Flexible Space Transportation Capabilities Supporting DoD Mobility Operations

Amendment 0001 - The purpose of this amendment is to announce an upcoming Industry Day. USTC2021001 Amendment-0001 VIRTUAL INDUSTRY DAY : USTRANSCOM Office of Research and Technology Applications (ORTA) will host a virtual Industry Day on 13 Sep 21, at 1400-1530 Central USA daylight savings time , to provide additional information supporting this RFI, including the project’s background, USTRANSCOM’s procedures for collaborative research, and goals and expected outputs of Cooperative R&D Agreements (CRADAs) for exploration of space transportation topics. Event will occur via Microsoft Teams. Please copy and paste link: https://dod.teams.microsoft.us/l/meetup-join/19%3adod%3ameeting_0aaacd7712634ed39fdf9d8efa7a2db3%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22102d0191-eeae-4761-b1cb-1a83e86ef445%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22acc5ad92-d05c-498e-8d41-27f699fd7ac4%22%7d Microsoft Teams dial in information: +1 410-874-6739, Conference ID: 351 018 278# The industry day meeting should cover the following topics: Brief summary of USTRANSCOM’s DOD global logistics roles Function of USTRANSCOM T2 partnerships; what they do and what they are not (acquisition); distinguish effort from the ongoing AFRL Space Cargo Vanguard efforts. Description of USTRANSCOM space transportation research interests (summary of the RFI); focus on challenges of integrating space with existing modes/operations Description of the process of choosing partners, and how research is planned and executed Example outcomes of the research; harvesting value for each party to the unpaid agreements Protecting proprietary info and intellectual property Questions from the participants to be read and answered for all in the forum, if any. Interested parties may submit their questions in advance to be read and answered during the live session to (ORTA mailbox) by [email protected] No proprietary, source selection sensitive, export controlled, or other government or industry sensitive information may be discussed during this call. While anonymity is not required, companies wishing to remain anonymous during the Industry Day may request a specific identifier from ORTA at the same address [email protected] by 10 Sep 21. The numeric identifier will be used in the roll call to refer to your organization. End of Amendment 0001 ************************************************************************************************************************************************* Original Annoucement United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) is seeking non-federal partners (“ Collaborators ”) in industry and/or academia to consider for entry into Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) as described in 15 USC 3710a with the government to produce collaborative studies illustrating and demonstrating potential future capabilities for USTRANSCOM. These studies will produce findings on technical and operational maturity and feasibility for use, economics, and risks/benefits of the inclusion of space transportation capabilities in support of worldwide DoD materiel distribution needs. This is not a solicitation for a procurement contract, nor should this announcement be construed as implying any future solicitation by USTRANSCOM or any other government agency in this area. Participation in CRADAs is not a prerequisite for or factor in future procurement. Potential collaborators who may also seek funded traditional contracts on this subject matter should ascertain that participation in a CRADA will not interfere with or preclude your ability to compete for that work. You should write your white paper for the purpose of demonstrating your experience, special expertise, and success in developing, modeling, demonstrating and/or operating on-demand space transportation capabilities for point-to-point (terrestrial) delivery of materiel. You should demonstrate your willingness to enter into a non-paid, limited-time research collaboration with USTRANSCOM. Full details of research under a CRADA will be defined in discussions, if your organization is chosen from respondents to this RFI, and do not have to be fully specified in your whitepaper. Potential Research Topics: A. Current state-of-the-practice of your space transportation method, as an alternative and complement to traditional air, land and surface modes for DOD global supply chains; risks and benefits observed and projected; and additional research and development needed as indicated by current known opportunities and risks. B. A projection of space transportation capabilities including mass and volume capacities and opportunities that will emerge as commercially- and militarily-viable over the next 20 years. C. Affordability/cost estimates for space transportation in support of DoD mobility missions, today and over the next 20 years in terms of cost per launch, cost per kilogram, etc. D. Feasibility of various modes of launch and landing, including aircraft-launched and including horizontal and combinations of horizontal and vertical launch/landing methods. E. Methodology for successful integration of space transportation with existing supply chains (end-to-end distribution) and operations worldwide environments. Projections of realistic time-to-closure (total time of delivery) of logistics requirements for likely scenarios, considering actual duration from demand signal to arrival of cargo to point of need; comparison to traditional modes. F. Basing/launch facility placement criteria, corresponding available destinations. G. Feasibility/flexibility/limitations for various payloads (dimensions, mass, durability and material handling/packaging requirements). H. Resilience of space transportation considering physical, terrorist, and physical infrastructure/cyber threats, weather, electromagnetic countermeasures, etc. I. Pre-conditions which must be satisfied by the government for successful implementation of space transportation for DoD mobility missions J. Environmental impacts and mitigation methods for employment of space transportation. K. Business case and return on investment requirements for both government and commercial parties to enter into long-term space transportation routine (contracted) and surge capability agreements, similar to the existing Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) or Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA) programs. L. Predicted long-range effects of space transportation operations on factors impacting global climate change and methods of impact mitigation M. Other topics as determined by discussion. USTRANSCOM may provide: A. Access to government subject matter experts. B. Access to DoD facilities, aircraft, and other assets for demonstration/development in realistic environments, as available, considering competing operational requirements. C. Information on potential DOD routine and surge logistics space transportation needs and potential business for industry. D. Other resources as discussed by the Parties to the agreement. Small businesses are encouraged to respond to this announcement. Potential Collaborators, small or large, may team with other qualified non-federal or federal parties. Specific study outputs and any development and demonstration goals will be determined during discussions with Collaborators prior to CRADA signatures, and refined as necessary during the life of the CRADAs. Multiple federal agencies may participate on behalf of or in partnership with USTRANSCOM, including but not limited to agencies of U.S. Space Force, other Federal Laboratories, and other agencies of the U.S. Government, as USTRANSCOM deems appropriate. Supporting information, discussions, demonstrations, and information in the whitepaper should be UNCLASSIFIED. If classified information exchange is proposed by the Collaborator , Collaborator personnel must be appropriately cleared at the outset of the CRADA, at no cost to the government. CRADAs are defined in 15 USC 3710a(d), in part, as “any agreement between one or more federal laboratories and one or more non-federal parties under which the Government, through its laboratories, provides personnel, services, facilities, equipment, intellectual property or other resources with or without reimbursement (but not funds to non-Federal parties) and the non-Federal parties provide funds, personnel, services, facilities, equipment, intellectual property, or other resources toward the conduct of specified research or development efforts which are consistent with the missions of the laboratory; except that such term does not include a procurement contract…” More info on USTRANSCOM’s use of CRADAs and a model CRADA is found at https://www.ustranscom.mil/dbw/orta.cfm . CRADAs resulting from this announcement should be in effect for approximately a 2-year period, although duration can be tailored to suit the Parties’ needs before or even after work begins, by mutual agreement. USTRANSCOM and other designated government agencies selected by USTRANSCOM will evaluate potential Collaborators’ white papers (submittal instructions follow). Based on your response to the RFI’s requested response elements and Government interest and capacity to enter into such agreements, USTRANSCOM will choose one, multiple, or zero white papers as basis for additional discussion, and so notify the respondents. Initial selection of white papers and subsequent discussions do not guarantee selection of any Collaborator by USTRANSCOM to actually enter into a CRADA. After initial white paper selection, the government will conduct discussions separately with each selected Collaborator , seeking to reach mutual agreement on objectives, duration, intellectual property, and resources to be applied by the parties in the proposed CRADA-based experiments. The government may choose to visit pertinent facilities for a tour of Collaborator capabilities prior to final selections. No funding is available from the government to cover white paper preparation or submittal costs, or to cover discussions, facility visits or any other Collaborator costs of preparation for or participation in a CRADA. The Collaborator (s) and USTRANSCOM will draft and seek to finalize specific CRADA objectives and language collaboratively via discussions/mutual agreement after white paper selection. Interested parties may respond with white papers not later than NLT 20 September 2021 midnight Central time by unclassified e-mail to [email protected] by submitting an UNCLASSIFIED written white paper in following format. Hardcopy submittal is not allowed. Please use the following format: - Microsoft Word or .pdf format of not more than 10 pages in length, on standard 8½ by 11-inch page, with 1-inch margins at top, bottom, left and right, in Times New Roman font of not less than 12-point size, with not more than 6 lines per inch. - Pages numbered sequentially in the bottom footer including company name and identification of proprietary information as appropriate on each page and section. - Clearly marked/identified proprietary information, photos, or diagrams. Specific proprietary information or trade secrets do not have to be disclosed in your response, if the general technique or technology can be otherwise described. - The use of illustrations and graphics to describe your proposed work is strongly encouraged. - Include the following elements (within the 10-page limit): -- Title (no separate title page needed). -- Company name and U.S. state of incorporation, and incorporation of any parent entity. Companies with foreign ownership or parentage must identify the nation of incorporation of the non-U.S. entity. -- Description of your approach to study of topics A. through M. above, or your chosen subset of them; recommendation for additional topics for collaborative study. -- Brief description of what information and capabilities your company is willing to provide to USTRANSCOM. Resources to be supplied by the Collaborator during the CRADA (examples: access to facilities, personnel expertise, information systems, proprietary techniques, hardware, software, materials, prototypes, etc.) -- Resources requested from USTRANSCOM (examples: specified personnel skillsets, data, access to unique federal facilities including test/demo facilities, etc.; no DoD-provided funding is permitted under a CRADA) -- A description of the unique capabilities and services that distinguish your organization from others. -- Mention of other government agencies with whom you are partnered or under contract to for space transportation capability R&D or operation. -- Proposed outputs and research finding for the collaboration with USTRANSCOM, which may include studies, prototypes, field trials, and test/demonstration data. -- Identify all proprietary information in your white paper with appropriate markings or citations (including intellectual property and trade secrets) -- Include points of contact (name, point of contact, address, e-mail, and phone) for notification of selection/non-selection and follow-on discussions/visits (if chosen) USTRANSCOM and other government entities participating in your white paper review and during actual collaborative work under CRADAs may include in-house support contractors. Non-disclosure agreements will be signed as required by the Parties to include these participants after entry into CRADAs. The USTRANSCOM Office of Research and Technology Applications (ORTA) technical advisor (coordinator of USTRANSCOM Technology Transfer activities) is a member of LMI Consulting. .Proposals not selected for further discussion will be archived by the government and appropriately protected. Primary Point of Contact: LCDR Rickey Turner, USTRANSCOM Office of Research and Technology Applications, USTRANSCOM TCJ5-SC (ORTA), 508 Scott Drive, Scott AFB IL 62225-5357, e-mail: [email protected] .