SUBNET BAA 0004-21

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (02) to Solicitation BAA-0004-21, dated July 14, 2021, makes the following changes:

• Eligibility (Section B.3): Clarifies minimum standards for prospective offerors regarding foreign affiliations, financial resources, accounting systems, performance, integrity, organization, experience, operational controls, technical skills, facilities, and equipment. It directs offerors to FAR Part 9 for further guidance.
• R&D Program Management Office (PMO) Determinations (Section B.9): Adds information regarding the PMO's potential to transition R&D projects to a production environment. This process may involve contractor submission of a transition plan for review, followed by further instructions on technical and cost proposals.
• White Papers (Section D.2): Revises the evaluation criteria for White Papers. They will be reviewed to determine technical feasibility, viability (compatibility with DoD constraints and environments), and whether the research project is of sufficient interest to DLA to warrant a technical proposal.
• Technical Proposal (Section E.5): Adds the clause DFARS 252.245-7005, "Management and Reporting of Government Property," which details definitions, requirements for demilitarization, assumption of costs, and procedures for handling government-furnished property (GFP). It also clarifies that GFP is not anticipated for all areas but will be incorporated if needed.

Sections B.3, B.9, D.2, and E.5 of the solicitation have been modified. DFARS 252.245-7005 has been added.

This amendment does not explicitly state a change to the proposal deadline. Offerors are reminded to acknowledge receipt of this amendment as per standard procedures.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment clarifies the Evaluation Rating Scheme for the Subsistence Network BAA 004-21, specifically referencing pages 19 through 21.

• The "Evaluation Rating Scheme" section is amended.

• The descriptions for "Factor 1 – Overall Scientific and Technical Merit (Feasibility)" and "Factor 2 – Research Management and Organizational Structure (Viability and Desirability)" are updated.

• "Factor 3 - Desirability" is updated to align with the previous factor.

• "Factor 4 – Past Performance, Capabilities, and Related Experience" is updated.

• "Factor 5: Cost Realism" is updated.

• The BAA closing date remains the same.

• The amendment provides clarification on evaluation criteria, which may impact how offerors structure their proposals.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) seeks research and development proposals for the Subsistence Network (SUBNET) program. The program aims to develop and promote manufacturing improvements in the subsistence supply chain, leveraging new technologies and encouraging innovation. The BAA is open for five years, with an estimated investment of $35 million from Fiscal Years 2022-2027. The primary goal is to improve military subsistence and combat rations products and processes, leading to shorter lead times, higher throughput, reduced costs, and improved quality.

Respondents are required to submit white papers detailing project concepts within the specified Areas of Interest. White papers should not exceed seven pages and must include specific technical details, risk identification, project duration, preliminary schedule, and approximate total cost. Major equipment purchases, maintenance, and repairs will not be funded by DLA. White papers with a total cost exceeding one million dollars will not be considered.

• Contract Type: DLA intends to award cost-reimbursement contracts, specifically cost-plus-fixed-fee. However, DLA reserves the right to award firm fixed-price, level of effort term contracts if deemed in the Government's best interest.

• Period of Performance: Proposed projects should have a period of performance from 6 months to 3 years.

• Estimated Value: Approximately $35 million planned for Fiscal Years 2022-2027.

• Process: A three-step process: 1) White Paper Submission, 2) Technical Proposal Submission (by invitation only), 3) Cost Proposal Submission (by invitation only).

• White Paper Evaluation: DLA will select promising white papers for further consideration. A request for a technical proposal does not guarantee award.

• Technical Proposal Evaluation: Evaluated based on Scientific and Technical Merit, Research Management and Organizational Structure, and Past Performance, Capabilities, and Related Experience.

• Cost Proposal: Requested only for selected technical proposals and will be evaluated for cost realism and reasonableness.

• Key Deadlines: The BAA is open for five years. Specific deadlines for white papers and subsequent proposal stages will be communicated.

• Eligibility: This is an unrestricted acquisition. Any responsible source capable of satisfying DLA's needs may participate. DLA encourages industry, educational institutions, small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), and Minority Institutions (MI) to submit white papers.

• Set-Aside: No portion of this BAA is set aside for any type of small business participation due to the impracticality of reserving discrete or severable areas of research.

• Small Business Size Standard: 1000 employees.

• NAICS Code: 541715 – Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences.

• Preparation Costs: DLA is not responsible for any costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals.

• Questions: Formal written questions should be submitted to the contracting officer. Clarifications will be posted as amendments on Sam.gov.

• Registration: Respondents must have a valid registration in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

• Areas of Interest: Research proposals should align with one or more of the following areas: Combat Rations, Food Equipment, Field Feeding Solutions, Food Footprint, Food Innovations, Food Safety and Defense, Garrison Feeding, Nutrition and Health, Storage and Packaging Solutions, Water Security, Subsistence Supplies Condition Monitoring During Shipments, and Additional Topics (emerging or innovative research not listed but fulfilling BAA objectives).