This is a DRAFT REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) for the Expert Scientific and Analytical Support (ESAS) 2 contract. This announcement does not constitute a solicitation and proposals are not being requested at this time. The Acquisition Management and Integration Center (AMIC) DET 2 OL/PKA (Patrick AFB FL) has been tasked to solicit for, and award a contract for ESAS 2 acquisition. The anticipated contract will provide expert technical services to the Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) in conducting a variety of projects with mixed Operations and Maintenance (O&M) along with Research and Development (R&D), and limited procurement funding. These supported projects are designed to advance DoD technical capabilities in nuclear treaty monitoring, R&D of advanced detection technologies to support the counter-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and other applied technologies. A portion of the effort will enhance national capabilities to detect, locate, identify, assess, and report in near-real-time all atmospheric and space nuclear detonations (NUDETs) in coordination with other sensor capabilities across the electromagnetic/optical spectrum. In order to effectively meet the program requirements, the contractor must have a specialized mix of professionals in defined areas of interest, including subject matter expertise in sensor systems and technologies across the electromagnetic/optical spectrum. Robust capabilities in digital signal processing, including state-of the-art scientific commercial tools such as (but not necessarily limited to) MatLab and LabView are also required. Other desired resources would include modeling and simulation capabilities in multi-phenomena energy propagation. Experience with Nuclear Detonation Detection Systems and familiarity with applicable national agencies and Department of Energy National Laboratories in relevant sensor system R&D and data analysis software development is highly desired. SECURITY REQUIREMENT: Company must have a Top Secret Facility Clearance. Contractors working on this project at the government facility must have a Top Secret Clearance (Single Scope Background Investigation with a favorable Director Central Intelligence Directives (DCID) 6/4 eligibility determination for immediate access to SCI (Sensitive Compartmented Information) material. Level of safeguarding is Top Secret; personnel working at a contractor facility must have clearances to support classified work at a level commensurate with the work to be performed. To gain access to some of the draft RFP attachments including background sections of the Performance Work Statement (PWS), Task Order PWS, and bidder's library documents, the Contracting Officer will require an email from the Contractor requesting access. The email shall be sent to Mr. Kevin Powell at kevin.powell.16@us.af.mil AND Ms. Michelle Riisma at michelle.riisma@us.af.mil and shall include company name, CAGE code, and level of facility clearance. The Contracting Officer will verify the company's registration in SAM and have Government security personnel verify the prospective contractor's Top Secret Facility Clearance and Top Secret Level of Safeguarding as required per the DD 254. Please be advised, this verification can take up to several days. This verification process has been established to limit the dissemination of classified information. Classified attachments for this Draft RFP will be provided through secure channels outside FBO. Please note: any contractor, including prospective subcontractors, will NOT be given access to the classified information without a verified Top Secret Facility Clearance AND Top Secret Level of Safeguarding. This acquisition will be conducted on an unrestricted basis, without set-aside. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541712 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology) and the size standard is 1000 employees. The RFP will be available electronically on this website only. Fax, telephone, written, or email requests for the solicitation package will not be honored. Contract award is anticipated for April 2018. An Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract is contemplated with a two-year base contract and two two-year options for a total period of performance of six years if all options are exercised. Potential contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) to be eligible for award (see https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM#1). It is mandatory to obtain a DUNS number prior to registering in SAM by calling Dun & Bradstreet at 1-800-234-3867. All responsible firms may submit a proposal (after issuance of the final RFP) and shall be considered for contract award. PHONE CALLS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Firms responding must state whether they are a Small Business (SB), Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), HUB Zone Small Business (HSB), Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Business (EDWOSB), Historically Black College or University or Minority Institution (HBCU/MI), an 8(a) firm, an Indian Tribe, an Alaskan Native Corporation, or a Large Business based on the size standard above. The Air Force Federal Acquisition Regulation (AFFARS) 5352.201-9101, Ombudsman, is applicable and follows below. Before consulting with an ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the Contracting Officer for resolution. Point of contact is Ms. Joyce Hongell, Contracting Officer, AMIC DET 2 OL/PKA (Patrick AFB FL), 10989 South Patrick Drive, Patrick AFB FL 32925, e-mail: joyce.hongell.1@us.af.mil. 5352.201-9101 Ombudsman (JUN 2016) (a) An ombudsman has been appointed to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and others for this acquisition. When requested, the ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The existence of the ombudsman does not affect the authority of the program manager, contracting officer, or source selection official. Further, the ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals, the source selection process, or the adjudication of protests or formal contract disputes. The ombudsman may refer the interested party to another official who can resolve the concern. (b) Before consulting with an ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the contracting officer for resolution. Consulting an ombudsman does not alter or postpone the timelines for any other processes (e.g., agency level bid protests, GAO bid protests, requests for debriefings, employee-employer actions, contests of OMB Circular A-76 competition performance decisions). (c) If resolution cannot be made by the contracting officer, the interested party may contact the ombudsman, Lt Col Aaron D. Judge, 129 Thompson St., Bldg 586, Rm 129, Comm: 757-764-5372, aaron.judge@us.af.mil. Concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the center/MAJCOM/DRU/SMC ombudsman level, may be brought by the interested party for further consideration to the Air Force ombudsman, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (ADAS) (Contracting), SAF/AQC, 1060 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1060, phone number (571) 256-2395, facsimile number (571) 256-2431. (d) The ombudsman has no authority to render a decision that binds the agency. (e) Do not contact the ombudsman to request copies of the solicitation, verify offer due date, or clarify technical requirements. Such inquiries shall be directed to the Contracting Officer. (End of Clause)
