Science and Technology Fellowship Program (STFP)

***Amendment 0001, FA955024RB0010001- Please see SF30 Amendment document for details on changes in description Block 14. CONTRACT INFORMATION: This is a solicitation notice for a full and open Request for Proposal (RFP) for a non-personal services contract to provide Science and Technology Fellowship Program (STFP) services to be overseen by theAir Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) for the Department of the Air Force (DAF). The overall purpose of the STFP is to enlist highly-qualified non-government Ph.D.-level scientists and engineers (S&Es) to enhance the scientific and technological (S&T) research capabilities and accomplishments of the DAF S&T organizations. The overall purpose of the STFP is to enlist highly qualified non-government Ph.D.-level scientists and engineers (S&Es) to enhance the scientific and technological (S&T) research capabilities and accomplishments of the DAF S&T organizations.These organizations include, but are not limited to, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the United States Air Force Academy (DAFA), the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) and the United States Space Force (USSF). To accomplish this purpose, two goals must be met. The first goal is to attract Ph.D.-level S&Es, hire them on limited-term appointments, and place these S&Es (referred to from this point forward as research associates) in DAF laboratories. Two categories of research associates are specifically sought. The first category (junior research associate) is for S&Es who received theirPh.D. five or fewer years prior to the time of their application to this program. The second category (senior research associate) is for S&Es who received their Ph.D. five or more years prior to their application and/or have gained national and/or international reputations for the quality and impact of their research. The second goal of the STFP is to ensure that the research conducted by these research associates is well connected to the existing research teams of the laboratories towhich the research associates are assigned. In particular, each research associate must be connected with a qualified government S&E who serves as a research advisor and the technical lead for the research opportunity off ered to the research associates. The objectives of the STFP include: Attraction of applicants: The intent of the STFP is to attract a broad and diverse spectrum of applicants with PhDs who are highly qualified to conduct research of relevance to the USAF laboratories where they are placed. An outreach plan isrequired to address diversity and inclusion of underrepresented communities, Tier 1-3 institutions, and professional societies and organizations. Evaluation of applicants: To ensure the stature of the program and the quality of the research associates selected to participate in this program, the STFP contractor should employ review panels that consist of a mixture of recognized experts in at least five scientific & engineering research disciplines. The panel shall be comprised of at least 85% fellows from a professional society and/or distinguished/recognized endowed chairs from academia, industry, and government. The review panels will evaluate applicant packages to identify those applicants that are qualified for the program ingeneral and for the specific opportunity that he/she is applying for. Final selection of an applicant to become a research associate will be made by the Government based upon the review panel's recommendations. Evaluation of Government research advisors and proposed research topics: All DAF organizations seeking to place research associates at their location through STFP must provide the STFP contractor with names of Government research advisors and research topic area descriptions for which they are advisors. The STFP contractor shall have executed and managed review boards within the last five years (01 January 2018 - Present). The STFP contractor will recommend a set of criteria to the Government Program Manager (GPM) that the Government research advisors and the S&T areas must satisfy to be included in the program. Upon approval of these criteria, the STFP contractor will provide external review panels that consist of highly qualified experts to evaluate the qualifications, in accordance with the agreed-upon criteria, of the proposed Government research advisors and their research topics provided by the DAF organizations. Final selection of a proposed Government research advisor will be made by the government based upon the review panel's recommendations. Placement and management of research associates: The STFP contractor will continue to have a relationship with the applicants who are selected to become research associates by the Government and place them at designated locations on the Government's behalf. The STFP contractor shall remain in charge of all research associates, accomplishing all the relevant activities that are necessary. The solicitation is anticipated to result in award of a single Firm Fixed Price (FFP) -w/Cost CLINs contract with a 12-month base period of performance and 4 one-year options. Availability of Funds: Funds are not presently available for this contract. The Government's obligation under this contract is contingent upon the availability of funds from which payment for contract purposes can be made. No legal liability on the part of the Government for any payment may arise until funds are made available to the Contracting Officer for this contract and until the Contractor receives notice of such availability, to be confirmed in writing by the Contracting Officer. The Government reserves the right to phase the project based upon funds available. The phases will be based on the successful offeror's price proposal submitted in accordance with Section L. Please review Section L in the "Standard Form 33 FA955024RB001" document for guidance on proposal requirements, communication, and all due dates. Offerors shall e-mail written questions requesting clarification of the RFP to the Government via the Contracting Officer, Ms. Eleanor Zachery at: AFOSR.STFP.SourceSelection@us.af.mil no later than 4:00 PM EST, Wednesday, 25 OCT 2023. All questions received will be gathered and then subsequently answered and posted to SAM. gov on Monday, 30 OCT 2023. Questions received after this date may not be answered. Only proposals submitted in accordance with section "II. Volume Organization" of this solicitation will be accepted. Contracting Officer: Ms. Eleanor Zachery E-mail: AFOSR.STFP.SourceSelection@us.af.mil Subject Line : FA955024RB001 Q&A