Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), Contracts Management Office (CMO), 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714

A -- ULTRA-LIGHT WEIGHT METALLIC STRUCTURAL METALS SOL BAA95-43 DUE 111795 POC Dr. C. Robert Crowe, ARPA/DSO, FAX: (703)696-2201. The Advanced Research Projects Agency is interested in receiving proposals to establish feasibility and develop advanced ultra-light weight structural metals. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES AND DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this announcement is to solicit new materials and fabrication low cost, ultra-lightweight metallic structural metals suitable for incorporating into aerospace structures. Goals are weight savings and flexural stiffness increases of 50% relative to monolithic metallic structures and cost savings of 50% relative to current honeycomb structures. Processes to develop low cost porous or foamed metals (e.g. low density porous or foamed beryllium, aluminum, titanium, and superalloy materials) are of interest, as well as development of sandwich shaping, joining, and other secondary processes for fabrication of low density panels. Projects should culminate in structural panel demonstrations and economic analyses. ARPA plans a total program of 24 months in duration and has budgeted approximately $9M in funding. Multiple awards are expected. Vertically integrated collaborative efforts or teaming arrangements among original equipment manufacturers, component suppliers, and material suppliers are suggested. An integrated product development approach is STRONGLY ENCOURAGED. Efforts will be selected on the basis of best value to the government, therefore, cost sharing will increase the attractiveness of proposals. Original equipment manufacturers, systems houses, and materials suppliers should be linked in vertically integrated arrangements for execution of the technical portions of the program. GENERAL INFORMATION: This CBD notice itself constitutes the Broad Agency Announcement as contemplated by FAR 6.102 (d) (2). A formal RFP or other solicitation regarding this announcement will not be issued. Requests for same will be disregarded. Evaluation and selection of proposals for award will be made to those offerors whose proposal is considered most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. All responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government's needs may submit proposals which will be evluated if received by the closing date. Because of the technical breadth implied in this solicitation and hardware demonstration required, no portion of this BAA will be set aside for HBCU and MI participation. However these organizations are encouraged to apply. EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS - Evaluation of proposals will be accomplished using a technical review process in which each proposal will be ranked using the following criteria, listed in descending order of relative importance: (1) potential technical and scientific merit of the proposed program, (2) impact of the successful development on the performance of fabricated structures, (3) offeror's capabilities and recent related experience, including personnel, facilities, equipment, and data, and (4) realism of cost and quality of cost share, if offered. Cash, including IRAD, is more compelling than in-kind contributions. Previous investments and ''sunk-cost'' is not eligible cost share. The government reserves the right to select for award all, some, or none of the proposals received. Proposal Format - Ten hard copies must be submitted, each 8.5 by 11 inches. Pages should single sided, have 1.25-inch margins, and a font size not smaller than 12 pitch. The address and point of contact for the response should be clearly and prominently identified in the proposal. Non-conforming proposals may be rejected without review. Proposals shall consist of two volumes, a technical volume and a cost volume. The first page of both the technical and cost volumes should clearly indicate the title, the prime and subcontractors or partnership members proposed, the principal investigator name, phone number, and fax number, period of performance, and first year and total cost of the effort. Volume 1 of submitted proposals shall include an Executive Summary, a Program Description, a Program Plan, a Statement of Work, a Milestone Chart, a Facilities and Equipment description, a description of Relevant Prior Work, a Management Plan, and Resumes of Key Individuals. The page count of Volume 1 shall be limited to a maximum of 40 pages, which includes all figures, references, tables, and charts. Volume 2 of submitted proposals shall contain a summary cost breakdown and a detailed cost breakdown. The summary breakdown should be shown to the level of major tasks and should indicate manpower levels of effort, equipment and supplies, travel, and miscellaneous expenses or the tasks of the entire program, broken out by performer and time. Details of the cost sharing to be undertaken by the offerer must be included in the summary section of volume 2 of the proposal. The summary shall be no longer than 6 pages, but the detailed cost breakdown is not limited in page count. All proposals are due by 4:00 pm, 17 November 1995. Within approximately seven (7) business days of receipt, ARPA will acknowledge receipt of the submission and assign a control number that should be used in all further correspondence regarding the proposal. Technical POC is Dr. C. Robert Crowe. All questions concerning this BAA should be submitted in writing to the technical POC at the address above or transmitted by FAX: (703) 696-2201 or by e-mail at: bcrowe@arpa.mil. (0251)

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