Advanced Technology Innovation

The Pentagon is seeking contractors to conduct research on advanced science and technology concepts that have applications to missile defense.

According to a March 1 Federal Business Opportunities broad agency announcement, the Missile Defense Agency's advanced technology office "has instituted the Missile Defense Advanced Technology Innovation (ATI) Program to identify and develop innovative concepts, stimulate technology innovation, and exploit breakthroughs in science to offer robust technology improvements to all elements of the [Ballistic Missile Defense System]. ATI is a competitive, science and technology research program, which consists of forefront advanced research and development technology, concepts, and approaches acquired through scientific and technological investigation."

The MDA notice further states:

Technical advancement is essential to the strategy of spiral development with Block improvements in the BMDS every two years. MDA advances technology that enables near-term, evolutionary growth in current systems while adding revolutionary systems to substantially improve the BMDS in the far term. The MDA Director, Advanced Technology (DV) is responsible for developing advanced capabilities for the BMDS. This includes planning and executing a broad range of enabling and advanced technology development efforts, developing the technology base for advanced BMDS Blocks, assessing emerging technologies, innovative concepts, and leading the effort to develop advanced algorithms for improving BMDS capability. ...

The MDA contracts with private industry, qualified accredited domestic educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations for research in those areas covered in this BAA. Awards as a result of this announcement will take the form of a contract, though the government reserves the right to use other types of contractual instruments if they are deemed more appropriate for the proposed work. MDA does not have a specified amount of funding available for BAA awards, however, if MDA decides to pursue a concept the appropriate level of funding will be identified, and a final proposal will be requested by a MDA Contracting Officer in writing. Funding of research within MDA areas of interest will be determined by funding constraints and priorities set during the budget cycle. Therefore, those contemplating submission of a proposal are encouraged to contact the MDA technical point of contact, Robert Barnes, MDA/DVR; 256-955-7421, to determine the likelihood of funding prior to committing resources to preparing a concept paper or proposal in response to this BAA. Coordination with the technical point of contact prior to proposal submission allows earliest determination of the potential for funding and avoids contractor and Government time spent on efforts that may have little chance of being supported. Cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) type contracts are anticipated to be awarded for these efforts. Any awards are anticipated to occur in fiscal year (FY) 2011 through FY 2013.

MDA is looking to work on advanced technology research "in technologies for each missile defense phase encompassing the entire engagement sequence to include Surveillance, Acquisition and Tracking, Discrimination, Communications, Engagement Planning, Threat Engagement, Evolving Threats and Countermeasures, and Kill Assessment," the notice reads. Research topic areas include:

(1) Radar Systems

(2) Lasers and Electro-optical Systems

(3) Integrated Active/Passive IR Sensor Systems

(4) Computer, Signal and Data Processing

(5) Materials and Electronics

(6) Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

(7) Battle Management/Command and Control

(8) Propulsion and Powersystems

(9) International BMDS Cooperation: Proposals for area (9) must contain direct work relating to a foreign company or university that is either a partner or major subcontract under the proposal. This is the only area that we will entertain accepting basic research proposals.

Interested companies and research institutions need to submit the following to MDA, according to the notice:

(1) A summary concept white paper (no more than ten pages) which succinctly illustrates the proposed technical approach, as well as its rationale and objectives, methodology, expected results, and potential contribution to the MDA program using the attached Proposal Instructions (Attachment 1).

(2) White Paper Rough Order of Cost Magnitude (ROCM), using the attached Cost Proposal Instructions paragraph (5).

(3) A suggested program plan using the attached Proposal Instructions paragraph (4)(d).

(4) A description of the offeror's capabilities, relevant experience, and facilities using the attached Proposal Instructions paragraph (4)(e).

Note: Evaluations may take up to six months from receipt of White Paper to complete. If selected for award MDA will request a full technical volume and detailed cost proposal as requested in the attached proposal instructions paragraphs (6) (7) and (8). DO NOT SUBMIT THE TECHNICAL AND COST PROPOSALS UNTIL YOU RECEIVE A REQUEST FROM THE CONTRACTING OFFICER FOR THIS INFORMATION.

The agency will evaluate the responses based upon five equally weighted technical factors, according to the notice:

(1) Scientific and technical excellence of the research and its relevance to MDA goals with special emphasis on innovation, originality, and uniqueness;

(2) The offeror's capabilities, relevant experience, and facilities; techniques, or unique combinations of these are integral factors for achieving the proposal objectives;

(3) Qualifications, capabilities, and experience of the proposed principal investigator, team leader, and/or key personnel which are critical in achieving the proposal objectives;

(4) Ability of the proposed effort to make progress toward demonstrating the feasibility of the concept in accordance with MDA programmatic needs; and

(5) Demonstrated ability or clear plan to deliver results from research projects on schedule and under cost.

Cost will be evaluated against the government's estimate of the cost of completing the contract using the technical and management approaches proposed; total evaluated probable cost consists of the government's estimate of the realistic cost of completing the offeror's proposals, to include the government's assessment of program risk, and additional costs to the government such as government-furnished property, government-furnished information, transportation, the duplication of previously awarded contracts submitted by the offeror, similar technology efforts pursued elsewhere and other cost related factors.

For each of those technical factors, MDA will apply the following criteria:

(1) The scientific excellence and innovative quality of the proposed technology or application;

(2) The offerors' capabilities, relevant experience, and facilities;

(3) The relevance of the technology or application to the MDA program, to include maturity and level of risk; and

(4) Demonstrated ability or clear plan to deliver results from research projects on schedule and under cost.