NAICS CODE: 541715 FEDERAL AGENCY NAME: Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AFRL - Rome Research Site, AFRL/Information Directorate, 26 Electronic Parkway, Rome, NY, 13441-4514 BAA ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Initial announcement BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) TITLE: Digitally Optimized Geospatial & Tactical Airfield Guide (DOGTAG) BAA NUMBER: FA8750-20-S-7005 PART I – OVERVIEW INFORMATION This announcement is for an Open, 2 Step BAA which is open and effective until 31 March 2023. Only white papers will be accepted as initial submissions; formal proposals will be accepted by invitation only. While white papers will be considered if received prior to 2:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 31 March 2022, the following submission dates are suggested to best align with projected funding: FY20 by 28 FEB 2020 FY21 by 31 JUL 2020 FY22 by 31 JUL 2021 FY23 by 31 JUL 2022 Offerors should monitor the Contract Opportunities on the Beta SAM website at https://beta.SAM.gov in the event this announcement is amended. CONCISE SUMMARY OF TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENT: The Information Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/RI), Rome Research Site, is soliciting white papers under this broad agency announcement (BAA) for innovative technologies that digitize operational collaboration for military operations. —— The DOGTAG program is divided into three technical domains (TDs). Offerors may bid on any individual TD, as a whole or in part, or any combination of technical domains thereof. Offerors who include multiple technical domains in their proposal should describe the work for each technical domain separately and clearly identify the applicable TDs. Offerors should indicate their strategy for integration of components developed in other TDs when applicable. The three TDs are as follows: TD1: Aerial Port Operations TD2: Contingency Response TD3: Aerial Delivery BAA ESTIMATED FUNDING: Total funding for this BAA is approximately $49.9M. Individual awards will not normally exceed 18 months with dollar amounts normally ranging from $100K to $1.25M. There is also the potential to make awards up to any dollar value as long as the value does not exceed the available BAA ceiling amount. ANTICIPATED INDIVIDUAL AWARDS: Multiple Awards are anticipated. TYPE OF INSTRUMENTS THAT MAY BE AWARDED: Procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements or other transactions (OT) depending upon the nature of the work proposed. In the event that an Other Transaction for Prototype agreement is awarded as a result of this competitive BAA, and the prototype project is successfully completed, there is the potential for a prototype project to transition to award of a follow-on production contract or transaction. The Other Transaction for Prototype agreement itself will also contain a similar notice of a potential follow-on production contract or agreement. AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION: All white paper submissions and any questions of a technical nature shall be directed to the cognizant Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) as specified below (unless otherwise specified in the technical area): BAA MANAGER : Matthew Paulini AFRL/RISA 525 Brooks Rd Rome, NY 13441-4505 Telephone: (315)330-3330 Email:
[email protected] Questions of a contractual/business nature shall be directed to the cognizant contracting officer, as specified below ( email requests are preferred ): Amber Buckley Telephone (315) 330-3605 Email:
[email protected] Emails must reference the solicitation (BAA) number and title of the acquisition. Pre-Proposal Communication between Prospective Offerors and Government Representatives : Dialogue between prospective offerors and Government representatives is encouraged. Technical and contracting questions can be resolved in writing or through open discussions. Discussions with any of the points of contact shall not constitute a commitment by the Government to subsequently fund or award any proposed effort. Only Contracting Officers are legally authorized to commit the Government. Offerors are cautioned that evaluation ratings may be lowered and/or proposal rejected if proposal preparation (Proposal format, content, etc.) and/or submittal instructions are not followed. Amendment No. 1 to BAA FA8750-20-S-7005 The purpose of this amendment is to make the following administrative changes: Part I: Correct the BAA end date; Part II: Section I, removes the IMPORTANT NOTE regarding supplemental documentation as currently there is no supplemental information to provide; Section IV.1, update the white paper due dates and BAA end date; Section IV.2, update to reference the correct BAA number. Part I- updates the BAA end date to show 31 MAR 2023 throughout: This announcement is for an Open, 2 Step BAA which is open and effective until 31 March 2023. Only white papers will be accepted as initial submissions; formal proposals will be accepted by invitation only. While white papers will be considered if received prior to 2:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 31 March 2023 , the following submission dates are suggested to best align with projected funding: FY20 by 28 FEB 2020 FY21 by 31 JUL 2020 FY22 by 31 JUL 2021 FY23 by 31 JUL 2022 Offerors should monitor the Contract Opportunities on the Beta SAM website at https://beta.SAM.gov in the event this announcement is amended. Part II, Section I, the “IMPORTANT NOTE” regarding supplemental documentation is removed below as there is no supplemental documentation at this time: I. TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS : Problem : This BAA is focused on developing and applying Machine Learning (ML), Asset Tracking, Process Digitization, Long Term Evolution (LTE) and Sensor Integration, and other associated technical capabilities to challenges associated with the Air Force’s air and ground transportation career field, including Aerial Port Operations, Contingency Response, and Aerial Delivery. AFRL/RI conducts research and development in the areas of information management, dissemination, and team collaboration, with particular emphasis at the tactical level in regard to this BAA. However, little research has been done to explore the application of these technologies to tactical air and ground transportation use cases. Additionally, military operating conditions amplify the need for optimized work flows, as well as augmented collaboration tools and mechanisms. This BAA is focused on innovative concepts and capabilities as applied to ML-based object and hazard detection, tactical LTE optimization and data federation, as well as aerial delivery refinement that transforms the way the Department of Defense (DOD) and affiliated organizations communicate, collaborate, organize, and operate. Background : The air logistics system of the world’s greatest Air Force faces tremendous demands to meet the needs of Rapid Global Mobility. While our airmen have shown their ability to answer the call, there is room to leverage technological advancements for increasing efficiency, agility, and responsiveness. Infusing affordable next-generation technology into these processes will continue to modernize, allowing adaptability and scalability to meet future mission needs, reprioritize on the fly, and be resource-aware. Reduction in the amount of manual, labor-intensive practices will also amplify the efficiency at which Rapid Global Mobility is projected around the globe by Air Mobility Command across multiple endeavors. This work is necessary for many reasons but it is specifically required to provide AMC the agility to support the AF’s Agile Combat Employment (ACE) which requires extremely agile logistics for success. Logistical success is highly dependent on three distinct, yet intertwined, mission sets; Aerial Port Operations; Contingency Response; and Aerial Delivery. At their core, each of these is focused on the movement and delivery of cargo in three unique environments: strategic & en route (Aerial Port), austere & degraded (Contingency Response), and airborne (Aerial Delivery). Although each of these operations are fundamentally different, the functions associated with each are all performed by Air Transportation personnel (2T2X1 Air Force Specialty Code). The Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK) is Government-off-the-shelf (either Government owned/created or in which the Government has unlimited rights) (“GOTS”) software that forms the basic platform technology on mobile devices of interest to the three technology areas under this BAA. The ATAK software used on Android Operating System mobile devices works more effectively when combined with TAK Server, another GOTS software suite which serves as a broker for TAK formatted data, and other TAK end user instances, such as ATAK and Windows-based TAK (WinTAK). AFRL seeks to expand upon ATAK-based tools or other mobile platform applications for the three technical domains aligned to their respective operational/functional missions (aerial port operations, contingency response, and aerial delivery). TD1 aligns to Aerial Port Operations, which are functions that exist to support cargo and passenger airlift for the Department of Defense and partner nations which exists at every Air Force installation across the globe. The primary end user group responsible for executing the air logistics mission set is the Air Transportation career field. Their role consists of everything from cargo processing and inspection to pallet build up and aircraft loading. AFRL seeks to emphasize LTE asset tracking, process digitization, optimization algorithms, and the library of sensors and radios on mobile devices. This BAA seeks contractor developed low-cost, LTE-based, reliable tracking devices for cargo pallets, vehicles, and asset tracking for local and global, real-time situational awareness. Development of data analytics and user interfaces for asset tracking and associated data will also be of interest. Machine Learning (ML) and Mobile ML (MML) models/technology for pallet build-up and aircraft load planning optimization will be researched. Lastly, integration of legacy systems (e.g. GATES, GO81, GDSS, IMDS) with the TAK Ecosystem will be necessary with developed capabilities providing not only secure access to identified systems but provide additional capabilities, such as data validation, cleansing, and caching, to compliment and offset the systems and their limitations. TD2 aligns to Contingency Response, (CR) Operations that includes forces that provide rapid reaction teams responsible for establishing initial logistics chains to enable the flow of critical materials, including but not limited to, humanitarian, peace, and wartime scenarios. In addition to establish supply chains, these forces secure and defend austere, unimproved, compromised, and ad-hoc airbases. There are a number of navigational, situational awareness, force coordination, logistical, and obsolete/manual processes that pose challenges, add complication and impart risk to the mission and may delay response time. CR encompasses of number of different career fields, to include Air Transportation, Maintenance, Security Forces, and Communications. This BAA seeks contractor developed Mobile Machine Learning (MML) models/technology for flight line digitization, process modernization, hazard detection, small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) airfield mapping and development, and tactical LTE data compression techniques. Adaptive basing techniques are critical to efficient and effective CR mission execution. This includes transitioning from large, centralized, unhardened basing infrastructure to smaller, dispersed, resilient basing. TD3 aligns to Aerial Delivery Operations, that are heavily dependent on the Joint Precision Aerial Delivery System platform, or JPADS. The JPADS provides rapid, precise, high-altitude delivery capabilities that do not rely on ground transportation. The system ensures accurate and timely delivery in support of operational missions, while providing aircraft with increased survivability. JPADS integrates a parachute decelerator, an autonomous guidance unit and a load container or pallet to create a system that can accurately deliver critical supplies with great precision along a predetermined glide and flight path. JPADS is a system developed by Airborne Systems North America and Draper Laboratory, Inc. that is fielded and sustained by the U.S. Army Program Executive Office Combat Support and Combat Service Support, Warren, MI. This BAA seeks contractor developed integration of JPADS with the TAK Ecosystem. Machine Learning (ML) and Mobile ML (MML) models/technology for predicting JPADS flight and redirection capabilities will need to be developed, with incorporation of additional sensors (e.g. anemometer, barometer) for enhanced precision as well as increased agility for mission adaptation. Visual displays of attainable locations in real-time will also be developed within ATAK. Additional research will be done at identifying optimal landing zones based on not only environmental factors (e.g. ground cover, foliage, topology) but mission factors (e.g. known red force locations, blue force travel capabilities). FY20 Focus Area Descriptions: The objective of this BAA is to explore the application of Machine Learning (ML), Asset Tracking, Process Digitization, LTE and Sensor Integration, Optimization Algorithms, Data Federation and other associated technical capabilities to address challenges associated throughout the Air Force’s air and ground transportation career field, including Aerial Port Operations, Contingency Response, and Aerial Delivery as previously described. The research and development domains addressed under this BAA are as follows: TD1: Aerial Port Operations TD2: Contingency Response TD3: Aerial Delivery Performance goals are provided for each task area given. These goals are meant as examples of the type of goals that would be used in identifying success of a given research effort at its conclusion. However, these goals are anticipated to be further fleshed and further refined with the awardees and identified end-users over the course of development, based on domain requirements and the art of the possible. End-user engagements with domain expertise will help provide baseline measures on current practices. Awardees will be expected to then document measures and metrics on the applicability and effectiveness of their developed research within the technical reports delivered to the Government under the award. TD1: Aerial Port Operations The heart of the air force mobility enterprise is the aerial port. Innovation in how aerial porters organize, coordinate, and manage information related to cargo operations is needed to ease end user burden, and create mission-enabling efficiencies. DOGTAG aims to track cargo in real time, optimize pallet loading, and federation of existing Air Force mobility databases into a single interface that is compatible with selected applications of interest such as the TAK ecosystem. LTE-M Low Cost Cargo and Asset Tracking Infrastructure: Develop and demonstrate an infrastructure for low cost, secure, and Beyond-Line-Of-Sight tracking of sensitive/important cargo. Higher battery life will cut burden on sustainment of an in-transit tracking system. Integration with real-time trackers can provide a high level of fidelity in cargo tracking and rapid global mobility anywhere in the world. Performance Goals: Battery Life: 2 months Size: Equal to or smaller than currently used RFID tags Service Costs: Less than $20 per month Location Availability: At least 175 countries Machine Learning for 463L Cargo Pallet Optimization: Develop automated algorithms for efficient cargo palletizing using available cargo contents and constraints, along with associated costs (i.e. time to load, number of pallets per aircraft). Data sources may include the Intelligent Mobility databases and outputs from the Joint Inspection Hazard Inference tool. Performance Goals: 10% Reduction in Pallet Build Time (Monthly) 30% Reduction in Number of Pallet Rebuilds (Monthly) Increase AMC Cargo Movement Efficiency by 7% Over 30 Days e.g. Fuel Reduction, Increased Plane Availability / Re-assignment Intelligent Mobility Data Federation: Build a centralized, TAK compatible, querying framework for existing AMC databases including Global Air Transportation Execution System (GATES), GO81 System, Integrated Maintenance Data System (IMDS), and Global Decision Support System version 2 (GDSS2) to provide a single point of reference for where aircraft are located, landing times, cargo onboard, and maintenance data. Movement history and analytics is reconstructed at this central point and is accessible from anywhere within the mobility enterprise, including on the flight line. Performance Goals: 100% increase in mobile accessibility to legacy databases/systems CAC enabled access via mobile web browser 50% increase in mobile accessibility to data from legacy databases/systems CAC enabled access via TAK server 20% Reduction in Database Data Errors through TAK validation/cleansing Secure an Authority to Operate TD2: Contingency Response One of the mobility elements within AMC where speed and efficiency matter most is the contingency response force. When rapidly responding to a natural disaster or wartime emergency, they are the ones setting up the first austere aerial ports. DOGTAG seeks to address three key challenges: speed of deployment, force capabilities, and agile basing operations. These challenges will be addressed directly by the following five technical areas. Joint Inspection Hazard Inference Engine: Build an inference engine which takes user inputs and infers hazards associated with a material, packing restrictions, and outputs data regarding inspection of the cargo. Performance Goals: Reduce time of average Joint Inspection process by 2 hours (66%) 47% increase in automation and validation of the Shipper’s Declaration of Dangerous Goods in accordance with International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Air Force Manual 24-204 (AFMAN) guidelines 15% accuracy increase in vehicle & asset inspections through TAK validation/cleansing Autonomous Airfield Mapping : Capabilities to task a UAS via mobile platforms compatible with, for example, ATAK, to automatically survey an area and confer the 3D models into runway survey planning documents. Determine whether the area is suitable for landing aircraft and automate LZ survey processes. Performance Goals: 50% reduction in surveying time with at least the same accuracy as current practice (Airfield ATAK Plugin Tool) 27% Reduction in exposure of personnel to hazardous environments Machine Learning for Runway Survey and Hazard Detection: Classifiers for runway hazards (both small and large) and runway damage assessment from UAS or traditional ISR resources. Small item detection is critical to identifying lost or dislodged operational items like tools or aircraft parts that could cause Foreign Object Damage (FOD). Performance Goals: 80% accuracy detecting roaming animals, bird nests 85% accuracy detecting lost tools (e.g. wrench, screwdriver) and parts 2" and bigger 90% accuracy detecting damage (e.g. cracks, holes, large debris) Full runway scan in 30 min or less 10% or less False Negatives Tactical IoT for Austere Perimeter Control & Threat Detection : Centralized threat detection and monitoring becomes critical to securing an austere airfield. Identify and design IoT devices and algorithms to detect threats approaching the airfield, classify them as people, animals, vehicles, and alert the perimeter to team to monitor that threat. Performance Goals: Integrated IoT sensors must accurately display and analyze threats to personnel (e.g. geofence/intrusion sensors, CBRN) but criteria will be dependent on identified sensors integrated. Examples would include: Chemical, Biological, Radioactive, & Nuclear (CBRN) 90% detection rate, Less than 10% false positives Geofence 90% detection rate, Less than 10% false positives Tactical Backhaul Optimization: Man-packable LTE base stations are a revolutionary technology for austere battlefields and perimeters. By setting up an LTE bubble around an aerial port, Airman across the remote base can communicate using secured tactical cellular devices instead of cumbersome radios. DOGTAG is seeking data compression techniques for efficient relay of local tactical LTE data to Beyond-Line-Of-Sight (BLOS) targets over bandwidth constrained links. Performance Goals: Concurrent Users: 75+ Range: 100 square yards 3G (Third Generation) network capabilities (i.e. throughput and latency) TD3: Aerial Delivery Air Mobility Command’s airdrop and aerial delivery capability requires a unique logistics solution leveraging the Army JPAD system. The system provides an important capability and is starting to be integrated into the TAK ecosystem through efforts such as the JPADs Ground Station plugin. However, current JPADs-TAK capabilities are fairly rigid when it comes to redirection or identification of ideal landing zones and they don’t leverage additional sensors for enhanced capabilities. In-Flight Smart Delivery / JPADS Redirection : An “easy to use” JPADs re-direct capability would equip Special Operations Forces (SOF) units to alter the course of the air drop in-flight to a different designated area (point on the map). This will ensure airdrops do not land in a potentially newly contested landing zone. Performance Goals: Ability to visualize attainable target radius and change target location in-flight 5% increased precision through incorporation of additional sensors 80% accuracy of airdrop landing at user-specified relocation point within 300 meters Intelligent Landing Zone (LZ) Suggestion Engine : A tool for quickly predicting based upon available mobile platform data, such as ATAK, what nearby locations would make for a good drop/landing zone is a capability gap in the field today. This can be used to drive where the JPADs will be directed or where rotary wing pickups could occur. Performance Goals: 75% reduction in evaluation speed 90% accuracy of ideal location compared to current state of the practice It is understood that a number of agreements will need to be in place for approval to access the communication protocols and testing potential modifications to the platform. Efforts to get these in place will be made by the government team early in the course of the program ahead of TD3 research efforts in FY22-FY23. Integration and Demonstration DOGTAG technologies need to be integrated, tested, and evaluated at regular intervals (e.g. quarterly). Integrating technology into the TAK ecosystem throughout the development of TDs 1 through 3 will help accomplish the desired end result and ensure issues are identified and mitigated as they arrive. Testing and evaluation (T&E) should occur in a relevant environment relative to the maturity of the technology. It is expected that initial testing will be done through standalone machines/networks that are representative of the expected operational environment. In a traditional host-based development approach, a test suite is usually set up on a desktop machine even though the final product will eventually run on a different platform. While algorithms can be run relatively quickly using this approach, it doesn't reflect how the real system will behave. Once the functionality has been demonstrated and key performance parameters (KPPs) have been met, the next step will be operationally relevant field testing to evaluate the performance and limitations of the prototype. The government will facilitate the integration and testing efforts in parallel with operational exercises and onsite with end user personnel. Additionally, DOGTAG’s capabilities will be constrained by the very nature of LTE and tactical data link communications where mobility, high latency, low bandwidth and intermittent connectivity commonly occur, and will also need to take into account the future as enterprise cellular network capabilities (e.g. “5G”) are developed and begin to emerge at the tactical edge. IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING: FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH . It is DoD policy that the publication of products of fundamental research remain unrestricted to the maximum extent possible. National Security Decision Directive (NSDD) 189 defines fundamental research as follows: ‘Fundamental research’ means basic and applied research in science and engineering, the results of which ordinarily are published and shared broadly within the scientific community, as distinguished from proprietary research and from industrial development, design, production, and product utilization, the results of which ordinarily are restricted for proprietary or national security reasons. As of the date of publication of this BAA, the Government cannot identify whether work proposed under this BAA may be considered fundamental research and may award both fundamental and non-fundamental research. Proposers should indicate in their proposal whether they believe the scope of the research included in their proposal is fundamental or not. While proposers should clearly explain the intended results of their research, the Government shall have sole discretion to select award instrument type and to negotiate all instrument terms and conditions with selectees. Appropriate clauses will be included in the resultant awards for non-fundamental research to prescribe publication requirements and other restrictions, as appropriate. For certain research projects, it may be possible that although the research being performed by the awardee is restricted research, a sub-awardee may be conducting fundamental research. In those cases, it is the awardee’s responsibility to explain in their proposal why its sub-awardee’s effort is fundamental research. CLOUD COMPUTING. In accordance with DFARS Clause 252.239-7010, if the development proposed requires storage of Government or Government-related data on the cloud, offerors need to ensure that the cloud service provider proposed has been granted Provisional Authorization by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) at a level appropriate to the requirement. UAS PLATFORMS. In accordance with the Deputy Secretary of Defense Memorandum, "Commercial-Off-The-Shelf Unmanned Aerial Systems Implementation Guidance" (Nov 16, 2018), any work involving COTS UAS devices must work with a Government representative to submit a waiver request before flights or integration with Government systems or data. Part II, Section IV.1, update the white paper due dates and BAA end date to match those shown in Part I: SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES: It is recommended that white papers be received by 2 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the following dates to maximize the possibility of award: FY20 by 28 FEB 2020 FY21 by 31 JUL 2020 FY22 by 31 JUL 2021 FY23 by 31 JUL 2022 White papers will be accepted until 2 PM EST on 31 MAR 2023 , but it is less likely that funding will be available in each respective fiscal year after the dates cited. This BAA will close on 31 MAR 2023. All offerors submitting white papers will receive notification of their evaluation results within 45 days of submission. Offerors should email the TPOC and the Contracting Officer listed in Section VII, for status of their white paper(s) after 45 days, if no such correspondence has been received. Part II, Section IV.2, update the BAA number from FA8750-19-S-7012 to FA8750-20-S-7005: 2. CONTENT AND FORMAT: Offerors are required to submit 1 copies of a 3 to 5 page white paper summarizing their proposed approach/solution. The purpose of the white paper is to preclude unwarranted effort on the part of an offeror whose proposed work is not of interest to the Government. The white paper will be formatted as follows: Section A : Title, Period of Performance, Estimated Cost, Name/Address of Company, Technical and Contracting Points of Contact (phone and email)(this section is NOT included in the page count); Section B : Task Objective; and Section C : Technical Summary and Proposed Deliverables. All white papers shall be double spaced with a font no smaller than 12 point. In addition, respondents are requested to provide their Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code, their unique entity identifier and electronic funds transfer (EFT) indicator (if applicable), an e-mail address and reference BAA FA8750-20-S-7005 with their submission. Multiple white papers within the purview of this announcement may be submitted by each offeror. If the offeror wishes to restrict its white papers, they must be marked with the restrictive language stated in FAR 15.609(a) and (b). No other changes are made. Amendment No. 2 to BAA FA8750-20-S-7005 The purpose of this amendment is to make the following administrative changes: Part I: Update white paper dates; Part II: Section I, updates the “FY20 Focus Area Descriptions” to “Focus Area Descriptions”; Section II.4, “Focus Area Starts by Fiscal Year” order is changed as shown below; Section IV.1, updates the white paper dates; Part I, update white paper dates: PART I – OVERVIEW INFORMATION This announcement is for an Open, 2 Step BAA which is open and effective until 31 March 2023. Only white papers will be accepted as initial submissions; formal proposals will be accepted by invitation only. While white papers will be considered if received prior to 2:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 31 March 2023, the following submission dates are suggested to best align with projected funding: FY20 by 28 FEB 2020 FY21 by 1 MAY 2020 FY22 by 1 MAY 2021 FY23 by 1 MAY 2022 Section I, Updates the title “FY20 Focus Area Descriptions” to “Focus Area Descriptions”. Section II.4, “Focus Area Starts by Fiscal Year” order is changed as shown below; a. FY20 - TD1 - LTE-M Low Cost Cargo and Asset Tracking Infrastructure - TD1 - Intelligent Mobility Data Federation - TD2 - Joint Inspection Hazardous Inference Engine b. FY21 - TD2 - Tactical IoT for Austere Perimeter Control and Threat Detection - TD2 - Machine Learning for Runway Survey and Hazard Detection c. FY22 - TD1 - Machine Learning for 463L Cargo Pallet Optimization - TD2 - Autonomous Airfield Mapping - TD3 - In-Flight Smart Delivery / JPADS Redirection - TD3 - Intelligent Landing Zone (LZ) Suggestion Engine - TD2 - Tactical Backhaul Optimization d. Section IV.1, updates the white paper dates as shown below: 1. SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES: It is recommended that white papers be received by 2 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the following dates to maximize the possibility of award: FY20 by 28 FEB 2020 FY21 by 1 MAY 2020 FY22 by 1 MAY 2021 FY23 by 1 MAY 2022 White papers will be accepted until 2 PM EST on 31 MAR 2023 , but it is less likely that funding will be available in each respective fiscal year after the dates cited. This BAA will close on 31 MAR 2023. All offerors submitting white papers will receive notification of their evaluation results within 45 days of submission. Offerors should email the TPOC and the Contracting Officer listed in Section VII, for status of their white paper(s) after 45 days, if no such correspondence has been received. No other changes are made. AMENDMENT 3 to BAA FA8750-20-S-7005 The purpose of this modification is to republish the original announcement, incorporating any previous amendments, pursuant to FAR 35.016(c). This republishing also includes the following changes: Part I, Overview Information: Removes TDs 1,2, and 3, and adds TDs 4 and 5 BAA Estimated Funding, updates the award months is updated to 12 to 24 and the award ranges is updated to $300K to $2.5M annually Part II, Full Text Announcement: Section I, technology requirements and focus area descriptions are revised and updated; Section II., funding by fiscal year and individual award months and amounts are updated; Section II.4, focus area starts by fiscal year is updated; Section IV.2, updates content and format language; Section IV.3.a, adds the NISPOM CFR information; Section IV.3.c, updates the mailing instructions; Section IV.4.b. and c, updates clause and provision dates; Section V., adds paragraph 4 regarding adequate price competition; Section VI.1, updates the Proposal Formatting language; Section VI.7, updates the applicable provisions; Section VII: updated the OMBUDSMAN and clause date. No other changes have been made. PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL ANNOUNCEMENT DETAILS. AMENDMENT 4 to BAA FA8750-20-S-7005 The purpose of this modification is to republish the original announcement, extend the term of the BAA, incorporating any previous amendments, pursuant to FAR 35.016(c). This republishing also includes the following changes: Part I, Overview Information: Updated references of Beta SAM to SAM throughout; Updates the BAA Manager POC information; Extends the term of the BAA; Part II, Full Text Announcement: Section III.2, updates numbering; Section III, adds paragraph 4; Section IV.1, extends the term of the BAA from 31 MAR 2023 to 31 MAR 2024; Section IV.3.a, updates the classification guidance; Section IV.4, adds paragraph g; Section V.2.a, updates Review and Selection Process language; Section VI.1, updates the Proposal Formatting language; Section VI.4.d, adds new language; Section VI.7, updates the applicable provisions; Section VII, updates the OMBUDSMAN. No other changes are made. SEE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL AMENDMENT DETAILS. AMENDMENT 5 to BAA FA8750-20-S-7005 The purpose of this modification is to extend the FY23 white paper date to 22 APR 2022 in Part I and Part II, Section IV.1 No other changes are made. See attachment for full amendment details. AMENDMENT 6 to BAA FA8750-20-S-7005 The purpose of this modification is to remove RIDGEBACK as a technology description (TD) for FY23 in Part I and Part II, Section I and Section II.4.b. White papers will no longer be accepted for this TD. Also, the TD4 title is updated to Mobility Knowledge Management & Integration in Part I. No other changes are made. SEE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL AMENDMENT DETAILS. Amendment No. 7 to BAA FA8750-20-S-7005 The purpose of this amendment is to: Section III, Eligibility Information, adds the following paragraph 5 for S&T Protection: 5. In accordance with AFRLI 61-113, S&T Protection, Contractors/Recipients are required to submit with their proposal a Standard Form 424, "Research and Related and Senior and Key Person Profile (Expanded), as well as a Security Program Questionnaire, which are included in the RI-Specific Proposal Preparation Instructions and can be accessed at: https://sam.gov/opp/e628c811fafe041accdddf55fb8539bf/view?keywords=AFRL-BAA-GUIDE&sort=-relevance&index=&is_active=true&page=1. Always reference the newest versions of these documents. Complete and submit the required forms with your proposal to the technical point of contact (TPOC) listed in Section VII-Agency Contacts AND
[email protected]. Contractors will be required to provide documentation of their Security Program Plan for initial Institution S&T Protection Program Review. The purpose of requesting the plan is to evaluate the offeror’s capacity for protecting the Government’s S&T and failure to demonstrate a plan adequate to meet the needs of the requirement may be grounds for considering the proposal unawardable. In the event a security risk is identified and the Government has determined the security risk exceeds the acceptable threshold, the Contractor/Recipient will be notified and informed of the termination/decline of award. The Government will be only required to provide a general statement of the reasoning due to Government OPSEC measures. After award, the Contractor/Recipient will be required to re-submit the Standard Form 424 as an annual requirement to the points of contact listed above. No other changes are made. AMENDMENT 8 to BAA FA8750-20-S-7005 The purpose of this modification is to republish the original announcement, incorporating any previous amendments, pursuant to FAR 35.016(c). This republishing also includes the following changes: 1. Part I-Overview Information: a. Removes the CEREBRUS as a technology description (TD) under TD 4; b. Removes the MERLIN TD under TD 5; c. Removes the SIMPLER TD under TD 5; d. Updates the BAA PM; 2. Part II, Full Text Announcement: a. Section II.4, updates the Focus Area starts per FY; a. Section IV.f.5, removes the last sentence regarding options; b. Section IV.1, updated the proposal formatting language; c. Section VI, updates the provisions; d. Section VII, updates the BAA PM No other changes are made. SEE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL AMENDMENT DETAILS.