2006-02-13 00:00:00.0 None None Other Science and Technology and other Research and Development Not Available 25 Not Available None None mimi.martin@eglin.af.mil Broad Agency Announcement for Tactical Network Systems MNK-BAA-06-0004 This BAA will remain open until superseded. 2007-01-31 00:00:00.0 None None Department of Defense U.S. AIR FORCE AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY MUNITIONS DIRECTORATE BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT 2006 TACTICAL NETWORK SYSTEMS Published in the Federal Business Opportunities on 18 January 2006, MNK-BAA-06-0004. Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate Contracting Division, AFRL/MNK, 101 West Eglin Boulevard, Suite 337, Eglin AFB, FL 32542-6810 Direct inquiries to the Technical focal points listed in each research area; or to Ms. Brenda M. Soler, Contracting Officer, (850) 883-2680, e-mail: brenda.soler@eglin.af.mil. TABLE OF CONTENTS: Abstract Part I Research Interests A. Introduction B. Mission C. Prospective Research Areas Part II Proposal Preparation Part III Proposal Evaluation Individual Proposal Evaluation Template ABSTRACT: The Munitions Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory, Eglin AFB, FL is interested in receiving research proposals in the areas of: - WIRELESS NETWORKS and GATEWAYS - GROUND MOBILE GATEWAYS - REMOTE SENSING Proposals should describe scientific study and experimentation to increase knowledge and understanding in these areas. This Broad Area Announcement consists of three parts (ATTACHMENT 1): PART I ? Research Interests PART II ? Proposal Preparation PART III ? Proposal Evaluation ATTACHMENT 2 of this Broad Agency Agreement consists of the Individual Proposal Evaluation Template. The cost of preparing proposals in response to this announcement is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resulting contract or any other contract. It is, however, an allowable expense to the normal bid and proposal indirect cost specified in FAR 31.205-18. Companies responding to this announcement are cautioned that only a Contracting Officer may obligate the Government to any agreement involving expenditure of Government funds. This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) constitutes a solicitation for proposals under the provisions of PL 98-369, the Competition in Contracting Act of 1984. The BAA describes research requirements and methods of preparing and submitting proposals. AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY MUNITIONS DIRECTORATE TACTICAL NETWORK SYSTEMS BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) MNK-BAA-06-0004 PART I - RESEARCH INTERESTS A. INTRODUCTION This is a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) of the Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate (AFRL/MN) under the provisions of paragraph 6.102(d)(2) of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, which provides for the competitive selection of research proposals. Proposals submitted in response to the BAA that are selected for award are considered to be the results of full and open competition and in full compliance with the provisions of PL 98-369, the Competition in Contracting Act of 1984. Tactical Network Systems proposals may also be submitted for the acquisition of test assets. In the event these submissions are selected for award, they could be awarded under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2373, Acquisition for Experimental Test Purposes. For purposes of this announcement, AFRL/MN intends to contract with educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and private industry for research in Tactical Network Systems. Research is defined to be scientific study and experimentation directed at developing technologies, components, and quick reactive capabilities (QRC) for tactical level C4ISR systems. This work includes, but is not limited to, battle group interoperability; tactical C4ISR network analysis, design, development, and assessment; sensor and datalink design, development, and assessment; and implementation, training, and CONOPS design and development of tactical C4ISR systems. Potential areas of interest include QRC component design, development, miniaturization, hardening and assessment; tactical network and control design and integration; remote sensor design, development, and assessment. It is an enhancement to related exploratory and advanced development programs. The program should be designed to demonstrate well defined and substantive research results, should not be overly ambitious or open-ended, and should not be a paper study that inherently requires a substantial testing effort; however, there is the possibility of experimental testing to support battle lab experiments proposed under this BAA. Under some circumstances, we expect that narrowly focused white papers or proposals for advanced research may be required during the time of this open announcement. Under those circumstances, a specific or special BAA amendment may be issued describing the requirement in greater detail, defining funding available, elaborating on white paper or proposal submission due date and format, and possibly providing more specific evaluation criteria. Persons/firms contemplating submission of a proposal to AFRL/MN should not only carefully examine this BAA, but are also strongly encouraged to contact the appropriate AFRL/MN technical Point of Contact (POC) identified in this publication to ascertain the extent of interest which AFRL/MN may have in a specific research project. Proposals may be submitted at any time during the period the BAA is open. However, prior to submitting a proposal, offerors are encouraged to submit a two-to-three page white paper on their proposed research topic to the key AFRL/MN technical POC(s) who have been contacted for each area of interest. The purpose of the white paper is to preclude unwarranted effort on the part of an offeror whose proposed work is not of current interest under this BAA. Those offerors submitting white papers found to be consistent with the intent of this BAA may subsequently be invited to submit a proposal. The proposal shall be in accordance with the instructions in Part II. Such invitation however does not assure that a contract or assistance instrument (grant, cooperative agreement, or other transaction) will be awarded. Proposals submitted may be evaluated as they are received or held for consolidated evaluation. There will be no further correspondence between the Government and Offerors if their white papers are not selected for award. However, Offerors may call the AFRL/MN technical POC directly for selection status. Notice to Foreign-Owned Firms: Such firms are asked to immediately notify the Air Force technical point of contact cited below upon deciding to respond to this announcement. Foreign offerors should be aware that restrictions may apply which could preclude their participation. This BAA may be amended as needed to provide specific further defined information regarding a research area. In that case, either white papers or technical and cost proposals in accordance with Part II may be requested, and more specific instructions may be provided. A contract or assistance instrument could be awarded as a result of this BAA, as appropriate. We expect most awards with universities and non-profit organizations to be grants. In addition to being posted on http://www.fedbizopps.gov, all Federal grant opportunities under this BAA are posted at http://www.grants.gov. For the purpose of this BAA, the size standard is 1000 employees (NAICS 541710). Note that there is no inherent funding associated with this BAA. This BAA will remain open for one year or until superseded. It will be reissued periodically and may be amended at any time. Proposals submitted in response to this BAA will be accepted through 31 January 2007. The descriptions of the technical areas are organized by scientific discipline, and the reader may note some overlap between sections. To contact an AFRL/MN POC by mail, include branch or division symbol and POC name in the following format: AFRL / (Branch or Division Symbol) Attn: (Point of Contact) 101 W. Eglin Blvd. Eglin AFB, FL 32542-6810 If you have general questions about the proposal preparation guidance, please contact MiMi Martin, AFRL/MNK, at 850-883-2675, mimi.martin@eglin.af.mil or Brenda Soler, AFRL/MNK, at 850-883-2680, brenda.soler@eglin.af.mil. B. MISSION AFRL/MN has been tasked under the Battlefield Air Operations (BAO) Kit program for the rapid improvement of warfighting capability. The improvements are for the benefit of warfighters including, but not limited to, the Combat Air Controllers and Tactical Air Control Party (TAC-P) personnel. This is a matter of our highest priority. The Battlefield Airman (BA) concept was initiated to transform the Combat Controllers, TAC-P, Para-rescue, and Tactical Weather troops into a single fighting force using common equipment, tactics, and training procedures. It has recently been adapted as a transformation process across the AF. Recently the BA concept was expanded to include the AF Security Forces (SF). Transformation of the SF personnel into combat coded troops will eventually reduce critical manpower issues and costs associated with the Air Expeditionary Force (AEF) concept. It will involve common equipment, interfaces, and training procedures throughout the Air Force. C. PROSPECTIVE RESEARCH AREAS The following narratives are intended to provide an abbreviated description of the prospective research areas mentioned in the ABSTRACT. These descriptions are not meant to be exhaustive, but rather to challenge the reader to create and submit truly creative proposals that have the potential to dramatically shift existing paradigms. Further, these topics are not intended as an all-inclusive list. These descriptions furnish specific examples of areas of interest and Directorate focal points associated with these technology areas. However, any submitted white paper or proposal must be grounded in achievable technology goals. WIRELESS NETWORKS The goal of this work is to perform wireless network research in the areas of: self-forming, self-healing wireless networks for tactical level C4ISR, threat intercept, and threat intercept/interdiction applications. Hardware and software solutions should support inter and intra-team communications for tactical missions. Networks should include, but are not limited to, communicating voice, text, video, whiteboard, and personnel location and status among team members and the C2 elements for targeting and situational awareness. The objective is to design, develop and integrate commercial and military components and systems to form wireless networks that are highly mobile and which take tactical data and information and link them to C4ISR architectures for all types of targeting. These networks move sensor, positional, and other tactical data from the soldier in the field to multiple levels of command and control. Time critical targeting information generated by the soldier in the field needs to be integrated into the global grid for a common operating picture and joint operations. Network development also needs to provide for an inter-team, situational awareness capability that allows personnel to communicate information at all levels (voice, text, video, etc.). This effort is focused on Special Operations Forces (SOF) troops, but also includes Security Forces, Battlefield Airman, and many other government related applications. Other areas of interest include: low frequency/high bandwidth communications, data and information fusion techniques, data compression techniques, data storage and retrieval techniques, concept of operations analysis, mission planning, and training procedures. This may require combinations of centralized data fusion with decentralized communication networks. Jerry Provenza Mark OHair AFRL/MNAV or AFRL/MNAV 850-883-2532 850-883-2531 jerry.provenza@eglin.af.mil Mark.ohair@eglin.af.mil GROUND MOBILE GATEWAYS The goal of this work is to perform communication reachback research in the areas of: tactical communications among forwardly deployed, remotely accessible, or rapidly deployed personnel and various levels of command and control and tactical forces. The objective is to develop mobile reachback systems for SOF, Security Forces, and Battlefield Airman troops that bridge communications between tactical operations at a variety of local, base, and joint level command and control. These networks will use a variety of existing networks (satellites, airborne, ground radios, all forms of data links, cell phones, paging systems, etc) and develop the necessary hardware and software to build mobile reachback systems. The architecture of this communication gateway is expected to be open and flexible across a very broad spectrum of frequencies and operational situations. This may require the passing and fusing of real-time targeting data and situational awareness information. CMSgt Donald Clabaugh Mark OHair AFRL/MNGN AFRL/MNAV 850-883-1653 850-883-2531 donald.clabaugh@eglin.af.mil mark.ohair@eglin.af.mil REMOTE SENSING The goal of this work is to perform remote sensing research in the areas of: robotic control and systems, small/lightweight tactical cameras and sensors, integration of sensor information into dedicated and distributed network systems, operational placement of remote sensors, data storage and retrieval, switching, reporting, and unmanned systems for tactical level C4ISR. The development of these applications also includes the integration of small unmanned systems to deploy remote sensors and collect tactical level information. The objective is to bring a systems level approach to development of remote sensing and not just to the sensors themselves. In the case of small or micro-systems, size, weight, endurance, etc. are all trade-off variables that must be approached via a systems integration perspective. This effort is particularly interested in developing the remote sensors along with their methods of deployment, sustainment, and data extraction. The primary customers are SOF, Security Forces, and Battlefield Airman, but there are many government related organizations that could benefit from these systems. This effort may require individual component level (hardware or software) development as well as entire network level planning, development, and integration for remote sensing. Jack Cocchiarella Mark OHair AFRL/MNAV or AFRL/MNAV 850-883-2708 850-883-2531 claude.cocchiarella@eglin.af.mil Mark.ohair@eglin.af.mil PART II PROPOSAL PREPARATION GUIDANCE General: If you prefer, or at the AFRL/MN Technical POC?s request, you may submit a proposal vice the white paper. However, before submitting a research proposal, you may wish to further explore proposal opportunities by contacting the AFRL/MN Technical POC to verify that you have a topic that is of current interest to the Air Force. In conversations with any Government official, be aware that only warranted contracting and grants officers are authorized to commit the Government. A proposal may also be solicited by a warranted United States Air Force Contracting Officer or Grants Officer upon selection of a white paper topic of interest, or solicited as a part of a special amendment to this BAA that identifies a specific technology development requirement. A. Each proposal submitted should consist of two volumes. Volume 1 should provide the technical proposal and Volume 2 should address the price/cost portions of the proposal. Volume 1 should be limited to a total of 20 pages, including resumes, charts, figures, tables, etc. Pages in excess of the specified 20 pages may be removed and returned to the offeror before evaluation starts. A page is defined to be one side of an 8.5 x 11-inch piece of paper with information on it. Minimum print size is 10-point type, Times New Roman or Arial. All proposals must be submitted in hard copy or by electronic media (floppy disk or CD-ROM in Word or Portable Document File (pdf) format) directly to the office listed in the applicable BAA. Be sure to mark your proposal with the specific BAA number to ensure that it receives proper consideration. Proposals submitted on disk are to be submitted in Microsoft Word 2003 or later format. It is preferred that the pricing portion of the cost proposal on disk be provided in Excel. Note: The preferred format for all proposals is via electronic means. The Government intends to work proposals and awards through electronic means. To do business with the Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate (AFRL/MN), you must have software packages that are compatible with Microsoft Office 2003. B. The technical portion of the proposal, Volume 1, should contain the following: 1. A title, date, and abstract that includes a concise Statement of Work and basic approaches to be utilized. The Statement of Work should indicate the effort intended for each period of research. 2. A reasonably complete discussion stating the background and objectives of the proposed work, the approaches to be considered, and the resources to be employed. Include also the nature and extent of the anticipated results, and if known, the manner in which the work will contribute to the accomplishment of the agency's mission. 3. The names, brief biographical information, and a list of recent publications of the offeror's key personnel who will be involved in the research. Documentation of previous work or experience of the proposer in the field is especially important. 4. The type of support, if any, the offeror requests of the Munitions Directorate, e.g. facilities, equipment, and materials. 5. The names of federal, state, local agencies or other parties receiving the proposals and/or funding the proposed effort or efforts of a similar nature. If none, so state. 6. The identity of facilities, specialized equipment, or other real property to be used for the work, if appropriate for an understanding of the technical work to be conducted. 7. Identify all on-going Government contracts and related past contracts or assistance instruments. Provide a technical point of contact and telephone number for each contract cited. C. The cost portion of the proposal, Volume 2, should contain the following: 1. Proposal Pricing Cover Sheet for total proposal. 2. Summary by cost element and profit for each contract line and sub-line item and for the total proposal. 3. Labor summary for total proposal by categories, rates, and hours. Include an explanation of how labor rates are computed, including base rates and escalation. Show the level of effort, if applicable. For proposals from universities, the times and amounts to be charged should be identified by academic year and summer effort. 4. Identification of indirect rates by fiscal year, an explanation of how they were established, and the base to which they apply. 5. Bill of materials detailing items by type, quantity, and unit price, total amount, and source of estimate. Provide vendor quotes. 6. Summary of all travel by destination, purpose, number of people and days, air fare, per diem, car rental, etc. 7. Consultants by name, rate, and number of days or hours. Furnish copy of consulting agreement, and identify prior agreements under which the consultant received the proposed rate. 8. Other direct costs by type, amount, cost per unit and purpose. Specifically identify any costs for printing, publication, and computers. 9. Subcontractor proposals and price/cost analysis of the proposals performed by the offeror. If subcontractor was not competed, include justification. 10. Forecast of monthly dollar commitments for the proposed contract period. 11. Type of contract or assistance instrument proposed. (We expect most awards to universities and non-profit organizations to be grants.) 12. State whether you, and your subcontractors, are a large business, small business, small disadvantaged business (SDB), woman-owned small business, HUBZONE small business, Veteran-owned business, Service Disabled Veteran-owned business, nonprofit, educational, or historically black college or university. 13. Identify and provide any evidence of approved accounting system. Other terms and conditions, if any. D. Grants, cooperative agreements, and other transactions are encouraged. Information regarding these can be found in the AFMC Homepage - site: http://www.afmc-pub.wpafb.af.mil/HQ-AFMC/PK/pkt/assistance.htm. The cost proposals for grants should follow items C.1 through C.13, above, as applicable for assistance instruments. Award of an assistance instrument to an educational institution or nonprofit organization, in lieu of a contract, will be considered. E. On occasion, oral technical presentations may be deemed appropriate. In such cases, specific guidelines will be provided as needed for the presentations. F. Options are discouraged unless specifically requested, and unpriced options will not be considered for award. G. The cost of preparing proposals in response to this announcement is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resulting contract, or any other contract. It is, however, an allowable expense to the normal bid and proposal indirect cost specified in FAR 31.205-18. H. Proposals should be sent directly to the MN Technical POC. Documents should reference MNK-BAA-06-0004, a technical topic, and the name listed as a technical POC for that area. This announcement is open and effective until superseded. PART III PROPOSAL EVALUATION A. Proposals submitted in response to this BAA will be evaluated as received using the factors given below. The factors are listed in descending order of importance. No further evaluation criteria will be used in selecting the proposals unless specifically stated in a BAA amendment. 1. An integrated assessment of the proposed approach to include scientific and/or technical merits and associated risks, the potential contributions of the effort to meet/fulfill BAO (BA and SF) mission requirements. Potential value to the government (technical promise) will be assessed, based on innovation (originality and feasibility) and desirability from the warfighter. 2. The offeror's capabilities, related experience (to include past and present performance), facilities, techniques, or unique combinations of these that are integral factors for achieving the proposal objectives. 3. The qualifications, capabilities, and experience of the proposed principal investigator, team leader, and other key personnel who are critical to achieving the proposal objectives. 4. The reasonableness and realism of proposed costs and fees, if any, the proposed cost share by the offeror, if any, and the availability of funds. 5. The extent to which the proposal supports government field testing when applicable. B. Upon receipt of a proposal, the AFRL/MN technical staff will perform an initial review of its scientific merit and potential contribution to the Air Force mission and also determine if funds are expected to be available for the effort. Proposals not considered having sufficient scientific merit or relevance to Air Force needs, or those in areas for which funds are not expected to be available, may be declined without further review. C. It is the policy of AFRL/MN to treat all proposals as privileged information, and to disclose the contents only for the purposes of evaluation. Proposals not declined as a result of initial review will be subject to an extensive evaluation by highly qualified Government scientists. The offeror must indicate on the appropriate form/page any limitation to be placed on disclosure of information contained in the proposal. Should portions of the proposal be incorporated into a resulting contract, that portion may be subject to release under the Freedom of Information Act unless exempt from release. D. Each proposal will be evaluated based on the merit and relevance of the specific research proposed as it relates to the overall AFRL/MN program, rather than against other proposals for research in the same general area, unless specifically addressed in a BAA Amendment. ATTACHMENT 2 INDIVIDUAL PROPOSAL EVALUATION TEMPLATE Research Area Title : Evaluation Factors (descending order of importance): 1. (50%) An integrated assessment of the proposed approach to include scientific and/or technical merits, and associated risks, the potential contributions of the effort to meet/fulfill BAO (BA and SF) mission requirements. Assess potential value to the government (technical promise) based on innovation (originality and feasibility) and desirability from warfighter Proposal Risk Assessment*: High __ Moderate __ Low __ Strengths: Weaknesses: Technical Issues/Clarifications: * Proposal Risk High: Likely to cause significant disruption of schedule, increase cost, or degradation of performance. Risk may be unacceptable even with special contractor emphasis and close Government monitoring. Moderate: Can potentially cause some disruption of schedule, increase cost, or degradation of performance. Special contractor emphasis and close Government monitoring will probably be able to overcome difficulties. Low: Has little potential to cause disruption of schedule, increase cost, or degradation of performance. Normal contractor effort and normal Government monitoring will probably be able to overcome difficulties. 2. (15%) The offeror?s capabilities, related experience (to include past and present performance), facilities, techniques, or unique combinations of these that are integral factors for achieving the proposal objectives. Proposal Risk Assessment*: High __ Moderate __ Low __ Strengths: Weaknesses: Technical Issues/Clarifications: * Proposal Risk High: No significant related experience, including past and present performance. Risk may be unacceptable even with special contractor emphasis and close Government monitoring. Moderate: Some related experience, but no past or present experience directly associated with this technology. Special contractor emphasis and close Government monitoring will probably be able to overcome difficulties. Low: Significant relevant experience directly associated with this technology. 3. (15%) The qualifications, capabilities, and experience of the proposed principal investigator, team leader, and other key personnel who are critical to achieving the proposed objectives. Proposal Risk Assessment*: High __ Moderate __ Low __ Strengths: Weaknesses: Technical Issues/Clarifications: * Proposal Risk High: No significant qualifications, capabilities, and experience of key personnel. Risk may be unacceptable even with special contractor emphasis and close Government monitoring. Moderate: Breadth of qualifications, capabilities, and experience of key personnel is lacking in key technologies. Special contractor emphasis and close Government monitoring could overcome difficulties. Low: Key personnel possess qualifications and experience required, and exhibit critical capabilities to perform this effort. 4. (15%) The reasonableness and realism of proposed costs and fees, if any, the proposed cost share by the offeror, if any, and the availability of funds. Proposal Risk Assessment: High __ Moderate __ Low __ Strengths: Weaknesses: Technical Issues/Clarifications: * Proposal Risk High: Cost proposed, labor mix and number of hours does not reflect that the Contractor has a clear understanding of the effort required to achieve technical objectives. Risk may be unacceptable even with special contractor emphasis and close Government monitoring. Moderate: Indicators exist that additional labor categories or hours may be required to complete the technical effort. Low: Cost proposed, labor mix and number of hours reflect that the Contractor has a clear understanding of the effort required to achieve technical objectives. 5. (5%) The extent to which the proposal supports government field testing when applicable . Proposal Risk Assessment*: High __ Moderate __ Low __ Strengths: Weaknesses: Technical Issues/Clarifications: * Proposal Risk High: No significant related experience in providing support to government field testing. Risk may be unacceptable even with special contractor emphasis and close Government monitoring. Moderate: Some related experience in providing support to government field testing. Special contractor emphasis and close Government monitoring will probably be able to overcome difficulties. Low: Significant relevant experience in providing support to government field testing. 000000 Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" Not Available No Not Available MiMi Martin Contract Specialist Phone 850-883-2675