SCO_BAA_Q As.docx

Strategic Capabilities Office Broad Area Announcement

SCO-BAA-16-01

Questions and Answers

1. Can the worksheets be classified?

a. Yes, please have them faxed to 703-526-1271

2. Can graphics be used in addition to the 300-word summary of the worksheet?

a. Yes, but we prefer that summaries are limited to words, as graphics may be used in the white paper submission

3. What is the purpose of the worksheet?

a. The worksheet is designed to get an understanding of your company, and to determine what kind of proposed research idea you have and whether it meets the guidelines described in the BAA.

4. Does the 300-word narrative have to be limited to the white space provided on the worksheet?

a. No, you can use whatever format you would like, as long as it is no more than 300 words

5. What is the anticipated response time for abstracts?

a. Please see section VII: Application and Submission Information of the BAA

6. I’m having issues with PDF worksheet, I am unable to save it?

a. You need to open the file in Adobe Pro, the DC free version will not enable you to save it, if you do not have that version, you can use the original word appendix, or you may use a separate word document for your summary.

7. What is the anticipated submission timelines for abstracts and proposals?

a. Timelines will be provided in the instructions following worksheet submission

8. Is there a limitation to how many worksheets and/or abstracts that can be submitted?

a. No, there is no limitation on how many summaries or worksheets that you can submit, it is an open-ended BAA. We do ask that if there are different business units and or cage codes associated with each idea, that you provide a new worksheet for each.

9. Can FFRDC’s, UARC’s, national labs, etc. submit to the BAA?

a. Yes, you may however we cannot issue contacts to FFRDCS, UARCs, etc. we will have to use already existing instruments to MIPR funding should we have funding available.

Abstract Questions

10. Can I submit my abstract via e-mail?

a. Yes, for unclassified please e-mail them to SCO-BAA-16-01@sco.mil if they are classified please e-mail SCO.Security@sco.mil to received e-mail instructions

11. Can I send multiple versions of my abstract?

a. No, you may only submit one version of your abstract, the first version received will be the version reviewed and evaluated.

Proposal Questions:

12. Does my proposal have to be 2 phases?

a. Yes, per page 5 of the BAA, we request a two phase approach, a phase I that details analysis, through modeling and simulation or other technical means and then upon successful completion of phase I, phase II should detail the technical challenges of designing and fielding the improved system/concept.

13. Do we need to prepare a full cost estimate for phase II in our proposal?

a. No, you may elect to provide a ROM funding profile for your phase II, however Phase I, you must provide a full cost proposal according to the BAA regulations listed on pages 17-25. Upon successful completion of phase I, and if funding is available, we will require a firm cost proposal for phase II.

14. I am unable to provide certified TINA pricing; will my proposal still be accepted?

a. If the acquisition is above the dollar threshold listed in FAR 15.403-4(a)(1) and none of the exceptions applies, the Contracting Office will require the submission and certification of cost or pricing data before contract award. Proposed cost or pricing data must be accurate, complete, and certifiable at proposal submission. Actual certification of data is not required with the proposal submission.

15. How many awards does SCO anticipate under this BAA?

a. It is currently unknown at this time, it is dependent upon funding and resource availability

16. Is this a competitive Proposal?

a. Yes. The Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is by definition a competitive solicitation procedure. However, proposals received are not compared to one another, they are viewed as stand-alone documents and are unique. Each proposal presents a separate approach to solving the problem. There is technical competition in the “marketplace of ideas”.

17. What color money is associating with the funding of Phase I and Phase II?

a. It will be a case by case basis, and is dependent upon the concept idea

18. What Contract type are you envisioning for this effort? Separate contracts for each phase or one contract with multiple CLINs?

a. The contractor should propose the contract type. The contract structure is currently unknown and will be dependent upon the concept idea.

19. What is the anticipated award (start) date for Phase 1 and Phase 2? And what is the period of performance?

a. It will be dependent upon the proposal submission and will be determined on a case-by-cases basis

b. The POP dates will general fall within the phase I and Phase II timeframes depicted on page 5, however there may be some exceptions to these timeframes based upon the concept.

20. Is there a preference for our proposal of single-sided or double-sided pages?

a. No, there is no preference

21. My letter requesting for a proposal does not indicate a time, only that it has to be submitted within 60 days, is there a specific time that the proposal is due?

a. No, you may submit at any time within the 60-day window.

22. The BAA indicates that I may submit via e-mail, mail or hand-carry our submission, is there a website that we need to register on first?

a. No, there is no website your worksheet serves as your registration.

23. What does it mean by all proposals must be FINAL?

a. Once proposals are submitted they cannot be edited, updated or re-submitted with additional information, the version submitted is the only version that we will review and cannot be revised.

24. Is this considered a competitive proposal?

a. The Competition in Contracting Act (CICA) of 1984 issued as Public Law 98-369 (98 stat, 1175 et seq.) authorizes use of "general solicitations" or Broad Agency Announcements (BAA's). Contracts awarded under these general solicitations meet the "full and open" competition requirements of CICA. Broad agency announcements are considered competitive procedures for purposes of the law. By using a broad agency announcement, we are using competitive procedure to promote and provide for full and open competition, but that does not necessarily mean that it will result in competitive proposal or adequate price competition.

25. According to page 25 of the RFP, certified TINA pricing is required. Providing this information within the time frame is aggressive. CAPA requests require a 30-day turnaround and would not be complete within the time frame. We would be able to provide after proposal submission, however, the RFP states that all submissions must be finalized. Please clarify the expectations. We want to make sure we are compliant.

a. If the acquisition is above the dollar threshold listed in FAR 15.403-4(a)(1) and none of the exceptions applies, the Contracting Office will require the submission and certification of cost or pricing data before contract award. The contractor shall ensure all data submitted is accurate, complete, current, and certifiable at proposal submission. Actual certification of data is not required with proposal submissions.

26. When is the expected contract award date and/or period of performance?

a. The contractor should propose the period of performance. Contract award dates are unknown at this time.

27. Will the resulting contract impose publication approval on Universities or on organizations performing fundamental research during program execution?

a. A determination will be made on a case-by-case basis, and is dependent upon the concept idea.

Additional information:

1. Each proposal shall contain a Phase I and Phase II:

a. Phase I (six-twelve months): Detailed analysis, through modeling and simulation or other technical means, to prove feasibility of the proposed advanced warfighting innovative concept with an interim report at four, six and eight months and final report at twelve months, if applicable. It is desired for the proposed system concept to have the ability to be used cross military services or Defense/Intelligence operations.

b. Phase II (24 months): Upon successfully completing Phase I and the availability of funds, the proposal should identify the technical challenges of designing and fielding the improved system. The proposal should identify an approach to overcome the technical challenges. The proposal should identify a concept of operational risk factors. The proposal should provide an estimate of the hardware/software system and life cycle cost. The proposal should provide a high level timeline to execute the proposed innovation through design, test and in-field demonstrations.

Proposal that do not conform to these requirements will not be accepted.

2. The cost file of the proposal shall be submitted via an Excel spreadsheet and should include the following tabs at a minimum:

a. A total cost summary tab broken out by major cost element

b. Prime Direct Labor Tab (Direct Labor Categories, Hours, Rates)

c. Subcontracts/Inter-organizational Transfers/Consultants data tab(s) (cost/price should be broken down by major cost element, in the same format as required of the prime contractor, with all documentation supporting the proposed costs/prices)

d. Consolidated Bill of Material Tab

e. Other Direct Costs (ODCs) Tab

f. Travel Tab