SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- Adaptive Vehicle Management System (AVMS) Phase II
- Notice Date
- 9/22/2011
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- ACC-RSA-AATD - (SPS), ATTN: AMSRD-AMR-AA-C, Building 401, Lee Boulevard, Fort Eustis, VA 23604-5577
- ZIP Code
- 23604-5577
- Solicitation Number
- W911W6-11-R-0013
- Response Due
- 11/7/2011
- Archive Date
- 1/6/2012
- Point of Contact
- Ryan Palmer, 757-878-0103
- E-Mail Address
-
ACC-RSA-AATD - (SPS)
(ryan.palmer4@us.army.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. DESCRIPTION: Using the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) process, the Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD) is soliciting technical and cost proposals to conduct a 6.3 Demonstration Validation Research effort in support of Phase II of the Adaptive Vehicle Management System (AVMS) program. Proposals are required to be submitted in accordance with the guidelines set forth herein. Participation in Phase I is not a requirement for participating in Phase II. This BAA constitutes the total solicitation for Phase II. Offerors should be alert for any BAA amendments. INTRODUCTION: The objective of the Adaptive Vehicle Management System (AVMS) BAA is to demonstrate technologies in the areas of vehicle management integration and control, and vehicle performance to support future and current (legacy) Army Aviation platforms. This Program encompasses six years separated into two phases with planned multi awards for both Phase I & II. Phase I effort was for the tradeoff analysis and preliminary simulation evaluation of the technology components and technology combinations (technology suites). Phase II will conduct simulation and support a flight demonstration of the technology components and/or suite(s) selected. Participation in Phase I is not a requirement for participating in Phase II. This announcement requests proposals for Phase II. Much work has been performed at Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD) over the years demonstrating the capabilities of digital flight controls in vehicle management systems. Digital flight controls are now the baseline for almost every new helicopter/rotorcraft being designed/produced or as a planned upgrade worldwide. With the first generation of digital flight controls fielded in production vehicles, many opportunities exist. The AVMS Program will demonstrate an improved Vehicle Management System (VMS) which maximizes system performance by utilizing all available information across all subsystems and reacts to maintain performance even under anomalous degraded conditions. The VMS is separated into three interrelated areas: Carefree Maneuvering (CM) which recognizes aircraft limits, both physical and operational; Regime Recognition (RR) which recognizes aircraft states, flight conditions and flight envelope state; and Task tailored Control Laws (TTCL) which adjusts the control system to optimize performance based on aircraft state, flight envelope state and task. The vehicle control interface is through the VMS. The pilot's control is perceived through the CM capabilities. In this effort, improvements demonstrated include not only improved aircraft and performance limit identification and improved control law algorithms, but also the VMS response to real time influences (i.e., degraded equipment, damage or environmental conditions) or changing mission equipment requirements (i.e., weight and/or center of gravity changes as a load is dropped/launched). Improving RR capabilities by utilizing onboard information more effectively (more integration and analytical processing and reducing redundant sources), integrated with different cueing modalities (such as tactile cues) and improved task tailored control laws enables an AVMS be more responsive to changing conditions, enhances CM and reduces the pilot workload. This enables improved handling qualities, improved performance and improved durability. This effort is to investigate and demonstrate an improved VMS through improved technology suites which leverage the basic control technologies of the first generation digital vehicle flight controls and as well as prepares for future technologies (i.e., active rotor control, active safety systems, etc.). Technology suites refer to the technology components (information sources such as a sensor) or functions and capabilities (such as obstacle avoidance) included as part of the nominal system. Technology components, the constituents of the suites, could be defined as hardware (i.e., sensors), processing methodologies (i.e., control laws generation), performance improvements (i.e., improved algorithms), new combinations of subsystems (i.e., integrate flight and a mission package), architecture/functionality (CM, RR and task tailored control laws) as well as new innovative hardware and/or software solutions. AVMS will demonstrate significant improvements for vehicle management, through new integration approaches and technologies, and the new information they generate and make available for Army rotorcraft. Many technologies demonstrated in the laboratory environment could have a significant impact on performance, safety, durability and cost. With the multitude of technologies (such as active control of sling loads, active rotor control, tactile cueing, better vehicle models, fiber optics/photonics, wireless, etc.) moving into the Technical Readiness Level (TRL) 5 and Army platforms required to do more, there is a plethora of possible technology combinations (technology suites) to improve vehicle performance. TRL 5 is when the components or technology has been through laboratory testing in a relevant environment. This is to confirm the value and practicality of the technology/component. TRL 6 is the components or technology is demonstrated in an operational environment. This includes analysis of requirements to implement in a system, such as changes required from the demonstrated article, physical and software design changes, as well as addressing safety implementation issues. TRL 7 is demonstrated in an operational environment, requires at least a prototype with testing to identify any remaining manufacturing, implementation or verification and validation issues. The demonstration is to confirm the value of the components or technology, and reduce the engineering and manufacturing risk of implementation by analyzing, identifying and quantifying any remaining issues for production. The large number of possible combinations of technologies makes it impractical to review every combination. Additionally, some technology components, unique to each combination, may be immature and need additional work in a relevant environment prior to realizing a system ready for insertion into the fleet. Thus, a reasonable set of possible combinations to assess needs to be identified. Additionally, there are technology components, called enabling technologies, which themselves add value to the system, but whose significant value is they enable other technologies to utilize their full potential. These enabling technologies need to be available with their paired technology, not after. For this program, the enabling technologies to include as part of the system are: a. rotor state feedback (real time rotor state information and control); b. load defined control laws (reduce parasitic structure during design or extend component life in a legacy system implementation); c. real time center of gravity and weight information; d. non-physical (i.e., inductive, optical, etc.) flight safety critical data transmission (information and control) from the fixed vehicle to the rotating blade (primary active rotor control); and e. flight safety critical power and information for sensing and controlling devices on the rotating blade. The AVMS Program culminates in demonstrations of the candidate technology suite(s) available. The starting point for the suites' technologies should be the first generation digital flight control rotorcraft (either in or soon to be in production) and promising basic research areas (i.e., autonomous guidance and control, integrated simulation and control tools, active load stabilization and structural response, improved handling qualities in degraded environments, new handling requirements for heavy lift vehicles, etc.). Most of the technologies are expected to demonstrate a TRL 6/7 (defined above) by the end of this program. Tradeoff studies of different technology suites and constituent components (including enabling technologies) will assess the different characteristics of each suite. The studies will address the benefits of each suite, as well as the metrics/definitions for the benefits of the suite and each component, and the ability to demonstrate the technology maturity. A suitable methodology, which considers benefits (performance, functionality, and durability), risk, and maturation demonstration requirements, to include metrics will be used. Metrics for the different technologies and combinations shall be defined for use in the Trade-Off Analyses, Simulation Evaluation and the Flight Demonstration. Metric areas should include characteristics such as the VMS footprint and costs of dedicated flight control system components, weight, resources required to design/analyze and verify control software and verify & validate (V&V) software to support the next generation Vehicle Management System. Exit criteria (engineering, performance and mission) defined for analysis, evaluation and demonstration shall be compatible with a TRL 6/7 evaluation (i.e., how does it advance the technology or system readiness level). ANTICIPATED FUNDING LEVEL AND PERFORMANCE PERIOD: Anticipated funding ($M) for all Ph II awards is as follows: FY12 (0.7), FY13 (3.2), FY14 (2.7), and FY15 (2.3). Period of Performance for Phase II is not to exceed 42 months, with 39 months of technical work and 3 months for the final report. Offerors should clearly depict their proposed schedule. There is a potential for multiple awards. Any award made under this Announcement is subject to the availability of funds. TYPE OF FUNDING INSTRUMENT: A variety of funding instruments are available pursuant to this announcement depending upon the proposed effort, the entity submitting the successful proposal(s), and statutory and regulatory requirements the Government must satisfy. Such instruments include conventional contracts under of the Armed Services Procurement Act and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), as supplemented, and Technology Investment Agreements (TIA) (Cooperative Agreement under 10 U.S.C 2358) or Other Transaction (OT) for Research (10 U.S.C. 2371) and the Department of Defense Grant and Agreement Regulations (DoDGARS), 3210.6-R, which are more flexible than traditional Government funding instruments. Under TIA's or OT(s) it is DoD policy to obtain, to the maximum extent practical, cost sharing of half of the cost of the project to ensure the recipient has a vested interest in the project's success. Cost participation may be in the form of cash or in-kind contributions, where cash is considered of significantly higher quality in demonstrating commitment to the project. Cost participation will be considered in accordance with the DoDGARS paragraph 34.13 (Cooperative Agreement) (but also see paragraph 37.530 pertaining to OT(s) for Research) accessible at the following link: http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/321006r34p.pdf. Contract type is a subject for negotiation, but the offeror's desire should be clearly stated in the cost proposal. DATA ITEMS / DELIVERABLES: All awards under this announcement will require a kickoff meeting following award. All awards under this Announcement will require delivery of the following data items: (1) Program Management Plan, (2) Bi-Monthly Performance and Cost Reports, (3) Meeting Charts/Notes, (4) Test Plans, (5) Airworthiness Substantiation Documentation, (6) Master Design Document, and a (7) Final Report. All awards will include a requirement to present the results of the work in a final briefing at Ft. Eustis, Virginia upon completion of all technical effort. SECURITY REQUIREMENTS: Performance will require access to and/or generation of technical data the export of which is restricted by the Arms Export Control Act (Title 22, U.S.C., Sec. 2751 e t. seq.) or the Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended, Title 50, U.S.C. App. 2401 et. seq. Prior to award, the successful offeror(s) will be required to provide an Export-Controlled DoD Data Agreement certification number issued in accordance with DoD Directive 5230.25. This certification may be requested from the Defense Logistics Services Center, ATTN: DLSC-FBA Federal Center, Battle Creek, MI 49017-3084, Telephone 1-800-352-3572. Pre-award access to or submission of a classified proposal is not authorized. This Announcement is limited to U.S. firms as Prime Contractors. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED EQUIPMENT (GFE): It is the offeror's responsibility to identify, coordinate, and furnish supporting documentation for use of any GFE. DATA RIGHTS: The Government prefers Unlimited Rights, and desires at least Government Purpose Rights, in technical data required for delivery as identified in the Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) to maximize the utility of the data. The Contractor should propose legends for each data item identified as other than unlimited rights. The rationale for Unlimited Rights is that Government program personnel, including support contractors, must disseminate the results of the Phase II AVMS trade studies and simulation results within the rotorcraft community and decision makers so that these individuals and institutions understand the capability, characteristics, cost/benefit and risk afforded by AVMS. The Government reserves the right to consider data right restrictions and their adverse impact upon future utilization of delivered data and impact on future costs to the Government in evaluation of the proposal. Regardless of proposed instrument, all offerors shall identify the technical data or computer software that they assert would be furnished with restrictions on use, release or disclosure if an award is made under this Announcement. This information shall be provided with your proposal using the format/table included in DFARS 252.227-7017 Identification and Assertion of Use, Release, or Disclosure Restrictions. PROPOSAL PREPARATION & SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: Proposals are required to be submitted in accordance with the guidelines set forth herein. The proposal shall consist of two volumes, a technical volume and a cost volume. In presenting the proposal material, prospective Offerors are advised that the quality of the information is significantly more important than quantity. Offerors should confine the submissions to essential matters providing sufficient information to define their offer and establish an adequate basis for the Government to conduct its evaluation. Proposals shall be marked with the solicitation number. TECHNICAL VOLUME: The technical volume shall provide detail that justifies the benefits of the proposed technology relative to the topic objectives, and include a plan to develop and transition the technology to future and current (legacy) Army aircraft as applicable. The technical volume shall also include a clear statement of the technical objectives and the specific approach to be pursued and supporting background experience. It shall contain a Statement of Work (SOW), milestones, a biographical section describing key personnel, a description of the facilities and/or data sources to be employed in the effort, and a program management section. Offerors shall identify and substantiate the beginning and ending Technology Readiness Levels. The Technical volume shall not exceed 80 pages exclusive of title page, section dividers, glossary of terms and table of contents. A minimum font size of 10 is required and the document shall be at least single spaced. The evaluators will read only up to the maximum number of pages specified. Page size shall not exceed 8 1/2'x 11 with 1" margins. COST VOLUME: Within the Cost Proposal, offerors shall indicate the proposed funding instrument (e.g., FAR-based contract and type (CPFF, cost reimbursable, etc.) or TIA). The Cost Proposal should include a funding profile (a cost breakout by month), cost breakdown (matching the Technical Volume breakdown) providing man-hours and monthly costs by task, all pricing rates used, travel and equipment and materials listings, if applicable. Subcontractor proposals, including pricing rate details, should be provided concurrent with the prime contractor's submission. Any cost share will be calculated as follows: contractor cash plus in-kind contribution divided by project value. Any resulting agreement value will exclude recipient's sunk' costs of prior research as cost match. SUBCONTRACTING PLAN: Not applicable if proposing award under a non-FAR instrument (i.e. TIA) or if the offeror is a SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN. Pursuant to the requirements of FAR part 19.702(a)(1), if the total amount of the proposal exceeds $650,000, and there are subcontracting possibilities, offerors must submit a subcontracting plan. FAR part 52.219-9 defines a subcontracting plan and its requirements. Offerors shall incorporate the subcontracting plan as part of the offeror's proposal submission. DFARS 226.370-8 discusses subcontracting incentive and goals with the Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Institutions. DFARS 219.708(b)(1)(A) and (B), discusses the appropriate use of DFARS Clauses 252.219-7003 and 252.219-7004 in solicitations and contract related to small, small disadvantaged and women-owned small business subcontracting plans. Offerors are cautioned that in solicitations where subcontracting opportunities exist, the Government will not execute a contract unless the Contracting Officer determines that the negotiated plan provides the maximum practicable opportunity for SBs, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, and Veteran-owned Small Business concerns or HBCUs/MIs to participate in the performance of the contract. Offerors should note that DFARS 219.705-4 provides for a goal of 5% for SDB concerns and HBCUs/MIs. EVALUATION CRITERIA/BASIS FOR AWARD: The selection of one or more sources for award will be based on a scientific and/or engineering evaluation of proposals (both technical and cost as it relates to technical effort) in accordance with the criteria set forth in this section. Proposals will be evaluated on their own merit without regard to other proposals submitted under this Announcement. Each proposal will receive an adjectival rating supported by narrative. The ratings/narrative will be used to develop an order of merit listing. Proposed cost/cost to the Government will be evaluated as appropriate, for realism and reasonableness. The following evaluation criteria apply: (1) The extent to which the proposed technologies satisfy the objectives by use of innovative, efficient, and affordable solutions to the stated technical problem. This includes understanding of the problem, current technical barriers, suitability of the demonstrations to the program objectives and the proposed manned Army Aviation rotary wing Baseline Platform(s) and expected quantified benefits of each technology (i.e., performance, cost, etc.). How the technologies proposed enable the system, including what needs to be done to mature the system and definition of the maturity levels of the technology and system expected at end of effort. (2) The merit of the Offeror's proposed approach to develop, demonstrate and validate the capabilities of proposed technologies. This includes the reasonableness of the proposed tasks (to include the test and evaluation approach, concept tradeoffs, and design optimization), and schedule to accomplish the scientific and technical objectives and metrics. Description and reasonableness of the solution space defined by the technology component(s) and technology suite(s) proposed. How the approach applies to both new system and a legacy system should be described. How the approach proposed supports the readiness level proposed at program end. (3) The benefit of the proposed technologies. This includes a clear and reasonable technology maturation and transition plan. The weight, volume, and integration complexity of the proposed technology components will be considered as part of its ability to effectively transition into service. Clearly delineate the path from the current technology level to the expected level at the end of the Program. How the enabling technologies fit within the suites and define the demonstrations and metrics collected to support the maturity level goal. How the proposed technologies will differ when applied to a new system versus a current or legacy system. (4) The capability of the Offeror to accomplish the proposed effort. This includes the experience and qualifications of the proposed personnel, the suitability and availability of the proposed facilities, including the knowledge of and intellectual property for the proposed manned Army Aviation Rotary Wing Baseline Platform, and the availability of (or the ability to generate) required technical and test data to validate the technology. The reasonableness of the amount of effort the Offeror proposes for each of their experts to work this Program, including recent experience of similar efforts. (5) The reasonableness of the proposed cost to the Government. This includes the realism of the proposed man-hours, materials, subcontractors, travel and other costs to accomplish the proposed individual tasks and the overall effort. Reliance on government furnished items and funding profiles. Any proposed cost share will be evaluated for its benefit in reducing program risk, achieving program objectives, and furthering the state-of-the-art. (6) Restrictions on Technical Data Rights impacting future Government utilization of delivered data and impacting future costs to the Government. Criteria (1) and (2) are equal and substantially more important than (3) and (4) which are equal and which are more important than (5) and (6) which are equal. The Government reserves the right to select for award all or part of any proposal received. Partial awards are conditioned upon the Government and the offeror reaching mutually agreeable terms for such partial awards. Upon notification by the Government, offerors may request a debriefing. The debriefing process will follow the time guidelines set out in 10 USC 2305(b)(5), but the debriefing content will vary to be consistent with the procedures set out in FAR 35.016 governing BAAs. This announcement is an expression of interest only and does not commit the Government to pay any proposal preparation costs. No pre-proposal conference is to be held. Proposal will be considered valid for 210 days from the proposal due date unless specifically stated otherwise. Technical and Cost Proposals must be submitted in original, plus four (4) paper copies and one (1) electronic copy (CD ROM disk format). Facsimile proposal submission is not authorized under this announcement. The cost proposal electronic copy will be used for verification purposes and shall be delivered in Excel or other compatible format. Proposals should be addressed to the AATD, ATTN: CCAM-RDT, Mr. Ryan Palmer, Bldg 401, Lee Blvd, Ft Eustis, VA 23604-5577. Offerors desiring an explanation or interpretation of this announcement must submit requests in writing at the above address, or email: ryan.palmer4@us.army.mil. Oral explanations or instructions given before the award of any agreement / contract will not be binding. Any information given to a prospective offeror concerning this announcement which is necessary in submitting offers or the lack of which would be prejudicial to any other prospective offeror(s) will be published as an amendment to this announcement. Proposals received after the due date November 7, 2011, 2:00 p.m. local time will be handled in accordance with FAR 52.215-1(c)(3), Instructions to Offerors - Competitive Acquisition. This announcement is issued subject to the availability of funds. The Government's obligation is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds for which payment for program purposes can be made.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/notices/17718a8b4920e7726f575c652e151c6f)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AMCOM-CC) ATTN: CCAM-RDT, Building 401, Lee Boulevard Fort Eustis VA
- Zip Code: 23604-5577
- Zip Code: 23604-5577
- Record
- SN02588249-W 20110924/110922235434-17718a8b4920e7726f575c652e151c6f (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
| FSG Index | This Issue's Index | Today's FBO Daily Index Page |