Directed Energy Technology Experimentation Research (DETER) Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) Open Announcement

ADVANCED RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT (ARA) FA9451-21-S-0001 Directed Energy Technology Experimentation Research (DETER) Air Force Research Laboratory/Directed Energy Directorate NAICS Code: The NAICS Code for this acquisition is 541715 for Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology), and the small business size standard is 1,000 employees Federal Agency Name: Air Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy, Phillips Research Site, Kirtland AFB NM (AFRL/RD) ARA Title: Directed Energy Technology Experimentation Research Announcement (DETER) ARA Type: This is an Open ARA with Calls; initial announcement ARA Number: FA9451-21-S-0001 Program Summary: This is an Open ARA announcement pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C. §4023 (formerly 10 U.S.C. §2373). AFRL/RD is interested in receiving white papers and proposals through a Two-Step Process to perform research and development (R&D), modeling and simulation (M&S), design, component/subsystem, prototype risk reduction, fabrication/purchase, assembly, integration, and testing of directed energy source components (to include spares and alternate component technologies), and/or systems and any required accessories, materials, and supplies for laboratory research and experimentation and field trials in a relevant environment to demonstrate system capabilities. Dialogue between prospective Offerors and Government representatives is strongly encouraged. *Note: AFRL/RD reserves the right to collapse a white paper/Two-Step into a One-Step if the situation warrants the white paper contains sufficient technical detail to do full technical proposal evaluation instead of white paper evaluation. *Please see the attached DETER Industry User Guide for guidance on definitions, processes, submission requirements and evaluation criteria.* Background: AFRL/RD equips the joint warfighter with next-generation technologies, advanced concepts, and weapon system options across all operational domains to become more agile and increase the commercialization potential of directed energy investments to ensure the National defense. This solicitation intends to use acquisition authorities provided by 10 U.S.C. §4023 (formerly 10 U.S.C. §2373). This authority applies to acquisition of items related to “…buy demonstrations, prototypes, products, supplies, parts, accessories, auxiliary services, and design for products or services, that the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary concerned considers necessary for experimental or test purposes in the development of the best supplies that are needed for the national defense.” Consequently, white papers and proposals should address how the proposed effort provides benefits to the national defense and a strategy for verifying those intended benefits. The proposed solutions should be innovative and substantially improve national defense capabilities across the domains of directed energy. While the Government describes discrete topic areas below, it also anticipates that certain comprehensive technology solutions and prototypes may require multidiscipline approaches that address two or more topic areas. The topic areas are covered under this announcement, which may be used in any combination. The Government reserves the right to add, delete or modify the topic areas as necessary. Communication between Prospective Offerors and Government Representatives: Dialogue between prospective Offerors and Government representatives is strongly encouraged throughout the life of this ARA. However, communication will be limited once full-proposals are submitted for evaluation/review. Prospective Offerors are welcome to request sit-downs and provide demonstrations of their capabilities. Discussions shall not constitute a commitment by the Government to subsequently fund or award any proposed effort. No guidance related to technical approach will be given. However, questions related to the objectives of the effort or prior similar efforts may be answered. Offerors are advised that only Contracting Officers are legally authorized to contractually bind or otherwise commit the Government. THIS WILL BE A HYBRID ANNOUNCEMENT: This announcement has an open request for white papers as described below. Calls may be issued under this announcement for discrete requirements. Call types can vary and may include, but are not limited to, One-Step, Two-Step, Open, Closed, Staggered, Limited Calls or any combination therein. AFRL/RD reserves the right to collapse a white paper/Two-Step into a One-Step if the situation warrants the white paper contains sufficient technical detail to do full technical proposal evaluation instead of white paper evaluation. Open Announcement Request: AFRL/RD Kirtland Air Force Base is soliciting white papers on the research effort described in the below topic areas pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C. §4023 (formerly 10 U.S.C. §2373), Procurement for Experimental Purposes. Open Announcement Submission: White papers must be submitted to https://usg.valideval.com/teams/DETER/signup. If it is determined that a classified white paper is required, please DO NOT DELIVER any classified portion of the white paper, but rather contact the DETER Org Mailbox for specific delivery instructions. Further instructions for white paper submission can be found in the DETER Industry User Guide attached to this announcement. Call Request: Calls, other than Limited Calls, will be issued under this announcement via the Government Point of Entry (GPE) at https://beta.sam.gov. Notification of Calls may be announced on other platforms (i.e. www.grants.gov) and will direct Offerors to the GPE for full solicitation details. Call Submission: Submission requirements for Calls will be specified in the solicitation documentation of each Call. Call Variations: Variations of the ARA Call process are available for use. The following types are commonly used, but are not considered all inclusive. One-Step: The one-step process is used to request full technical and cost proposals from each Offeror. The proposals are reviewed in accordance with the solicitation criteria and typically all of a selected proposal, part of a selected proposal, or none of the proposals may be selected for award. Two-Step: The two-step process is sometimes used when a large number of proposals are anticipated. Potential Offerors are invited to submit brief descriptive white papers in lieu of full proposals. The Call must state whether an unfavorable white paper review will bar the Offeror from further consideration. The Government may retain unselected white papers for a specific period of time, which will be identified in the solicitation. Full proposals are requested from those Offerors selected in the white paper review process. After proposals are received, they are reviewed consistent with the process for one-step ARAs. Open Call: This approach allows for white paper and/or proposal submittals at any time within a specified period. Open calls will be updated no less frequently than annually. White papers/proposals are reviewed when received during the period that the ARA is open. Closed Call: This approach allows for white paper and/or proposal submittals at a specified date and time as set forth in the ARA. Staggered-Closed Call: The staggered-closed Call states a specified date and time for receipt of proposals or white papers, but also allows for proposals/white papers after the date and time set for proposal receipt. All Offerors should be cautioned, however, that the likelihood of funding proposals received after the specified date and time is substantially reduced. Limited Call: This approach allows for solicitation to a limited group of potential offerors. Request for Proposals (RFP) or Requests for white papers will be issued directly to potential offerors without a requirement to publish to the GPE. The Government may issue solicitations that combine one or more of the above approaches. Open Announcement Modifications: Due to the dynamically evolving nature of US warfighter directed energy needs, this announcement is subject to updates, revisions, or additional topic areas. Therefore, Offerors are highly encouraged to continually monitor https://beta.sam.gov to ensure they receive the latest guidance for this announcement. The Government shall provide updates to this announcement no less than annually. Updates may include changes to: topic areas, submission requirements, administrative changes, evaluation criteria, solicitation methods, etc. (not an inclusive list). Type of Contract/Instrument: The Air Force reserves the right to award the instrument best suited to the nature of the research proposed. Accordingly, the Government may award any appropriate contract/instrument type under the authorities below: Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 10 U.S.C. §4021 (formerly 10 U.S.C. §2371) "Other Transaction for Research 10 U.S.C. §4022 (formerly 10 U.S.C. §2371b) "Other Transaction for Prototype" 10 U.S.C. §4023 (formerly 10 U.S.C. §2373) "Procurement for Experimental Purposes" 10 U.S.C. §4025 (formerly 10 U.S.C. §2374) "Prize Competitions" DoD Grant and Agreement Regulation (DoDGARS) The Government anticipates that a mix of contract/instrument types will be used throughout the life of this ARA. Generally, awards under this announcement or any Calls may be Cost-Plus-Fixed Fee (Completion and Term), Cost Contract, Firm Fixed Price, Other Transaction Authority, etc. NOTE: If proposing a Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) type contract, the FAR clauses will be referenced at the Call level or within the Request for Proposal. The FAR and supplement provisions and clauses are incorporated by reference. The full text of these provisions and clauses can be found at https://www.acquisition.gov. If proposing an assistance instrument (grants or cooperative agreements) then articles and guidance found under DoDGARS, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and OMB/DoD Policy shall be used and followed as appropriate. If proposing an Other Transaction (OT) these FAR references and clauses would not apply. The terms and conditions of an OT agreement should be developed and negotiated on a case-by-case basis. Estimated Program Cost: The overarching announcement has an unrestricted ceiling. However, individual Calls may elect to provide an estimated program value or funding profile for planning purposes. Anticipated Number of Awards: The Air Force anticipates awarding multiple awards for this announcement. However, the Air Force reserves the right to award zero, one, or more agreements, other transactions, or contracts for all, some or none of the solicited effort based on the Offeror’s ability to perform desired work and funding availability. There is no limit on the number of awards that may be made to an individual Offeror. Schedule: The anticipated period of performance will be determined through dialogue between prospective Offerors and Government representatives for each topic area and specified in each individual award. Deliverables: Hardware and software deliverables will be specified within a separately priced line items and data deliverables will be specified on individual CDRL(s) in any resultant contract or an OT article. Within Scope Award Modifications: Offerors are advised that due to the inherent uncertainty of research and development efforts, awards resulting from this announcement may be modified during performance to make within scope changes, to include but not limited to, modifications which increase overall contract/award ceiling amount. System for Award Management (SAM) Registration: Before the Government can issue an award, an Offeror must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM). If an Offeror was previously registered in Central Contractor Registration (CCR), the information has been transferred to SAM. However, it is in the Offeror’s interest to visit SAM and ensure that all of thei