Office of Naval Research, 800 North Quincy St., Arlington, VA 22217-5660

A -- MANAGEMENT OF THE NAVY'S ELECTRO- OPTICS MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS SOL 99-002 DUE 122198 POC Mr. Steve Linder, ONR MANTECH, Code 361 (703) 696-8482 and Ms. Helen Paul, ONR 253 (703) 696-8556 BAA 99-002. This announcement constitutes a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) as contemplated in FAR 6.102(d)(2). There will be no other formal request for proposals or solicitations regarding this announcement, and offerors should be alert for any BAA amendments that may be published. Technical Point of Contact: Mr. Steve Linder, ONR MANTECH, Code 36 -- email: linders@onr.navy.mil or fax: (703) 696-8480. Contracts Point of Contact: Ms. Helen Paul, ONR, Code 253 -- email: paulh@onr.navy.mil or fax:(703) 696-0066. BACKGROUND: The Navy Manufacturing Technology (MANTECH) program is seeking proposals to extend its investment strategy in defense essential electro-optics (E-O) applications to address both current and future Department of Defense (DOD) and industry needs. Current Navy E-O thrusts and projects have been managed by the Ben Franklin Technology Center of Western Pennsylvania (BFTC/WP) through the National Network for Electro-optic Manufacturing Technology (NNEOMT) since 1995 under a Cooperative Agreement with the Office of Naval Research. Current and previous projects include Replicated Hybrid Optics in Durable Materials, Common All Optical Towed Array, Low Cost Manufacture of Infrared Focal Plane Arrays, LASER Range Finders, Advanced Use of HgCdTe for Low Cost Sensors, and the Use of Sapphire in Missile Domes. The area of E-O is critical for a broad spectrum of military applications as are manufacturing quality standards and best teaching practices. Military applications of interest include infrared focal plane arrays, flat panel displays, and photonic and fiber optic devices for sensing, signal processing, optical data links, and optical communication systems. Additionally, the topic has broad applicability in the commercial sector. E-O will be a key component to the information age, providing for significant advances in the collection, processing, transport, storage, and display of information in both commercial and defense applications of the 21st century. The extended utility of E-O technology is derived from merging the power of microelectronics with the capabilities of optical light sources (e.g., lasers, sensors, waveguides, fiber optics, and displays). Essential defense needs include target acquisition/fire control systems, night vision equipment, missile seekers, guidance and control systems, underwater acoustic (and other phenomena) sensors, electronic warfare signal processors, optically-based communications networks, remote source lighting, etc. Needs fall into three categories: (l) generic manufacturing tools and infrastructure applicable to a broad range of E-O systems and components, (2) manufacturing technology needs required to reduce the cost of specific E-O components, and (3) manufacturing standards and teaching practices development. Examples of specific E-O subsystems requiring manufacturing technology investments are: (l) affordable manufacture of Laser and Laser Devices such as laser diode pump arrays, (2) producible and affordable Fiber Optic Devices including fiber optic sensors, and (3) increased affordability involvement in Infrared Focal Plane Arrays. It is recognized that no single, generic manufacturing science and technology breakthrough will achieve the performance enhancements and cost reductions of E-O components and systems needed in both the military and commercial sectors. Rather, there are several generic manufacturing method and infrastructure enhancements that together contribute to these goals. Included are enhanced methods for fabrication technology for packaging high speed optical detectors and transmitters, automated fabrication of fiber grating and wavelength division multiple couplers, cost reduction manufacturing technology for high power diode laser arrays and for thermal electric coolers for infrared focal plane arrays. The development of robust packaging methodologies is needed as well. The integrating of simulation-based design and process planning with Flexible Computer Integrated Manufacturing (FCIM) methodologies needs to be developed for a broad range of E-O system components to permit cost-effective customization of individual units and small- and mixed-lot manufacturing. Such a custom or small-lot manufacturing capability is clearly important to make military E-O systems affordable and, once developed, will be applicable to the production of both high end military and civil sector systems (e.g., for medical purposes) as well. The benefits of this initiative, which will include increased productivity, reduced costs and cycle time, and improved quality, will accrue to industry as well as to the Navy and DOD. Introduction of the technologies, processes, practices, and/or materials developed, matured, and/or demonstrated will strengthen the defense industrial base. Additionally, the transfer of these technologies to the commercial sector will enhance national industrial competitiveness, increase the DOD supplier base and reduce the manufacturing response time during force surge and mobilization. REQUIREMENTS: The technical work will be requirements-driven to reflect the current and future Navy and industry needs in E-O. Topic areas could include lasers, focal plane arrays, displays, fiber optics, optics and optoelectronics. Proposals should address the following goals: 1) Develop advanced and measurable manufacturing technologies that are transferable to U.S. industry: o Improve technologies for both low-and high-volume manufacturing cost reduction; o Identify and quantify metrics for measuring manufacturing technology processes and improvements o Develop a portfolio of selected testbed operations for technology insertion; o Maximize technology transfer while preventing loss of military critical information. 2) Identify opportunities in E-O science and technology for public and private investments: o Focus on key science issues and technology hurdles; o Report on international programs; o Perform ongoing technology application assessments; o Coordinate and leverage activities with other federal programs, e.g., Advanced Technology program; o Identifycommercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) candidates for possible systems insertion. 3) Example of Technical Approach: Solution Identification Process. If the Navy had a requirement in one or more of the topic areas identified in URL: http://www.onr.navy.mil/02/baa/99002add.htm, define the process for identifying the best solutions to meet that need. The offeror should select one or more topic areas and identify their approach to addressing that area which should as a minimum include methods used to: assess the current state of technology, develop a detailed understanding of Navy requirements, solicit proposals for technology development projects designed to improve that technology, evaluate the merits of proposals recieved including coordination with Navy and industry representatives to ensure proposals with the highest projected benefits are identified, coordinate with the Navy to ensure funding is allocated and approved for selected projects, and provide program management and oversight to approved technical projects. 4) If contemplating a consortium arrangement, provide supporting documentation, which clearly substantiates the level of commitment of each consortia member. Also include a matrix that identifies each consortia member and their salient E/O technical core competencies (maximum of 3 competencies per member). Offerors must demonstrate an understanding of the goals and mission of the Manufacturing Technology program. This understanding should be reflected in an offeror's: 1) proposed resources; 2) management structure; 3) organization; 4) use of subcontracting; 5) leveraging of government funds; 6) adequacy and availability of facilities, equipment, and personnel (both available and proposed) for program execution; and 7) proposed development of relationships, both regionally and nationally (e.g., linkages to other consortia, professional organizations, academia, regional, state and local economic development and extension organizations, and state and local education and training organizations focused on E-O issues). EVALUATION CRITERIA: Evaluations of the proposals will be conducted using the following criteria: (1) TECHNICAL: Background and experience in E-O manufacturing technology as reflected in previous contracts and personnel background, including relevant qualifications, time commitment of key technical and managerial personnel, and research experience. Background and corporate expertise in the area of related education, training, and technology deployment as reflected in previous activities and personnel backgrounds, including relevant qualifications, experience, and time commitment of key technical and managerial personnel. Previous experiences and understanding of the technical intricacies and innovative approaches to E-O manufacturing. Demonstration of knowledge of and insight to E-O manufacturing technology and trends. Proposed mechanisms to conduct technology transfer to industry and government (including other manufacturing technology centers and programs) to achieve a high degree of implementation of the developments and results. Proposed process for involving industry, government and academia in identifying and executing the technical program agenda and deploying the resulting technologies. Viability of the offerors process for identifying the best solutions to E/O requirements. (2) MANAGEMENT: Understanding of the goals and reflection of this understanding in the proposed resources, management structure, organization, technical approach and work emphasis, use of subcontracting, and leveraging of government funds. This includes a knowledge of the Navy MANTECH program and its goals. Ability to establish a process to respond to Navy requirements (both long and near term) in a timely, cost effective manner. Adequacy and availability of facilities and equipment, both available and proposed, for program execution. Including lead-time from award of contract until proposals for technology development projects could be in place and available to support the technical effort. Strength of commitment from each member to the consortia (if contemplated) and the collective range of E/O technical expertise of the proposed participants. Proposed development of relationships -- both regionally and nationally- i.e., linkages to other consortia, other MANTECH programs, professional organizations, universities, regional, state, and local economic development and extension organizations; and state and local education and training organizations focused on electronics manufacturing technologies. Policies on intellectual property, proprietary rights, patent restrictions, and foreign activities, governments, and students. (3) COST: Costs will be evaluated on the basis of cost realism. This pertains to the offeror's ability to project costs which are realistic and reasonable and which indicates whether the offeror understands the nature and scope of the work to be performed. This shall include a strong emphasis on cost sharing and leveraging. Cost Sharing and Leveraging: At a minimum cost sharing on all technical projects should be in a ratio of at least one recipient dollar for every Government dollar proposed. The following items are not considered as allowable costs for calculation of recipient's cost share: -- Sunk costs, i.e., costs incurred before the start of the proposed project; -- Foregone fees or profits; -- Foregone G&A or cost of money applied to a base of IR&D; -- Bid and proposal costs; -- Value claimed for intellectual property shall not exceed 10% of recipient's cost share; -- Costs incurred for prior research; -- Parallel research or investment, i.e., research or other investments that might be related to the proposed project but which will not be part of the SOW or subject to the direction of the project management team. Typically these activities will be undertaken regardless of whether the proposed project proceeds. The criteria are ranked in descending order of importance. No further criteria will be used in the evaluation. The technical and cost information will be evaluated at the same time. Selection for award will be based on technical merit, cost reasonableness, and availability of Government funds. INDUSTRY BRIEFING DAY: Interested offerors are encouraged to attend an industry briefing to be held on 16 Nov 1998 from 1:30pm-3:30pm. Offerors desiring to attend industry day must notify Ms. Adrienne E. Gould, Code 361, telephone (703)696-8485 within ten (10) days of the date of this announcement of their interest and the names of up to two (2) representatives who will attend the briefing on their behalf. The briefing will be held at the Office of Naval Research, 800 N. Quincy Street, Room 915, Arlington, Virginia. Personnel attending the briefing will be required to meet security access requirements for visitation of a Government installation which includes providing a picture identification and being subject to physical search. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS: An offeror responding to this Broad Agency Announcement should submit ten (10) copies of its proposal in the following format. The proposal shall consist of three parts, Technical and Management (Part I), Example Solution Identification Process (Part II), and Cost (Part III). The entire proposal should not exceed 75 pages, excluding resumes and exhibits. Proposals shall be single-spaced, single-sided in 12 pitch. Part I should consist of: o(1) a cover page including title, technical point(s) of contact, administrative point(s) of contact, and pertinent phone numbers o(2) summary page(s) of organizations participating in the proposal with addresses and points of contact o(3) a summary of related experience in E-O technologies o(4) an overall plan for the first year of operation (projects identified by the Navy may supplement or replace those submitted in the technical proposal) o(5) a listing and description of relevant facilities and equipment (and their location) that would be used during the operation of this initiativeo(6) an organization and management plan o(7) planned subcontracting o(8) statement regarding existence of, or intention to obtain, facility and personnel clearances o(9) and any other information deemed appropriate by the offeror as outlined in the requirement section of this BAA. Part II should consist of: o (1) Flow charts(s) and associated verbiage describing the process that the contractor/consortia proposes to use in identifying the best solution(s) for a given Navy requirement o (2) Refer to URL: http://www.onr.navy.mil/02/baa/99002add.htm for a list of typical areas and requirements. Select one in preparing the example. o (3) Examples should not exceed 10 pages and the format is at the discretion of the offeror. Part III should contain: o (1) a one-to-two page cost summary o(2) supporting pages, which should include a detailed breakdown of labor categories, labor rates, capital equipment needs, travel costs, and any other direct or indirect costs. o (3) Identification of applicable indirect rate proposals, recent audits (DCAA or A-133 audits, Independent Public Audits) reviews of the offeror's accounting, estimating, and billing system reviews (if any). Each page in Part I, Part II, and Part III should be marked with the words "SOURCE SELECTION INFORMATION -- See FAR 3.104". An offeror should state in its proposal that it is submitted in response to BAA 99-002, and all proposals should be accompanied by a completed certification package. The certifications can be accessed on the ONR Home Page (http://www.onr.navy.mil/)(see "Contracts and Grants" and then "How to submit a proposal"). For grant and cooperative agreement proposals the certification package is entitled " Certifications and Submittal Statement Documents." For contract proposals the certification package is entitled "Representations and Certifications." DUE DATE: Proposals shall be submitted to the Office of Naval Research, Manufacturing Technology Division, Attn: Adrienne E. Gould, Code 361, Room 633, 800 North Quincy Street, Arlington, VA 22217-5660. Proposals must be received by 2:00 p.m. on 21 Dec 1998. Any proposals received thereafter will not be considered. AWARD: The Navy reserves the right to select for award any or none of the responses received and intends to incrementally fund any resultant award. The Navy reserves the right to make award to other than the lowest cost offeror. The awardee may be required to have or obtain security clearances up to and including the Secret level for work contemplated under this announcement. For proposals submitted by consortia, Articles of Collaboration must be developed prior to award, which define the interaction and commitment of the proposed partners. It is anticipated that the resultant award will cover a five (5) year period with a ceiling value not-to-exceed $25 million. The award will be based on proposal merit and funding availability. This solicitation will remain open until 2:00 on 21 Dec 1998. MISCELLANEOUS: Proposals may be reviewed as they arrive. The Navy will treat all proposals as competition-sensitive information. All evaluators will be Government employees. However, the Navy may use selected support contractor personnel to provide technical assistance to the Government evaluators. These contractor personnel are restricted by signed nondisclosure agreements from disclosing proposal information or using it for reasons other than performing the assessments. The Government will not reimburse any proposal preparation costs in connection with this announcement. The cost of preparing proposals in response to this announcement is not an allowable direct charge to any resulting award. Furthermore, the contract proposals which are selected for award that exceed $500,000 submitted by all but small business will ultimately require a small, Small Disadvantaged and Women -- Owned Small Business Subcontracting Plan in accordance with FAR 52,219-9. The standard industrial Classification code is 8731 with a small business size standard of 500 employees.Government will not reimburse for facility and/or equipment procurement costs. No portion of this BAA has been set aside for small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, or historically black college or university or minority university participants, however, their participation is encouraged. Posted 10/27/98 (W-SN265559). (0300)

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