19 -- Special Operating Forces (SOF) Maritime Mobility Operations and Capabilities

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES AND DESCRIPTION: This notice constitutes a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) as contemplated in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.102(d)(2). The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is soliciting white papers/proposals for Research and Development (R&D) projects which offer potential for advancement of Special Operating Forces (SOF) maritime mobility operations and capabilities. A formal Request for Proposal (RFP), solicitation, and/or additional information regarding this announcement will not be issued. Request for same will be disregarded. The USSOCOM reserves the right to select for award all, some or none of the proposals in response to this announcement. USSOCOM provides no funding for direct reimbursement of proposal development costs. Technical and cost proposals (if requested), or any other material submitted in response to this BAA will not be returned. It is the policy of USSOCOM to treat all proposals as sensitive competitive information and to disclose their contents only for the purposes of evaluation. 1. The following general aspects/topic areas are examples (but not limited to and not in order of importance) of applied research and development in support of SOF combatant craft. (a) Advanced hull forms having improved ride quality over conventional deep-vee monohulls, low multi-spectral signatures, high payload weight-fraction, high speed in a seaway, and good sea keeping and maneuverability throughout the range of operations. (b) Shock mitigating systems for crew and equipment. (c) Low signature antenna, weapon systems, topside equipments, and hull construction and outfitting materials. (d) Advanced light-weight composite materials with scaleable production processes for large maritime applications. (e) Lightweight ballistic protection materials and designs. (f) High performance diesel engines integrated with high propulsive coefficient propulsion systems. (g) Craft propulsion systems that take advantage of proven and efficient hybrid technologies and/or electric drives. (h) Integrated command, control and shipboard function monitoring systems to support small crew manning requirements and having improved human factors to reduce crew fatigue. (i) Small, integrated, sensors and maritime information/communication systems that provide real-time intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) information and improved situational awareness. (j) Lightweight, integrated, stabilized weapon and threat detection/engagement systems. (k) Small, lightweight, reliable and easily maintained hull, mechanical and electrical systems capable of surviving in a demanding maritime environment. 2. The USSOCOM requires a family of combatant craft to meet SOF maritime mobility and operational requirements. Although the above research and development topics are applicable to a wide range of combatant craft, request that research and development proposals target technology development that support one or both of following specific combatant craft requirements. (a) A small, tactical craft with the following general requirements: (1) Multi-function craft capable of infiltration and extraction and maritime interdiction operations (MIO). (2) Air transportable by a C-130 aircraft. (3) Crew of up to 4 personnel and carry up to 8 passengers and their associated gear. (4) Speed in excess of 40 knots in a Sea State 3. (5) Station keeping capability and maneuverability to perform safe transfer of personnel during ship boardings and maritime interdiction operations. (6) Low multi-spectral signatures for reduced observability. (7) Round trip endurance of 300+ nautical miles at speeds greater than 30Kts. (b) A medium range and endurance craft with the following general requirements: (1) Multi-function craft capable of infiltration and extraction, special reconnaissance and surveillance operations. (2) Large payload capacity with the ability to launch and recover a SEAL Delivery Vehicle or combatant craft up to 40 feet in length. (Small tactical craft requirements noted in paragraph (a) above.) (3) Operating endurance of 4 to 7 days. (4) Operating range of 900+ nautical miles at speeds greater than 25 kts. (5) Able to support up to 22 embarked personnel. (6) Low multi-spectral signatures for reduced observability. (7) Self-defense weapons and countermeasures. 3. WHITE PAPER CONTENT: Institutions having demonstrated research capability and the necessary facilities are invited to submit a white paper. It is not the intent of this BAA for institutions to establish new facilities. The cover page should be labeled - WHITE PAPER and should include the BAA number, proposal title, technology thrust areas addressed, and technical points of contact with telephone number, facsimile number, and e-mail address. This should only be one (1) page. The technical part of the white paper should not exceed four pages of text including appendices and should describe: the research and development objective; the technical approach; related work by the investigator or proposer; anticipated contributions/benefits to SOF maritime surface mobility; a resume of the principal investigator(s) should be appended together with any supporting information, such as reprints, that will assist in the evaluation of the white paper; and an estimate of overall costs (including indirect) for up to a three year effort;. White papers exceeding any of these page restrictions may not be reviewed. IMPORTANT NOTE: Titles given to the white papers/proposals should be descriptive of the work they cover and not be merely a copy of the title of this BAA. 4. EVALUATION CRITERIA. White papers, and any follow-up full proposal submission, will be evaluated on the following criteria: technical merits of the R&D; qualifications and experience of the principal investigator(s), and availability of facilities to support the research and development; relevance of the proposed research to USSOCOM program priorities and requirements; and realism of proposed costs, and availability of funds. 5. EVALUATION/NOTIFICATION: The USSOCOM may use selected support personnel to assist in providing both technical expertise and administrative support regarding any ensuing proposals from this announcement. These support contractors will be bound by appropriate non-disclosure agreements to protect proprietary and source-selection information. Initial evaluations of the white papers will be issued via e-mail notification. Detailed technical and cost proposals will be subsequently encouraged especially from those offerors whose proposal technologies have been identified through the above-referenced e-mail as being of - particular value to the USSOCOM. However, any such encouragement does not assure a subsequent award. 5. AWARD. All responsible sources may submit a white paper, which may be considered by the Government. Small businesses are encouraged to submit white papers and joining others in submitting proposals. However, no portion of this BAA will be set-aside due to the impracticality of reserving discrete or severable areas of this research for exclusive competition among these entities. Based upon the evaluation criteria identified in paragraph 4 above, USSOCOM will award single or multiple contracts in accordance with technical priority and funding availability. 6. There will be no other requests for proposals or other formal solicitations regarding this announcement. Formal full proposals for competitive review will be requested based on those white paper submissions judged most likely to meet program objectives. Proposal deadline date and format instruction will be provided at that time. This announcement will remain open for one year from the date of publication or until replaced by a successor BAA. White papers may be submitted any time during this period, however to be considered for the initial round of review and possible funding, white papers must be received no later than 24 July 2006. White papers will be reviewed on a quarterly basis thereafter. 7. POINTS OF CONTACT: Questions of a technical nature shall be directed to: US Special Operations Command ATTN: SOAL-NS (PETER DEPA) 7701 Tampa Point Boulevard MacDill AFB, FL 33621-5323 or via e-mail at contact@example.gov. Questions of a business nature and submittal of white paper shall be directed to the cognizant Contracting Officer: US Special Operations Command ATTN: SOAL-KB (SANDY SMITH) 7701 Tampa Point Boulevard MacDill AFB, FL 33621-5323 or via e-mail at contact@example.gov. **Important Notices Regarding Questions** All questions (of a general, technical, programmatic, or business nature) shall be submitted in writing by electronic mail. Questions and responses will be posted Under FEDBIZOPPS. No e-mail responses will be provided. Questions presented by telephone call, fax message or other means will not be responded to. There will be no meetings between potential offerors and USSOCOM personnel.