Phillips Laboratory, Directorate of Contracting, 2251 Maxwell Avenue SE, Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5773

A -- GEO LIGHT IMAGING NATIONAL TESTBED (GLINT) SOL F29601-97-4-0152 DUE 100797 POC Ms. Teresa Martinez, Buyer, PL/PKLA, 505-846-2240 WEB: Phillips Laboratory Home Page, http://www.plk.af.mil. E-MAIL: Click here to contact the buyer via e-mail, martinet@plk.af.mil. RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT FOR GEO LIGHT IMAGING NATIONAL TESTBED (GLINT) AGREEMENT F29601-97-4-0152. Contractual POC: Teresa Martinez, Contract Specialist, PL/PKLA (505/846-2240). Technical POC: Capt. Shaun McMahon, Project Officer, PL/LIMI (505/846-2050). A -- OBJECTIVE The objective of the GEO Light Imaging National Testbed (GLINT) program is to design, fabricate, and test a prototype optical testbed that provides images of satellites in geostationary (GEO) orbit. The images shall be of sufficient quality to determine the size, orientation, and identification of satellites, and the testbed shall be robust enough to be able to demonstrate scalability and traceability to a fieldable system should the testing and images obtained so warrant. The contractor will perform "cradle-to-grave" development of the optical imaging testbed. This development should include system trade studies utilizing risk analysis, computer simulations and modeling, and experimental data; risk reduction experiments; the fabrication and testing of hardware and software; the production of actual proof-of-principle images of GEO satellites; and other contractor-identified steps. The system is to be ground-based unless sufficient evidence can be presented that shows another basing option is both advantageous and within budget constraints. The GLINT awardee is strongly encouraged to utilize existing hardware, software, and other government resources as much as possible, especially for the performance of risk reduction experiments. The contractor will be responsible for sustaining the experimental hardware and software, to include repair, preventive maintenance, spare parts, consumable items, and other contractor-identified responsibilities. The majority of work under this effort will be performed locally within the Kirtland AFB area or in southern New Mexico. Phillips Laboratory will maintain a technical team of personnel whose function is to support the GLINT team's system design process by providing analyses based on government activities in related projects. All potential offerors should be aware that, due to unanticipated budget fluctuations, funding may change with little or no notice. The funding profile is estimated at $25,000,000 over the expected four (4) year life of the program, with $3,000,000 in funding currently available. Phillips Laboratory intends to award an Other Transaction for Prototype (OT) Agreement. This method of acquisition grants relief from certain procurement statutes, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and its supplements. Key issues such as cost accounting standards and audit requirements, conflicts of interest, and data rights are open for discussion in establishing terms and conditions for government requirements. To take advantage of the flexibility inherent in this type of agreement, the Government encourages the formation of consortia allowing for rotating "prime" leads as determined appropriate by the mix of team member expertise. Cost-sharing throughout the program, with particular emphasis in the early stages of the program, is encouraged. A generic model OT agreement can be viewed via a link on the Phillips Laboratory Contracting Home Page under the current acquisition prompt for the GLINT acquisition. The Phillips Laboratory home page address is http://www.plk.af.mil/. Due to the newness of this instrument, Phillips Laboratory will be conducting a meeting on 17 Sep 97 at Kirtland AFB to discuss the GLINT acquisition. If interested in attending, please contact Teresa Martinez at (505)846-2240 for details. The government may award one, two, or no agreements depending on proposals received. B -- PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS Each offeror must submit a written offer (proposal) and make an oral presentation. Unnecessarily elaborate brochures or presentations beyond that sufficient to present a complete and effective proposal are not desired. Proposals are due by 1500 hours on 7 Oct 97. Proposals shall be submitted in an original and four copies with the original being clearly marked. Proposals shall be submitted to Phillips Laboratory (PL/PKLA, Attn: Ms Teresa Martinez, 2251 Maxwell Ave SE, Bldg 424/Rm. 102, Kirtland AFB NM 87117-5773. Hand delivery only to Bldg 499, Room 126). In preparing proposals, offerors are advised to consider the flexibility of this type of instrument. Technical, cost, and administrative volumes should be submitted separately, and should be valid for a period of not less than 120 days from submission. Proposals must reference the above agreement number. Offerors may take alternative approaches in their proposals; where this occurs however, clear rationale must be provided explaining the nature of and basis for the proposed change. 1) Management/technical proposal -- (i) Written: The management/technical proposal shall include a brief technical summary, program plan, and an organizational chart identifying proposed key personnel. The program plan should identify and discuss all technical performance milestones covering the life of the program; however, this plan may be adjusted during the course of the program. The management/technical proposal should have an attachment listing a maximum of 10 most recent relevant projects which are representative of the offeror's capability. Each project summary should be one page in length and include the identity of the sponsoring organization. A second attachment should include resumes of proposed key personnel. The management/technical proposal shall be limited to 15 pages excluding attachments. The page format shall be 12 point or larger type, single spaced, one inch margins, single sided, 8.5 by 11 inch pages. Pages in excess of this limitation will not be considered by the government. (ii) Oral Presentation: There will be an oral presentation which should demonstrate the offeror's understanding of the work that will be required under the prospective agreement. The presentation must be given by proposed key personnel. Offerors have full discretion as to the content of the oral presentation, however offerors should be mindful of the evaluation criteria listed in Section C when outlining their approach to the Government. Offerors are advised to limit their oral presentation to 2 hours. The Government may ask questions during the presentation, but these will not be counted against the offeror's time. Following the oral presentation there will be a recess of approximately one hour. After the recess, there will be a detailed discussion session covering technical, contractual, and cost issues. Offerors are advised to have the necessary personnel available to address all aspects of the proposal at that time. All presentations will be taped. Presentation scheduling will be established by drawing lots at random. The offeror must use 8.5 inch by 11 inch overhead slides to provide visual support for their oral presentation. Slides must be clearly legible. Overly elaborate slides are discouraged. There is no limitation on the number of slides that an offeror may use, however, the Government will not consider the slides to be stand alone documents or evaluate the information on the slides except as visual aids to the presentation. When reviewing and evaluating the oral presentation, the Government will not review any slide that was not projected and addressed during the presentation. Offerors are to submit their slides and 4 sets of paper copies to the Government with their written proposal. 2) Cost Proposal -- The cost proposal price breakdown shall be prepared in a schedule format that contains sufficient data to demonstrate realism and reasonableness. The cost proposal shall cover the entire program. Offerors shall price each of the technical milestones identified in the program plan, along with associated labor hours, materials and other direct costs (as applicable). Component cost elements for each price shall be time-phased. All cost data provided shall be supported in narrative form in a priced basis of estimate (BOE). The Government favors a payment arrangement tied to the successful completion of technical milestones, effectively incentivizingschedule and technical performance, and a fee arrangement which incentivizes cost performance. The Government also favors a cost-sharing arrangement. If such an arrangement is proposed, offerors shall provide visibility into any cost-sharing associated with each milestone, and describe the nature of the cost-share (e.g. cash, in-kind, or IR&D). In the event a cost-reimbursement arrangement is proposed, the offeror should be aware that the Government may require independent verification of cost elements, either through Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), or through a non-governmental entity (i.e. independent CPA). The cost proposal has no page limitation; however, offerors are encouraged not to exceed 40 pages, including the priced BOE narrative. 3) Administrative Proposal -- Offerors shall include a brief administrative volume containing a discussion of any concerns regarding potential terms or conditions of the OT agreement to be awarded. Offerors are advised of the need to review the draft OT guidance available at the AFMC/PK homepage. A direct link to this information is provided on the PL homepage beside the GLINT information. While the model agreement contained within the draft guide is merely a generic sample, it does reflect the nature of issues expected to be negotiated in the final PL instrument. Should an offeror team be proposing a consortium, a draft copy of the Articles of Collaboration should also be included as evidence of the team's good faith to successfully reach such an agreement, should they be selected for award. There is no page limit on this volume. 4) Deliverable Items -- Identify all deliverables associated with each technical milestone. Deliverables should provide the Government sufficient information to maintain insight into the program. 5) Other requirements -- This acquisition involves technology that is subject to Export Control laws and regulations. Only contractors who are registered and certified with the Defense Logistics Services Center(DLSC) may submit proposals. Contact DLSC, 74 North Washington, Battle, Creek, Michigan 49016-4312 (1 800 352-3572) for further information on certification and the approval process. Submit a copy of DD Form 2345 with the proposal. Foreign-owned firms are advised that they will not be able to participate as a prime contractor. C -- BASIS FOR AWARD The selection of a prospective awardee(s) will be based upon an integrated evaluation of the offeror's responses to determine the overall merit of the proposal in addressing all of the requirements in this announcement and the availability of funds. Offerors are put on notice that the Government intends to award without requesting a best and final offer after oral presentations; therefore, offerors should submit their best proposal initially. The management/technical proposal will be evaluated using the following factors in descending order of importance: (1) the offeror's capability: to include corporate and personnel capabilities and qualifications, related experience of both corporate and key personnel, past performance, facilities, techniques, or a unique combinations of these factors; and (2) the feasibility and demonstrated scientific and/or technical merit. Cost proposals will be evaluated for reasonableness and realism. Cost-sharing will be favorably evaluated. Technical considerations are more important than cost; however, cost is a substantial factor. Payments tied to the successful completion of technical milestones and a fee structure which incentivizes cost performance will be favorably evaluated. Proposals will be classified into one of the following three categories: (1) Category I -- Well conceived scientifically and technically sound proposals pertinent to program goals and objectives and offered by a responsible contractor with the competent scientific and technical staff and supporting resources needed to ensure satisfactory program results. Proposals in Category I are recommended for acceptance and normally will be displaced only by other Category I proposals. (2) Category II -- Scientifically or technically sound proposal that may require further development and can be recommended for acceptance but are at a lower priority than Category I. Proposals in this category are not always funded. (3) Category III -- Proposals are recommended for rejection for the particular announcement under consideration. Upon completing its evaluation, the Government will select a prospective awardee(s) and enter into final negotiations with that/those offeror(s). Upon successful completion of negotiations, award will be made. Should negotiations prove unsuccessful, the Government may enter into negotiations with another offeror who may then displace the first as the prospective awardee. D -- MISCELLANEOUS This is an unrestricted competition. A copy of this announcement will be available to interested parties via the PL/PK Contracting Web Site (http://www.plk.af.mil). Offerors that respond to this announcement must monitor the Web Site for potential changes to the acquisition. Amendments, and questions and answers concerning the announcement, will be posted exclusively on the Web Site. All posted information will clearly display its date of posting. Offerors are reminded of the requirement to acknowledge all amendments in their proposal. This program is anticipated to be Secret (Special Access). An Ombudsman has been appointed to hear concerns from offerors or potential offerors, primarily during the proposal development phase of this acquisition. The purpose of the Ombudsman is not to diminish the authority of the Program Director or Contracting Officer, but to communicate contractor concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations to the appropriate government personnel in the pre-proposal phase of competitive, negotiated acquisitions. Before contacting the Ombudsman, potential offerors should first communicate with the Contracting Officer. In those instances where offerors cannot obtain resolution from the Contracting Officer, they are invited to contact the Ombudsman at PhillipsLaboratory, Mr Bruce Grunsten, Chief, Mission Support Division (PL/PKM), at (505) 846-8273, or at 2251 Maxwell Avenue SE, Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5773. When requested, the Ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The Ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals or in the source selection process. (0246)

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