Precise Ensemble Network Communications Allowing PNT (Positioning, Navigation, and Timing)

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This document outlines supplemental requirements for a Statement of Work (SOW) and is considered part of the overall SOW requirements for the contract.

• Disclosure of Information: Contractors must provide copies of information to be released at least 50 days prior to the scheduled release date to the Contracting Officer and Program Manager.
• Packaging and Marking: All hardware deliverables must be packaged according to established commercial practices. Special instructions require a specific statement on boxes/crates regarding contents being sensitive to damage and contact information for the Technical Project Officer.
• Program Manager: Identifies Brandon Kalbfleish as the Government Program Manager.
• Patent Rights: Details requirements for submitting Interim or Final Invention Reports using DD Form 882, including information on subject inventions and subcontract awards. Contractors must also provide specific information for any retained ownership of subject inventions.
• Non-U.S. Citizens: Contractor employees requiring access to USAF bases, AFRL facilities, or U.S. Government IT networks must be U.S. citizens. Permanent resident cards do not equate to U.S. citizenship. Waivers require written approval from the Contracting Officer. This applies to IT network/system access requiring AFRL endorsement.
• Operations Security (OPSEC): Mandates OPSEC as an integral part of daily activities, requiring employees to be aware of and adhere to security requirements to protect sensitive information. Contractors must ensure personnel complete Level I OPSEC training within 30 days and annual OPSEC awareness training. Employees may require access to Critical Technology Elements (CTE), Enabling technologies, Critical Program Information (CPI), or other sensitive information and must protect it from unauthorized disclosure. Any disclosure requires notification to the government within 24 hours.
• Science and Technology (S&T) Protection: Requires adherence to AFRLI 61-113 and any provided S&T Protection Plan or comparable document. Contractors must develop a Protection Implementation document detailing compliance and provide regular updates. A plan for addressing security gaps with a timeline is also required.
• Risk Identification and Security Countermeasures (RISC): Requires submission of Senior/Key Person Profile Worksheets (initial, annual, ad hoc) as per CDRL A014. Contractors must notify the Contracting Officer within 5 business days if Senior/Key Research Personnel are believed to be participants in Foreign Government Talent Programs. In case of identified security risks, the Contracting Officer will notify the Contractor of recommended actions. This requirement must be flowed down to subcontractors.
• Test Safety/Planning Requirements: Contractors must comply with AFRLI 61-103 for AFRL Research Test Review, Approval, and Oversight. This includes supporting test planning meetings and design reviews, developing and submitting flight test plans for approval at least 8 weeks prior to testing, and supporting safety and technical reviews. Contractors must cooperate with Air Force mishap investigations, secure mishap scenes/property if requested, and report mishaps involving injury or damage. Lessons learned must be provided using AFRL Form 20. Flight test vehicle airworthiness requires sufficient technical documentation to support government assessment.
• Elimination of Use of Class I Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS): Prohibits providing services or products requiring the use of Class I ODS and specifies products considered Class I ODS.

Not explicitly stated in this document, but it refers to contract award and performance.

• Strict adherence to disclosure of information, packaging, marking, patent rights, citizenship, OPSEC, S&T protection, RISC, and test safety requirements.

• Use of specific forms (DD Form 882, AFRL Form 20) and adherence to specific Air Force Instructions (AFRLI, AFI).

• Contractor is responsible for liability and insurance related to non-government property, bodily injury, and death.

• Prohibition of Class I Ozone Depleting Substances.

• This document supplements the main SOW.

• Contact information for the Government Program Manager and Technical Project Officer is provided.

• An ombudsman is available for concerns, but initial contact should be with the contracting officer.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment 4 - Section K Representations, Certifications and Other Statements of Offerors," provides specific provisions and clauses that offerors must review, complete, and return as part of their proposal submission for the Precise Ensemble Network Communications Allowing Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PENCAP) solicitation (FA8650-25-R-B014). It supplements the annual Representations and Certifications available on SAM.gov.

• Incorporated Provisions: Lists FAR and DFARS provisions that are incorporated by reference, with links provided for full text review.
• Fill-in Requirements: Highlights provisions requiring specific information or disclosures from the offeror, with space provided for these entries.
• Specific Provisions Covered: Includes but is not limited to:
  • Certificate of Independent Price Determination (52.203-2)
  • System for Award Management (SAM) Registration (52.204-7)
  • Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (52.209-7)
  • Certification Regarding Tax Matters (52.209-12)
  • Violation of Arms Control Treaties or Agreements (52.209-13)
  • Notice of Priority Rating for National Defense (52.211-14)
  • Limitations on Pass-Through Charges (52.215-22)
  • Certification Regarding Trafficking in Persons Compliance Plan (52.222-56)
  • Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements (52.229-11)
  • Cost Accounting Standards Notices and Certification (52.230-1)
  • Proposal Disclosure-Cost Accounting Practice Changes (52.230-7)
  • Security Prohibitions and Exclusions Representations and Certifications (52.240-90)
  • Authorized Deviations in Provisions (52.252-5)
  • Representation Relating to Compensation of Former DoD Officials (252.203-7005)
  • Alternate Annual Representations and Certifications (252.204-7998), including specific SAM applicability checks.
  • Compliance with Safeguarding Covered Defense Information Controls (252.204-7008)
  • Covered Defense Telecommunications Equipment or Services Representations (252.204-7016, 252.204-7017)
  • Notice on the Use of the Supplier Performance Risk System (252.204-7024)
  • Notice of Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Level Requirements (252.204-7025)
  • Supplies and Services Provided by Nontraditional Defense Contractors (252.215-7013)
  • Advancing Small Business Growth (252.219-7000)
  • Report of Intended Performance Outside the United States and Canada (252.225-7003)
  • Representation Regarding Business Operations with the Maduro Regime (252.225-7055)
  • Preaward Disclosure of Employment of Individuals Who Work in the People's Republic of China (252.225-7057)
  • Prohibition on Certain Procurements from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (252.225-7059)
  • Prohibition Regarding Russian Fossil Fuels Business Operations (252.225-7966)
  • Prohibition on the Procurement of Foreign-Made Unmanned Aircraft Systems (252.225-7973)
  • Technical Data or Computer Software Previously Delivered to the Government (252.227-7028)
  • Identification and Assertion of Use, Release, or Disclosure Restrictions (252.227-7992)
  • Ground and Flight Risk (252.228-7001)
  • Representation of Use of Cloud Computing (252.239-7009)
  • Notice of Supply Chain Risk (252.239-7017)
  • Prohibition on Contracting to Maintain or Establish a Computer Network Unless Such Network is Designed to Block Access to Certain Websites (252.239-7098)
• Instructions: Offerors are instructed to review provisions directly from the corresponding regulation, complete fill-ins, and print the document to Adobe PDF for digital signature before returning.

This document is critical for bidders as it outlines the mandatory representations, certifications, and disclosures required for proposal submission. Failure to accurately complete and submit these items may render a proposal non-responsive. Bidders must pay close attention to the applicability of each provision and provide accurate information as requested, ensuring their submissions align with federal regulations and the specific requirements of this solicitation.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is an Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) for the Precise Ensemble Network Communications Allowing Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PENCAP) effort. The government is soliciting white papers to assess industry interest and technical approaches for experimentation and test efforts related to PENCAP. This is a two-step process, with white papers being the first step.

• The primary deliverable at this stage is a white paper, followed by a technical and cost proposal for selected offerors.

• Deliverables may include data items (as per CDRLs), software (algorithmic models, digital simulations, source code, documentation), and hardware (PENCAP Card Prototypes, test fixtures).

• Offerors must address S&T protection requirements and may need to submit a mitigation plan.

• Export control regulations apply, and a DD Form 2345 will be required.

• The anticipated award date is February 28, 2027.

• The estimated program cost is $9,300,000.00.

• The anticipated contract type is a definitive RFO-based contract, likely Cost-Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF).

• The period of performance is 36 months (33 months for technical work, plus 3 months for final report).

• Intent to Propose Deadline: July 1, 2026, 3:00 PM EDT.

• Step 1 White Paper Due Date: July 17, 2026, 3:00 PM EDT.

• Step 2 Proposal Due Date: To be provided in the Request for Proposals (RFP).

• White papers will be reviewed based on uniqueness, understanding of scope, technical approach soundness, and affordability (ROM cost).

• Selected offerors will be invited to submit a technical and cost proposal.

• This is an unrestricted solicitation; however, small businesses are encouraged to propose.

• Foreign industry participation is not authorized at the prime contractor level.

• Contractors must be registered and certified with the Defense Logistics Agency for export control.

• This is a two-step process; only white papers are being solicited at this time.

• The government reserves the right to award zero, one, or more contracts, or to cancel the solicitation.

• Cost sharing is not required.

• GFP is not anticipated to be made available.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Placeholder Statement of Objectives (SOO) for the Precise Ensemble Network Communications Allowing Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PENCAP) requirement, dated 15 June 2026. It serves as an attachment to Solicitation FA2377-26-R-B014.

• The SOO contains Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
• Access is restricted to qualified U.S. contractors as defined by DoDD 5230.25.
• Contractors must have a certified, current DD Form 2345 (Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement).
• Information on eligibility and the Joint Certification Program can be found at https://www.dla.mil/Logistics-Operations/Services/JCP/.

Qualified U.S. contractors interested in this opportunity must request a copy of the SOO. To do so, they must contact the Contract Specialist, Gabriel Berner (gabriel.berner@us.af.mil), and the Contracting Officer, Kathryn Skaleski (kathryn.skaleski@us.af.mil), and provide a certified, current DD Form 2345. Upon eligibility confirmation, the SOO will be provided via the DoD Safe Website with a password for decryption.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for "Precise Ensemble Network Communications Allowing Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PENCAP)". The contract will involve experimentation, evaluation, and assessment, as well as the delivery of hardware and computer software.

• Conduct research in accordance with the Statement of Objectives (SOO), "Precise Ensemble Network Communications Allowing Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PENCAP)", dated June 15, 2026.

• Deliver hardware and computer software developed or acquired during the effort.

• Deliverables include, but are not limited to, those specified in SOO Paragraph 5.2.

• Any commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software license must be consistent with federal law and meet government needs.

• Contract Type: Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF)

• Period of Performance: 36 Months (for CLIN 0001), 33 Months (for CLIN 0002 and 0003)

• Estimated Value: TBD (Cost and Fixed Fee are TBD for CLIN 0001)

• Limitation of Funds: Total amount available for payment and allotted to this contract for CLIN 0001 is TBD.

• Offers are due by 03:00 PM local time on July 17, 2026.

• Late submissions, modifications, and withdrawals are subject to Section L, Provision Number 52.214-7 or 52.215-1.

• Evaluation criteria are detailed in Section M.

• NAICS Code: 541715

• Size Standard: 1000 Employees

• Product Service Code: AC13

• The solicitation includes numerous FAR and DFARS clauses covering various aspects of contract performance, administration, and compliance, including cybersecurity (CMMC), item unique identification, and cost accounting standards.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

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

• Data Item Numbers (A001-A014): Each item specifies a distinct deliverable, such as Scientific and Technical Reports, Funds and Man-Hour Expenditure Reports, Spend Plans, Contract Funds Status Reports, Status Reports, Presentation Material, Computer Software Products, Software User Manuals, Software Design Descriptions, Interface Design Descriptions, Test Plans, Security Plans, and Science and Technologies Protection Implementation Plans.
• Submission Requirements: Details frequency of submission (e.g., monthly, quarterly, as required), submission dates, and distribution instructions.
• Format and Content: Tailored requirements are noted, often allowing contractor's format, but specifying media compatibility (e.g., MS Office, PDF, CD-ROM) and encryption for electronic submittals.
• Distribution: Specifies authorized recipients, primarily DoD and US DoD contractors.

This CDRL outlines the specific reports, documentation, and deliverables the contractor will be responsible for producing and submitting throughout the contract performance period. Bidders should review these requirements to understand the full scope of contractual obligations beyond the primary technical effort, including the associated effort and cost for preparing and delivering these data items.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment 6 - Security Risk Review - AFRLI 61-113," outlines the Air Force Research Laboratory's (AFRL) requirements for a Security Risk Review for proposals submitted under Solicitation FA8650-25-R-B014. The review is designed to identify potential vectors of undue foreign influence in federally funded research and development projects.

• Security Risk Review Process: AFRL will conduct reviews based on policy and procedures outlined in AFRLI 61-113 and DAFI 63-101/20-101.
• Information Sources: Reviews will use data from the "Research and Related Senior and Key Person Profile and Security Questionnaire," publicly available information, and internal U.S. Government databases. Nationality or citizenship is not a factor.
• Risk Factors: Potential risk areas include Foreign Talent Programs, Funding sources, Foreign Institutions, Denied Entities, and U.S. Government Systems.
• Applicant Actions: Proposals must include:
  • Research and Related Senior and Key Person Profile Worksheet (Appendix 2)
  • Security Program Questionnaire (Appendix 1)
  • "Privacy Act Statement" consent form for each "Covered Individual."
• Consequences of Risk: If a security risk exceeds an acceptable threshold, the applicant may be notified of award decline, with a general statement of reasoning due to OPSEC.
• Covered Individuals: Defined as individuals contributing meaningfully to the scientific development or execution of the project. For BAA solicitations, all Senior/Key Personnel are considered covered individuals.
• Disclosure Requirements: Federal law mandates disclosure of all current and pending research support for covered individuals at the time of proposal submission. Failure to report accurately may be considered a material statement under the False Claims Act.
• During Performance: Annual resubmission of profiles is required, along with updates for new covered individuals. Applicants must notify the government within 5 business days of awareness of any Senior/Key Personnel participation in Foreign Government Talent Programs or Foreign Components with strategic competitors.

This document is critical for bidders as it details specific disclosure requirements related to personnel and potential foreign influence. Understanding and accurately completing the required questionnaires and statements is essential for proposal submission and award consideration. Failure to comply can lead to disqualification or other remedies.

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 the Contractor/Recipient and reviewed by the S&T Protection Lead.

The questionnaire includes fields for:

• Applicant Name
• Cage Code/SCL and level (if applicable)
• Name and Title of the person completing the form

It then poses 13 detailed questions covering:

• Physical security plans
• Information security processes
• Information storage locations
• Procedures for transmission, transportation, disposal, destruction, and reproduction of information
• Safeguards for personnel access and Government Furnished Equipment/Information (GFE/GFI)
• Cybersecurity and network protection measures
• Operations security to prevent adversary access
• Insider threat mitigation processes
• Procedures for handling compromised information
• Willingness to provide AFRL S&T Protection training

An area for additional comments is also provided.

Potential bidders must complete this questionnaire to demonstrate their understanding and capability in safeguarding sensitive information and research funding. The responses will be a critical factor in the review process by the S&T Protection Lead.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a worksheet for collecting profile information for senior and key personnel proposed for a contract. It is intended to be used for FAR-based contracts.

• The worksheet requires the following information for a Project Director / Principal Investigator and up to five Senior / Key Persons:
  • 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)
• Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.

Bidders will need to complete this form for their proposed key personnel as part of their proposal submission. It helps the government assess the qualifications and suitability of the individuals who will be performing critical roles on the contract.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Privacy Act Statement for the Air Force Research Laboratory. It outlines the authority, purpose, routine uses, and consequences of not providing information related to applications for Federal grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, or other research-related agreements awarded by the Department of the Air Force.

• Authority: Lists various laws and executive orders governing the collection and use of information.
• Purpose: Explains that the collected information is used for processing, investigating, and maintaining records relevant to awarded agreements and to ensure responsible parties are selected.
• Routine Uses: Details who the information may be shared with, including other government entities and law enforcement.
• Effect of not providing information: States that providing information is voluntary, but failure to comply with disclosure requirements (like those in 42 U.S. Code § 6605) can lead to civil or criminal remedies, including rejection of applications.
• Acknowledgment of Consent: Includes fields for a proposal title, and signatures and printed names of the covered individual and the institution's authorized representative, along with dates, to acknowledge consent.

Bidders must review and understand this statement to ensure they comply with all requirements for submitting proposals or applications for agreements with the Air Force Research Laboratory. The acknowledgment of consent section indicates that this form likely needs to be completed and submitted as part of the application process.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Rider" to a Software License Agreement between the United States Air Force (Licensee) and a Contractor (Licensor). It establishes terms and conditions for providing software and services to the Air Force Research Laboratory, integrated into a specific U.S. Government contract and Task Order (TO).

• Scope: Defines the purpose of the Rider and the attached License Agreement.
• Applicability: Incorporates the License Agreement by reference, subject to consistency with U.S. Federal Law (e.g., Anti-Deficiency Act, Contract Disputes Act).
• Inconsistencies: Specifies that terms inconsistent with Federal Law will be deemed deleted and unenforceable.
• Contract Formation: Requires all future changes to the Rider or License Agreement to be signed by a warranted contracting officer.
• Termination: States that termination clauses in the Licensor's agreement are deleted and governed by FAR/DFARS clauses, with specific exceptions for Licensor-initiated termination after dispute resolution or court order.
• Government Law/Jurisdiction: Mandates that disputes are resolved under FAR, DFARS, and the Contract Disputes Act, with U.S. law governing interpretation and enforcement. Provisions for taxes are deleted.
• Licensee Indemnities: Clauses referencing Licensee Indemnities are deleted.
• Future Fees/Penalties: Clauses violating the Anti-Deficiency Act regarding fees or penalties are deleted, including automatic renewal provisions.
• Advertisements/Endorsements: Prohibits the use of U.S. Government entity names or logos.
• Limitation on Damages: Outlines Government remedies for Licensor's failure to perform.
• Force Majeure: Defines conditions under which the Licensor is not liable for nonperformance due to uncontrollable occurrences.
• Remedies: Refers to FAR 52.233-1 for dispute resolution and allows for injunctive relief.
• Entire Agreement: Clarifies that the Contract and TO represent the entire agreement, with the Software License Agreement and Rider incorporated as material parts.

This document is crucial for understanding the specific legal and contractual framework governing the software license and services being procured. Bidders must be aware that the standard terms of the Licensor's Software License Agreement are superseded or modified by this Rider to align with U.S. Government contracting regulations and policies. Key areas of modification include termination, dispute resolution, fees, and indemnities, which directly impact the rights and obligations of both parties.