NGA - Boosting Innovative GEOINT - Science & Technology Broad Agency Announcement (BIG-ST BAA)

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) titled "Boosting Innovative GEOINT - Science & Technology (BIG-ST BAA)" issued by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). It serves as a general solicitation for research and development of concepts and technologies within specific technical domains. The BAA aims to identify innovative concepts to address hard GEOINT problems and is open to Offerors capable of satisfying the Government's needs.

The scope is limited to Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) Budget Activities 6.1 to 6.4 and Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 1-7. The BAA outlines three technical domains of interest:

• Foundational GEOINT: Focuses on creating accurate, high-resolution, continually updated representations of Earth's properties.

• Advanced Phenomenologies: Employs novel methods for improved spatial, spectral, radiometric, polarimetric, and temporal data.

• Analytic Technologies: Enhances GEOINT definition and utility by leveraging new data sources and developing novel analytic techniques.

• Publication Dates: December 15, 2023 – December 14, 2026.

• Announcement Type: General Solicitation.

• Competition Type: 'Other Competitive Procedure'.

• BAA Process: Involves Topic Calls which will be published separately to define specific government needs or research areas. No submissions are accepted to the general solicitation; only those in response to Topic Calls will be reviewed.

• Award Types: Procurement Contracts, Grants, Cooperative Agreements, or Other Transactions (OTs) for prototypes and follow-on production.

• Abstract Submission: Mandatory prior to full proposal submission. Feedback will be provided.

• Proposal Submission: Required for those who submitted an abstract. Adheres to instructions in this BAA and specific Topic Calls.

• Evaluation: Proposals undergo an 8-step review process including Conformance, Scientific/Technical, Resources, Funding, Security, Cost/Price, Administrative/National Policy, and Final Award decisions.

• All responsible sources are eligible.

• Specific conditions apply to Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and Government Entities.

• Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) have resource-sharing requirements.

• Foreign participation will be specified in each Topic Call.

• This document is Revision 2 of the solicitation.

• Topic Calls will provide specific timelines, technology/government needs, and submission instructions.

• Offerors must register in SAM.gov. Classified topics require ARC registration.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document, "Provisions & Clauses - BIG-ST BAA General Solicitation - HM047623BAA0001", outlines the general solicitation provisions and clauses applicable to the BIG-ST Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). It serves as a foundational document for potential topic calls issued under this BAA.

• Sections B, C, D, and F are intentionally left blank and will be detailed in individual Topic Calls under the BIG-ST BAA - HM047623BAA0001. This indicates that specific technical requirements, specifications, packaging, marking, and delivery details will be provided on a per-topic basis.

• Section E covers Inspection and Acceptance, including clause 52.246-9.

• Section G details Contract Administration Data, including billing instructions and the appointment of Contracting Officer's Representatives (CORs).

• Section H outlines Special Contract Requirements, including the Dormant Account Review process and a Key Personnel Clause.

• Section I lists numerous Contract Clauses, covering a wide range of topics from definitions and gratuities to security requirements, small business concerns, and payment terms.

• The document itself is a "Provisions & Clauses" document, indicating it sets forth the terms and conditions for potential future awards under the BIG-ST BAA.

• Specific contract type, period of performance, and estimated value are not detailed in this document, as they will be defined in individual Topic Calls.

• Submission and evaluation criteria are not detailed in this document; these will be specified in individual Topic Calls.

• Key deadlines are not provided in this document.

• Section K includes "Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Bidders," which will contain information regarding eligibility, including NAICS codes (541715) and small business size standards (1,000 employees).

• This document is a foundational solicitation document that references individual Topic Calls for specific requirements and details.

• It includes numerous FAR and DFARS clauses that bidders must adhere to.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a General Solicitation (Revision 3) for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's (NGA) Boosting Innovative GEOINT - Science & Technology (BIG-ST) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). The BAA aims to solicit proposals for research and development of concepts and technologies that align with NGA's research interests in Foundational GEOINT, Advanced Phenomenologies, and Analytic Technologies. The BAA is open-ended, with specific research needs and timelines communicated through separate Topic Calls.

• The scope is limited to Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) Budget Activities 6.1 to 6.4 and Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 1-7.

• Topic Calls will define specific government needs, research areas, and submission requirements.

• Offerors must submit abstracts prior to full proposals; abstracts are mandatory for proposal consideration.

• Technical Domains of Interest include:

  • Foundational GEOINT (e.g., reference frames, gravitational models, feature extraction)
  • Advanced Phenomenologies (e.g., detection, tracking, sensing, space situational awareness)
  • Analytic Technologies (e.g., geospatial signatures, AI, computer vision, NLP)

• Anticipated awards may take the form of procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or Other Transactions (OTs).

• The Government reserves the right to select the award instrument type most appropriate for the effort.

• Awards will be made to Offerors whose proposals are determined to be most advantageous to the Government.

• Abstracts and proposals are submitted in response to specific Topic Calls, not the general solicitation.

• Offerors must register in SAM.gov and potentially the IC-ARC for classified topics.

• Proposals are evaluated through an 8-step process including Conformance Review, Scientific/Technical Review, Analysis of Proposed Resources, Funding Decision, Security Evaluation, Cost/Price Evaluation, Administrative and National Policy Requirements, and Final Award Decision.

• Key deadlines and submission instructions will be detailed in individual Topic Calls.

• All responsible sources are eligible.

• Specific eligibility requirements apply to Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and Government Entities.

• Other Transaction Agreements (OTs) have specific resource-sharing requirements.

• Foreign participation will be specified in each Topic Call.

• This document is Revision 3 of the General Solicitation.

• Separate files are provided for templates (Abstract, Proposal), Provisions and Clauses, and other relevant information.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a template for submitting an abstract for the Boosting Innovative GEOINT Science and Technology (BIG-ST) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). It provides general instructions and a structured format for proposers to complete and submit their abstract.

• Cover Page: Requires BAA Number, Topic Number/Title, Abstract Title, Submission Date, Lead Organization details (type, name, address, tax ID, UEI, CAGE, NAICS code 541715), Subcontractor information, Points of Contact (Technical and Administrative), and Desired Award Information (instrument, type, ROM).
• Proprietary Data Statement: A specific statement to be included if the abstract contains data not to be disclosed to the public, with instructions for marking restricted data sheets.
• Table of Contents: A required section with subsections for Proposed Research, Technical Plan, Capabilities, Request for Government Support, and Cost/Price.
• Proposed Research: Instructions to describe the technical approach, its novelty, and how it compares to the state-of-the-art, including key technical challenges and solutions.
• Technical Plan: Requires a summarized plan with events, milestones, metrics, and a proposed schedule.
• Capabilities: Instructions to summarize team expertise, including subcontractors and key personnel, organizational experience, IP, and facilities.
• Request for Government Support: Guidance on identifying and requesting any necessary Government Furnished Equipment (GFE), Information (GFI), Property (GFP), or Data (GFD).
• Cost/Price: Instructions to provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) for the total estimated cost/price and discuss any cost share.

This template is crucial for any organization intending to submit an abstract under the BIG-ST BAA. It outlines all the required information, formatting specifications (page size, font, margins, spacing), and submission details. Bidders must adhere strictly to these instructions and use this template to ensure their abstract is complete and correctly formatted for evaluation. The template specifies formatting restrictions and page limits for certain sections, which bidders must follow.

Instruction

This instruction (NGAI 8400.4) establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and provides procedures for the implementation and governance of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's (NGA) Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) Accessibility Program, also known as the Section 508 Program. It rescinds the previous NGA Instruction 8400.4 from May 2, 2013.

This instruction applies to all NGA civilian employees, military service members, other Government agency personnel assigned to NGA, and contractors.

• Ensure all EIT is accessible to people with disabilities in accordance with relevant references.
• Implement and manage an EIT Accessibility Program for Section 508 compliance.
• Ensure accessibility and universal usability for all EIT developed, procured, maintained, or used by the Agency.
• Certify EIT accessibility.

The document details responsibilities across various NGA offices and personnel, including:

• Director, NGA (D/NGA): Establishes the program.
• Director, Chief Information Officer and Director, Information Technology (IT) Services (D/CIO-T): Oversees and maintains accountability, ensures compliance, and collaborates on procurement.
• Component Acquisition Executive (CAE): Ensures EIT acquisition review processes include accessibility requirements.
• Director, Office of Diversity Management and Equal Employment Opportunity (D/EEO ODE): Assists with user engagement and reasonable accommodation programs.
• Director, Human Development (D/HD): Provides input on recruitment practices and develops Section 508 awareness training.
• Director, Office of Contract Services (D/OCS): Provides guidance to contracting officers and assists with updating procurement policies.
• Section 508 Coordinator: Manages the program, develops procedures, and leads the EIT Accessibility Team.
• Requiring Officials: Participate in EIT procurement, conduct market research, and track compliance.

Enclosures detail procedures for:

• Developing Accessible EIT

• Procuring Accessible EIT (including certification and exemptions)

• Maintaining Use of Accessible EIT

• Developing Accessibility Training

• Funding EIT Accessibility

• Initiating an Administrative Complaint

• Original Instruction Date: July 5, 2017

• Administrative Update 2 Date: March 10, 2025

• Effective Date: Date of signature

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the "BIG-ST BAA Proposal Submission Template" for the Boosting Innovative GEOINT Science and Technology (BIG-ST) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). It provides detailed instructions and formatting requirements for proposers to complete and submit their proposals.

• Formatting Guidelines: Specifies page size, font, margins, and spacing. Graphics and tables are allowed with specific restrictions.
• File Naming Convention: Outlines the required format for submitting proposal volumes and attachments (e.g., Proposer Name_T#_Vol #).
• Proposal Cover Page: Details required information such as BAA Number, Topic Number, Proposal Title, Proposer's Reference Number, Lead Organization details (including TIN, UEI, CAGE Code, NAICS Code), Subcontractors, Points of Contact (POCs), Proposal Information (Date, Period of Performance, Validity Period), Award Information, and DCMA/DCAA POCs.
• Volume Structure: Provides guidance for Volume 1 (Technical and Management), Volume 2 (Cost/Price), Volume 3 (Administrative and National Policy Requirements), and Volume 4 (Security), including page limits and required content for each section.
• Attachments: Specifies required attachments, including Statement of Work (SOW), Cost/Price Breakout, Subcontracting Plan, Data Rights Assertion Table, OCI Disclosure Form, and security-related forms if applicable.
• Statement of Work (SOW) Template: Includes instructions for creating a standalone SOW detailing objectives, scope, background, tasks, quality assurance, and contract deliverables.
• Cost/Price Breakout Instructions: Details requirements for submitting cost proposals, including breakdowns by phase, contract year, and major cost items.
• Administrative Requirements: Covers representations and certifications, subcontracting plans, intellectual property, data rights, and organizational conflicts of interest (OCI).
• Security Requirements: Outlines security plan submissions if required by the specific Topic Call.

This template is crucial for bidders as it dictates the structure, content, and formatting of their entire proposal submission. Adhering to these instructions is essential for compliance and successful evaluation. It guides bidders on what information to include in each section, how to format it, and how to name their files. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in a non-compliant proposal.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides detailed instructions and requirements for preparing and submitting proposals for grants and cooperative agreements under the BIG-ST BAA. It specifies the mandatory submission portal (Grants.gov), required forms, content, and formatting guidelines.

• Submission Portal: Proposals must be submitted via Grants.gov using the Workspace feature. Registration on Grants.gov is mandatory prior to application.
• Required Forms: Includes SF-424 (Research & Related), Research & Related Other Project Information, Research and Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded), Research & Related Personal Data, Research & Related Budget, and SF-LLL (Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, if applicable).
• Content & Format: Proposals must be concise and stand on their own merit. Acronyms must be defined. Specific templates and file naming conventions must be followed. Volume 1 (Technical/Management) has a 20-page limit. Certain volumes and attachments from the main solicitation template do not apply to grants/cooperative agreements and are replaced by the R&R forms.
• Security: Research and Technology Protection guidance is provided, including that Common Disclosure Forms are only submitted upon NGA's request after proposal selection.
• Budget: Detailed requirements for direct labor, equipment, travel, other direct costs, sub-awards, fringe benefits, and indirect costs are outlined. Fee/profit is unallowable.
• Intellectual Property: The government reserves a royalty-free right to use developed work for federal purposes but does not seek unlimited rights or exclusive licenses for fundamental research.

This document is critical for bidders seeking grants or cooperative agreements. It outlines the precise steps, forms, and content required for a compliant submission, including specific instructions for budget preparation, personnel information, and intellectual property considerations. Adherence to these guidelines is essential for proposal acceptance and evaluation. Bidders must pay close attention to the Grants.gov submission process, mandatory fields, and file formatting to avoid rejection.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines the "Supplies or Services/Prices" (Section B), "Description/Specifications" (Section C), "Packaging and Marking" (Section D), "Inspection and Acceptance" (Section E), "Deliveries or Performance" (Section F), and "Contract Administration Data" (Section G) for a contract. It serves as a foundational document for the contract, with specific details to be filled in at the "Topic Call" level.

• Section B (Supplies or Services/Prices): Intentionally left blank, to be filled at contract award.
• Section C (Description/Specifications): Refers to individual Topic Calls under the BIG-ST BAA - HM047623BAA0001.
• Section D (Packaging and Marking): Intentionally left blank.
• Section E (Inspection and Acceptance): Includes FAR clause 52.246-9.
• Section F (Deliveries or Performance): Includes FAR clause 52.242-15 and refers to individual Topic Calls.
• Section G (Contract Administration Data): Includes clauses related to billing instructions (DFARS 252.204-7006, 5X52.232-9003), Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) appointment (5X52.201-602-2-91), and invoice submission (5X52.232-9000).

This document provides the structural framework for contract sections B through G. Bidders should note that detailed specifications, pricing, and performance requirements will be defined in individual "Topic Calls" under the BIG-ST BAA. Section G provides crucial information on billing and payment procedures, including electronic invoicing via IPP and COR responsibilities.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) titled "Boosting Innovative GEOINT - Science & Technology (BIG-ST BAA)". It serves as a general solicitation for innovative concepts to address GEOINT problems across three technical domains: Foundational GEOINT, Advanced Phenomenologies, and Analytic Technologies. The BAA is open from December 15, 2023, to December 14, 2026, and operates on a "BAA with Topic Calls" process, meaning specific research needs will be announced via separate Topic Calls.

• Research and development concepts aligning with NGA's mission to deliver future GEOINT capabilities.

• Focus areas include foundational GEOINT (e.g., reference frames, earth models, positioning), advanced sensor technologies and data exploitation, and analytic techniques (e.g., AI, computer vision, NLP).

• Efforts must fall within RDT&E Budget Activities 6.1 to 6.4 and Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 1-7.

• Topic Calls will specify detailed requirements, timelines, and submission instructions.

• Anticipated award instruments include Procurement Contracts, Grants, Cooperative Agreements, or Other Transactions (OTs) for prototypes and follow-on production.

• The Government reserves the right to select the most appropriate award instrument.

• Mandatory Abstract Submission: Abstracts must be submitted prior to a full proposal.

• Proposal Submission: Proposals are only accepted in response to specific Topic Calls.

• Review Process: Includes Conformance Review, Scientific/Technical Review (evaluating Scientific and Technical Merit and Mission Alignment), Analysis of Proposed Resources, Funding Decision, Security Evaluation (if applicable), Cost/Price Evaluation, and Administrative/National Policy Requirements review.

• Deadlines: Submission deadlines will be specified in individual Topic Calls.

• All responsible sources are eligible.

• Special considerations and documentation are required for Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and Government Entities.

• Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) have specific eligibility requirements, including potential resource-sharing and participation by nontraditional defense contractors or small businesses.

• Foreign participation is addressed on a topic-by-topic basis.

• Topic Calls will be published on Sam.gov and Grants.gov.

• Classified topics may be posted on the Acquisition Research Center (ARC).

• Proposers must register with SAM.gov.

• Specific proposal format and content requirements are detailed in Appendices 1 and 2.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides guidance and templates related to Research and Technology Protection for proposals submitted under the BIG-ST BAA. It outlines requirements for Program Protection Implementation Plans (PPIP) and Common Disclosure Forms for Fundamental Research.

• Program Protection Implementation Plan (PPIP) Template: Bidders should not submit the PPIP unless specifically requested by NGA. Guidance on completion will be provided with the request.
• Common Disclosure Forms for Fundamental Research: Bidders should not submit these forms unless requested by NGA. These include the Common Form for Biographical Sketch and the Common Form for Current and Pending (Other) Support Information. Links to these forms are provided.
• Due Diligence and Research Security Program Requirements: Proposals involving fundamental research must comply with National Security Presidential Memorandum 33 (NSPM-33). This includes establishing and maintaining a research security program and disclosing any changes to submitted forms, covered individuals, or indicators of participation in a Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program (MFTRP).
• NGA Risk Assessment: NGA will conduct risk-based security reviews of disclosures, referencing specific government policies and matrices. Examples of sources NGA uses for assessment are listed, including Executive Orders, Department of Education reports, and various government agency lists.
• Mitigation and Award Decisions: Institutions assessed as having undue foreign influence risk may have an opportunity to mitigate the risk during negotiations. NGA reserves the right to request follow-up information. If unacceptable risk remains after mitigation, NGA may choose not to award the effort.
• Flow Down Requirements: Performer or recipient must flow down these provisions to any subtier contracts or agreements.

This attachment details critical compliance and disclosure requirements related to research security and foreign influence. Bidders must understand these requirements, particularly if their proposals involve fundamental research, as failure to comply or adequately mitigate identified risks could impact award decisions. It highlights the need for robust internal research security programs and transparent disclosure practices.