AFMC, Air Force Research Laboratory/IFK, 26 Electronic Parkway, Rome, NY 13441-4514

A -- MODELING AND SIMULATION CENTER OF EXCELLENCE SOL BAA 98-01-IFKPA POC Alex F. Sisti, Program Manager, 315-330-3983; Joetta A. Bernhard, Contracting Officer, 315-330-2308 Air Force Research Laboratory Rome is soliciting white papers for various scientific studies and experiments to increase Rome's knowledge and understanding of the broad range of capabilities required in support of Modeling and Simulation of C3I techniques, equipment and capabilities. Solutions to basic research and engineering using innovative approaches will be sought. The scope of this effort primarily concerns the area of the Modeling and Simulation science, as applied to C4ISR, and covers a broad range of requirements which include, but are not limited to, mission effectiveness assessment, improved decision-making, correlation and fusion techniques assessment. AFRL Rome requires solutions sufficient to meet the needs of the Air Force and national modeling community (Air Force Battle Labs, National Air Intelligence Center (NAIC), ESC's Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center (MASC), High Level Architecture (HLA) Community, etc.). Some areas of interest are: Model Abstraction Techniques and Applications, High Level Architecture (HLA); qualitative/fuzzy simulation; hybrid dynamical systems modeling; variable resolution modeling; model integration, interfacing and coupling; virtual reality-based simulations; hybrid (hardware-in-loop, man-in-loop, real-world-data-driven, etc.) simulations; model composition (synthesis) and decomposition (modularization), among others, and involve feasibility studies, functional prototyping, proof-of-concept development/demonstration and specific C3I/military applications. Emphasis is placed on the insertion of technology into ongoing and planned simulation infrastructures and activities. THIS ANNOUCEMENT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY SOLICITATION. DO NOT SUBMIT A FORMAL PROPOSAL AT THIS TIME. Evaluation of white papers and solicited proposals will be performed using the following criteria: (1) Effectiveness in Enhancing Modeling and Simulation for Supporting the Air Force Mission (Soundness of Approach); (2) Relevance to the Air Force Mission; (3) Uniqueness of the Approach, and (4) Cost Realism and reasonableness. Criteria 1 through 3 are of equal importance and Criteria 1 through 3 are more important than Criteria 4. No further evaluation criteria will be used in the source selection. The technical and cost information will be evaluated at the same time. Prior to submitting a formal proposal, offerors are required to submit five (5) copies of a one-sided, 12 point type, single spaced, one inch margined white paper not to exceed five (5) pages. The white paper will be formatted as follows: SECTION A: Title, Period of Performance, Cost of Task and Name of Company; SECTION B: Task Objective: SECTION C: Technical Summary, and SECTION D: Cost Summary. Offerors must mark their white papers/proposals with the restrictive language stated in FAR 15.509(a). White papers addressing different areas of applicability must be submitted under separate cover. 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. Offerors submitting white papers found to be consistent with this BAA may be invited to submit a technical and cost proposal. If a proposal is requested, the offeror shall include a Statement of Work, state the date to which the proposal remains valid and provide a cost proposal. Such invitation does not assure the submitting organization will receive an award. All responses to this announcement must be addressed to AFRL/IFSB, ATTN: Alex F. Sisti, (Reference BAA #98-01-IFKPA), 525 Brooks Road, Rome, NY, 13441-4505. Individual awards shall not normally exceed 12 months in duration; with dollar amounts normally ranging from $50K to $300K. Total funding for this BAA is $2.276M. Awards of efforts as a result of this BAA will be in the form of contracts, grants, cooperative agreements or other transactions depending upon the nature of the work proposed. Options are discouraged and unpriced options will not be considered for award. Selected offerors may be required to review classified material up to the SECRET level; therefore, personnel identified for assignment to the proposed effort must be cleared for, or desirable for, access to SECRET information. In addition, the offeror must have or have access to a certified and Government-approved facility available to support work under this BAA. Foreign or foreign-owned offerors are advised that their participation is subject to foreign disclosure procedures. Foreign or foreign-owned offerors should immediately contact the contracting focal point for information if they contemplate responding. Data subject to export control constraints may be involved and only firms on the Certified Contractor Access List (CCAL) will be allowed access to such data. For further information on CCAL, contact the Defense Logistic Service Center at 1-800-352-3572. The cost of preparing proposals in responding to this announcement is not an allowable direct charge to any resultant contract or any other contract, but it is an allowable direct charge to the normal bid and proposal indirect cost as specified in FAR 31.205-18. An Ombudsman has been appointed to hear significant concerns from offerors or potential offerors during the proposal development phase of this acquisition. Routine questions, such as clarifications of the Statement of Work or the terms and conditions, are not considered to be "significant concerns" and should be communicated directly to the Contracting Officer, Joetta Bernhard, 315-330-2308. The purpose of the Ombudsman is not to diminish the authority of the contracting officer or program manager, but to communicate contractor concerns, issues, disagreements and recommendations to the appropriate government personnel. The Ombudsman for this acquisition is the Deputy Director of Contracting, Mr. Vincent R. Palmiero, who may be contacted at 315-330-7746. 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. An informational briefing is not planned. This BAA is open and effective until 31 Oct 00. To receive a copy of Rome's BAA and PRDA: A Guide for Industry, SEP 96 (Rev), write to ATTN: Lucille Argenzia, AFRL/IFK, 26 Electronic Parkway, Rome NY 13441-4514, or the guide may be accessed on the Internet at the following address: http://www.rl.af.mil/Lab/PK/bp-guide.html. All responsible firms may submit a white paper which shall be considered. Complete instructions for proposal preparations will be forwarded with the invitation for proposal submissions. Proposers are warned that only Contracting Officers are legally authorized to commit the government. Respondents are requested to provide their Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code with their submission and reference BAA #98-01-IFKPA. (0026)

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