SPECIAL NOTICE
A -- RFI for ERDC Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA)
- Notice Date
- 8/15/2017
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, USACE ITL, GSL, EL, CHL, Vicksburg, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, VICKSBURG, Mississippi, 39180-6199, United States
- ZIP Code
- 39180-6199
- Solicitation Number
- MO-08152017
- Archive Date
- 12/31/2017
- Point of Contact
- Lauren Olivia White, Phone: 6016345336
- E-Mail Address
-
olivia.white@usace.army.mil
(olivia.white@usace.army.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Introduction: The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) is one of the most diverse engineering and scientific research organizations in the world. The ERDC conducts research and development (R&D) in support of the Soldier, military installations, and the Corps of Engineers civil works mission, as well as for other federal agencies, state and municipal authorities, and with U.S. industry through innovative work agreements. The ERDC addresses R&D in four major areas: Battlespace Environment, Military Engineering, Environmental Quality/Installations, and Civil Works/ Water Resources through the capabilities of seven laboratories at four geographical sites in Vicksburg MS; Champaign IL; Hanover NH; and Alexandria VA. Synopsis: The ERDC-ORTT TTOD Division, on behalf of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center Laboratory (ERDC), is exploring the possibility of entering into a Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA), under the authority of 15 U.S.C. 3715, with a Partnership Intermediary to provide services for ERDC to increase the likelihood of success in the conduct of cooperative or joint activities with ERDC and small business firms, institutions of higher education as defined in 20 USC 1141(a), or educational institutions as defined in 10 USC 2194. This is a Request for Information (RFI) from eligible applicants who can provide the capabilities sought by ERDC as described in this RFI. RFI Applicability: In accordance with 15 U.S.C. 3715, eligibility to receive a PIA is limited to an agency of a State or local government, or a nonprofit entity owned in whole or in part by, chartered by, funded in whole or in part by, or operated in whole or in part by or on behalf of a State or local government, that assists, counsels, advises, evaluates, or otherwise cooperates with small business firms, institutions of higher education as defined in section 1141(a) of title 20, or educational institutions within the meaning of section 2194 of title 10, that need or can make demonstrably productive use of technology-related assistance from a Federal laboratory, including State programs receiving funds under cooperative agreements entered into under section 5121(b) of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 278l). RFI submission and post submission guidelines: Documents submitted in response to this RFI will not be returned. ERDC is under no obligation to provide feedback with respect to any information submitted by an eligible applicant under this RFI. There is no guarantee that any submission in response to this RFI will result in the establishment of a PIA with an eligible applicant. Any information submitted by an eligible applicant in response to this RFI may be used to help ERDC further define its PIA needs. ERDC may select a Partnership Intermediary based solely on an RFI submission. ERDC may discuss the RFI submissions with one or more eligible applicants prior to the selection of a Partnership Intermediary. General Intent: ERDC is interested in creating a more efficient and effective defense laboratory that can be adaptive and responsive to the challenges of 21st century national security. It is widely acknowledged that innovation depends on bringing multiple disciplines together to engage in collaborative projects that often yield unpredictable, but highly productive results. Formal and informal interactions among scientists lead to knowledge-building and research breakthroughs. By bringing together academia, industry and government, the Army can enhance its performance through collocated R&D collaboration. ERDC is exploring the establishment of a PIA with a Partnership Intermediary to provide services to assist ERDC in facilitating access to world-renown facilities and researchers; developing and maintaining synergistic relationships with the entrepreneur community; facilitating government partnerships to facilitate the transition of knowledge and technology; and expansion of academic programs to include fluid collaboration spaces (physical and virtual). Technical Description: The speed, complexity, and multidisciplinary nature of scientific research, coupled with the increased relevance of science for army technology development and the demands of a globally competitive environment, have increased the importance of technology linkages for innovation and long-term competitiveness. ERDC is exploring ways that will revolutionize the way ERDC laboratories engage with external partners from industry and academia. The ERDC seeks to enhance meaningful progress toward shared goals: accelerate fundamental science, and transition science and technology as a direct result of the cooperative or joint activities as envisioned under 15 USC 3715. Others benefits of the ERDC includes shared human capital, and exposure to new ideas and collaboration hubs which could lead to joint programs and/or preparing joint proposals between academia, private sector, and international partners. The three primary focus areas in the implementation phase of the ERDC are identifying areas of opportunities for collaboration, technology transfer and educational outreach. This RFI seeks input into these areas of interest where services could be provided to assist. In response to this RFI, interested eligible applicants are requested to provide strategies and explicit examples of how they propose to facilitate and advance ERDC's initiatives in collaboration, technology transfer, and outreach as described further below. ERDC Initiative 1: Collaboration: The Partnership Intermediary is expected to enhance partnering, both domestic and international, between ERDC, academia, industry, other government agencies and entrepreneurs by identifying and facilitating the development of new R&D partnerships and stimulating early-stage partnership R&D activities. The Partnership Intermediary is expected to be well versed in the ERDC technology campaign portfolio as well as technology portfolios of proposed partners to facilitate match-making services that leverage the complementary capabilities and expertise of ERDC and each partner. The Partnership Intermediary is expected to identify and shape opportunities to share / develop collaborative research facilities at either ERDC or a partner organization. The Partnership Intermediary shall increase ERDC's visibility in online research communities via data hubs, blogs and other web strategies as part of ERDC's collaboration and technology transfer plan. The Partnership Intermediary is expected to facilitate opportunities for collaboration through the exchange of personnel / students, licensing of intellectual property (IP), and sharing and development of research facilities through vehicles such as educational partnership agreements (EPAs), cooperative R&D agreements (CRADAs), and cooperative agreements (CAs). A particular focus of this initiative is to: • Establish a dynamic physical/business environment to effectively collaborate with academia, industry, local/state governments/entities and other federal agencies • Provide innovative tools, methods and processes that enhance collaboration activities, promotes/supports innovation initiatives and communications • Conduct matchmaking sessions, enabling ERDC to network with potential R&D partners such as industry days, innovation days, poster sessions, open public forums and Tech challenge/competitions • Conduct or participate in workshops and roundtables to explore novel models of collaboration that enable ERDC to identify new opportunities addressing shared challenges. • Gather, data mine and exchange information on relevant international and domestic R&D business opportunities and promote innovation interests. ERDC Initiative 2: Technology Transfer: Emerging cooperative relationships often lead to the initiation of collaborative R&D projects, business partnerships and joint ventures that benefit both organizations. The Partnership Intermediary is expected to be knowledgeable of all aspects of the technology transfer process between ERDC, academia, industry, other government agencies, and entrepreneurs. The Partnership Intermediary is expected to identify external partners to facilitate the use of ERDC IP with partners through vehicles such as Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), CAs, and patent license agreements (PLAs). The Partnership Intermediary is expected to develop strategies to create and incubate small business start-up opportunities. Intermediary should identify opportunities for ERDC to collaborate with partners using ERDC IP inventory and ERDC unique testing facilities/capabilities. A particular focus of this initiative is to: • Conduct events such as Technology Showcases to highlight innovative research for transition • Plan and facilitate Innovation Discovery Events to identify new intellectual property • Identify, catalogue, and rate dual-use intellectual property developed by ERDC that could be effectively transitioned to the field • Develop an electronic catalog showcasing ERDC laboratory facilities managers and technology transfer personnel to identify available facilities and capabilities • Promote ERDC technologies and partnership opportunities to the commercial sector, connect ERDC researchers with universities and local, national and international businesses • Identify promising ERDC technologies that align with commercial market needs and accelerate the commercialization of these technologies • Publicize and promote ERDC technologies and partnership opportunities to the commercial sector. Design and implement a marketing plan to promote the ERDC Technology Transfer program. Publicize ERDC success stories through a variety of mechanisms including press releases, articles, and other forms of coverage targeting industry trade journals and other national and regional media. Establish an improved web presence for Technology Transfer • Provide manufacturing, design, and business assistance to ERDC for the purpose of successfully transitioning the technology to commercialization • Assist in the development and execution of technology transfer mechanisms such as, patents, patent licenses, invention disclosures, CRADA, PLAs, EPAs and EUL's ERDC Initiative 3: Workforce Development: Recent years have seen an increasing need for lifelong learning based on the acceleration of technological change and the need to renew the skills and knowledge of the existing workforce. ERDC is committed to fostering and strengthening a culture of innovation. We wish to engage the ranks of the highly skilled S&T community and facilitate the cross-fertilization of ideas and learning. The Partnership Intermediary is expected to seek out opportunities to identify academic partners that wish to engage with ERDC on specific research areas of interest or in emerging areas with high potential payoff for the Army. The Partnership Intermediary is also expected to identify any virtual classrooms, data warehouse or educational laboratories which ERDC may augment in pursuit of STEM national readiness. A particular focus of this initiative is to: • Identify opportunities to attract undergraduates and post graduate level students and faculty from top tier universities to conduct research at ERDC. • Based on emerging research areas and ERDC lab requirements, shape or develop nontraditional curriculums and innovative opportunities to enhance/develop the current/next generation of engineers and scientists. • Plan and implement Innovation Discovery Workshops with ERDC labs to increase awareness of the value of intellectual property protection associated with their inventors' good ideas • Create, develop, and execute training targeted to the ERDC workforce such as technology transfer, innovation, and entrepreneurship Submission Guidelines: Responses to this RFI are limited to 20 single-sided pages, using standard letter-size 8x11 paper. The font for text must be Times New Roman or Arial 12-point or larger. Submissions must be unclassified. Extraneous materials (brochures, manuals, etc.) will NOT be considered or read. Submissions shall also include the following: (a) Entity name and address; (b) Point of contact name, phone number and email address Various types of acquisition/assistance vehicles including but not limited to cooperative agreements, grants, partnership intermediary agreements, etc. The Government will negotiate the most appropriate funding agreement type. Estimated Program Cost: Propose three (3) year acquisition with two (2), one (1) year options. Cost will be broken out and associated with statements of work. Anticipated Number of Awards: ERDC may award multiple contracts from this announcement. It is anticipated that a two-step process will be utilized with selected entities being asked to participate in an onsite or virtual presentation session. Questions or Requests for Clarification: Only electronically submitted questions and requests for clarification regarding this RFI will be accepted. No telephone calls regarding this RFI will be accepted. Written questions and requests for clarification shall be submitted to the following email address: olivia.white@usace.army.mil In order to facilitate a timely response, written questions or requests for clarification must be received by the Government no later than 3:00 PM Eastern Time, 5 September, 2017. Responses to this RFI must be received by the Government no later than 10:00 AM Central Time, 3:00 PM Eastern Time, 15 September, 2017. Responses shall be submitted to the following email address: michael.c.orr@usace.army.mil Submission Deadline: Responses must be in Microsoft Word format or PDF format. If a late submittal is received, acceptance of such will be at the discretion of the Government if it's determined to be in the Government's best interest. Responses sent by any other means (e.g. submitted to other email addresses, hand-carried, postal service mail, commercial carrier or fax) will NOT be considered or read. Contracting Office Address: CEERD-CT Point of Contact: Michael Orr Phone: (601) 634-4824 Contracting Officer/ Grants Officer 3909 Halls Ferry Road Vicksburg, MS 39180-6199
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USA/COE/329/MO-08152017/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, Mississippi, 39180-6199, United States
- Zip Code: 39180-6199
- Zip Code: 39180-6199
- Record
- SN04628771-W 20170817/170815231708-f731e597c520fcdbb2774cd3bb4e1c3b (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
| FSG Index | This Issue's Index | Today's FBO Daily Index Page |