ADVANCING SYSTEMS OF SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGIES FOR RAPID ADOPTION (ASTRA)

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

ARA ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE:  Initial announcement

ADVANCED RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT (ARA) TITLE:  Advancing Systems of Systems Technologies for Rapid Adoption (ASTRA)                                                                                             

ARA NUMBER: FA8750-23-S-7007

PART I – OVERVIEW INFORMATION

This announcement is for an Open, 2 Step ARA which is open and effective until 24 JUL 2028.  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 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 24 JUL 2028, the following submission dates are suggested to best align with projected funding:

FY24 by 27 OCT 2023

FY25 by 16 SEP 2024

FY26 by 15 SEP 2025

FY27 by 15 SEP 2026

FY28 by 15 SEP 2027

Offerors should monitor the Contract Opportunities on the SAM website at https://SAM.gov in the event this announcement is amended.

CONCISE SUMMARY OF TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENT:   Seeking innovative research to mature, prototype, demonstrate, and evaluate algorithms, methodologies, techniques, and capabilities to enable the rapid integration of Systems of Systems (SoS) and the auto generation of tests of the System-of-systems Technology Integration Tool Chain for Heterogeneous Electronic Systems (STITCHES) subsystem specifications and properties.

This ARA is a follow on to the ”tools necessary to provide global interoperability without global consensus with integration of DoD systems of both hardware and software using a Systems of Systems approach” focus area of BAA FA8750-19-S-7001 entitled “Timely, Secure & Mission Responsive Aerial Warfighting Network Capabilities”

ARA ESTIMATED FUNDING:  Total funding for this ARA is approximately $200M.  Individual awards will not normally exceed 60 months with dollar amounts normally ranging from $1M to $25M.  There is also the potential to make awards up to $49.9M.

ANTICIPATED INDIVIDUAL AWARDS:  Multiple Awards are anticipated.  However, the Air Force reserves the right to award zero, one, or more Procurement Contracts or Other Transactions, for all, some, or none of the solicited effort based on the offeror’s ability to perform desired work and funding fluctuations. There is no limit on the number of OTs that may be awarded to an individual offeror.

TYPE OF INSTRUMENTS THAT MAY BE AWARDED:

FAR based procurement contracts or other transactions (OT) under 10 USC 4021, 10 USC 4022 and 10 USC 4023( previously 10 USC 4002, 2371, 10 USC 4003, 2371b and 4004, 2373)

In the event that an Other Transaction for Prototype agreement is awarded as a result of this competitive ARA, 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):

ARA PROGRAM MANAGER:                                                                 

Gerard Wohlrab

AFRL/RITGA      

525 Brooks Rd

Rome, NY 13441-4505

Telephone: (315) 330-4663

Email:   gerard.wohlrab@us.af.mil         

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:  Amber.Buckley@us.af.mil

Emails must reference the solicitation ARA 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.

PLEASE SEE SAM SYNOPSIS ATTACHMENT WITH ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

                                      Amendment No. 1 to BAA FA8750-23-S-7007

The purpose of this amendment is to:

1. In Section VI.7, NOTICE, update the provisions as follows:

NOTICE:  The following provisions* apply:

1. FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management
2. FAR 52.204-16, Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting
3. FAR 52.204-22, Alternative Line Item Proposal
4. FAR 52.204-29, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders-Representation and Disclosures
5. FAR 52.211-14, Notice of Priority Rating for National Defense, Emergency Preparedness, and Energy Program Use
6. FAR 52.232-2, Service of Protest
7. DFARS 252.203-7005, Representation Relating to Compensation of Former DoD Officials
8. DFARS 252.204-7008, Compliance with Safeguarding Covered Defense Information Controls
9. DFARS 252.204-7019, Notice of NISTSP 800-171 DoD Assessment Requirements
10. DFARS 252.204-7024, Notice on the Use of the Supplier Performance Risk System
11. DFARS 252.215-7009, Proposal Adequacy Checklist
12. DFARS 252.215-7013, Supplies and Services Provided by Nontraditional Defense Contractors
13. DFARS 252.225-7055, Representation Regarding Business Operations with the Maduro Regime
14. DFARS 252.225-7057, Preaward Disclosure of Employment of Individuals Who Work in the People’s Republic of China
15. DFARS 252.225-7059, Prohibition on Certain Procurements from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region-Representation
16. DFARS 252.225-7973, Prohibition on the Procurement of Foreign-Made Unmanned Aircraft Systems-Representation (DEVIATION 2020-O0015) (MAY 2020)
17. DFARS 252.227-7028, Technical Data or Computer Software Previously Delivered to the Government
18. DFARS 252.239-7017, Notice of Supply Chain Risk
19. DFARS 252.239-7098, Prohibition on Contracting to Maintain or Establish a Computer Network Unless Such Network is Designed to Block Access to Certain Websites-Representation (Deviation 2021-O0003) (APR 2021)

* Please note that the current versions or deviations of the related clauses will be included in any resulting contract. Additional provisions may be included in any resultant contract, dependent upon each individual effort.

No other changes are made.

                                                AMENDMENT 2 to ARA FA8750-23-S-7007

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 II, Full Text Announcement:
   1. Removes the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) reference;
   2. Section I, numbers the paragraphs under “Important Notes Regarding”, updates the language under 4.a. and replaces 4.b;
   3. Section III.2.b.2, updates the DCSA website;
   4. Section IV, added language regarding responsible sources;
   5. Section IV.2; updated the white paper format guidance;
   6. Section IV.3, updates the Information Protection contact info;
   7. Section IV.4.c, deleted the language related to assistance instruments;
   8. Section IV.4.h.3; adds language;
   9. Section V.2.b.2; renumbers and adds paragraph e regarding S&T review;
   10. Section IV.3, updated the debriefing language;
   11. Section VII, updates the OMBUDSMAN,

No other changes are made.

SEE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL AMENDMENT DETAILS.

                             Amendment No. 3 to ARA FA8750-23-S-7007

The purpose of this amendment is to:

1. Section III, Paragraph 5, updates S&T Protection language;
2. Section V, paragraph 2.e, updates the language regarding the S&T review;

SEE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL AMENDMENT DETAILS.

                                        Amendment No. 4 to BAA FA8750-23-S-7007

The purpose of this amendment is to:

1. Part II, FULL TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT, adds language regarding Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Act (FASCSA) Orders;
2. Section VI, paragraph 11, updates FINANCIAL RESOURCES requirements language;

1. FULL TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT:

Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Act (FASCSA) Orders: As of the date of this solicitation amendment, there are no applicable FASCSA orders. This requirement only applies to FAR based awards.

1. SECTION VI:

11. FINANCIAL RESOURCES: Proposals shall include information to determine adequate financial resources to perform the effort, taking into consideration all existing commercial and governmental business commitments. See DFARS 232.072-2(b) for a list of the types of information used to support financial responsibility. Examples include financial statements (e.g. Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement, Compensation); disclosures of previous insolvency; business case/cash flow forecasts; financing arrangements; and/or letters of good standing from accredited financial institutions.  Proposals shall also include all significant ratios as outlined in DFARS 232.072-2(b)(10)(i)-(vi). This requirement only applies to FAR based awards.

No other changes are made.

AMENDMENT 5 to ARA FA8750-23-S-7007

The purpose of this modification is to increase the ceiling value and 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
   1. BAA ESTIMATED FUNDING, the BAA ceiling is increased to $350M and potential award value is increased to $99.9M

1. Part II, Full Text Announcement:
2. 1. Section II.1, BAA ceiling and fiscal year breakout of funding is updated;
   2. Section III.2.b.2;updates the FOCI language;
   3. Section IV.2; updated the white paper format;
   4. Section IV.4.b, updates the date;
   5. Section IV.4.e; updated Government Approved Accounting Language;
   6. Section IV.4.h.1, updates the U.S.C. reference;
   7. Section V.2.e, updates the language;
   8. Section VI.1, updates the proposal formatting language;
   9. Section VI.7, updates the provisions;
   10. Section VI, adds paragraphs 9 and 10 and updates 11;
   11. Section VII, updates the OMBUDSMAN.

No other changes are made.

SEE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL AMENDMENT DETAILS.

Amendment No. 6 to ARA FA8750-23-S-7007

The purpose of this amendment is to:

1. Part II, FULL TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT, updates the language regarding Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act (FASCSA) Orders;

FULL TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT:

Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act (FASCSA) Orders: Depending on the date of issuance of this solicitation, FASCSA order(s) may be applicable. Therefore, the Offeror shall search for the phrase “FASCSA order” in the System for Award Management (SAM) (https://www.sam.gov) for any covered article, or any products or services produced or provided by a source, if there is an applicable Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders prohibition. This requirement only applies to FAR based awards.  

No other changes are made.

AMENDMENT 7 TO ARA FA8750-23-S-7007

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 II, Full Text Announcement:
   1. Section I, Important Notes Regarding paragraph 3, removes the word “basic” from the Other Transaction for Research Projects paragraph;
   2. Section IV.2.a.iii, updates the 10 U.S.C. 4023 language;
   3. Section V.3, updates the Simplified Acquisition Threshold to $350,000;
   4. Section V.4, updates the certified cost and pricing data threshold to $10M;
   5. Section VI.3, updates the debriefing language;
   6. Section VI.5.b.3, updates the DFARS clause;
   7. Section VI.5.c, updates the DFARS clause;
   8. Section VI.7, updates the provisions;
   9. Section VI, updates numbering of paragraphs to remove duplicate language, paragraph 8 and 9 both covered Technology Incentive Range; deleted existing paragraph 9, and new paragraph 9 is Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) Compliance, and paragraph 10 is Financial Resources;
   10. Section VI.8; updates the DFARS reference;
   11. Section VII: updates the OMBUDSMAN.

No other changes are made.

SEE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL AMENDMENT DETAILS.