Defense Logistics Information Research (DLIR) and Supply Chain Management (SCM)

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides answers to vendor questions regarding Solicitation BAA 0002-21, clarifying requirements, deadlines, and submission procedures.

• Contract Type: The Government intends to award cost-type IDIQ contracts, with cost-type definitive contracts for non-IDIQ awardees. Proposals based on other contract types will not be considered, though the Government reserves the right to award a different type of contract.
• Due Date & Proposal Length: The correct closing date for the BAA is October 18, 2021. The maximum page count for the technical proposal is 20 pages.
• Submission Method: Electronic submissions will be accepted. The requirement for hard copies is a typo and will be corrected in a forthcoming amendment.
• Small Business Set-Aside: BAAs are unrestricted acquisitions. While no awards are set aside for small businesses, proposals are accepted from them. Large businesses may need to submit a small business subcontracting plan.
• Number of Awards: There is no set number of awards planned; all, some, or none of the submitted proposals may be awarded.
• Accounting System: An approved accounting system is required prior to award. While a DCAA audit is preferred, the DCAA will perform a pre-award survey if a vendor's system is not yet approved. Not having a prior DCAA audit does not automatically disqualify a vendor, provided approval is eventually granted.
• Post-Award White Papers: "Other offerors" not receiving IDIQ awards will be allowed to submit White Papers after initial IDIQ contracts are awarded, reopening the BAA for consideration.
• Technical Data Management Transformation (TDMT): The TDMT focus is narrowly on Class IX items, but the Supply Chain Management (SCM) Program can address supply chain optimization/resilience for medical equipment and supplies.

This Q&A clarifies the correct closing date, technical proposal page limit, and submission method (electronic only). It also provides crucial information regarding contract types, accounting system requirements, and the post-award process for "other offerors."

Amendment / Modification

This amendment modifies solicitation BAA-0002-21 with the following changes:

• The closing date has been extended to October 18, 2021.

• The maximum page limit for technical proposals is now 20 pages.

• Only electronic proposals are required; hard copies are not necessary.

• A correction is made to a sentence on page 11 regarding the Technical Proposal Evaluation. The original sentence contained an error and has been revised to "Technical proposals must address the evaluation factors provided in Section 7 of this BAA."

• Closing date

• Technical proposal page limit

• Submission instructions (hard copy vs. electronic)

• Specific sentence in Section 7 (Technical Proposal Evaluation) on page 11

• The deadline for proposal submission has been extended to October 18, 2021.

• Bidders should adhere to the 20-page limit for technical proposals and submit electronically only.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) seeks research and development (R&D) proposals for the Defense Logistics Information Research (DLIR) and Supply Chain Management (SCM) programs. The objective is to develop enhanced DLA business processes using state-of-the-art technologies and innovative practices, supporting DoD's Digital Engineering Strategy, Digital Modernization, and DLA's Technical Data Management Transformation (TDMT) and Supply Chain Security Strategy. The government anticipates awarding multiple Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts and definitive one-time contracts.

Projects should focus on:

• Providing authoritative technical data for timely delivery and use.

• Formalizing the use of models for decision-making, including supply chain resiliency.

• Establishing IT infrastructure for collaboration and communication.

• Utilizing digital data as the authoritative source throughout the product lifecycle.

• Extending model-based approaches with digital engineering technologies (AI, augmented realities, digital twin, machine learning).

• Providing a standards-based open system IT infrastructure for digital thread and cybersecurity.

• Preparing the workforce for digital data transformation.

• Improving supply chain security and resiliency.

• Optimizing system-level efficiencies.

• Conducting real-time supply chain analysis.

• Quantifying policy impacts on supply chain management.

• Conducting risk analyses for lead times and demand fluctuations.

• Performing what-if analyses for contingency planning.

• Minimizing warehousing and optimizing interconnected supply chains.

• Leveraging technologies like Blockchain, AI, and ML for supply chain resilience/security.

• Addressing opportunities for supply chain sustainability.

• The BAA will remain open for five years.

• Initial closing date for proposals: October 18, 2021.

• IDIQ contracts will have a one-year base period and four one-year option periods.

• Contract types will primarily be cost-type IDIQ or cost-type definitive contracts.

• Total government investment planned: up to $10 million per year for 5 years (FY2022-2026).

• Proposals must be submitted in two volumes: Technical Proposal and Cost/Price Proposal.

• Technical proposals are limited to 15 single-sided pages (excluding résumés).

• Proposals must be submitted via email by 3:00 PM Eastern Time on October 15, 2021.

• Evaluation criteria include Feasibility, Viability, Desirability, Past Performance, Capabilities, and Cost Realism.

• This is an unrestricted acquisition; all responsible sources may submit proposals.

• DLA encourages proposals from industry, educational institutions, small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, HBCUs, and minority institutions.

• Small business size standard: 1000 employees.

• NAICS Code: 541715.

• Large businesses with proposals exceeding $750,000 must submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan.

• White papers will be accepted after initial IDIQ contracts are awarded, for consideration of additional STPs.

• Further details on proposal format, evaluation criteria, and submission instructions are provided within the document.