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B -- Defense Acquisition Challenge (DAC) Program FY08, Broad Agency Announcement (OB1844337) (2006-12-08)

The Defense Acquisition Challenge (DAC) Program was established by Congress
(Chapter 139 of Title 10 USC, 2359b) to increase the introduction of
innovative and cost-saving technologies and products into existing Department
of Defense (DoD) acquisition programs. The DAC Program is managed through the
Office of Secretary of Defense (Acquisition Technology & Logistics), Deputy
Undersecretary of Defense (Advanced Systems & Concepts), Comparative Testing
Office. DAC provides any person or activity within or outside the DoD the
opportunity to propose alternative technologies and product improvements.
Opportunities known as 'Challenge Proposals' proposed at the component,
subsystem, or system level of an existing DoD acquisition program, will be
evaluated for resulting improvements in performance, affordability,
manufacturability, or operational capability of that acquisition program. DAC
Proposals will be evaluated under the guidelines and criteria outlined in
Title 10 USC Section 2359b, Defense Acquisition Challenge Program.
Evaluations and awards under this BAA will be in compliance with applicable
FAR, DFARs and agency regulations. This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is
open to any technologies, products, or processes demonstrating a near-term
potential to improve existing DoD acquisition programs that address the
specific operational areas outlined below. Preference will be given to those
technologies and products that 'challenge' an incumbent and have the potential
to be evaluated in less than 24 months from project selection, with near-
immediate transition to operations/production at the completion of evaluation.
To meet this time-line the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of proposed
technologies or processes must be at least TRL 7 (prototype demonstrated in a
relevant or operational environment) at time proposed, and at TRL 8 or 9
(qualified through testing or ready for production) by completion of DAC
testing. The following operational areas will be considered by DAC for US
Army, US Air Force, US Navy and Marine Corps, US Special Operations Command,
or other Defense Agencies: 1). Warfighter enhancements that specifically
address improved warfighter effectiveness (e.g., lethality, accuracy,
endurance, et al); improved warfighter survivability (e.g., protection,
agility, stealth, medical, et al); improved warfighter force protection (e.g.,
defensive systems, detection, armoring, chem-bio defense, et al); and improved
warfighter sustainability (e.g., lighter equip, combined equip, longer
missions, better batteries, et al). 2). Direct warfighter support that
specifically addresses logistics (e.g., supply chain management in the field,
equip reliability, et al); teaming (e.g., Net/Information Centric Operations
at the tactical/operational level, et al); surveillance; and tagging and
tracking (e.g., blue and hostile forces tracking, friendly identification, et
al). 3). Warfighter employment that specifically addresses planning
capabilities (e.g., large unit employment); coordinating capabilities (e.g.,
Net/Information Centric Operations at the strategic level, et al); transport
capabilities (e.g., getting to/from the fight, et al); and operational
readiness (e.g., equip availability, maintainability, training, et al).
Proposals that specifically address solutions for acquisition programs
experiencing a Nunn-McCurdy breach will be given special consideration if they
address the reason for the breach and satisfy all other legislative
requirements identified in Title 10. Additionally, appropriate priorities
will be given to those proposals from businesses that are not major
contractors with the DoD. The evaluation of proposals will be conducted in
two phases. In the FIRST PHASE, any person or activity within or outside the
DoD interested in participating must submit a proposal via the website:
https://cto.acqcenter.com and attach a Quad Chart using the most current Quad
Chart format under 'Reference Materials' on the website. Although not required
in this first phase, a letter of support/endorsement from the Service/USSOCOM
Program Management Office or Program Executive Office responsible for the
acquisition program can be electronically submitted with the proposal. All
proposals received will be subjected to peer and scientific review panels.
Evaluation criteria for selection in this phase include at a minimum: (A)
whether the proposal has merit; (B) whether the proposal is likely to result
in improvements in performance, affordability, manufacturability, or
operational capability at the component, subsystem, or system level of an
acquisition program; (C) whether the proposal could be implemented in the
acquisition program rapidly, at acceptable cost and acceptable disruption to
the acquisition program. Proposals that meet the requirements as outlined
above, and any additional evaluation criteria deemed appropriate for source
selection, will be prioritized based on potential for providing innovative and
cost-saving technologies or products into existing DoD acquisition programs
and ability to meet warfighter needs. If not identified in the proposal, the
acquisition program of record (POR) that can be identified as the most likely
to benefit from the proposed technology or product will be asked to conduct a
review of the proposal submitted in this First Phase. The associated DoD
Program Manager, in collaboration with the prime system contractor on the
program as appropriate, will decide whether to accept the proposal and further
refine/develop the proposal for submittal as a Final Proposal. The acquisition
program manager who reviews and accepts the initial submittal is responsible
for submittal of the Final Proposal during the SECOND PHASE. The acquisition
program manager will determine the scope of the DAC project to include action
as a validation test or a comparative test based on market evaluation,
acquisition best practices and program need. In this second phase the Final
Proposals submitted by program managers compete for DAC funding to test the
proposed technology. In addition to the required areas on the initial
proposal, the Final Proposal must include: key performance parameters (those
the technology/product/process must meet); test concept and schedule for the
test planning, administration, and data analysis; a plan for integration (to
include cost and schedule) of the technology or product into the acquisition
program; estimated vendor support costs; test article cost; projected
facility/laboratory/test range costs; Quad Chart and a Project Chart with cost
profile for the test and evaluation of the technology/product/process for the
intended application. The integration plan must include all applicable
certifications (safety, flight worthiness, insensitive munitions, operational
utility, etc.) required to insert the product/technology/process into the
acquisition program. Letter(s) from the acquisition authority expressing
intent to procure, or the weapon system prime expressing intent to
incorporate, pending successful testing, are required with the Final Proposal.
By law, DAC funds cannot be used to implement/field the technology or
product. At the completion of the Second Phase a Government-led evaluation
team will review all competing Proposals and assess each against the
evaluation criteria set forth in Title 10, USC Section 2359b and those
criteria deemed appropriate for source selection. The Second Phase Government
review of the Proposals will include all criteria listed above, as well as:
(A) an assessment of the cost, ease, and likelihood of adopting the challenge
proposal and implementing it in the acquisition program; and (B) consideration
of any intellectual property issues associated with the Challenge Proposal.
Proposals will be selected for funding based on their assessment rating and
the availability of Government funding. Selection for funding is highly
competitive. Every attempt will be made to ensure that all submitters are
notified of the outcome of their proposal(s). Final FY2008 selections are
expected to be finalized NLT 1 October, 2007. All submissions into the Defense
Acquisition Challenge website must be UNCLASSIFIED. Classified submissions, up
to SECRET, can be accepted through the mail. Classified responses must be
appropriately marked, sealed and mailed in accordance with classified handling
procedures. Classified proposals must adhere to the same Proposal and Quad
Chart formats provided on the website. For classified submittals, send an
email to [Please use the link below] . Mailing instructions will be provided at
that time. Classified documents must be mailed and received by the applicable
due date and time. Classification does not in any way eliminate the offeror
requirement to comply with all instructions in the BAA. Notification of
rejections will be emailed to the Proposal submitter. It should be generally
assumed that the reason a proposal was not considered for further review was
due to failure to meet the requirements for DAC. This should not be construed
as a commitment by the Government, and any information submitted by industry
will not constitute an offer that could be accepted by the Government to
create a binding contract. The Government does not intend to award a contract
on the basis of this Request for Information or otherwise compensate/
reimburse for the information solicited. Persons submitting proposals are
advised that only a Contracting Officer may obligate the government to any
agreement involving expenditure of government funds. While this BAA and
evaluation process meet the requirements for fair and open competition, the
final determination will reside with the DoD contracting officer from the
Sponsoring organization. Proposals must be received/ submitted via the DAC
website NLT 2400 hours EST, 2 February 2007. Proposals submitted after the
deadline will have to be submitted as an UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL and may result
in the proposal not being considered for funding during the initial selection
cycle. All Proposal submissions must comply with the Submission Guidelines and
use the FY2008 templates provided on the website. Failure to comply with the
above instructions may result in the rejection of the proposal during the
administrative review. The agency posting this announcement, Washington
Headquarters Services/ Acquisition and Procurement Office, is not responsible
for the DAC program and therefore will not answer any questions and/ or accept
proposals. Questions regarding DAC should be directed to
[Please use the link below] or 703-602-3740. Original Points of Contact:
Comparative Testing Office, Attn: Colonel Bob Mattes, or Paul Frichtl, Phone
(703) 602-3740; Fax (703) 602-3748; email: [Please use the link below]. For
Service-specific questions address your questions to: for Army: Mr. Al
Trawinski, (703) 806-0999, email: allan.trawinski@us.army.mil ; for Navy: Mr.
Mark Shiffler, (703) 696-4225, email: Mark_Shiffler@onr.navy.mil ; and Marine
Corps, Ms. Shawn Prablek, (703) 432-4296, email: Prableksj@mcsc.usmc.mil ; for
Air Force, Lt Col Christopher Berg, (703) 588-6401, email:
christopher.berg@pentagon.af.mil ; for US Special Operations Command: Mr.
James Pettigrew, (813) 826-9436, email: pettigj@socom.mil . More information
can be found at: https://cto.acqcenter.com/

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