Request for Information (RFI) / Sources Sought - University and Academic Hypersonics Expertise

N00164-19-S-NC39 - Request for Information (RFI) / Sources Sought - University and Academic Hypersonics Expertise - PSC AC21 - NAICS 541715 Synopsis: The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) located in Crane, Indiana on behalf of the Department of Defense, is conducting market research seeking academia inputs to establish multi-institution task order contracts or a university consortia to facilitate expedited access to university technical expertise, including faculty, staff, students, and university research infrastructure in support of the Department of Defense technology areas and missions related to hypersonic capabilities. Unlike other Department of Defense basic research activities, the objective is to obtain interdisciplinary academic expertise relevant for applied research in a field or fields relevant for hypersonic capabilities. The purposes of this announcement are to 1) determine the depth and breadth of university hypersonics expertise; 2) seek academia recommendations on the most efficient and effective contractual means to facilitate the Department's expedited access to university expertise across the country; 3) identify university security and management approaches necessary to protect research requirements and results; 4) identify university research infrastructure available for coordinated hypersonics research and development (R&E); and 5) seek academia recommendations for collaboration models with military, government, and industry partners. This RFI is intended for planning purposes only and is issued solely for conducting market research in accordance with FAR Part 10. This RFI/SS is not a request for proposals and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals and no award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government is not obligated to and will not pay for information received in response to this notice. Sources choosing to respond to this notice are wholly responsible for any costs/expenses associated with submitting a response. Any costs incurred by interested companies in response to this announcement will NOT be reimbursed. For purposes of this RFI, the lead institution (or consortium) must be able to receive classified documents up to the SECRET level. If supporting academic institutions (in a subcontract, affiliated, or other capacity) are not able to receive classified documents, the leading university / academic institution or organization (in a prime contract, member, or other capacity) must have the means to separating classified and unclassified task orders to supporting institutions. The export of defense articles, defense services, and related technical data is subject to the Arms Export Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and requires the issuance of an export license by the U.S. Department of State. Respondents will not be notified of the results of this sources sought notice. The information obtained from submitted responses may be used in development of an acquisition strategy and future solicitation. The Government may contact RFI respondents requesting additional information and modeling information to substantiate modeling capabilities. When/if the Government issues an RFP, interested parties will be expected to thoroughly address the requirements thereof regardless of the circumstances surrounding this sources sought. Background University technical expertise and engineering support is required to address acquisition, management, and operational challenges associated with hypersonic technologies. The Federal Government has multiple options for establishing contractual relationships with academic institutions. The Government is seeking academic input for the most efficient and effective approach to implementing this requirement. Technical Scope: NSWC Crane, in coordination with the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and the Departments of the Navy, Air Force, Army, the Department of Energy, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and related Government Agencies and Program Offices, seeks university and academic expertise in the hypersonics mission and technology focus areas including but not limited to the following: propulsion, aerodynamics; guidance, navigation, and control; materials, structures, and thermal protection; and signatures. Because of ITAR, security classification, and other national security restrictions, the research activities anticipated for this requirement could not be executed though other DoD basic research activities. Anticipated Eligibility Requirements: The government anticipates only accredited U.S. institutions of higher education (universities) with doctoral degree-granting programs will be eligible to respond to the resulting solicitation. Foreign owned, controlled, or influenced organizations are advised that security restrictions may apply that could preclude their participation in these efforts. Educational institutions, nonprofit/not-for-profit organizations, and commercial organizations based in countries included on the U.S. State Department List of Countries that Support Terrorism are excluded from participation in these efforts. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs) are encouraged to submit responses and join others in submitting responses. However, the government does not anticipate any portion of the anticipated contract action will be set aside for HBCU and MI participation, due to the impracticality of reserving discrete or severable items of this research for exclusive competition among such entities. The government anticipates non-profit and for-profit organizations may facilitate collaboration between team members. However, the anticipated program is oriented towards funding research at universities. Universities must perform the majority of the proposed work and receive the majority of funds. Cost sharing is not expected to be used as a factor during the merit review of any resulting contract. However, the Government may consider voluntary cost sharing if proposed. The Government anticipates other Government Agencies, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), and any other similar type of organization that has a special relationship with the Government, that gives them access to privileged and/or proprietary information or access to Government equipment or real property, will not be eligible to participate as team members in the anticipated solicitation. The Government anticipates that at least some of the funding available for projects under the resulting solicitation will be SBIR or STTR funds. SBIR and STTR funds will not be awarded to entities that do not meet the SBIR or STTR eligibility requirements, respectively. Response: Information is sought from educational institutions, non-profit/not-for-profit organizations, and commercial organizations, domestic or foreign, for research and development (R&D) in those areas specified in the Technical Scope. 1) Date: Responses are requested by 1400/2:00PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on 25 October 2019. Any response received after this date may be considered but may not be included in initial reporting or assessments. 2) Delivery: All responses should be given in PDF format and emailed to the contracting point of contract: James D. Martin at James.D.Martin@navy.mil. The subject line of the email should include the RFI number (N00164-19-S-NC39) and the respondent's name. If necessary, files too large for email can be sent via CD by the same response date to: James D. Martin Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division 300 HWY 361, BLDG 3373 Crane, IN 47522 3) Format: Responses should not exceed twenty-five (25) pages and should be typed in 12-point Times New Roman font, single-spaced with 1-inch margins. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked proprietary will be handled accordingly. 4) Response Organization: Please provide the proposed name of the organization submitting a response to this RFI: a) RFI Response Cover Page. Not included in page count. Identify the RFI number (N00164-19-S-NC39), the lead university/academic institution name, mailing address, email address, telephone and fax numbers, website address (if available), duns number, cage code and/or tax ID number, and the name, telephone number, and e-mail address of a point of contact having the authority and knowledge to clarify responses with Government representatives. b) Leading Institution Cover Letter. Not included in page count. Provide any amplifying information deemed relevant. c) Supporting Institution Cover Letter(s) (one for each institution). Not included in page count. Provide institution name, mailing address, email address, telephone and fax numbers, website address (if available), duns number, cage code and/or tax ID number, and the name, telephone number, and e-mail address of a point of contact having the authority and knowledge to clarify responses with Government representatives. Provide amplifying information deemed relevant, including any restrictions on contractual, subject matter, security, ITAR or other restrictions associated with the supporting institution's involvement. d) Respondent SBIR/STTR Eligibility. Not included in page count. Respondent shall address eligibility to receive SBIR/STTR funding for research. e) Technical Response. No more than twenty-five (25) pages including: 1. Introduction: Clear and concise statement of the research and development capabilities of your organization and supporting/affiliated organizations. 2. Supporting Institutions. If intending to team, partner, or otherwise collaborate with other universities or academic institutions, provide a clear a concise statement about the research and development capabilities of that organization. Note, in responding this this RFI, identified supporting institutions are not bound to participate in any potential acquisition. 3. Technical Expertise. Describe the respondents' technical expertise that supports applied research in mission or technology areas identified in this RFI (include Supporting Institutions). Include existing hypersonics related research infrastructure and any plans (with completion dates) hypersonics research infrastructure that supports mission or technology areas identified in this RFI. 4. Describe key faculty, staff, or available expertise for applied research in hypersonics mission and technology areas described in this RFI. 5. Recommended Contracting Approach. Identify the recommended contracting approach for expeditiously accessing university academic expertise to support hypersonics missions. Include the contract mechanism, the contracted organization (university, university affiliated non-profit, joint venture, or other organization), and the means of accessing Supporting Institutions, through the recommended contract mechanism. 6. Management Approach. Identify the management approach for receiving classified or unclassified research requirements, developing task order responses, managing research execution, and submitting research deliverables to the government. 7. Approach to Industry and Government Collaboration. Identify means and methods for facilitating collaboration with NSWC Crane and sponsoring and collaborating government agencies. Identify resources and personnel located within 100 miles of NSWC Crane or other government labs.