United States Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Air Force Summer Faculty Fellowship Program

Synopsis: 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 561110. 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 United States Air Force Summer Faculty Fellowship Program (SFFP) for fiscal year 14 through fiscal year 18. Under the SFFP, US College, University or Technical Institute faculty members (known as SFFP fellows) will perform mentor-based research in areas of interest to the Air Force research facilities, (included but not limited to AFRL Technical Directorates, Air Force Academy (AFA), Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) and Air Force Test and Evaluation (T & E) centers). 2) The Government anticipates an estimated contract value of $25,000,000. 3) The Government intends to compete and award the entire Air Force Summer Faculty Fellowship Program (SFFP) by 14 Nov 13 with a contract starting date of 01 Dec 13 including four (4) one year options as stated herein is designed to bolster research efforts and build critical, opportunities to solve problems that are compatible with the interest of the United States Air Force and to contribute to the overall efforts of AFRL by the stimulus offered to research programs by the presence of highly motivated, recent doctoral graduates. 4) The government is seeking a qualified contractor to manage the Air Force Summer Faculty Fellowship Program (SFFP) beginning FY 14 with four (4) one year options (FY14-18). The Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) intends to award between one hundred (100) and two hundred (200) fellowships each fiscal year subject to the availability of funding. This program will be restricted to university faculty members with PhD's in Science, Mathematics, or Engineering. The intent of the program has been to bolster research efforts and build critical alliances between Air Force scientists and their counterparts in the academic community. 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 advertise nationwide to attract and select the most outstanding researchers, who hold doctoral degrees and have the capability to provide an on-line website method of applying for the AFRL SFFP. b. Have the capability to assemble and conduct evaluation panels consisting of nationally recognized experts in science, mathematics, and engineering to evaluate prospective candidate applications. Panel experts as approved by Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), shall be recognized authorities in their field with previous research experience related to areas of interest to the Air Force. c. Have the capability to establish and maintain a current database, provided by AFOSR, of AFRL research interests and advisors at Air Force research facilities. d. Have the capability to establish and maintain an electronic financial management system for issuing award stipends and tracking awardees costs. e. Have an established business in science and engineering awardee management. The contract will cover administrative costs of the program and also for transfer of funds (pass through funds) to the contractor to pay recipients stipends 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; knowledge of appropriate means to publicize the program and recruit participants; familiarity with issues related to conducting research; capability to assemble and conduct evaluation panels consisting of nationally recognized experts in science, mathematics, and engineering to evaluate prospective candidate applications; capability to advertise nationwide to attract and select the most outstanding researchers, who hold doctoral degrees; capability to provide an on-line website method of applying for the AFRL SFFP; cost accounting and financial management systems adequate to track costs, issue stipends and tracking costs; database management capabilities to gather and maintain data; have a business in science and engineering awardee management; and other resources necessary to conduct a program of this magnitude in a timely manner. All questions/inquiries must be submitted in WRITING through email or by mail. For technical questions, contact the Program Manager, Mr. Neville Thompson, at (703) 588-1779, email: neville.thompson@afosr.af.mil and carbon copy Mr. Dee Mangum at dee.mangum@afosr.af.mil on all correspondence. Contractual concerns may be addressed to Mr. Dee Mangum, Contract Specialist, at (703) 696-7341 dee.mangum@afosr.af.mil and carbon copy Mr. Neville Thompson at neville.thompson@afosr.af.mil; by mail to the following address: Air Force Office of Scientific Research, ATTN: Dee Mangum, 875 N. Randolph Street, Room 3112, Arlington, VA 22203. Final responses to this Sources Sought Notice should be forwarded to the Contract Specialist, Mr. Dee Mangum at dee.mangum@afosr.af.mil not later than 30 April 2013. 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: Mr. Dee Mangum, Contract Specialist, 703-696-7341, dee.mangum@afosr.af.mil Ms. Yolanda Felder, Contracting Officer, 703-696-5919, yolanda.felder@afosr.af.mil Mr. Kevin Bannan, Contract Specialist, 703-588-8300, kevin.bannan@afosr.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: Duane (Dee) Mangum Contract Specialist dee.mangum@afosr.af.mil Phone: 703-588-8496 Secondary Point of Contact: Kevin Bannan Contract Specialist kevin.bannan@afosr.af.mil Phone: 703-588-8300