Broad Agency Announcement for Basic and Applied Research at the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command - Soldier Center

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center (DEVCOM Soldier Center) seeks proposals for basic and applied research. The goal is to advance state-of-the-art technologies and increase knowledge to overcome current technology barriers, focusing on scientific study and experimentation rather than specific systems. Awards may be in the form of purchase orders, contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or other transactions.

The BAA outlines research interests across several scientific and technical areas, including:

• Combat Feeding (equipment and systems, ration research)

• Soldier Protection and Survivability (headborne equipment, body armor, chemical/biological protection, countersurveillance, body-worn materials, nanotechnology, advanced protection systems, integrated sound/light/blast management, textile technologies)

• Soldier Effectiveness (body-worn systems, biomechanics, anthropometry, warrior performance, soldier power sources, future warrior technology integration, technology assessment/simulation tools, ecological approach to survivability, soldier-centric sensors, soldier/squad performance optimization, human factors, soldier ISR, biotechnology, physical performance technologies)

• Expeditionary Maneuver Support (EMI/EMP protection, signature management, environmental protection, deployment/durability, advanced manufacturing)

• Aerial Delivery (advanced personnel and cargo airdrop systems)

• Simulation and Training Technology (live training simulation, digital environments, medical simulation, advanced interactive simulation, cyberspace warfare for training, adaptive instructional systems, battlespace visualization, artificially intelligent agents, collaboration with ICT)

• Effective Period: February 29, 2025 - February 28, 2030

• Awards may be made until June 30, 2030.

• The Government may award various instrument types (contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, etc.).

• A two-step process: concept paper submission followed by an invitation to submit a full proposal.

• Concept papers are limited to 5 pages.

• Proposals must be submitted in severable sections (Technical, Management, Cost/Price, Past Performance, Subcontracting/Small Business Participation, Representations/Certifications, Statement of Work).

• Evaluation is based on Technical Merit, Technology Advancement/Warfighting Capability, Management, Cost/Price, Past Performance, and Subcontracting Plan/Small Business Participation.

• Key deadlines: Concept papers accepted until February 28, 2030. Proposals accepted anytime after concept paper approval until February 28, 2030.

• Eligible entities include degree-granting colleges/universities, nonprofit research institutes, foreign organizations, and commercial firms (all small business categories encouraged).

• Government facilities/organizations are not eligible.

• While no portion is set aside for small businesses, their participation is highly encouraged.

• Offerors are strongly encouraged to communicate with Technical POCs before submitting proposals.

• Registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) is required for award eligibility.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center (DEVCOM Soldier Center) seeks scientific study and experimentation to advance state-of-the-art technologies and increase knowledge, aiming to eliminate current technology barriers. It does NOT focus on specific systems or hardware solutions. The BAA identifies research and exploratory development areas of interest for DEVCOM Soldier Center and provides guidance for proposal preparation and evaluation.

The BAA covers a wide range of scientific and technical areas of interest, including:

• Combat Feeding Equipment and Systems

• Soldier Protection and Survivability (e.g., headborne equipment, body armor)

• Soldier Effectiveness (e.g., body-worn systems, sensors, human systems integration)

• Expeditionary Maneuver Support (e.g., shelters, signature management)

• Aerial Delivery (e.g., cargo and personnel airdrop systems)

• Simulation and Training Technology

• Biotechnology

• Physical Performance Technologies

• Future Warrior Technology Integration

• Materials Nanotechnology

• Soldier Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR)

• Soldier/Squad Performance Optimization

• Human Factors

• Soldier Power Sources, Power & Data Distribution and Management

• Biomechanics

• Anthropometry

• Warrior Performance

• Advanced Manufacturing (AM)

• Battlespace Visualization and Interaction

• Artificially Intelligent Agents

• Collaboration with the Institute for Creative Technologies

• The BAA is effective from 29 February 2025 to 28 February 2030.

• Awards may be made until 30 June 2025.

• The Government may award purchase orders, contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or other transactions.

• Offerors should propose a suitable award instrument (Procurement Contract, Grant, or Cooperative Agreement).

• A two-step process is utilized: concept paper submission followed by an invitation to submit a full proposal.

• Concept papers are due by 28 February 2025.

• Proposals may be submitted after concept paper approval until the BAA closing date.

• Evaluation will be based on scientific/technical merit, management approach, importance to agency programs, and proposed cost/price.

• Key evaluation factors include Technical Merit, Technology Advancement/Warfighting Capability, Safety and HSI Requirements, Management, Cost/Price, and Past Performance.

• Eligible entities include degree-granting colleges and universities, nonprofit research institutes, foreign organizations, and commercial firms (including large and small businesses of all types).

• Government facilities and organizations are NOT eligible.

• While no portion is set aside, participation of Small Businesses (SB), Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDB), Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB), HUBZone, Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSB), and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) is highly encouraged.

• Offerors must register in the System for Award Management (SAM).

• Specific submission instructions, including POCs and addresses, are provided for each scientific and technical area of interest.

• Proposals must include a Statement of Work (SOW) and adhere to specific formatting and content requirements for technical, management, cost/price, past performance, and subcontracting sections.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is issued by the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center (DEVCOM Soldier Center) to solicit proposals for basic and applied research. The BAA aims to fulfill requirements for scientific study and experimentation to advance state-of-the-art technologies and increase knowledge, with the goal of eliminating current technology barriers. It does not focus on specific systems or hardware solutions. The government may award purchase orders, contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or other transactions.

The BAA outlines numerous Scientific and Technical Areas of Interest, including:

• Combat Feeding Equipment and Systems

• Soldier Protection and Survivability (e.g., headborne equipment, body armor)

• Soldier Effectiveness (e.g., body-worn systems, electronic components, sensors)

• Expeditionary Maneuver Support (e.g., EMI/EMP protection, shelter technologies, fabric wall structures)

• Aerial Delivery (e.g., advanced personnel and cargo airdrop systems)

• Simulation and Training Technology (e.g., weapon tracking, battlefield effects simulation, medical simulation)

• Biotechnology

• Physical Performance Technologies

• Soldier Centric Sensors, Information Portrayal, & Data Management Technologies

• Soldier/Squad Performance Optimization

• Human Factors

• Soldier Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR)

• Materials Nanotechnology

• Advanced Protection, Integration Technologies/Systems and Assessment Methods

• Integrated Sound, Light and Blast Management for the Ears and Eyes

• Textile Technologies

• Battlespace Visualization and Interaction

• Artificially Intelligent Agents

• Collaboration with the Institute for Creative Technologies

• The BAA is effective from February 28, 2025, to February 27, 2030.

• Awards may be made until June 30, 2030.

• The government may award various types of instruments, including procurement contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants.

• A two-step process is utilized: concept paper submission followed by proposal submission if invited.

• Concept papers are due by February 27, 2030. Proposals may be submitted after concept paper approval until the BAA closing date.

• Proposals must be submitted electronically or via physical mail to the address indicated under each scientific and technical area of interest.

• Evaluation will be based on scientific/technical merit, management approach, importance to agency programs, and proposed cost/price.

• Eligible entities include degree-granting colleges and universities, nonprofit research institutes, foreign organizations, and commercial firms (including large and small businesses).

• Proposals from government facilities and organizations will not be considered.

• While no portion of the BAA is set aside for small businesses, their participation is highly encouraged.

• Offerors are cautioned that research resulting from this BAA may lead to additional requirements for services.

• Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database.

• Specific submission instructions, including POCs and addresses, are detailed within each Scientific and Technical Area of Interest section.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Small Business Participation Plan template required for all Offerors, in accordance with DFARS 215.304. It outlines the information bidders must provide regarding their planned participation of small businesses in the contract.

• Total Contract Value (including options): To be filled in by the Offeror.
• Dollar Value of your participation as a prime contractor: To be filled in by the Offeror.
• Dollar Value and Percentage of Total Contract Value of Subcontracts Planned For: This section requires detailed breakdown of planned subcontracting to various categories of small businesses (Total Small, Small Non-Disadvantaged, Small Disadvantaged, Small Woman Owned, Small HUBZone, Small Veteran Owned, Small Service Disabled Veteran Owned). It also requires listing the principal supplies/services to be subcontracted, specifying the type of company and service/supply.

This form is critical for bidders to detail their strategy for meeting small business participation goals. Accurate completion is required as part of the proposal submission, demonstrating compliance with DFARS regulations and the opportunity's small business objectives.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an Excel spreadsheet (.xlsx) containing cost proposal templates for offerors. Its purpose is to guide government personnel in reviewing and evaluating cost proposals and to ensure offerors provide adequate supporting data for their proposed costs. Offerors are responsible for demonstrating the reasonableness of their proposed costs.

• Cost Breakdown: Requires cost breakdowns by period of performance (base and options) and by task as identified in the statement of work. The sum of costs by task must equal the total cost summary.
• Options: The US Army Natick Contracting Division does not accept unpriced options; any option not fully priced will not be included in an award.
• Worksheets: Includes separate worksheets for 'Base', 'Option I' through 'Option V', 'Total Amount', 'Labor & Ind Rates', 'Subcontractor', 'Consultants', 'Materials-Supplies', 'Equipment', 'Travel', 'ODC Details', and specific 'Task' sheets.
• Cost Categories: The template covers Direct Labor, Fringe Benefits, Labor Overhead, Subcontracts, Consultants, Other Direct Costs (Materials/Supplies, Equipment, Travel), Material Handling, General and Administrative (G&A), and Facilities Cost of Money.
• Required Data: Offerors must provide details on labor categories, hours, rates, extended costs, subcontractor information, consultant efforts, material/equipment details, and travel estimates.
• Certifications: Requirements for Certificate of Current Cost/Pricing Data for prime and subcontractors over $700K are noted.

This spreadsheet is critical for any offeror responding to an opportunity requiring a cost proposal. It outlines the specific format and detailed information required for pricing, including how to handle base and option periods, task-specific costs, and various indirect cost categories. Failure to provide a fully priced proposal, especially for options, may result in non-consideration. Offerors must ensure their submitted costs are well-supported and demonstrate reasonableness.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document appears to be a cover page or administrative form for a proposal submission related to a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). It is designed to collect essential information about the offeror and the proposed project.

• Consideration By: Lists the various research and development areas within the Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) that the proposal may be relevant to.
• Proposal Inclusions: Checkboxes for indicating the presence of sensitive or regulated items such as Human Subjects, Vertebrate Animals, GFE/GFP, and specific facility/organism types.
• Award Document Type: Selection for the proposed contract or grant type.
• BAA Number: Field to enter the relevant BAA number.
• Proposal Title: Space for the title of the submitted proposal.
• Topic Area: Identification of the specific BAA topic area.
• Total Funds Requested: Field for the total amount of funding sought.
• Offeror Information: Details about the submitting organization, including Name, Address, DUNS, and CAGE code.
• Type of Business: Classification of the offeror (e.g., Large Business, Small Disadvantage Business, HBCU).
• Points of Contact: Fields for both the Primary Investigator/Technical POC and the Administrative POC, including contact details.
• Dates: Proposal preparation and expiration dates.
• Authorization: Signature of the offeror's authorized representative.

This form is crucial for bidders to correctly complete and submit with their proposals. It ensures all necessary administrative and programmatic information is provided upfront, facilitating the government's initial review and processing of the submission. Bidders must accurately fill out all relevant sections to comply with submission requirements.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document contains several standard Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) provisions that offerors must review and complete as part of their response to a solicitation. These provisions relate to contractor responsibility, representations, and assertions regarding data and transportation.

• FAR 52.209-7 (Information Regarding Responsibility Matters): Requires offerors to disclose information about active Federal contracts and grants exceeding $10,000,000 and any related proceedings or dispositions in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS).
• DFARS 252.2009-7999 (Representation by Corporations Regarding an Unpaid Delinquent Tax Liability or a Felony Conviction): Requires corporations to represent whether they have unpaid Federal tax liabilities or have been convicted of a felony within the preceding 24 months.
• 252.227-7017 (Identification and Assertion of Use, Release, or Disclosure Restrictions): Requires offerors to identify any technical data or computer software they intend to deliver with restrictions on Government use, release, or disclosure. This includes a specific format for asserting these restrictions.
• 252.227-7028 (Technical Data or Computer Software Previously Delivered to the Government): Requires offerors to identify documents or media incorporating technical data or computer software previously delivered to the Government with other than unlimited rights.
• 252.247-7022 (Representation of Extent of Transportation by Sea): Requires offerors to represent whether transportation of supplies by sea is anticipated under the resultant contract.

Completing and submitting these representations and certifications accurately is crucial for proposal eligibility and award. Failure to submit, complete, or sign these provisions as required may render an offer ineligible for award. Bidders must carefully review each provision and provide the requested information or representations.