Combat Identification Automated Target Recognition Technology (CATCH)

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment 2 - Statement of Objectives (SOO) Supplemental Requirements," provides additional requirements and clarifications that are considered part of the overall SOO/PWS for the opportunity. It details specific obligations and procedures for the contractor.

• Disclosure of Information: Requires submission of information copies to the Contracting Office and Program Manager at least 45 days prior to scheduled release.
• Travel: Outlines requirements for travel within the contiguous U.S. and overseas, including reimbursement procedures, approval processes, and the potential use of Air Mobility Command (AMC) flights.
• Key Positions and Minimum Qualifications: Specifies that certain contractor personnel are essential and lists placeholders for job titles and minimum qualifications. It also requires prior approval for any substitutions.
• Packaging and Marking: Details packaging requirements for hardware deliverables and specific instructions for sensitive contents.
• Program Manager and Focal Points: Identifies the Government Program Manager and lists placeholders for Principal Investigator, Technical Contract Manager, and Alternate.
• Base Support: Describes the availability of rent-free, non-interference base support from the Government, including types of support and procedures for reporting inadequacies.
• Contracting Officer Representative (COR): Identifies the COR for SCI Security Administration as TBD.
• Patent Rights Clause: Outlines requirements for reporting inventions and subcontracts.
• Pollution Prevention and Right-To-Know Information: Mandates EMS Awareness-Level training for personnel working on Air Force installations.
• Non-US Citizens: Stipulates that contractor employees requiring access to USAF bases, AFRL facilities, or U.S. Government IT networks must be U.S. citizens, with specific exceptions and waiver procedures.

This attachment is crucial for bidders as it defines specific operational, administrative, and compliance requirements beyond the main SOO/PWS. It impacts personnel qualifications, travel planning, information disclosure, and site access protocols, all of which are critical for proposal development and contract execution.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Privacy Act Statement for the Air Force Research Laboratory. It informs individuals about the collection, use, and disclosure of their personal information in relation to federal grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and other research-related agreements awarded by the Department of the Air Force.

• Authority: Lists the legal statutes and executive orders authorizing the collection of information.
• Purpose: Explains that the collected information is used for processing, investigating, and maintaining records relevant to awards and agreements.
• Routine Uses: Details how the information may be shared with contractors, grantees, law enforcement, and other appropriate entities.
• Effect of not providing information: States that providing information is voluntary, but non-compliance with 42 U.S. Code § 6605 can lead to rejection of applications, civil, or criminal remedies.
• Acknowledgment of Consent: Includes fields for a covered individual's signature, printed name, and date, as well as an authorized representative's signature, printed name, date, and institution name.

Bidders, particularly individuals involved in research and development applications or agreements with the Air Force Research Laboratory, must review this statement. It outlines the legal basis for information collection, how their data will be used and protected, and the consequences of not providing consent or required information. The acknowledgment section must be completed and submitted as part of the application or agreement process.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment 2 - Section K.pdf", contains "Representations and Instructions" and "Representations, Certifications and Other Statements of Offerors" relevant to the solicitation. It outlines various provisions and clauses that offerors must review and, in many cases, complete or certify. This section is critical for bidders to understand their obligations and to ensure their proposals meet all required legal and regulatory standards.

• Solicitation Provisions: Lists Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) solicitation provisions that are incorporated by reference or in full text.
• Annual Representations and Certifications: Details requirements for annual representations and certifications, including NAICS code (541715), small business size standards, and options for electronic submission via SAM.gov.
• Specific Provisions: Includes numerous specific FAR and DFARS provisions related to:
  • Ownership or Control of Offeror
  • Compliance with Employment Reporting Requirements
  • Safeguarding Covered Defense Information
  • Business Operations with the Maduro Regime
  • Independent Price Determination
  • Payments to Influence Federal Transactions
  • Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations
  • Responsibility Matters (debarment, suspension, convictions, tax delinquency)
  • Delinquent Tax Liability or Felony Conviction
  • Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) Notices and Certifications
  • Identification and Assertion of Use, Release, or Disclosure Restrictions
• Offeror Actions: Requires offerors to either complete individual representations and certifications or confirm they have been completed electronically in SAM.gov. Specific instructions are provided for various scenarios, including predecessor information and potential changes to cost accounting practices.

This document is essential for all potential bidders. It dictates the mandatory representations, certifications, and statements required for a compliant offer. Failure to accurately complete or submit the information required by these provisions can lead to ineligibility for award. Bidders must carefully review each provision to understand its applicability and ensure their submission addresses all requirements.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Research and Related Senior and Key Person Profile Worksheet" intended for use with FAR-Based Contracts. It serves to collect detailed information about the senior and key personnel proposed for a contract.

• The worksheet requires the following information for a "Project Director / Principal Investigator" and up to five "Senior / Key Person" profiles:
  • First Name, Middle Name, Last Name, Suffix
  • Position / Title
  • Department
  • Organization Name, Division
  • Phone Number, Email Address
  • LinkedIn Profile
  • Project Role (e.g., PD / PI)
  • Other Project Role
• Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required items.

Bidders must complete this worksheet accurately to provide the required personnel information as part of their proposal submission. This document is crucial for demonstrating that the proposed team meets the qualifications and experience necessary for the opportunity.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Security Program Questionnaire used to review the security program and practices of institutions receiving research funding. It is intended to be completed by a Contractor/Recipient and reviewed by the S&T Protection Lead.

The questionnaire includes 13 questions covering:

• Physical security plans
• Information security processes
• Information storage locations
• Procedures for transmission, transportation, disposal, destruction, and reproduction of information
• Safeguards for personnel accessing information
• Plans for safeguarding Government Furnished Equipment/Information (GFE/GFI)
• Cybersecurity and network protection procedures
• Operations security to prevent adversary access and insider threats
• Procedures for handling compromised information
• Willingness to provide AFRL S&T Protection training annually.

Bidders may be required to complete this questionnaire as part of the proposal submission process. The responses will be used to assess the bidder's security posture and their ability to protect sensitive information and research related to the opportunity.

Statement of Objectives (SOO)

This document outlines the Statement of Objectives (SOO) for the Combat Identification Automatic Target Recognition Technology (CATCH) program, dated December 10, 2024. The SOO is classified as Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

• The SOO is exclusively available to qualified U.S. contractors.

• Qualification is defined by DoDD 5230.25, which establishes the DD Form 2345 (Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement) as the certification mechanism.

• For more information on eligibility, refer to DoDD 5230.25 and the Joint Certification Program (JCP) at https://www.dla.mil/Logistics-Operations/Services/JCP/.

• Qualified U.S. contractors must request a copy of the SOO by contacting the Program Manager, Kameron Grubaugh, at kameron.grubaugh@us.af.mil.

• Requests must include a certified, current DD Form 2345.

• Upon confirmation of eligibility, the SOO will be provided via the DoD Safe Website.

• A separate password will be provided to decrypt the file.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation, FA237725RB004, is for the "CATCH" (Combat Identification Automatic Target Recognition Technology) program. The objective is to develop and transition cutting-edge Combat Identification (CID) and fusion capabilities for single and multi-ship scenarios, encompassing air, ground, and surface targets.

• Research and Development (CLIN 0001): Conduct research in accordance with Section J, Attachment 1, Statement of Objectives.

• Hardware (CLIN 0002): Deliver hardware developed and/or acquired during the effort, including but not limited to prototypes and residual materials.

• Computer Software (CLIN 0003): Deliver computer software developed and/or acquired during the effort.

• Contract Type: Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) for CLIN 0001. The estimated cost and fixed fee are TBD for each call.

• Period of Performance: Not explicitly stated, but implies performance through "To Be Determined on each call."

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated.

• Offer Due Date: April 2, 2025, 05:00 PM.

• Submission Instructions: Refer to Section L and other relevant sections for detailed proposal submission requirements.

• Evaluation Criteria: Not detailed in the provided pages, but typically includes factors such as technical approach, past performance, and price.

• This acquisition is listed as "UNRESTRICTED."

• NAICS Code: 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology))

• Size Standard: Not specified.

• The solicitation incorporates FAR clauses 52.212-1, 52.212-4, and 52.212-5 by reference, with addenda.

• Numerous DFARS clauses are also incorporated by reference and in full text, covering areas such as contract administration, special contract requirements, patent rights, and representations and certifications.

• Section J lists several attachments, including Statement of Work (SOW), ANSI Guide, SF 298, Contract Security Classification Specification (DD 254), Subcontracting Plan, SOW Supplemental, Security Procedures Supplemental, Payment Instructions, and Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL).

Forms / Attachments / Pricing Sheets

This document is a Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) that specifies various data items required from the contractor. It details the format, frequency, submission requirements, and distribution for each data item.

• Data Item No. (A001-A012): Lists specific deliverables such as Scientific and Technical Reports, Funds and Man-Hour Expenditure Reports, Contract Funds Status Reports, Contractor Spend and Expenditure Plans, Status Reports, Integrated Program Management Reports, Contract Work Breakdown Structure, Software User Manuals, Presentation Material, Test Plans, and Computer Software Products.
• Title of Data Item: The name of the specific report or deliverable.
• Authority: The document or standard governing the data acquisition.
• Frequency: How often the data item is required (e.g., monthly, quarterly, annually, as required).
• Submission Dates: Specifies when the first and subsequent submissions are due.
• Distribution: Identifies the addressees and the number of copies required.
• Remarks: Provides tailoring instructions, specific requirements, or clarifications for each data item.

This CDRL is crucial for bidders as it outlines all the required documentation and reporting that will be expected under the contract. Understanding these requirements is essential for accurately estimating proposal costs and ensuring compliance if awarded the contract. Bidders should pay close attention to the format, submission deadlines, and distribution requirements for each data item to accurately price their proposals and plan their project execution.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document serves as a placeholder for Solicitation DD254. It provides instructions on how to obtain a copy of the actual solicitation.

• Contact Person: Program Engineer, Kameron Grubaugh
• Email Address: Kameron.Grubaugh@us.af.mil

Potential bidders interested in Solicitation DD254 must contact Kameron Grubaugh via email to obtain a copy of the solicitation document. This is the sole method provided for acquiring the solicitation details.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is an Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) with Calls, soliciting white papers and/or proposals for the Combat Identification Automated Target Recognition Technology (CATCH) program. The ARA itself is open until March 14, 2030, with specific solicitations for white papers or proposals to be issued via "calls" throughout this period. The program aims to advance technology in modeling, simulation, analysis, technology development, integration, test and evaluation, and transition coordination related to sensor exploitation and Combat Identification (CID).

The CATCH program will focus on:

• Sensor exploitation across multiple warfighting domains (air, ground, surface targets).
• Exploitation and fusion of multiple sensor modalities (active and passive) from various platforms.
• OMS technologies and third-party software exploration.

Calls issued under this ARA will involve developing and transitioning CID and fusion capabilities, operationalizing CID infrastructure, increasing CID relevance, establishing a standardized CID feature database, and investigating innovative testing approaches for JADC2 environments.

• Contract Type: Anticipated to be Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) or Cost type contracts. Other Transaction Agreements (OTs) are also possible.

• Estimated Program Value: $95,000,000.00, with multiple awards ranging from $1,000,000.00 to $35,000,000.00.

• Period of Performance: To be determined (TBD) per individual call.

• Process: Calls will specify whether a one-step (proposals) or two-step (white papers first, then proposals) process will be used.

• White Papers: Must be submitted by a date/time specified in each call. Format and content requirements are detailed, including page limitations and specific sections (Solicitation, Period of Performance/Task Objectives, Technical Summary/Deliverables, Cost ROM).

• Proposals: Will be requested via RFP for offerors whose white papers are selected. Submission details will be in the RFP.

• Evaluation: White papers will be reviewed based on technical approach, relevance to government interest, and funding availability. Proposals will undergo peer or scientific review focusing on technical merit and cost/price realism.

• Deadlines: White paper and proposal due dates will be specified in individual calls.

• Eligible Offerors: Unrestricted solicitation; businesses and educational institutions of all sizes are encouraged.

• Cost Sharing: Not required.

• FFRDCs: May be eligible if specific criteria are met.

• Security: Anticipates up to Top Secret classification. Security Risk Reviews will be conducted for personnel.

• Export Control: May involve data subject to export control laws; DD Form 2345 may be required.

• Communication: Technical questions should be directed to the Technical POC; contracting questions to the Contracting POCs.

• Attachments: Numerous attachments provide details on model contracts, SOWs, forms, and other requirements.