BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) BAA-08-SAFSB-01 FOR FY2008 AIR FORCE MENTOR-PROTEGE

NOTICE: THE BELOW ANNOUNCEMENT IS AMENDED TO EXTEND THE DUE DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF WHITE PAPERS TO 3 JUL 2008, 3 P.M. Eastern Time, AND TO ALSO CORRECT THE RECIPIENT MAILING ADDRESSES. FY 2008 AIR FORCE MENTOR-PROT'G BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) 08-01, U.S. AIR FORCE (AF) MENTOR-PROT'G (MP) PROGRAM FOR THE AIR FORCE SMALL BUSINESS SOLUTIONS CENTER (AFOPO/CCP). CONTRACTING POC: Mentor-Protege Contracting Officer Ms. Lynne Hanson, Phone: (202) 767-1486, Fax: (202) 767-7814, e-mail: lynne.hanson@afncr.af.mil. All contracting questions must be submitted in writing by fax or e-mail. TECHNICAL POC: Ms. Sathedia Bush, AF MP Program Manager, Phone: (210) 536-1317, Fax: (210) 536-8772, e-mail: sathedia.bush@brooks.af.mil. All technical questions must be submitted in writing by fax or e-mail. 1. INTRODUCTION: The Air Force Small Business Solutions Center Mentor-Prot'g Office is soliciting WHITE PAPERS from eligible mentors interested in participating in the Department of Defense (DoD) Mentor-Prot'g Program. FORMAL PROPOSALS ARE NOT BEING REQUESTED AT THIS TIME. Those WHITE PAPERS found to be consistent with the intent of this BAA may be invited to submit a technical and cost proposal in accordance with (IAW) this BAA, subject to need and the availability of funds. This BAA announcement will remain in effect until 30 September 2008. IAW Section Two of the Presidential Executive Order 13360, and in order to significantly increase contract and subcontract award opportunities to Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB), we highly encourage SDVOSBs participate as prot'g's or mentors (if eligible) in the program. 2. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this Department of Defense (DoD) program is to provide incentives to prime DoD contractors to provide appropriate developmental assistance to enhance the capabilities of the prot'g firms to satisfy DoD and other contract and subcontract requirements. This is accomplished by technical and developmental assistance from the mentor to the prot'g. Under this program, approved mentor firms will enter into Mentor-Prot'g agreements with eligible prot'g's. A complete description of the DoD program and eligibility requirements is provided in Appendix I of the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS). In addition, you can visit the Air Force Small Business Website at http://www.selltoairforce.org/programs/mentorprotege/default.aspx to obtain detailed Air Force MP Program information. Proposed agreements consisting primarily of business infrastructure, management and marketing assistance will not be considered for approval. The Air Force is focusing on Mentor-Prot'g agreements that have a strong technical component or focus on innovative state of the art technology transfer in the domains of air, space and cyberspace. Some technical categories are listed below. TOP TECHNICAL CATEGORIES Cyberspace Operations Energy Efficiency/Conservation Robotics Space Electronics, Power, Structures Satellites Biometrics Modeling, Simulation, and Effects Power Sources Fuel Cells Composites Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Aerospace Product & Part Manufacturing Military Aircraft/Missiles - Manufacturing, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Military Engines for Aircraft, Missiles, Support Equip. - Manufacturing, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Aerospace Support Equipment Armaments/Munitions Directed Energy (Lasers & High Powered Microwaves) Command and Control Electro-Optical (EO) Electronic Warfare Radio Frequency (RF) Electronic Warfare Explosives/Energetic Materials Advanced Diagnostics Aeromedical OTHER TECHNICAL CATEGORIES Anti-Corrosives Alternative Fuels Semiconductor & Other Electronic Component Manufacturing Navigational, Measuring, Electro-medical, and Control Instruments Electrical Equipment Manufacturing, Other Electrical Equipment & Component Manufacturing Support Activities for Air Transportation Computer Systems Design & Related Services Process, Physical Distribution & Logistics Consulting Services Chemical/Biological Defense Bio-Medical Engineering Information Assurance and Security Communications War Fighter Related Training and/or Distance Learning, E-Learning Environmental Occupational Toxicology Operational Therapeutics (This list is not all inclusive. White papers addressing other categories may be submitted for review and consideration.) 3. APPROACH: The Air Force District of Washington Acquisition Division (AFDW/A7KS) intends to fund Air Force Mentor-Prot'g agreements by issuing Cost Plus, Fixed-Fee contracts and may award without discussion. The period of performance for each contract awarded shall be one year from the date of award, with a one-year option. If proposed mentoring efforts require a second option year, justification of the additional year shall be provided in the WHITE PAPER. The amount of individual awards will vary according to the complexity of the effort proposed and cannot exceed the regulatory yearly amount as set forth in DFARS, Appendix I. PHASE ONE - WHITE PAPER 4. WHITE PAPER SUBMISSION INFORMATION: WHITE PAPERS must be received no later than COB on 3 JULY 2008, 3:00 p.m. Eastern time, and shall be mailed to the following two addresses: AFDW/A7KS ATTN: MS LYNNE HANSON, CONTRACTING OFFICER 2822 DOHERTY DR SW NAVAL ANACOSTIA DC 20373 AND AFOPO/CCP Attn: Sathedia Bush 3315 Sydney Brooks Brooks City-Base, TX 78235-5110 Those white papers found to be consistent with the intent of this BAA may be invited to submit a technical and cost proposal. a. CONTENT AND FORM OF SUBMISSION: Mentors are required to submit 3 hard copies to the AFOPO/CCP address and 2 hard copies to the AFDW/A7KS address of the white paper, not to exceed 10 pages, single spaced with a font no smaller than 12 pitch summarizing their proposed mentoring approach. The purpose of the white paper is to preclude unwarranted effort on the part of a mentor whose proposed assistance is not in-line with program objectives as described in paragraph 2. The white paper shall be structured and completed as follows: Section A: Mentor Company Name & POC Contact Information; Prot'g Company Name & POC Contact Information; School Name & POC Contact Information. Section B: Prot'g Company Info - Provide description of the prot'g company to include current number of employees, annual revenue, core business, and small business status/eligibility. If applicable, provide prot'g's previous participation in the DoD MP Program. Section C: Provide description of mentor's current/past relationship with the prot'g and the results/progress of prot'g firms mentored by your company. Section D: Provide anticipated approach, description, and timeline of the technology transfer, business development, and infrastructure assistance proposed to be transferred to the prot'g. Technology transfer must equate to no less that 70% of the total proposed effort. Section E: Provide description and details to include training courses or seminars that will be provided to the Prot'g's by the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs), Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs), or Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs). Section F: Provide description of the benefits to the DoD/AF from the proposed mentoring and provide the name and phone number of the Air Force Technical Advisor/Champion if available. Section G: Provide anticipated mentor subcontracting to the prot'g. Section H: Provide an estimated value for proposed technical and business mentoring efforts. b. WHITE PAPER EVALUATION CRITERIA: The following criteria will be used to determine whether white papers are consistent with the intent of this BAA and of interest to the Government: (1) Relevance of proposed technology to current DoD/AF requirements as listed in paragraph 2. (2) Overall technical approach to providing transfer of technology. (3) Capacity, capability and proposed metrics to achieve the objectives of this BAA. c. WHITE PAPER NOTICES / REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL: White Papers found to be consistent with the intent of this BAA will be requested to submit a technical and cost proposal, subject to available funding. Proposals will be due 30 calendar days from receipt of notification letter sent by the Contracting Officer. This invitation does not ensure that the mentor will be awarded a contract. Those white papers not selected to submit a proposal will be notified in the same manner with reasoning for non-selection. PHASE TWO - REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL 5. PROPOSAL EVALUATION CRITERIA: Proposals will be evaluated against the technical criteria as listed in paragraph 6.b below. Proposals that represent one or more of the top technical categories as listed in paragraph 2 will result in a more favorable ranking. Proposals will be ranked from the highest to lowest based upon a subjective evaluation performed by the Air Force evaluation team, based upon DoD/AF's requirements and focused areas. Awards will be made starting at the highest ranked proposal, descending down in order, for all technically acceptable proposals, contingent upon availability of funding, successful completion of negotiations, and current Air Force requirements. 6. PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS: Upon Request for Proposal (RFP), the mentor shall provide an original and 1 copy on CD-ROM in Word or PDF format to the AFDW/A7KS address and 3 hard-copies, plus 1 copy on CD-ROM in Word or PDF format to the AFOPO/CCP address identified in paragraph 4. Recommended proposal format: double-sided 8 1/2 x 11 pages; 12-point font with one (1) inch margins. Proposals shall be valid for at least 120 days. a. VOLUME ONE: (Download all required DoD templates from the DoD Mentor-Prot'g Website - http://www.acq.osd.mil/osbp/mentor_protege/downloads/index.htm). (1) Executive Summary: One (1) page maximum. Briefly identify the mentor, prot'g, and the HBCU/MI to participate in the agreement, as well as the purpose of the agreement (specifically the type of developmental assistance and technology transfer to be provided). (2) Mentor-Prot'g Agreement: Complete required DoD template. Paragraphs 12 through 15 information should be top level only (detailed information will be contained in Volume Two). (3) Mentor Application: Only required for firms not previously approved as a DoD Mentor. If the mentor has not been approved previously, complete required DoD template http://www.selltoairforce.org/programs/mentorprotege/mp_dod_guidance.aspx. If a firm is an approved DoD mentor, include a copy of the DoD or SAF/SB agreement approval letter or a copy of the DoD Website participant mentor page with mentor company name highlighted. (4) Mentor and Prot'g Past Performance Information: Two (2) pages maximum. Identify all past, and active mentor-prot'g agreements, and proposed agreements under consideration and identify with what agency. Include information on any formal or informal mentor-prot'g experience. b. VOLUME TWO - TECHNICAL VOLUME: Proposals shall be presented in the exact sequence as the technical criteria below and should be constructed so it easily tracks to the Cost Volume - Volume Three. Volume Two, upon award, will be incorporated into the contract and serve as the Statement of Work. (1) Comprehensive Needs Assessment: Demonstrate a comprehensive Prot'g needs assessment was performed prior to proposal submittal by summarizing the results of the needs assessment. Example needs assessment templates are available on the Sell to Air Force Website - http://www.selltoairforce.org/programs/mentorprotege/mp_examples.aspx. Variations and modifications to the example templates are acceptable to best reflect the results of the prot'g needs assessment. The needs assessment should focus on technology and developmental assistance within the identified technical categories set forth in paragraph 2. Color coding, numeric ranking or similar means of priority needs assessment results is recommended and highly encouraged. The government may validate the comprehensive needs assessment using either internal MP Program personnel or an outside independent agency. (2) Technical Approach to Needs Assessment: Identify relevant technologies set forth in paragraph 2, business infrastructure and developmental areas using the Tech Approach Outline example template at http://selltoairforce.org/programs/mentorprotege/mp_examples.asp. Tailor this template to provide a thorough description of the specific approach to address the technology and developmental areas identified in the needs assessment. Describe what, when, and how the assistance will be provided and by whom (e.g., OJT, workshops, seminars, development or update of business plans, HBCU/MI, PTAC, SBDC). Describe involvement of HBCU/MI, PTAC and SBDC faculty and interns. Variations and modifications to the example template are acceptable to best reflect the proposed Technical Approach. (a) Technology transfer must equate to no less that 70% of the total proposed effort. (b) The AF mandates a minimum 5% requirement of total proposed contract value for HBCU/MI, PTAC and/or SBDC subcontracting. (c) Include a detailed program milestone project schedule (work breakdown schedule) down to the third level as a minimum delineating the proposed approach. (d) Identification of an Air Force Technical Advisor / Champion is highly desirable. (e) List expected prot'g certification requirements, technical skill sets, supplier standards, etc. (3) Subcontracting Opportunities: Identify and provide potential subcontracting opportunities for the prot'g from the mentor and other prime contractors as well as prime award opportunities. (4) Team Capability and Program Metrics: (a) Provide an organizational chart to identify the responsible program participants for all team members, including authorized decision makers. Provide names and job titles. This information must include HBCU/MI/PTAC/SBDC team members. (b) Provide program goals and metrics in tandem with the DoD agreement metrics. These metrics must include, but are not limited to the following: - Planned tasks started on time; planned tasks behind schedule - Planned tasks completed on time; planned completions behind schedule - Development program on/off schedule - The number of certifications completed and in progress - Budget status report - The number of DoD, Federal subcontracts, and other contracts awarded to the Prot'g - Status of Return on Investment - Status of Semi-Annual report submission - Other (5) Cost Criteria: Provide adequate and realistic cost or pricing data to support proposed technical approach (see paragraph 6c, Volume Three - Cost Volume). c. VOLUME THREE - COST VOLUME: (1) The cost volume shall be presented using the Excel spreadsheet template at Attachment 1. The labor categories and task descriptions presented in the template are examples. The actual categories and task descriptions are dependent on the contractor's approach and cost accounting system. The costs shall be presented in Excel format, with formulas, and the spreadsheets shall not be locked. If they are not presented in Excel format, they will be considered non-responsive. Mentors shall provide proposed cost data for each year proposed, not to exceed two (2) years, unless a second option year is pre-approved (see paragraph 3). Hours and dollar values associated with technology transfer should be not less that 70% of the total proposed labor hours and costs, and must track to each technology and developmental assistance category proposed in Volume Two (Technical Volume). Volume Three shall contain separate specific costs that show which costs are clearly attributable to the 70% transfer of desired technology, and the 30% attributable transfer to business related items. (2) Provide adequate, realistic and auditable support for all labor, travel and incidental costs proposed for both the prime and authorized subcontractors (prot'g, HBCU/MI, PTAC, SBDC). (3) Provide copy of rate approval letter for approved forward pricing rates and identify the cognizant DCAA office. (4) Provide all travel expenses broken out by individual trip with justification. Ensure all mentor prot'g/subcontractor travel and conference fee costs related to Post-Award, Program Management Reviews and any other required meetings/conferences/training are included. Travel expenses must be related to prot'g training and not marketing. (5) Provide breakout of proposed incidental costs. Incidental costs are limited to 10% of the total proposed cost. The 10% incidental costs must be otherwise allowable, allocable, and reasonable. Incidental costs include all costs other than mentor direct labor, overhead, profit, and G&A costs. Subcontracting to HBCU/MI, PTAC, and SBDC is not considered part of the 10% incidental costs.