Research & Operations Support Services (ROSS) II - Solicitation

***Update - 6 May 2010*** 
The purpose of this notice is to inform all potential offerors of the revised ROSS II source selection strategy. A Full Trade‐off source selection was anticipated in the original Draft RFP; however, the strategy has been revised from a Full Trade‐off to a Performance Price Trade‐off (PPT) without requesting technical proposals.

Thank you for the interest regarding the original Draft RFP documents posted last year.  As a result of the revised strategy, the AF is providing a second Draft RFP. The documents we are posting today include: drafts of the PWS, Section L, and Section M; and answers to questions previously submitted by potential offerors in response to the first draft RFP. In the coming weeks we anticipate posting additional revised documents, including the cost model and model contract, affected by this change. Please regularly check FedBizOpps for updates.
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A. AFRL/RZ-West is seeking sources to provide high quality on-site test operations support and engineering and technical personnel who possess superior competence in all aspects of liquid, solid, spacecraft, emerging and pervasive propulsion as well as experimental test operations, systems integration and analysis. The contractor provided personnel shall possess exceptional knowledge, skills and abilities in test operations, research, engineering, development, prediction, evaluation and management to enhance the state-of-the-art in rocket propulsion technology while improving rocket propulsion capability. Other areas of desired expertise include a working knowledge of logistics, contract management and common industry practices. Areas of test operations, research and engineering shall include: test facility design and modification, analytical and numerical systems, affordability and failure analysis, experimental testing, data acquisition and reduction, hardware design and development, software development, technical advice and acquisition management support. Specifically, AFRL/RZ-W is seeking test operations, research and engineering expertise to perform engineering design and analysis as well as test facility design, analysis, construction and modifications that:

1.) Advance liquid rocket engine technology (associated components and integrated propulsion systems that apply to pump-fed, pressure-fed, and/or Combined Cycle engines that use both cryogenic and storable propellants. Such activities range from component level to full system test and evaluation and could support advanced research and development assets or fielded systems.

2.) Advance solid and hybrid rocket motor component and propulsion system technology and capability. Some activities include safe handling, transport and storage of explosive assets, modification, configuration and validation of large and small thrust stands and related equipment and data analysis and reduction of test data.

3.) Support satellite, post boost vehicle and kinetic energy weapon divert and axial propulsion programs, multi-pulse ground-based upper stage booster programs and hardware integration/demonstration, attitude control, orbital transfer and repositioning efforts. The activities shall include test facility modification, test article integration and program support along with progress monitoring of tests.

4.) Advance propulsion capability in the areas of space propulsion. Work in this area encompasses applied sciences and technologies of boost, post boost and spacecraft systems such as electric propulsion, advanced chemical propulsion, solar propulsion, high energy density materials, as well as performance concepts including avionics, sensors and other emerging technologies. The contractor shall perform testing in a rarefied environment and all support activities in order to enable such tests.

B. Interested Small Businesses that believe have the capability to perform this effort shall submit a 10-page, double-spaced, 12 point font, white paper to Captain Bill Allen at William.allen2@edwards.af.mil and Anthony Garcia at Anthony.garcia@edwards.af.mil no later than 3:00 P.M. Pacific Standard Time on 04 Nov 2008. Small Businesses found qualified will be required to provide a presentation on or about 7 November 2008. Small businesses found qualified will be individually contacted with date, time, and place of the presentation.

C. An industry day for all other interested parties will be held on or about the 17 Nov 2008. A separate industry day announcement will be posted by 31 October 2008 on FedBizOpps.

D. Ombudsman
(a) An ombudsman has been appointed to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and others for this acquisition. When requested, the ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The existence of the ombudsman does not affect the authority of the program manager, contracting officer, or source selection official. Further, the ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals, the source selection process, or the adjudication of protests or formal contract disputes. The ombudsman may refer the party to another official who can resolve the concern.

(b) Before consulting with an ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the contracting officer for resolution. Consulting an ombudsman does not alter or postpone the timelines for any other processes (e.g., agency level bid protests, GAO bid protests, requests for debriefings, employee-employer actions, contests of OMB Circular A-76 competition performance decisions).

(c) If resolution cannot be made by the contracting officer, concerned parties may contact the Center/MAJCOM ombudsmen, AFFTC/PK, 661-277-2006, FAX 661-275-3784 Concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the MAJCOM/DRU level, may be brought by the concerned party for further consideration to the Air Force ombudsman, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (ADAS) (Contracting), SAF/AQC, 1060 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1060, phone number (703) 588-7004, facsimile number (703) 588-1067.

(d) The ombudsman has no authority to render a decision that binds the agency.

(e) Do not contact the ombudsman to request copies of the solicitation, verify offer due date, or clarify technical requirements. Such inquiries shall be directed to the Contracting Officer.

A. AFRL/RZ-West is seeking sources to provide high quality on-site test operations support and engineering and technical personnel who possess superior competence in all aspects of liquid, solid, spacecraft, emerging and pervasive propulsion as well as experimental test operations, systems integration and analysis. The contractor provided personnel shall possess exceptional knowledge, skills and abilities in test operations, research, engineering, development, prediction, evaluation and management to enhance the state-of-the-art in rocket propulsion technology while improving rocket propulsion capability. Other areas of desired expertise include a working knowledge of logistics, contract management and common industry practices. Areas of test operations, research and engineering shall include: test facility design and modification, analytical and numerical systems, affordability and failure analysis, experimental testing, data acquisition and reduction, hardware design and development, software development, technical advice and acquisition management support. Specifically, AFRL/RZ-W is seeking test operations, research and engineering expertise to perform engineering design and analysis as well as test facility design, analysis, construction and modifications that:

1.) Advance liquid rocket engine technology (associated components and integrated propulsion systems that apply to pump-fed, pressure-fed, and/or Combined Cycle engines that use both cryogenic and storable propellants. Such activities range from component level to full system test and evaluation and could support advanced research and development assets or fielded systems.

2.) Advance solid and hybrid rocket motor component and propulsion system technology and capability. Some activities include safe handling, transport and storage of explosive assets, modification, configuration and validation of large and small thrust stands and related equipment and data analysis and reduction of test data.

3.) Support satellite, post boost vehicle and kinetic energy weapon divert and axial propulsion programs, multi-pulse ground-based upper stage booster programs and hardware integration/demonstration, attitude control, orbital transfer and repositioning efforts. The activities shall include test facility modification, test article integration and program support along with progress monitoring of tests.

4.) Advance propulsion capability in the areas of space propulsion. Work in this area encompasses applied sciences and technologies of boost, post boost and spacecraft systems such as electric propulsion, advanced chemical propulsion, solar propulsion, high energy density materials, as well as performance concepts including avionics, sensors and other emerging technologies. The contractor shall perform testing in a rarefied environment and all support activities in order to enable such tests.

B. Interested Small Businesses that believe have the capability to perform this effort shall submit a 10-page, double-spaced, 12 point font, white paper to Captain Bill Allen at William.allen2@edwards.af.mil and Anthony Garcia at Anthony.garcia@edwards.af.mil no later than 3:00 P.M. Pacific Standard Time on 04 Nov 2008. Small Businesses found qualified will be required to provide a presentation on or about 7 November 2008. Small businesses found qualified will be individually contacted with date, time, and place of the presentation.

C. An industry day for all other interested parties will be held on or about the 17 Nov 2008. A separate industry day announcement will be posted by 31 October 2008 on FedBizOpps.

D. Ombudsman
(a) An ombudsman has been appointed to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and others for this acquisition. When requested, the ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The existence of the ombudsman does not affect the authority of the program manager, contracting officer, or source selection official. Further, the ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals, the source selection process, or the adjudication of protests or formal contract disputes. The ombudsman may refer the party to another official who can resolve the concern.

(b) Before consulting with an ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the contracting officer for resolution. Consulting an ombudsman does not alter or postpone the timelines for any other processes (e.g., agency level bid protests, GAO bid protests, requests for debriefings, employee-employer actions, contests of OMB Circular A-76 competition performance decisions).

(c) If resolution cannot be made by the contracting officer, concerned parties may contact the Center/MAJCOM ombudsmen, AFFTC/PK, 661-277-2006, FAX 661-275-3784 Concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the MAJCOM/DRU level, may be brought by the concerned party for further consideration to the Air Force ombudsman, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (ADAS) (Contracting), SAF/AQC, 1060 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1060, phone number (703) 588-7004, facsimile number (703) 588-1067.

(d) The ombudsman has no authority to render a decision that binds the agency.

(e) Do not contact the ombudsman to request copies of the solicitation, verify offer due date, or clarify technical requirements. Such inquiries shall be directed to the Contracting Officer.