SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- Topical Broad Agency Announcement (TBAA) - Center of Excellence in Undersea Technology (PART 1 OF 2)
- Notice Date
- 5/31/2006
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 541710
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Navy, Naval Sea Systems Command, NUWC Division Newport, Simonpietri Drive, Newport, RI, 02841-1708
- ZIP Code
- 02841-1708
- Solicitation Number
- Reference-Number-063086-1
- Response Due
- 6/30/2006
- Description
- This synopsis is being posted to both the Federal Business Opportunities(FBO) page located at http://www.fbo.gov/ and the Navy Electronic Commerce on Line(NECO) site located at http://www.neco.navy.mil. While it is understood that FBO is the single point of entry for posting of synopsis and solicitations to the internet, NECO is the alternative in case FBO is unavailable. Please feel free to use either site to access information posted by the Navy Sea Systems Command. PLEASE NOTE RESPONSE DATE FOR WHITE PAPER ONLY IS 30 JUNE 2006. RESPONSE DATE FOR FULL PROPOSAL IS 31 JULY 2006. PART: U.S. GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENTS SUBPART: SERVICES CLASSCOD: A--Research and Development OFFADD: Commercial Acquisition Department , Newport Division, Naval Undersea Warfare Center, 1176 Howell Street, Newport, RI 02841-5047 SUBJECT: A ? CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF UNDERSEA TECHNOLOGY SOL BAA 06 001. POC: Ms Bonnie Stevens, Contracts Specialist, Code 5912, (401) 832-1880. DESC: BAA 06-001 CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF UNDERSEA TECHNOLOGY. PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE: A pre-proposal conference will be held at the Main Stay Inn, 151 Admiral Kalbfus Road, Newport, RI 02840 on 09 June 2006 at 1:00 P.M. (local time). Participants may ask questions relative to the Topical Broad Agency Announcement. (BAA). All questions and answers posed at the pre-proposal conference will be posted to the NUWCDIVNPT Contracts, FedBizopps and Grants.gov websites. SECTION 1. GENERAL INFORMATION. 1.1 INTRODUCTION. This publication constitutes a Broad Agency Announcement in accordance with FAR 6.102(d)(2),DOD 3210.6-R,?Defense Grant and Agreement Regulations (DGARS)?,. The Newport Division, Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWCDIVNPT), in collaboration with the Naval Sea Systems Command, has an interest in proposals relating to the establishment of a Center of Excellence in Undersea Technology (COEUT). NUWCDIVNPT envisions the mission of the COEUT to be a cooperative research, technology transfer, product development, and Science and Technology (S & T) training/educational alliance between the Division and the successful offeror. It is anticipated that the alliance, once established, will act to foster continued advancements in undersea technologies to meet existing and projected Navy needs, as well as identify civilian applications for such emerging technologies. 1.2 VISION. The vision is for the COEUT to become a preeminent National Center concerned with the research, development, test and evaluation of undersea technologies and associated products for the national defense and security. Further, it is the vision for the COEUT to work with governmental and educational institutions to train the next generation of scientists and engineers working in undersea technologies through undergraduate, graduate and research programs. 1.3 BAA SUBJECT AREAS. Offerors under this BAA are required to submit proposals addressing both of two distinct subject areas. Subject area 1 is a plan for the establishment and management of a Center of Excellence for Undersea Technology implementing the above Vision. Subject Area 2 is a proposal for a specific technical program, to be conducted under the COEUT, which will exemplify the Vision. 1.3.1 Subject Area 1: The Center of Excellence in Undersea Technology will serve as a focal organization to: foster promotion and development of new technologies related to the undersea environment; facilitate partnerships between and among business, non-profit, academic and government institutions to carry out such development; and provide for educational and research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate education in order to contribute to the development of the next generation of undersea technology experts. The offeror should present an approach for the creation and management of such a center. It is anticipated that the creation and management of the COEUT would be carried out under one or more of the following vehicles: Cooperative Agreements under the authority of 10 United States Code (USC) 2358; Cooperative Research and Development Agreements under the authority of 15 USC 3710; Other Transactions under the authority of 10 USC 2371; Technology Investment Agreements (TIA) under the authority of 10 USC 2358 or 2371; Grants under the authority of 10 USC 2358; Education Partnership Agreements under the authority of 10 USC 2194; and Procurement Contracts under the authority of 10 USC 2304 awarded by NUWCDIVNPT. 1.3.2 Subject Area 2: Offerors should review the areas listed below and propose one technical project to be conducted by an alliance or partnership involving NUWCDIVNPT and, at a minimum, one other nongovernmental organization. The proposed project should represent an innovative approach for a dramatic advance in Undersea Technology in line with the Vision of the COEUT. Proposals that involve final product development beyond the stage of product prototype or feasibility demonstration are outside the scope of the competition and will not be acceptable. The proposal under this Subject Area must be for a cost shared effort. 1.3.2.1 Specific areas of interest to the government are: applied research focused on the design, development, testing, initial prototyping, concept proofing, and prototype implementation of any of a wide variety of undersea technologies that support both military and civilian applications; research opportunities and training in support of graduate and undergraduate education for the next generation of ocean technologists; distributed sensor and/or network systems for ocean and sea floor monitoring; ocean sensors and instrumentation; autonomous and remotely operated underwater vehicles; materials; non-traditional power sources; nano scale devices and sensors; modeling & simulation; underwater communication, detection, and classification systems; and other promising emerging/leap-ahead technologies within the scope of the COEUT?s mission. 1.3.2.2 It is anticipated that the proposed technical project and similar projects in the future, which include NUWCDIVNPT as a participant, will be carried out under one or more of the following vehicles: Cooperative Agreements under the authority of 10 United States Code (USC) 2358; Cooperative Research and Development Agreements under the authority of 15 USC 3710; Other Transactions under the authority of 10 USC 2371; Technology Investment Agreements (TIA) under the authority of 10 USC 2358 or 2371; Grants under the authority of 10 USC 2358; Education Partnership Agreements under the authority of 10 USC 2194; Procurement Contracts under the authority of 10 USC 2304 awarded by NUWCDIVNPT. These will help to facilitate: (a) a close working relationship between NUWCDIVNPT and other participants; (b) the interaction of personnel and maximum use of available facilities, (c) an environment for the exchange of scientific ideas, and (d) the conduct of research in support of Navy requirements while encouraging commercialization of the results of the research. Projects proposed under these vehicles, with the exception of a ?procurement contract? must be for cost shared efforts. 1.4 NOTICES. 1.4.1 In accordance with OMB Circular A-110, proposed Cooperative Agreements shall not provide for payment of fee or profit. Proposals containing provisions for payment of fee or profit under Cooperative Agreements will not be considered. The Government may not provide funds to organizations participating in a CRADA. 1.4.2 Readers should note that this Broad Agency Announcement declares the intention of NUWCDIVNPT to competitively fund or to cooperatively engage in research and technology projects fostered under the COEUT and that no other request for proposals, solicitation or other announcement of this opportunity will be made. Due to limited resources, the Government reserves the right to limit awards under this announcement and only proposals considered to be of superior quality will be funded. 1.4.3 Work performed under Subject Area 2 may, in principle, be performed both within the United States and its territorial waters as well as in waters throughout the globe. Proposals including work or research that will be performed outside of the United States will need to address in specific detail the reasons for utilizing those sites. For reasons of National security NUWCDIVNPT may reject, in its entirety, a proposal for an effort not performed in the United States or its territorial waters. 1.4.4 Awards under this BAA may be for a period of up to five (5) years. The Government intends to assess the progress of the effort during each year. Based on this assessment, the Government will decide whether to continue funding or otherwise participating. 1.5 DUE DATES AND AWARD DATES. 1.5.1 This announcement is open until 31 JULY 2006. 1.5.2 Any interested offeror is required to submit a concept paper synopsis of the planned proposal including a rough cost estimate. Concept papers should address the selection criteria wherever possible. The concept paper should not exceed five (5) pages and must be submitted by no later than 30 JUN 2006. The concept paper shall be submitted to the Attention of Ms. Bonnie Stevens, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport, Commercial Acquisition Dept., Code 5912, Bldg. 11, 1176 Howell Street, Newport RI 02841-5047. Those submitting concept papers are encouraged to continue to work on drafting a full proposal during the concept paper evaluation process. It is expected that NUWCDIVNPT technical review will be complete within one month of concept paper receipt. The Contracts Specialist will contact the concept paper submitter and provide feedback on the Navy's level of interest in the proposed project. Based upon the degree of encouragement received, companies and institutions can better decide whether to continue the preparation of full technical and cost proposals for the described project. 1.5.2 Full proposals containing 5 copies of the Technical and Cost Proposals should be delivered to the address given above. To be considered for award, full proposals must be received at NUWCDIVNPT by 31 JUL 2006. 1.6 ELIGIBILITY. 1.6.1 Eligible offerors are institutions of higher education and non-profit organizations which are located in the United States and which operate primarily within the United States. Offerors shall meet the eligibility criteria of either FAR Part 9 for procurement contracts or Subpart D of DOD Grant and Agreement Regulations (DODGARS). 1.6.2 Eligible offerors must be at least 51 percent owned and controlled by one or more individuals who are citizens of, or permanent resident aliens in, the United States, except in the case of a joint venture, where each entity to the venture must be 51 percent owned and controlled by one or more individuals who are citizens of, or permanent resident aliens in, the United States. 1.6.3 "United States" means the fifty states, the territories and possessions of the Federal Government, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, and the District of Columbia. 1.7 CERTIFICATIONS. All awards require certifications of compliance with national policy requirements. Statutes and Government wide regulations require some certifications to be submitted at the time of proposal submission rather than at the time of award. By signing and submitting a proposal, the recipient is providing the certification at 32 CFR Part 25 regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters; the certification at 32 CFR Part 25 regarding Drug-Free Workplace requirements; and the certification at 32 CFR Part 28 regarding lobbying. 2.0 EVALUATION CRITERIA. 2.1 Award decisions will be based on a peer review of proposals. 2.2 Reviews will be conducted using the following technical evaluation criteria. 2.2.1 Technical evaluation criteria specific to Subject Area 1: Merits of the proposed plan. The feasibility of implementing the plan and of the plan?s likelihood of achieving the Vision of the COEUT. Merits of the proposed management approach. The soundness of the proposed approach to managing the administrative and technical challenges involved in running the COEUT, in fostering feasible technical projects, and in developing strategic alliances and partnerships to achieve the vision of the COE. Capability to provide educational programs and research opportunities. How the offeror currently contributes to the development of the next generation of undersea technology experts from undergraduate and graduate level students. Planned efforts in this area will be considered so long as they build on an existing institutional base, are feasible and practical, and do not directly or indirectly propose NUWCDIVNPT funding under Subject Area 1 of this BAA to achieve the desired capability. 2.2.2 Technical evaluation criteria specific to Subject Area 2: Overall technical merits of the proposed project. The scientific and technical merit of the proposed approach and its completeness, including: the offeror's grasp of technical challenges and appropriateness of possible solutions; the breadth, and variety of the proposed strategies; the relevance, expected likelihood of success; the expected likelihood of timely completion; proposed risk reduction activities; the clarity and soundness of the proposed statement of work. Potential for dramatic gains under the proposed project. Potential of proposed project to make significant, innovative gains in the undersea technology area of interest selected by the offeror. Relevance to Department of Navy missions and capabilities. How the proposed project will support the development of the needed technical capabilities, unique facilities and key personnel to meet future needs. Potential for meeting civilian needs. The potential and feasibility for the results of the proposed research and development to meet civilian needs in the future. 2.2.3 Technical evaluation criteria common to Subject Areas 1 and 2: Quality and amount of proposed Cost Share and In-Kind Contributions. Total impact of proposed cost share on achieving the goals of the applicable Subject Area. Innovativeness of approaches to cost sharing. Applicability of specific cost sharing or in-kind contributions to collaborative projects, including the one proposed under Subject Area 2. Capabilities, qualifications, related experience, and facilities. Qualifications, capabilities and experience of the proposed Principal Investigator(s), team leader and other key personnel who are critical for achieving the proposed objectives. Capabilities of the offeror to perform the proposed work. Qualifications of the organizations proposed or available for collaborative efforts, including their complementarity and their expressed commitment to achieving a shared goal. Range, depth, and mix of expertise in relevant technologies of the offeror's key personnel who will be involved in assessing potential projects. Available facilities for operating the COEUT and for conducting technical projects as presented in the relevant proposal sections. 3.0 PROPOSAL STRUCTURE. 3.1 Offerors must submit separate Technical and Cost/Funding proposals. 3.2 TECHNICAL PROPOSAL. Technical proposals may be broad in nature, shall be a maximum of twenty-five (25) pages, and must include the following sections. Section 1 - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Provide a brief technical and business description of the contents of the proposal. Section 2 ? COEUT PLAN AND MANAGEMENT. Description. This sub-section should succinctly describe the overall concept for establishing and managing a coherently organized COEUT, for stimulating and coordinating cooperative projects, for providing educational opportunities, and for interfacing with NUWCDIVNPT and other organizations. Objectives. This sub-section should present objectives of the proposed COEUT in terms that define and characterize the offeror?s distinctive, approach to achieving the goals identified in this BAA. The objectives should be staged over the proposed period of performance. Technical Approach. This sub-section should describe in detail how the COEUT will be established, located, staffed, and operated. The proposal must demonstrate the offeror?s capabilities to stimulate and coordinate cutting edge science and technology programs, and demonstrate the availability of a wide variety of subject matter expertise among personnel that are on staff and available to assess potential technical projects. The proposal should describe how the COEUT will structure and carry out the relationships and activities needed to significantly influence the development of the next generation of experts in undersea technology. This sub-section should describe the policy and procedures that the offeror will establish to maintain impartiality in promoting and assessing technical projects given that the institution managing the COEUT may be a participant in some of the technical projects it fosters. Section 3 ? TECHNICAL PROJECT. Description. This sub-section should succinctly describe the proposed technical project and its relevance to the goals of the BAA. Objectives. This sub-section should cogently explain the project?s technical goals, the planned technical approach, and the expected technical result. The objectives should be staged over the planned period of performance. Proposals must indicate how the work to be performed will have an impact on naval capabilities, especially those impacting future naval requirements. This section should explain strategic alliance, business, and market issues. It should reflect that the offeror has thought through the potential business, market, and economic implications if the technical goals of the project are achieved. The discussion should include, quantitatively whenever possible, the advantages (cost, performance, time to market, etc.) of the proposed technologies over alternatives. If a consortium of performers is submitting a proposal, it should demonstrate that there is, indeed, a shared team vision. Approach. This sub-section should provide a detailed explanation of the technical approach and should include all of the following. 1. A comprehensive description of the specific approach, for the development of the proposed technology for both military and commercial use. 2. The advantages over other possible approaches, which could be used to attack the problem. If they exist, a discussion of other related projects (especially those funded by the Federal Government) and a clear demonstration that this effort will not duplicate those efforts. 3. A discussion of the technical barriers to be overcome and the technical risks expected during the conduct of the project. Note: technical risks are expected and acceptable provided they are well understood and realistic approaches are presented to mitigate them. 4. A Statement of Work (SOW) that discusses the specific tasks to be accomplished, tied to the specific approach and goals of the project. Specific performers for tasks should be identified whenever possible. 5. A schedule of significant events and measurable technical milestones. This schedule should extend beyond the end of the project and include critical technical milestones for commercialization or production. (END PART 1 OF 2).
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