Research Faciliation In The Former Soviet Union Program

Information is being collected from all potential sources at this time. This is not a solicitation for proposal, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information for planning and market research purposes only and constitutes neither a Request for Proposal (RFP), nor does it restrict the Government to an ultimate acquisition approach. This synopsis should not be construed as a commitment or payment for information by the Government for any purpose. Any submissions will be considered to be public information. Responses will not be returned. Respondents should indicate whether they are a large business, small business, small disadvantaged business (SDB), woman-owned small business (WOSB), 8(a)-certified business, service-disabled veteran-owned small Business (SDVOSB), veteran-owned small business (VOSB), or Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone). The North American Industry classification System (NAICS) code for this action is 54199. All prospective contractors must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database to be awarded a contract. No set-aside decision has been made. Additionally, firms having GSA schedules should indicate their GSA schedule number in their response. Description: 1) The Government intends to solicit for potential sources to administer the Research Facilitation in the Former Soviet Union (RFFSU) to be overseen by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) in states from the Former Soviet Union (FSU). This contract will include basic period of one year and five one-year options to be evaluated at the time of award. 2) The Government anticipates an estimated contract value of $6,000,000. 3) The Government intends to compete and award Research Facilitation in the Former Soviet Union (RFFSU) to be overseen by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) in states from the Former Soviet Union (FSU) by 15 Jan 2015. This contract will include basic period of one year and five one-year options to be evaluated at the time of award. 4) The government is seeking a qualified contractor to manage fundamental research and development (R&D) from the FSU, administer the evaluation of the applicants, award and administration of grants to selected awardees. These grants can be with both non-weapons scientists and weapons scientists, in the FSU. 5) To be considered for this effort; prospective offerors must demonstrate detailed knowledge and experience in program administration in the following areas: a. Have the capability to possess ongoing and documented working relationships to the many FSU research institutes, scientists, engineers, and support staff employed in these institutes. Have experience in and the ability to make and verify payments to FSU institutes, individual scientists, engineers, and staff bank accounts, including payments in advance of work being performed where necessary. Have experience in performing other directly-related administrative matters in support of EOARD and the FSU institutes, individual scientists, engineers, and other staff. b. Have the capability to firmly establish banking relationships and equipment delivery services to legally transfer and monitor project funds and equipment into the countries of the FSU. Possess extensive experience in basic research project execution evidenced by substantial administrative and financial infrastructure - including in-country offices with both administrative and technical personnel, and enabling agreements with FSU government agencies and institutes. Possess a secure, fast, efficient, legal, and reliable means of funds transferred in place. c. Have the capability to possess and maintain highly effective financial controls and a rigorous financial reporting process that will stand up to both FSU and US Government audits. Have a substantial working relationship with respect to basic research with the US State Department and experience in and the ability to safeguard FSU institutions' and researchers' Intellectual Property (IP) and Technical Data and insure that the FSU researchers deliver all IP and Technical Data due to the US Government and follow all FSU legal requirements including export controls laws. Interested sources are requested to provide a concise capability statement, limited to three pages, to include experience relevant to the described functions; experience in similar programs; preferred/suggested contract types; familiarity with issues related to conducting research; capability to establish and administratively manage EOARD-selected basic research projects with FSU partners. The contractor will not be responsible for the technical management or quality of the projects. All questions/inquiries must be submitted in WRITING through email or by mail. For technical questions, contact the Program Officer Dr. Dennis Butcher at dennis.butcher.1@us.af.mil, (703) 696-6205 and carbon copy Dr. Duane (Dee) Mangum at duane.mangum.1@us.af.mil on all correspondence. Contractual concerns may be addressed to Dr. Duane (Dee) Mangum, Contract Specialist, at (703) 696-7341 duane.mangum.1@us.af.mil and carbon copy (TBD by mail to the following address: Air Force Office of Scientific Research, ATTN: Dr. Duane (Dee) Mangum, 875 N. Randolph Street, Room 3112, Arlington, VA 22203. Final responses to this Sources Sought Notice should be forwarded to Contract Specialist, Dr. Duane (Dee) Mangum at duane.mangum.1@us.af.mil not later than 16 Dec 14. The Government will not respond to a business that does not follow the submission instructions in this notice. The Government will evaluate each respondent's capabilities statement to determine if the respondent has the requisite experience and past performance to complete the requirements described herein. No telephone inquiries will be accepted. The Government does not commit to providing a response to any comment or question. No basis for a claim against the Government shall arise as a result of this notice. Point of Contacts: Dr. Duane (Dee) Mangum, Contract Specialist, 703-696-7341, duane.mangum.1@us.af.mil Ms. Susan Fuller, Contracting Officer, 703-696-8523, susan.fuller@us.af.mil Contracting Office Address: 875 North Randolph Street Suite 325, Room 3112 Arlington, Virginia 22203-1954 Place of Performance: TBD United States Primary Point of Contact: Dr. Duane (Dee) Mangum Contract Specialist Phone: 703-696-7341 Email: duane.mangum.1@us.af.mil Secondary Point of Contact: Ms. Susan Fuller Contracting Officer Phone: 703-696-8523, Email: susan.fuller@us.af.mil