Metal Casting BAA 0001-21

Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) seeks research and development proposals related to emergent metal casting requirements. The BAA is open for five years with a ceiling of $90 million, with funding established against individual task orders, not the BAA itself. The goal is to advance the state-of-the-art or increase knowledge in areas related to metal casting.

• Interested parties must submit an initial "White Paper" describing a specific project related to the Areas of Interest (listed in Attachment B).

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

• The process involves three steps: White Paper submission, optional technical proposal submission (if requested), and optional cost proposal submission (if requested).

• Deliverables for individual projects may include study plans, monthly progress reports, interim briefings, meeting minutes, presentation materials, final reports, and any developed software or algorithms.

• The DLA intends to award one or more Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) cost-sharing contracts.

• The period of performance for the IDIQ contracts is up to 5 years (3-year base + 2-year option).

• While cost-sharing contracts are preferred, DLA will consider cost, cost-plus-fixed-fee, or fixed-price contracts, or Other Transactions, if deemed in the Government's best interest.

• White Papers are submitted via email to RANDD.DCSO@dla.mil.

• Technical and cost proposals, if requested, are submitted via email or DoD SAFE for larger files.

• White Papers are reviewed for technical feasibility and viability, not evaluated against each other.

• Technical proposals will be evaluated based on Scientific and Technical Merit, Viability, Desirability, and Past Performance, Capabilities, and Related Experience.

• Cost realism will be a factor in evaluating cost proposals.

• DLA reserves the right to award multiple, some, or no awards.

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

• Respondents must meet minimum standards for financial resources, accounting systems, performance, integrity, experience, etc.

• Small business participation is strongly encouraged.

• This BAA is the sole solicitation; no other solicitations will be issued.

• White papers for non-innovative or marginal improvements are inappropriate.

• Proposal prices must remain valid for 180 days.

• Source Selection Information is included throughout the document.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) intends to award a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for scientific study and experimentation to advance the state-of-the-art or increase knowledge in Areas of Interest related to Metal Casting. Interested parties are required to submit an initial "White Paper" describing a specific project.

The BAA outlines several Areas of Interest for research and development:

• Improved Alloy Development: Focus on identifying and demonstrating alloys for improved quality, service life, sustainability, and reduced cost/production time, applicable to multiple DoD weapon systems.

• Innovative Simulation and Performance Modeling: Focus on process modeling to identify and predict end item properties and performance, aiming to reduce lead-time and increase part performance.

• Design and Process Optimization: Focus on non-traditional production methods (e.g., additive manufacturing, hybrid steel/composite materials) applicable to multiple DoD weapon systems.

• Nondestructive Evaluation or Testing: Focus on improving methodologies to inspect and evaluate steel castings, including updated NDT standards and counterfeit detection.

• Testing and Qualification Standards: Focus on developing standards for current materials and test methods, identifying alternative materials, and providing quality standards for legacy requirements.

• Molds, Dies and Patterns: Focus on identifying and demonstrating advanced methodologies or technologies for creating molds, dies, or patterns that offer benefits like reduced cost, lead-time, or improved part performance.

• Respondent Area of Research Interest: Projects involving casting processes or materials not covered above, such as research in identifying and eliminating defects.

• The BAA ceiling is estimated at $90 Million.

• The BAA will remain open for five years.

• The period of performance will consist of a Three-Year Base Period with one, Two-Year Option Period.

• Interested parties must submit an initial "White Paper" describing their project.

• If White Papers are deemed of sufficient interest, DLA may request technical and cost proposals.

• Proposals must generally be for cost-sharing contracts. DLA will consider cost, cost-plus-fixed-fee completion, or fixed-price contracts, or Other Transactions, but reserves the right to award other contract types if in the Government's best interest. Submittals not based on cost-type or fixed-price contracts, or Other Transactions, will be rejected.

• Set-aside Status: Unrestricted.

• The anticipated closing date is July 2021, but is subject to change based on the solicitation issuance date.

• The majority of the work will be performed at the Contractor-provided facility.