RCCTO BAA 2024.pdf

ARMY RAPID CAPABILITIES

AND CRITICAL TECHNOLOGIES OFFICE

(RCCTO)

Broad Agency Announcement

Number: BAA-W50RAJ-24-S-0001

Issued By:

Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) BLDG 3307 Wells Rd Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898

Open Announcement:

Continuously throughout the period from 18 June 2024 to 18 June 2029. This announcement succeeds BAA W56JSR-18-S-0001 (including all amendments) dated 23 March 2018. If a respondent submitted its proposal to the previous BAA, the respondent’s invited full proposal will be considered for funding up to 24 months from the time it was submitted.

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PREFACE

This solicitation constitutes a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for awards by the Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO). The provisions of the Competition in Contracting Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-369), as implemented in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.102(d)(2) and 35.016, provide for the issuance of a BAA as a means of soliciting proposals for basic and applied research and that part of development not related to the development of a specific system or hardware procurement. This BAA is issued under FAR 6.102(d)(2), FAR 35.016, 10 U.S.C. 4001, 10 U.S.C. 4021, 10 U.S.C. 4022, and 10 U.S.C. 4023 – which provide the authorities for issuing awards under this announcement for research. Grants will be fully compliant with applicable competition provisions of 31 USC 6301(3), 10 U.S.C. 4024(a) and 32

CFR 22.315.

To be eligible for consideration and possible award, the technology or methodology shall be either basic research, applied research, advanced technology development not for a specific system/hardware, or demonstration and validation. However, submissions may be directly relevant to enhancing mission effectiveness of military personnel and the supporting platforms, systems, components, or material proposed to be acquired or developed by the Department of Defense (DoD), or improvement of platforms, systems, components, or materials in use by the armed forces. This BAA is used to fulfill RCCTO requirements for scientific study and experimentation directed toward advancing the state-of-the-art or increasing knowledge or understanding rather than focusing on a specific system or hardware solution.

This announcement is general in nature, identifies the areas of research interest, includes criteria for selecting proposals, and solicits the participation of all respondents capable of satisfying the Army’s needs. This announcement is issued to solicit White Papers (WP) only. The purpose of a WP is to preclude unwarranted effort on the part of a prospective respondent whose proposed work is not of interest to the RCCTO.

Respondents of those WPs found to be consistent with the intent of the BAA may be invited to submit a full proposal. A full proposal submitted under this BAA will be subject to peer or scientific review. The primary basis for selecting full proposals for acceptance shall be technical, importance to agency programs, and fund availability.

Cost realism and reasonableness shall also be considered to the extent appropriate.

The Government reserves the right to select for award all, some, or none of the proposal received. An invitation does not assure a respondent of a subsequent contract award. Prospective respondents are reminded that only a duly warranted contracting, grants, or agreements officer may obligate the Government to an agreement involving the expenditure of Government funds. Proposals that are selected for award are considered to be the result of full and open competition.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. OVERVIEW OF THE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY

Required Overview Content

1. Research Opportunity Agency and Awarding Agency

2. Research Opportunity Title

3. Research Opportunity Number

4. Announcement Type

5. North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code/Title, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers

II. DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY

Program Description

1. Research Interests

2. Deliverable Items

3. Schedule

4. Other Requirements

5. Other Information

Award Information

1. Awards

2. Contracted Fundamental Research

3. Funded Amount and Period of Performance

4. Instrument Type(s)

Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Respondents

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

3. Other

Application and Submission Information

1. Address to View Broad Agency Announcement

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

3. System for Award Management (SAM) and Unique Entity Identifier

4. Submission Dates and Times

Application Review Information

1. Evaluation Team

2. Evaluation Criteria

3. Review and Selection Process iii

Award Administration Information

1. Selection Notices

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

3. Reporting

Other Information

III. APPENDICES

APPENDIX A - Applicable to Contracts and Other Transaction Agreements

APPENDIX B - Applicable to Applicable to Grants, Cooperative Agreements, and Technology Investment Agreements

APPENDIX C - Award Instruments

IV. ATTACHMENT

Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office

BAA-W50RAJ-24-S-0001

I. OVERVIEW OF THE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY

Required Overview Content

1. Research Opportunity Agency and Awarding Agency

Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO)

2. Research Opportunity Title

RCCTO BAA for Research and Technology Solutions

3. Research Opportunity Number

4. Announcement Type

Initial -- this is a continuously open solicitation Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from 18 June 2024 to 18 June 2029.

RCCTO utilizes a two-phase process to solicit and select a source for award.

• Phase 1 – Submission of White Papers

• Phase 2 – Submission of Full Proposals (By Invitation Only)

5. North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code/Title, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers NAICS codes will be released with each special amendment notice, and the CFDA is 12.431 “Basic Scientific Research.”

North American Industry Classification System

NAICS Title Small Business Size Standard

541713 Research and Development in Nanotechnology 1,000 employees 541714 Research and Development in Biotechnology (except

Nano biotechnology)

1,000 employees

541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

1,000 employees

541720 Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities

$20.5 million

541330 Engineering Services in the design, development, and utilization of materials, instruments\, structures, processes, and systems

$25M

541511 Custom Computer Programing services $34M

541512 Computer Systems design Services. Planning and designing computer systems that integrate computer hardware, software, and communications technologies.

$34M

541618 Consulting services

$19M

541614 Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services

$20M

541990 All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

$19.5M

II. DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY

Program Description

The acquisition of technology or methodology shall be either basic research, applied research, advanced technology development not for a specific system/hardware. This BAA is to fulfill requirements for scientific study and experimentation directed toward advancing the state-of-the-art or increasing knowledge or understanding rather than focusing on a specific system or hardware solution.

The RCCTO is a unique program office to improve the speed of technology and capability delivery to enable the Army's implementation of the National Defense Strategy and Army Vision. The RCCTO will rapidly and efficiently research, develop, prototype, test, evaluate, procure, transition, and/or field critical enabling technologies and capabilities that address near-term and mid-term threats. RCCTO is focused on finding solutions that could be in the hands of Soldiers within a one-to-three year timeframe. RCCTO will execute this mission consistent with the Army’s modernization priorities that maximize Soldiers’ capabilities to deploy, fight, and win on future battlefields.

RCCTO’s Project Offices include Directed Energy Project Office, Advanced Concepts and Critical Technologies (ACCT) Project Office, Cyber, Electronic Warfare and Information Dominance (CEID) Project Office, Rapid Acquisition Prototyping Project Office (RAPPO), Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-sUAS) Project Office, and Multi-Domain Artillery Canon Systems (MDACS).

• Directed Energy Project Office (DEPO) is pursuing a variety of directed energy weapons, including both lasers and High Power Microwaves, to address near-peer threats. DEPO’s strategy leverages proven technologies that exist today and scales those technologies to deliver rapid prototypes with residual combat capability. The strategy is focused on two capability sets: Directed Energy Maneuver Short Range Air Defense (DE-MSHORAD) and Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC). DEPO is now executing the strategy to deliver new prototypes to operational units.

• ACCT Project Office rapidly assesses, develops, tests, and transitions advanced technologies to address high priority items from Army leadership. As well as, on order, serves as the independent agent to assess ongoing efforts. ACCT acts as the quick reaction cell for rigorous research and analysis, prototyping, experimentation and assessment. ACCT’s operating principles include demonstrating initial technology for larger efforts or as a residual combat capability. In addition, it serves as the portal to nation-wide expertise – leveraging technology from academia, industry/startups, as well as cross-service capabilities. ACCT’s current focus area is on Human Machines Integrated Formations (HMIF) leading a multi-agency effort to procure, test, integrate and field a robotic and autonomous set of capabilities to will define future unmanned combat and logistical operations.

• CEID Project Office delivers innovative and disruptive cyber technology through rapid experimental prototyping projects in support of Army and Joint force to fulfill critical operational gaps and enhance lethality of cyber forces. CEID’s guiding principles are collaborating/partnering jointly across DoD (Army Futures Command, Combatant Commands/Army Service Component Commands, and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), industry, and academia as well as coordinating with Programs of Record to integrate and transition state of the art cyber prototype technologies.

• RAPPO rapidly and efficiently researches, develops, tests, evaluates, procures, transitions, and/or fields critical enabling technologies and capabilities as prototypes address near-term, and mid-term threats. RAPPO’s operating principles include fielding experimental prototypes with residual combat capability to Soldiers, providing options to the Army’s ‘unit of action’ level that are postured for transition into a Program of Record.

• C-sUAS Project Office rapidly and efficiently researches, develops, tests, evaluates, procures, transitions, and/or fields critical enabling technologies and capabilities as prototypes address near-term, and mid-term threats. C-sUAS’ operating principles include fielding experimental prototypes with residual combat capability to Soldiers, providing options to the Army and/or other Service’s ‘unit of action’ level that are postured for transition into a Program of Record. In addition to prototyping, C-sUAS will execute enabling technology to support the DoD C-sUAS training, testing, threat exploitation, and swarming UAS development.

• The Multi-Domain Artillery Cannon System (MDACS) is comprised of four key components—the Multi-Domain Artillery Cannon (MDAC), Multi-Function Precision Radar (MFPR), Multi-Domain Battle Manager (MDBM), and Hypervelocity Projectiles (HVP)—MDACS offers both integrated and standalone Air Missile Defense (AMD). This scalable and rapid-response capability leverages advanced technologies to detect, track, and engage threats in a rapidly changing environment, ensuring the safety and security of personnel, assets, and critical infrastructure.

1. Research Interests

# Research Interest (RI) Description Potential Technology Areas

Long Range Precision Fires (Army Modernization Priority #1)

Provide massed, mobile, operational-level kinetic and non-kinetic strike options to restore overmatch, improve deterrence, and disrupt Anti- Access/Area-Denial (A2/AD) on a complex, contested, and expanded battlefield

• Propulsion technologies

• Enhanced guidance/navigation

• Advanced energetics

• Next-generation RADARs

• Gunnery Analytics

Next Gen Combat Vehicles (Army Modernization Priority #2)

Develop technologies that realize weight, sustainment, and cost-per-unit savings.

Improve the ability to survive and win in the complex and densely urbanized terrain of a distributed battlefield where all domains are continually contested.

• Vehicle protection

• Robotics and Autonomous

Systems (RAS)

• Advanced power generation and storage

• Advanced off-road mobility

• Advanced materials

• Autonomy constructs

• Artificial Intelligence/Machine

Learning for Autonomy

Future Vertical Lift (Army Modernization Priority #3)

Aviation platforms and technologies to enable unmanned and autonomous operation, reconnaissance, utility, and operation in dense urban terrain.

• Next-generation unmanned aircraft system technologies

• Novel materials for aviation protection

• Improved situational awareness

• Advanced power systems

• Autonomy constructs

• Artificial Intelligence, Machine

Learning, and Autonomy

Network with hardware, software, and infrastructure (Army Modernization Priority #4)

Provide reliable network communications in a congested environment that is secure against attack from peer adversaries. Using a unified network architecture, provide communications for command, control, and intelligence assets using a common operating environment for seamless plug-and-play operability.

• Secure Tactical Communications

• Interoperable hardware, software, and information systems

• Cyber offensive and defensive technologies

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning for autonomous network functions

• Networking applications capable of distributed command/control and rapid decision making

• Electromagnetic wave threat identification, location, and spoofing

• Assured Position, Navigation, and Timing in a signal denied environment

• Cyber in support of persistent Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions

• Mesh networking techniques using commercial and military satellite constellations

Air and Missile Defense (Army Modernization Priority #5)

Reduce the cost curve of missile defense, restore overmatch, survive volley-fire attacks, and operate within contested domains

• High Energy Lasers

• Counter-tactical and small unmanned air systems (UAS) capabilities

• Advanced seekers

• Advanced energetics and propulsion

• Next-generation RADARs

Soldier Lethality (Army Modernization Priority #6)

Improve Soldier and small unit performance, reduce surprise, increase protection, enhance lethality, and improved training regiments for complex, urban terrain.

• Small arms weapons, ammo and fire control

• Augmented Reality / Virtual Reality (AR/VR) for Synthetic Training Environments

• Improved Soldier protection equipment (e.g., body armor, head borne protection)

• Improved situational awareness and communications

• Digital Soldier technologies (e.g., AR/VR displays)

• Optimized and enhanced human performance

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

(AI/ML)

AI/ML research in areas, which can reduce the cognitive burden on humans and improve overall performance through human-machine teaming.

• Autonomous, intelligent maneuver and behaviors of autonomous ground and air vehicles – object recognition, threat warning, etc.

• Ability to analyze large, diverse data sets to predict enemy intent and behaviors

• Technologies to ensure robust, resilient, and intelligent networking, cyber, electronic warfare and analysis of adversary signals

• Data analysis capabilities to engage with and exploit classified and unclassified sources in order to produce enhanced intelligence products

• Techniques to fuse data from disparate sources to improve a particular mission

Assured Position, Navigation, and Timing

(PNT)

New PNT technologies, which could be key enablers for many capabilities including autonomous vehicles,

• PNT technologies which operate reliably in GPS-degraded or denied areas which cannot be exploited by adversaries communications, and land navigation.

• Enhancements to commercial technologies to enable them to meet Army needs

• Robust security techniques for PNT at all levels

• PNT-enabled guidance and control

• Algorithms and techniques to fuse data from multiple PNT sources to provide robust capabilities

9 Robotics & Autonomous Platforms

RAS ground and air vehicles, which must operate in open, urban and cluttered environments.

• Ability to move in very cluttered, irregular, urban and underground terrains

• Ability to move effectively in contested environments and survive attacks

• Technologies to enable low electronic and physical profiles

• Techniques to allow operators to be trained quickly even for complex tasks

• Architectures to enable reprogrammable platforms under dynamic conditions

• Sensors to detect obscured targets and to characterize terrain obstacles

• Autonomous ground and air structures, propulsion, and mobility components

• Technologies to significantly reduce logistical burdens

10 Communications and Networks

Critical the Army maintain secure, reliable communications for Soldiers, vehicles and at fixed locations even in austere environments.

• Concepts and methodologies to enable robust, secure networks

• Protocols

• Network interoperability including multi-national partners

• High efficiency components

11 Protection Army faces a number of current and future threats which it must address to protect its Soldiers.

• Sensors to detect chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive threats

• Lightweight, easy to manufacture armor

• Cyber protection technologies, methodologies, and concepts to protect Army systems including Soldiers, platforms, networks, and munitions

• Human performance optimization to endure harsh and extenuating conditions

12 Quantum Technologies

Army seeks to better employ quantum sciences in a number of areas to improve the performance and security of its future systems.

• Quantum computing to solve highly complex problems in real time

• Quantum sensing to achieve highly sensitive characterization of activities and environments and enable highly accurate navigation

13 Sensing

Army is interested in developing a detailed understanding of the environments and activities in the areas where it operates.

• Detect people, equipment, weapons, and any other object or action of interest

• Detect all targets even when obscured

• Detect based upon, physical, behavioral, cyber or other signatures

14 Optical Augmentation

Army is interested in Pre shot detection capabilities, to enhance preemptive engagement.

• Identify threats prior to engagement

• Identify or disrupt acquisition of target prior to initiation of threat

15 Swarm and Anti-Swarm

Army seeks an offensive or defensive swarm capability in any area across the spectrum of Army operations.

• Expendable systems that rely on large numbers, individual autonomy, and cooperation

• Defensive capability providing advancements in utilizing and defeating swarm behaviors

• Ability to predict effects of a given set of rules and automatically accomplish a desired team result

• Offer a cost-effective solution compared to existing Army systems

16 Loitering Air Munitions

(LAM)

Army is interested in fully autonomous LAM.

• Ability to automatically seek and make engagement decisions

• Key objectives include improvements to times on missions, longer distance/flight times, ability to carry heavier payloads, and reduced radar signatures

Contested Logistics, Predictive Maintenance, and Supply Chain Management

The Army seeks to improve movement, maintenance, and better tracking of equipment, fuel, ammo, systems, and people.

• Asset visibility in contested environments

• Predictive and preventative maintenance using ML

• Enhancing supply chain management with better visibility of assets and lower costs

• Reducing the “tail” of the logical supply chains

• Establish and maintain access to forces and supplies across the diverse conflict spectrums while mitigating the impact of ground-based operations and naval blockades, anti-access/area denial (A2/AD), and degraded communications environment

2. Deliverable Items

Potential deliverables will be identified through the DD Form 1423 CDRL as described in each contract or agreement awarded against any RFWP as a result of a specific WP on through this BAA. All awards will include at least the following:

CDRL, A001 – Project Summary Report, due either monthly or quarterly, continually determining the status of the effort and report progress toward accomplishment of contract requirements.

CDRL, A002 – Contract Funds Status Report, due either monthly or quarterly, continually determining the status of funding required for contract performance.

CDRL, A003 – Final Technical Report due at the end of the contract term, documenting all technical work accomplished and information gained during the performance of this contract. This shall include all pertinent observations, nature of problems, positive as well as negative results, and design criteria established, where applicable. The details of all technical work shall be documented to permit full understanding of the techniques and procedures used in evolving technology or processes developed. Separate design, engineering, or process specifications delivered during this contract shall be cross-referenced to permit a full understanding of the total acquisition.

CDR, A004 – Technical Data Package as specified in the RFP as a result of a specific WP.

3. Schedule

The over-arching strategy of this five-year open BAA is to quickly and efficiently execute research and development to deliver practical solutions to urgent problems. These efforts are anticipated to entail rapidly (usually less than 36 months) integrating existing technology into field testable, functional prototypes of solutions to military problems in the major RIs.

4. Other Requirements

a. Classified facility and storage clearance: If classified material is involved, it will be stated in the Request for Proposal (RFP) (by invitation only) and a draft DD Form 254 will be issued with the request. If a DD Form 254 is applicable, respondents must verify their Cognizant Security Office information is current with the Defense

Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) at https://www.dcsa.mil/ with their proposals.

b. Telecommunications Electronics Materials Protected (TEMPEST): If a RFP as a result of a specific WP under this BAA requires generation of classified material, such generation is authorized only on equipment approved for classified processing by Army TEMPEST authorities.

c. Export Control: Information involved in this research effort may be subject to Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730-774) or the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) (22 CFR Parts 120-130). If the project is subject to export control, then a Certified DD Form 2345, Military Critical Technical Data Agreement, will be required with the proposal. Only entities holding a certification under the US/Canada Joint Certification Program (JCP) are allowed access to such data.

For more information, see the below website https://www.dla.mil/HQ/LogisticsOperations/Services/JCP/www.dlis.dla.mil/jcp/

For questions, contact the Joint Certification Program Office at JCP- Admin@dla.mil or at the U.S./Canada Joint Certification Office, Defense Logistics Agency, Logistics Information Service, Federal Center, 74 Washington Avenue, North Battle Creek, MI 49037-3084 and telephone number (800) 352-3572.

d. Data Rights: The Government anticipates all technical data, software and deliverables delivered under any resulting contract or agreement will be delivered with unlimited rights; however, different rights may be negotiated as appropriate.

5. Other Information

a. Government Furnished Property (GFP) availability: GFP may be involved. If applicable, it will be identified in the RFP (by invitation only) or may be proposed by the respondent associated with its proposed effort. The Government, however, is under no obligation to comply with such requests. Therefore, respondents should make provision for alternate technical approaches in the event the Government is unwilling to provide the property requested.

b. Base Support: Base support may be involved. If applicable, it will be identified in the RFP (by invitation only) or may be proposed by the respondent associated with its proposed effort.

c. Network Access: Network access to DoD computer networks and systems may be involved. If applicable, it will be identified in the RFP (by invitation only).

https://www.dcsa.mil/ https://www.dla.mil/HQ/LogisticsOperations/Services/JCP/www.dlis.dla.mil/jcp/ mailto:JCP-Admin@dla.mil mailto:JCP-Admin@dla.mil

d. Hazardous Material: Specific programs may involve the use of hazardous materials. If applicable, respondents will be required to identify hazardous materials in its proposal.

e. Associate Contractor Provision: Specific programs may be subject to inclusion of an associate contractor provision. If applicable, it will be stated in the RFP (by invitation only).

f. Technology Transition: Respondents are strongly encouraged to engage commercial and military end-users and commercial manufacturers from program inception. The engagement of these communities also helps ensure that the various technologies being developed will be commercially viable and available to the military.

In addition, respondents are requested to identify any known U.S. Patent, which may cover any of the work to be done under the BAA. This includes patents owned by the respondent or licenses to the respondent. With respect to its patents, respondent shall indicate whether those patents will be licenses to the Government and/or its contractors under the BAA and if so, for how much. With respect to licensed patents, respondents shall identify the patent owner and whether the license terms will be provided to the Army upon request. In addition, identified patents may include those owned by third parties of concern to the respondent for potential infringement.

g. Organizational Conflict of Interest: Specific programs may be subject to organizational conflict of interest provisions. If applicable, it will be stated in the

RFP.

Award Information

1. Awards

a. The RCCTO reserves the right to make multiple awards, no awards, or a single award, subject to the limitations of fiscal year funding. The Government contracting officer shall have sole discretion to select award instrument type, regardless of instrument type proposed, and to negotiate all instrument terms and conditions with selectees. Proposals selected for award negotiation may result in a procurement contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) depending upon the nature of the work proposed, the required degree of interaction between parties, and other factors.

b. Award(s) against this BAA can be made up to two years after the notification of selectability. All prospective respondents should be aware that due to unanticipated budget fluctuations, funding in any or all areas may change with little or no notice.

c. The RCCTO reserves the right to:

• Segregate portions of resulting awards into pre-priced options. For example, RCCTO’s goal is to facilitate transition of technology into acquisition programs. Therefore, options may be included for further testing or incremental/successive developmental efforts, including but not limited to the use of a “technical gate” system. These options can be executed by the cognizant contracting activity at their discretion and with no requirement to move forward with any particular option.

• Accept proposals in their entirety or to select only portions of proposals for award. For example, RCCTO may be interested in awarding for only a certain portion (or portions) of a full proposal. This BAA provides flexibility to make an award for only those portions or tasks of the full proposal that are of interest to the Army. Respondent will be notified in writing if the RCCTO intends to make an award based on its full proposal. The notification will indicate if all or only portions of the full proposal will be included in the award.

• Fund proposals in increments and/or with options for continued work at the end of one or more phases at the Government’s discretion.

• Request additional documentation once the award instrument has been determined.

• Remove respondents from award consideration should the parties fail to reach agreement on award terms within a reasonable time or the respondent fails to provide requested additional information in a timely manner.

d. The Government will apply publication or other restrictions, as necessary, if it determines that the research resulting from the proposed effort will present a high likelihood of disclosing performance characteristics of military systems or manufacturing technologies that are unique and critical to defense. Any award resulting from such a determination will include a requirement for Government permission before publishing any information or results on the program.

2. Contracted Fundamental Research

Pursuant to DoD policy, research performed under contracts and grants that are a) funded by Budget Activity 2 (Applied Research) and NOT performed on-campus at a university or b) funded by Budget Activity 3 (Advanced Technology Development) or Budget Activity 4 (Advanced Component Development and Prototypes) does not meet the definition of “contracted fundamental research.” In conformance with the USD (AT&L) guidance and National Security Decision Directive 189, the RCCTO will place no restriction on the conduct or reporting of unclassified “contracted fundamental research,” except as otherwise required by statue, regulation or executive order. For certain research projects, it may be possible that although the research being performed by the prime contractor is restricted research, a subcontractor may be conducting “contracted fundamental research.” In those cases, it is the prime contractor’s responsibility in the proposal to identify and describe the subcontracted unclassified research and include a statement confirming that the work has been scoped, negotiated, and determined to be fundamental research according to the prime contractor and research performer.

Normally, fundamental research is awarded under grants with universities and under contracts with industry. Non-fundamental research is normally awarded under contracts and may require restrictions during the conduct of the research and DoD pre-publication review of such research results due to subject matter sensitivity. Prospective respondents should consult with the appropriate RCCTO Technical POCs to determine whether the proposed effort would constitute fundamental or non-fundamental research.

3. Funded Amount and Period of Performance

There is no “a priori judgment” regarding the number or size of individual awards or the allocation of total research and development funds across the technology solutions.

There are no specified funding limitations identified for respondents submitted under this BAA. Budgets are approved commensurate with the nature and complexity of the proposed research and based on supportable and verifiable estimates. No specific amount of funding has been set aside for this BAA, and the number of awards is indeterminate and contingent upon funding availability. Available funding, research goals, and program portfolios of funded projects vary. Each of these factors are influenced by changes in military science and technology, operational requirements, military threat assessments, and national defense strategies. Therefore, projects recommended for funding are continually reprioritized based on the current needs of the program. No instrument of whatever kind (e.g., contract, agreement) will be awarded until appropriate funds are made available. The ceiling for all years is undetermined but is not expected to exceed $1B per fiscal year.

The desired period of performance for awards is up to 3 years; however, based upon the scope of the proposed effort, the Government and a respondent may agree to a period of performance which exceeds 3 years.

4. Instrument Type(s)

Awards may take the form of procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or other transactions (including Other Transactions for Prototype, Other Transactions for Research, and Technology Investment Agreements) as a result of full proposals (by invitation only) in response to this BAA. The Government reserves the right to select the instrument type most appropriate for the effort proposed. Refer to Appendix C for brief descriptions of potential instrument types.

Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Respondents

a. All responsible sources from academia, industry, and the research community may submit proposals under this BAA. No portion of this BAA will be set aside for Small Business or other socio-economic participation. All businesses both small and large are encouraged to submit WPs and compete for funding consideration.

b. Proposals for renewal or supplementation of existing projects are eligible to compete with applications for new awards under this BAA.

c. Pursuant to the policy of FAR 35.017 and supplements, selected Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) may propose under this BAA as allowed by their sponsoring agency and in accordance with their sponsoring agency policy.

d. In accordance with FAR 9.5, respondents are required to identify and disclose all facts relevant to potential Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI) involving the respondent’s organization and any respondent’s team member (subawardee, consultant). Under this Section, the respondent is responsible for providing this disclosure with each WP and full proposal submitted under this BAA. The disclosure must include the respondent’s, and as applicable, proposed team member’s OCI mitigation plan. The OCI mitigation plan must include a description of the actions the respondent has taken, or intends to take, to prevent the existence of conflicting roles that might bias the respondent’s judgment and to prevent the respondent from having unfair competitive advantage. The OCI mitigation plan will specifically discuss the disclosed OCI in the context of each of the OCI limitations outlined in FAR 9.505-1 through FAR 9.505-4.

e. Notice to Foreign-Owned Firms: Such firms (foreign owned, controlled, or influenced) are advised to immediately notify the Contracting Point of Contact cited in this BAA before submitting a WP. Foreign contractors should be aware that restrictions apply which could preclude its participation in a program.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

There is no required cost sharing, matching, or cost participation for eligible respondents under this BAA. Exceptions may exist if the respondent is proposing the use of a TIA or an OTA as an award instrument. Cost-sharing requirements for TIAs may be found at 32 CFR 37. Applicable statutory conditions relating to OTs may be found at 10 U.S.C. 4021 and 10 USC 4022.

In addition, if cost sharing is proposed on a grant or cooperative agreement proposal submitted by a nonprofit or institution of higher education, the award will be subject to the restrictions at 2 CFR 200.306. If cost sharing is proposed on a contract proposal, the award will be subject to the restrictions at FAR 35.003.

3. Other

a. Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS):

https://www.fapiis.gov/fapiis/index.action will be checked prior to making all awards, regardless of award instrument.

b. System for Award Management (SAM): An Respondent must be actively registered in the SAM databased located at https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ to be eligible for award.

c. There are no limits to the number of WPs a respondent may submit.

Application and Submission Information

1. Address to View Broad Agency Announcement

This BAA may be accessed from the websites below. Amendments, if any, to this BAA will be posted to these websites when they occur. Interested parties are encouraged to periodically check these websites for updates and amendments.

a. Contracting: https://sam.gov/

b. Federal Grants: https://www.grants.gov/

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

a. General Information

All submissions will be protected from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with FAR 15.207, applicable law, and DoD/Army regulations. It is the intent of the RCCTO to treat all WPs as procurement sensitive before award and to disclose their contents only for the purpose of evaluation.

Respondents are expected to appropriately mark each page of its submission that contains proprietary information. For data that the respondent does not want disclosed to the public for any purpose, or used by the Government except for evaluation purposes, the entity shall mark the title page with the following legend:

“This proposal includes data that shall not be disclosed outside the Government and shall not be duplicated, used, or disclosed -- in whole or in part – for any https://www.fapiis.gov/fapiis/index.action https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ https://sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ purpose other than to evaluate the proposal. If, however, a contract or agreement is awarded to this respondent as a result of -- or in connection with – the submission of this data, the Government shall have the right to duplicate, use, or disclose the data to the extent provided in the resulting contract or agreement. This restriction does not limit the Government’s right to use information contained in this data if it is obtained from another source without restriction. The data subject to this restriction are contained in (insert numbers or other identification of sheets).”

Each sheet of data that the respondent wishes to restrict must be marked with the following legend:

“Use or disclosure of data contained on this sheet is subject to the restriction on the title page of this proposal.”

The respondent must also identify any technical data or computer software contained in the WP that is to be treated by the Government as limited rights in technical data or restricted rights in computer software. In the absence of such identification, the Government will conclude there are no limitations or restrictions on technical data or computer software included in the WP. Records or data bearing a restrictive legend may be included in the WP.

Care must be exercised to ensure that classified, sensitive, and critical technologies are not included in a WP. If such information is required, appropriate restrictive markings and procedures should be applied prior to submission of the WP.

b. WP Requirements

This announcement is an expression of interest only and does not commit the Government to make any award or to pay for any proposal preparation costs. The cost of proposal preparation for response to a BAA is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resultant contract or any other contract; however, it may be an allowable expense to the normal bid and proposal indirect cost specified in FAR 31.205-18.

(1) Format:

• Paper size – 8.5” x 11”.

• Margins (top, bottom, left and right) – 1”.

• Spacing – single-spaced. Each paragraph must be separated by one blank line.

• Font – Arial or Times New Roman, 12 point.

• Characters shall be set at no less than normal spacing and 100% scale.

• Page limit on Section 1 – Executive Summary (using Attachment 01, no other format will be considered) to no more than 3 pages.

• Page limit on Section 2 – Technical Concept to no more than 10 pages.

• If the submittal exceeds the specified page limitation, the excess pages will be removed and not considered in the evaluation.

(2) Submission:

• Electronic copy (i.e., email) provided to the Contract Specialist and

Contracting Officer.

• In the email subject line, include the phrase “Whitepaper Submission,” BAA-

W50RAJ-24-S-0001, research topic number from Section XXX of this BAA.

• Size per email shall not exceed 9MB.

• Use Microsoft Word compatible or PDF format.

• Do not encrypt and/or password protect submission.

• WP shall retain their terms for 180 days and remain selectable for up to two years (with minimal changes anticipated).

• All proprietary data must bear appropriate restricted markings.

• Number each page and identify the entity name, date, and BAA number in the header and/or footer.

• Shall not contain any classified data or information.

(3) Content:

The WP shall consist of two sections: Section 1 – Executive Summary and Section 2 – Technology Description. For Section 1 – Executive Summary, the respondent shall complete Attachment 01 (no other format will be considered). For Section 2 – Technology Description, the respondent shall provide the following:

Section 2 – Technology Description

• Technical Objectives: briefly state the objective(s) of the proposed effort.

• Technology Description: describe the technology or technical approach in sufficient detail to provide an accurate and factual understanding of its theory, functionality, and operation. If appropriate, provide an overall schematic of the technology. Discuss how the technology is innovative. Compare it to the state-of-the-art, if relevant.

• Technology Maturity: Provide evidence the technology is mature enough for demonstration (include references and funding history). Discuss any development or design work that is required prior to demonstration.

• Technical Approach: Structure the technical approach in terms of tasks to be accomplished. Clearly define the performance objectives for the technology, including their associated performance metrics, data requirements, and success criteria, and provide a table containing this information. Within the technical approach, provide a broad overview of the test design of the demonstration proposed for evaluating the technology and the scale of the proposed test.

• Technical Risks: identity potential issues of concern and technical risks in taking the technology from its current state to the proposed scale of demonstration. Identify any assumptions that have been made that, if not realized, could impact the successful implementation of the project. Discuss risk mitigation and management.

c. Full Proposal Requirements

Full proposals are by invitation only via a contracting officer’s notification. The format, submission, and content will be included in the proposal invitation.

3. System for Award Management (SAM) and Unique Entity Identifier

Each respondent (unless the respondent is an individual or Federal awarding agency that is exempt from those requirements under 2 CFR 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exemption approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR 25.110(d)) is required to:

a. Be registered in the SAM prior to submission. SAM may be accessed at https://www.sam.gov.

b. Maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has a Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency.

c. Provide a valid unique entity identifier (formerly DUNS) in its submission.

The RCCTO may not make a Federal award to an respondent until the respondent has complied with all applicable SAM and unique entity identifier requirements. If a respondent has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the RCCTO is ready to make a Federal award, the RCCTO may determine that the respondent is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another respondent.

4. Submission Dates and Times

As previously stated, this is a continuously open BAA throughout the period from 18 June 2024 to 18 June 2029. However, amendments to this BAA, if any, will be periodically publicized to https://sam.gov/ as ‘special notices’ to detail specific areas of interest and solicit information and solutions. The special notices will outline the timeline and information submission requirements. Interested parties are encouraged to periodically check for updates and amendments.

At any time during the five-year active period for this BAA, any eligible entity may submit a WP describing its ability to enhance one or multiple RIs. Multiple WPs within the purview of this announcement may be submitted.

https://sam.gov/

WPs shall be submitted electronically via email to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer ONLY.

Contracting Officer: Hillary Roy Email: hillary.s.roy.civ@army.mil Phone: (256) 336-6328

Contract Specialist: Sydney Horn

Email: sydney.m.horn.civ@army.mil Phone: (256) 336-6024

Application Review Information

1. Evaluation Team

Respondents are hereby notified that the Government intends to utilize an evaluation team in the WP evaluation process and in determining which research projects should proceed to the next step. The evaluation team may consist of Government personnel, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC) personnel, Technical Services and Engineering Support personnel, Advisory and Assistance contractors and Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance personnel. Evaluation Team members will be required to sign nondisclosure forms and OGE Form 450s prior to their participation.

2. Evaluation Criteria

The following evaluation criteria will be the sole basis for reviewing WPs and full proposals submitted in response to this BAA.

a. WP Gate Criteria

WPs will be evaluated as “of interest” or “not of interest” based on the Warfighter Impact gate criteria. If any of the below assessments are determined to be ‘not of interest’, no further evaluation of the WP will be made. RCCTO has no obligation to make this determination within any specific period after receiving a WP.

(1) Warfighter Impact

• Assess whether there is a well-defined Army user for the technology.

• Assess whether the technology can be implemented within Army.

• Assess whether there are clearly identified activities that will support and enhance the transfer of the technology.

• Assess the potential for a successful transfer of the technology to the

Army.

• Assess whether the payoffs from the proposed technology are commensurate with the projected costs and risks.

• Assess whether the projected benefits are reasonable and consistent with the proposed technology.

• Assess whether the respondent demonstrates relevant technology and domain knowledge, the respondent’s capabilities, related experience, facilities, techniques, or unique combination of these which are integral factors to achieve the WP objectives.

• Assess timeframe.

b. Full Proposal Evaluation Criteria

After WP evaluation, the Government will contact all respondents and either request or not request each to submit a full proposal. At that time, detailed instructions will be provided for the full proposal format, submission, and content. Full proposals may not be submitted outside the WP process. Any full proposal that has not been reviewed in the WP phase will not be evaluated nor considered for award under this BAA.

The evaluation team will evaluate the full proposal(s) on the following criteria (descending order of importance):

(1) Overall Scientific and Technical Merit:

• Consider the degree of innovation, soundness of technical concept, respondent’s awareness of the state of the art and understanding of the scope of the problem, significance and originality of the technical approach and effort needed to address/solve the problem, and anticipated scientific impact within the field.

• Consider the extent to which deliverables are clearly defined such that a viable attempt to achieve project goals is likely -- as a result of award.

• Consider the major technical risks and feasible mitigation efforts.

• Consider whether the technical team is qualified to execute the proposed project.

(2) Relevance to the Army Mission and Potential Contribution:

• Consider the respondent’s understanding of the technical and operational issues associated with military applications of the proposed technology and the contributions of the effort to the Army specific mission.

• Consider the potential of the technology for significant improvements in defense capabilities.

To the extent appropriate, cost realism and reasonableness will also be considered when selecting proposals.

3. Review and Selection Process

a. Upon receipt of a full proposal, the evaluation team will perform an initial review of its scientific merit and potential contribution to the Army mission, and also determine if funds are expected to be available for the effort. Proposals not considering having sufficient scientific merit or relevance to the Army’s needs, or those in areas for which funds are not expected to be available, may not receive further review.

b. Conforming full proposals comply will all the requirements detailed in this BAA and applicable RFP as a result of a specific WP; full proposals that fail to do so may be deemed non-conforming and may be removed from consideration.

c. The full proposal must stand on its own merits as submitted.

d. Each full proposal will be evaluated based on the evaluation criteria in Section II.E.2.B. of this BAA rather than against other proposals for research in the same general area.

e. Upon completion of an evaluation against the criteria in Section II.E.2.B., a proposal selected for possible award will be analyzed for the realism and reasonableness of costs. Proposed costs must be determined reasonable and realistic before the Government can make an award.

f. The technical evaluation will classify full proposals into the following three categories:

(1) Category I: Demonstrates technical merit. Important to agency programs.

Cost/Price is reasonable and realistic. Proposals in Category I are recommended for acceptance (subject to availability of…