SOLICITATION NOTICE
B -- NEXTGEN Alternative Fuel Development Roadmap
- Notice Date
- 1/16/2008
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- Contracting Office
- 55 Broadway; Cambridge, MA 02142
- ZIP Code
- 02142
- Solicitation Number
- DTRT57-08-R-20016
- Response Due
- 2/18/2008
- Archive Date
- 7/15/2008
- Point of Contact
- Point of Contact -Joel Taylor, Contracting Officer, 617-494-2670
- E-Mail Address
-
Email your questions to Contracting Officer
(Joel.Taylor@volpe.dot.gov)
- Description
- This synopsis is a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) as contemplated in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.102 and FAR 35.016. A formal Request for Proposals (RFP), or other solicitation will not be issued. BACKGROUND: Working across several agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA), and the U.S. DOT, RITA, John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center), the Federal Government has developed a broad US aviation system upgrade plan called NEXTGEN to accommodate an expected tripling of US air traffic by the year 2025. Avoiding serious, imminent, and irreversible threats to US aviation, including prohibitive air travel congestion and increased environmental damage, particularly to air quality, depend on the success of NEXTGEN. NEXTGEN seeks to improve aviation industry efficiency from the engine to the cockpit to overall air traffic management. Looking forward, the FAA?s Office of Environment and Energy (AEE) has determined that two main research initiatives under its purview will contribute dramatically to the success of NEXTGEN: 1. improvements in aviation fuel-burn modeling, and 2. alternative aviation fuel technology development. The core mission of both these research initiatives is the mitigation of the impacts of burning aviation fossil fuels in the atmosphere and in the vicinity of airports. The Volpe Center has been very active in supporting these research initiatives. While FAA/AEE efforts to drive the first research initiative, fuel-burn modeling improvements, have mostly focused on the incentive method of Subject-Specific White Papers (SSWP) and science meetings to get results to date, NEXTGEN project managers at FAA/AEE and the Volpe Center are not certain this is the most practical way to pursue the second research initiative and drive the development of alternative aviation fuel technology. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this project is to determine with confidence the best option for incentivizing the development of alternative aviation fuel technology and describe in a Research Roadmap how these options can be implemented in coordination with NEXTGEN efforts, ultimately mitigating the impacts of burning aviation fossil fuels in the atmosphere and in the vicinity of airports. An option which provides incentive for the development of a non-fossil alternative aviation fuel must be presented in a detailed investigation of the option, culminating in a Research Roadmap that brings the best minds in the aviation and science communities together to solve this technical problem and how to speed up, to the greatest extent possible, the process of finding a viable technology that will provide a non-fossil alternative aviation fuel. The Volpe Center invites interested parties to submit a proposal presenting a research outline for a Research Roadmap for consideration in response to this BAA. Research projects may vary in size and scope, but should have a tentative budget target of $25,000 to $500,000 and must be completed within 14 months. The NAICS code is 541712 with a size standard of 1,500 employees. In the investigation of options to drive the development of an alternative aviation fuel technology, all responses to this BAA must provide an outline presenting how the offeror will approach considering one and only one of the following THREE OPTIONS: (1) the proven method of SSWPs, (2) the less proven method of the technology prize, or (3) any other additional options the offeror determines should be considered. SSWP OPTION (1) - To address high-altitude fuel-burn modeling and other important technical problems in an efficient and timely manner, the US and Europe have utilized the method of calling for SSWPs to generate interest in a specific technical area and bring teams of experts together to consider solutions. By this method, spanning a few months, the SSWP writers are recruited from as large a pool of experts as possible in the technical area being addressed, draft papers are written according to a specific set of topics, papers are distributed, a science meeting is called to consider final papers, and the best plan for resolving the problem is identified. Within a few years of the first call for SSWPs, results may be received. The contractor shall examine the SSWP method of driving technical solutions as it may or may not apply to the development of alternative aviation fuel technology. The Volpe Center can provide a listing of members of the FAA/AEE?s Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI) for the contractor to utilize in its examination of the merits of the SSWP method in the development of alternative aviation fuel technology upon award, but this option can be addressed without this list if the offeror desires. CAAFI membership is composed of aviation experts and scientists from the US and other governments, academia, aircraft manufacturers, airlines, the energy industry, and environmental advocates, among others. The contractor may also utilize any other expert resources or research methods at its disposal in its examination of the feasibility of the SSWP method. In this examination, the contractor must consider, but not be limited to considering, the following merits and key concerns of the SSWP method in driving the development of alternative aviation fuel technology: 1) Likelihood to incentivize interest- Describe the reach of the SSWP method to the broadest possible segments of the aviation and scientific communities. Consider if this method will gain the interest of other Government agencies, academia, aircraft manufacturers, aviation fuel manufacturers, and the public. Consideration of this method?s reach must address whether the SSWP method will be successful inside the US and Europe (where it has already proven a successful method in resolving other technical problems) and outside the US and Europe (where it has not been used as extensively in the past). SSWP method will reach those best qualified to respond, and Call for Papers will be posted on the Government?s www.fedbizopps.gov website and published in research journals. 2) What are the pros and cons- State the positives and negatives of the SSWP method as it would apply to the development of alternative aviation fuel technology. 3) Provide estimated financial requirements to make this method successful, e.g. Budget. Identify possible sources of funding for the SSWP method. Identify if non-government parties are willing to contribute funds in a partnership focusing on alternative aviation fuel technology development. Describe alternative funding sources. 4) Provide an estimated calendar date by which results can be expected, e.g., when could alternative aviation fuel be available for use in commercial aircraft? 5) Discuss the likelihood of success for driving the development of alternative aviation fuel technology. The results of this examination of the SSWP method shall be compiled and presented in the Research Roadmap. PRIZE INCENTIVE OPTION (2)- In recent years, large-scope technological breakthroughs have been achieved via prize competitions focused on a specific technological goal, most notably in the area of space travel. This recent success has demonstrated that a competition with a large prize and a well-articulated set of rules will produce a winning solution. This open-contest format offers opportunities to generate huge technological breakthroughs by attracting diverse competitors and rewarding real outcomes. This format defines the problem, not the path to the solution, and encourages innovation. It also captures the Public?s imagination and accelerates the pace of change. Experience has shown that the resulting advances in human behavior, industry transformation, and changes in public perception far exceed the value of the purse. The contractor shall examine the technology prize method of driving technical solutions as it may or may not apply to the development of alternative aviation fuel technology. Again, the contractor may utilize the Volpe Center?s connections to CAAFI members in its examination of the merits of the prize method in the development of alternative aviation fuel technology, or the contractor may utilize any other expert resources or research methods at its disposal in its examination of the feasibility of the prize method. In this examination, the contractor shall consider the following merits and key concerns of the prize method in driving the development of alternative aviation fuel technology: 1) Likelihood to incentivize interest- Describe the reach of the technology prize method to the broadest possible segments of the aviation and scientific communities. Consider if this method will gain the interest of other Government agencies, academia, aircraft manufacturers, aviation fuel manufacturers, and the public. Consideration of this method?s reach must address whether the prize method will be successful inside the US and Europe, where it is still a new method of driving technology development, and outside the US and Europe, where it remains perhaps an entirely unknown method of generating interest in the solution of a difficult technical problem. Identify how the technology prize method will reach those best qualified to respond. Describe the technology prize PR approach. 2) What are the pros and cons- State the positives and negatives of the prize method as it would apply to the development of alternative aviation fuel technology. 3) Provide estimated financial requirements to make this method successful, e.g. Budget. Identify and describe all possible sources of funding for the technology prize method. Consider the likelihood that the Government would fund a prize contest and as well as alternative funding sources. 4) Provide an estimated calendar date by which results can be expected, e.g., when could alternative aviation fuel be available for use in commercial aircraft? 5) Discuss the likelihood of success for driving the development of alternative aviation fuel technology. The results of this examination of the prize method shall be compiled and presented in the Research Roadmap. ADDITIONAL ALTERNATIVE OPTION (3)- The contractor shall examine additional methods of incentivizing the development of alternative aviation fuel technology. Again, the contractor may utilize the Volpe Center?s connections to CAAFI members in its examination of the merits of these additional methods in the development of alternative aviation fuel technology, or the contractor may utilize any other expert resources or research methods at its disposal in its examination of the feasibility of these additional methods. As with the SSWP and technology prize methods, in this examination of additional methods, the contractor shall consider for each additional method the following merits and key concerns in driving the development of alternative aviation fuel technology: 1) Likelihood to incentivize interest describe the reach of each method to the broadest possible segments of the aviation and scientific communities. Consider if each method will gain the interest of other Government agencies, academia, aircraft manufacturers, aviation fuel manufacturers, and the public. Consideration of each method?s reach must address whether the prize method will be successful inside and outside the US and Europe and the outreach logistics behind this method. 2) What are the pros and cons- State the positives and negatives of the method as it would apply to the development of alternative aviation fuel technology. 3) Provide estimated financial requirements to make this method successful, e.g. Budget. Identify possible sources of funding for the method. 4) Provide an estimated calendar date by which results can be expected, e.g., when could alternative aviation fuel be available for use in commercial aircraft? 5) Discuss the likelihood of success for driving the development of alternative aviation fuel technology. 6) Identify the advantages, if any, to the Government taking no incentive action in this area of alternative aviation fuel technology development. Identify, if any, market forces or other types of productive, stable efforts already in place that are leading to rapid advances in alternative aviation fuel technology development. If there are market forces already in place leading to rapid advances in this technical area, describe any non-incentive methods by which the Government can assist these efforts. The results of this examination of additional incentive methods shall be compiled and presented in the Research Roadmap. Once either the SSWP method, technology prize method, or alternative incentive methods are researched to the fullest extent possible according to the key concerns posed in the respective task, the results shall be presented in a Research Roadmap (report) to be delivered to the Volpe Center. The audience of this Roadmap will be the NEXTGEN project managers at FAA/AEE and the Volpe Center. The Roadmap structure shall consist of the following sections: 1. An introduction on incentive methods in general, including discussion of past success with either the SSWP, technical prize, or an alternative method. 2. A section addressing the contractor research on the SSWP incentive method (if selected), including a treatment of all key concerns posed. The contractor shall also discuss how this incentive method could be implemented in coordination with the NEXTGEN efforts. 3. A section addressing the contractor research on the technical prize incentive method (if selected), including a treatment of all key questions posed. The contractor shall also discuss how this incentive method could be implemented in coordination with the NEXTGEN efforts. 4. A section addressing the contractor research on additional incentive methods (if selected), including for each a treatment of all key concerns posed and discussing the advantages and disadvantages of the Government taking no incentive action. The contractor shall also discuss how each incentive method could be implemented in coordination with the NEXTGEN efforts. A draft of the Roadmap shall be delivered in electronic format (MS Word) to the Contracting Officer?s Technical Representative (COTR). The contractor may be required to address Government comments on the draft Roadmap and incorporate changes into a final version, which shall be delivered in both electronic format (MS Word) and hardcopy to the COTR, Clay Reherman (3 hardcopies). The Research Roadmap development for this project is estimated to not exceed 14 months. After the delivered Roadmap has been reviewed, an incentive method may be chosen by the Government. Incentive opportunities are likely to best occur over a 3- to 8-year timeframe such Government review. CALL FOR PROPOSALS: This BAA is open to all domestic and foreign researchers. Offerors, by an authorized representative, must submit proposals consisting of technical content and public relations summaries (see explanation below) via electronic mail to Mr. Joel Taylor, Contracting Officer, at Joel.Taylor@volpe.dot.gov. All proposals must arrive no later than 4:00 pm EST on February 18, 2008. Also, questions regarding this Broad Agency Announcement must be in writing and must be received by the Government no later than February 11, 2008, 4:00 pm EST. No telephonic inquiries. INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPOSAL PREPARATION- The proposal must contain the following: PR summary, Cost summary, technical proposal outline, and conform to the requirements as follows: Individuals or teams may submit proposals outlining their approach to producing a Research Roadmap. Each proposal shall address only one of the incentive methods described above (SSWP method, technology prize method, or other method), and individuals or teams shall submit only one proposal. For teams submitting a proposal, the proposal must identify a Principle Investigator (PI) and any intended co-investigator(s) as well as include a professional resume for the PI and any intended co-investigator(s). Each proposal must have a title page clearly identifying its chosen incentive method. The technical content of the proposal is limited to 15 pages (single-spaced, 12-pt Times New Roman font, one?inch margins all around, excluding footnotes, and single-sided), including references. Also, the proposal must include a summary of the estimate of hourly labor and cost for participating in the Research Roadmap project. Proposed individual/team funding for this project is expected to have a minimum of $25,000 on a Firm-Fixed-Price basis but may fall below or above this level (maximum $500,000). PR SUMMARY- As part of each proposal submission, offerors must also submit a description of one past technology development project that resulted in a successful new technological achievement, including a detailed account of the PR strategy and media coverage of the project. This PR summary is limited to 5 pages (single-spaced, 12 pt Times New Roman font, one?inch margins all around, excluding footnotes, and single-sided). The PR summary must also address how much funding went into the PR strategy and the estimate number of people this PR campaign reached. EVALUATION CRITERIA- At the end of the BAA period, a selection panel will convene to evaluate the proposals received and make a selection of winning proposals. The Volpe Center intends to award contracts to one to three offerors for this project but reserves the right to award more or no contracts. The selection panel will choose winning proposals based on the following selection criteria, listed in descending order of importance: 1. Incentive method proposal; 2. PR success indicated in PR summary; 3. Researcher qualifications, including resume and work experience; and 4. Proposed price. DELIVERABLES- The selected contractor(s) should expect to begin work as early as April 2, 2008, and conclude all work on the Research Roadmap no later than June 1, 2009, or 14 months from the start date of the work. Required deliverables are: Electronic copy of the Research Roadmap in MS Word format and three bound hardcopies of the Research Roadmap. An electronic copy of the Research Roadmap is to be emailed to the Volpe Center?s COTR Clay Reherman at Reherman@volpe.dot.gov. Three hardcopies of the Research Roadmap are to be mailed to the Volpe Center?s COTR Clay Reherman at: Clay Reherman, RTV-4F, Volpe National Transportation Systems Center 125 Munroe St. Cambridge, MA 02142-1093.
- Web Link
-
Volpe Center Acquisition Division home page
(http://www.volpe.dot.gov/procure/index.html)
- Record
- SN01486630-W 20080118/080116223620 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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