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

A -- SEMICONDUCTOR LASER CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT SOL BAA99-03 DUE 083199 POC Sam Berdin, Contracting Officer, 505/846-1097 SEMICONDUCTOR LASER CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT: BAA No. 99-03. The Air Force Research Laboratory is seeking proposals for the investigation of advanced concepts for improving semiconductor laser output power and beam quality in the near-infrared and mid-infrared wavelength ranges. The High Power Semiconductor Laser Technology (HPSLT) program is directed toward improving the state of the art in semiconductor lasers by demonstrating diffraction-limited, higher-power individual lasers, improved spatially-coherent laser arrays, extended wavelength coverage at high power, and improved stability and reliability for both steady-state and modulated operation. The long-term goal is a technology base for spatially-coherent semiconductor laser and semiconductor laser array sources for Air Force applications. An associated long-term AFRL goal is coherent or incoherent coupling of fiber lasers. B PROPOSAL PREPARATION REQUIREMENTS: The offeror's proposal should contain two phases. Phase I will be funded at award and Phase II will be an option. Phase I award topics may consist of one or more of the following: (1) The investigation of phenomena limiting semiconductor laser beam quality and output power; (2) The investigation of new and novel semiconductor laser materials emitting in the mid-infrared with potential for high power, high efficiency, and high temperature operation; (3) The design and development of high-power, high-brightness semiconductor lasers and laser arrays; (4) The development of semiconductor laser peripheral technologies which impact laser system operation; (5) The development of a compact, portable semiconductor laser source for such applications as remote sensing and IRCM; or (6) Experimental and/or theoretical modeling of fiber laser coupling and the investigation of single fiber lasers. Phase I will require best effort deliverables that represent the culmination of work performed under this phase, a final report documenting the results and any other information gained during Phase I, and any residual materials. Phase II will be further development of technology developed in Phase I. In the event that Phase II is awarded, any residual materials of Phase I should be used for Phase II. Deliverables for Phase II will include as applicable, a hardware prototype, residual materials, designs, drawings, experimental results, modeling results, any other information gained during the contract, and a final report. Each contract award could be 24 months in duration, consisting of a 12 month Phase I and an optional 12 month Phase II. Responses shall reference BAA No. 99-03, shall include a unique identification number in their proposal, and shall be unclassified. The offeror's proposal should include a full discussion of the proposed technical approach and expected results as well as a suggested Statement of Work (SOW) covering all tasks. Proposals shall be separated into two volumes consisting of 1) a management/technical proposal and 2) a cost proposal. The offeror's management/technical proposal shall not exceed 40 pages and shall include a one-page summary of the schedule and milestones for the proposed 12-month development (Phase I) and for the 12-month option (Phase II). The page format shall be 12 point or larger type, single-spaced, one inch margins, single sided, on 8.5x11 inch paper. Pages in excess of the 40 pages will not be considered by the government. The proposal shall contain: A detailed description of the Phase I technical approach and a detailed description of the Phase II (option) technical approach, a summary of deliverables associated with the proposed research, technical arguments which substantiate the technical approach, a discussion of the unique aspects of the technical approach, a comparison with other approaches, risks and technical uncertainties, and the overall approach to the management of the effort including brief discussions of total organization; facilities; teaming with other contractors; subcontractor relationships; planning; scheduling; management control practices; technology transition plans, if applicable; and resumes of each key person with qualifications and commitment time to the project. The cost proposal shall conform to the AFRL format available from the AFRL, Phillips Research Site Contracting Bulletin Board website at (http://prs.plk.af.mil/PK/index.html) C-PROPOSAL EVALUATION CRITERIA: We anticipate multiple awards, subject to availability of funds. The Air Force reserves the right to select any, all, part, or none of the proposals received in response to the announcement. The selection of sources for contract award shall be based on a scientific and engineering evaluation of the responses. The offerors proposals will be evaluated in accordance with the following criteria in order of priority: 1. The overall scientific and technical merits of the proposal, including capabilities and related experience, facilities, techniques; the inclusion of preliminary experimental and theoretical results which support the offeror's approach; or unique combinations of these which are integralfactors for achieving proposal objectives. 2. The potential contribution of the effort to the HPSLT program mission and the extent to which the research effort will contribute to balancing the overall mission program; and 3. The reasonableness and realism of proposed costs and fee, if any, and the availability of funds. Proposals for efforts that comply with the use of a BAA as defined in FAR 35.016 and comply with other requirements identified in this announcement will be competitively evaluated in accordance with AFMCFARS 5335.016-90. Specifically, any proposals received with be evaluated and 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 proposals that may require further development and can be recommended for acceptance, but are at a lower priority than Category I. (3) Category III-Proposals not technically sound or do not meet agency needs. Each proposal will be evaluated based on the merit and relevance of the specific research proposed as it relates to the overall project, rather than against other proposals. The Government will use no other evaluation criteria in the evaluation of submitted proposals. The selection for contract award will be based upon simultaneous evaluation of the technical, management, and cost responses to this announcement D-ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: An original and five copies of your proposal are required. Initial proposals are due by 31 August 1999 12:00PM (local time). Subsequent proposals will be evaluated as received and maybe funded if funds become available. Submit your proposals to: Det 8 AFRL/PKDL, 2251 Maxwell Ave., SE, KAFB NM 87117-5773. Initial proposals will be funded after October,1999. The anticipated funding level for this effort is up to $300k per year per award (AWARDS WILL VARY IN FUNDING AMOUNT). All potential offerors should be aware that due to unanticipated budget fluctuations, funding may be changed with little or no notice. Responses by telegram or responses combining more than one synopsis reference number will not be honored. Foreign firms are advised that there may be restrictions to becoming the prime contractor. Firms responding should indicate whether or not they are a small business (SIC Code 8731 with a standard size of 500 people applies), small disadvantaged business or a small disadvantaged 8(A) firm, and whether or not they are woman owned. This notice constitutes the actual solicitation for this requirement. In order that proposals are afforded proper handling, offerors must mark their proposals with restrictive language in accordance with FAR 15.609(b). The cost of preparing your proposal is not an allowable direct charge to any resultant contract or any other Government contract, but it is an allowable expense to the normal bid and proposal indirect cost as provided in FAR 31.205-18. The AF shall send notices of non-selection to offerors whose proposals are not being considered for funding. Offerors are cautioned, only the Contracting Officer may commit the Government to an award. The Government does not intend that Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) use their privileged information or access to facilities to compete with the private sector. If a contractor plans to team with or use an FFRDC as a subcontractor, it must provide rationale with its proposal that supports the unique capability of the FFRDC which can typically be demonstrated through a contractor's market analysis that surveys potential available sources. Also, the contractor's proposal must be able to demonstrate that the effort proposed to be accomplished by the FFRDC is not restricted under the sponsoring agency's agreement, and the effort is within the purpose and mission of the FFRDC. The research and test data produced under a resultant contract may contain Military Critical Technology List (MCTL) information whose distribution is restricted by the Export Control Act or the Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended. In order to be considered responsive, potential contractors must be currently certified and registered by the Defense Logistics Support Agency, Federal Center, 74 North Washington, Battle Creek, MI 49016-3412 (1 800 352 2572). Offerors must submit a DD Form 2345, Export controlled DoD Technical Data Agreement to the Commander, Defense Logistics Service Center, Attn: DLSC-FBA, Federal Center, Battle Creek, MI 49117-2084, (1 800 352 3572) for certification. The offeror is expected to submit a copy of the approved DD Form 2345, including the required certification acceptance, with each proposal. Failure to submit this certification may result in non-consideration for award, if it is determined to apply to the proposed effort. A copy of the approved DD Form 2345 may be submitted after receipt of proposals if not available at the proposal submission time; however, the offeror shall certify in their proposal that they will comply with all provisions of this law. The International Trade in Arms Restrictions (ITAR) may apply. Offerors are reminded appropriate clearances must be obtained if ITAR applies. The final technical report will provide a detailed technical description of the work performed under the contract, including all accomplishments, experimental/theoretical results, conclusions, and ideas for possible technology improvements in subsequent efforts. Offerors are advised that copies of the final report on any resultant contract are available to the government and government contractors, subject to national disclosure policy and regulation. E-POINTS OF CONTACT: An Ombudsman has been appointed to hear concerns from offerors or potential offerors, primarily during the proposal development phase of this competitive, negotiated 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 Contacting Officer. In those instances where offerors cannot obtain resolution from the Contracting Officer, they are invited to contact the Ombudsman at Phillips Operating Location of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Eugene DeWall, Deputy Chief of Contracting, (PRS, DET8/PK, at (505) 846-4979, 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. For contracting issues please contact Sam Berdin, Contracting Officer, (505) 846-1097, DET8 AFRL/PKDL 2251 Maxwell Avenue SE; Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5773. For technical issues please contact Sylvia Dorato, Mid-IR Project Officer, (505) 846-4315 or Rick Berdine, Near-IR Project Officer, (505)846-4037. This solicitation resulting from this announcement will be available to interested parties via the PL/PK contracting web site (http://prs.plk.af.mil/PK/index.html). Offerors that download the RFP must monitor the web site for potential changes to the acquisition. RFP amendments and questions and answers concerning the solicitation 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.***** Posted 06/24/99 (W-SN346957). (0175)

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