R -- Air Force Summer Faculty Fellowship Program (SFFP)

This is not a solicitation but rather a market survey to determine potential sources for the SFFP. The United States Air Force, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) is seeking a qualified contractor for the Air Force Summer Faculty Fellowship Program (SFFP) for FY 05 with options for FY 06 through FY 09. In 1979, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) initiated the Summer Faculty Research Program (SFRP) to introduce research faculty into Air Force laboratory facilities across the US. The intent of the program has been to bolster research efforts and build critical links between Air Force scientists and their counterparts in the academic community. The original SFRP was concluded in 1999 and a new program, the Summer Faculty Fellowship Program replaced it. Under the SFFP, US college, university, or technical institute faculty members (known as SFFP fellows) perform mentor-based research in areas of interest to the Air Force in Air Force research facilities. The objectives of the program are to:1)Provide the fellows high-quality, meaningful, mentor-based research at Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Technical Directorates and other Air Force research facilities 2) Provide the fellows opportunities to stimulate professional relationships among the scientists and engineers in AFRL Technical Directorates and other Air Force research facilities 3)Enhance the research interests and capabilities of faculty in the US academic community 4)Elevate the awareness of the US academic community of Air Force research needs During the summer, the fellows, under the mentorship of AF researchers, will conduct research at Air Force research facilities for a period of eight (8) to twelve (12) weeks. AFOSR intends to award between forty (40) to one hundred (100) awards per year with awards restricted to university faculty members with PhDs in science, mathematics, or engineering and who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Prospective offeror must have the following technical capabilities: - Ability to advertise and select outstanding researchers who hold doctoral degrees, including providing an on-line web-site method of applying for the SFFP - Ability to establish an applicant review (evaluation) process and assemble review panels of experts to evaluate candidates applications (Panel experts shall be authorities in their field with previous research experience related to the areas of interest to the Air Force). - Ability to establish and maintain a database of AFRL research mentors for SFFP fellows, and a database of research interests for Air Force research facilities to provide high-quality research opportunities in these technical areas - Ability to establish and maintain a financial management system for electronically issuing fellows stipends and tracking costs. - Have an established reputation in science and engineering fellowship management. Under a contract, the dispensation provided by the contractor will be through a Cost Plus Fixed Fee arrangement. The contract will cover administrative costs of the program and also for transfer of funds (pass through funds) to the contractor to pay recipient stipends. The proposed service North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS Code) is 56110, Management Services, size standard $30.0M. Respondents should identify if they are a small disadvantaged business based on this NAICS code. Respondents must include in their reply to this announcement a concise capability statement on no more than five double-spaced, single sided pages. Firms who submit qualifications in response to this notice are requested to address experience relevant to the above described functions, to include experience in similar programs, knowledge of appropriate means to publicize the program and recruit participants, familiarity with issues related to conducting research in science and engineering, ability to attract university faculty members of the science and engineering community to serve on evaluation panels, cost accounting and financial management systems adequate to track costs, issue stipends, database management capabilities to gather and maintain data, and other resources necessary to conduct a program of this magnitude. Reference to past customers for similar services must include organization name, point of contact name and telephone number. Capability statements will be screened to identify qualified sources. Any offeror initially judged to be unqualified will be provided a copy of the solicitation upon request, and any firm submitting an offer will be evaluated without prejudice. This synopsis does not constitute an Invitation for Bid or Request for Proposal and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this notice or otherwise pay for information solicited. Interested sources are encouraged to provide capability statement no later than 1 June 2004 to AFOSR/PK3, ATTN: Ms.Tatia Evelyn-Feggans, Contracting Officer, at 4015 Wilson Blvd, Room 713, Arlington, Virginia 22203; or fax +1 (555) 000-0000. Contractual concerns may be addressed to Ms. Tatia Evelyn-Feggans via email at contact@example.gov. For technical questions, contact the Program Manager, Ms. Leslie Peasant, at +1 (555) 000-0000, e-mail, contact@example.gov. The Air Force contemplates release of the RFP on or about 1 Jul 2004, with award on or about 29 Sep 2004. This is a request for information only.