RFP_SLD 30 Commercial Solutions Opening.pdf

SLD 30 Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) Call 0001

Federal Agency: Department of Air Force Program Office: 30th Contracting Squadron Call Title: SLD 30 Pitch Day Areas of Interest Call Type: Two-Step, Closed Call Call Number: FA4610-23-S-C001, Call 0001 Call Release Date: 14 July 2023 Proposals Due: 31 July 2023 at 1:00 PM EST

1.0 Introduction

Space Launch Delta 30 (SLD 30), located at Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB), CA seeks to acquire innovative commercial items, technologies, or services that directly fulfill requirements, close capabilities gaps, or provide potential technological advances for the Areas of Interest (AOIs) attached to this CSO Call.

Innovative means any technology, process, or method, including research and development, that is new as of the date of submission of a proposal, or any application that is new as of the date of submission of a proposal of a technology, process, or method existing as of such date. New includes being new to the Department of the Air Force.

The Government intends to award Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) part 12 firm fixed price type contracts as a result of this CSO; however, the Government also reserves the right to award Other Transaction Agreement (OTAs) pursuant to 10 USC 4022. All supplies or services purchased via this CSO shall be considered commercial products or commercial services. Offerors are encouraged to review FAR 52.212-4 and 52.212-5 for standard terms and conditions that may be included in a FAR part 12 contract. OTAs are non-FAR based contracts and may or may not incorporate similar FAR-like terms and conditions. The Government further reserves the right to award all, part, or none of the proposals received.

30 CONS is conducting this CSO Call as a total Small Business Set-aside. In order to be considered as a small business and be eligible for a contract award, the offeror shall be a small business based on the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) current published small business sizes standards in the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code of the proposed solution.

This announcement is for a Two-Step Closed Call under the VSFB CSO FA4610-23-S-C001.

The authority to issue this Two-Step, Closed Call is derived from the VSFB CSO, FA4610- 23-S-C001, dated 17 July 2023. The CSO is authorized by Department of Defense (DoD) Class Deviation (CD) 2022-O0007. Please visit the Government Point of Entry (www.sam.gov) to review the VSFB CSO posting in its entirety. Not reviewing the CSO may lead to offerors missing instructions and pertinent information and could result in elimination from being considered for an award or receiving an award after being selected as an awardee.

The Government is not obligated to make a contract award as a result of this Call; all contract awards are subject to the availability of funds and successful negotiations (if needed).

This Call is not an authorization to begin performance, and in no way obligates the Government for any cost incurred by the offeror associated with developing and submitting a proposal including but not limited to attendance at the Pitch Day event. Prior to commencement of any activities associated with performance under this Call, the Government will issue a written directive or contractual document signed by the Contracting Officer with appropriate consideration established. The Government reserves the right to modify this Call via amendments at any time.

2.0 CSO Call Timeline and General Information

Milestone Date*

Two-Step, Closed Call Published 14 July 2023 Ask Me Anything 25 July 2023 Government Ask Me Anything Responses Published 26 July 2023 Step 1 Proposals Due 31 July 2023 Step 1 Proposal Evaluation 07 August 2023 Step 1 Non-Select Letters Sent 08 August 2023 Step 2 Pitch Day Invite(s) Sent to Selectees 14 August 2023 Step 2 SLD 30 Pitch Day Event / Contract Awards 29 August 2023 *The Government reserves the right to alter or change any of the dates listed above.

Ask Me Anything: During this period, you may submit requests for additional information or questions to this CSO Call and the attached AOIs. All Ask Me Anything submissions must be received by the Contracting Officer NLT 12:00 PM EST on 25 July 2023. Government responses will be made publicly available. The Government reserves the right to respond to all or some of the Ask Me Anything submissions and may not respond to all Ask Me Anything submissions.

Proposals Submissions: Proposals may be submitted at any time up until the proposal due date. Proposals received after the specified date and time, will be considered late in accordance with 52.212-1(f). An offeror may only submit one proposal per AOI; excess proposals submitted by the same offeror for the same AOI will not be considered.

Proposal Due Date/Time: 31 July 2023, 12:00 PM. Pacific Daylight Time.

Proposal Evaluations: During this period, the Government will evaluate proposal submissions IAW the evaluation instructions in the CSO and this Call.

Selection Letters: Offerors will receive select/non-select letters after completion of the Step 1 evaluations. Offerors selected after Step 1 evaluation completion will be invited to participate in Step 2, Pitch Day. Offerors not selected after Step 1 evaluation will no longer be considered for a contract award.

Pitch Day: Offerors may be invited to present a real-time in-person or virtual pitch of their proposed solution to a panel of Government evaluators. If invited, the Government requires an Offeror to present a pitch to be considered for a contract award. Offerors who decline their Pitch Day participation will no longer be eligible for a contract award.

3.0 Instructions for Preparation and Submission of Proposals

Proposal Due Date & Submission: The offeror shall submit a complete proposal consisting of a Cover Letter, Volume I, White Paper, Volume II, Price, and Volume III, Contract Documentation no later than proposal due date to be considered for a contract award. Late proposal submissions will not be accepted.

Table 1. Proposal Contents; Required Information** Proposal Volume/Section Requirements/Limitations

COVER LETTER

i. AOI Number and Title for which proposal is submitted. Proposal must address a relevant AOI as detailed in Attachments 1 and 2 of this CSO Call.

ii. Company Name, physical address, mailing address, and website

URL.

iii. Proposal valid until date.

iv. Authorized representative or point(s) of contact who can legally sign a contract with the Government.

v. CAGE code, Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number.

vi. SAM.gov screenshot to confirm current registration.

vii. Relevant NAICS code and description for AOI proposal to confirm small business size status.

Shall not exceed 2 pages total; no smaller than 10 point font.

VOLUME I: TECHNICAL

i. White paper

Shall not exceed 5 single sided pages total; no smaller than 10 point font.

VOLUME II: PRICE

i. Proposed total price(s) ii. Delivery date or period of performance

Shall not exceed 2 single sided pages total; no smaller than 10 point font.

Flexible quantities or pricing options, such as gradients of service/supply in a pricing ladder, are encouraged to allow the Space Force to maximize use of available and limited funding.

Prices for supplies shall be expressed as inclusive of all shipping charges and free on board (FOB) destination

VOLUME III: CONTRACT

DOCUMENTS (If Applicable)

Shall not exceed 2 single sided pages total; no smaller than 10 point font.

i. Commercial contract terms and conditions unique to your proposal. ii. Data rights you are asserting.

* Note 1: The Government reserves the right to NOT evaluate or consider a proposal for award if the proposal omits any of the required proposal content information in Table

1. Any pages submitted in excess of the stated page limits will not be reviewed or evaluated.

**Note 2: Submitted documents shall not contain classified data or sensitive information;

proprietary information shall be clearly marked.

***Note 3: All proposal submission expenses will be the responsibility of the offeror.

All proposal volumes must include the number and title of the AOI that the proposal applies to using the following naming conventions:

1) SLD 30-Vandenber SFB:

• FA4610-23-S-C001-AOI #/Title; Cover Letter; Company Name

• FA4610-23-S-C001-AOI #/Title; Volume I; White Paper; Company Name

• FA4610-23-S-C001-AOI #/Title; Volume II; Price; Company Name

• FA4610-23-S-C001-AOI #/Title; Volume III; Contract Documents; Company Name

Offerors should monitor SAM.gov for amendments to this CSO Call.

4.0 Evaluation

Awards resulting from this CSO Call will be made based on the evaluation results of a Two- Step process. Step 1 will consist of proposal evaluations. Step 2 will consist of real-time pitch presentation evaluations. Each proposal must stand on its own technical merit and will be evaluated using the following process and criteria:

Two-Step CSO Evaluation Process:

STEP ONE - Evaluation of proposal white paper: SLD 30 Government personnel will evaluate submitted white papers. In this step, white papers will be evaluated on three evaluation factors:

1. Technical Merit – The Government will assess its level of confidence that the Offeror’s white paper, submitted in Volume I of the proposal, demonstrates an understanding of the AOI and demonstrates a sound and innovative approach to address the AOI.

a. The white paper shall include a brief introduction to the company and its history/expertise with the relevant AOI as well as a proposed schedule/timeline to implement the proposed approach.

b. The Government will use confidence ratings to evaluate Volume I white papers.

c. The Government will evaluate Volume I white papers as having High, Some, or Low confidence.

i.High Confidence – The Government has high confidence that the Offeror understands the AOI, proposes a sound and innovative approach, and will be successful in addressing the AOI.

ii. Some Confidence – The Government has some confidence that the Offeror understands the AOI, proposes a sound and innovative approach, and will be successful in addressing the AOI.

iii.Low Confidence – The Government has low confidence that the Offeror understands the AOI, proposes a sound and innovative approach, or will be successful in addressing the AOI.

2. Affordability – The Government will assess its ability to fund the Offeror’s proposed sound and innovative approach based on the Offeror’s total proposed price submitted in Volume II of the proposal.

a. VSFB estimates available funding in the amount of approximately $400K for AOIs 1-5 and $300K for AOI 6. An estimated total budget of $700K is available for all SLD 30 pitch day contract awards.

b. The Government will evaluate the Offeror’s Volume II, Price submission as Affordable or Unaffordable.

Relative Importance: All Step One Factors are of equal importance.

Offerors’ proposals evaluated in Step One as High Confidence and Affordable will be invited to participate in Step Two.

Offerors’ proposals evaluated in Step One as High Confidence and Unaffordable may be invited to participate in Step Two at the Government’s discretion. The Government is not obligated to invite these Offeror’s to participate in Step Two. These Offerors will no longer be considered for a contract award if not invited to participate in Step Two.

Offerors’ proposals evaluated in Step One as Some Confidence and Affordable will be invited to participate in Step Two.

Offerors’ proposals evaluated in Step One as Some Confidence and Unaffordable may be invited to participate in Step Two at the Government’s discretion. The Government is not obligated to invite these Offeror’s to participate in Step Two. These Offerors will no longer be considered for a contract award if not invited to participate in Step Two.

Offerors’ proposals evaluated in Step One as Low Confidence and Affordable will not be invited to participate in Step Two and will no longer be considered for a contract award.

Offerors’ proposals evaluated in Step One as Low Confidence and Unaffordable will not be invited to participate in Step Two and will no longer be considered for a contract award.

3. Price – The Government will evaluate the price to the extent appropriate, but at a minimum, to determine the proposed price is fair and reasonable. The Government must determine the price is fair and reasonable prior to award utilizing procedures at DFARS

212.209 as applicable/appropriate. In some circumstances, the Contracting Officer may request additional information from the Offeror regarding recent purchase prices paid by the Government and/or commercial customers for similar/like commercial solutions.

STEP TWO - Virtual Pitch or In-Person Real-Time Pitch: Offerors selected for Step Two will have the opportunity to pitch (Virtually or In-person) their proposed solution to

Government evaluators. Offerors invited to participate in Step Two shall pitch their proposed solution at a Pitch Day Event held by SLD 30. Selected Step One offerors will receive an invitation which shall provide details and rules of engagement for the Pitch Day event. This invitation will also include a request for additional information to include, but not limited to Pitch Day presentation slides and a list of Pitch Day participants/attendees (in-person or virtual). SLD 30 intends to hold their Step Two Pitch Day on 18 March 2023. This date is subject to change at the Government’s discretion.

SLD 30 (VSFB) Government personnel will evaluate pitches. Government personnel may use information submitted during Step One to assist with any pitch clarifications during Step Two, Pitch Day.

In Step Two, Pitches will be evaluated on the following factors:

1. Funds availability - The Government will assess the availability of funding to purchase the proposed solution.

2. Importance to agency program - The Government will assess the proposed solution’s potential importance to agency program and potential to enhance the mission effectiveness of the Government. The Government will rate “Importance to Agency Program” as: 1. Low, 2. Medium, and 3. High.

3. Technical Merit – The Government will assess its level of confidence that the Offeror’s pitch, demonstrates an understanding of the AOI and demonstrates a sound and innovative approach to address the AOI.

a. The Government will use confidence ratings to evaluate the Offeror’s pitch

b. The Government will evaluate the Offeror’s pitch as having High, Some, or Low confidence.

i.High Confidence – The Government has high confidence that the Offeror understands the AOI, proposes a sound and innovative approach, and will be successful in addressing the AOI.

ii.Some Confidence – The Government has some confidence that the Offeror understands the AOI, proposes a sound and innovate approach, and will be successful in addressing the AOI.

iii.Low Confidence – The Government has a low confidence that the Offeror understands the AOI, proposes a sound and innovative approach, or will be successful in addressing the

AOI.

Relative Importance: All Factors are of equal importance

Method of Evaluation: Scientific, technological, or other subject-matter experts

After Offerors pitch their solution to evaluators, to the greatest extent practicable, Offerors will be notified that: 1) The solution has been selected for award; 2) The solution is of interest, but not eligible for award due to availability of Government funding and/or resources; or

3) The solution is not of interest at this time. Only offerors with proposals that are affordable and receive a High Rating in the Importance to Agency Program and a High Confidence Rating in Technical Merit will be guaranteed an award. All other awards will be at the discretion of the panel, based on mission impact. Offerors proposing service-based solutions will be required to provide a contractor self-developed PWS prior to award.

Site Visits/Product Demonstration. Site visits may be conducted at the discretion of the contracting officer throughout the acquisition process. The purpose of the site visit is to:

• Allow contractors and Government to discuss their concerns while observing the product demonstration

• Allow the Government to judge whether the products can satisfy its needs as identified in the Area of Interest/Solicitation

The site visit shall not be construed as guarantee for award, and the Government shall not bear the contractor’s cost expended for the site visit.

NOTE: During any step of the CSO, the Government may send questions or comments for the Offerors to address via email or Pitch Day.

5.0 Commercial Terms and Conditions

• Consistent with FAR Part 12, Offerors may propose Commercial Terms and Conditions

• Any award made in response to this posting is subject to FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items (Oct 2018)

• Advance payments for commercial items shall be available on FAR Part 12 contracts pursuant to FAR Part 32

6.0 Suggestions for a Successful Technical Volume

The goal of the technical volume is to communicate to the Government how the proposed solution is innovative and helps the unit solve the challenge(s) described in the AOI.

Demonstrating existing applications of the proposed solution in the commercial market place or other government agencies as it relates to solving the problems expressed in the AOI is encouraged.

A. Technology Concept and Company Capability

Offerors: Provide the following information in sufficient detail to allow the Government to make an assessment of the offeror’s capabilities to support the proposed solution.

o Offerors: Describe the unique aspects of their proposed solution as it “relates” to the AOI o It is recommended that any pitch presentation not repeat the AOI/topics or contain contents of the white paper pasted into slides, but rather provide convincing evidence the proposed solution will address the Government’s stated challenge

B. The following examples of convincing evidence are strongly encouraged:

i.Authentic company URL or web address.

Note: The Government may elect to use the information provided as part of its continuous market research. However, the government is not obligated to use the URL or web address as part of its evaluation process to determine the Selectee or Awardee.

ii.Summary of product commercialization currently used in the open market.

iii.Pictures, diagrams, models or figures to depict the essence of the proposed solution.

7.0 Questions (Ask Me Anything)

Questions, comments, and concerns regarding this CSO and AOIs can be submitted via email at the following (from 08 March through 12 PM. EST 03 April 2023):

Please note: Government responses to questions will be made publicly available via posted amendment on SAM.gov at regular intervals or as needed.

8.0 CSO

Please review CSO FA4610-23-S-C001 in its entirety for instructions and pertinent information, including the requirement to be able to sign awards at Pitch Day and have the capability to accept a Government Purchase Card if selected for an award.

9.0 Attachments

Attachment 1: Areas of Interest (AOIs)