448th_SCMW_SCCI_Solicitation.pdf

Solicitation

448th Supply Chain Management Wing (SCMW) Supply Chain Consortium Initiative (SCCI)

1.0 Summary and Background

1.1 The purpose of this solicitation is to find a consortium manager for the 448th SCMW SCCI.

The manager must be able to effectively establish and manage a consortium whose members will execute prototyping projects that address 448th SCMW mission areas to include but not limited to: sustainment, repair, and procurement of weapon system Depot Level Reparables

(DLR), DLR subcomponent sourcing, predictive analytics (e.g., artificial intelligence, machine learning, etc.), alternative manufacturing methods, rapid reverse engineering, repair development, business process re-engineering (e.g., streamlining, robotic process automation, etc.), rapid problem solving (e.g. Hackathons), supply chain risk management, and use of alternate / emerging technologies to further the 448 SCMW mission. This may also include projects other organizations in the Air Force Sustainability Center (AFSC) or strategic partners.

448th SCMW is exploring options for competitive award of an Other Transaction Authority

(OTA) to an eligible new or existing consortium manager of large and small entities representing traditional and non-traditional Defense contractors, as well as academic institutions. AFSC/PZAAC, located within the AFSC/PZA Directorate, is releasing this solicitation to describe the U.S. Government's (USG) interest in establishing an OTA for prototyping, per 10 USC 2371b. The mission of the consortium will include performing research, development, and test and evaluation within prototyping projects that address requirements presented by, or of interest to, the 448th SCMW and its customers.

1.2 This solicitation represents the requirements for an open and competitive process. Proposals will be accepted until 5 August 2019, 1700 EST. Any proposals received after this date and time will not be evaluated. As a practical matter, existing consortia that submit bids must be represented by consortium managers with means and authority to speak for the members, organize their activities, and make binding agreements on their behalf.

1.3 This OTA is bound by the following requirements, which are enumerated in 10 USC 2371b:

1. Approximately $99M (estimated approximately 50 projects per year) accumulative funding ceiling may be apportioned across a one year base period of performance with four, one year options (for a total of five years). Note: this ceiling could grow to $500M or higher.

2. Contractors receiving awards under the SCCI OTA will contribute one third cost share unless one of the following applies:

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

b. 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.

c. The senior procurement executive for the agency determines in writing that exceptional circumstances justify the use of a transaction that provides for innovative business arrangements or structures that would not be feasible or appropriate under a contract, or would provide an opportunity to expand the defense supply base in a manner that would not be practical or feasible under a contract.

1.4 After establishing an “umbrella” OTA with a consortium, which will prohibit the manager from bidding on projects issued to this consortium, the USG would consider making solicitations and awarding funds to consortium members across an indefinite number of prototyping projects.

It is likely that the consortium manager would receive a portion of these awards as a service fee.

1.5 This solicitation can be found on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website.

It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

2.0 Background

2.1 The United States Air Force has identified the need for an 448th SCMW consortium to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the military aviation acquisition process. This consortium would perform critical research, development, test and evaluation within prototyping projects supporting the 448th SCMW mission areas within Section 1.1.

2.2 Consortium Objectives:

1. Expose 448 SCMW-related requirements to, and lower barriers to entry for, the broad community of traditional and non-traditional technology providers.

2. Encourage rapid solicitation to award timeline.

3. Minimize risk of technology obsolescence by executing rapid, iterative, evolutionary, demonstration-to-delivery cycles

4. Employ objective, test-based Validation and Verification as basis of Analysis of

Alternatives (AoA), trades analysis, source selection, and performance monitoring.

5. Develop Intellectual Property Regimes (IPR) and Data Rights that incentivize mutually beneficial government-industry partnership.

6. Transition successfully tested prototype applications as vendor-supported off-the-shelf products.

7. Manage administrative and financial responsibilities of the consortium.

8. Continuously evolve an appropriately “open” technical architecture that optimizes government investment by both leveraging best available existing commercial technology and developing new technology in partnership with industry.

2.3 Scope: The scope of 448th SCMW prototyping projects might include any topic generally consistent with the Research, Development, Test, & Evaluation of the 448th SCMW mission areas addressed in paragraph 1.1.

2.4 Planned Production: The USG may choose to award follow-on production contracts/transactions to successful prototype projects under this consortium agreement. Determined on project level basis.

2.5 Delivery Period: Determined on project level basis.

2.6 Limitations: Determined on project level basis.

http://www.fedbizopps.gov/

2.7 Security Requirements: Projects are likely to be restricted to US sources only. Some requirements may have Secret level classification. Consortium managers must have the ability to handle sensitive materials (FOUO, proprietary, etc.) appropriately.

2.8 Participation Requirements: Consortium managers will not bid on prototyping projects.

3.0 Responses

3.1 Interested parties are requested to respond to this solicitation with a proposal.

3.2 Proposals in Microsoft Word for Office compatible format are due no later than 5 August

2019, 17:00 EST. Responses shall be limited to twenty (20) pages and submitted via e-mail only to the Agreements Officer, James D. Banks III, james.banks.12@us.af.mil and to Ms. Gail

Hutchison, Contract Specialist billye.hutchison.2@us.af.mil.

3.3 For standardization purposes each Proposal shall be broken into two (2) sections and provide the following:

3.3.1 Section 1.

Section 1 of the proposal shall provide administrative information, and shall include the following as a minimum:

1. A cover page labeled with the heading, "448th SCMW SCCI" name of company, name of corporate point of contact (POC), name of technical POC, telephone number for each POC, mailing address, e-mail addresses for each POC, CAGE Code, and any other pertinent information.

2. Recommended contracting strategy. (e.g. prime/subcontractor arrangement, service level agreement, etc.)

3. Business type for the consortium manager.

a. Business types may be: large business, 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.

b. Business types shall be based upon North American Industry Classification System

(NAICS) code 541611, Administrative Management and General Management

Consulting Services.

c. “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.

4. The facility security clearance of the offeror, to include capability to handle classified material.

mailto:james.banks.12@us.af.mil mailto:billye.hutchison.2@us.af.mil

5. Proposed process for handling sensitive materials (FOUO, proprietary, etc.).

3.3.2 Section 2.

Section 2 of the proposal shall address the following:

1. How the objectives listed above would be addressed and how performance against these objectives would be measured. Describe your ability to assist the government in meeting the following objectives:

a. Performing fiduciary tasks associated with transferring funds from government to members.

b. Performing targeted recruiting of new members.

c. Facilitating teaming among members.

d. Providing services associated with domain technological expertise such as:

i. Independent Validation and Verification

ii. Capturing and documenting standards and best practices

iii. Performing training

iv. Facilitating technical exchange

e. Supporting and managing consortium communications

i. Provide a centralized capability, such as a website, containing and organizing the consortium’s information for easy access by USG customers

ii. Provide USG customers with prototyping resources and important OT information

iii. Provide secure data portal capable of transferring and storing FOUO and proprietary documentation

iv. Provide membership information (i.e. member listing and contact information)

f. Suggesting innovative fee structures designed to incentivize achievement of government objectives, e.g.:

i. Fixed transaction fee (same fee regardless of price of project).

ii. Tiered transaction fees (fees vary for projects that fall within different price ranges) based on project price, and/or services rendered, adjusted to exclude hardware, material, and travel costs (The exclusion of hardware, materials, and travel from the fee calculation is intended to capture labor costs as the main indicator of risk in a given project, which may lead to more challenging management during performance of a given project.

Projects that consist in large part of material, hardware, and/or travel are perceived to be less risky and require less potential for substantial involvement on the part of the Consortium Manager.

iii. Tiered transaction fees based on total project price

iv. Percentage of price up to a maximum dollar amount based on project price adjusted to exclude hardware, materials, and travel costs

v. Percentage of project price up to a maximum dollar amount

vi. Incentive Fee Structure

2. Corporate competencies and past performance with respect to USG objectives and selection criteria. Explain experience with regard to consortium management in context with government and/or commercial applications.

3. Describe experience working on projects with the Federal Government, State and Local

Governments, academia, and/or industry. Include affiliations, associations, and specific involvement in and with the federal and non-federal research and development, testing and engineering community, sufficient to demonstrate a well-established presence in that community.

4. Proposed process for handling sensitive materials (FOUO, proprietary, etc.).

3.3.3 Addendum (Will not be included in page count). Proposed consortium charter that includes:

1. Consortium bylaws

2. Consortium membership joining process

3. Proposed consortium membership fees

4. Consortium membership requirements

3.4 Selection Criteria and weighted importance

1. Overall proposal suitability: proposed solution(s) must meet the scope and needs included herein and be presented in a clear and organized manner. (one-third)

2. Fee Structure: Suggesting innovative fee structures designed to incentivize achievement of government objectives. (one-third)

3. Demonstrated ability to manage consortium or an ability to recruit, retain, lead, and manage successful teams. (one-third)

3.5 Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED.

The proposal needs to answer the 448th SCMW consortium service addressed in this Solicitation.

To aid the Government, segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

4.0 Program Timeline

Note: All dates are approximated and are subject to change:

- 3 July 2019: Solicitation Release

- 5 August 2019 17:00 EST: All proposals in response to this solicitation due

- 6 August – 28 Aug 19: Evaluation of proposals (If additional information or discussions are needed with any bidders during this window, the bidder(s) will be notified.)

- 30 Aug 19: Selection decision and notification for the winning bidder will be made no later than. Unsuccessful offerors notified.

- 30 Aug – 13 Sept 19: Negotiations

- 17 Sep 19: Agreement award and initiation of consortium

- 23 Sep 19: Requirement Review/Kick-off

- 6 Dec 19: Anticipated first Prototype Project awarded

5.0 Questions

5.1 Questions regarding this announcement may be submitted in writing by e-mail to the

Agreements Officer, James D. Banks III, james.banks.12@us.af.mil and to Contract Specialist, Gail Hutchison, billye.hutchison.2@us.af.mil. A summary of all questions with answers will be posted to FBO for all potential respondents to see. The Government does not guarantee that questions received after 20 July 2019 will be answered.

mailto:james.banks.12@us.af.mil mailto:billye.hutchison.2@us.af.mil.