A -- MASINT R&D Concept White Papers

MODIFICATION TO BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA):Virginia Contracting Activity (VCA) is posting this modification to generate new concept White Paper submittals for funding consideration within realigned program objectives and mission priorities of the Defense Intelligence Agency, Officer for Technology and Fielding (DIA/DTT). The modification also updates current Government POC?s. The total amount of funding for new project starts in FY08 and FY 09 is expected to be in the vicinity of $20M. White Papers will be accepted at any time; however, DIA/DTT funding decisions are generally made prior to May 1 for the next fiscal year which commences October 1. To simplify the changes, this modification will incorporate the original base BAA and all changes into this modification and will supersede the original Combined Solicitation. BACKGROUND: The mission of the DIA/DTT is to rapidly develop and field Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT) and technical collection capabilities consistent with the DIA current mission priorities. Within this framework DIA/DTT is tasked to research, develop, and deploy new Measures and Signatures Intelligence (MASINT) collection technologies to provide persistent, undetected and difficult-to-counter surveillance of intelligence targets. DIA/DTT aims to be a premier provider of innovative MASINT and technical intelligence collection technologies as end-to-end systems able to respond to both tactical and strategic needs of the intelligence and war-fighter communities. AREAS OF INTEREST: In order for organizations to gain a clearer picture of DIA/DTT?s mission requirement priorities and the technologies proposed to meet these requirements it will be necessary to request mailing of classified information. Participants can request a registered mailing at the SECRET level from Ms. Susan Engel. Her unclassified email address is contact@example.gov. Requestors must have a SECRET facility clearance and SECRET safeguarding that can be verified by the Industrial Security Facilities Database (ISFD). PROGRAM OBJECTIVE AND DESCRIPTION: The Virginia Contracting Activity is soliciting white papers for innovative approaches and concepts to obtain unique and creative solutions, technologies, and state of the art approaches within the general MASINT scientific disciplines. DIA/DTT is seeking White Papers that offer demonstration of first or next generation prototypes that can generally be developed within 12-24 months. New systems and approaches as well as novel exploitation of existing intelligence or non-intelligence systems and data with potential to satisfy gaps in intelligence collection capabilities are of high interest. MASINT is technically derived intelligence that detects, locates and identifies unique and operationally exploitable signatures of fixed and dynamic sources of interest. Development of this technology into operationally useful systems requires a wide range of scientific, engineering and technical expertise combined with knowledge of current intelligence and military requirements, capabilities, and operations. Scientific disciplines considered components of MASINT include electro-optics, radar and radio frequency, trace materials sampling, nuclear radiation, geophysics. These disciplines are augmented with expertise for systems engineering/integration with manned and unmanned air/land/water/space?based platforms, command, control and communications systems and processing, exploitation and dissemination (PED) systems. For a developmental system to be successfully transitioned to real-world intelligence collection operations, it must be compatible with existing operational concepts/doctrine, processes, systems, logistical, environmental realities and force protection constraints. SCHEDULE: This MASINT Transitional BAA is open and effective for a period of four years from the date of release (1 Nov 04 - 1 Oct 08), and is open to all interested parties, including FFRDC, Government, National, and academic (college and university) laboratories. White Papers will be accepted at any time. This BAA will remain open for proposals through 1600 hours local time on the closing date, 1 October 2008. Proposals received after the closing date will not be reviewed or evaluated. The cost of preparing Government requested proposals, in response to this announcement, is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resulting contract or any other contract, but may be an allowable expense to the normal bid and proposal indirect cost specified in FAR 31.205-18. WHITE PAPERS: THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY SOLICITATION. DO NOT SUBMIT A FORMAL PROPOSAL AT THIS TIME. Offerors are required to submit three (3) copies of a two (2) to four (4) page white paper summarizing their proposed approach/solution for the relevant mission areas(s). 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 should include the White Paper Cover Sheet (attachment 1), containing the anticipated period of performance as well as a rough-order-of-magnitude (ROM) cost. The ROM cost consists of the total cost plus profit/fee, if any. It is a best estimate of the anticipated cost of the effort. The ROM should be consistent with any dollar value or ranges specified in the announcement, as well as the level of work being proposed. The White Paper does not include a cost proposal. It must include a short technical description of the concepts and planned approach to accomplish an operational demonstration and the technical objectives. It briefly describes the technologies to be pursued in the effort. The White Paper must also include past performance data (attachment to 2-4 page white paper), in accordance with the attached instructions (attachment 2). White papers should avoid proprietary or classified information or data not critical to the idea being presented. Note:White Papers already submitted under BAA-04-01-JT1 or BAA-05-01-JT2, should not be resubmitted under this BAA modification. FORMAT AND SUBMITTAL: The format for white papers follows below. White paper proposals that do not meet format requirements may be rejected without further review or evaluation. The white paper must be formatted as follows: Section A: Date, Title, Company name, Period of performance, estimated cost of task (see attachment 1); Section B: Task Objective and relevant mission areas(s) being addressed; and Section C: Technical summary of objectives and the operational demonstration. Multiple white papers, within the purview of this announcement, may be submitted by offerors. All white papers/proposals shall be double spaced with a font no smaller than 12-pitch. Offerors must mark their submissions with the restrictive language stated in FAR 15.609(a), and in accordance with the approved MASINT security guide. In addition, respondents are requested to provide their Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) number, a fax number, and an e-mail address (both unclassified and classified if available) with their submission. Offerors must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) in order to be eligible for contract award. All white paper responses to this announcement must be addressed to: Matthew Brown, Virginia Contracting Activity, 1030 South Highway A1A, Building 989, Patrick AFB FL 32925-3002. E-mailed white paper submissions are not accepted. E-mailed questions, clarification, or concerns from offerors or potential offerors, during the white paper proposal development phase of this acquisition, should be communicated directly to the Contracting Officer and must reference the title and BAA-05-01-JT2 number. White Paper Transmittal Addresses: Matthew Brown, Virginia Contracting Activity, 1030 South Highway A1A, Building 989, Patrick AFB FL 32925. White papers classified above the level of Secret must be directed to the Chief, Security Division, David Sorter, 1030 South Highway A1A, Building 989, Patrick AFB, FL 32925, phone: +1 (555) 000-0000 EVALUATION CRITERIA: The evaluation of white papers and proposals will be performed utilizing the following criteria, in conjunction with the intent of this BAA and of interest to the Government, which are listed in descending order of importance: (1) Mission Capability-within classified mission areas; Scientific/Technical Merit, Operational Feasibility, Operational Readiness and Qualifications & Capabilities. The Mission area managers will evaluate the offeror?s proposal for improved ability to satisfy specific mission area requirements, the ability to operationally field the technology, the offeror?s knowledge, skills and technical expertise in the field of MASINT R&D, and the offeror?s ability to rapidly respond to operational needs. (2) Relevant Past & Present performance, consideration will be given to past and present performance on recent Government/commercial contracts, and (3) Reasonableness and realism of proposed costs and fees (if any). Individual white paper/proposal evaluations will be based on acceptability or unacceptability without regard to other white papers and proposals submitted under this BAA. White papers and proposals submitted will be evaluated as they are received. All responsible organizations may submit a white paper/proposal that shall be considered. PROPOSALS: White papers found to be consistent with the requirements of the BAA may be invited to submit a formal technical and cost proposal. An invitation to submit a proposal does not assure that the offeror will be awarded a subsequent contract. Complete proposal instructions will be contained in the invitation to submit a proposal. AWARDS: Awards under this BAA will be made to offerors on the basis of the evaluation criteria above and program priorities to provide best value to the Government. Awards will be subject to the availability of funds. Awards of efforts as a result of this BAA will be in the form of negotiated contracts. Options are discouraged and un-priced options will not be considered for award. Complete instructions for proposal preparation will be forwarded with the invitations for proposal submissions. Principal funding of this BAA and the anticipated award of contracts will start in Nov 04. Individual awards will not normally exceed 24 months with dollar amounts typically ranging from $100,000 to $3 million per year. The anticipated funding to be obligated under this BAA, from Nov 04 - Sep 09, is over $100 million. Depending on the work to be performed, the offeror may require up to a TOP-SECRET-SCI clearance or the means to support a special access security environment, facility clearance and safeguarding capability; therefore, personnel identified for assignment to a classified effort must be cleared for access to U.S. SECRET information at the time of award. In addition, the offeror may be required to have, or have access to, a certified and Government-approved facility to support work under this BAA. Data subject to export control constraints may be involved and only firms on the Certified Contractor Access List (CCAL) will be allowed access to such data. Foreign or foreign-owned offerors are advised that their participation is subject to foreign disclosure review procedures. These offerors should immediately contact the contracting officer for information if they contemplate responding. Offerors are cautioned that only Contracting Officers are legally authorized to obligate funds and commit the Government. NON-GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL: All proprietary material should be clearly marked and will be held in strict confidence. The program office has contracted for various non-government scientific, engineering, technical and administrative staff support services, some of which require contractors to obtain access to proprietary information submitted by other contractors. All non-government contractor support personal (currently from ZelTech, MTC, and EWA) has signed and are bound by the appropriate non-disclosure agreements and organizational conflict of interest statements. Non-government staff support personnel will not have access to proposals that are labeled by the offerors as ?Government Access Only?. Proposals labeled by the offerors as for ?Administrative Purposes Only? will only be handled by non-government staff support contractors in an administrative role. Administrative access is defined as "handling or having physical control over information for the sole purpose of accomplishing the administrative functions specified in this contract or order, which do not require the review, reading, or comprehension of the content of the information on the part of non-technical professionals assigned to accomplish the specified administrative tasks." Examples of the administrative tasks performed include: a. Assembling and organizing information for R&D case files; b. Accessing library files for use by government personnel; and c. Handling and administration of proposals, contracts, contract funding and queries. Any objection to administrative access must be in writing to the contracting officer and shall include a detailed statement of the basis for the objection. All evaluations and selections under this BAA will be made only by Government evaluators. Non-government staff support contractors may serve as technical advisors in the evaluation of proposals. Prospective offerors are advised that only Contracting Officers are legally authorized to commit the Government. CURRENT POINTS OF CONTACT: Contracting Officer/Specialist: Mr. Matthew Brown, 1030 South Highway A1A, Building 989, Patrick AFB FL 32925, telephone: +1 (555) 000-0000, email contact@example.gov Program Manager: Mr. Michael Vaske, 1030 South Highway A1A, Building 989, Patrick AFB, FL 32925, telephone: +1 (555) 000-0000, email: contact@example.gov Technical Point of Contact: Dr. Robert Richardson, Senior Scientist, phone: +1 (555) 000-0000, email: contact@example.gov Classified Point of Contact: Ms. Susan Engel, South Highway A1A, Building 989, Patrick AFB, FL 32925, telephone: +1 (555) 000-0000, email: contact@example.gov. Security Officer: Mr. David Sorter, 1030 South Highway A1A, Building 989, Patrick AFB, FL 32925, phone: +1 (555) 000-0000 Visit requests: To Patrick AFB, Building 989, the offerors security office must send SCI clearances via: a. Message Traffic to: SSO PATRK or b. Classified Fax to +1 (555) 000-0000 White Paper Transmittal: Matthew Brown, Virginia Contracting Activity, 1030 South Highway A1A, Building 989, Patrick AFB FL 32925. ATTACHMENT 1 BAA-05-01-JT2 WHITE PAPER COVER SHEET BAA-05-01-JT2 1. DATE: _______________ 2. TITLE: ______________________________ 3. COMPANY NAME: ______________________________ 4. ADDRESS: ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ 5. CAGE CODE: _____________________________ 6. CONTRACTING POINT OF CONTACT: NAME: _______________________________ TITLE: _______________________________ PHONE: ______________________________ E-MAIL: ______________________________ FAX: _________________________________ 7. TECHNICAL POINT OF CONTACT: NAME: _______________________________ TITLE: _______________________________ PHONE: ______________________________ E-MAIL: ______________________________ FAX: _________________________________ 8. SECURITY POINT OF CONTACT: NAME: ______________________________ PHONE: _____________________________ 9. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: ___________________________ 10. ROM: ______________________________ (Best estimate cost plus profit based on anticipated cost of proposed effort) ATTACHMENT 2 BAA-05-01-JT2 Past Performance Instructions (attachment to 4 page White Paper) A. Provide data as specified in paragraph (e) below. B. Past performance, for the purpose of satisfying the above requirements, means quality of work, essentially comparable to this acquisition. Contracts or subcontracts performed in the past five years will be considered relevant. Identify the division or profit center that performed the contract. C. In describing contractual effort and the offer or?s performance, include specific details of technical performance (actual performance versus required performance; actual quality or reliability versus specified levels: security deviations, violations, compromises; performance incentives and award fee earned versus total award fee pool, etc.); management performance in meeting program schedules and milestones; and cost performance (under or overruns, cost incentives earned or lost, etc.). The discussion should include ?lessons learned? or a description of any corrective action taken to prevent recurrence of past performance listed and considered substandard, and a narration or recitation of how the past experience may benefit this program. The offeror may, in the Technical Proposal volume, cross-reference performance details from the Past Performance volume. D. The Past Performance must be provided to the government point of contact for verification. Past performance information on recent contracts, not listed by the offeror, or that of previous subcontractors, may also be solicited from the ACO or other authoritative government sources. Verification of past performance information may also be handled telephonically. E. Provide a comprehensive list of all contracts of a similar nature, size, scope, dynamic environment and complexity, utilizing a comparable number of personnel with like skills, performed in the past five years. Provide the past performance list with the White Paper submission. If you believe a performance on a classified project is relevant to this acquisition, then simply state ?Classified? where appropriate and provide points of contact. Offerors should verify that all information provided is current. Include the following: 1. Company/division name 2. Program title 3. Contracting agency 4. Contract number 5. Type of Award (negotiated or sealed bid) 6. Award date and contract completion date 7. A brief description of the contract effort 8. Period of performance 9. Original contract dollar value and current (or ending) contract dollar value. 10. List of major subcontractors and work performed 11. Name, telephone number and address of the customer?s program director/manager, administrative contracting officer, and procuring contracting officer.