Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) N00421-08-R-0012 solicits/requests proposals for Improvement of Airworthiness Standards and Processes. Responses to this BAA submitted in accordance with the guidelines set forth herein will be accepted at the Contracting Office for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of this announcement. This Broad Agency Announcement is for Basic and Applied Research in accordance with FAR 35.016. No formal solicitation will be issued.AREAS OF INTEREST - Areas of interest include but are not limited to: (1) airworthiness criteria, standards, and verification methods for certification of all classes of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS); (2) tailored airworthiness criteria, standards, and verification methods for certification of small and/or expendable UAS with a focus on safety of flight and alleviation of damage to people, property, and environment; (3) airworthiness considerations for integration of UAS into the National Airspace System; (4) improved methods for airworthiness certification of software; (5) airworthiness certification of UAS swarming, formation flight, and aerial refueling; (6) flight test technologies and techniques for verification of small UAS airworthiness; (7) airworthiness criteria development for advanced displays and "glass cockpits"; (8) impact of glass cockpit aircraft technology on flight manual format and use in the cockpit; (9) human factors concepts to enhance critical memory item / emergency procedure development and execution; (10) improved methodologies and tools for estimating and calculating probability of loss of aircraft (PLOA) and casualty expectation; and (11) other improvements to airworthiness standards and processes. WHITE PAPER SUBMISSION- Interested parties should submit a white paper, which addresses one or more of the areas listed above. The proposed research shall be limited to approaches where concept feasibility has already been demonstrated. Offerors shall submit a white paper electronically to Contracts, Roberta Nethercutt (roberta.nethercutt@navy.mil). The white paper shall not exceed ten (10) pages and shall include: (1) a summary of the proposed concept, (2) an estimated period of performance (include phases if applicable), and (3) a rough order of cost magnitude. Cost of white paper preparation is not considered an allowable direct charge to the resulting contract or any other contract. More than one white paper may be submitted during the twelve (12) month period following publication of this announcement. Upon white paper receipt, it will be forwarded for technical review. White papers will be reviewed in the order that they are received. The Government reserves the right to select all, some, or none of the white papers received in response to this announcement. The Government will advise regarding intent to pursue the proposed concept within 90 days from receipt. If the proposed concept meets program requirements, and funds are available, the Government will request a full technical and cost proposal. FULL PROPOSAL SUBMISSION ? If the Government requests a full proposal, please note the following: (1) Offerors shall complete the On-line Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) before submission of a proposal (http://www.bpn.gov/orca); (2) Offerors shall be current in the Central Contractor Registration (http://www.ccr.gov); (3) Offerors are advised to submit a subcontracting plan in accordance with FAR 19.7 with applicable proposals; (4) Offerors shall review technical data rights clauses found under FAR 27 & DFARS 227 and propose technical data restrictions and reference applicable clauses; (5) Cost proposals shall be prepared in accordance with Table 15-2 under FAR 15.408, and shall remain valid for a period of 120 days; (6) Work statements shall be prepared in accordance with FAR 35.005, and; (7) The cost of preparation and response to this BAA is not considered an allowable direct charge to the resulting contract or any other contract. Offerors shall submit one (1) original and two (2) copies of their full proposal to: DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY, NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, AIRCRAFT SUPPORT CONTRACTS DEPARTMENT (2.5.1.3.1), 21983 BUNDY ROAD, UNIT 7, BLDG 441, PATUXENT RIVER, MD 20670-1127. FULL PROPOSAL EVALUATION ? Merit shall be determined based on: (1) overall scientific and technical merit, (2) the offerors ability to demonstrate feasibility (3) the offerors experience, facilities, techniques or unique combinations of these criteria which are integral for achieving the proposed objectives, and (4) realism of proposed cost. For contract proposals, the socio-economic merits of each proposal will be evaluated based on the commitment to provide meaningful subcontracting opportunities with small business, small disadvantaged business, woman-owned small business concerns, and HBCU/MIS. Contract proposals will be evaluated in accordance with FAR 15 and 35.007. CONTRACT TYPE - NAVAIR is willing to consider various types of procurement vehicles using FAR/DFARS and/or non-procurement assistance vehicles using DoDGARS, such as Grants/Agreements under 10 U.S.C. 2358 or Technology Incentive Awards under 10 U.S.C. 2371 or U.S.C. 2358 (Congressional direction requires that at least 50 percent of the cost of a project under this initiative be provided by industry) and Section 845, Authority to Carry Out Certain Prototype Projects. Selecting appropriate contract/agreement type is ultimately determined by the Contracting Officer. NOTE: Typically, research findings result in the need for additional services/supplies, which are not possible to anticipate or project. Contract modifications may be executed to satisfy these requirements, thereby providing for flexibility in technology assessment (with technology transition the ultimate goal). In the event that this is required, it shall be considered to be within the scope of the contract, which resulted from this BAA, and therefore will have met FAR/DFARS requirements and the Competition in Contracting Act. AWARDS - Contract award will be based on the proposal?s technical merit, cost, and availability of appropriations. There is no commitment by the Navy to be responsible for any monies expended by the offeror prior to award of a contract. Offerors are cautioned that only a Contracting Officer is legally authorized to commit the Government. POINTS OF CONTACT ? The offerors may email the technical point of contact at Stephen.Cook@navy.mil, and roberta.nethercutt@navy.mil for contractual guidance.
