ADVANCED NOTICE – UNIVERSITY-LED CONSORTIUM (ULC)

PIIN: N0016420SNB42

FSC: AC21 - NAICS: 541715

Closing date: 30 April 2020

The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) located in Crane, Indiana, in conjunction with the Department of Defense, is issuing this advanced notice announcement to notify U.S. institutions of higher education (universities) with doctoral degree-granting programs of the upcoming Request for Solutions (RFS) that will be issued.

The Government is seeking to form a University-led consortium with advanced hypersonics expertise. A “University-led consortium” is defined as a self-formed, multi-institutional consortium that includes a Governance Board representing the member universities and a consortium-appointed director. The consortium is to be a self-managing/self-governing legal entity, consisting of a consortium-appointed director and a Governance Board.  The Governance Board will consist of representatives from member universities. The legal entity, which will represent the consortium, will be responsible for basic functions such as Consortia membership, Governance Board, security, facilities, Operations Security (OPSEC), International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) compliance, financial transactions, etc.

TECHNICAL SCOPE

NSWC Crane, in coordination with the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) and the Departments of the Navy, Air Force, Army, the Department of Energy, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and related Government Agencies and Program Offices, seeks university and academic expertise in the hypersonics mission and technology focus areas including, but not limited to the following:

• High temperature materials and manufacturing;
• Guidance, navigation, and controls;
• Air breathing Propulsion, including modeling and simulation;
• Hypersonic environments and phenomenologies;
• Applied aerodynamics/aerothermodynamics and system concepts for hypersonic systems; and
• Lethality and energetics for solid rocket motors and ordnance systems.

SECURITY

The University-led consortium must be able to receive classified documents up to the SECRET level.

Only cleared and authorized US citizens are anticipated to be the only participants on funded projects with case-by-case exceptions for universities, professors, and students from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

Subject to the Arms Export Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) requiring the issuance of an export license by the U.S. Department of State.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Governance Board with fair and equitable member representation;

A consortium-appointed director, approved by the Governance Board;

Letters of commitment from member universities (if available) should include limitations restricting participation to U.S. or cleared personnel; Note: Letters of commitment shall not restrict universities from being proposed on multiple ULCs nor preclude unsuccessfully proposed consortium partner/teaming universities from being added to the winning ULC after award; and

Meeting space availability within proximity of 5 miles from NSWC Crane (example: minimum 400 sq. ft. with standard office equipment/computer equipment and VTC capabilities for in-person and virtual meetings). The meeting space will be a center for universities to meet with each other as well as meet with the Government.  Facility usage may include vetting and selection of projects as well as a center for collaboration amongst the consortium members.

ANTICIPATED TECHNICAL RESPONSE TO RFS

1. Completion of a worksheet addressing each university’s technical capabilities, facility clearance level, ITAR compliance, and consortium member’s letters of commitment.

2. Written documentation describing the formation of the contracted entity and general consortium structure (i.e. Governance Board, consortium appointed director, regional representation, science board, etc.).  Note: a contracted entity will be capable of contracting with the Government, e.g. possessing a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) and Commercial and Government Entity Program (CAGE) code.

EVALUATION

A two-phased evaluation process is planned to be conducted in a manner described below:

1. Written responses to the RFS will be submitted and the Government will review and evaluate the submissions. The Government will then down select amongst the received submissions to narrow the response pool to contain only those that are qualified and most likely to receive award.

2. The qualified respondents will then be invited to NSWC Crane to provide an oral response to the RFS. This oral presentation will expand on their proposal and provide more details into their university-led consortium plan.

POINT OF CONTACT

Christopher Good
Contracting Officer – NSWC Crane
Phone: (812) 854-1384
Email: [email protected]

AMENDMENT 0001:

The purpose of this amendment is to correct the Point of Contact's email address.  POC's email should read [email protected]