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9 June 2007
03 May 2007 (Version 1.0)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I……………………………………………………………………………………..3
INTRODUCTION
PART II……………………………………………………………………………………6
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
PART III…………………………………………………………………………………...7
EVALUATION FACTORS
SECTION 1: Basis for Award
SECTION 2: Identifying Qualified Vendors
SECTION 3: Evaluation of White Papers
SECTION 4: Evaluation of Full Proposals
SECTION 5: Organizational Conflict of Interest
PART IV…………………………………………………………………………………...11
PROPOSAL PREPARATION
SECTION 1: WHITE PAPERS
SECTION 2: CONTENTS OF FULL PROPOSAL
SECTION 2A: Technical Section
SECTION 2B: Cost Section
APPENDIX A – Small Business Subcontracting Program
APPENDIX B – Representation and Certifications
SECTION 2C: Past Performance Section
SECTION 3: GENERAL INFORMATION
Eligibility
Proprietary Information
Technology Transition
Reporting Requirements
Subcontracting
Central Contractor Register
Non-Government Evaluators
Process Chart
The words vendor and offeror are used interchangeably in this document and serve to represent those individuals, organizations, and companies that will be seeking to compete for a contract announced by this document.
PART I
INTRODUCTION
This document is a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) sponsored by Army’s Command and Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Sensor and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems, Communications-Electronics Life Cycle Management Command (C-E LCMC), Program Executive Office Intelligence Electronic Warfare and Sensor (PEO IEW&S), valid through fiscal year 2010, unless terminated earlier. To access this or any Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), a contractor must first be registered on the Army Single Face to Industry Interactive Business Opportunities Page (IBOP) at: https://abop.monmouth.army.mil. A CAGE Code and DUNS number are required to complete registration. The registration process can be lengthy and potential vendors are encouraged to register as soon as possible. This BAA is issued pursuant to provisions of Part 235 of the Department of Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) which provides for research and development contracting and provisions under Part 6.1 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Proposals submitted in response to this BAA that are selected for award are to be in full compliance with the Provisions of Public Law 98-369, “The Competition in Contracting Act of 1984.”
Specific costs, terms, and conditions will be negotiated prior to award. The Government anticipates the award of Cost-Plus Fixed Fee-type contracts but reserves the right to solicit and award any contract type that best serves the interests of the Government. The maximum length of this BAA will be three years. No predetermined decisions regarding the number of size or individual awards or the allocation of total research and development funds across the technology solutions will be made. The Government intends to award without discussion in accordance with FAR Part 15.306.
Prospective offerors should note that this BAA is “only” an expression of interest and does not commit the Government to make an award or pay proposal preparation costs generated in response to this announcement. The cost of preparing this proposal in response to this BAA is not an allowable direct charge to any resulting contract or to any other contract. No contract award will be made unless a determination is made that a requirement exist and appropriated funds are available for the effort being acquired. Prospective offerors are reminded that only a duly warranted Contracting Officer may obligate the Government. Any resultant contract award would include all clauses required by Federal Acquisition Regulations and appropriate supplements.
This BAA is intended for research and development efforts in support of PEO IEW&S. Specific information on program goals is provided in the Program Description section. This BAA addresses technology areas that are classified and will require special handling procedures to safeguard sensitive and classified information.
Interested vendors will have 30 days following the posting of this BAA to adhere to the following basic process if they are interested in competing for contracts on efforts covered by this document:
1. Review the entire BAA announcement.
2. Contact the Security POC via e-mail.¹ Provide the Security POC with the following information:
a. Complete and full company name and contact information.
b. CAGE & DUNS information.
c. Names of no more than three personnel who will review the classified Statement of Objectives (SOO).
3. Receive Security approval to visit the Government site and attend a SOO orientation & review meeting. Attendance at this meeting will be at no cost to the Government.
4. Arrive at the Government facility, receive read-on, sign Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), review the SOO, and sign read-off. White Papers generated by the offeror cannot compromise the terms of the NDA, which will be explained fully at the SOO orientation and review.
5. Return to parent facility, create White Paper² for technology area(s) of interest and submit to the Government.³ See Part 3 – Evaluation Factors.
¹Adherence to security requirements and the White Paper submission process is mandatory prior to submission of a full proposal.² White Papers are to be classified in accordance with applicable US Federal law and/or Department of Defense regulations/instructions as appropriate. Submitted White Papers that are not properly classified will not be considered.
³ The selection of White Papers for one or more proposals for award will be based on a peer and scientific evaluation of each vendor’s response (to include both technical and cost aspects) to determine the overall merit of the proposal in response to this announcement. The government will review all submissions and select qualified vendors that have met the required capabilities (See Part III – Evaluation Factors).
Prospective vendors will e-mail company name, address information, company CAGE and DUNS information, and the names of no more than three (3) personnel who will be granted access to the classified SOO. Once the Security POC has confirmed receipt of said information and reviewed the material, each company will be notified of eligibility. Eligible companies will be given the opportunity to schedule a site visit to review the classified SOO. The site visit will be at no cost to the Government. At the SOO orientation and review meeting, prospective vendors will be briefed to the Government’s program, receive a basic explanation of the process they are participating in, be given an NDA to sign, and be given the classified SOO to read. Once the review of the SOO is complete, the vendors will sign a read-off document and return to their facilities. Generation of a White Paper on a given technology area(s) is voluntary. However, if one or more White Papers are generated, they are to be sent to the Government via secure fax at: 301-677-7990.
The Government Security POC is Mr. Rick Graves (ricky.graves@conus.army.mil). His alternate is Mr. John Hasskamp (john.hasskamp@conus.army.mil). Any electronic mail not specifically related to the security requirements herein described will be deleted outright and not reviewed.
The technical point of contact is Mr. Matt Maier (matthew.maier@conus.army.mil). Mr. Maier is authorized to answer unclassified technical questions relating only to the BAA that the Government determines require clarification. These answers will be posted electronically on the IBOP and will be available to all vendors. The Government requires a minimum of one week to staff BAA questions. Electronic mail received containing attachments or other material not relevant or related to this BAA will be deleted outright and not reviewed.
Interested parties should remain attentive for any amendments that may be published. Amendments to this BAA will be issued through the Army Single Face to Industry Interactive Business Opportunities Page (IBOP) at https://abop.monmouth.army.mil.
PART II
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
RESEARCH INTERESTS
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION:
The US Army is soliciting white papers and possible proposals for basic and applied research, development, testing, training, delivery, support, and demonstrations of practical, efficient, cost effective Offensive Information Operations (OIO) Systems. Due to security constraints, the SOO will only be provided to offerors who satisfy the criteria defined in Section 1 of this announcement.
The Army manages several OIO initiatives that provide supported elements with the ability to interdict enemy networks and other communication platforms. This BAA represents a concerted effort to leverage innovative technologies that will satisfy these requirements and prevent enemy forces from detecting and countering efforts directed against them. Technologies designed to interrupt these modern networks must use subtle, less obvious methodology that disguises the technique used; protecting the ability whenever possible to permit future use.
This solicitation seeks vendors that have the ability to develop specific OIO capabilities described above and to achieve operational effects at a clearly defined level of excellence required by battlefield commanders against key enemy communications elements in today’s modern battlefield. Once demonstrated, capabilities must be integrated into new or existing systems to achieve the desired result under both laboratory and field conditions. Fieldable prototypes will undergo stringent formal testing (developmental and operational) to verify readiness for field use.
The overall goal of this solicitation is to design and develop operationally functional OIO technologies that have the ability to defeat enemy communication networks without causing serious or permanent damage while using methods and techniques that protect technologies and methodologies.
When a vendor has satisfied the requirements described in this announcement to receive classified material, the vendor will be provided a classified SOO at the meeting referenced previously (Part I, Subparagraph 4.) that will provide a specific description of the operational needs and the specific technology areas of interest. The SOO provides sufficient details to allow vendors to identify the technology area(s) of interest they are capable of supporting. This information should be included in a classified White Paper that addresses single specific technology areas. Multiple white paper submissions are encouraged when appropriate.
PART III
EVALUATION FACTORS
SECTION 1: Basis for Award.
Basis for award is a three (3) phase process. In the first phase, selection of qualified vendors will be made by verifying that the minimum security requirements have been met. In the second phase, a classified SOO will be made available to potential vendors, who will then submit a classified White Paper via secure channels. The White Papers will be evaluated using the evaluation factors provided in Part III, section 3 of this announcement. After evaluation of the White Papers, letters will be sent to vendors notifying them as to whether or not they were chosen. In the third phase, selected qualified vendors will prepare proposals and submit them for evaluation. The submitted proposals will be evaluated in accordance with Part 3, Section 4 of this announcement. The Government reserves the right to select for award all, some, or none of the proposals received.
General Process:
The selection of White Papers for full proposals and subsequently full proposals for contract award will be based on the contractor's ability to meet minimum security requirements and a scientific and engineering peer review evaluation of the White Paper. However, if a vendor is unable to meet the minimum security requirements they will not be permitted to participate in this process. If the potential vendor meets the minimum security requirements and submits a White Paper, the vendor may be asked to submit a full proposal.
Security Requirements:
Specific technical information related to this effort is classified. To receive this information, a prospective vendor must first qualify for access in accordance with established minimum security guidelines. Classification levels for this effort may range from TOP SECRET to CONFIDENTIAL and contain Special Access material or Special Compartmented Information (SCI).
Minimum Security requirements include but are not limited to:
Personnel Security: Individuals must meet requirements set forth in Chap. 5-4, AR 380-381, dated 21 April 2004 and JAFAN 6/4, dated 9 May 2006 with established SCI access.
Physical Security: All activities involved in this effort will establish secure facilities in which to work classified information (storage, dissemination, discussion, receipt, and generation of information). Facilities must meet the applicable specifications of JFAN 6/3, DCID 6/9, JAFAN 6/9, NISPOM, NISPOM Supplements, AR 380-5, AR 380-381, and/or AR 190-13 depending upon the classification level of information worked in the facility.
Automated Information Systems (AIS): Systems will be accredited at the sensitivity level appropriate to the classification level of the work being conducted. Systems processing classified Government material will be Stand-Alone systems (i.e., not connected to a network). The computers to be used in this effort will comply will all applicable Federal, Department of Defense, and Army requirements for processing classified information, will utilize removable hard drives that are to be properly stored in an accredited Class 6 safe when not in use, and will not under any circumstance connect or interface with unauthorized devices while being used to develop proposals for the Government. Unless specifically approved by the Government Security POC, classified Government information will not be recorded on, moved to, stored on, or shared through the use of removable media or other types of electronic devices, to include personally owned electronic devices. All hard drives and other authorized media used in the preparation of the proposal that processed, stored, and/or retained classified Government material, will be returned to the Government at the end of the proposal process.
Must have a TOP SECRET facility clearance (the Government will conduct an inspection to ensure/approve the facility has the proper clearance).
Following a review of submitted White Papers, vendors selected to provide proposals will be inspected to verify compliance with security requirements. After security requirements have been met, the Government will issue a Department of Defense (DD) Form 254 which authorizes the vendor access to specific information. The Government will then request these vendors provide the names of no more than three, fully qualified individuals to be given temporary access to the technical information related to a specific effort(s). These individuals will be granted access to classified Government information for a fixed period during which time the vendor may retain the information in accordance with approved procedures to facilitate writing proposals. Vendors who are selected for contract award will be required to undergo initial and annual inspections by the Defense Security Service (DSS) to conduct accreditation of facilities and information system(s). Vendors who are not selected for contract award must certify destruction of the material no later than 14 days after notification on non-selection. Individuals granted temporary access to the effort will be read off. While granted temporary access to classified technical information, reproduction of said information is unauthorized.
SECTION 2: Identifying Qualified Vendors
Selection of a potential vendor qualifying for access to classified technical information will be based on evaluation of the vendor’s ability to meet minimum security requirements. All minimum security requirements addressed in the Security requirements section of this announcement must be met.
SECTION 3: Evaluation of White Papers.
Selection of a vendor(s) White Paper for submission of a complete proposal will be based on an evaluation of the following areas: Technical and Cost. White Papers will be evaluated independently based on the technology area stated by the vendor. White Papers that do not clearly identify one of the technologies of interest defined in the classified SOO may be rejected outright. The technical factor area is significantly more important than cost and will be rated using an adjectival rating system. Cost will not be adjectivally rated. The technical factor evaluation will include the evaluation of the proposal with respect to the clarity of the description of the technology being considered, the objectives of the proposed effort, technical issues, the assessment of the ultimate capabilities of the technology, and how the technology will provide increased capability. The cost factor will not be rated or scored; rather, the Government will evaluate the factor in general terms of affordability.
The Government will respond to each White Paper with an invitation to propose or a notification that a proposal will not be entertained. Only those invited will be permitted to submit a full proposal. White Papers will be evaluated as they are received, however, they may be collected for periodic evaluation. White Papers lacking scientific merit or relevance to Army needs, or those that may fall in areas wherein funds are not expected to be available may be rejected without further action.
SECTION 4: Evaluation of Full Proposals
Selection of a vendor(s) for award as a result of submission of complete proposals will be based on assessment of the proposal and the vendor’s ability to perform the prospective contract successfully, in accordance with Subpart 15.3 of the FAR. The Government seeks throughout the evaluation process to obtain the best overall value for the Government. The Government will evaluate proposals based on the following factors: technical, cost, and past performance. In general, the Technical Factor is meant to assess each vendor’s ability to accomplish the technical requirements. The Government will specifically evaluate each offeror's technical proposal against the he following two Technical sub-factors: Scientific Merit; and Technical Merit/ Feasibility. Scientific Merit is further defined as the degree to which the proposed effort positively impact the Government's OIO efforts, fills gaps in current capabilities, and provides fundamental progress to the OIO field. Technical Merit/Feasibility is further defined as the degree to which the proposed effort is likely to succeed and meet the technical requirements, the probability of success based upon the experience and organizational structure of the development team, and the technical risk associated with the proposed system design. The evaluation of the cost factor will include a cost realism analysis to determine what the Government should realistically expect to pay for the proposed effort, the offeror's understanding of the work, and the offeror's ability to perform the contract. On a scale of importance, the sub-factors of Technical Merit/ Feasibility and Scientific Merit are equal with respect to each other. The overall Technical Factor is slightly more important than the Cost Factor, which is slightly more important than the past performance factor. The Government may reject all proposals received in response to a solicitation, if it is in the best interest of the Government to do so.
Small business subcontracting plans will be required from any large business selected for an award over $500,000.
SECTION 5: Organizational Conflict of Interest
Awards made under this BAA are subject to the provisions of the FAR Subpart 9.5, Organizational Conflict of Interest. All vendors and proposed subcontractors must affirmatively state whether they are providing scientific, engineering and technical assistance (SETA) or similar support to any Government technical office(s) through an active contract or subcontract. All affirmations must state which office(s) the vendor supports, identifying the prime contract number. Affirmations should be furnished at the time of proposal submission.
The disclosure shall include a description of the action the vendor has taken, or proposed to take, to avoid, to neutralize or to mitigate such conflict. Vendors should also indicate if the proposed effort, or similar effort, is the subject of an on-going research and development program or has been submitted under other solicitations.
PART IV
PROPOSAL PREPARATION
SECTION 1: WHITE PAPERS
Prior to submission of a full proposal, the submission of a brief White Paper is required. In the White Paper, the vendor must address which technology area the vendor is interested in proposing (as described in the classified SOO). The purpose of the White Paper is to preclude unwarranted effort and expense by potential vendors in preparing a full technical and cost proposal for efforts not considered responsive or for efforts evaluated to have very low overall probability of obtaining support.
White Papers are limited to ten (10) pages and shall consist of 2 primary sections: Technical and Cost. The Technical section shall identify the technology area of interest being addressed and provide a clear description of the technology being proposed. The technology area of interest will address objectives of the proposed effort, the technical issues to be resolved to accomplish the objectives, the approach to resolving these issues, an assessment of the ultimate capability of the proposed technology and how this technology will provide increased capability. The Cost portion shall consist of a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost breakdown of the effort being proposed. Instruction for delivery of classified White Papers is described in Part One of this document.
SECTION 2: CONTENTS OF FULL PROPOSAL
Full proposals shall consist of three sections: technical, cost, and past performance. The technical section shall not exceed 50 pages. The past performance section shall contain no more 10 recent and relevant Government contracts awarded within the past 36 months. Each referenced contract for the past performance section will contain contract numbers and Government points of contact. The proposal pages should be consecutively numbered to facilitate understanding and verification of compliance. Information submitted that exceeds the stated page number in any section may not be considered in the evaluation for award.
SECTION 2A: TECHNICAL SECTION
The technical section should contain the following:
1. A discussion of the approach to be taken to meet the requirements of the Government shall include:
a. An executive summary explaining the rationale for selecting the proposed approach.
b. A description of each major step to be undertaken.
c. A detailed project plan and schedule, including the milestones and timeline for completing each effort, and the projected cost breakdown for each milestone, to include expenditure or internal funds.
d. Expected problems and proposed resolutions.
2. Information on any efforts currently underway that will prove beneficial to the successful completion of the vendor’s approach. The information should include as a minimum, (i) description of the work, and its benefit to the approach, and (ii) the names of federal, state, local agencies or other parties presently funding, or requested to fund, like or similar efforts. The information should be provided for both internally and externally funded programs.
3. The type of Government support, if any, the vendor requests, e.g., facilities, equipment, materials, manpower, R&D resources, etc.
4. The name and location of all facilities that are to be used for work, if appropriate for an understanding of the proposal.
The contractor should identify any technical data proposed to be delivered with less than unlimited rights in the technical proposal. Unless otherwise stated in the proposal, all data delivered to the Government is assumed to possess unlimited rights.
SECTION 2B: COST SECTION
The cost section has no mandatory format or page limit. The vendor shall prepare the cost proposal in accordance with the FAR Subpart 15.4, to include a consolidated price summary and pricing cover sheet with supporting data in order to allow for a complete review by the Government. When cost of money is being proposed, the vendor is required to complete a DD Form 1861. The breakdown of the cost data shall include all costs expected to be incurred under the contract. All details, broken-down by cost element are to be prepared for each major task along with supporting rationale. The following information is required for the Government to analyze the vendor’s proposal:
1. Labor hours, rates and costs by labor category; include Basis of Estimate (BOE).
2. Indirect rates and factors; include BOE.
3. Materials should be detailed and include unit costs, quantities, and total costs of all proposed raw materials, electrical/electronic and mechanical parts, tools, design equipment, test equipment, purchased tests (e.g., environmental tests), paints/coatings, jigs/fixtures, and rented items.
4. Travel should be detailed and include for each trip, the purpose, number of personnel, airfare, per diem, number of days, rental car cost/day, other expenses, if any (describe), and total travel cost.
5. Each subcontract and consultant identified should have all costs broken out in the same format that the prime vendor uses in its proposal.
6. List all other costs not included in the above categories; include BOE.
SECTION 2C: PAST PERFORMANCE SECTION
Please provide past performance information for same or similar work as referenced above.
Each referenced contract for the past performance section will contain contract numbers and Government points of contact.
APPENDIX A – Small Business Subcontracting Program
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 8(d) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(d)), Subpart 19.7, and Subpart 52.2 of the FAR, any contractor receiving a contract for more than the simplified acquisition threshold must agree in the contract that small business, veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, and women-owned small business concerns will have the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in contract performance consistent with its efficient performance. It is further the policy of the United States that its prime contractors establish procedures to ensure the timely payment of amounts due pursuant to the terms of their subcontracts with small business, veteran-owned small business, small disadvantaged small business, and women-owned small business concerns.
APPENDIX B – Representation and Certifications
The vendor shall complete and submit Certifications and Representations with their complete proposal via https://www.bpn.gov/orca. Vendors attest that at the time of their offer submissions, their record at On-line Representation, Certification, and Application (ORCA) is current, accurate, and complete.
SECTION 3: GENERAL INFORMATION
Eligibility
Proposals will be considered from organizations interested in conducting research and development, such as colleges and universities, commercial firms, non-profit research institutes, small business and small disadvantaged business concerns, historically black colleges and universities and minority business enterprises and institutions.
Awarded contracts will require contractors to access classified material or information. As previously stated, only those organizations that can meet the established security requirements are eligible to participate in this BAA. If a subcontract with a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) is proposed, vendors are reminded of the limitations in their use (see FAR Subpart 35.017), and must provide documentation in the proposal that work is not otherwise available from the private sector. To be eligible for award of a contract, a prospective vendor must meet certain minimum standards pertaining to financial resources, ability to comply with the performance schedule, prior records of performance, integrity, organization, experience, operational controls, technical skills, facilities and equipment. Also, registration in the Contractor Central Registration prior to award is mandatory.
Proprietary Information
If information contained in the proposal is in the public domain or cannot be protected under law as trade secret (e.g., a patent publication), the Army will not accept liability for failure to safeguard against open disclosure. If a responder wishes to restrict the proposal, the vendor should mark the title page with the following legend: ‘This data shall not be disclosed outside the Government and shall not be duplicated, used or disclosed in whole or part for any purpose other than to evaluate the proposal.” It is the policy of C-E LCMC to treat all proposals as competitive information and to disclose their content only for the purpose of evaluation. Proposals may be reviewed by approved, non-Government technical experts who have signed an NDA with C-E LCMC.
Technology Transition:
Potential vendors are encouraged to engage commercial and military end-users and commercial manufactures from program inception. The engagement of these communities assists in ensuring the various technologies being developed will be commercially viable and available in a useful form to the military.
Reporting Requirements:
- Monthly Progress Report consisting of:
- Status of Technical Effort
- Accomplishments
- Funds Status
- Problems Identified
- Proposed Solutions
- Plans for the next 30 days
Final Report
- Documentation of Research and Development Efforts
- Technical Objectives Met
- Prototype Test
- Evaluation data
Safety Draft/Final Report (if applicable)
Central Contractor Register
In accordance with FAR 52.204-7 and DFARS 252.204-7004, a vendor must be currently registered in the Central Contractor Register located http://www.ccr.gov/ to be eligible for award.
Non-Government Evaluators
The Army may require the technical experts from Chugach Industries Incorporated (CII), CommIT Enterprises (CommIT), and Waterman Enterprises Communications (WEC) to assist in the evaluation of White Papers and proposals ensuing from this solicitation. Such non-government personnel will be bound by currently signed NDA’s to protect proprietary and source-selection sensitive information. Submitted proposals under the terms of this document constitute the Offeror’s acknowledgement that the Government will use of the services of CII, CommIT, and WEC to conduct evaluations as required.