of effort (differentiate basic effort and options);

7)Summary statement of proposed costs and;

8)Cognizant DCAA and DCMA points of contact, address, phone/fax, electronic mail address (if readily available).

• Part 1: Detailed breakdown of all costs by cost category by calendar/fiscal year

(when options are contemplated, options must be separately identified and priced by task/sub-task corresponding to the same task numbers in the Statement of Work):

1) Direct Labor - Individual labor category or person, with associated labor hours and unburdened direct labor rates;

2) Indirect Costs - Fringe Benefits, Overhead, G&A, COM, etc. (Must show base amount and rate);

3) Travel - Number of trips, number of days per trip, departure and arrival destinations, number of people, etc;

4) Subcontract - A cost proposal as detailed as the Responder's cost proposal will be required to be submitted by the subcontractor. The subcontractor's cost proposal can be provided in a sealed envelope with the Responder's cost proposal or will be obtained from the subcontractor prior to award;

5) Consultant - Provide consultant agreement or other document which verifies the proposed loaded daily/hourly rate;

6) Materials should be specifically itemized with costs or estimated costs. An explanation of any estimating factors, including their derivation and application, shall be provided. Please include a brief description of the Responder's procurement method to be used;

7) Other Directs Costs, particularly any proposed items of equipment or facilities.

Equipment and facilities generally must be furnished by the contractor/recipient.

(Justification must be provided when Government funding for such items is sought.)

Include a brief description of the offeror’s procurement method to be used (competition, engineering estimate, market survey, etc.). ;

8) Fee/Profit including fee percentage.

• Part 2: Cost breakdown by task/sub task using the same task numbers in the Statement of Work. When options are contemplated, options must be separately identified and priced by task/sub-task corresponding to the same task numbers in the Statement of Work.

NOTE: FULL PROPOSALS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN HARD COPY. FULL

PROPOSALS SENT BY FAX OR E-MAIL WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

4. Significant Dates and Times -

Anticipated Schedule of Events

Event Date

(DD/MM/YEAR)

Time (Local Eastern

Time)

White Paper Due Date(Page Limit: 7) 30 APR 2007 1400

Notification of Navy Evaluations of White Papers *

12 JUN 2007 -

Full Proposals Due Date (Page limit on parts of technical proposal)

12 JUL 2007 1400

Notification of Selection for Award* 16 AUG 2007 -

Awards * 3 DEC 2007 N/A

* These dates and times are estimates as of the date of this announcement.

NOTE: Due to changes in security procedures since September 11, 2001, the time required for hard-copy written materials to be received at the Office of Naval Research has increased. Thus, it is recommended that any hard-copy proposal be mailed several days before the deadline established in the solicitation so that it will not be received late and thus be ineligible for award consideration.

5. Submission of Late Proposals –

Any proposal, modification, or revision, that is received at the designated Government office after the exact time specified for receipt of proposals is “late” and will not be considered unless it is received before award is made, the contracting officer determines that accepting the late proposal would not unduly delay the acquisition and

(a) If it was transmitted through an electronic commerce method authorized by the announcement, it was received at the initial point of entry to the Government infrastructure not later than 5:00 p.m. one working day prior to the date specified for receipt of proposals; or

(b) There is acceptable evidence to establish that it was received at the Government installation designated for receipt of white papers and was under the Government’s control prior to the time set for receipt of white papers; or

(c) It was the only proposal received.

However, a late modification of an otherwise timely and successful proposal that makes its terms more favorable to the Government will be considered at any time it is received and may be accepted.

Acceptable evidence to establish the time or receipt at the Government installation includes the time/date stamp of that installation on the proposal wrapper, other documentary evidence of receipt maintained by the installation, or oral testimony or statements of Government personnel.

If an emergency or unanticipated event interrupts normal Government processes so that proposals cannot be received at the Government office designated for receipt of proposals by the exact time specified in the announcement, and urgent Government requirements preclude amendment of the announcement closing date, the time specified for receipt of proposals will be deemed to be extend to the same time of day specified in the announcement on the first work day on which normal Government processes resume.

The contracting officer must promptly notify any offeror if its proposal, modifications, or revision was received late and must inform the offeror whether its proposal will be considered.

6. Address for the Submission of White Papers and Full Proposals –

Email Address for the Submission of White Papers

Classified white papers shall be encrypted and e-mailed to: John_Tague@onr.navy.smil.mil or sent via regular mail or FED EX/UPS to the following address: The Office of Naval Research;

Attention: Classified Material; Attention John Tague; 875 North Randolph Street Suite 1425;

Arlington, VA 22203-1995. Unclassified white papers shall be e-mailed to John_Tague@onr.navy.mil.

Address for the Submission of Full Proposals

Mr. Brian Kehoe ONR Contracts and Grants Awards Division Code ONR 252 Office of Naval Research One Liberty Center 875 North Randolph Street, Suite 1425* Arlington, VA 22203-1995 Telephone Number: (703) 588-0610 Email: kehoeb@onr.navy.mil

*This is the address if using U.S. mail. If using overnight courier, please use Room 1271W instead of Suite 1425. If a telephone number is required, please use 703-588-0610.

V. EVALUATION INFORMATION

1. Evaluation Criteria –

The Office of Naval Research plans to make 3-8 awards depending on their value to the Government in accordance with the evaluation criteria listed below. The following evaluation criteria apply to white papers and full proposals. These submissions will be selected through a technical/scientific/cost decision process with technical and scientific considerations being more important than cost. Even though cost is of less importance than all the technical factors combined, it will not be ignored. The degree of its importance will increase with the degree of equality of the proposals in relation to the other factors on which selection is to be based, or when the cost is so significantly high as to diminish the value of the technical superiority to the Government. Criteria A-D are listed in descending order of priority. Any sub criteria listed under a particular criterion are of equal importance to each other.

A. Overall scientific and technical merits of the proposal.

1. The degree of innovation

2. The soundness of technical concept

3 The responder’s awareness of the state of the art and understanding of the scope of the problem, technical risk, and the technical effort needed to address the problem.

B. Naval relevance, transition potential and anticipated contributions of the proposed technology.

C. Responder’s capabilities, related experience, and past performance, including the qualifications, capabilities and experience of the proposed principal personnel.

1. The quality of technical personnel proposed

2. The responder’s experience in relevant efforts with similar resources

3. The ability to manage the proposed effort

D. Management Plan. The Full Proposal Management Plan will be evaluated in accordance with the following criteria:

1. Plan is in milestone format with succinct factual description of how achievement of milestones will be managed.

2. Relationship between cost and milestone achievement is defined.

3. Estimate of technical, schedule and cost risk is stated with risk management plan provided.

E. The realism of the proposed cost.

1. Total cost relative to benefit

2. Realism of cost levels for facilities and staffing

Socio-Economic Merits: For proposed awards to be made as contracts to large businesses, the socioeconomic merits of each proposal will be evaluated based on the extend of the Responder’s commitment in providing meaningful subcontracting opportunities (to the maximum extent practicable) for small businesses, HubZone small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, woman-owned small businesses, veteran-owned small businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, historically black colleges and universities, and minority institutions.

Industry-Academia Partnering – ONR highly encourages partnering between industry and academia with a view toward speeding the incorporation of new science and technology into fielded systems. Proposals that utilize industry-academic partnering which enhances the development of novel S&T advances will be given favorable consideration.

Industry-Government Partnering - ONR highly encourages partnering among Industry and Government with a view toward speeding the incorporation of new science and technology into fielded systems. Proposals that utilize Industry-Government partnering which result in enhancements of novel S&T, will be given favorable consideration.

2. Evaluation Panel –

Technical and cost proposals submitted under this BAA will be protected from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with FAR 3.104-4 and 15.207. The cognizant program officer and other Government scientific experts will perform the evaluation of technical proposals. Government business professionals will evaluate cost proposals. Restrictive notices notwithstanding, one or more support contractors may be utilized as subject-matter-expert technical consultants.

Similarly, support contractors may assist in the evaluation of cost proposals. However, proposal selection and award decisions are solely the responsibility of ONR Government personnel. Each support contractor employee having access to technical and cost proposals submitted in response to this BAA will be required to sign a non-disclosure statement prior to receipt of any proposal submissions.

Options - The Government will evaluate options for award purposes by adding the total cost for all options to the total cost for the basic requirement. Evaluation of options will not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1. Administrative Requirements –

• The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code - The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this announcement is 541710 with a small business size standard of 500 employees.

• CCR - Successful Responders not already registered in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR) will be required to register in CCR prior to award. Information on CCR registration is available at http://www.onr.navy.mil/02/ccr.htm .

• Certifications - Proposals for awards of contracts should be accompanied by two separate, completed certification packages: one certification package for Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses in accordance with FAR 4.1201, and one certification package for Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement

(DFARS) clauses. FAR certification packages should be completed online with ORCA at https://orca.bpn.gov/login.aspx . Supplemental DFARS and contract specific certification packages should be completed via the ONR website at http://www.onr.navy.mil/02/rep_cert.asp .

• Subcontracting Plans - Successful contract proposals that exceed $550,000, submitted by all but small business concerns, must be supported by a Small Business Subcontracting Plan in accordance with FAR 52.219-9, prior to award.

• Models - Model contract documents may be found on the ONR website at http://www.onr.navy.mil/02/model_awards.asp .

2. Reporting -

The following is a sample of deliverables that could be required under a typical research effort:

• Technical and Financial Progress Reports

• Presentation Material

• Other Documents or Reports

• Final Report

However, please note that specific deliverables (that may include software and hardware deliverables) should be proposed by each Responder and finalized during negotiations.

VII. OTHER INFORMATION

1. Security Classification

White papers and full proposals may be classified up to the Secret level.

2. Government Property/Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) and Facilities

Each Responder must provide a very specific description of any equipment/hardware that it needs to acquire to perform the work. This description should indicate whether or not each particular piece of equipment/hardware will be included as part of a deliverable item under the resulting award. Also, this description should identify the component, nomenclature, and configuration of the equipment/hardware proposed to be purchased for this effort. It is the Government’s desire that the contractors purchase the equipment/hardware for deliverable items under their contract. The purchase on a direct reimbursement basis of special test equipment or other equipment that is not included in a deliverable item will be evaluated for allowability on a case-by-case basis. Maximum use of Government integration, test, and experiment facilities is encouraged in each of the Responder’s proposals.

Government research facilities and operational military units are available and should be considered as potential government furnished equipment/facilities. These facilities and resources are of high value and some are in constant demand by multiple programs. It is unlikely that all the facilities would be used for any one specific program. The use of facilities and resources will be negotiated as the program unfolds. Responders should explain which of these facilities they recommend.

For offers made as contracts, offerors are reminded that Federal policy states that contractors shall furnish all facilities required for performing Government contracts unless it meets one of the exceptions in FAR 45.302-1. If the offeror feels the proposed equipment meets one of the exceptions, the proposal should clearly state which. Offerors are reminded that fee on the cost of facilities when purchased for the account of the Government is not allowed.

3. Department of Defense High Performance Computing Program

The DoD High Performance Computing Program (HPCMP) furnishes the DoD S & T and DT & E communities with use-access to very powerful high performance computing systems.

Awardees of ONR contracts, grants, and assistance instruments may be eligible to use HPCMP assets in support of their funded activities if the approval of the ONR Program Officer is obtained and if security/screening requirements are favorably completed. Additional information and an application may be found at http://www.hpcmo.hpc.mil/ .

4. Project Meetings and Reviews

Individual program reviews between the ONR sponsor and the performer may be held as necessary. Program status reviews may also be held to provide a forum for reviews of the latest results from experiments and any other incremental progress towards the major demonstrations.

These meetings will be held at various sites throughout the country. For costing purposes, Responders should assume that 40% of these meetings will be at or near ONR, Arlington VA and 60% at other contractor or government facilities. Interim meetings are likely, but these will be accomplished via video telephone conferences, telephone conferences, or via web-based collaboration tools.

5. Disclosure of Information

Resulting contracts will include the following provision:

DFARS 252.204-7000 Disclosure of Information

Due to the potential sensitivity of the release of unclassified information regardless of the medium used, all information/data must be approved by the Program Officer before the public release of any and all information generated under resulting contracts and/or related to this program.