A -- New Space Independent Research & Development (IR&D) Review Process

The DoD Executive Agent for Space, Mr. Peter B. Teets, has requested a new process to improve Space IR&D communications between government and industry. In addition, industry has requested a broader opportunity to get feedback as to how well their efforts fit with the government's future plans. In response, we have developed a new Space IR&D Process. Our approach is to hold two major conferences a year to review Space IR&D technologies and investments, with follow-up visits to select companies for further in-depth review. The new process will be pilot tested in the Space Community the first year with the intention of moving it Air Force-wide and possibly across the DoD. Conference Specifics. Both IR&D conferences will be run in the same manner. They will be conducted in the Spring and Fall, each one week long. The first IR&D Conference will be held at Peterson AFB in Colorado Springs from 6-10 Dec 04 at HQ AFSPC, Building 1 Auditorium, for Day One and the Leadership Development Center, Bldg 910, for Days 2 through 5. Monday will consist of government briefings. From Tuesday morning through Friday morning there will be a series of one-on-one briefings from selected companies with government feedback. We will have a second conference in the April/May timeframe, time and location still to be determined. For details, visit AFRL's website http://www.afrl.af.mil/announce/symposiums.html and select - IRAD Conference. Mr. Joe Sciabica of AFRL is designated as the team lead with support from senior leadership at HQ AFSPC, and SMC/TD. Mr. Peter B. Teets, the Under Secretary of the Air Force and DoD Executive Agent for Space, is scheduled to be the keynote speaker. Government Message. Monday will consist of government briefings. For this session, we ask each company to limit their attendance to two to three representatives due to conference room seating restrictions. The government intends to discuss investment strategy, objectives, priorities, and resources planned to achieve key future space capabilities. One-On-One Discussions with Industry. For 7-10 Dec, we have scheduled time for one-on-one government sessions with companies. Due to resource constraints, and our expectations for responses to this announcement, we anticipate having to select a more limited group of companies to participate in these sessions. Selection for the Fall Conferences will be firm, with a tentative list announced for the Spring Conference. The government will provide 1-3 hour blocks of time for each company to discuss their corporate strategy, key projects, and leave time for Q&A. Electronic presentations will be required. If not selected, we will attempt to schedule over the next series of conferences opportunities for all companies to participate. Follow-on Site Visits. After each conference, a more focused government team will visit select companies who briefed for further in-depth review. Criteria. We will use the following criteria as part of the selection process to participate in the one-on-one sessions and follow-on site visits: (1) Space IR&D funding levels and (2) Relevance of company efforts to DoD space objectives and interest areas. Restrictions. The meeting is unclassified, U.S. Citizens only. In order to attend, you must either be a DoD employee or DoD contractor with a valid DD 2345 Certification. This announcement is an expression of interest only and does not obligate the government in any way. Response to this request is voluntary and will not impact any future acquisitions. Please respond by 5 Nov with your intent to attend the Conference on 6-10 December. Also indicate any preference for Spring/Fall to present at a one-on-one session if selected. Please send your response by e-mail to Mr. Giovanni Pagan, +1 (555) 000-0000, contact@example.gov POCs: Government: Mr. Giovanni Pagan, +1 (555) 000-0000, contact@example.gov Contractor Support: Mr. Alan Livada, Universal Technology Corporation +1 (555) 000-0000, contact@example.gov Contracting POC: Ms. Sandy Schwartzwalder +1 (555) 000-0000; contact@example.gov