SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- Capabilities for Cyber Resiliency
- Notice Date
- 6/16/2015
- Notice Type
- Presolicitation
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AFRL/RIK - Rome, 26 Electronic Parkway, Rome, New York, 13441-4514, United States
- ZIP Code
- 13441-4514
- Solicitation Number
- BAA-AFRL-RIK-2015-0016
- Point of Contact
- Gail E. Marsh, Phone: 315-330-7518
- E-Mail Address
-
Gail.Marsh@us.af.mil
(Gail.Marsh@us.af.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- NAICS CODE: 541712 FEDERAL AGENCY NAME: Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AFRL - Rome Research Site, AFRL/Information Directorate, 26 Electronic Parkway, Rome, NY, 13441-4514 TITLE: Capabilities for Cyber Resiliency ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Initial announcement FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: BAA-AFRL-RIK-2015-0016 CFDA Number: 12.800 and 12.910 I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION: This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is a contracting tool directly responsive to Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) cyber science & technology (S&T) strategic goals and will address needs that are "right-of-the-threat". AFRL is looking to procure solutions for to allow the AF mission to continue during or after an attack. To support these strategic goals, this BAA seeks to procure capabilities for survivability, cloud architectures/security, secure computer/processor architectures, virtualization security, next generation BIOS Security, and cyber visualization. These capabilities may include but are not limited to novel protocols, cyber technology evaluation techniques, cyber data mining/understanding, and cyber modeling, simulation, and measurement. Other applicable areas of technology include, but are not limited to, advancing the state of the art in mobile security and privacy. Proposed work should support current and/or anticipated Air Force application of these devices in critical core mission areas, as well as less demanding environments such as office automation and bring-your-own-device (BYOD) scenarios. White papers should address security and privacy in the context of Cyber Resiliency in order to have the most favorable consideration under this BAA. NOTE: White Papers for the above will be accepted over the life of this BAA. FY16 - FY18 SPECIFIC FOCUS AREA: AUTONOMOUS DEFENSIVE CYBER OPERATIONS Background: The Air Force executes cyber defensive operations that happen in real time at computer speeds. Many defensive operations can be automated; for a given input a prescribed output can be generated and many current technologies address automation of cyber defensive operations. There are still many areas where complex thought, decision-making, and understanding are required to effectively perform cyber defensive operations. Currently these decisions are made primarily by human operators. Precluding areas where human-in-the-loop decision-making is required by statute or policy, this area will seek to identify these decisions points, implement machine-learning and other artificial intelligence technologies, and deliver capabilities for semi-autonomous cyber defensive operations. Objective: Maximize the use of autonomous systems in full spectrum, integrated cyber defensive operations. Identify decision points within current cyber defensive operations that could potentially be guided by autonomous systems. Develop machine learning algorithms or other artificial intelligence technologies that can assist in decisions to support cyber defensive operations. Develop integrated, proofs-of-concept for semi-autonomous cyber defensive operations. AFRL seeks ideas and concepts in the following thrust areas: 1. Identification of complex decision-making components of cyber defensive operations that could be assisted by autonomous systems. 2. Development of machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies that lend themselves to cyber defensive operations decision-making support. 3. Integrated proofs-of-concept for cyber defensive operations that leverage autonomous decision-making capabilities. Questions regarding this focus area can be directed to: John Marx (315) 330-3625 John.marx.2@us.af.mil FY17-19 SPECIFIC FOCUS AREA: EMBEDDED SYSTEM RESILIENCE AND AGILITY Background: Technology trends and growth indicate a highly interconnected environment with an increasing reliance on system autonomy and embedded systems. Embedded systems may be viewed as an electronic device that contains a microprocessor (one or more), along with purpose-built software to perform specific functions within a larger community. Embedded system software, data, and memory often contain high-value information and control key assets. With this level of criticality, security provisions are crucial across the full-spectrum of embedded systems. Embedded systems require dedicated effort to infuse strong security and time-critical performance with limited resources and storage constraints. Within many applications, embedded systems are employed within platforms which are vulnerable to intentional or unintentional hazards or attacks. Any event, intentional or not, may compromise the reliability of a system and become a mission critical security threat. Objective: To research and demonstrate preemptive and proactive defense approaches, along with reactive techniques protecting assets, key functions, and data through recovery and adaptation. The focus of this research is protection of resources vice networking. The embedded system solution may include hardware, software, and advanced techniques to protect critical assets against cyber threat vectors either onboard or from external vectors. One specific use case for this focus area is the command and control of Unmanned Aerial Systems. Additionally, embedded systems must support real-time, guaranteed performance in safety and security-critical applications. Within cyber-physical systems, the joint behavior of the "cyber" and "physical" elements of the system is critical-computing, control, sensing, and networking are deeply integrated into every component, and the actions of components and systems must be carefully orchestrated, tested, and verified. Thus, system testing will be critical. Questions regarding this focus area can be directed to: Douglas Schafer (315) 330-4323 douglas.schafer.6@us.af.mil NOTE: The POC for each focus area is provided for QUESTIONS ONLY. See Section IV Paragraph 2 for submission details. II. AWARD INFORMATION: 1. FUNDING: Total funding for this BAA is approximately $49M. The anticipated funding to be obligated under this BAA is broken out by fiscal year as follows: FY15 - $1M*; FY16 - $11M; FY17 - $11M; FY18 - $11M; FY19 - $8M; and FY20 - $7M. Individual awards will not normally exceed 36 months with dollar amounts normally ranging between $200K to $3M per year. There is also the potential to make awards up to any dollar value. * NOTE: Some funding has been set aside in FY15, however it is more likely that any awards will be made starting in FY16. The Government reserves the right to select all, part, or none of the proposals received, subject to the availability of funds. All potential Offerors should be aware that due to unanticipated budget fluctuations, funding in any or all areas may change with little or no notice. 2. FORM: Awards of efforts as a result of this announcement will be in the form of contracts, grants, cooperative agreements or other transactions (OT); both OTs for prototype and research will be considered depending upon the nature of the work proposed. 3. BAA TYPE: This is a two-step open broad agency announcement. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation. As STEP ONE - We are only soliciting white papers at this time. DO NOT SUBMIT A FORMAL PROPOSAL. Those white papers found to be consistent with the intent of this BAA may be invited to submit a technical and cost proposal, see Section VI of this announcement for further details regarding the proposal. III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION: All qualified offerors who meet the requirements of this BAA may apply. This BAA is closed to foreign participation at the Prime Contractor level. Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence (FOCI) companies who have mitigated FOCI may inquire as to eligibility by contacting the contracting office focal point, Gail E. Marsh, Contracting Officer, telephone (315) 330-7518 or e-mail Gail.Marsh@us.af.mil for verification prior to submitting a white paper. Please reference BAA-AFRL-RIK-2015-0016. IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION: All responses to this announcement must be addressed to the Technical point of contact (POC) listed in SECTION VII. DO NOT send white papers to the Contracting Officer. 1. SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES: While white papers will be accepted over the life of this BAA, it is recommended that they be received by the following dates to maximize the possibility of award: FY16 by 31 Jul 2015 FY17 by 15 Jun 2016 FY18 by 15 Jun 2017 FY19 by 15 Jun 2018 FY20 by 14 Jun 2019 White papers will be accepted until 2pm Eastern time on 30 Sep 2020, but it is less likely that funding will be available in each respective fiscal year after the dates cited. This BAA will close on 30 Sep 2020. All offerors submitting white papers will be contacted by the technical POC, referenced in Section VII of this announcement. Offerors can email the technical POC for status of their white paper/proposal but it is requested that this be no earlier than 45 days after submission. 2. CONTENT AND FORMAT: Offerors are required to submit a 4 to 5 page white paper summarizing their proposed approach/solution. The purpose of the white paper is to preclude unwarranted effort on the part of an offeror whose proposed work is not of interest to the Government. The white paper will be formatted as follows: a. Section A : Title, Period of Performance, Estimated Cost, Name/Address of Company, Technical and Contracting Points of Contact (phone, fax and email)(this section is NOT included in the page count); b. Section B : Task Objective; and c. Section C : Technical Summary and Proposed Deliverables. All white papers/proposals shall be double spaced with a font no smaller than 12 point. In addition, respondents are requested to provide their Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) number, their Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, a fax number, an e-mail address, and reference BAA-AFRL-RIK-2015-0016 with their submission. Multiple white papers within the purview of this announcement may be submitted by each offeror. If the offeror wishes to restrict its white papers/proposals, they must be marked with the restrictive language stated in FAR 15.609(a) and (b). 3. HANDLING AND MAILING INSTRUCTIONS: a. CLASSIFICATION GUIDANCE. All Proposers should review the NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL SECURITY PROGRAM OPERATING MANUAL, (NISPOM), dated February 28, 2006 as it provides baseline standards for the protection of classified information and prescribes the requirements concerning Contractor Developed Information under paragraph 4-105. Defense Security Service (DSS) Site for the NISPOM is: http://www.dss.mil/. In the event of a possible or actual compromise of classified information in the submission of your white paper or proposal, immediately but no later than 24 hours, bring this to the attention of your cognizant security authority and AFRL Rome Research Site Information Protection Office (IPO): Vincent Guza 315-330-4048 0730-1630 Monday-Friday 315-330-2961 Evenings and Weekends Email: vincent.guza@us.af.mil b. CLASSIFIED SUBMISSIONS. AFRL/RIGA will accept classified responses to this BAA when the classification is mandated by classification guidance provided by an Original Classification Authority of the U.S. Government, or when the offeror believes the work, if successful, would merit classification. Security classification guidance in the form of a DD Form 254 (DoD Contract Security Classification Specification) will not be provided at this time since AFRL is soliciting ideas only. Offerors that intend to include classified information or data in their white paper submission or who are unsure about the appropriate classification of their white papers should contact the technical point of contact listed in Section VII for guidance and direction in advance of preparation. c. MAILING INSTRUCTIONS. 1) Unclassified electronic submissions to the TPOC at afrl.riga.baa@us.af.mil will be accepted. Encrypt or password-protect all proprietary information prior to sending. Offerors are responsible to confirm receipt with the technical POC listed in Section VII. AFRL is not responsible of undelivered documents. 2) All classified responses to this announcement must be sent U.S. Postal Service, registered mail and addressed to AFRL/RIGA, 525 Brooks Road, Rome NY 13441-4505, and reference BAA-AFRL-RIK-2015-0016. Use classification and marking guidance provided by previously issued security classification guides, the Information Security Regulation (DoD 5200.1-R), and the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (DoD 5220.22-M) when marking and transmitting information previously classified by another original classification authority. Classified information at the Confidential and Secret level may be mailed via U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Registered Mail. For proposals of higher classification levels or for alternate submission mechanisms please contact the technical POC listed in Section VII. When mailing, ensure the response is appropriately marked, sealed, and mailed in accordance with the classified material handling procedures. The classified mailing address is: Ref: BAA-AFRL-RIK-2015-0016 AFRL/RIGA 525 Brooks Road Rome NY 13441-4505 Questions can be directed to the technical POC listed in Section VII. 4. OTHER SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS/CONSIDERATIONS: a. COST SHARING OR MATCHING: Cost sharing is not a requirement. b. SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (SAM). Offerors must be registered in the SAM database to receive a contract award, and remain registered during performance and through final payment of any contract or agreement. Processing time for registration in SAM, which normally takes forty-eight hours, should be taken into consideration when registering. Offerors who are not already registered should consider applying for registration before submitting a proposal. The provision at FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management (Jul 2013) applies. c. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND FIRST-TIER SUBCONTRACT/ SUBRECIPIENT AWARDS: Any contract award resulting from this announcement may contain the clause at FAR 52.204-10 - Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards. Any grant or agreement award resulting from this announcement may contain the award term set forth in 2 CFR, Appendix A to Part 25 which can be viewed at: http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=c55a4687d6faa13b137a26d0eb436edb&rgn=div5&view = text&node=2:1.1.1.41&idno=2#2:1.1.1.4.1.2.1.1 d. ALLOWABLE CHARGES: The cost of preparing white papers/proposals in response to this announcement is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resulting contract or any other contract, but may be an allowable expense to the normal bid and proposal indirect cost specified in FAR 31.205-18. Incurring pre-award costs for ASSISTANCE INSTRUMENTS ONLY are regulated by the DoD Grant and Agreements Regulations (DODGARS). e. GOVERNMENT APPROVED ACCOUNTING SYSTEM: An offeror must have a government approved accounting system prior to award of a cost-reimbursement contract per limitations set forth in FAR 16.301-3(a) to ensure the system is adequate for determining costs applicable to the contract. The acceptability of an accounting system is determined based upon an audit performed by the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA). I MPORTANT : If you do not have a DCAA approved accounting system access the following link for instructions: https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=1cffad228f48b58057072a6c9113799d&tab= core&_cview=1 V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION: 1. CRITERIA: The following criteria, which are listed in descending order of importance, will be used to determine whether white papers and proposals submitted are consistent with the intent of this BAA and of interest to the Government: a. Overall scientific and/or technical merit including technical feasibility, degree of innovation, and understanding of the technical and operational approach for employment of the technology b. The effort's potential contribution and relevance to the U. S. Air Force's objectives c. The extent to which the offeror demonstrates relevant technology and domain knowledge d. Reasonableness and realism of proposed costs and fees (if any). No further evaluation criteria will be used in selecting white papers/proposals. White papers and proposals submitted will be evaluated as they are received. 2. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS: Only Government employees will evaluate the white papers/proposals for selection. The Air Force Research Laboratory's Information Directorate has contracted for various business and staff support services, some of which require contractors to obtain administrative access to proprietary information submitted by other contractors. Administrative access is defined as "handling or having physical control over information for the sole purpose of accomplishing the administrative functions specified in the administrative support contract, which do not require the review, reading, and comprehension of the content of the information on the part of non-technical professionals assigned to accomplish the specified administrative tasks." These contractors have signed general non-disclosure agreements and organizational conflict of interest statements. The required administrative access will be granted to non-technical professionals. Examples of the administrative tasks performed include: a. Assembling and organizing information for R&D case files; b. Accessing library files for use by government personnel; and c. Handling and administration of proposals, contracts, contract funding and queries. Any objection to administrative access must be in writing to the Contracting Officer and shall include a detailed statement of the basis for the objection. 3. ADEQUATE PRICE COMPETITION: The Government may simultaneously evaluate proposals received under this BAA with a common cutoff date for multiple offerors. In this case, the Government may make award based on adequate price competition, and offerors must be aware that there is a possibility of non-selection due to a proposal of similar but higher-priced technical approach as compared to another offeror. VI. STEP TWO INFORMATION - REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL & AWARD: 1. AWARD NOTICES: Those white papers found to be consistent with the intent of this BAA may be invited to submit a technical and cost proposal. Notification by email or letter will be sent by the technical POC. Such invitation does not assure that the submitting organization will be awarded a contract. Those white papers not selected to submit a proposal will be notified in the same manner. Prospective offerors are advised that only Contracting Officers are legally authorized to commit the Government. For additional information, a copy of the AFRL "Broad Agency Announcement (BAA): Guide for Industry," Mar 2015, and Proposal Preparation Instructions, Dec 2014, may be accessed at: https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=1cffad228f48b58057072a6c9113799d&tab= core&_cview=1 2. ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS: Depending on the work to be performed, the offeror may require a SECRET or TOP SECRET facility clearance and safeguarding capability; therefore, personnel identified for assignment to a classified effort must be cleared for access to SECRET or TOP SECRET information at the time of award. In addition, the offeror may be required to have, or have access to, a certified and Government-approved facility to support work under this BAA. This acquisition may involve data that is subject to export control laws and regulations. Only contractors who are registered and certified with the Defense Logistics Information Service (DLIS) at http://www.dlis.dla.mil/jcp/ and have a legitimate business purpose may participate in this solicitation. For questions, contact DLIS on-line at http://www.dlis.dla.mil/jcp or at the DLA Logistics Information Service, 74 Washington Avenue North, Battle Creek, Michigan 49037-3084, and telephone number 1-800-352-3572. You must submit a copy of your approved DD Form 2345, Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement, with your white paper/proposal. 3. DATA RIGHTS: a. SBIR RIGHTS. The potential for inclusion of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or data rights other than unlimited on awards is recognized. In accordance with (IAW) the Small Business Administration (SBA) SBIR Policy Directive, Section 8(b), SBIR data rights clauses are non-negotiable and must not be the subject of negotiations pertaining to an award, or diminished or removed during award administration. Issuance of an award will not be made conditional based on forfeit of data rights. If the SBIR awardee wishes to transfer its SBIR data rights to the Air Force or to a third party, it must do so in writing under a separate agreement. A decision by the awardee to relinquish, transfer, or modify in any way its SBIR data rights must be made without pressure or coercion by the agency or any other party. b. NON-SBIR RIGHTS. Non-SBIR data rights less than unlimited will be evaluated and negotiated on a case-by-case basis. Government Purpose Rights are anticipated for data developed with DoD-reimbursed Independent Research and Development (IR&D) funding. 4. REPORTING: Once a proposal has been selected for award, offerors will be given complete instructions on the submission process for the reports. 5. SUPPLY CHAIN RISK: The provision at DFARS 252.239-7017, Notice of Supply Chain Risk (Nov 2013) applies. 6. GRANT AWARDS ONLY : For efforts proposed as grant awards, offerors must provide an abstract in their proposal (not to exceed one page) that is publicly releasable and that describes - in terms the public may understand - the project or program supported by the grant. The DoD will publically post the abstract to comply with Section 8123 of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235). VII. AGENCY CONTACTS: All white paper and proposal submissions and any questions of a technical nature shall be directed to the cognizant technical point of contact as specified below (unless otherwise specified in the technical area): TPOC Name: Jeff DeMatteis Telephone: (315) 330-7132 Email: afrl.riga.baa@us.af.mil Questions of a contractual/business nature shall be directed to the cognizant contracting officer, as specified below (email requests are preferred): Gail Marsh Telephone (315) 330-7518 Email: gail.marsh@us.af.mil The email must reference the solicitation (BAA) number and title of the acquisition. In accordance with AFFARS 5301.91, an Ombudsman has been appointed to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and others for this acquisition announcement. Before consulting with an ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the contracting officer for resolution. AFFARS Clause 5352.201-9101 Ombudsman (Apr 2014) will be incorporated into all contracts awarded under this BAA. The AFRL Ombudsman is as follows: Ms. Barbara Gehrs AFRL/PK 1864 4th Street Building 15, Room 225 Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433-7130 FAX: (937) 656-7321; Comm: (937) 904-4407 barbara.gehrs@us.af.mil All responsible organizations may submit a white paper which shall be considered.
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