1.0 General 1.1 With the doctrinal impacts of a Multi-Domain Battlefield and the technology focus of Third Offset, it is crucial that the Army has a mechanism to quickly leverage technology advancements. Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs) are a vital aspect of addressing these changes in doctrine with a focus on technology. 1.2 This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is a competitive solicitation procedure used to obtain white papers and/or proposals for basic and applied research and that part of development not related to the development of a specific system or hardware procurement (reference Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.102(d)(2), Use of Other Competitive Procedures). Procedures for the use of a BAA are prescribed in FAR 35.016, "Broad Agency Announcement." The Competition in Contracting Act (CICA) of 1984 issued as Public Law 98-369 authorizes use of "general solicitations" or BAAs. The use of general solicitations is limited by CICA to "basic research proposals" and contracts awarded under these general solicitations meet the "full and open" competition requirements of CICA. 1.3 BAA W9113M-18-R-BAA1 supersedes the previous USASMDC/ARSTRAT BAA W9113M-017-R-BAA1 titled "New and Innovative Ideas for Space and Missile Defense Technology." 2.0 Organizational Overview. The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/ Army Forces Strategic Command (USASMDC/ARSTRAT) has an interest in receiving research, development, and technology maturation white papers and/or proposals with technical, management, and cost presentations. White papers and/or proposals submitted should include new ideas for advanced and innovative concepts as well as prototype hardware and software for current and emerging space and missile defense science and technology relevant to the areas of interest provided in paragraph 4.2 of this announcement. The USASMDC/ARSTRAT conducts space, directed energy, missile defense, cruise missile defense and related technology research and development for the Army, Missile Defense Agency, Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization, Office of the Secretary of Defense High Energy Laser Joint Technology Office, and other defense-related Government agencies. Furthermore, USASMDC/ARSTRAT plans and executes missile defense test and evaluation programs and related analysis and is interested in pursuing opportunities for technical cooperation and partnerships with other Government organizations, academia, and industry. 3.0 Invitation to Submit White Papers and/or Proposals 3.1 USASMDC/ARSTRAT is interested in receiving white papers and/or proposals for the basic and applied research efforts described under this BAA. This announcement is an expression of interest only and does not commit the Government to make any award or to pay for any response preparation costs. The cost of white paper and/or proposal preparation for response to a BAA is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resultant contract or any other contract; however, it may be an allowable expense to the normal bid and proposal indirect cost specified in FAR 31.205-18. 3.2 Certain white papers and/or proposals are not appropriate under this BAA and are not desired. For example, new and innovative ideas not falling under the technology areas of interest publicized in paragraph 4.2 of this BAA may be considered Unsolicited Proposals in accordance with FAR 15.6. Another example may include engineering and technical service white papers and/or proposals are not appropriate and usually involve applying effort toward a broadly identified task usually on a level-of-effort basis, rather than delivery of an end item such as a final report or demonstrating a new technology or applied research. This BAA seeks white papers and/or proposals for scientific study and experimentation directed toward advancing the state-of-the-art or increasing knowledge or understanding for basic and applied research and that part of development not related to the maturation of a specific system or hardware procurement. White papers and/or proposals related to the development of a specific system or to satisfy specific hardware/software requirements are also not appropriate. A determination of appropriateness will be made as part of the BAA submission screening process. 3.3 Subject to availability of funds, awards under this BAA will result in a contract using the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code of 541715 -- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) which includes evaluations and simulation, and other services requiring thorough knowledge of complete missiles and space craft, with a small business (SB) size standard of 1,000 employees. Technical and cost proposals submitted under this BAA will be protected from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with FAR 3.104-4 and FAR 15.207. Cognizant Government experts will perform the review of white papers and the evaluation of technical proposals and cost proposals. 3.4 This BAA should not be construed as a commitment or authorization to incur costs in anticipation of a contract; the Government is not bound to make any awards under this announcement. Funds may not be currently available for the topics under this BAA and no contract award will be made until appropriated funds are available. 3.5 White papers and/or proposals may be submitted by any U.S. Non-Governmental entity, including commercial firms, institutions of higher education with degree-granting programs in science or engineering (universities), or by consortia led by such concerns, research institutions and non-profit organizations. 3.6 In accordance with FAR 35.004, the USASMDC/ARSTRAT encourages participation by U.S. Non-Government entities, Commercial firms, Institutions of higher education/degree granting programs, Non-Government, commercial, university consortia, Small Businesses (SB), Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB), Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) small business, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), and Minority Institutions (MI). However, no part of this BAA is specifically reserved for these entities. 3.7 Interested parties should be alert for any BAA amendments that may be published. 4.0 Technology Areas of Interest. 4.1 Expected technology white papers and/or proposal areas of interest reflect USASMDC/ARSTRAT emphasis for Fiscal Years (FY) 2018 and 2019, specifically in the areas as follows: Tactically Responsive Space; Space Superiority; Integrated Air and Missile Defense/Homeland Defense; Directed Energy (DE); High Altitude (HA); Cybersecurity; Positioning, Navigation, Timing (PNT)/Navigational Warfare (NAVWAR); Global Satellite Communications (SATCOM); and Test, Lethality, and Survivability. 4.2 The areas of interest include possible subcategories of interest, as listed below. Submission of white papers and/or proposals for categories other than the following will not carry the same emphasis. a. Tactically Responsive Space: Small SAT /NANO SAT survivability against environmental and man-made kinetic/non-kinetic events (electromagnetic events, lasers, and high power microwaves) Modular bus development that enhances tactically responsive space Small SAT synchronization network for SAT to SAT communications/control Comprehensive ground testing capability for tactical satellites Command and Control of large constellations of small tactical satellites Ability to tactically replenish, reconstitute, and refresh satellites and satellite constellations New antenna designs for space systems b. Space Superiority: Enhanced methods to conduct space control operations Small SAT threat detection sensors Smart analytics for mission command c. Integrated Air and Missile Defense/Homeland Defense: Early threat detection, identification and tracking of hypersonic weapons, ballistic/cruise missiles Capabilities that enable extended threat detection tracking and target handoff for hypersonic weapons, missiles, and/or air threats Improved joint detection system communications network Joint service weapon-to-target-assignment management Mobile strategic threat sensor capability Lethality options to address hypersonic weapons Hypersonic test vehicles and materials 360 degree elevated surveillance radar technology and radar data processing techniques Counter Unmanned Arial Systems (UAS/Swarm technologies and techniques New advanced low cost interceptor technologies d. Directed Energy (DE): Thermal management materials or procedures for high energy laser weapons More efficient/effective beam control & direction of DE weapons Improved power source/storage capability for DE weapons Target acquisition, tracking, and handoff of DE weapons Counter battery capability for DE weapons Compact, efficient, electrically driven high power laser sources System vulnerability assessment of weapon systems Capability to detect threat laser systems High Power Microwave (HPM), High Power Radio Frequency (HPRF) technology and applications e. High Altitude (HA): Persistent high altitude platforms for capability augmentation (PNT, COMMS, ISR, EO, etc.) Mobile ground control systems for HA networks Autonomously controlled self-healing networks High altitude platform technology and materials f. Cyber Technologies: Computing advancements that support CYBER security to include quantum computing Network intrusion detection & isolation Dedicated deployable self-healing networks Common operating picture for networks Operational risk management capability Key terrain for cyber g. PNT/NAVWAR: Better capability to characterize the PNT environment Provide assured PNT Better capability to deny PNT to our adversaries h. Global SATCOM: Innovative ground management operations infrastructure Improved spectrum management capabilities SATCOM jamming, EMI, and geolocation capabilities i. Test, Lethality, and Survivability: Low cost targets for Integrated Air and Missile Defense Low cost means of telemetry, tracking, and kill assessment, to include AMD test technologies Test methods, modeling, and technology for lethality, penetration, susceptibility, and survivability characterization and technologies for advanced kinetic and directed energy weapons Robust means and methods to reduce susceptibility and counter advanced kinetic and directed energy weapons j. Other air, space, or missile defense Initiatives not categorized above 5.0 Research. Research is not anticipated to be fundamental in nature as defined in National Security Decision Directive (NSDD) 189. For purposes of this BAA, research is defined as basic and applied research in science and engineering. The results of this research and industrial development, design, production, and product utilization are ordinarily restricted for proprietary or national security reasons. 5.1 Basic Research is defined as the systematic study directed toward greater knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and of observable facts without specific applications towards processes or products in mind. Program elements in this category involve pre-Milestone 0 efforts. Explanation: Basic research includes all effort of scientific study and experimentation directed toward increasing fundamental knowledge and understanding in those fields of the physical, engineering, environmental, and life sciences related to long-term national security needs. It provides farsighted, high payoff research that provides the basis for technological progress. It forms a part of the base for: (a) subsequent applied research and advanced technology developments in Defense-related technologies, and (b) new and improved military functional capabilities in areas such as communications, detection, tracking, surveillance, propulsion, mobility, guidance and control, navigation, energy conversion, materials and structures, and personnel support. 5.2 Applied Research is defined as systematic study to gain knowledge or understanding necessary to determine the means by which a recognized and specific need may be met. It is a systematic application of knowledge toward the production of useful materials, devices, and systems or methods, including design, development, and improvement of prototypes and new processes to meet specific requirements. Explanation: This activity translates promising basic research into solutions for broadly defined military needs, short of development projects. This type of effort may vary from systematic mission-directed research beyond that in Basic Research to sophisticated bread-board hardware, study, programming and planning efforts that establish the initial feasibility and practicality of proposed solutions to technological challenges. It includes studies, investigations, and non-system specific technology efforts. The dominant characteristic of this category of effort is that it be pointed toward specific military needs with a view toward developing and evaluating the feasibility and practicability of proposed solutions and determining their parameters. Applied Research precedes the system specific research described in Department of Defense Directive (DoDD) 5000.1. Program control of the Applied Research program element will normally be exercised by general level of effort. Program elements in this category involve pre-Milestone 0 efforts. 6.0 Award Considerations. The selection of proposals for contract award will be based on an evaluation of proposals submitted in response to the BAA. The major purpose of the evaluation will be to determine the relative merit of the proposed technology and the feasibility of the technical approach of each proposal. Business and contractual aspects, including proposed cost and cost realism, will also be considered as part of the evaluation. Selection of proposals for award will be based on the potential benefits to the Government weighed against the cost of the proposals, in view of the availability of funds. The Government also reserves the right to request revisions to contractor proposals and statements of work including requests for clarification, risk mitigation plans, changes to proposed period of performance, Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) requirements or other changes as necessary to better align with the USASMDC/ARSTRAT mission. This BAA constitutes the solicitation and this announcement will become effective upon publication and will remain open for one year from date of publication. 7.0 White Paper and Proposal Preparation. 7.1 In order to streamline the proposal process and to assist offerors in determining whether to incur the cost of generating a formal BAA proposal, it is requested that offerors first submit a white paper for preliminary consideration. Offerors are encouraged, but are not required, to submit white papers, nor are they precluded by the Government's advice on a white paper from submitting a formal proposal. White papers will be reviewed for applicability and potential value to SMDC/ARSTRAT missions. White papers will not be returned to the offeror. 7.2 The purpose of the white paper is to preclude unwarranted effort on the part of an offeror whose proposed initiative is not of interest to USASMDC/ARSTRAT. 7.3 White Papers are limited to no more than 5 pages on 8.5" x 11" paper that contains any printed text or graphics (excluding page numbers, and business names and proprietary or restricted disclosure markings in headers and footers), and both sides of paper (head-to-head) shall be used. The font shall be Times New Roman 10 point font and margins of not less than one inch (1") on both sides, and top and bottom of pages. Headers and/or footers may be included in the margin parameters. Single line spacing shall be used for all paragraphs. Except as authorized by this announcement, all white paper pages shall be presented in portrait page layout orientation. Charts, graphs, matrices, tables, and similar depictions (including spreadsheets) shall be clearly legible and presented in Times New Roman 10 point font; portrait or landscape page layout orientation may be used as well as 11" x 17" paper. (Note: If an 11" x 17" page is provided and is printed on both sides and the printed page is folded, then this shall count as four pages). All electronic data must be virus free. All white paper parts/sections shall be submitted in Adobe Acrobat 7.0 or later using Optical Character Recognition to allow the Government to search documents. Do not submit "zipped" files. If files contain links, the links must be intact and maintained through all revisions. Files shall not be read/write/password protected (i.e., must be unlocked, non-password protected, and/or unprotected). 7.4 The white paper should capture the proposed technical concept, together with its rationale and objectives, methodology, the expected results, and its contribution to USASMDC/ARSTRAT and should conceptualize a rough schedule at a "top level". Submit one White Paper per Technology Category, clearly identifying both the Technology Category, and if applicable, all subcategories cited in the BAA under that Technology Area. White papers may be submitted at any time after issuance of this BAA through the expiration date. After review of this white paper, the Government will indicate whether the subject matter technology described is of interest to the USASMDC/ARSTRAT and will determine whether a formal proposal would be likely to succeed. Offerors of those white papers found to be of interest and consistent with the intent of the BAA will be sent a letter Request for Proposal (RFP) to submit a formal technical and cost proposal. An RFP does not assure an offeror of a subsequent contract award. 7.5 The Government anticipates making multiple awards subject to availability of funds. Issuance of this BAA does not obligate the Government to pay any proposal preparation costs. Offerors that include data in their proposals which they do not want disclosed to the public for any purpose, or used by the Government except for evaluation purposes by USASMDC/ARSTRAT, shall be specifically identified in the summary white paper or proposal and marked in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. If a white paper is selected, the contracting officer will generally notify offerors within 4 months of white paper receipt if a full proposal is required. White papers not selected for full proposal submission or proposals not selected for immediate funding will be disposed/destroyed in a manner that protects proprietary data. 7.6 For synergy within the DoD and Redstone Arsenal communities, SMDC/ARSTRAT intends to potentially share the white papers for research, development, and technologies with other organizations. This will allow for a broader dissemination and more effective utilization of resources. Mechanisms are in place to afford proprietary protection. All white papers shall indicate acknowledgement of SMDC/ARSTRAT intent to share concepts and technology by stating one of the following: a) Release to DoD organizations b) Release only to DoD organizations on Redstone Arsenal c) Release to all agencies/organizations on Redstone Arsenal d) Do not share or release 7.7 Unclassified white papers shall be submitted via email to the contracting officer, James P. Kenney, james.p.kenney.civ@mail.mil and the contract specialist, Jan P. Burke, jan.p.burke.civ@mail.mil. Classified responses (up to Secret collateral) shall be provided on a CD/DVD and mailed to the contracting officer. The response must be appropriately marked, sealed, and mailed in accordance with classified material handling procedures. The classified mailing address is USASMDC/ARSTRAT, P.O. Box 1500, Huntsville, AL 35807-3801. The outer envelope should be addressed to the attention of SMDC-IM (Document Control) and the inner envelope should be addressed to the attention of ACC-RSA, CCAM-CAA-B (James P. Kenney). Classification does not in any way eliminate the offerors' requirements to comply with all instructions in this BAA. 8.0 Proposal Instructions. Proposals shall include the basic effort and options (if applicable). All proposals should clearly indicate limitations on the disclosure of their contents. In presenting the proposal material, prospective offerors are advised that the quality of the information is significantly more important than the quantity. Therefore, offerors are requested to confine their submissions to essential matters, providing sufficient information to define their offer and establish an adequate basis for the Government to conduct its evaluation. Proposals shall consist of two volumes. Volume I includes the Technical Proposal and Management Approach. Volume II is the Cost Proposal. For purposes of this proposal, a page is defined as one side of standard 8 " x 11" paper that contains any printed text or graphics (excluding page numbers, business names, and proprietary or restricted disclosure markings in headers and footers). Both sides of paper (head-to-head) shall be used. The font shall be Times New Roman 10 point font and margins of not less than one inch (1") on both sides, and top and bottom of pages. Headers and/or footers may be included in the margin parameters. Single line spacing shall be used for all paragraphs. Except as authorized by this announcement, all proposal pages shall be presented in portrait page layout orientation. Charts, graphs, matrices, tables, and similar depictions (including spreadsheets) shall be clearly legible and presented in Times New Roman 10 point font; portrait or landscape page layout orientation may be used as well as 11" x 17" paper. (Note: If an 11" x 17" page is provided and is printed on both sides and the printed page is folded, then this shall count as 4 pages. 11" x 17" foldouts in the cost/price volume are excluded from the page limitation). All electronic data must be virus free. All proposal parts/sections, with the exception of cost/price, shall be submitted in Adobe Acrobat 7.0 or later using Optical Character Recognition to allow evaluators to search documents. The cost/price proposal section shall be submitted in the Microsoft (MS) Office Excel spreadsheet format provided by the Government. Times New Roman 10 point font shall be used. Offerors shall not "hard code" spreadsheet data if the resulting data is based on a formula. Offerors shall include all formulas in the proposed spreadsheets and include any notes deemed necessary to add clarity to the spreadsheets. Spreadsheets shall include the roll up summary at the contract line item number (CLIN) level and also a total roll up summary sheet of all of the CLINs. Do not submit "zipped" files. If files contain links, the links must be intact and maintained through all revisions. Files shall not be read/write/password protected (i.e., must be unlocked, non-password protected, and/or unprotected). 8.1 Volume I, Technical Proposal and Management Approach. This volume shall include a cover sheet and have three sections: Section I (Technical) and Section II (Management Approach) which shall not exceed 80 pages; and, Section III (Other Documents) which shall not have page limitations. The page limitation for proposals includes all figures, tables (except the table of contents), and charts. All pages that exceed the maximum page limit specified may be removed and not be reviewed or considered in the evaluation. 8.1.2 Cover Sheet shall include: - BAA number given in the announcement - Technology Category, and if applicable the subcategory, being addressed - Lead organization submitting proposal - Type of business, selected among the following categories: large business; SB, SDB, VOSB, SDVOSB, WOSB, EDWOSB, HUBZone, and HBCU/MI, Other Educational or Other Nonprofit - Contractor's reference number (if any) - Proposal title - Technical point of contact to include: salutation, last name, first name, street address, city, state, zip code, telephone, fax (if available), and electronic mail address (if available) - Administrative point of contact to include: salutation, last name, first name, street address, city, state, zip code, telephone, fax (if available), and electronic mail address (if available) - Date proposal was prepared 8.1.3 Volume I, Section I, Technical Management, shall include the Executive Summary, Nature of Research, Meets BAA Requirements, Milestone Schedule, Prior Experience, Statement of Work (SOW)/Deliverables: - Executive Summary: The first page of the proposal must be an executive summary of the proposed technical and management approaches. - Nature of Research: The technical portion of the proposal must include a full discussion of the nature and scope of the research effort contemplated, including the method of approach and the expected results. - Meets BAA Requirements: The proposal shall fully discuss how the initiative falls within the definition of Basic or Applied Research as defined in FAR 35.016 with subcomponent development not exceeding Technology Readiness Level 6 which is a system/subsystem model or prototype demonstration in a relevant environment. The proposal shall discuss the potential contribution of the proposed research to USASMDC/ARSTRAT. The offeror shall certify that the initiative is not submitted to fulfill the requirements of any specific system or sub-system. - Milestone Schedule: The offerors shall discuss the merits of each phase of the initiative proposed and conditions upon which each phase will be assessed. A program milestone chart, which includes a detailed list of tasks and subtasks and the duration of same, must be provided. Offerors are to clearly identify a list of contract deliverables which are traceable to the milestone chart. These milestones should include the timeframes for preparation, delivery, review, and approval for all draft and final reports, as appropriate. - Prior Experience: Offerors must include any information pertaining to prior significant and related work experience as well as a description of available facilities and the resumes of all key personnel who will be participating in the effort. - Scope of Work (SOW)/Deliverables: Offerors must keep in mind that portions of the technical proposal will usually be incorporated by reference into any resultant contract; it serves as the basis for work to be accomplished. Therefore, the technical proposal must include a SOW that describes the work to be accomplished and any deliverables. Each task description should be written to facilitate evaluation and acceptance without the need for major rewrites prior to incorporation into the resultant contract. 8.1.4 Volume I, Section II, Management Approach, shall include the management approach, capabilities/qualifications, and any required Government resources (equipment, facilities, computer time, etc.): - Management Approach: The offeror should provide the necessary scheduling and planning documentation that fully describes the proposed program, which should include the offeror's approach for controlling expenditures and labor hours. Include in the proposal a summary description of management planning and control systems and product assurance. - Capabilities/Qualifications: The proposal should discuss the offerors' capabilities and qualifications including discussion of: 1) key personnel; 2) adequacy of offerors' facilities and instrumentation; and 3) identification of plans for any potential safety and environmental concerns. - U.S. offerors who meet the security requirement of the USASMDC/ARSTRAT Simulation Center may request Government furnished high performance computer (HPC) time, not to exceed 30 System Resources Unit hours per contract. Proposal shall request computer time and amount if it is required. Offerors will only utilize HPC time for specific BAA efforts. Offerors must understand that priority of HPC time is Government missile defense modeling and analysis. 8.1.5 Volume I, Section III, Other Documents, shall include: - The offeror shall provide a separate SOW, bearing no proprietary markings, suitable for contractual incorporation. If options are proposed, the SOW must clearly differentiate between the basic and options. To aid in insertion of the SOW in the contractual instrument, request the following guidelines be followed in formatting any electronic file provided: - All auto numbering and bullets must be removed. - All text should be saved in Times New Roman 10 point font. - Bolding and underlining is not recommended. - All graphics must be removed. - All files inserted from other applications in the Microsoft (MS) Word file should be removed. The submission of other supporting materials along with the proposal is strongly discouraged and will not be considered for review. - Prime Contractor Small Business Subcontracting Plan: (applicable to other than small business offerors, reference FAR 19.702(b)) (It is noted that educational institutions are considered other than small business offerors). In accordance with FAR 19.702(a)(1), if the total amount of the proposal exceeds the specified dollar threshold, small business subcontracting plan and small business subcontracting goals must be addressed. FAR part 52.219-9 defines a subcontracting plan and its requirements. As prescribed in FAR 19.702(a)(1) and 19.705-5(a)(2), the subcontracting plan must be submitted with your proposal. It is the policy of the Government to provide maximum practicable opportunities in its acquisitions to Small Business (SB), Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned Small Business (ED-WOSB), and Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) small business concerns to participate in the performance of the contract. Such concerns must also have the maximum practicable opportunity to participate as subcontractors in the contracts awarded by any executive agency, consistent with efficient contract performance. Offerors are cautioned that the Government will not execute a contract unless the contracting officer determines that the negotiated subcontracting plan is acceptable and provides the maximum practicable opportunity for SB, SDB, VOSB, SDVOSB, WOSB, EDWOSB, and HUBZone small business concerns to participate in the performance of the contract. Offerors should note Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 219.705-4(d)(i) prescribes a goal of 5% or higher for SDB concerns. - Representations and Certifications: Prospective contractors shall complete electronic representations and certification at https://www.sam.gov. The representations and certifications must be updated as necessary, but at least annually, to ensure they are kept current, accurate, and complete (reference FAR 4.11; FAR 4.12; DFARS 204.11; DFARS 204.12; and DFARS Procedures, Guidance and Information (PGI) 204.11). - Information required by Section 9.13, Data Rights Assertions and Intellectual Property Instructions for Proposals. - The offeror may include an attached bibliography of relevant technical papers or research notes (published and unpublished), that document the technical ideas and approach upon which the proposal is based. Copies of not more than three (3) relevant papers may be included with the submission. The three relevant papers may be in portable document format (PDF). 8.1.6 Formatting instructions for Volume I, Section III, Other Documents: - May be provided with no page limitation. - All auto numbering and bullets must be removed. - All text should be saved in Times New Roman 10 point font. - Bolding and underlining is not recommended, but may be used. - All graphics must be removed. - The submission ...