1.  ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION- This publication constitutes a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) as contemplated in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.102(d)(2). Initial responses to this announcement in the form of white papers (Section 3.2) must be submitted by 23 July 2008.  Subsequently, full proposals shall be requested only from those offerors selected as a result of the technical review of submitted white papers.   
 

NSWCCD reserves the right to select all, some or none of the white papers and the full proposals submitted in response to this BAA. NSWCCD provides no funding for direct reimbursement of white paper or proposal development costs.  Technical and cost proposals (or any other material) submitted in response to this BAA will not be returned.  It is the policy of NSWCCD to treat all white papers and proposals as competition sensitive information and to disclose their contents only for evaluation purposes.  
 

2.  BACKGROUND INFORMATION- Commercial and military supply chains in general operate in a very similar manner.  The end user need is transmitted or anticipated, and this need sets in motion a series of actions that culminate in the delivery of the desired material to that user.  During this process, the material is transported via a variety of methods and passes through numerous distribution nodes. 
 

The Navy has observed the incredible changes that have occurred in the commercial retail and manufacturing industries brought about by automated warehousing and automated material handling systems, both integrated with innovative information technology approaches.  Since the Navy has many legacy systems in their land- and sea-based infrastructure, implementing significant change must be properly planned. 
 

The challenge for the Navy is to research and investigate operational logistics technologies that can: 1) work on a ship in the at-sea environment 2) handle a variety of commodities including ordnance 3) include adequate back-up methods in case of system failures 4) be adequately integrated into the ship’s design and 5) reduce the total ownership cost of the force. 
 

OPNAV N42, the Strategic Mobility and Combat Logistics Directorate, provides guidance and resources for the Operational Logistics Integration Program (OPLOG).  OPLOG is chartered to conduct technology development and integration efforts with cross-platform, multiple vessel/class applicability.  OPLOG is also tasked to provide input to developers of future operation logistics systems and technology requirements.  Additionally, OPLOG coordinates with the naval research and development, science & technology, and acquisition communities.  OPLOG is focused in the areas of Advanced Replenishment Systems, Shipboard Materiel Transport, Standardized Packaging and Interface Technologies (for Transportation, Supply and Storage) and Asset Visibility and Planning. 
 

This BAA solicits innovative concepts from industry that can advance Navy operational logistics capabilities with a rapid transition period through component improvement and/or integrated demonstration and evaluation.  The Navy may consider existing products, modify or further assist in the development and integration of the offerors’ system(s), and evaluate them with a focus on at-sea application.   
 

3.  GENERAL INFORMATION 
 

3.1 Research Opportunity Title- BACK-FIT OPERATIONAL LOGISTICS WITH NEAR-TERM TRANSITION CAPABILITY 
 

3.2 Response Date- White papers are due to the Navy at the address identified below not later than 1700 EST 23 July 2008.  White papers received after this time will not be included in the initial review.    The white paper should clearly articulate the proposed concept, feasibility, and technical approach.  Full proposals may be solicited in writing pending review of the white papers.  All offerors will be notified in writing as to the status of their white papers. Two copies of each white paper shall be submitted to Ms. Anne Wang at the following address:

NAVAL SURFACE WARFARE CENTER CARDEROCK DIVISION (NSWCCD)

ATTN ANNE WANG CODE 2120

BAA NUMBER: N00167-08-BAA-25

9500 MACARTHUR BOULEVARD

WEST BETHESDA, MD 20817-5700 
 

An additional copy of each white paper shall be electronically submitted to Ms. Anne Wang at annie.wang@navy.mil

3.3 Research Opportunity Description- The Naval Surface Warfare Center is interested in white papers for concepts from industry that can advance Navy operational logistics capabilities through component advancement and/or integrated demonstration and evaluation.  Prior to preparing any submission, potential offerors are strongly encouraged to contact the NSWCCD technical point of contact identified below to determine feasibility and interest in the proposed topic. 
 

Back-fit Operational Logistics with Near Term Transition Capability addresses current Combat Logistics Force/Navy Operational Logistics system operations and maintenance issues. Submissions may utilize a wide array of technologies to address quantifiable operations and maintenance issues in the fleet.  Technology maturity should, at a minimum, have basic technological components integrated with reasonably realistic supporting elements and be ready for testing in a simulated environment.  Emphasis is placed on readily transitionable technologies, capable of making near-term, measurable improvements to Operational Logistics systems with cross-platform utility.  The submitted technology should be able or targeted to demonstrate the prototype in an operational environment by the end of phase II.  Development efforts will NOT include information technology/software development, except in cases where it serves as a concept accompaniment.  Efforts that purely focus on information technology/software development are funded through other sources and will not be considered in this BAA.  The topic of this announcement is subdivided into four (4) subtopics. A submission must address only one of the subtopics.  Parties interested in multiple subtopics should submit a separate submission for each subtopic.  Submissions that address operational logistic technology but fall outside the four subtopics may also be considered based on applicability and merit. Subtopics are as follows: 
 

3.4 Advanced Replenishment Complements- Advanced Replenishment addresses transfer of materiel and personnel via afloat systems utilizing features such as Connected Replenishment (CONREP) and Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP).  The materiel to be transferred between ships will include consumables, spares, provisions, petroleum products, mission equipment, and ordnance.  Offerors may focus on a specific subsystem or component that acts to complement the advanced replenishment system.  Submissions may also consider technologies, devices, improved interfaces and management systems that will reduce cost and/or time and/or increase the speed, effectiveness, reliability and/or safety of such transfers or transfer systems.  Offerors should assess compatibility/system interoperability (with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) containers, 463L Pallet, ISO flatrack, Army CROP, material handling equipment, and transportation platforms to include air, sea, and ground assets). Offerors should also assess Service interoperability, sturdiness, weight, storability, blast mitigation ability, ability to retrograde, minimization of waste material, traceability, interlock ability, and ability to be secured. Possible examples of desired advanced replenishment complements may include (but are not limited to): advanced material applications to reduce scheduled maintenance and/or weight of the Standard Tensioned Replenishment Alongside Method (STREAM) system, such as ASD drum wear resistance, improved fueling probe receivers/bushings, lightweight sliding pad- eye/kingpost; quick-connect devices for connect-up for CONREP/VERTREP loads; elimination of the highline and spanwire winch hydrostatic transmissions; containers and container concepts that are standardized, light weight, rugged, environmentally controlled, easily loaded/unloaded/stored; improved rigging devices and concepts; ship deck adsorption system to adsorb energy from cargo impact during at-sea cargo transfer. 
 

3.4.1 Shipboard Materiel Transport- Shipboard Materiel Transport addresses the movement of materiel aboard ship (“within the lifelines”) and should be integrated within the shipboard technical architecture.  The proposed systems should be scaleable across commodity and ship types.  Additionally, these systems should enable improved replenishment system performance, strike up/down rates, and have standardized shipboard interfaces.  Offerors should consider standardized hardware interfaces and integrated information/management systems and should assess compatibility/system interoperability (with ISO containers, 463L Pallet., ISO flat-rack, Army CROP, material handling equipment, and transportation platforms to include air, sea, and ground assets). Offerors should also assess service interoperability, sturdiness, weight, storability, blast mitigation ability, ability to retrograde, minimization of waste material, traceability, interlock ability, and ability to be secured. Possible examples of desired materiel transport technology may include (but are not limited to):  omni-directional pallet movers, motion-compensating conveyor systems; human amplification technologies; sense and respond logistics systems; autonomous self-guided vehicles; standardized packaging and interface concepts that are compatible with (or can work around) the restricted ship passageways, hatches, doors and storage compartments; and improved shipboard material transport technologies that integrate effectively with and complement the other three subtopics in this BAA.  
 

3.4.2 Standardized Packaging and Interface Technologies (for Transportation, Supply, and Storage)- Standardized Packaging and Interface Technologies addresses standardized and modular unitized loads (Twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), quad cons, tri-cons, pallets, boxes, cases, etc), across major classes of supply and in the context of commercial and defense transportation, supply, and storage systems.  This subtopic addresses unitized cargo improvement technologies such as integrated dunnage systems and blast mitigation technologies.  Successful submissions will include consideration of existing and emerging ISO and ASTM standards, as well as the implied interfaces and constraints of the intermodal transportation system and should assess compatibility/system interoperability (with ISO containers, 463L Pallet, ISO flat-rack, Army CROP, material handling equipment, and transportation platforms to include air, sea, and ground assets). Submissions may also assess service interoperability, sturdiness, weight, storability, blast mitigation ability, ability to retrograde, minimization of waste material, traceability, interlock ability, and ability to be secured.  Possible examples of desired unitized cargo complements may include (but are not limited to): ISO twist-lock fittings; deck tie-down technologies, interior coatings to mitigate ordnance explosions; standardized packaging and packaging interfaces. 
 
 

3.4.3 Asset Visibility and Planning- This subtopic addresses concepts of Total Asset Visibility and In-Transit Visibility afloat and the development/integration of enabling technologies for improving shipboard asset visibility.  Additionally, this subtopic considers system architectures, technical architectures, and required interfaces for AIT/UID/RFID in the context of shipboard materiel movement and containerization.  Additionally, this area considers planning and tracking tools to enhance ship loading/unloading and facilitates in-transit visibility.  Successful submissions will address tracking systems and the associated trade-offs associated with the proposed system and the value added by utilization of the proposed system.    Possible examples of asset identification and visibility technology desired may include (but are not limited to) devices that can successfully operate the restricted radiation environment associated with ordnance; devices that can operate, detect, and locate items in a fully loaded compartment (i.e., can “see through” other stored items); devices and systems that can maintain real time visibility of the quantity of items and their location on ship; devices that can be integrated with standardized packaging and packaging interfaces; devices and concepts that enhance the ability to operate in a “sense and respond” mode; and asset identification and visibility concepts that integrate effectively with and complement the other three subtopics in this BAA.   Offerors may consider the following: Ordnance Tracking System/Technology that complies with shipboard E3 requirements and can be Hazards to Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance/Personnel/Fuel (HERO)/HERP)/(HERF) certified for zero standoff distance and active and passive RFID technology. Asset Tracking System/Technology: for shipboard tracking of items to support selective offload, distance support, automated inventory management, and reduced supply department manning requirements.  System must be HERO safe for application to mixed use store rooms.  
 

Point(s) of Contact-Technical Point of Contact

Questions of a technical nature should be submitted to:

Ms. Anne Wang  

NSWC, Carderock Division

301-227-3855

annie.wang@navy.mil 
 

Point of Contract – Contractual Issues

Catherine Lynn Rowe

NSWC, Carderock Division

301-227-1100

catherine.l.rowe@navy.mil 
 

4.  AWARD INFORMATION

4.1 Description- One or more separate contracts may be awarded for Phase I, Phase II and Phase III.  It is noted that these may be option periods in the contracts, if required.  Based on the submissions received, the Government reserves the right to make awards to all, some, or none of the offerors, for all or part of the proposed concepts. 
 

4.2 Contract Structure- Awards may have phases as described below, however offerors are encouraged to submit their own phasing structure that might better accommodate the proposed transition plan. 
 

4.2.1 Phase I – Concept Refinement

Estimated Total Amount of Funding Available: $1,000,000 (all efforts, all contracts), Anticipated Period of Performance: 3 to 6 months 
 

4.2.2 Phase II – Concept Demonstration-Estimated Total Amount of Expected Funding: Approximately $3,000,000 (all efforts, all contracts),

Anticipated Period of Performance: 6 to 8 months 
 

4.23 Phase III – Phase III requirement is to be determined at a later date. 
 

5. DELIVERABLES 
 

5.1 Phase I – Concept Development- Deliverables under Phase I shall include a nominal concept design with reliable engineering data to prove its concept.  The following deliverables are anticipated: periodic technical, presentation materials, performance/technical specifications of proposed technology and final report.  A detailed proposal and cost estimate for the Phase II follow-on effort will also be required.  A kick-off meeting, interim progress reviews, and a final program review will be held at Government-selected sites in the metro Washington, DC area.  
 

5.2 Phase II –Concept Demonstration- The goal of this phase is to demonstrate the proposed technology in a representative environment.  This is required in order to help mitigate technological risk, and to foster the insertion of the proposed system or some derivative thereof into naval vessels.  Anticipated deliverables for Phase II will be similar to Phase I along with documented demonstration results.  A detailed proposal and cost estimate for Phase III (if applicable) will also be required. 
 

6. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION-This Broad Agency Announcement is open to all responsible sources other than Government entities and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs).  
 

7. SUBMISSION INFORMATION 
 

7.1 White papers shall be submitted to NSWCCD per Section 3.2 in response to this BAA.  Offerors with white papers considered to have merit will be requested to prepare full proposals.  
 

7.2 Submission Format- The submissions submitted under this BAA are expected to be unclassified.  The proposal submissions will be protected from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with applicable law and DoD/DoN regulations.  Offerors are expected to appropriately mark each page of their submission that contains proprietary information.   
 

7.2.1. White Papers- The white paper submission shall conform to the following format describe in the sections below.  The Government shall not be liable for costs associated with the preparation of white papers in response to this BAA. 
 

7.2.1.1 Cover Page- The cover page shall contain the following information: OPLOG WHITE PAPER, Subtopic to which this submission is in response to BAA, Descriptive Title, Technical points of contact with telephone, facsimile, and email address information 
 

7.2.1.2 Concept Narrative- The concept narrative is the technical description of the Approach/Solution/Concept being proposed in response to this solicitation.  All white papers must be in the following page format: Paper Size – 8.5 x 11 inch paper, Margins – 1” inch, Spacing – single-spaced, and Page Limit – shall not exceed 5 pages

7.2.1.3 Initial Cost Estimate- The initial cost estimate is a rough order of magnitude cost to mature the proposed concept.  This estimate should be provided for all proposed phases that have been outlined in this BAA.  At a minimum the projected costs should be developed for a Concept Demonstration.  This section will not be included in the total page count. 
 

7.2.1.4 Assertion of Data Rights- Include a summary of any proprietary rights to pre-existing results, prototypes, or systems supporting and/or necessary for the use of the research, results, and/or prototype.  Any rights claimed in other parts of the white paper that would impact the rights in this section must be cross-referenced.  If there are proprietary rights, the offeror must explain how these affect its ability to deliver subsystems for integration.  Additionally, offerors must explain how the program goals are achievable in light of these proprietary and/or restrictive limitations.  If there are no claims of proprietary rights in pre-existing data, this section shall consist of a statement to that effect.  This section will not be included in the total page count. 
 

7.2.2 Full Proposals- Upon request, a proposal submission shall conform to the following format described in the sections below.  The Government shall not be liable for costs associated with the preparation of submissions in response to this BAA. 
 

7.2.2.1 Full Proposal Format- All proposals must be in the following page format: Paper Size – 8.5 x 11 inch paper, Margins – 1” inch

Spacing – single-spaced, and Microsoft Office compatible products such as Microsoft Word, Excel   
 

The proposal shall be two volumes: 
 

7.2.2.1.1 Volume 1 – Technical and Management- The title page shall include the following information of the principal investigators; names, telephones and fax number, and e-mail addresses.  Pages two and three shall be an executive summary.  The remaining proposal shall be divided into two sections. 
 

7.2.2.1.1.1 Volume 1 – Section 1 shall be the technical proposal, limited to twenty-five pages.  It shall describe the proposed system or technology, the subtopic and logistics process it addresses, the proposed technical approach including a schedule and the approach to demonstrating the capability, a statement of work, a project schedule and milestones, a table of contents (not included in page count), and assertion of any data rights (not included in page count). 
 

7.2.2.1.1.2 Volume 1 – Section 2 shall be a summary of the offeror’s core competence and capabilities, relevant prior work in the material handling industry, organizational structure, management plan, resumes of key individuals (not included in page count), and letters of intent by subcontractors or consultants (not included in page count). 
 

7.2.2.1.2 Volume 2 – This volume should be divided into two sections.  The Section 1 is the associated costs for the Concept Refinement, Phase I, of this solicitation.  This cost proposal shall be based on a Firm-Fixed-Price basis.  The Section 2 shall be the associated cost for Concept Demonstration, Phase II, of this solicitation.  This cost proposal shall also be based on a Firm-Fixed-Price basis.  The Phase II cost proposal shall contain a complete cost breakdown in two forms: 1) all costs, by cost category, by calendar year, or Government fiscal year including: Direct Labor, Indirect, Travel, Subcontracts, Consultants, Materials, Other Directs Costs, and Fee/Profit including fee percentage; 2) all costs by task/sub task using the same task numbers in the Statement of Work.    
 

7.3 Late Submissions- Late submissions may be reviewed and considered, however a written response is not guaranteed. 
 

8.0 Evaluation factors include scientific and technical merit, offeror qualifications, past performance, and cost.  
 

8.1.1 Scientific and Technical Merit- This is the most important evaluation factor.  Scientific and technical merit means the potential ability to solve operational logistics problems by incorporating commercial technologies and innovative approaches.  The Government will consider how the proposed solutions will benefit the Navy.  The Government will also take into account the offeror’s understanding of existing Navy shipboard environments, and how current equipment and processes could be improved.  The Navy is also interested in the potential to incorporate the proposed solution into existing technology. 
 

8.1.2 Offeror Qualifications- Individual’s education and experience levels including composition and organization of proposed team, and available specific facilities or other organizational resources will be considered. 
 

8.1.3 Past Performance- Applicable experience and expertise demonstrated with proposed technological solution.  Offerors must forward the Past Performance Form, “Attachment A”, to prior customers for completion.  The completed form should be mailed to and same address under Section 3.2.   
 

8.1.4 Cost reasonableness of an innovative approach, concept, and/or solution will be considered.  Additionally the articulation of cost versus capability as part of innovative approach, concept, and/or solution will be a point of consideration.  
 

8.2 Evaluation Panel- All submissions under this BAA will be protected from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with FAR 3.104-5 and 15.207.  Government personnel will perform the evaluation of all submissions.   
 

9.  OTHER INFORMATION- Each offeror shall provide a very specific description of any equipment/hardware that it needs to acquire to perform the work, indicating whether or not each particular piece of equipment/hardware will be included as part of a deliverable item under the resulting award.  Also, this description must identify the component, nomenclature, and configuration of the equipment/hardware that it proposes to purchase for this effort. The Government desires to have contractors purchase their own equipment/hardware for deliverable items under their contract.   
 

Government research facilities and operational military units may be available and should be considered when planning the Concept Demonstration.  These facilities and resources are of high value and some are in constant demand by multiple programs.  It is unlikely that all facilities would be used for this topic.  The use of these facilities and resources will be negotiated as the program unfolds.  Offerors should explain which of these facilities they recommend and the proposed funding arrangement.  The contractor should be prepared to fund any testing requirements that maybe required resulting from the utilization of such Government facilities. 
 

10. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION- In order to facilitate intra program collaboration and technology transfer, the Government will attempt to enable technology developers to work at the unclassified level to the maximum extent possible.  If access to classified material will be required at any point during performance, the offeror must clearly identify such need prominently in their proposal.  If offerors use unclassified data in their deliveries and demonstrations regarding a potential classified project, they should use methods and conventions consistent with those used in classified environments.  Such conventions will permit the various subsystems and the final system to be more adaptable in accommodating classified data in the transition system.