Draft_SCEC_Solicitation_for_industry_posting.pdf

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL TO ORGANIZE AND OPERATE A CONSORTIUM OF

SENSORS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGIES

IN SUPPORT OF

U.S. ARMY COMMUNICATIONS-ELECTRONICS RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT

AND ELECTRONICS CENTER, RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND

COMMERCIALIZATION PROGRAMS

Other Transactions Agreement for prototype projects (pOTA) Solicitation #: W909MY-17-R-

J002

Any award that may result from this pOTA solicitation will be in accordance with Section

815, of the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, as amended, codified in

10 USC §2371b, Authority of the Department of Defense to carry out certain prototype projects.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center

Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART 1 – EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PART 2- ELIGIBILITY

PART 3 – ESTIMATED PROGRAM FUNDING

PART 4 – TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAM

PART 5 – SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS

PART 6 – EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

PART 7 – ADMINISTRATION AND SECURITY

ATTACHMENT: (To be provided with the final solicitation posting)

PART 1 – EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1.0 This pOTA solicitation is a request for proposals to organize and operate the Sensors, Communications and Electronics Consortium (SCEC), a consortium of industrial, institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations, hereafter referred to as the “Consortium” or

“SCEC”. The Consortium will engage in (a) sensors, communications and electronics research and prototyping; (b) identify and facilitate private sector technology opportunities; and (c) follow-on production for the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development and

Engineering Center, hereafter referred to as “the Government.” Proposals are solicited that address the organization and operation of the Consortium. Proposals must indicate the proposed business model for the organization and operation of the consortium and must provide the vision and guidance to grow the capacity of the Consortium through collaboration, outreach, and partnering with traditional and Nontraditional Defense Contractors and small businesses, providing a unique capability for the Government. The Consortium must be established and operational within 6 months of agreement award.

1.1 It is anticipated that an award will be made under the authority of Section 815 of the

Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, codified in 10 USC §2371b. The

Secretary of the Army, under the authority of 10 USC §2371b can carry out prototype projects that are directly relevant to enhancing the mission effectiveness of military personnel and the supporting platforms, systems, components, or materials proposed to be acquired or developed by the Department of Defense, or to improvement of platforms, systems, components, or materials in use by the armed forces. The appropriate delegation of authority to enter into each prototype project award will be implemented accordingly.

1.2 The pOTA Awardee will be responsible for the establishment and operation of the

Consortium. The pOTA Awardee will not be eligible to participate in the Prototype Project

Awards (PPAs) as the pOTA Awardee will be responsible for conducting PPA competitive process. This limitation is placed in order to reduce conflict of interest issues and is included in the interest of competitive fairness.

1.3 The Consortium, through its Members, shall conduct individual and collaborative efforts to carry out prototype projects directly relevant to enhancing the mission effectiveness of military personnel and the supporting platforms, systems, components, or materials proposed to be acquired or developed by the Department of Defense, or to improvement of platforms, systems, components, or materials in use by the armed forces. Collaborating and teaming among the

Consortium members is expected. The majority of the work for any PPA must be executed by the

Consortium, through its Members; not subcontracted to any entity outside the Consortium.

1.4 Within the initial 6-month effort supported by the first phase of the pOTA, the pOTA

Awardee is expected to: establish the Consortium including, but not limited to, development of an organizational structure, business processes and systems, as needed; development of a Consortium

Member Agreement; hire key personnel; and provide office space with appropriate furnishings and equipment. The pOTA Awardee must also provide a functioning web site; develop and deliver a financial plan for the long-term, sustainable operation of the Consortium under the pOTA; and recruit initial Consortium members well-qualified in relevant areas of sensors, communications and electronics research and development.

1.5 Upon establishment of the Consortium, the Government may continue with phase 2 of the pOTA that will govern Consortium operations with the Government and provide the mechanism for soliciting, evaluating, selecting and funding PPAs to Consortium members. A draft of the pOTA is provided as Attachment 1 to this solicitation. The draft pOTA should be carefully reviewed as this, or an Agreement of substantially the same terms, will be executed between the

Government and the Consortium. A draft Consortium Member Agreement (CMA) is referenced in the pOTA. The CMA governs the dealings among the Consortium Members and should be used by the Consortium to enlist members of the Consortium. The Government is not a party to the

CMA. It is expected the CMA will mirror the pOTA where applicable, but it will also include non-pOTA terms and conditions, to include governance, membership requirements, cost sharing, intellectual property and a business framework for collaboration and teaming among Consortium members.

1.6 There will be no Government advance payments on the pOTA or the PPAs to be issued under the pOTA. The Consortium will be responsible for invoicing all work under the pOTA or the PPAs and paying all Member invoices.

PART 2 - ELIGIBILITY

To comply with Section 815 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2016, Public

Law (P.L.) 114-92, as amended (Title 10 United States Code (U.S.C.) Section 2371b), the

Government will only award the pOTA to:

At least one nontraditional defense contractor participating to a significant extent OR

All significant participants in the transaction, other than the Federal Government, are small business or nontraditional defense contractors OR

At least one third cost share of the pOTA costs are borne by a traditional defense contractor

A nontraditional defense contractor is an entity that is not currently performing and has not performed, for at least the one-year period preceding this solicitation, any contract or subcontract for the Department of Defense that is subject to full coverage under the cost accounting standards

(CAS) prescribed pursuant to section 1502 of title 41 and the regulations implementing this section.

A small business means a small business concern as defined by the Small Business Act (also 15

USC 632).

An Offeror must self-certify as to their eligibility as a nontraditional defense contractor or a small business as specified above. Absence of this self-certification may impact Offeror’s proposal being considered for evaluation and award. Traditional Defense contractors shall provide additional information regarding the required cost share per paragraph 4.2.3.

PART 2- ELIGIBILITY

To comply with Section 815 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2016, Public

Law (P.L.) 114-92, as amended (Title 10 United States Code (U.S.C.) Section 2371b), the

Government will only award the pOTA to:

At least one nontraditional defense contractor participating to a significant extent OR

All significant participants in the transaction, other than the Federal Government, are small business or nontraditional defense contractors OR

At least one third cost share of the pOTA costs are borne by a traditional defense contractor

A nontraditional defense contractor is an entity that is not currently performing and has not performed, for at least the one-year period preceding this solicitation, any contract or subcontract for the Department of Defense that is subject to full coverage under the cost accounting standards

(CAS) prescribed pursuant to section 1502 of title 41 and the regulations implementing this section.

A small business means a small business concern as defined by the Small Business Act (also 15

USC 632).

An Offeror must self-certify as to their eligibility as a nontraditional defense contractor or a small business as specified above. Absence of this self-certification may impact Offeror’s proposal being considered for evaluation and award. Traditional Defense contractors shall provide additional information regarding the required cost share per paragraph 4.2.3.

PART 3 – ESTIMATED PROGRAM FUNDING

3.0 The Government expects to fund the 6-month start-up costs for establishment of the

Consortium. These funds will be awarded on a Firm Fixed Price with payable milestones basis.

The establishment of the Consortium is expected to be completed in 6 months from the date of the pOTA award. There is no guarantee the Government will obligate any additional funding for the pOTA during the Phase I 6-month start-up period. During years 1 – 2 of Consortium operations, the Government anticipates the burden of funding these operations to be shared between the

Government and the Consortium on a cost basis, with the funding burden shifting to the

Consortium by the end of the initial two year period. For years 3 – 10, Consortium operations are expected to be fully self-sufficient, with no federal funding to be used for Consortium operations.

3.1 An Offeror is to estimate the start-up costs of the Consortium for the first six (6) months and the operating costs of the Consortium for the first two full years of operation under the pOTA.

PART 4 – TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAM

4.0 The Consortium must be organized and operated under the name “Sensors, Communications and Electronics Consortium (SCEC).” The Offeror must provide all necessary expertise to organize and operate the SCEC in compliance with the requirements of this solicitation and the draft pOTA (Attachment 1). The SCEC must be operated exclusively to support the Technology

Objectives described in the pOTA and must not be operated to address or support any other interests of the Offeror. The SCEC will be responsible for establishment, operation and management of the pOTA Consortium and will not be eligible for PPAs.

4.1 Technology Objectives – All proposed and/or executed PPAs shall be structured to satisfy the following Technology Objectives; however, technology objectives may be changed at any time in order to better meet the environment or warfighter need:

4.1.1 Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT): Soldiers conduct missions in austere and complex environments where GPS is not always available or accurate - whether that be from the challenges of geographical terrain and urban settings or adversarial efforts to deny and disrupt situational awareness. To accurately execute unified action, Soldiers need to know where they and their comrades are located, where they are going, and when to strike. Assured PNT, a system-of-systems approach, provides Soldiers with integrated solutions to obtain trusted PNT information while operating in conditions with potentially limited, impeded or denied GPS.

Assured PNT solutions enable Soldiers to leverage information critical to complex combat operations, increase platform/Soldier protection, maintain or acquire signals in challenged environments, improve situational awareness, and synchronize advanced weapon systems and tactics seamlessly for unified execution of the mission. CERDEC’s versatile solutions enable continuous navigation and total situational awareness for the mounted/dismounted Soldier and commander in varying conditions, including GPS-challenged or degraded environments.

4.1.2 Cyberspace Operations: A wide ranges of actors, from nation states to individuals, engage in malicious cyber activity to undermine the economy and threaten national security. The Army must account for Cyberspace Operations in a tactical environment, like a Tactical Operations

Center where military specific operations occur. The tactical environment provides unique challenges to the Army from a defensive and offensive perspective. Army Cyberspace

Operations include a broad spectrum of capabilities and initiatives that provide tactical decision makers with the assurance, awareness and protection needed to operate effectively in the cyberspace environment and the ability to exploit, deny and disrupt the adversary's use of it. The cyber domain continues to grow, and the DOD has identified cyber as a defense domain much like air, land, maritime and space; however, unlike the other domains there is not a specific military service to deal with cyber. CERDEC provides Soldiers with state-of-the-art tools and techniques for offensive and defensive cyber operations. CERDEC looks at challenges such as mitigating threats posed by voice, video and data services available on the Internet that could affect Internet-connected devices. CERDEC support to the Army's cyber mission includes research of overseas contingency operations technologies and the implementation of a standardized software framework and specifications. This support reduces the timeline and costs required for the development of new capabilities and reduces operator-training requirements.

CERDEC provides continued information superiority and ensures that mission critical information is available, connected and secured in an environment of information warfare attacks and unintentional disruptions. Assurance against disruption can include detecting malicious code against zero-day attacks that exploit previously unknown vulnerabilities; enabling information sharing across multiple security boundaries properly; and developing, testing and evaluating intrusion detection, user authentication, cryptography and biometric capabilities.

4.1.3 Electronic Warfare (EW): The use of electromagnetic-enabled technologies increased drastically during Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom and continues to increase globally.

Electronic Warfare includes military action involving the use of electromagnetic and directed energy to control the electromagnetic spectrum or to attack the enemy. It allows Soldiers to detect, disrupt, deny, degrade, or destroy enemy systems, and protect against the adversary's ability to do the same. The convergence of CERDEC's unique technical expertise in Electronic

Warfare, Signals Intelligence, Cyber and Tactical Network Science enables effective, interoperable jamming and communications systems operations to defeat the enemy and protect

Soldiers. Traditional applications of EW include threat warning and countermeasures in support of platform protection including rocket propelled grenades, radio-controlled improvised explosive devices and other command and control communications by both military and commercial threat. These efforts have proved to be effective in numerous circumstances, but not without tradeoffs in communications effectiveness and increased size, weight and power requirements for the integration of additional special purpose systems into Army platforms.

Today, the use of EW technologies has expanded to include support to Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (Electronic Support), Force Protection (Electronic Countermeasures), and

Force Application (Electronic Attack) and is intended for integration on dismounts, ground vehicle and airborne platforms. As communications and non-communications technologies become more complex and prolific, there is a need to rapidly deliver effective EW capabilities against multiple complex threats simultaneously in a more efficient, agile and holistic manner while mitigating undesirable tradeoffs. Important Army technical initiatives in EW include leveraging open and modular system architecture and common hardware; communications and other related C4ISR functions to reduce size, weight and power; and developing integrated architectures that enable rapid component development in EW and cyber innovation and evolution.

4.1.4 Mine, IED and Minefield Detection and Defeat: The Defense Department predicts the threat from explosive hazards is likely to remain high in the coming decade, as abilities to counter them continue to evolve. CERDEC identifies, investigates, develops, matures, evaluates and demonstrates technology and system-level prototypes for the U.S. Army that are used in the detection and neutralization (including electronic countermeasures) of explosive hazards that include improvised explosive devices, and mines, whether employed individually or in minefields, buried underground, camouflaged or laying on the ground’s surface. CERDEC’s

DOD-unique IED, Mine and Minefield Detection and Defeat core competencies and investments directly support the Army and Defense Department strategy of countering mines, Improvised

Explosive Devices (IEDs) and other explosive threats while maintaining maneuverability.

Superior explosive-hazard detection and neutralization technologies, coupled with an inclusive government approach that integrates federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, private sector and global participation in counter-mine/counter-IED activities, best position the United States to detect and neutralize mines/IEDs in the nation and abroad. Along with its mission to develop systems for military application that detect and neutralize mines, minefields and unexploded ordnance, CERDEC also applies these technologies to humanitarian operations.

4.1.5 Intelligence, Analysis, Exploitation and Dissemination: By better understanding adversaries, the U.S. Army can better determine how to handle both friendly and hostile military situations. There are mass amounts of information and intelligence to be acquired, extracted, analyzed, synthesized and delivered in effective, actionable formats to protect and arm U.S.

Soldiers with the tactical and strategic advantage. Diverse and constantly expanding data sources ranging from radio frequency and visual spectrum sensors to socio-cultural factors, weather and terrain must be ingested, tracked and processed by the Intel Enterprise. Limited communications networks in the Soldier’s environment often reduce the ability to transmit data to locations where it is needed. Complex information environments call for advanced technologies to transform Big

Data obtained from multiple sources into a tactical understanding of the battlespace in the form of detailed, relevant and proactive situational awareness to support predictive, timely and decisive action where it is needed. CERDEC develops and evaluates new technology in partnership with a broad range of Defense Department stakeholders and other agencies in support of the development of advanced intelligence analysis, exploitation and dissemination prototype systems, concepts, techniques and methodologies that address the asymmetric threat facing Soldiers.

4.1.6 Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Targeting (ISR&T): The spectrum of threats encountered by U.S. Soldiers is varied and complex. Degraded visual environments, demanding weather conditions, urban environments and adversary asymmetric warfare strategies are serious risks to Soldiers' safety and mission execution. ISR&T technologies provide actionable information that enables Soldiers to be aware of their surroundings and to perform their duties more safely and with increased effectiveness. This operational insight provides tactical and strategic alternatives for mission success and mitigates the risk of surprise attacks.

CERDEC provides advanced sensors, sensor electronics and information collection capabilities with the flexibility to address changes in the operational environment and signatures of interest to develop the situation through action by acquiring precise and timely information. CERDEC evaluates new technology in partnership with important Defense Department stakeholders and other agencies in support of the development of advanced intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting prototype systems, concepts, techniques and methodologies that address the asymmetric threat facing today's Soldier. CERDEC focuses on contributing to the

Army’s ISR&T mission by providing the research and development to enhance sensor, tactical augmented reality, laser, radar, signals intelligence, and position, navigation and timing systems.

4.1.7 Mission Command Capabilities and Computing Platforms: Coordinated communications between Soldiers is essential to successful missions. Whether Soldiers are in an operations center with systems such as Command Post of the Future (CPOF), in a vehicle or platform with mounted systems such as FBCB2 or dismounted with FM Radios, mission effectiveness often depends on the gathering, synthesizing and delivering of the right information to the right person at the right time regardless of environmental circumstances and constraints. Mission Command

Capabilities and Computing Platforms efforts focus on providing the commander the ability to effectively manage resources to achieve a successful mission. Mission Command augments the skill and experience of Soldier leaders with Soldier-intuitive technologies to effectively plan, control, adapt and execute mission objectives. Mission Command Capabilities & Computing

Platforms coordinate and enable the seamless integration of six Warfighting functions -

Intelligence, Fires, Protection, Maneuver, Sustainment and Mission Command in order to achieve mission success. CERDEC’s Mission Command Capabilities & Computing Platforms efforts maintain ongoing relationships with active Soldiers and commanders to better understand their needs, to provide technical expertise and engineering leadership in support of Mission

Command programs of record, and to conduct research and development to advance the technology, interfaces and interoperability of government and commercial innovation.

4.1.8 Tactical and Deployed Power: The advanced capabilities, such as communications systems of today’s dismounted Soldier, come with a power and energy burden as Soldiers rely on power for all aspects of their mission such as systems that enable situational awareness, connectivity, mission command and actionable intelligence. Tactical and deployed power initiatives entail providing advanced, smaller, lighter weight, higher yield, reduced cost Soldier-power and mobile-power sources, power generation systems, renewable energy systems, environmental control systems, and intelligent power grid technologies and systems. CERDEC focuses on

Soldier and mobile power and energy, power generation and storage, and power distribution and management. CERDEC develops advanced and novel power and energy materials, components and systems, and performs engineering, integration and experimentation to provide technical expertise to the Army ensuring smart procurement of power and energy systems. CERDEC's power engineers test and evaluate new power materials, subsystems and systems to determine the most energy dense and cost-effective power sources for Soldier use, and develop the necessary software to manage and control advanced power systems. CERDEC has a unique position within the Army power and energy domain bringing together the facilities, capability and personnel with the in-house knowledge to conduct basic research through advanced development through production verification and validation.

4.1.9 Tactical and Strategic Networks: In today’s dynamic operational environment, information is the weapon of choice, and life and death can hinge on reliable connectivity through secure and undisrupted networks. The ubiquitous nature of mobile communications, low cost of entry and the speed of commercial innovation calls for relevant expertise that spans the tactical network domain. Soldiers need reliable and secure communications connectivity across networks and devices, because compromised communications can impede the Soldier and the mission.

CERDEC provides the infrastructure, tools, vehicles, architectures, interfaces, standards, hardware, protocols, antenna, satellites and bandwidth used to establish, maintain and secure operational connectivity. CERDEC researches, develops, architects and provides engineering analysis, testing and project leadership in support of Tactical and Strategic Networks and to provide assured connectivity for the Soldier at all echelons and battle phases. CERDEC develops networks by creating or adapting technology and knowledge to enable more network functionality such as assured transport, increased capacity and enhanced security. CERDEC has the unique role of defining network strategy from a technical perspective, shaping the products and technologies within that strategy, transitioning and providing technical support capabilities to program managers or programs of record, and developing the architecture for Assistant

Secretary of the Army Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA ALT) to incorporate those program managers or programs of record items. The Strategic and Tactical Network architectures developed by CERDEC bridge technology-based programs through Program

Executive Offices and Program Managers to ultimately become operational capability sets.

4.1.10 C4ISR Enterprise Support: CERDEC provides acquisition and sustainment support, program leadership, specialty engineering expertise, integration and testing services, and certification and accreditation for Army C4ISR organizations and systems. CERDEC engineers go beyond initial research and development of C4ISR technologies, systems and networks. Even after the Army deploys a system, there is a need to ensure technical expertise is on hand to address changes and challenges that arise as operational use evolves.

4.2 The Offeror must:

4.2.1 Provide a comprehensive Consortium Management Plan (CMP) for establishment, operation and management of the Consortium, including specific milestones to establish and organize the Consortium and to perform the requirements identified by the pOTA. The CMP shall address, as needed, the proposed business model and steps to execute the necessary establishment events, as required by chosen model; establishment of the organizational structure and governance, business procedures and systems of the Consortium; identification and hiring of key personnel to manage consortium operations; and identification of the necessary infrastructure for consortium operations, to include appropriate office space, furnishings, equipment, and supplies. The Offeror must provide a list of proposed milestones for Phase I completion. The CMP must also describe the appropriate level of engagement with the

Government through participation in appropriately structured advisory bodies, workings and through active staff interaction between the Consortium and Government representatives. The

CMP must also describe the Offeror’s plans to establish and sustain a strong and efficient working relationship with the Government.

4.2.2 Provide a Consortium Membership Agreement (CMA) to govern the dealings among the

Consortium Members and to be used by the Consortium to enlist members of the Consortium. The

Government is not a party to the CMA. It is expected the CMA will mirror the pOTA where applicable, but it will also include non-pOTA terms and conditions, to include governance, membership requirements, cost sharing, intellectual property and a business framework for collaboration and teaming among Consortium members, to include handling of disputes and conflicts among consortium members.

4.2.3 Provide a Financial Plan that addresses (a) the required non-federal cost share if offeror is a traditional defense contractor (b) non-federal cost share that may be required by Consortium

Members who are traditional defense contractors participating in PPAs, (c) how operating funds will be generated, and a plan to finance the cash flow required for prompt payment of a Consortium

Member’s reimbursable prototype project costs while awaiting payment by the Government through the Wide Area Work Flow Network (WAWF) payment system. The Offeror must also provide a list of proposed Fixed Payable Milestones for Phase I funding.

4.2.4 Provide an Outreach Plan to publicize and populate the Consortium with diverse entities well qualified in the relevant areas of sensors, electronics and communications research and development and commercialization from industry, institutions of higher education, and other appropriate sectors. This plan should provide for a well-publicized kick-off General Meeting of the Consortium at the close of the initial 6-month period.

4.2.5 Establish a web site for use by the public, current and prospective Consortium Members, and the Government. The web site must be user friendly, secure, virus protected, compliant with

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and password protected for non-public information and activities.

PART 5 – SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS

5.0 The Government contemplates an award of a Firm Fixed Price with payable milestones for the first 6-month phase of the award based on completion and acceptance of milestones identified in the CMP. The second phase of the award is anticipated to be a Cost Plus Fixed Fee. Responses to this pOTA solicitation shall be in two volumes: (i) Technical and (ii) a Cost/Price. Proposals must be submitted in accordance with instructions contained herein.

5.1 Proposal Instructions

5.1.1 The general organization and contents of a proposal are described in this section. The amount of detail to be presented in each section of the proposal is left to the discretion of the

Offeror, within the page limitation identified. The information must, however, be presented in sufficient depth for the Government to make a comprehensive evaluation of the Offeror's understanding of the requirements of this solicitation and Offeror’s capability to meet the requirements. The Offeror's proposal should demonstrate understanding and capability in a concise and logical manner, and should not contain material not relevant to this solicitation.

Elaborate brochures, binding, detailed artwork, or other embellishments are unnecessary and not desired. The proposal must not contain more than forty (40) pages, exclusive of the Cost/Price

Proposal. This page limitation does not include cover pages, indices, table of contents, and any curriculum vitae and biographic data of the Offeror's key personnel. Pages must be 8.5 x 11 inches, single-sided, single-spaced, with a Times New Roman Font 12 Point. Margins on all four edges of each sheet will be at least one inch. Table and figures may use Times New Roman or Arial

Narrow Font, with size not less than 11 Point. Any pages provided in excess of forty (40) pages will not be reviewed or evaluated.

5.1.2 Information provided should be accurate, factual, and complete. Only the proposal, as submitted, will be evaluated and used for purposes of award.

5.1.3 The Government reserves the right to request written or oral presentations of proposals, or portions of proposals from all, some or none of the Offerors and to enter into written or oral discussions with all, some or none of the Offerors. In addition, the Government may require the intended senior manager of the Consortium and other key personnel to participate in, or be present for, the oral presentation of a proposal. If written or oral discussions are to be held with an Offeror, the Government will provide the Offeror with at least fifteen (15) business days’ notice and set forth the specific areas for the presentation and will be held via teleconference.

5.1.4 The Government reserves the right to award this pOTA without written or oral presentations.

5.1.5 The Proposal must provide sufficient information on the following factors to demonstrate the Offeror’s ability to successfully perform the requirements contained herein. Items (a) through (c) are to be included in the Technical Volume. Item (d) is the Cost/Price Volume.

(a) Management Approach

(b) Experience

(c) Consortium Operations

(d) Cost/Price

5.1.6 Proposal Submission Instructions.

5.1.6.1 Point of Contact (POC). Receipt of proposals are to be made through normal postal services or via E-mail/secure electronic communication server to the POCs for this solicitation.

The Offeror is responsible for ensuring receipt by the listed POC. If submitting electronically, proposal shall be sent to Agreements Officer, Ms Jennifer Elkins at

Jennifer.w.elkins.civ@mail.mil and Agreements Specialist, Ms. Jeannie Kang at jeannie.r.kang.civ@mail.mil or via secure file transfer.

File size may be an issue for email and secure file transfer; the Offeror is responsible to ensure that the files are received by the Agreements Officer by the solicitation response date. The

Government recommends confirming receipt of all documents with the POC. If mailto:Jennifer.w.elkins.civ@mail.mil mailto:jeannie.r.kang.civ@mail.mil

Include solicitation number W909MY-17-R-J002 in the subject line. If submitted via hard copy, four (4) copies and an electronic copy on CD of the proposal submission are to be sent to:

Army Contracting Command - Aberdeen Proving Ground

10205 Burbeck Road, Bldg 362

Fort Belvoir, VA 22060

5.1.6.2 Proposal Questions. Questions for clarification or understanding of solicitation requirements shall be submitted no later than 12:00 PM Eastern Time on April 14, 2017. All requests must be submitted via electronic mail to the POCs listed above in paragraph 5.1.6.1.

Telephonic inquiries will not be accepted. Responses to timely, written questions, as well as other amendments to this solicitation, will only be published on the Government’s FedBizOpps webpage.

5.1.6.3 Proposal Submission. Proposals must be submitted to the listed POCs above no later than 4:00 PM Eastern Time on April 28, 2017. Your submission shall include two separate

Volumes: a Technical Volume and a Cost/Price Volume.

5.1.6.4 File Packaging. Files shall be in read-only format, using PDF files. Pricing support information shall be submitted utilizing PDF files. All price breakdown information to aide in the cost/price evaluation shall be submitted in Microsoft Office Excel. Read/Write format. Price

Evaluation supporting information shall be in a read-only format using PDF files.

5.1.6.5 Content Requirement. All information shall be confined to the appropriate file. The offeror shall confine submissions to essential matters, sufficient to define the proposal in a concise manner, to permit a complete and accurate evaluation of each proposal. Each file of the proposal shall consist of a Table of Contents, Summary Section, and the Narrative discussion.

The Summary Section shall contain a brief abstract of the file. Proprietary information shall be clearly marked.

5.2 Technical Volume

5.2.1 The Technical Volume shall be prepared with a cover page with identifying solicitation title, solicitation number, name and mailing address of the Offeror, and Technical volume content

This section must detail the Technical volume content (paragraph 5.3) and must not exceed forty

(40) pages in length (see paragraph 5.1.1 above).

5.2.2 The Technical Volume must not contain any reference to cost/price of either the costs of the Consortium (Phase I - first 6 months) or the operating costs of the Consortium for the first two full years. However, information concerning labor hours and labor categories, consultants, travel, materials, equipment, shall be contained in the Technical Volume in sufficient detail so the

Government may evaluate the Offeror’s resources and capability to meet the requirements of this solicitation. Additionally, the Technical Volume, shall include detailed plans, assumptions and other information, to demonstrate that Offeror’s approach to Consortium operations during years

3 – 10 will be fully self-sufficient, sustainable without federal funds for Consortium operations.

5.2.3 For proposal purposes only, an Offeror should assume the annual total value of prototype projects submitted to, and approved for, the Consortium during years three (3) through ten (10) of operation to be $100M per year.

5.3 Technical Proposal Content

5.3.1 Management Approach. The Offeror shall describe the Comprehensive Management

Plan (CMP) for establishment, operations and management of the Consortium, including specific milestones to establish and organize and maintain the Consortium and, to perform the requirements/operations identified in the attached pOTA. The plan shall address, as needed, incorporation of the Consortium; establishing the organizational structure and governance, to include management of Intellectual Property, business procedures and systems of the Consortium;

identifying and hiring key personnel to manage consortium operations; and identifying the necessary infrastructure for consortium operations. The plan must also describe the appropriate level of engagement with the Government through participation in appropriately structured advisory bodies, workings and through active staff interaction between the Consortium and

Government representatives, with Offeror’s plans to establish and sustain a strong and efficient working relationship with the Government. The Offeror shall also address identity and address any risks associated with establishment and implementation of the Consortium, to include a discussion on how Personal and Organizational Conflict of Interests will be identified and handled

At a minimum, the Offeror shall describe its ability to sustain management, cost, schedule and performance oversight, and assure completion of research objectives and prototyping outlined in the pOTA. Offerors shall describe and justify any exceptions to the draft pOTA in their

CMP.

5.3.2 Provide a Consortium Membership Agreement (CMA) to govern the dealings among the

Consortium Members and to be used by the Consortium to enlist members of the Consortium. It is expected the CMA will mirror the pOTA where applicable, but it will also include non-pOTA terms and conditions, to include governance, membership requirements, cost sharing, intellectual property and a business framework for collaboration and teaming among Consortium members, to include handling of disputes and conflicts among consortium members.

5.3.3 Experience

5.3.3.1 Technical Experience. The Offeror shall describe its technical experience in sensors, communications and electronics research, development, product licensure, and/or production activities relevant to the proposed effort, as described in technology objectives, paragraph 4.1, and how that experience will be applied to the proposed effort. An Offeror shall discuss in detail experience solving challenging problems similar to those that may arise in this program and their experience in intellectual property management and incorporating and building relationships with emerging technology companies. If the Offeror has limited Government pOTA experience, a description of similar technical experience with an instrument like a Cooperative Agreement or

Technology Investment Agreement or collaborating with diverse entities like non-profit organizations, institutes of higher education, and local and state Governments should be included.

5.3.3.2 Key Personnel. The Offeror shall provide qualified individuals as Key Personnel to perform consortium management operations. Positions proposed to be performed by Key

Personnel and the individuals proposed to perform these positions shall be identified by the

Offeror in their proposal, and the qualifications of such Key Personnel shall be fully described by a resume or equivalent documents. If any Key Personnel required for performance of these duties are not presently employed by the Offeror, Offerors shall provide a letter of commitment(s).

5.3.4 Consortium Operations

5.3.4.1 The Offeror shall describe the Consortium operations as an entity and method(s) to be used to assure Members are involved in identifying technical and business solutions and meeting the objectives of the pOTA. The proposal should identify current Consortium Members and prospective Consortium Members. The role and capability of the website shall be described.

5.3.4.2 Offerors shall describe the management of the prototype project award process addressing all stages from solicitation to execution, to include discussion of the Government’s continuous involvement with the awardee.

5.3.4.2 An Offeror shall describe, within their Outreach Plan, their approach to attracting diverse members, to include nontraditional defense contractors and small businesses to participate in a

Consortium environment. Provide the Offeror’s plan for mentoring the members. The Offeror shall also describe its approach for marketing the Consortium’s capabilities/availability to other

Federal agencies with similar technical interests.

5.3.4.3 An Offeror shall describe, within their Financial Plan, their approach to financial operations and ensuring the financial stability and sustainment of the Consortium. It is the

Government’s intent that the Consortium will be financially self-supporting for years three (3) through years (10). The Offeror shall describe in detail its fee structure for generating revenue to operate the Consortium and how it will be tracked and managed. The Offeror shall also detail access to venture capital or other sources of funding to enhance the potential of the Consortium.

5.3.4.4 For the purposes of this proposal only, describe how your approach to financial operations, to include how the fee structure and Consortium operations toward self-sustaining operations, would change if the annual total value of prototype projects submitted to and approved for the

Consortium were to be $15M, $50M and $100M per year. Include a discussion of these three possible scenarios as a separate attachment, not to exceed 3 pages. This attachment does not count against the overall page limit.

5.4 Cost/Price Volume

5.4.1 The Cost/Price Volume shall have two subparts: 1) the cost to establish the Consortium during phase 1 in accordance with this solicitation, and 2) the estimated cost to operate the

Consortium for years 1 – 2, under the pOTA. The subpart 1 cost is for the Phase I initial 6-month

Consortium operations under the pOTA; the estimated cost for Subpart 2 is for the Phase II first 2 full years of Consortium operations.

5.4.1.1 The Offeror shall describe in Subpart 2 of the Cost/Price Proposal, its cost saving approaches for generating a budget for the operation and maintenance of the Consortium.

5.4.2 An Offeror shall provide only data in this volume that pertains to its Cost/Price. No other information will be evaluated. The Cost/Price Volume shall include descriptions of cost estimating techniques and allocation methods, utilized by the Offeror. Estimating technique(s) used in creating this volume shall be clearly identified. Commercially available parametric cost models and in-house developed parametric cost models may be used if identified and available.

5.4.3 For realism purposes, an Offeror shall clearly identify labor categories with the number of labor hours and labor rates for both direct and indirect labor. Indicate if the rates are current or projected. If projected, provide the basis for the projection.

5.4.4 Consultants. Explain the need for consultant services planned to be utilized by the

Offeror. List proposed consultants, if known by name. For each consultant, show (1) nature of services, (2) fee rate, (3) total consultant fee and (4) any other allowable related costs that may be involved such as travel and per diem.

5.4.5. Travel. List the proposed travel associated with Consortium operations. Include origin and destination, duration of travel, estimated air or automobile expense, proposed automobile rental cost, if applicable, along with a statement of the Offeror's current travel policy.

Explanation of the need for proposed travel must be included in the Cost/Price Volume. The

Government expects the pOTA Awardee to attend the 2017 Parallel Military Sensing

Symposium (MSS), or comparable DOD sponsored event, and present an update on SCEC in an open attendee forum. A separate private SCEC & Government meeting may occur as well. The

2017 Parallel MSS is anticipated to be five days in August 2017, located within the continental

U.S.

5.4.6 Other Costs. List all other costs not otherwise included in the categories described above and provide a basis for pricing.

5.4.7 The Offeror is to provide its Contract Administration Office (if known) and cognizant

Audit Office (if known), and date of last audit.

5.4.8 For proposal purposes only, an Offeror should assume the value of projects submitted to, and approved for the Consortium during the first two years of operation are $15M in year one, and $30M in year two.

PART 6 – EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

6.1 Basis for Award

6.1.1 This will be a competitive source selection. Award may be made to the Offeror who is deemed responsible, whose proposal conforms to the solicitation’s requirements (to include all stated terms, conditions, representations, certifications, and all other information required by this solicitation) and is judged, based on evaluation factors, to represent the best value to the

Government. The Government intends to select the Offeror whose proposal is most advantageous to the Government; however, the Government reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to make no award, depending on the quality of the proposals submitted and the availability of funds. The Government reserves the right to conduct written or oral discussions if deemed necessary or appropriate, before the Agreement is executed, with one, some or all Offerors.

6.1.2 The proposals shall be complete, shall arrive by date and time indicated, and shall be compliant with all instructions. Offerors shall refer to Part 4, Submission of Proposals for Proposal

Preparation. All proposals will be evaluated independently in accordance with the evaluation factors.

6.1.3 It is the Government’s intent to make this award, utilizing a two-step award process.

However, the evaluation for both phases will be completed at the same time. It is the

Governments’ intent to award the first phase of the pOTA to establish the Consortium, and then once the Consortium is successfully established, to award the second phase of the pOTA to the

Consortium. Revisions may be requested and costs reevaluated prior to award of Phase II, if the

Government deems necessary.

6.2 Evaluation for Award

6.2.1 General –A proposal will be evaluated based upon the evaluation factors described below.

6.2.2 Factors – The Technical evaluation factors, numbered in descending order of importance are as follows:

(a) Management Approach

(b) Experience

(c) Consortium Operations

Government evaluators will not assume the Offeror possesses any capability or knowledge unless it is specified in the proposal. After each of the above technical factors is rated individually, an overall rating will be assigned collectively to all of these factors.

The technical factors are more important than cost/price

6.3. Technical Evaluation Criteria: The following criteria will be used to evaluate the technical aspects of the proposal.

6.3.1 Management Approach. The Government will evaluate proposals for the following:

Ability to sustain management, cost, schedule and performance oversight, and control of performance of the pOTA.

Realism of milestones for phases I and II.

The degree to which proposed metrics will be able to measure overall operations of the

Consortium.

The organizational structure and governance, to include management of Consortium

Intellectual Property, business procedures and systems to support the Consortium and its ability to maintain focus on and promote responsiveness to Government requirements.

Process for identifying and hiring key personnel with the appropriate qualifications to support the consortium.

Infrastructure for consortium operations.

Plan to establish and sustain a strong and efficient working relationship with the

Government.

6.3.2 Experience. The Government will evaluate proposals for the following:

Technical experience in research, development, product licensure, and/or production activities relevant to the proposed effort, as described in technology objectives, paragraph

4.1, and how that experience will be applied to the proposed effort.

Experience solving challenging problems similar to those that may arise in this program and their experience in intellectual property management and incorporating and building relationships with emerging technology companies.

Resumes and other submitted qualifications of qualified Key Personnel to support the consortium, to include letters of commitment for proposed Key Personnel not currently in the employ of the Offeror to assess the availability of required personnel.

The technical experience the Offeror has with previous similar efforts or experience with an instrument like a Cooperative Agreement or Technology Investment Agreement or collaborating with diverse entities and how it will be applied to this initiative.

6.3.4 Consortium Operations. The Government will evaluate the following:

Outreach Plan

The role and capability of the execution of the Outreach Plan to include the website and other proposed systems for streamlined processes and communications among Consortium

Members and the Government.

Marketing strategy to other Federal Agencies with similar technical interest as well as its approach for generating and managing operating capital to fund its actual cost of operation.

Approach to attracting industry and academia to participate in a Consortium environment to include plans for mentoring the Nontraditional Defense Contractor and small business members and obtaining access to private capital to enhance the potential of the Consortium.

Financial Plan

Approach to financial operations…