DLA Emergent IV Research and Development Program

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (Amendment 21) to the Emergent IV BAA0001-22 serves to re-open the Hackathon Amendment 15 window and revise the overall timeline.

Key changes include:

• Reopening the Hackathon SOW for the receipt of White Papers.

• Adjusting deadlines for submitting questions and White Papers.

• Modifying the timeline for Technical Evaluation Team (TET) review of White Papers.

• Updating dates for notification of selectees for full Technical and Cost Proposals.

• Revising deadlines for submitting questions related to full Technical and Cost Proposals.

• Extending the deadline for all selectees to submit their full Technical and Cost Proposals.

• Adjusting the date for TET to submit final decisions for demonstrations.

• Modifying the notification date for selectees moving to the demonstration phase.

• Updating the date for in-person demonstrations.

• Revising the date for the Contracting Officer to notify selectees of award.

• The overall timeline for the Hackathon is revised.

• Specific dates for various submission, review, notification, and demonstration phases have been updated.

• The deadline for White Paper submissions has been extended.

• The overall timeline for the Hackathon process, including proposal submissions and demonstrations, has been significantly revised.

Amendment / Modification

• This modification addresses questions related to the Use Case for the Hackathon.

• Specifically, it clarifies that the provided use case is intended for both the Hackathon demo and a potential funded prototype if a contract is awarded.

• The clarification pertains to the "Use Case for Hackathon."

• No changes to proposal deadlines, requirements, or evaluation factors are indicated. All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

Amendment / Modification

This document is Amendment 19 to Solicitation BAA0001-22, dated June 13, 2022. It serves to answer vendor questions related to the "Use Case for Hackathon."

Key clarifications provided include:

• The "Use Case for Hackathon" is the sole use case for vendor demonstrations.
• Vendors should discuss this use case and broader capabilities in their technical proposals, aligning with DoD and DLA mission sets.
• The SITREP use case is not a scope change from the BAA but rather derives from BAA Amendment 15's task areas for AI, ML, and Gen AI.
• The SITREP aims to assess vendor technical capability and functional understanding of DLA business practices.
• DLA expects vendors to articulate capabilities for AI, ML, and Gen AI solutions meeting DLA's mission.
• Initial tasks will involve unclassified/CUI data, with vendors encouraged to propose future states for classified data.
• DLA is not funding the hackathon demonstration itself; costs are for the proposed technical solution.
• The SITREP encompasses all Lines of Effort (LOEs) and encourages leveraging public data sources.
• DLA SITREP data is sensitive, but the focus is on how vendor capabilities create content, not the specific SITREP data.
• Data sources include BAA task areas, DoD and DLA public-facing sites (webpages, OPM, SAM.gov), and an understanding of DoD and DLA web scraping.

This amendment addresses questions and provides clarifications, not specific section changes.

No changes to proposal deadlines or submission rules are indicated, but the clarifications may impact proposal content and technical approach.

Amendment / Modification

This modification revises the Hackathon timeline for the Emergent IV BAA0001-22.

• The "Detailed Hackathon timeline" section has been replaced.

• The following dates have been updated:

  • Final date for Vendors to submit full Technical and Cost proposals: Changed from 4/10/24 to 4/23/24.
  • Notification to vendors moving to the demonstration phase: Changed from 4/17/24 to 5/08/24.
  • Demonstrations: Changed from 4/30/24 and 5/1/24 to 5/30/24.
  • Final decision and notification to vendors: Changed from 5/14/24 to 6/5/2024.

• All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

Amendment / Modification

This document is Amendment 17 to Solicitation BAA0001-22, dated June 13, 2022. Its primary purpose is to answer questions posed in Amendment 15 regarding DLA's J6 Hackathon.

Key clarifications include:

• Vendors can select one or multiple work areas for their White Paper response, but must respond to all work areas in their technical proposal if selected for the next phase.
• The intent of the hackathon is to address all 14 work areas/tasks, applying capabilities to an R&D Pilot prototype effort to identify business problems.
• DLA is cloud agnostic; selected solutions will be piloted and prototyped with ARTET resources but must be interoperable with DLA's infrastructure and various cloud providers (AWS, Azure, Google, etc.).
• Use cases will be provided to vendors selected to demonstrate capabilities, based on DLA business needs. Offerors are not expected to submit use cases with their initial White Papers.
• Only a White Paper is requested for the initial response. Technical Design Documents (TDD) are not required at this stage.
• DLA will leverage vendor White Papers to evaluate functional and technical solutions, potentially leading to an invitation for a full proposal for an R&D pilot project.

This amendment addresses questions related to Section 3.0 and Section 4.0 (Scope) of the original solicitation, as well as clarifications on use cases and Technical Design Documents.

No changes to proposal deadlines or submission requirements are indicated, beyond clarifying the scope of the White Paper response and the subsequent phases of the selection process.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment to the Emergent IV BAA0001-22 (originally dated June 14, 2022) serves to answer questions posed from Amendment 15 regarding DLA's J6 Hackathon.

Key updates include:

• A detailed Hackathon timeline with specific dates for:

  • Release of Amendment 15 (2/28/24)
  • White Paper review by TET (ongoing)
  • Closing window for vendor responses (3/20/24)
  • Notifications for moving to the next phase / request for Full Technical and Cost proposals (4/3/24)
  • Submission deadline for Full Technical and Cost proposals (4/10/24)
  • Notification for demonstration phase (4/17/24)
  • Demonstrations (4/30/24 - 5/1/24)
  • Final decision and notification to vendors (5/14/24)

• Clarification on project deliverables: White Paper, Tech/Cost Proposals, and Demonstration.

• Confirmation that evaluation criteria for White Paper, Technical Proposal, and Demonstration align with the Emergent IV BAA and Amendment 15.

• Clarification that the Technical Evaluation Team will end their review and notify vendors by 4/3/2024.

• Confirmation that vendors selected to move forward will be requested to submit proposals by 4/3/24, with a one-week submission window.

• Clarification on White Paper scope: vendors can address one subtopic for the White Paper, but all 14 subtopics must be addressed in subsequent Technical and Cost Proposals if selected.

• Confirmation that one use case will be provided for the demonstration, based on the same use case provided on 4/3/24.

• The award will be an R&D award for the J68 R&D portfolio, with potential for long-term sustainability.

• DLA is cloud agnostic, and the solution must be scalable. DevSecOps supports container deployment on Azure or Google Cloud, and DLA will upgrade the existing ATO.

• Vendors can use any cloud provider for their solutions.

• Dollar value and period of performance will be based on White Paper and subsequent Cost and Technical proposals.

• Primarily addresses questions related to the timeline, deliverables, evaluation, and scope of the J6 Hackathon.

• Proposal deadlines and submission requirements have been clarified and updated with specific dates.

• Vendors are advised to review the detailed timeline and scope clarifications for proposal preparation.

Amendment / Modification

This document is Amendment 15 to the Emergent IV BAA0001-22, dated June 14, 2022. It serves to announce DLA's J6 Hackathon.

• The purpose of the Statement of Work (SOW) is to announce DLA's J6 Hackathon. White Papers are to be submitted in accordance with the Emergent IV BAA0001-22 and the requirements of this SOW.

• The proposed timeline for the Hackathon submission is detailed in Section 6.0.

• The release of Amendment 15 was on February 28, 2024.

• White Paper responses are due March 20, 2024.

• Technical Evaluation Team review of White Papers is two weeks after the response window closes.

• Vendors may be requested to submit Technical Proposals one week after the evaluation window.

• Technical Evaluation Team will provide notice of demonstration one week after Technical Proposal review.

• Final reviews and vendor selection will be completed two weeks after the demonstration notice.

Amendment / Modification

• Adds Subtopic 11, "Generative Artificial Intelligence," to AOI H. Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Application. This subtopic includes capabilities for Content Generation, Data Manipulation, and Content Assistance.

• Incorporates Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) language into the Emergent IV BAA0001-22. The Government reserves the right to issue IDIQs at its discretion for various requirements, and vendors should not assume an IDIQ award based on their proposal.

• AOI H. Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Application (new subtopic added)

• General terms and conditions related to contract type (IDIQ language added)

• No explicit changes to proposal deadlines or submission requirements are mentioned. However, the addition of IDIQ language may affect how future awards are structured.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment modifies the "Emergent IV BAA0001-22" dated June 13, 2022.

• Eligibility (B.1): The eligibility requirements have been revised. The original text is removed and replaced with new text that includes "contractor/subcontractor foreign affiliations" as a minimum standard. The revised text also clarifies that these standards apply "upon submission to be eligible for award."

• White Papers (B.4): The first sentence of the third paragraph regarding the review of White Papers has been revised. The original sentence stated White Papers would be reviewed, "not evaluated," to determine technical feasibility and viability. The revised sentence states White Papers will be reviewed "against the topic" to determine technical feasibility and viability.

• Section B.1. Eligibility (Page 5)

• Section B.4. White Papers (Page 6)

• The amendment clarifies eligibility requirements and the review process for White Papers. Bidders should ensure their submissions align with the revised eligibility criteria and understand the updated review basis for White Papers.

Amendment / Modification

This document is Amendment 12 to Solicitation BAA0001-22, dated June 13, 2022. It incorporates several changes:

• B.11 Intellectual Property and Data Rights Clauses: These clauses are incorporated by reference and added to the BAA0001-22. A table lists specific clauses, their titles, and dates, including:
  • 52.227-3 Patent Indemnity (APR 1984)
  • 252.227-7013 Rights in Technical Data – Other Than Commercial Products and Commercial Services (MAR 2023)
  • 252.227-7014 Rights in Other Than Commercial Computer Software and Documentation (MAR 2023)
  • 252.227-7016 Rights in Bid or Proposal Information (JAN 2023)
  • 252.227-7019 Validation of Asserted Restrictions – Computer Software (JAN 2023)
  • 252.227-7025 Limitations on the Use or Disclosure of Government-Furnished Information Marked with Restrictive Legends (JAN 2023)
  • 252.227-7026 Deferred Delivery of Technical Data or Computer Software (APR 1988)
  • 252.227-7027 Deferred Ordering of Technical Data or Computer Software (APR 1988)
  • 252.227-7028 Technical Data or Computer Software Previously Delivered to the Government (JUN 1995)
  • 252.227-7030 Technical Data—Withholding of Payment (MAR 2000)
  • 252.227-7037 Validation of Restrictive Markings on Technical Data (JAN 2023)
  • 252.227-7039 Patents—Reporting of Subject Inventions (APR 1990)
• B.12 Intellectual Property and Data Rights for Resultant Awardees: This section is added, stating that the Government will identify the rights (Unlimited, Government Purpose, or Restricted) at the time of award, pursuant to DFARS 252.227-7013 and 252.227-7014.
• B.13 Identification and Assertion of Use, Release, or Disclosure Restrictions: This section is added, requiring offerors to identify any restrictions on technical data or computer software in accordance with DFARS 252.227-7017. It outlines the process and format for asserting these restrictions.
• B.14 Government Furnished Property Instructions: This section is incorporated, noting that Government Furnished Property (GFP) is not anticipated but will be incorporated if required. DFARS 252.245-7005 (JAN 2024) is added, detailing definitions and requirements for reporting and managing Government property, including definitions for terms like "As is," "CAGE code," "Demilitarization," and "Scrap."

Sections B.11, B.12, B.13, and B.14 of the solicitation have been added or modified.

This amendment does not appear to change proposal deadlines or submission requirements, but it adds significant detail regarding intellectual property, data rights, and government property management that offerors must consider in their proposals.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment modifies Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) BAA0001-22, originally dated June 13, 2022.

Specifically, it removes Area of Interest Q, "Human-Machine Teaming Technologies for Document Services Management." This removed content is then incorporated into Area of Interest O, "Human-Machine Teaming for the following DLA operational organizations – Disposition Services Warehouse Management, Document Services Management."

• Area of Interest Q (removed)
• Area of Interest O (revised to include content from Area of Interest Q)

This amendment does not appear to change proposal deadlines or submission requirements. It primarily reorganizes and clarifies the scope of Areas of Interest O and Q within the BAA.

Amendment / Modification

This document is Amendment 10 to Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) BAA0001-22, originally dated June 13, 2022. The changes are as follows:

• Area of Interest O (Human-Machine Teaming Technologies for Disposition Warehouse Management): The title has been amended to "Human-Machine Teaming for the following DLA operational organizations - Disposition Services Warehouse Management, Document Services Management."
• Area of Interest P (Flake Graphite-Based Solutions for Per and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) Contamination): This area of interest has been removed from the BAA.
• Area of Interest Q (Human-Machine Teaming Technologies for Document Services Management): This new area of interest has been added. It focuses on solutions to automate repetitive tasks in printing stations, improve performance, reduce costs, increase productivity, and provide predictable budgeting. Solutions should include intelligent power and printing workflow management, and may involve the transition of R&D Projects.

Areas of Interest O, P, and Q of the BAA have been modified or removed/added.

This amendment introduces a new area of interest (Q) and modifies an existing one (O), potentially impacting proposals related to these areas. Bidders should review the updated descriptions carefully. The removal of Area of Interest P means no proposals will be accepted for that topic under this BAA.

Amendment / Modification

• Amendment 09 reinstates "AOI D. Emerging Technologies to Enhance Part, Component and Logistical Product Data Granularity, Availability, and Interoperability."

• All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

• AOI D. (Area of Interest D) is reinstated.

• No changes to proposal deadlines, requirements, or evaluation factors are indicated.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment modifies the Emergent IV BAA0001-22 as follows:

• Point of Contact Update: The BAA Point of Contact has been changed from Heather Houtz (heather.houtz@dla.mil) to Sara Lobley (sara.lobley@dla.mil).
• Areas of Interest (AOI) Removal: Several AOIs have been removed from Attachment B on page 21: B. Distribution, D. Emerging Technologies to Enhance Part, Component and Logistical Product Data Granularity, Availability and Interoperability, J. Castings and Forgings, and N. Acquisition Modernization Technology Research (AMTR).
• AOI C Insertion: New categories have been inserted between section 3 and section 4 of AOI C, providing examples for described AOIs. These include C2 - Remote Inspection - Augmented Reality, C2 - Recycling / Sustainability/ Life Cycle for AM, C1 - Local Mobile AM Part Labs, C3 - Universal Parts AM for Legacy systems, and C2 - 3D Scan 3D Print for Legacy and new parts. Note that White Paper submissions are not limited to these examples.
• New DFARS Clause Added: DFARS 252.227-7017, Identification and Assertion of Use, Release, or Disclosure Restrictions (JAN 2023), has been added. Respondents selected for full cost and technical proposals must include this completed clause in their submission.
• New FAR Clause Added: FAR 52.204-24, Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (NOV 2021), has been added. Respondents selected for full cost and technical proposals must include this completed clause in their submission.
• New FAR Clause Added: FAR 52.204-26, Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation (OCT 2020), has been added. Respondents selected for full cost and technical proposals must include this completed clause in their submission.

Attachment A (Point of Contact), Attachment B (Areas of Interest), and specific clauses within the solicitation have been modified or added.

Offerors must acknowledge these changes and ensure their submissions comply with the updated information, including the new DFARS and FAR clauses. The deadline for offers remains unchanged as indicated in Item 11.

Amendment / Modification

• This amendment adds "B.10 Research and Development Project Transition Information" to Section B, General Information of the BAA. This new section outlines the process by which the DLA R&D PMO may determine to transition an R&D project to the production environment, including the requirement for contractors to submit a transition plan for review.

• Attachment B: Areas of Interest has been revised to add transition language to each topic.

• Section B, General Information (addition of B.10)

• Attachment B: Areas of Interest (revised)

• No changes to proposal deadlines or submission requirements are indicated. However, the addition of B.10 implies that future R&D projects may involve a transition plan submission as part of the process.

Amendment / Modification

• The ceiling of the Emergent IV BAA0001-22 BAA has been raised from $50,000,000.00 to $125,000,000.00.

• The contract ceiling amount.

• All other Terms and Conditions remain unchanged. No impact on proposal deadlines or submission requirements is indicated.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment modifies Section B.4, "White Papers," of the solicitation BAA0001-22.

• Removed: The original text stated the contracting officer would provide one of two specific responses to a White Paper submission: either a statement of non-interest with rationale, or a request for a technical proposal.

• Replaced: The revised text states that DLA, at its discretion, may offer the submitter an opportunity to provide additional information. Following this review, the Contracting Officer will then advise the submitter if the white paper is not of interest (with rationale) or if it is of interest and a technical proposal is invited.

• Section B.4, "White Papers"

• The amendment clarifies the process and potential outcomes for White Paper submissions, potentially allowing for further information exchange before a final decision is made on submitting a technical proposal.

Amendment / Modification

• This amendment (04) adds a new Area of Interest: "P. Flake Graphite-Based Solutions for Per and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) Contamination."

• Attachment B: Areas of Interest (Revised) has been updated to include the new Area of Interest P.

• No changes to proposal deadlines, requirements, or evaluation factors are indicated by this amendment.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a combined synopsis and Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for research and development (R&D) in accordance with FAR 35.016. It addresses the Defense Logistics Agency's (DLA) need for scientific study and experimentation to advance the state-of-the-art or increase knowledge in specific areas. No other solicitation will be issued. The BAA is open for five years with a ceiling of $50 Million.

• Interested parties may submit an initial White Paper describing a specific project related to an Area of Interest (Attachment B).

• If a White Paper is of sufficient interest, DLA may request technical and cost proposals.

• White Papers must answer: What is the proposed work? How is it done today and its limitations? Who benefits and what is the impact? How much will it cost and how long will it take?

• Technical proposals must include:

  • Cover Page
  • Executive Summary
  • Overall Scientific and Technical Merit (Feasibility)
  • Viability
  • Desirability
  • Past Performance
  • Technical Plan (including Project, Background, Objective, Technical Approach, Tasks, Risks, Proprietary Data, Key Personnel, Metrics, Facilities/Equipment, Performance Schedule, Resumes, Past Performance)

• Cost proposals will be requested separately and must include Overview, Cost or Pricing Data, Work Breakdown Structure, and Proposal Adequacy Checklist.

• DLA contemplates award of cost-type contracts (cost, cost-sharing, or cost-plus-fixed-fee).

• Fixed-price contracts may be considered if in the best interest of the Government.

• White Papers: Submit via email to RANDD.DCSO@dla.mil. DLA aims to reply within thirty calendar days.

• Technical Proposals: Only submitted if requested by DLA after White Paper review. Submission instructions will be provided via email.

• Cost Proposals: Only submitted if requested by DLA. Submission instructions will be provided via email.

• Evaluation will be based on technical importance and funds availability, with cost realism and reasonableness also considered.

• Evaluation factors for technical proposals include: Overall Scientific and Technical Merit, Viability, Desirability, and Past Performance, Capabilities, and Related Experience.

• A cost realism analysis will be performed on cost proposals.

• Eligibility requires meeting minimum standards for financial resources, accounting systems, performance, past performance, integrity, organization, experience, operational controls, technical skills, facilities, and equipment.

• Set-asides are N/A.

• Attachment B lists the Areas of Interest: Medical Logistics, Distribution, Advanced Manufacturing, Emerging Technologies, Smart Connected Logistics, Anti-counterfeiting Technical Solution, Energy Research Program, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Applications, Strategic Materials, Castings and Forgings, and Lithium Battery Deactivation.

• Mandatory templates are provided for White Papers.

• Source Selection Information markings are required for all submitted documents.

• Subcontracting plans are required for large businesses and non-profits with contract awards exceeding $750,000.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (03) to the solicitation adds Area of Interest O, "Human-Machine Teaming Technologies for Disposition Warehouse Management," as detailed in Attachment B.

• Attachment B: Areas of Interest (Revised)

This amendment does not appear to change proposal deadlines or submission requirements, but it adds a new area for potential proposals.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment revises Area of Interest C, "Advanced Manufacturing," as detailed in Attachment B.

• Attachment B: Areas of Interest (Revised)

This amendment does not appear to modify proposal deadlines or submission requirements, but bidders should review the revised "Advanced Manufacturing" section for any changes in scope or focus.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment revises "Area of Interest D. Emerging Technologies to Enhance Part, Component and Logistical Product Data Granularity, Availability, and Interoperability" found in Attachment B.

Attachment B: Areas of Interest (Revised) - specifically Area of Interest D.

This amendment does not appear to modify proposal deadlines or submission requirements, but bidders should review the revised Area of Interest D for any impact on their proposed solutions.