Program Objectives and Description:The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) announces interest in research and development of persistent airborne Close Air Support (CAS) of ground Troops in Contact (TIC). The area of interest includes new ideas and innovative approaches to rapidly mature proven technologies to a production readiness state, as well as applications of existing COTS-NDI solutions that may be integrated onto an existing airframe. Operational considerations include austere fields, small support crew, minimal aircrew, low weight and drag. Primary interest is in the following areas, listed in descending order of priority: Fire Control Systems (Integrated-Stand Alone) Battle-Mission Management Integrated Air-Ground Picture (IAGP): Cooperative Engagement Capability - Sensor Correlation-Evaluation - Simulation and Modeling - Command, Control, and Communications - Network Centric Operations - System Interoperability - Other Applicable IAP Technologies - Data, Sensor, Display Fusion Day-Night and Active-Passive Sensors Target Identification-Recognition Weapons-Warhead Accuracy-Lethality Precision Guided Munitions, Launchers Guns, Mounts Human or Machine Interface Communications (Local, Global) Other applicable technologies Teaming is encouraged. An offeror may submit more than one concept aligned with the technologies listed above. Responses are requested from any responsible US organizations including those from private industry, academic institutions, research institutions and non-profit organizations. All responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government needs may submit a proposal that shall be considered by USSOCOM. Responses: Interested parties are invited to submit a white paper for preliminary consideration. White papers may be submitted at any time after issuance of this BAA up to the expiration date of the BAA. Successful responses should segment their studies into an initial 8 month or shorter Phase 1 to explore and validate the technical feasibility of the concept, and one or more additional phases as optional efforts culminating in technology demonstration. The total effort including options should not exceed 24 months. Successful initial phases will have a greater likelihood of receiving funding for subsequent optional phases. Format: The form and format for white papers follows below. White papers that do not satisfy these form and format requirements may be rejected without further review or evaluation. All submissions should be in the English language. White papers should be submitted electronically; a paper copy is not required. Electronic copies should be in PDF (preferred) or Microsoft Word. White Paper Preparation: A white paper should be a brief summary. It introduces the idea, solicits interaction with government, and avoids the expense of generating proposals that have little likelihood of selection or award within this BAA. White papers should summarize the planned proposal and clearly articulate the innovative concept or technology development and demonstration being proposed. White papers should contain a cover sheet (clearly marked White Paper), a ten page (maximum) summary of the technical idea, a one-page cost summary, and a one-paragraph (150-200 words) abstract of the white paper as a whole. All pages should be printable on 8.5 by 11 inch paper; type not smaller than 12 point. The page limitations for white papers include all figures, tables, and charts. No formal transmittal letter is required. White papers shall not include classified information. WHITE PAPER SUBMISSION WITH PROPRIETARY DATA: When an offeror must include proprietary data in order to fully communicate their concept, the offeror must clearly mark and identify any proprietary data that the offeror intends to be used only by the Government for evaluation purposes. The offeror must also identify any technical data contained in the white paper that it is furnishing to the Government with restrictions on use, release, or disclosure. In the absence of such identification, the Government will assume to have unlimited rights to all technical data in the white paper. Records or data bearing one of the DFARS-approved restrictive legends may be included in the white paper. It is the intent of the Government to treat all white papers as privileged information and to disclose their contents only for the purpose of evaluation. The offerors are cautioned, however, that portions of the white papers may be subject to release under terms of the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552, as amended. NON-GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL: All proprietary material should be clearly marked and will be held in strict confidence. Restrictive notices notwithstanding, proposals may be handled, for administrative purposes only, by a support contractor, which is bound by appropriate non-disclosure requirements. Input on technical aspects of the proposals may be solicited by USSOCOM from non-Government consultants and experts who are bound by appropriate non-disclosure requirements. Non-Government technical consultants will not have access to proposals that are labeled by the offerors as GOVERNMENT ONLY. Evaluations and selections under this BAA will be made only by Government evaluators. Submittal address: All white papers should be sent electronically to: Maj Brady Hauboldt, USSOCOM, SOAL-FW, (813) 826-9390,
[email protected]. White papers received by USSOCOM but not submitted specifically to the BAA may not be considered under the BAA. Evaluation and Notification: Acknowledgment of receipt of all white papers will be made. White papers will not be returned. White papers will be evaluated based on the relevance to the SOF mission. The initial screening will minimize unnecessary effort and expense in any subsequent proposal preparation and review. Favorable response to a white paper is not an assurance that a full proposal on the white paper's topic will ultimately be selected for contract award. Each proposal will be evaluated on the merit and relevance of the specific proposal as it relates to the technology objectives rather than against other proposals for research in the same general area, since no common work statement exists. The following factors are to be considered in the evaluation of white papers received under this BAA. Listed in descending order of importance: 1) potential contribution to CAS-TIC mission; 2) likelihood of transition to the military if technically successful; 3) offeror's capabilities and related experience, including qualifications and achievements of all team members and their key personnel, their capability to carry out further development and production, and the adequacy of facilities and equipment to be used for the proposed effort; 4) overall scientific and technical merit including degree of innovation, understanding of the technical and operational issues, and demonstration approach; 5) project plan; and 6) cost and cost realism. All proposals must first be deemed acceptable under criteria (1) to receive a full technical review. The BAA will remain open for submissions until 1 Nov 2008 1200 am (EST). Submissions received after the closing date will not be reviewed or evaluated. USSOCOM will review and respond to each white paper on a quarterly basis; however reserves to right to review and respond as submissions are submitted. Upon completion of the evaluation, the offeror will be notified that 1) the proposal has merit and will be considered for award as funds become available, or 2) the proposal does not contain sufficient relevance to the SOF mission to be of interest to the command. Awards: Funds are currently available for multiple awards. An invitation to submit a full proposal will be made to offerors on the basis of the white paper evaluation criteria above and program balance to provide best value to the Government. Awards will be subject to the availability of funds. Award instruments may take the form of a procurement contract, grant, or agreement depending upon the nature of the work proposed, the required degree of interaction between parties, and other factors. All work beyond Phase I shall be submitted as options. An estimated cost for options beyond Phase I must be included or the options will not be considered. The Government reserves the right to 1) select for award all, some, or none of the proposals received, and 2) incrementally fund any award instrument. All awards made as a result of this BAA will require the awardee to deliver a final technical report (as a minimum) at the end of the contract and or options. The government will have unlimited data rights to all information and products generated under contracts that result from this BAA. Classified Submissions: White paper and proposal submissions in response to this BAA should be kept UNCLASSIFIED. If classified information is expected to result from any contract, the offeror shall notify USSOCOM in the white paper or proposal. Organizational Conflict of Interest: Awards made under this BAA are subject to the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 9.5, Organizational Conflict of Interest. All offerors and proposed subcontractors must affirmatively state whether they are supporting any government technical office(s) through an active contract or subcontract. All affirmations must state which office(s) the offeror supports and identify the prime contract number. Affirmations shall be furnished at the time of proposal submission, and the existence or potential existence of organizational conflicts of interest, as that term is defined in FAR 9.501, must be disclosed. This disclosure shall include a description of the action the offeror has taken, or proposes to take, to avoid, neutralize or mitigate such conflict. If the offeror believes that no such conflict exists, then the offeror shall so state in the affirmation. Administration: USSOCOM will reply to questions relating to this BAA and will make replies to questions of general interest available to prospective offerors. All correspondence including questions and requests for access to the replies to the questions regarding this solicitation should be directed to one of the addresses below. USSOCOM prefers to use electronic mail for correspondence regarding this BAA. The address for this BAA are: EMail:
[email protected]. Mail: U.S. Special Operations Command, 7701 Tampa Point Blvd, MacDill AFB, FL 33621. Point of Contact: Maj Brady Hauboldt, (813) 826-9390.