FAA Technical Center, Contracts Branch ACM-510, Atlantic City International Airport, NJ 08405

A -- AVIATION SECURITY RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT ADDRESSING BULK DETECTION AND/OR DETECTION SYSTEM ENHANCEMENT SOL TCBAA-95-001 POC Frank Kosker, Contract Specialist, 609-485-6911 Mike Smith, General Engineer, 609-485-6181. This is a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), number TCBAA-95-0001, entitled BULK DETECTION AND/OR DETECTION SYSTEM ENHANCEMENT. The FAA is interested in receiving proposals, including the proposed technical approach and estimated cost on the aviation security research efforts described below: The proposal process consists of two phases: First, in order to determine if the proposed research is of interest to the FAA, the prospective offeror should submit a brief technical summary (White Paper) of up to five (5) pages in length. (Phase I) This White Paper must reference the TCBAA number identified above, and it must identify one of the following technical areas: Bulk Detection and/or Detection System Enhancement. Topics in these areas include but are not limited to the following: In the program area of bulk compound-specific explosives detection technologies, there are known technologies for bulk explosives which yield a signature of specific explosive compounds. These technologies include electromagnetic resonance techniques and crystal identification techniques. Technologies, however, which identify mean attenuation, atomic number or elemental composition, while applicable to explosives detection, are not appropriate for this solicitation because the measurements do not confirm the presence of specific crystal structures or molecular compounds. In addition to obtaining the explosive signatures, offerors should pay particular attention to addressing the practical aspects of explosives detection in airport environments, such as device size, cost, complexity and reliability and maintainability. The FAA strongly recommends that prospective offerors submit the White Paper before undertaking any further efforts toward preparation of a proposal. Within 60 days after receipt of the White Paper, the FAA will determine if it is interested in the research described. The FAA will accept White Papers submitted under this TCBAA for eight (8) months from the date this announcement appears in the Commerce Business Daily. Following notification that the determination has been completed, offerors may choose to submit a proposal. (Phase II, also see FAA Guide for BAA proposal preparation below) The technical proposal shall not exceed eighty (80) double spaced typed pages using 8 1/2'' X 11'' size paper. (See FAA Guide for preparing proposals in response to this BAA) The proposal must include an outline, a discussion of the nature and scope of the research, the method and technical approach, and the expected results of the proposed effort. Information must also be provided on prior experience in the proposed area of research, available facilities and resources, the resumes of key participants and identification of the principal investigator. The offeror must identify any material in the proposal, (including computer software), which the offeror considers to be proprietary, and which the offeror intends to deliver with less-than-unlimited rights. (Please see Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 27) Proposals received will be selected for negotiation based on technical considerations, importance and relevance to FAA programs, and availability of funds. In evaluation of proposals, technical considerations are more important than cost. Technical considerations involve the following technical evaluation criteria, which are listed in descending order of importance: A. Technical merit - The proposal will be evaluated on the following points: 1. Practicality, 2. Novelty of approach, 3. Substantiation by calculations, specifications, test data, etc., of method of approach, 4. Research of prior methods leading to choice of method of approach, 5. Depth of research involved in choice of method, 6. Perception of the needs and purpose of the solicitation as demonstrated through a knowledge and understanding of current research being performed in this area, past studies, existing literature, and both the clarity and practicality of the offeror's proposed objectives. The reason for choosing the proposed method should be documented as well as the reason(s) for rejecting any methods that were considered but not chosen, B. Professional talent, experience, and corporate capability - Key evaluation areas are: 1. qualification and experience of project leader and/or principal investigator, 2. qualification and experience of technical staff members, 3. project experience and previous performance of company or organization, 4. management commitment of adequate and quality resources, 5. demonstrated recent successful experience in managing similar or related work that is comparable in technical and financial complexity, C. Equipment and facilities - The availability of, or the ability to obtain the necessary equipment and facilities to perform this effort, D. Management plan and project scheduling - the proposal shall provide a realistic plan for accomplishing the effort of the proposal within the proposed time goals. The plan shall contain a detailed statement of work delineating the work to be accomplished by task area. The statement of work shall be organized in a logical fashion with clearly defined technical and management goals, milestones and deliverables. The plan shall contain a discussion of the approach to bringing the proposed technology through the development process to the commercial marketplace. Key evaluation criteria are the reasonableness, detail and completeness of: 1. statement of work, 2. project schedule, 3. management approach, E. Technical risk/Mission Relevance - The proposal shall contain a discussion of the anticipated technical, cost and management risks associated with the proposed technology and methods to minimize such risks. The proposal shall also include a discussion on the anticipated benefits of the proposed technology to the FAA, commercial aviation and other relevant parties, with emphasis on the cost benefits of improving aviation security as compared to existing methods and costs of security. Proposals will be evaluated by a peer or scientific review process using evaluation factors set forth herein. The FAA reserves the right to use non-Government personnel to conduct this review. Proposed costs for the effort will be considered, but the technical criteria are more important than cost. Proposals must provide a realistically achievable program approach for satisfying the requirements of the FAA and should be appropriately scoped in order to qualify for award. The government reserves the right to select for award any, all, a part thereof, or none of the proposals received in response to this announcement. Contract award will be based on technical considerations, cost, importance and relevance to FAA programs, and availability of funds. All correspondence regarding this Broad Agency Announcement must reference the BAA number, and should be addressed to: FAA Technical Center, TCBAA-95-001 Secretary, AAR-520, Atlantic City International Airport, NJ 08405. A package providing background material, FAA Guide for preparing responses to a BAA, instruction for the preparation of the cost proposal, plus the required certifications and representations, will be provided on written request to the above address. This BAA is open and effective for twelve (12) months from the date of this announcement or until it is cancelled or withdrawn. Proposals will only be accepted for review if they are received by the Government no later than twelve (12) months from the date the BAA appears in the Commerce Businiess Daily. Offerors are cautioned that only Contracting Officers may actually commit the Government, and that commitments must be received in written form. No verbal explanations or clarification obtained from the above referenced individuals can change the substance and intent of this BAA, or contractually bind the Government. The terms and conditions of this BAA cannot be changed and the BAA cannot be cancelled prior to its expiration, except through publication of an appropriate announcement in the CBD. There will be no other formal Request For Proposal or Solicitation regarding this Broad Agency Announcement. The Government will not pay any proposal preparation costs as a direct expense. The Government will accept a proposal and award a contract within 180 days from receipt of the proposal. Cost and Cost Plus Fixed Fee type contracts are anticipated in response to work to be performed under this BAA. The research and development accomplished under this type of acquisition should be used to advance the state-of-the-art and should meet one of the following criteria: a. It should be directed toward increasing scientific knowledge. The primary aim should be to further knowledge or understanding of the subject; or b. It may attempt to exploit potential scientific discoveries or improvements in technology, materials, processes, methods, or techniques. Interested offerors should contact TCBAA-95-001 Secretary, AAR-520, in writing to obtain a copy of the FAA Guide for responding to BAA Research Proposals before preparation (Phase II) is initiated since the guide contains critical background information necessary for white paper and proposal preparation. Offerors are encouraged to contact Dr. Curtis J. Bell, 609-485-6639, or Dr. Ronald Krauss, 609-485-6836 for technical information, Mr. Frank Kosker, 609-485-6911 for contractual information, and Dr. Shiu M. Cheung, 609-485-5664, or Mr. B. Michael Smith, 609-485-6181 for general information regarding the BAA process. (0094)

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