TACTICAL Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)
ID: FA9451-24-S-0001Type: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
Overview

Buyer

DEPT OF DEFENSEDEPT OF THE AIR FORCEFA9451 AFRL RDKKIRTLAND AFB, NM, 87117, USA

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715)

PSC

NATIONAL DEFENSE R&D SERVICES; DEFENSE-RELATED ACTIVITIES; APPLIED RESEARCH (AC32)
Timeline
    Description

    Combined Synopsis/Solicitation DEPT OF DEFENSE DEPT OF THE AIR FORCE

    This federal procurement notice is for a TACTICAL Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) issued by the DEPT OF DEFENSE, specifically the DEPT OF THE AIR FORCE. The BAA is being conducted by the Air Force Research Laboratory Directed Energy Directorate.

    The purpose of this BAA is to solicit proposals for research and development services in the field of Directed Energy. The NAICS Code for this acquisition is 541715 for Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. The small business size standard is 1,000 employees.

    The BAA is a five-year announcement that allows for proposal submittals at specified dates and times. Calls will be issued against this BAA to request proposals for specific research efforts. The Calls will contain detailed descriptions of the research effort, anticipated period of performance, and estimated funding profile.

    Proposals should not be submitted against this overarching BAA. Proposal due dates and times will be specified in each Call announcement. It is important to note that strict security procedures are in place at the installation, and proposals received after the due date and time due to security delays will be considered late.

    This acquisition is unrestricted and will be awarded through a competitive selection process. The Air Force reserves the right to award any appropriate contract type under the Federal Acquisition Regulation. The anticipated funding for the program is $499M over five years.

    The Air Force anticipates awarding a minimum of one contract per specific Call, but reserves the right to make multiple awards or no awards. Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) before a contract can be awarded.

    For more information and specific contracting points of contact, please refer to the full text of the announcement.

    Overall, this federal procurement notice is seeking research and development services in the field of Directed Energy. The Air Force Research Laboratory Directed Energy Directorate is looking for proposals to address specific research efforts in this area. The anticipated funding for the program is $499M over five years. Interested offerors must be registered in SAM before a contract can be awarded.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    The AFRL Standard ROM Cost Proposal outlines the format for submitting cost proposals, detailing various cost categories such as Direct Labor, Indirect Costs, and Profit/Fee rates over a five-year period. It emphasizes the need for proposers to fill in applicable costs in designated areas and provides examples of Other Direct Costs. The document serves as a tool for the government to analyze proposed costs efficiently and expedite the negotiation process if proposals are selected for award.
    The AFRL Standard ROM Cost Proposal outlines the required cost categories, including direct labor, indirect costs, and profit/fee, over a five fiscal year period without providing specific monetary values. It serves as a structured spreadsheet for proposers to input applicable costs and rates, aiding the government in rapid cost analysis and facilitating efficient negotiations if the proposal is selected. Additional instructions highlight the types of costs to be included, such as other direct costs like travel and shipping.
    The document outlines the requirements for preparing cost proposals for government contracts, emphasizing the need for thorough supporting data, adherence to regulations, and the use of provided spreadsheets for task-specific cost breakdowns across various phases. Proposals must include detailed explanations of costs, including direct labor, overhead, subcontractor expenses, and other direct costs, along with necessary documentation like quotes or agreements, to demonstrate cost reasonableness and allowability. Additionally, it addresses compliance with federal acquisition regulations regarding profit and subcontractor cost analysis, ensuring transparency and accountability in the proposal submission process.
    The document outlines detailed instructions and requirements for proposers submitting cost proposals for government contracts, emphasizing the need for comprehensive supporting data and adherence to specific formatting. It specifies that all proposed costs must be justified, categorized, and properly documented, including direct labor, overhead costs, subcontracting, and other direct costs, with strict guidelines for fiscal year definitions and cost breakdowns. The spreadsheet serves as a tool for rapid cost analysis and ensures that the total costs from all worksheets align with the overall proposal submission.
    The document requires Adobe Reader version 8 or higher for access. If you do not have Adobe Reader installed or your viewing environment is misconfigured, you may experience issues. Instructions for installation and configuration can be found at the provided Adobe link.
    The document contains a message indicating that the current PDF viewer may not be able to display its contents and prompts the user to upgrade to the latest version of Adobe Reader. It also provides links for assistance with Adobe Reader and includes trademark notices for Windows, Mac, and Linux. There is no substantive content provided in the document itself.
    The document appears to be a message informing users that the contents are not displaying properly and suggests upgrading to the latest version of Adobe Reader for proper viewing. It also provides links for assistance with Adobe Reader and mentions trademark registrations for various operating systems. No substantive content from the original document is present.
    The Security Program Questionnaire is designed to assess the security measures of institutions receiving research funding by collecting detailed information on their physical and information security practices. It includes inquiries related to data storage, handling, disposal, reproduction, personnel access safeguards, cybersecurity, and processes to mitigate insider threats, along with a commitment to provide annual training. This document aims to ensure compliance with security requirements and protect sensitive information throughout the research effort.
    The Security Program Questionnaire is designed to evaluate the security measures and practices of institutions receiving research funding, focusing on physical and information security, data storage, transmission, destruction, and access safeguards. It requires detailed responses from contractors/recipients regarding their security protocols and readiness to provide training on S&T Protection. The information gathered is reviewed by the S&T Protection Lead to assess compliance and identify potential security vulnerabilities.
    The document is an Executive Summary (ES) review under the FA9451-24-S-0001 Tactical Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for the Air Force. The ES was assessed based on eight technical factors, but ultimately received a total score of zero, leading to disqualification due to failing to meet the required minimum score. The review process involved multiple technical personnel and a Contracting Officer's approval for assessment validation.
    The Executive Summary submitted under the FA9451-24-S-0001 TACTICAL BAA was thoroughly reviewed against eight technical factors, necessitating a minimum score of 18 points for inclusion in the Topic Area Group. Unfortunately, the submission received a total score of 0 points, indicating disqualification due to not meeting any of the technical qualifications. The review was completed by multiple technical personnel and required approvals from designated officials within the Air Force Research Laboratory.
    The U.S. Air Force's Tactical Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) FA9451-24-S-0001 briefing provides an overview of funding opportunities for innovative research and development related to directed energy technologies. Key elements include the structure of awards, eligible entities, evaluation criteria, and the submission process for proposals, emphasizing a streamlined approach for FAR-based awards. Offerors are encouraged to monitor SAM.gov for updates and specific solicitation announcements.
    The U.S. Air Force's Tactical Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) FA9451-24-S-0001 briefing provides an overview of funding opportunities, acquisition strategies, and evaluation processes related to directed energy research and development. It outlines various award types, the submission process for proposals and white papers, and the importance of monitoring updates on SAM.gov. Additionally, it emphasizes the evaluation criteria focusing on technical merit, relevance to AFRL programs, and value/cost considerations.
    As of March 28, 2024, the TACTICAL Topic Area Group (TAG) includes 14 specific areas focusing on laser technologies, aerospace effects, modeling and simulation, satellite characterization, and more. Key members across these areas include Arete Associates, Northrop Grumman, Ball Aerospace, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon, listed with their respective CAGE codes. The TAG aims to collaborate on advancements in military and aerospace applications through a diverse set of technological expertise.
    The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has issued BAA FA9451-24-S-0001, a five-year announcement inviting proposals for research into directed energy technologies, with focused areas including laser systems, modeling, simulation, and performance assessments. The BAA is intended for unrestricted competition, with proposals due as specified in individual Calls posted on SAM.gov. Anticipated funding totals $499 million across five years, and submissions must align with strict security and regulatory requirements, including registration in the System for Award Management (SAM).
    The Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) FA9451-24-S-0001, issued by the Air Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy Directorate, outlines a five-year program focused on advancing directed energy technologies, primarily laser systems. This unrestricted solicitation invites proposals through Calls that will be published periodically, emphasizing innovative solutions that enhance national defense capabilities across various specified topic areas. The program anticipates a total funding of approximately $499 million over five fiscal years, with proposal submission details varying by Call, and all interested parties encouraged to monitor SAM for updates and announcements.
    The Air Force Research Laboratory's Directed Energy Directorate has issued Broad Agency Announcement FA9451-24-S-0001, seeking proposals for innovative research in directed energy technologies over a five-year period. This unrestricted approach invites proposals in various topic areas, which will be requested through specific Calls, with an estimated total funding of $499 million for the fiscal years 2024-2028. Offerors must monitor the System for Award Management (SAM) for updates, and submissions must align with federal acquisition regulations.
    The TACTICAL Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) provides guidance on the submission process for research and development proposals, emphasizing the importance of creative solutions and competition in accordance with federal regulations. It outlines various BAA call variations, submission preparation requirements, communication protocols, and evaluation criteria for proposals and white papers. The document serves to facilitate effective collaboration between the government and industry to advance directed energy capabilities while ensuring compliance with legal and procedural norms.
    Lifecycle
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    Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
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