Agreements to research revolutionary capabilities for US Naval forces to mature and transition advances in Airworthiness Assessment Tools

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT INTENT TO ESTABLISH GOVERNMENT-UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP(S) IN RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR THE NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER AIRCRAFT DIVISION N00421-15-R-0020 1. INTRODUCTION The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Airworthiness department is soliciting white papers from universities, colleges, and educational research institutes to pursue agreements to research revolutionary capabilities for US Naval forces to mature and transition advances in Airworthiness Assessment tools. This is to improve US Naval capabilities, respond to current critical needs, and maintain broad technology investments to anticipate and counter potential technology surprises. To support this mission, the white paper must provide Airworthiness Assessment solutions and potential tools that will enable the future force while simultaneously seizing opportunities to enhance current readiness. White papers must also discuss the potential commercial applications of the proposed development and its impact on the market. These efforts will be conducted primarily at the agreement holder's site but NAVAIR facilities may also be available and/or used depending on project needs. Access and use of NAVAIR facilities will require security clearances and US citizenship. 2. BACKGROUND Innovation fuels economic growth, the creation of new industries, companies, jobs, products and services, and the global competitiveness of U.S. industries. One driver of successful innovation is technology transfer, in which the private sector adapts Federal research for use in the marketplace. The purpose of this broad agency announcement is to advance basic and applied research in support of Naval Aviation. By establishing these collaborative agreements the overall ability to conduct research needed to solve current and future technological challenges pertinent to Navy Airworthiness will be addressed. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) is interested in technologies and proposals, which will demonstrate potential improvements in Airworthiness assessments. The demonstrations and research shall be in direct support of the Navy's Airworthiness Division. Airworthiness is the property of an air system configuration to safely attain, sustain and terminate ('complete' in case of UAS) flight in accordance with approved usage limits. The issuance of a Navy Flight Clearance is contingent upon having the major tenets of airworthiness satisfied and ensures air vehicles and capabilities can be operated safely within defined operating limits. 3. SPECIFIC AREAS OF INTEREST The research to be performed shall be directed towards the discovery of new approaches that promise to streamline the airworthiness process for augmenting the capabilities of the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and its Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD). Activities shall include but are not limited to: * Conducting research in current and emerging future technologies. * Teaming with academia and DOD agencies to find the most appropriate solution to current and future war fighter requirements. * Promoting technology transfer using NAVAIR facilities including assessment tools * Providing technical assistance and training associated with assessment tools. * Conduct select airworthiness studies, to develop new tools for airworthiness assessment, and to conduct basic and applied research of new approaches that promise to streamline the airworthiness process for augmenting the capabilities of the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and its Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD). These studies shall specifically address the NAVAIR Areas of Interest as they pertain to airworthiness: o Systems Engineering (Systems Engineering Technical Review (SETR) Process, Independent Engineering, Airworthiness planning tools such as Airworthiness Qualification Plan (AQP), Engineering Data Requirements Agreement Plan (EDRAP), Data Element List (DEL); o Safety Management and Technical Risk Assessment Systems, Continuing Airworthiness (Configuration Management, Maintenance, Material Management); o Airworthiness Certifications (Interim and Permanent Flight Clearances); o Training and Training Devices; Flight Test Peculiar (Aircraft Operating Limits, Continuation Criteria, Envelope Expansion Plan, Air System Maturity) 4. AGREEMENT TYPE NAWCAD is willing to consider various types of acquisition vehicles including but not limited to traditional FAR/DFARS type contracts or other non-procurement agreements. The Government will make the final decision on the acquisition type. NOTE: Typically, research findings result in the need for additional services/supplies, which are not possible to anticipate or project. Modifications to the agreements 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 this BAA and the resulting agreement. 5. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION Proposal submissions shall follow a two phased approach. The first phase will consist of submission of a technical white paper, discussed below. Phase II, submission of full proposals, is by invitation only. No further Request for Information (RFI), solicitation or other announcement of this opportunity will be made. White papers may be submitted at any time up to one (1) year from the original posting date of this BAA in FEDBIZOPPS. Closing date of the BAA is 14 December 2015. 5.1 PHASE I - PROPOSAL ABSTRACTS Submit a technical white paper, not to exceed five pages. The white papers will be evaluated in the order that they are received. All proprietary portions of the white paper shall be clearly identified and will be treated with the strictest confidence. The white paper shall include: the need for the proposed research and how Naval Aviation / the Warfighter will benefit (including commercial applications if applicable); the technology challenges that must be overcome; a brief description of the technical approach and facilities involved; an annual cost estimate; and, if applicable, the anticipated sharing arrangement between the government and submitting organization (facilities, equipment, people). Submission of a proposal shall constitute consent to disclose proprietary information to all Government source selection participants. White papers submitted in response to this announcement will be reviewed by NAVAIR's Airworthiness office and other interested parties. Only Offerors who's Phase I - White Papers that are of interest to the government and considered capable of meeting Program requirements will be requested to submit a Phase II - Full Proposals. The cover sheet for the white paper shall identify: 1. BAA Number; 2. Organization Name; 3. Other Team Members and type of business for each; 4. Technical Points of contact (including phone, fax, and e-mail information); 5. Administrative Point of Contact; 6. One paragraph that summarizes the relationship of the proposal to the BAA. FULL PROPOSAL SUBMISSION: Request and/or submission of a full proposal does not constitute an agreement and does not guarantee award selection. SHOULD 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 shall submit full proposals in two (2) volumes; Volume 1 Technical, Volume II Cost. 4. Offerors are advised to submit a subcontracting plan in accordance with FAR 19.7 with applicable proposals; 5. Offerors shall review technical data rights clauses found under FAR 27 & DFARS 227 and propose technical data restrictions and reference applicable clauses; 6. Cost proposals shall be prepared in accordance with Table 15-2 under FAR 15.408, and shall remain valid for a period of no less than 120 days; 7. Work statements shall be prepared in accordance with FAR 35.005, and; 8. The cost of preparation and response to the BAA is not considered an allowable direct charge to the resulting contract or any other contract. As such offerors will not be reimbursed for bid and proposal costs. 9. Offerors shall submit their full proposal in electronic format to Sabana Moore-Barnes at sabana.moore@navy.mil. NOTE: Proposal submission is not restricted in any way to any particular entity. Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Minority Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities are encouraged to participate. FULL PROPOSAL EVALUATION: Merit shall be determined based on: (1) the offerors ability to demonstrate feasibility (2) the offerors experience, facilities, techniques or unique combinations of these criteria which are integral for achieving the proposed objectives, and (3) realism and reasonableness 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. The acquisition vehicle will be evaluated in accordance with FAR 15 and 35.007. 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. Contracting Office Address: NAWC-AD 22299 Exploration Drive Exploration IV, Suite 301 Lexington Park, MD 20653 Place of Performance: Various Primary Point of Contact: Sabana Moore-Barnes Email: Sabana.Moore@navy.mil Secondary Point of contact: Krista Hayden Email: Krista.Hayden@navy.mil