BAA_20080211_APPROVED.doc

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT

BAA-08-RD-01

Air Force Research Laboratory/Directed Energy Directorate

ANNOUNCEMENT OVERVIEW

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT TITLE: High Energy Research & Applications (HERA) 5-Year Broad Agency Announcement with CALLS

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: BAA-08-RD-01

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER(S): 12.800 AIRFORCE DEFENSE RESEARCH SCIENCES PROGRAM and 12.910 RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

BRIEF PROGRAM SUMMARY:

This is a 5-year Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) with CALLS describing the research areas of interest for the High Energy Research and Applications (HERA) program. Multiple awards of contracts of various values are anticipated with a period of performance ranging from 6 to 60 months. Periodically over the 5-year period, proposal call announcements (CALLS) may be issued in the FedBizOpps/EPS to request proposals for specific research efforts under technical areas. These subsequent CALLS will contain specific descriptions of the research effort to be addressed, anticipated period of performance, information peculiar to the specific research technical area, and the expected dollar range for proposals received under the CALL.

PROPOSAL DUE DATE AND TIME: This BAA will remain open for a period of 5 years from the date of publication. NO PROPOSALS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED AGAINST THIS BASELINE BAA. Proposal due dates and times will be specified in each CALL. Proposals received after the due date and time specified in the CALL shall be governed by the provisions of FAR 52.215-1(c) (3).

ESTIMATED PROGRAM COST: Anticipated funding for the program (not per contract or award) is: FY08 $18.7M; FY09 $19.1M; FY10 $20.7M; FY11 $20.7M; FY12 $20.7M, total program funding of $100M. This funding profile is an estimate only and will not be a contractual obligation for funding. All funding is subject to change due to Government discretion and availability. All potential offerors should be aware that due to unanticipated budget fluctuations, funding in any or all areas may change with little or no notice.

GENERAL INFORMATION: The applicable NAICS code for this announcement is 541712 with a size standard of 500 employees. This acquisition is unrestricted. This BAA is issued under the provisions of Federal Acquisition Regulation paragraph 6.102(d)(2) that provides for the competitive selection of research proposals. Proposals submitted in response to CALLS issued pursuant to this BAA that are selected for award are considered to be the results of full and open competition and in full compliance with the provisions of PL 98-369, the Competition In Contracting Act of 1984. There will be no other announcement issued for this requirement. Offerors MUST monitor FedBizOpps/EPS http://www.fbo.gov and/or Grants.gov/FIND http://www.grants.gov in the event this announcement is amended or CALLS are issued. Due to past problems with posting notices to Grants.gov/FIND, offerors are advised to monitor both websites to ensure timely receipt of notifications.

TYPE OF CONTRACTS/INSTRUMENTS: The Government may award any appropriate contract type under the Federal Acquisition Regulation or Other Transaction (OT) for Prototype, grant, cooperative agreement, or OT for Research. The Air Force may also consider award of an appropriate technology transfer mechanism if applicable. It is anticipated that awards under this BAA will generally be cost plus fixed fee or cost plus incentive fee, completion form contracts/task orders, which require successful offerors to have an accounting system considered adequate for tracking costs applicable to the contract.

ANTICIPATED NUMBER OF AWARDS: The Air Force anticipates awarding a minimum of one contract or assistance instrument per specific CALL. However, the Air Force does reserve the right to make multiple awards or no awards pursuant to a CALL.

Technical Point of Contact: The technical point of contact for this BAA is Mr. Jonathan Hull, AFRL/RDHP, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone 505-846-2651, Fax 505-846-9853, Email Jon.Hull@Kirtland.af.mil.

Contracting Points of Contact: The contracting points of contact for this BAA are: Contract Specialist: Ms. Rita Varley , Det 8 AFRL/RDKP, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone 505-846-4398, Fax 505-853-3398, Email Rita.Varley@Kirtland.af.mil or Contracting Officer: Ms. Jill Wodochek, Det 8 AFRL/RDK, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone 505-846-4417, Fax 505-853-3398, Email Jill.Wodochek@Kirtland.af.mil.

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT

BAA-08-RD-01

Air Force Research Laboratory/Directed Energy Directorate

FULL TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT

1. REQUIREMENT DESCRIPTION

A. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Directed Energy Directorate (RD) is interested in receiving proposals from all offerors to advance the state-of-the-art and scientific knowledge in directed energy technology. Proposals that either enable high power electromagnetic source development; pulsed power and pulsed power systems R&D; prime power systems; theoretical and computational R&D; technology demonstrator or prototype development, integration, operation, demonstration and testing to meet performance, reliability, maintainability, supportability and affordability goals, or which enhance performance or significantly reduce cost, schedule, or risk of existing technologies, are of particular interest.

B. This is a 5-year Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) with CALLS describing the research areas of interest for the High Energy Research & Applications (HERA) program. Multiple awards of contracts of various values are anticipated with a period of performance ranging from 6 to 60 months. The 5-year High Energy Research & Applications Broad Agency Announcement is being initiated via release of this baseline BAA 08-RD-01. Periodically over the 5-year period (calculated from the baseline BAA publication date), proposal call announcements (CALLS) under the BAA may be issued in the FedBizOpps/EPS to request proposals for specific research efforts under technical topic areas. These subsequent CALLS will contain specific descriptions of the research effort to be addressed, anticipated period of performance, information peculiar to the specific research technical topic area, and the expected dollar range for proposals received under the CALL. Each CALL will specify a proposal due date and time. Proposals received after the stated due date and time will be governed by FAR 52.215-1(c)(3). Multiple subsequent CALLS are anticipated and may be announced sequentially or concurrently in the FedBizOpps/EPS. The Government reserves the right to re-issue a previously announced CALL area with a second, subsequent proposal period. The Government also reserves the right to issue no CALLS for any given technology area.

C. There are five (5) specific technical areas included under the HERA program.

Technical Area 1. High Power Microwave (HPM) Source Development:

Preliminary results of the probability and effects testing and scenario modeling has indicated that high power microwave (HPM) and high power electromagnetic source power levels greater than 1 GW and average/continuous (CW) HPM systems capable of generating hundreds of kW to few MW are of interest to the HERA program, consistent with antenna gain and distance from target. The thrust of this activity is to:

· Identify and explore new or novel sources and reassess existing sources capable of generating greater that 1 GW peak power, and repetition rates in the 10s of hertz; also of interest are sources that can provide average/CW power of hundred of kW to few MW.

· Execute an experimental research program that will fully test sources including fabrication and modification of test equipment and diagnostic equipment, and the evaluation and analysis of test results.

· Downselect, design, fabricate and test the most likely candidate technologies based on modeling and experimental results.

· Coordinate source development with pulse power and antenna development after the downselection process has occurred.

Heavy reliance on and coordination between this technical area and the Theoretical and Computation R&D Technical Area 4 is expected. A further aspect of this technical area is to:

· Investigate, test, and fabricate antenna and antenna array concepts capable of adhering to volumetric requirements stemming from potential air vehicle concepts while obtaining sufficient gain to reach RF intensity goals on target at specified distances based on scenario development. Consistent with reaching intensity goals is to explore the phenomenon of air breakdown at various altitudes and conditions, and to explore the physics associated with radiating multi-GW RF pulses in space including partially ionized sources in a vacuum and diffraction of antenna patterns by the upper atmosphere. Work in this area may provide distinct, specialized products and fabrication techniques, unique diagnostics, and innovative methods to overcome air breakdown limits.

Technical Area 2. Pulsed Power (PP) and Pulsed Power Systems (PPS) R&D:

The goals of this technical area are to research and investigate new, innovative, or promising pulse power technologies, devices, and subsystems. This will involve all aspects of pulse power R&D relevant to HPM and other AFRL/RD applications. The work under this Technical Area includes:

· Hardware design, fabrication, assembly, and test of components associated with multi- megajoule, greater than ten megamp, terawatt, ten microsecond systems. Examples of pulse power devices and components include capacitors, inductors, fixed and dynamic (Electrically Exploded Fuse (EEF) and Explosively Formed Fuse (EFF)) resistors, transformers (air-core, ferrite-core, and partial-ferrite-core), over-volt and triggered switches (gas, vacuum, liquid metal, solid-state, and mechanical), insulators (gaseous, liquid, and solid-state), and diodes (vacuum and solid-state). Examples of pulse power subsystems include capacitor banks, explosive magnetic flux compression generators (FCGs), Marx generators, pulse forming networks (PFNs), pulse forming lines (PFLs), and pulsed power loads. Pulse power loads of interest include vacuum and solid-state HPM sources, implosion devices for intense radiation production, magnetic field compression devices to accelerate charged particles, plasma and hypervelocity projectile accelerators, etc. Particular emphasis will be given to reducing system, subsystem, or component size, weight, efficiency, lifetime and cost, increasing performance, or improving reliability and robustness.

This Technical Area also includes the exploration and development of pulse power systems that drive HPM systems, charged particle beam systems, and other pulsed systems at required repetition rates and power levels, and ultimately to reach required volume and mass limits to achieve system requirements that may stem from the various technical areas. The scope of this effort includes:

· Designing, fabricating, testing, and integrating various pulse power technologies and prime power systems utilizing systems engineering approach into a compact PPS driver(s) integrated to HPM source(s). Examples of integrated PPS include single-shot flux compression generator-based inductive storage-pulse conditioning systems for narrow-band HPM tube loads, compact, rep-rated Marx-generator based systems for driving narrow-band or ultra-wide-band HPM sources, and conventional capacitor-bank systems with dynamic vacuum implosion loads.

Some research efforts are expected to be directed at continuous wave converters, oscillators, amplifiers, phased arrays, and wide-band generators. Further efforts will be devoted towards modifying existing pulse power systems to accommodate new HPM or charged particle beam loads of various impedances. Particle beam load drivers will be used to reliably achieve full current delivery to drive solid armature or solid liner implosion loads. Some of these systems include the use of a main pulse driver with two or more auxiliary pulsed power discharges fired with controlled timing relative to the main discharge, with timing jitters as small as 20 nanoseconds.

Additional pulse power system work will include development of explosive magnetic flux compression generators that produce megamps to tens of megamps of current, and megajoules to tens of megajoules of magnetic energy, and the development of high current opening switches in the 10-20 megamp, 5 megajoule range with opening times less than 300 nanoseconds. Pulse power systems work may include:

· Fielding remote experiment operations including the pulsed power system and load, fast photography, and radiation diagnostics.

This technical area will explore fundamental research into the areas of hardware systems, subsystems, and diagnostic tools/hardware, which in turn will be used to test physical and/or engineering principles. Diagnostics must be capable of measuring at least the current, voltage, and magnetic field in physical areas associated with experiments that produce hostile blast, debris, radiation fields and thermal environments. Unique diagnostics include the ability to radiograph the types of experiments included in Technical Areas 2 and 3, including solid, armature, and solid liner implosion loads, with multiple radiographs at different, controlled times. The timing jitters associated with radiography will of necessity be as small as 20 nanoseconds. Research and experiments will be conducted with the goal of enhancing energy coupling efficiencies, increasing power (trillion watt range) delivered from a PPS driver to an output (experimental) load, mating advanced weapons concept devices to HPM generators, and develop hardware/techniques to characterize system performance.

Technical Area 3. Prime Power Systems:

The goal of this technical area is to explore new, efficient, compact, low-mass, prime sources of power for pulse power systems. This is an enabling technical area and innovative solutions are sought to drive pulse power systems at desired repetition rates to achieve high average power levels over short pulse trains. Areas of research for this technical area include:

· Design, development, modification, testing, and use of compact high-peak power limited lifetime devices, high voltage power supplies, compact transformers, motors, generators, batteries, thermal batteries, fuel cells, power conditioning, rotating machines, inverters, energy storage components, and the like.

· Investigation and modification of existing equipment designed specifically for use in or with existing HPM, PP, PPS, and future compact PP system design.

Technical Area 4. Theoretical and Computational R&D:

The objectives of this technical area are to develop theoretical techniques and computational tools to:

· Advance existing magneto-hydrodynamic codes and plasma modeling codes to verify HPM source concepts and various plasma application experiments.

· Conduct numerical analysis of such devices which typically employs multidimensional (two and three dimensional) computational physics software of various types. Examples include magneto-hydrodynamics (MHD) software, such as Mach2 and Mach3, for dense plasma phenomena; particle-in-cell (PIC) software, such as ICEPIC, MAGIC and SOS, for collisionless charged particle phenomena; computational electromagnetics (CEM) software, such as PARANA and HFSS, for particle-free electromagnetic phenomena; and other software.

· Explore the use of new materials, processes, and methods for improving the HPM source and subsystem performance characteristics, and efficiencies. This task area also encompasses the theoretical and numerical analysis of systems from the prime mover to the radiating structures to demonstrate scientific and engineering feasibility and assess mission effectiveness.

· Gain further understanding of microwave effects on various electronic systems. The objectives are to develop improved modeling and simulation capabilities for microwave effects on electronic systems, and evaluate various scenarios to predict microwave effectiveness in engagements.

· Conduct engagement level Model and Simulation (M&S) to address scale system requirements. For example, use of EADSIM to assess duty cycle impact on mission for airborne active denial.

· Describing the microwave power pattern, electric field, and magnetic field powered by a pulse waveform is highly desired as well as improving codes used in modeling the interaction between a HPM signal and a "target." These interactions include properly handling ground reflections, multi-path interference, side-lobe suppression techniques, and scattering and standing waves, to ultimately determine field quantities at various points in the problem.

· Determine scaling laws for frequency, growth rate, and studies of competing instabilities.

Technical Area 5. Technology Demonstrator or Prototype Development, Integration, Operation, Demonstration and Testing The objective of this technical area is to develop, simulate, fabricate, test, demonstrate, package and fully integrate HPM and high power electromagnetic systems or prototypes according to form, fit, and function requirements defined by AFRL/RDH. HPM technology includes but is not limited by, existing sources such as the Advanced Counter Electronic Source (ACES), or newly developed sources such at the Relativistic Magnetron (RelMag). High Power Electromagnetics may include technologies such as THz sources and systems or millimeter wave sources and systems. The intentions of this task area are to deliver aerial and ground based HPM weapon systems to the end user that is close to an end product. This task includes:

· Conceptual studies, system designs, design drawings, fabrication of subsystems, system integration, engineering and technician support in servicing (including spares) and operating such prototype for purpose of testing and demonstration. Emphasis should be placed on balancing risk, use of commercial of the shelf (COTS), state-of-the art and/or new subsystem technologies for full system design and development.

· Platforms to be considered for system integration and demonstrator development should include but not be limited to land and airborne systems.

· For both the ground and aerial HPM system, military feasibility studies of the integrated package, survivability studies, testing for EMI/EMC, testing individual components, testing the overall system, operator manuals, engineering and technician support, and demonstrating the system in an operational realistic environment.

· For both the ground and aerial HPM systems satisfying form and fit requirements of the end user by designing or replacing components with more efficient, smaller, or lighter technology. This fit requirement can also be satisfied by a redesign of the overall system or the redesign of the orientation of components to ensure the dimensions and weight is minimized.

· For aerial systems safety of flight and SEEK EAGLE (http://www.eglin.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet_print.asp?fsID=6735&page=1) standards should be taken into account for design of the end product. Additionally, survivability, fusing methods, delivery of the platform to one or more three-dimensional points in space, and internal/external modifications to the aerial platform should be taken into account. Due to the nature of the aerial platform, an in-depth understanding of air platforms is required as well as requirements of the United States Air Force concerning these types of systems should be understood. The aerial platform options may include current munitions type inventories and/or specifically designed systems for HPM payloads.

· For aerial HPM systems the delivery method includes fighter and/or bomber type aircraft. Detailed knowledge and understanding is required to successfully merge the aerial HPM system to the aircraft.

· For both the ground and aerial HPM systems the goal of the military feasibility studies is to determine the effectiveness and worthiness of the integrated system given the appropriate platform and HPM parameters. This includes studies of the effectiveness against targets sets such as centers of gravities and facilities with electronic systems.

· For both the ground and aerial HPM systems the goal of the survivability studies is to ensure the continued nominal operation of the integrated system in the presence of extremes such as, but not limited to, vibration, pressure, and temperature. The survivability study shall take into account the platform of the integrated system.

· For both the ground and aerial HPM systems the goal of the demonstration phase is to validate military feasibility and worthiness against realistic target sets and collateral effects on subsystems in real world scenarios. The demonstration shall take into account the platform of the integrated system. Platforms considered for system integration shall include but is not limited to airborne and mobile ground based systems.

D. The following data deliverables are representative of the types of data that may be required: (a) Program Plan with updates as needed; (b) Monthly Status/Financial Reports; (c) Scientific & Technical Report, draft and final; (d) Presentation Materials, (e) Patent Reports; (f) Unique Identification Designator (UID); (g) Test Plan; (h) Developmental Design Drawings and Associated Lists; (i) Technical Reports.

2. ANTICIPATED FUNDING

Anticipated funding for the program (not per contract or award): FY08 $18.7M; FY09 $19.1M; FY10 $20.7M; FY11 $20.7M; FY12 $20.7M, total program funding of $100M.

This funding profile is an estimate only and will not be a contractual obligation for funding.

All funding is subject to change due to Government discretion and availability. Each CALL will contain funding profiles specific to that effort. All potential offerors should be aware that due to unanticipated budget fluctuations, funding in any or all areas may change with little or no notice.

3. POINTS OF CONTACT

A. TECHNICAL POINTS OF CONTACT (TPOC).

1) The technical point of contact for this BAA is Mr. Jonathan Hull, AFRL/RDHP, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone 505-846-2651, Fax 505-846-9853, Email Jon.Hull@Kirtland.af.mil.

2) Each CALL will include specific technical area(s) point(s) of contact.

B. CONTRACTING POINTS OF CONTACT:

1) The contracting points of contact for this BAA are:

a) Contract Specialist: Ms. Rita Varley, Det 8 AFRL/RDKP, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone 505-846-4398, Fax 505-853-3398, Email Rita.Varley@Kirtland.af.mil.

b) Contracting Officer: Ms. Jill Wodochek, Det 8 AFRL/RDK, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone 505-846-4417, Fax 505-853-3398, Email Jill.Wodochek@Kirtland.af.mil.

2) Each CALL will include specific contracting points of contact.

C. OMBUDSMAN:

AFFARS CLAUSE 5352.201-9101 Ombudsman (AUG 2005) is hereby incorporated into this BAA and will be made a part of any awards based on this solicitation. The ombudsman for AFRL is Ms Sue Hunter, AFRL/PK, 1864 4th Street, Bldg 15, Room 225, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, 45433-7130, Phone 937.255.0432, Fax 937.255.5036, E-mail Sue.Hunter@wpafb.af.mil.

4. COMMUNICATIONS

A. Prospective offerors are reminded to contact the technical point of contact to verify interest in the effort to be proposed and the funding availability PRIOR to committing any resources to the preparation of any proposals in response to this announcement/CALL. Foreign owned firms are advised they are precluded from proposing.

B. Dialogue between prospective offerors and Government representatives is encouraged until submission of proposals. Discussions with any of the points of contact shall not constitute a commitment by the Government to subsequently fund or award any proposed effort. Only Contracting Officers are legally authorized to commit the Government.

C. NO PROPOSALS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED AGAINST THIS BASELINE BAA. Proposal due dates and times will be specified in each CALL. Proposals received after the due date and time specified in the CALL shall be governed by the provisions of FAR 52.215-1(c)(3).

D. There will be no other announcement issued for this requirement. Offerors MUST monitor FedBizOpps/EPS http://www.fbo.gov and/or Grants.gov/FIND http://www.grants.gov in the event this announcement is amended or CALLS are issued. Offerors must monitor these systems to ensure they receive the maximum proposal preparation time for subsequent amendments as this is the official notification vehicle to request proposals. Due to past problems with posting notices to Grants.gov/FIND, offerors are advised to monitor both websites to ensure timely receipt of notifications.

E. Potential offerors are requested to advise the contracting officer if they intend to submit a proposal in response to a CALL. Such notification is merely a courtesy and is not a commitment by the offeror to submit a proposal.

5. GENERAL INFORMATION

Potential offerors are advised of the following:

A. The applicable NAICS code for this announcement and any CALLS issued pursuant to this BAA is 541712 with a size standard of 500 employees.

B. This acquisition is unrestricted. This BAA is issued under the provisions of Federal Acquisition Regulation paragraph 6.102(d)(2) that provides for the competitive selection of research proposals. Proposals submitted in response to CALLS issued pursuant to this BAA that are selected for award are considered to be the results of full and open competition and in full compliance with the provisions of PL 98-369, the Competition In Contracting Act of 1984.

C. Organizational Conflict of Interest may apply to this action but cannot be determined prior to issuance of this announcement or subsequent CALLS. This issue and the need for applicable clauses will be resolved during each CALL and prior to the award of any instrument resulting from an offeror’s proposal.

D. Information critical to developing complete and responsive offers to Phillips Research Site (PRS). Contracting and assistance opportunities can be found in the PRS Contracting and Assistance Information Factsheet, which may be accessed at www.kirtland.af.mil/PRS/. Information on the factsheet includes Cost Proposal Instructions, PRS Representation and Certifications, Proposal Content Checklist, and Certificates for Grants and Cooperative Agreements.

E. Department of Defense (DOD) Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) (C31 Lab, Lincoln Laboratory, or Software Engineering Institute) may submit proposals in response to CALLS issued pursuant to this BAA. Other FFRDCs or contractors that propose using FFRDCs not discussed herein shall provide rationale in its proposal that the research is within the purpose, mission, general scope of effort or special competency of the FFRDC and that research to be performed would not place the FFRDC in direct competition with the private sector. The Government does not intend that FFRDCs use privileged information or access to facilities to compete with the private sector. If a contractor proposes using a FFRDC as a subcontractor, other than DOD-sponsored FFRDCs in the capacities discussed in DFARS 235.017, it must provide rationale in its proposal that supports the unique capability of the FFRDC. Also, the contractor’s proposal must demonstrate that the FFRDC can accept work from other than the sponsor.

F. Research areas may involve technology that is subject to U.S. Export Control Laws. It is anticipated that awards will be unclassified with limited access. Therefore, only offerors who are certified by the Defense Logistics Information Service (DLIS) may submit proposals. For questions, contact DLIS on-line at http://www.dlis.dla.mil/jcp or at DLIS, US/Canada Joint Certification Center, Federal Center, 74 North Washington, Battle Creek MI 49017-4312, (800) 352-3572.

G. Because the BAA solicitation and CALL award process provides for awarding such a wide range of contracts, it is not possible to include all of the required and potentially desired provisions, clauses, terms, and conditions applicable given to any contract award that might result from a particular CALL. A model contract will be provided to each apparent successful offeror for review and comment as part of the CALL solicitation and award process. Please contact the Contracting Point of Contact listed above should you have questions or concerns.

Work performed under any resulting contract(s) may be classified up to the Top Secret and/or Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) level. The contractor(s) who is/are selected for an award shall be required to obtain the appropriate facility clearances.

A DD Form 254, Contract Security Classification Specification, with a classification level of Top Secret may be required during the performance under resultant contract(s). Specific security classification specifications will be identified in each CALL.

6. AWARD INFORMATION

A. It is anticipated that this BAA will remain open for a period of 5 years from the date of publication. This BAA will be reviewed annually. Any updates or possible cancellation will be issued as an amendment to the BAA. This annual review and subsequent amendment to the BAA shall meet the requirement of FAR 35.016 to publish the BAA no less frequently than annually.

B. TYPE OF CONTRACT/INSTRUMENT: The Government may award any appropriate contract type under the Federal Acquisition Regulation or Other Transaction (OT) for Prototype, grant, cooperative agreement, or OT for Research. The Air Force may also consider award of an appropriate technology transfer mechanism if applicable. Specific instructions for assistance awards are in paragraph 7 B (5). The anticipated type of contract will be issued in each CALL. Prospective offerors are encouraged to discuss the type of instrument proposed with the appropriate contracting point of contact prior to preparing a proposal.

It is anticipated that a mix of contract types will be used throughout the life of this BAA. Award(s) under this BAA will generally be cost plus fixed fee and/or cost plus incentive fee, completion form contract(s), which require successful offerors to have an accounting system considered adequate for tracking costs applicable to the contract. Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract(s) with Cost Plus Fixed Fee or Cost Plus Incentive Fee (Completion) Task Orders are also anticipated. In the event an IDIQ type of contract is anticipated, potential offerors are advised that during the course of the contract, the maximum dollar amount of the contract is subject to adjustments that may be appropriate for the Government to take full advantage of the contract ordering period.

B. ANTICIPATED NUMBER OF AWARDS: The Air Force anticipates awarding a minimum of one contract or assistance instrument per CALL. However, the Air Force does reserve the right to make multiple awards or no awards pursuant to a CALL.

D. Proposals are intended to be evaluated, and award made without discussions, unless discussions are determined to be necessary. However, the Government may obtain clarifications to determine proposal acceptability. Discussions may be held with prospective awardees prior to award if needed. In the event the Government is unable to conclude negotiations with the apparent successful offeror(s), it reserves the right to conduct negotiations with another acceptable offeror.

7. PROPOSAL PREPARATION

A. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:

1. This BAA and associated CALLS are an expression of interest only and does not commit the Government to pay for proposal preparation cost. The cost of preparing proposals in response to CALLS placed pursuant to this BAA is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resulting contract or to any other contract. However, it may be an allowable indirect expense as specified in FAR 31.205-18.

2. Proposals must reference this BAA number, the CALL number, and include a unique contractor generated proposal identification number. Unnecessarily elaborate brochures or presentations beyond that sufficient to present a complete and effective proposal are not desired.

3. Offerors must identify proposal information considered proprietary by marking their proposals with the restrictive language contained in FAR 52.215-1(e), Instructions to Offerors—Competitive Acquisition.

4. DoD policy, per DFARS 227.7103-1, is to acquire only the technical data and the rights in that data, necessary to satisfy Government needs. The Government anticipates receiving, as a minimum, “Government Purpose Rights” to technical data developed under contracts awarded based on proposals received in response to this announcement. Data rights offered other than “Unlimited Rights,” as defined in DFARS 227.7103-5, should be identified in DFARS clause 252.227-7017, Identification and Assertion of Use, Release, or Disclosure Restrictions, and addressed in the business section of the cost proposal.

5. There are no limits to the number of proposals an offeror may submit for any given CALL unless otherwise specified in the CALL.

6. You may be ineligible for award if all requirements of this announcement are not met by the proposal due date and time as identified in each CALL.

B. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

1. Submit with a cover letter, an original, three paper copies, and one electronic copy of the technical proposal and an original, one paper copy, and one electronic copy the cost/business proposal. The original and paper copies of technical and cost/business proposals must be in separate volumes. The electronic copy must be submitted on a compact disk (CD) in a PC compatible file format and must be readable by Microsoft Office. The electronic copy of the cost proposal worksheets must be in Microsoft Office Excel 2003 or later version and must contain all cell formulas.

2. Proposals for FAR type contracts should be submitted to AFRL/RDK, Attn: Ms Rita Varley, 2251 Maxwell St SE, Bldg 424, Kirtland AFB NM 87117-5773. Proposals sent to any inappropriate address are ineligible for award. Proposals for FAR contracts sent via facsimile or electronic means will not be accepted.

3. Prospective offerors are to submit annual representations and certifications via the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA). Offerors can complete electronic annual representations and certifications at http://www.bpn.gov in conjunction with the required registration in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database. Offerors must complete other required representations and certifications at http://www.kirtland.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=8124. Offerors may be required to provide proposal specific representations and certifications identified and requested by the cognizant contracting officer.

4. Offerors are advised that data included in the technical and cost/business proposals submitted to the Government in response to this BAA may be released to non-Government advisors for review and analysis. Any non-Government advisor will strictly serve in an advisory capacity only to the Government evaluators. Non-Government advisors will have appropriate Organizational Conflict of Interest clauses in their contracts with AFRL and will initiate any required Non-Disclosure Agreements. All offerors must clearly indicate in their proposals if they have any objections or concerns regarding the use of non-Government advisors. Offeror’s will be contacted prior to the release of a proposal to a non-Government advisor.

5. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICATIONS FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE (GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS). This publication also constitutes a Broad Agency Announcement as contemplated by the Department of Defense Grant and Agreement Regulations (DODGARS) 22.315 and will be synopsized at www.grants.gov.

a. Applications for Federal Assistance resulting from this announcement may be submitted to the address provided in paragraph B.2 above. Applications submitted to this address must include a completed SF 424 (R&R). As an alternative, applications for Federal Assistance may be submitted electronically through the www.grants.gov website. There are no other recognized means for assistance applications.

b. The certifications referenced in Block 18 of the SF 424 (R&R), Application for Federal Assistance are located at http://www.kirtland.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=8124

c. Additional information concerning the Grants.gov registration and application process may also be found at http://www.kirtland.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=8124

d. Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Numbers and Titles:

12.800 AIR FORCE DEFENSE RESEARCH SCIENCES PROGRAM

12.910 RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

e. Information Regarding Other Transactions:

(1) AFRL reserves the right to award Other Transactions (OTs) for Prototypes or OTs for Research for proposals submitted in response to this announcement. OTs for Prototype (See National Defense Authorization Act for FY 94 §845) are acquisition instruments that fall under the purview of DOD’s Other Transaction Guide for Prototypes, found at: www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/Docs/policy/otherTransactions/current%20otguideconformed%20Jan%202001.doc.

(2) Other Transactions for Research (See 10 U.S.C. §2371) are assistance instruments, that with the exception of a funds recovery provision, will generally be similar in format to a Cooperative Agreement.

C. SPECIFIC PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cover letter

A cover letter shall accompany each proposal. The cover letter should identify the BAA number, CALL number, and technology area under which the proposal is submitted, a statement that the proposal is valid for 120 days from the due date specified in the CALL, provide technical and contracting points of contact, CAGE code, DUNS number, and include statement indicating if the firm is a small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a), or women-owned small business concern. The proposal must be signed and dated by an authorized official of the organization.

2. Technical Proposal

a. Content. The technical proposal must convey an understanding of the problems or limitations of the general technology area and the intended application(s). The technical proposal shall include the following items.

(1) Executive Summary: Describe the proposed program, objectives, and approach. A description of the innovation and benefits of the proposed approach and relationship to previous efforts should be discussed. It should summarize the technical issues addressed by the offeror’s proposal without repeating the requirements. This should provide a vision of what will ultimately be achieved and what solution this effort will produce.

(2) Program Description: Describe the techniques, methods, materials, or ideas that will be addressed in this proposal, their innovation, and to what degree they advance the state-of-the-art.

(3) Program Plan: Describe in detail the planned approach and how the plan will be executed. This section should include all technical aspects of the approach. Provide technical detail and analysis necessary to support the technical approach proposed. Clearly identify the core of the intended approach. The “new and creative” solution to the problem(s) should be developed and analyzed in this section. Include a risk assessment of key technical, schedule or cost areas and their potential impact on the program. Identify why proposed subcontractors were selected and what tasks they are to perform.

(4) Contractor’s Statement of Work (C-SOW):

(A) The C-SOW, a stand-alone document, should detail the research to be accomplished under the technical area and should be suitable for incorporation into the awarded document. The proposed C-SOW should summarize the technical methodology and the task description, but not to the extent to make the awarded instrument inflexible. Do not include any proprietary information in the C-SOW. Contractors may request copies of our contracts under the Freedom of Information Act. Consequently, it is imperative that no company-sensitive information be included in the C-SOW. The C-SOW should include the anticipated deliverables (hardware, software, reports, etc.).

(B) The following is offered as a recommended format for the C-SOW. The C-SOW should be structured in three sections; Scope, Applicable Documents, And Requirements.

SCOPE: This section includes a statement of what the program covers. This should include the technology area to be investigated, objectives/goals, and major milestones for the effort. It defines the breadth and limitations of the work to be done.

APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS: This section includes reference documents needed to identify or clarify the work to be performed.

REQUIREMENTS: This section identifies the specific work to be performed. The work effort should be arranged into major tasks and identified in separately numbered paragraphs. Each numbered major task should delineate by subtask the work to be performed and should follow an outline numbering scheme. The C-SOW must identify all reviews and when/where (identify by milestone or task) that will be conducted. It must also identify any and all items (hardware, software, reports, etc.) to be delivered to the Government as a result of the program. When proposing, indicate the appropriate CDRLs for your effort in the C-SOW, and the applicable C-SOW paragraph in Block 5 of the associated CDRL. Although the cost to prepare CDRL materials is included in the basic price, provide an estimate cost specific to each CDRL proposed. Please complete Block 17 and 18 of each CDRL

(5) Milestone Chart: A Milestone Chart should indicate when specific objectives are expected to be met in the overall program schedule and should identify the specific accomplishments necessary to proceed to the next task. Provide a schedule of when the deliverable items identified are to be delivered.

(6) Facilities and Equipment description: Describe the facilities that can be used to achieve the goals of the program, in terms of manufacturing capability, testing facilities, and/or any relevant specialized equipment.

(7) Description of Relevant Prior Work: Provide a list of related previous or current Government, commercial, or internally funded work during the past five years. For each such effort, provide the principal investigator, title of effort, contract number, brief summary of results, dollar value, and a technical and contracting point of contact, including phone numbers, for the funding organizations.

(8) Management Plan: Offerors should provide an approach that demonstrates the ability to effectively and efficiently manage and administer the research program to a successful conclusion.

(9) Resumes of Key Individuals: Include brief summaries of resumes of relevant key individuals including any consultants or subcontractors that might be proposed.

b. Page Limitations. The technical proposal including the C-SOW shall be, single spaced, double-sided, 8.5 by 11-inch pages. Select an easy to read font no smaller than 12 pitch fixed or proportional font size 10 or larger. Smaller type may be used in figures and tables as long as it is clearly legible. Page limitations will be specified in each CALL. The page limitation includes all information i.e., indices, photographs, foldouts (2 page), appendices, attachments, resumes, C-SOW, etc. Each printed side counts as one page. Blank pages, title pages, tables of content, lists, tabs or cover sheets are not included in the page count. The Government will not consider pages in excess of this limitation.

3. Cost/Business Proposal

Separate this proposal into a cost section and a business section.

a. Cost Section. The cost proposal containing other than cost or pricing data shall be submitted in the format provided in the announcement and is necessary for the Government to perform a cost realism analysis. Adequate price competition is anticipated for each CALL issued, unless stated otherwise in the announcement. A determination as to the existence of adequate price competition will be made by the cognizant Procuring Contracting Officer on a case by case basis. If adequate price competition is determined not to exist, the Government reserves the right to obtain certified cost or pricing data from the offeror. Based on the type of instrument proposed, use the appropriate cost proposal instructions, which can be found at the following AFRL website, http://www.kirtland.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=8124/cpi.aspx to prepare the cost proposal. Submit the electronic copy of the cost proposal worksheets on a compact disk in a PC compatible file format in Microsoft Office Excel 2003 or later version. The file must contain all cell formulas. Cost proposals have no page limitations but offerors are requested to keep cost proposals to 75 pages as a goal.

b. Business Section. The business section should contain all business aspects to the proposed contractual arrangement, such as type of contract/instrument, any unique terms and conditions, any exceptions to terms and conditions of this announcement, and any information not technically related. Provide rationale for exceptions. As a goal, offerors are requested to keep the business section to 20 pages. This section should include the following items as appropriate. Referenced documents are available at http://www.kirtland.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=8124/ .

(1) Completed representations and certifications and any specific representations and certifications identified in this BAA.

(2) Completed Proposal Content Checklist. Failure to provide a complete proposal may result in a determination that the proposal is non-responsive and may be eliminated from consideration for award.

8. PROPOSAL REVIEW AND EVALUATION PROCEDURES

A. GENERAL.

The Government reserves the right to select for award to responsible offerors/ contractors any, all, part, or none of the proposals received in response to individual CALLS issued under this BAA, subject to the availability of funds. The technical and cost proposals will be evaluated at the same time. You may be ineligible for award if all requirements of this announcement are not met by the proposal due date and time. At minimum, incomplete proposals may be given lower priority and, although technically acceptable, not awarded due to funding limitations. No further evaluation criteria will be used.

B. EVALUATION CRITERIA.

The selection of one or more sources for award will be based on an evaluation of each offeror’s proposal to determine the overall merit of the proposal in response to this announcement. Proposals will be evaluated in accordance with FAR 35.016. The proposals will be evaluated utilizing a peer or scientific review process and shall be evaluated based on the following criteria that are listed in descending order of importance:

(1) Overall scientific and technical merits of the proposal;

(2) Importance to AFRL/RDH program requirements;

(3) Affordability Price will be a substantial consideration in selecting proposals for awards, but will be secondary to technical considerations. Cost realism and reasonableness shall also be considered to the extent appropriate. Price will be evaluated and may be negotiated if necessary on proposals selected for award.

C. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

The technical and cost proposals will be evaluated at the same time and categorized as follows:

1. CATEGORY I: Well conceived scientifically and technically sound proposals pertinent to program goals and objectives. Proposals in Category I are recommended for acceptance subject to funding constraints.

2. CATEGORY II: Scientifically or technically sound proposals that may require further development and may be recommended for acceptance, but are at a lower priority than Category I proposals and are not always funded.

3. CATEGORY III: Proposals not technically sound or do not meet agency needs and may be recommended for rejection.

D. AWARD NOTICES

Offerors will be notified in writing whether or not their proposal is recommended for award. An award recommendation is not to be construed to mean the award of a contract, grant or assistance instrument is assured, as availability of funds and successful negotiations are prerequisites to any award.

E. DEBRIEFINGS

When requested, a debriefing will be provided. The debriefing process will follow the time guidelines set out in 10 USC 2305(b)(5), but the debriefing content will vary to be consistent with the procedures set out in FAR 35.016 governing BAAs.

9. OTHER INFORMATION

A. SUBCONTRACTING PLANS: Small Business Subcontracting Plans are required under FAR 19.702 for efforts anticipated to exceed $550,000. Prospective offerors shall submit applicable subcontracting plans in accordance with the requirements set forth in FAR 19.704 and DFARS 219.704 along with the technical and cost proposals. Small business is exempt from this requirement. If a company has a master subcontracting plan, as described in FAR 19.701 or a comprehensive subcontracting plan, as described in DFARS 219.702, a copy of the plan shall be submitted with the proposal. The subcontracting plan is a part of the cost/business section of the proposal and will not be included in the page count.

B. WIDE AREA WORK FLOW NOTICE: Any contract award resulting from this announcement will contain the clause at DFARS 252.232-7003, Electronic Submission Of Payment Requests, which requires electronic submission of all payment requests. The clause cites three possible electronic formats through which to submit electronic payment requests. Effective 01 October 2006, the Department of Defense adopted Wide Area Work Flow-Receipt and Acceptance (WAWF-RA), as the electronic format for submission of electronic payment requests. Any contract resulting from this announcement will establish a requirement to use WAWF-RA for invoicing and receipt/acceptance, and provide coding instructions applicable to this contract. Contractors are encouraged to take advantage of available training (both web-based and through your cognizant DCMA office), and to register in the WAWF-RA system.