Vertical Lift Research Center Of Excellence Vlrcoe Program

I Overview Of Notice Of Funding Opportunity 1 Federal Awarding Agency Name United States U S Army Contracting Command Redstone Contracting Division F Ccam Mza F Fort Eustis Virginia 23604 5577 On Behalf Of The U S Army Futures Command Afc Combat Capabilities Development Command Devcom Aviation Amp Missile Center Avmc Technology Development Directorate Aviation Technology Tdd A 2 Funding Opportunity Title Vertical Lift Research Center Of Excellence Vlrcoe Program 3 Announcement Type Initial Announcement 4 Funding Opportunity Number W911w6 21 R 0003 5 Catalog Of Federal Domestic Assistance Cfda Number S 12 598 Centers For Academic Excellence 6 Key Dates The Schedule For The Review And Selection Of Proposals For The Vlrcoe Program Is As Follows February 3 2021 Pre Proposal Conference Academia Day April 16 2021 Proposals Due July 30 2021 Agreement Awards A Pre Proposal Academia Day Will Be Held On Wednesday February 3 2021 Virtually Over The Microsoft Teams Platform At The Academia Day The Technical Leads From The U S Army U S Navy And Nasa Will Describe Their Technical Plans Academia Day Registration Information Form Is At Attachment 4 Academia Day Registration Form All Forms Shall Be Submitted Via Email By Friday February 1 2021 As Directed On The Registration Form Ii Notice Of Funding Opportunity A Program Description The Purpose Of This Notice Of Funding Opportunity Is To Seek Proposals For Award Of A Cooperative Agreement To Conduct Basic Research Focused On Scientific Barriers In Technologies Relevant To Vertical Lift And To Provide A Scientific Foundation For Enabling Technologies For Future Force Capabilities This Notice Is Pursuant To Title 2 Grants And Agreements Chapter Xi Department Of Defense Part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements Cost Principles And Audit Requirements For Federal Awards And Any Other References Herein Since 1982 The U S Army Has Continuously Supported A Successful Centers Of Excellence Program Focused On Vertical Lift Technology The Original Center For Education And Research In Rotary Wing Aviation Technology Cerwat Was Initiated In 1982 To Increase Academia S Contribution To The Vertical Lift Technology By Focusing On Both Academic Research And Graduate Education In The Multi Disciplinary Research Areas Comprising Vertical Lift Technology In 1996 The Program Refocused As The Rotorcraft Center Of Excellence Rcoe Program With Additional Emphasis On Collaborative Research With The Government And Industry Partners Through Another Collaborative Applied Research Program In 2006 The Program Was Reenergized As The Vertical Lift Research Center Of Excellence Vlrcoe Emphasizing Inter Disciplinary Multi University Teams To Bring Together Multi Disciplinary Vertical Lift Research Areas The Current Five Year Vlrcoe Program Concludes At The End Of Calendar Year 2021 This Research Is Best Conducted In A Concentrated Interdisciplinary Center The Vertical Lift Research Center Of Excellence Vlrcoe Which Will Couple State Of The Art Research Programs At Institutions Of Higher Education Ihes With Broad Based Graduate Education Programs To Strengthen The Academia S Contribution To Vertical Lift Research And Technology This Vlrcoe Program Is Funded By The United States U S Army The U S Navy And The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Nasa And Is Managed By The U S Army Technology Development Directorate Aviation Technology Tdd A Part Of The U S Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Ccdc Aviation Amp Missile Center Avmc The Program Is Intended To Support Long Term Basic Research Objectives Of The U S Army The U S Navy And Nasa To Establish A Significant Dual Use Technology Base From Which To Draw Substantial Knowledge And Capabilities And To Provide A Source Of Highly Qualified Vertical Lift Research Professionals For The Broader Vertical Lift Aviation Community The Vlrcoe Program Extends And Updates The U S Army S Continuing Support Of The Original Center Of Excellence On Rotary Wing Aircraft Technology Initiated In 1982 This Announcement Covers The Vlrcoe Program For Five 5 Program Years Initiating In The Year 2021 And Continuing Through 2026 B Federal Award Information A Cooperative Agreement Pursuant To 10 U S C 2358 Is The Intended Funding Instrument For Awards Resulting From This Notice Of Funding Opportunity Such Awards Will Provide For A Five Year Performance Period As Stated Later In This Announcement Substantial Government Involvement Is Anticipated The Government Will Assess The Overall Performance Of The Program At The End Of Each Year Procurement Contracts Are Not Anticipated To Be Awarded Proposals Should Conform To The Procedural And Submission Guidelines Covered In This Notice And Attachments Proposals Should Be As Complete As Possible And Be Submitted On The Applicants Most Favorable Terms In Order To Be Considered Responsive To This Notice Of Funding Opportunity A Proposal Submission Must At A Minimum Describe The Range Of Faculty Capabilities And Appropriate Vertical Lift Related Course Work In A Number Of Disciplines To Establish A Center Present Research Projects Tasks To Be Conducted By The Center Within At Least Four Areas Of Interest Identified In This Notice Of Funding Opportunity Contain Sufficient Technical Management And Cost Information To Perform A Meaningful Evaluation Be Signed By An Official Authorized To Legally Bind The Proposing Organization Not Merely Offer To Perform Standard Services Or To Just Provide Services And Not Significantly Duplicate A More Specific Current Or Pending Department Of Defense Dod Or Nasa Solicitation Proposals Submitted Under This Notice Of Funding Opportunity Should Include Research Tasks In At Least Four Of The Following Fields 1 Aeromechanics 2 Structures Amp Materials 3 Flight Dynamics Amp Control 4 Advanced Vertical Take Off Landing Concepts Amp Designs 5 Vibration Amp Noise Control 6 Propulsion 7 Affordability 8 Safety Amp Survivability And 9 Human Factors Engineering A List Of Suggested Topics In These Areas Is Provided In Attachment 3 Research Fields And Example Research Topics Proposals In Additional Fields Not Explicitly Mentioned Will Also Be Considered Provided They Directly Address The Objectives Of The Notice Of Funding Opportunity Research Should Be Focused On Basic Scientific Issues That Are Of Importance To Vertical Lift Systems And Technologies And That Have The Potential For Making Significant Contributions Towards U S Army And U S Navy Research Thrusts And Are Aligned With Dod And Nasa Goals And Missions Interdisciplinary Research Efforts Should Be Emphasized But Should Be Focused On Fundamental Physical Phenomena Or Understandings And Not Targeted To Demonstrate Or Mature A Specific Concept Or Configuration Tasks That Develop Material Solutions To Vertical Lift Technology Problems Based On Existing Technologies And Scientific Knowledge Are Discouraged Tasks That Aim To Develop Low Noise Technologies Or Devices For Application To Rotors Are Also Discouraged Technical Proposals Should Clearly Describe The Background And Objectives Of The Proposed Research The Approaches To Be Considered And How They Advance The State Of The Art The Level Of Effort To Be Employed The Anticipated Results And The Manner In Which The Work Will Contribute To The U S Industry And Military Aviation Plans Should Be Discussed For Proactively Transferring The Technology And Partnering Of These Research Endeavors To The Vertical Flight Industry And Military Aviation Communities Proposals Should Describe Plans For Attracting The Highest Caliber Graduate Students Into The Vlrcoe Program The Anticipated Total Government Funding For The Program Is Approximately 4 500 000 Per Year Over The Five Year Program Duration However The Total Proposed Budget For Each Proposal Shall Not Exceed 2 500 000 Per Year It Is Intended That A Center Will Be A Competitive Environment Both Within Each Individual Center And Between The Centers In Which The Annual Program Review Will Provide Opportunities For Evaluating Progress On Technical Tasks And Making Changes To The Program As Needed Although A Five Year Program With Specific Tasks Will Be Negotiated For Each Center Prior To Award The Government Reserves The Right Pursuant To The Terms Of The Agreement Governing Modifications And Additional Research To Limit The Period Of Performance For Certain Tasks To A Shorter Duration To Add New Tasks Or Make Changes To Existing Tasks As Additional Government Funding Becomes Available And Or To Redirect Funding From Tasks That Are Not Productive C Eligibility Information 1 Eligible Applicants This Notice Of Funding Opportunity Is Open To All Responsible Sources Applicants May Include Single Entities Or Teams From Industry And Academia Vlrcoe Is To Provide A Critical Mass Of Multi Disciplinary Research Capability Focused On Vertical Lift Research A Broad Range Of Faculty Expertise And Appropriate Vertical Lift Technology Related Course Work In Several Disciplines Is Required To Establish A Center In Order To Achieve Adequate Program Balance Subcontracts With Other Universities May Be Proposed Leadership Of Teams Proposing To This Program Must Reside Within U S Ihes Supporting Or Subcontracting Participation Is Open To All U S Organizations In General U S Federal Government Agencies That Participate As Team Members Are Expected To Supply Their Own Funding And Are Not Eligible For Funding Under This Notice Of Funding Opportunity The Government Encourages Nonprofit Organizations Educational Institutions Small Businesses Small Disadvantaged Business Sdb Concerns And Women Owned Small Business Historically Black Colleges And Universities Hbcu Minority Serving Institutions Msi Women Owned Businesses Wb And Historically Underutilized Business Hub Zone Enterprises As Well As Large Businesses And Academic Institutions To Submit Research Proposals For Consideration And Or To Join Others In Submitting Proposals International Collaborations With Non U S Organizations Are Possible If They Complement The Center Program By Bringing In Unique Technical Expertise However Non U S Organizations As Well As Work Performed By Non U S Organizations As A Part Of The Proposal Submitted By A U S Organization Are Not Eligible For Government Funding This Restriction Does Not Apply To Non U S Citizen Students Or Researchers Government Entities Desirous Of Proposing Anything Under This Notice Of Funding Opportunity Cannot Do So Unless They Clearly Demonstrate 1 The Proposed Work Is Not Otherwise Available From The Private Sector And 2 Provide Official Written Documentation Citing The Specific Statutory Authority And Contractual Authority If Relevant Establishing Their Ability To Propose To Government Solicitations The Army Contracting Command Acc Will Consider Eligibility Considerations Provided By Ffrdcs And Government Entities On A Case By Case Basis However The Burden Of Proof To Establish Eligibility Rests With The Applicant Foreign Entities Participation As Prime Recipient Is Limited To U S Institutions Of Higher Education The Intention Of This Notice Of Funding Opportunity Is To Stimulate Research To Strengthen U S Research And Development With The Primary Benefit Directed To The U S Government And Vertical Lift Industry Base Companies Or Business Entities That Are Directly Or Indirectly Controlled By A Foreign Institution Or Government Are Ineligible For Funding Under This Notice Of Funding Opportunity Research Proposals Involving Collaboration With Foreign Institution S By A U S Prime Recipient Will Be Considered Provided That The Work Performed By The Foreign Institution S Is Funded Independently Outside Of The Vlrcoe Program And That The International Collaborations Complement The Vlrcoe Program By Bringing In Unique Talent Capabilities Institutions Engaging Non Us Persons In Research Activities Shall Accept Responsibility For And Bear Costs Incurred In Their Own Compliance With Technology Export Regulations As Applicable 2 Cost Sharing Or Matching The Government Anticipates Cooperative Agreement Award S Under 10 U S C 2358 As The Government Desires To Be Substantially Involved In The Performance Of The Vlrcoe Program Voluntary Cost Share Participation Will Be Considered In Accordance With Code For Federal Regulation Cfr 200 306 Cost Sharing Or Matching However Cost Share Or Matching Is Not Required And Will Not Be Part Of The Evaluation Process If Proposed The Cost Share Will Notify The Government That The Applicant Has A Vested Interest In The Program S Success Therefore Applicants Are Encouraged To Include Cost Share To The Maximum Extent Practicable Cost Share May Be In The Form Of Cash Where Cash Is Considered Of Significantly Higher Quality In Demonstrating Commitment To The Project In Kind Contributions Third Party In Kind Contribution Equipment Use Etc U S Government Resources May Not Be Considered As Cost Sharing Contributions Listed Below Will Be Regarded As Neutral With Regard To Resource Sharing Goals And They Will Not Count As Either A Government Or A Private Company Contribution To Resource Sharing Goals These Include A Cash Or In Kind Contributions Provided By State Or Local Governments Specifically For The Notice Of Funding Opportunities Project Proposal And Not Generally Provided For Some Other Purpose Where The Cash Or In Kind Resource Is Funded By The U S Government B In Kind Contributions By Federal Laboratories That Are Members Of A Proposing Team E G As In A Cooperative Research And Development Agreement Or C Tangible Products Of Past Government Funding That Are Legally Owned By A Member Of A Notice Of Funding Opportunities Proposal Team E G Equipment Developed As Part Of Previous Vlrcoe Efforts And Or A Small Business Innovation Research Contract Federal Laboratories That Are Participants In A Notice Of Funding Opportunities Proposal Team May Use Resources From Non Notice Of Funding Opportunities Sources To Support The Proposal Team For Example A Commitment Of Research Time Paid Separately If That Use Is Consistent With Other Regulatory And Statutory Requirements Any Planned Reliance On Non Notice Of Funding Opportunities Government Resources For Project Implementation Must Be Clearly Documented And A Commitment To Provide The Resources Documented In The Proposal 3 Other Multiple Awards Are Anticipated However The Total Number Of Awards Under This Notice Of Funding Opportunity Is Not Pre Determined There Is No Limit On The Number Of Proposals An Applicant May Submit Submission Of Multiple Proposals Must Be Distinguishable By The Investigators Organizations Or Beneficiaries Each Proposal Must Be Submitted Separately Applicants Must Adhere To All Federal Regulations And Any Known Or Unknown Identified Violation Will Render The Applicant Ineligible D Application And Submission Information 1 Address To Request Application Package The Complete Notice Of Funding Opportunity Solicited Hereunder Includes The Following Documents 1 Notice Of Funding Opportunity This Document 2 Attachment 1 Proposal Format Describes The Required Proposal Format And Templates For Use 3 Attachment 2 Research Fields And Example Research Topics These Example Topics Are Intended To Help Illustrate The Scope Of The Fields And Do Not Comprise A Comprehensive List Of All Possible Research Topics Nor Do They Indicate Dod Requirements 4 Attachment 3 Academia Day Registration Form The Registration Form For Attendance At The Planned Academia Day Parties Interested In Attending Academia Day Must Submit A Completed Registration By Friday January 29 2021 All Relevant Attachments Are Included With This Notice Of Funding Opportunity Only Electronic Copies Will Be Provided Hard Copies Will Not Be Sent Via U S Postal Or Any Other Service If There Are Any Difficulties In Receiving These Documents Contact The Points Of Contact Listed Below 2 Content And Form Of Application Submission I Pre Applications Letters Of Intent Or White Papers Pre Applications Letter Of Intent And White Papers Are Not Applicable To This Notice Of Funding Opportunity Ii The Application All Proposals Shall Be Arranged According To The Format Specified Herein And The Included Attachments Proposals Should Be Written Concisely In English The Proposal Should Include The Following Sections For A Five Year Research Program Based On The Research Fields Discussed In Attachment 3 Entitled Research Fields And Example Research Topics Management Section Budget Section And Technical Section The Management And Budget Sections Sections B 1 And B 2 Are Limited To A Total Of 25 Pages Inclusive Of Both Sections The Technical Section Section B 3 Is Limited To 100 Pages While Each Proposed Task Is Limited To 5 Pages Each Page Limitations Are Inclusive Of Any Drawings Charts Etc And Exclusive Of Section Dividers Table Of Contents List Of Figures Tables Glossary Of Terms And Cross Referencing Indices Which Are Not Considered Content Pages The Evaluators Will Read And Evaluate Only Those Pages Which Do Not Exceed The Maximum Number Of Pages Specified Pages Shall Be Standard 8 X 11 Inch Paper And Main Body Type Shall Be Not Less Than A 10 Point Minimum Font Size Not Less Than Single Spacing A Maximum Of 6 Lines Per Inch With Margins At Least 1 Inch Types Smaller Than 10 Point Are Permitted Only For Captions Sub Super Scripts And Labeling Of Figures And Graphs Management Section B 1 The Management Section Should Contain At A Minimum Institutional Commitments All Proposals Shall Be Endorsed By Their Sponsoring Institution Only Properly Endorsed Proposals Are Acceptable Proposals That Are Not Endorsed Will Be Returned Without Being Evaluated The Cover Page Contains Space For This Endorsement By An Institutional Representative Authorized To Legally Bind The Institution To Perform The Proposed Effort Third Party Letters Of Endorsement Supporting The Proposal Without Active Participation Are Discouraged And Will Not Be Provided To The Evaluation Team Proposals Shall Describe The Methods By Which The Project Will Be Directed Coordinated And Executed Plans For Dissemination Of Responsibilities And Any Necessary Arrangement For Ensuring A Coordinated Effort Shall Be Described For Efforts Involving Interactions Among Individuals From More Than One Department Or Organization The Proposal Shall Describe The Internal Structure Of The Vlrcoe Center And Its Expected Effectiveness In Attracting And Retaining First Rate Students The Proposal Shall Give A Description Of The Applicant S Plan To Involve The Outside Community In The Activities Of The Center In Particular The Applicant Should Outline Plans For Technology Transfer And For Generating Cooperative Activities With Government Research Laboratories Industry Or Other Academic Institutions The Proposal Shall Describe How The Center Will Efficiently And Effectively Plan The Research Effort Focusing On Programmatic Reporting Financial And Administrative Matters Supporting Facilities And Equipment Applicants Should Include A Brief Description Of The Facilities And Equipment Available For The Proposed Tasks And Identify Any Government Owned Facilities Or Equipment That Are Proposed For Use On The Task It Is Important To Recognize That The Dod Operates Its Facilities Based On A Full Cost Accounting System Before Requesting Purchase Of A Major Item Of Capital Equipment The Applicant Shall Determine If Sharing Or Loan Of Equipment Already Within The Organization Is A Feasible Alternative To Purchase Where Such Arrangements Cannot Be Made The Proposal Shall So State Biographical Sketches Proposals Shall Provide Brief Biographical Sketches Including Research Areas Of Interest For Each Principal Investigator And Key Personnel Directly Associated With The Proposal Budget Section B 2 The Budget Shall Be Presented With The Budget Forms Enclosed In Attachment 1 Proposal Formats Section B 2 Budget Format The Cost Portion Of The Proposal Shall Contain Cost Estimates Sufficient For A Meaningful Evaluation Budgets Must Be Presented By Cost Elements As Detailed Below The Total Government Funding Requested For Each Proposal Shall Not Exceed 2 500 000 Per Year The Estimated Costs Must Be Broken Down For Each Of The Five Years Of The Program To Show The Following A Direct Labor And Labor Hours The Percentage Of Research Time And Salaries To Be Charged Should Be Identified By Academic Year And Summer Effort For Principal Investigators B Proposed Number Of Graduate Students Supported Under This Task Include Fraction For Students Only Partially Supported C If Proposals Involve Collaborations With Institutions Different From That Of The Center Lead And They Require Funding Support The Budget Of Each Participating Institution Shall Be Listed Under Category 3A Subcontracts Details Of The Budgets Of Such Participating Institutions Shall Be Provided Separately D A Description Of Services Or Materials To Be Acquired By Sub Awards Contract Must Be Included In The Proposal Sub Awards Contract Proposals Exceeding 100 000 Must Provide The Following Information If Known The Identification Of The Proposed Sub Awards Contract Awards And An Explanation Of Why And How The Subcontractor Was Selected Or Will Be Selected Whether Or Not The Award Will Be Competitive And If Noncompetitive Rationale To Justify The Absence Of Competition The Proposed Sub Award Contract Awards In Sufficient Detail To Allow For Meaningful Evaluation If There Is A Requirement For Consulting Services A Justification Must Be Provided Payments To Individuals For Consultant Services Under A U S Army Cooperative Agreement Shall Be Consistent With Cfr Title 2 Grants And Agreements Chapter Ii Part 200 Section 200 306 And 200 430 And Omb Circular A 21 Cost Principles For Educational Institutions An Itemized List Of Permanent Equipment To Be Acquired Showing The Cost Of Each Item Permanent Equipment Is Any Article Of Non Expendable Tangible Personal Property Having A Useful Life Of More Than Two Years And An Acquisition Cost Of 5 000 Or More Per Unit A General Description And Total Estimated Cost Of Expendable Equipment And Supplies Contemplated Expenditures For Travel With Brief Explanation Including The Number Of Travelers Duration Destination Per Diem Air Transportation And The Name Of The Meeting Event Direct Costs Please Refer To Omb Circular A 21 Cost Principles For Educational Institutions Or Other Cost Principles Applicable To The Proposing Entity Facility And Administrative Costs The Institution S Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement Proposed Cost Sharing Should Include The List Of Sponsors And The Amount Of Cost Sharing Technical Section B 3 The Technical Description Shall Be Prepared In A Manner That Addresses The Selection Criteria In This Announcement The Technical Section Of The Proposal Shall Detail The Proposed Research The Format Is Given In Attachment 1 Proposal Formats Section B 3 Technical Narrative Format This Section Is The Most Important For Selection Each Section Should Describe A Single Proposed Research Task Including Research Objectives In Terms Of Specific Physical Phenomena And Basic Innovative Research Current Technical Barriers Or Challenges And The Uniqueness Of The Proposed Research Please Describe Physical Phenomena Of Interest As Specifically As Possible And Avoid General Statements The Proposed Work Should Emphasize Innovative Creative Basic Research That Increases Our Knowledge And Understanding Physics And Phenomena Unique To Vertical Lift Concepts And Configurations Research Tasks Should Not Be Uniquely Tied To Specific Aircraft Or Systems And Need Not Offer Immediate Or Specifically Identifiable Improvements In Vertical Lift Technology Projects That Merely Apply Engineering Methods To Develop Or Evaluate Unusual Vehicle Configurations Or Components Are Not Of Interest Under This Announcement However Projects Aimed At Novel Vehicle Configurations Or Components May Be Considered If They Are Especially Innovative Improve Fundamental Knowledge And Or Offer Novel Experimental Analytical Or Computational Methods Although Software Development Per Se Is Not A Goal Of This Announcement Projects Demonstrating New Analytical Methods Via Their Software Implementation May Be Considered The Technical Portion Should Include A Summary Of Proposed Budget Including The Number Of Graduate Students Supported Under The Task Additional Application Information The Government Anticipates Intellectual Property May Be Generated As A Result Of Award And Will Be Negotiated All Intellectual Property Rights Will Adhere To 2 Cfr 200 448 Intellectual Property Or As Otherwise Agreed To In The Resulting Cooperative Agreement Intellectual Property I E Rights In Technical Data Computer Software Computer Databases And Computer Software Documentation Will In General Be Negotiated On The Following Basis 1 The Government Desires Government Purpose Rights Gpr In Delivered Technical Data Computer Software Computer Databases And Computer Software Documentation A In The Event That Technical Data Computer Software Computer Databases And Or Computer Software Documentation Were Produced At Private Expense Prior To Performance Of Or Outside The Scope Of Any Resulting Agreement And Is Considered By The Applicant To Embody Trade Secrets Or To Comprise Commercial Or Financial Information Which Is Privileged Or Confidential Such Information Must Be Identified In The Proposal And If Delivered To The Government May Be Delivered Subject To Limited Or Restricted Rights B Marking Instructions For Any Protected Materials Will Generally Conform To The Requirements Of 15 U S C 3710A C 7 A Amp B And The Freedom Of Information Act 5 U S C 552 Et Seq And Is Identified As Such By Labels Or Markings Designating The Information As Proprietary 2 Patent Rights For Any Award Made As A Result Of This Notice Of Funding Opportunity The Disposition Of Rights To Inventions Made By Any Participant Shall Be Governed By Title 35 Of The United States Code And 2 Cfr 200 448 Intellectual Property Iii Component Pieces Of The Application As Noted In The Previous Section Attachment 1 Proposal Formats Contains The Format And Content Template And Instructions For The Proposal Submission Iv Information That Successful Applicants Must Submit After Notification Of Intent To Make A Federal Award But Prior To A Federal Award Applicants Shall Include Any Required Statements Within The Proposal Of Any Environmental Impact Of The Work Human Subject Or Animal Care Provisions Conflict Of Interest Or On Such Other Topics As May Be Required By The Nature Of The Effort And Current Statutes Executive Orders Or Other Current Government Wide Guidelines The Preponderance Of Research Performed Is Anticipated To Be Basic Or Fundamental Research Exempt From Export Controls However It Is Possible That One Or More Project Tasks May Require Access To And Or The Requirement To Generate Technical Data The Export Of Which May Be Restricted By The Arms Export Control Act Title 22 U S C Sec 2751 Et Seq Or Executive Order 12470 3 Unique Entity Identifier And System For Award Management Sam Each Applicant Unless An Individual Or Federal Awarding Agency That Is Excepted From Those Requirements Under 2 Cfr 25 110 B Or C Or Has An Exception Approved By The Federal Awarding Agency Under 2 Cfr 25 110 D Is Required To Submit And Maintain The Following The Government Reserves The Right To Not Award To Any Applicant That Does Not Comply With These Requirements In Addition Any Applicant Not Meeting These Requirements Prior To The Award Will Be Deemed Not Qualified For Award And May Use That Basis To Award To Another Applicant 1 Be Registered In Sam Before Submitting Its Application 2 Provide A Valid Unique Entity Identifier In Its Application And 3 Continue To Maintain An Active Sam Registration With Current Information At All Times During Which It Has An Active Federal Award Or An Application Or Plan Under Consideration By A Federal Awarding Agency 4 Submission Dates And Times Proposals Shall Be Submitted Via Upload To The Dod Safe Site In Accordance With The Below Dod Safe Submission Is The Only Authorized Method For Proposal Submission Under This Funding Opportunity Proposals Shall Be Submitted Via Upload To The Dod Safe Access File Exchange At Https Dod Safe Apps Mils In Order To Utilize The Safe Site A Drop Off Request Is Required Applicants Shall Request A Drop Off Via Email To Both Of The Following Points Of Contact Mr Thomas M Helms At Thomas M Helms6 Civ Mail Mil And Mr Kenny Hood At Kenneth M Hood Civ Mail Mil The Email Requesting The Drop Off Shall Include The Following In The Subject Line Drop Off Request W911w6 21 R 0003 Drop Off Requests Shall Be Submitted At Least 3 Business Days Prior To The Proposal Due Date The Upload Link Is Valid For Fourteen Days Applicants Will Receive An Automated Email Containing A Link To Upload The Files Please Follow The Link Instructions Upon Request Applicants Will Be Provided Acknowledgement Of Proposal Receipt Applicants May Submit One Or More Proposals And Each Proposal Will Be Evaluated Independently Applicants May Withdraw Proposal S At Any Time Unless The Applicant Specifies A Different Proposal Expiration Date Proposals Will Be Considered Valid For Government Acceptance Through September 30 2021 Questions Shall Be Submitted In Writing Via Email To Thomas M Helms6 Civ Mail Mil And Kenneth M Hood Civ Mail Mil All Questions Must Be Submitted Within 7 Days Prior To The Due Date To Ensure A Response All Questions And Responses Received Will Be Posted To Beta Sam Gov As An Amendment To The Notice I Any Deadline In Terms Of A Date And Local Time Proposals Must Be Uploaded To The Safe Site Not Later Than 4 00 Pm Edt Friday April 16 2021 Ii What The Deadline Means Proposals Must Be Received By The Date And Time Specified Above To Minimize The Possibility Of A Late Submission Due To Unexpected Network Or Equipment Issues Dod Recommends That Proposals Be Submitted Prior To The Date And Time Specified Above For Receipt Of Proposals To Eliminate The Possibility Of Any Submission Issues Which Could Impact Timely Receipt Of Proposals Iii The Effect Of Missing A Deadline Proposals Submitted After The Date And Time Specified Above Will Be Considered Late And Will Not Be Reviewed Or Considered By The Government 5 Intergovernmental Review Not Applicable This Notice Of Funding Opportunity Does Not Fall Under Executive Order 12372 For Intergovernmental Review Of Federal Programs 6 Funding Restrictions See Section C 1 Above 7 Other Submission Requirements None E Application Review Information 1 Criteria The Selection Of Primary Sources I E Centers Or Vlrcoes For Award Will Be Based On An Evaluation Of Proposals In Accordance With The Criteria Set Forth Below And In The Attachments To Be Selected Proposing U S Ihes Must Offer A Range Of Faculty Capabilities And Appropriate Vertical Lift Related Course Work In A Number Of Disciplines To Establish A Center A Center May Be Composed Of A Lead University And Partner Universities Collaborating To Provide The Scope Of Program Necessary To Address The Widest Range Of Technical Fields Relevant To Vertical Lift Technology Intra University And Inter University Research Teams Are Encouraged The Tasks Performed By The Partner Universities And Individual Investigators Are Encouraged To Be Collaborative With The Lead University Rather Than Standalone Tasks There Are No Fixed Percentages For Personnel Or Funding For The Lead University Partner University Universities Or Individual Investigator S Furthermore Intra University Graduate Coursework Allowing Graduate Level Coursework At Partner Universities Is Strongly Encouraged To Further The Reach Of Vertical Lift Education Research Tasks Will Be Competitively Selected Based On Technical Merit Relevance And Program Balance The Distribution Of Funding Will Be Based On The Technical Selection Of The Tasks The Five Year Program Research Tasks Will Be Subjected To A Scientific Peer Review By A Team Of Knowledgeable Scientists Engineers The Research Tasks Will Be Evaluated On Their Own Merit Without Regard To Research Proposed By Other Applicants Under This Announcement Proposed Cost Will Be Evaluated As Appropriate For Realism And Reasonableness Concurrently With The Scientific Peer Review Note That It Is Possible For A Proposal To Be Excluded From The Competition If It Is Deemed To Lack The Established Merits To Establish A Center Center Criteria The Following Primary Criteria Will Be Used To Determine The Establishment Of A Center 1 Critical Mass Of Specialized Technical Expertise In Vertical Lift Technology Within The Center And The Balance Of Technical Tasks 2 Vertical Lift Technology Courses Offered To Graduate Students Within The Center Or Easily Available Through Electronic Remote Access 3 Access To Test Facilities And Equipment To Build A Cohesive Experimental Program 4 Partner Universities And Individual Investigators From Other Universities To Strengthen The Center S Program 5 Cost Sharing And University Support As Stated In This Announcement Criteria 1 And 2 Are Equal And Substantially More Important Than 3 And 4 Which Are Equal And More Important Than 5 Partnerships With Other Universities That Complement Both The Experimental Facilities As Well As Technical Expertise Of The Center Are Strongly Encouraged And Could Result In Greater Evaluation Credit The Proposed Cost Share Will Be Evaluated For Its Benefit In Reducing Program Risk Achieving Program Objectives And Furthering The State Of The Art And Thus The Amount Of Cost Sharing Percentage Could Result In Greater Evaluation Credit Additional Factors That Enhance The Establishment Of A Center And May Result In Greater Evaluation Credit Are Participation Of Historically Black Colleges Or Universities Hbcu Or Minority Serving Institutions Msi Participation Of Other Small Or Minority Owned Businesses And Technology Transition Plans Such As Internship Programs For Graduate Students To Be Mentored At Government Labs Technical Task Criteria The Technical Tasks Will Be Evaluated Using The Following Criteria 1 Scientific Merits And Quality Of The Technical Approaches Of The Proposed Research Tasks 2 Relevance Of The Proposed Task To The Advancement Of U S Military And Civil Vertical Lift Technologies And The Competitive Position Of The U S Vertical Lift Industry Uniqueness Of The Proposed Task How It Complements The Government Science And Technology Portfolios Through Collaborations 3 Qualifications And Past Contributions Of The Principal Investigators And Other Key Research Personnel In The Proposed Research Area 4 Collaborations With Other Academic Research Partners To Complement The Center Areas Of Expertise And The Quality Of The Technology Transfer Plan Including Partnering With The Industry Military And Federal Aviation Communities And 5 Reasonableness And Consistency Of Proposed Budget For Accomplishing The Proposed Research Criteria 1 2 And 3 Are Equal And Substantially More Important Than 4 Which Is More Important Than 5 Cost Price Criteria The Government Will Evaluate The Proposed Cost To Determine Reasonableness And Affordability To The Government This Includes The Realism Of The Proposed Cost Elements And Any Proposed Cost Share And Includes 1 Whether The Proposed Costs Are Realistic For The Technical And Management Approach And Accurately Reflect The Technical Goals And Objectives 2 Whether The Proposed Costs Demonstrate An Understanding Of The Costs And Level Of Effort Needed To Successfully Accomplish The Proposed Technical Approach 3 Whether The Costs For The Applicant And Proposed Sub Contractors Are Substantiated By The Details Provided In The Proposal E G The Type And Number Of Labor Hours Proposed Per Task The Types And Quantities Of Materials Equipment And Fabrication Costs Travel And Any Other Applicable Costs And The Basis For The Estimates Evaluation Criteria Order Of Importance The Order Of Importance Of The Evaluation Criteria From Highest To Lowest Is The Center Criteria Technical Task Criteria And The Cost Price Criteria The Technical Content Of The Proposed Tasks Is The Key Part Of The Proposals However The Entire Proposal Must First Meet The Center Criteria Before The Individual Tasks Are Considered For Funding The Individual Tasks Will Be Evaluated Using The Technical Tasks Criteria Resulting In Narrative Ratings Which Will Be Used To Develop An Order Of Merit Ranking For Proposals And Technical Programs Submitted Under This Announcement Technical Criteria Standards And Terms To Assist Applicants In Understanding The Government Evaluation Results The Government Peer Review Organization Pro Will Use The Following Definitions In Its Assessment Of Proposals Exceptional Exceeds Most But Meets All Other Specified Performance Or Capability Criteria In A Beneficial Way To The Government Has A High Likelihood Of Satisfying The Requirement Offers Significant Technical Innovation Or Meritorious Approach Good Meets Most And Exceeds Some Specified Performance Or Capability Criteria Has Good Likelihood Of Satisfying The Requirement Offers Some Technical Innovation Or Sound Approach Acceptable Meets Specified Performance Or Capability Criteria Has Acceptable Likelihood Of Satisfying The Requirements Approach Offers Some Degree Of Technical Innovation And Or Reasonable Approach Marginal Fails To Meet Some Specified Performance Or Capability Criteria Has Low Likelihood Of Satisfying The Requirement Affords Little Innovation And Takes An Approach With Little Merit Unacceptable Fails To Meet Most Or All Specified Performance Or Capability Criteria And Thus Is Deemed Incapable Of Satisfying The Requirement Contains One Or More Major Deficiencies That Would Require A Major Revision To The Proposal To Make It Correct The Cumulative Effect Of Numerous Weaknesses May Result In The Proposal Being Assigned One Or More Minor Deficiencies See 6 4 3 For Definition The Cumulative Effect Of Numerous Minor Deficiencies May Result In The Proposal Being Assigned A Major Deficiency See 6 4 3 For Definition In Other Words While The Individual Deficiencies May Be Correctable The Deficiencies Are So Numerous And Extensive As To Require The Applicant To Essentially Re Propose Additional Evaluation Term Definitions Strength Is A Feature Item Technique Or Methodology That Stands Out As A Significant Benefit To Enhance The Effective Execution Of The Program Weakness Is A Feature Item Technique Or Methodology That Detracts From The Proposal Merit Ambiguities Or Omissions Found Within The Proposal Are Weaknesses When The Uncertainty Or Lack Of Information Presents Doubt Concerning The Likelihood Of Meeting The Performance Objectives A Weakness Has No Substantial Impact On Cost Schedule Or Technical Approach Deficiency Is Any Part Of The Applicant S Proposal That Does Not Meet An Objective Stated In The Announcement A Minor Deficiency Can Be Corrected Through Negotiation And Will Likely Result In Changes To Cost Effort Schedule Or Approach A Major Deficiency Is A Major Item And Or Gross Omission That Will Preclude Meeting Objectives And Or Will Result In Substantial Impact On Areas Of Cost Effort And Schedule Clarification Negotiation Issue Addresses Any Part Of The Applicant S Proposal That Could Be Improved Or Corrected Through Discussions To Either Ensure Mutual Understanding Or To Affect The Best Possible Contractual Performance And Optimum Contractual Terms Security Classification Proposals Shall Not Contain National Security Sensitive Or Classified Material If The Proposed Work Requires Access To Or May Generate Such Information The Applicant Will Be Required To Comply With Applicable Government Security Regulations 2 Review And Selection Process Technical And Cost Proposals Or Any Other Material Submitted In Response To This Notice Of Funding Opportunities Will Not Be Returned However Depending On The Markings On The Proposal The Government Will Handle The Provided Information And Any Proprietary Proposals Properly It Is Dod Policy To Treat All Proposals As Sensitive Competitive Information And To Disclose Their Contents Only For The Purpose Of Evaluation The Term Institution Of Higher Education Means An Educational Institution In Any State That 1 Admits As Regular Students Only Persons Having A Certificate Of Graduation From A School Providing Secondary Education Or The Recognized Equivalent Of Such A Certificate 2 Is Legally Authorized Within Such State To Provide A Program Of Education Beyond Secondary Education 3 Provides An Educational Program For Which The Institution Awards A Bachelor s Degree Or Provides Not Less Than A 2 Year Program That Is Acceptable For Full Credit Toward Such A Degree 4 Is A Public Or Other Nonprofit Institution And 5 Is Accredited By A Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agency Or Association Or If Not So Accredited Is An Institution That Has Been Granted Preaccreditation Status By Such An Agency Or Association That Has Been Recognized By The Government Or The Granting Of Preaccreditation Status And The Secretary Has Determined That There Is Satisfactory Assurance That The Institution Will Meet The Accreditation Standards Of Such An Agency Or Association Within A Reasonable Time Historically Black Colleges And Universities Are Those Institutions Determined By The Secretary Of Education To Meet The Requirements Of 34 Cfr Section 608 2 Available At Http Www Ecfr Gov Minority Serving Institutions Are Those Institutions Meeting The Criteria Contained In 10 U S C Section 2323 A 1 C Which Reads In Part Minority Institutions As Defined In Section 365 3 Of The Higher Education Act Of 1965 20 U S C 1067K Which For The Purposes Of This Section Shall Include Hispanic Serving Institutions As Defined In Section 316 B 1 Of Such Act 20 U S C 1059C B 1 Military Recruiting This Is To Notify Potential Applicants That Any Cooperative Agreement Awarded Under This Announcement To An Ihe Must Include The Following Terms And Conditions As A Condition For Receipt Of Funds Available To The Department Of Defense Dod Under This Award The Recipient Agrees That It Is Not An Institution Of Higher Education As Defined In 32 Cfr Part 216 That Has A Policy Of Denying And That It Is Not An Institution Of Higher Education That Effectively Prevents The Secretary Of Defense From Obtaining For Military Recruiting Purposes A Entry To Campuses Or Access To Students On Campuses Or B Access To Directory Information Pertaining To Students If The Recipient Is Determined Using The Procedures In 32 Cfr Part 216 To Be Such An Institution Of Higher Education During The Period Of Performance Of This Agreement And Therefore To Be In Breach Of This Clause The Government Will Cease All Payments Of Dod Funds Under This Agreement And All Other Dod Grants And Cooperative Agreements To The Recipient And It May Suspend Or Terminate Such Grants And Agreements Unilaterally For Material Failure To Comply With The Terms And Conditions Of Award If Your Institution Has Been Identified Under The Procedures Established By The Secretary Of Defense To Implement Section 558 Of The National Defense Authorization Act For Fiscal Year 1995 Public Law 103 337 1994 Then 1 No Funds Available To Dod May Be Provided To Your Institution Through Any Grant Including Any Existing Grant 2 As A Matter Of Policy This Restriction Also Applies To Any Cooperative Agreement And 3 Your Institution Is Not Eligible To Receive A Grant Or Cooperative Agreement In Response To This Solicitation Cooperative Agreement A Legal Instrument Which Consistent With 2 Cfr Part 200 Is Used To Enter Into A Relationship The Principal Purpose Of Which Is To Transfer A Thing Of Value To The Recipient To Carry Out A Public Purpose Of Support Or Stimulation Authorized By A Law Or The United States Rather Than To Acquire Property Or Services For The Dod s Direct Benefit Or Use Substantial Involvement Is Expected Between The Dod And The Recipient When Carrying Out The Activity Under The Cooperative Agreement The Term Does Not Include Cooperative Research And Development Agreements As Defined In 15 U S C 3710A No Fee Or Profit Is Allowed Government Furnished Data Equipment Property Or Facilities It Is The Applicant s Responsibility To Identify Coordinate And Furnish Supporting Documentation In The Proposal For The Use Of Any Government Furnished Data Equipment Property Or Facilities 3 Federal Share The Government Anticipates That The Total Federal Share Will Be Greater Than The Simplified Acquisition Threshold And Over The Period Of Performance As Such And In Accordance With 200 88 Simplified Acquisition Threshold Applicants Are Informed I That The Government Is Required To Review And Consider Any Information About The Applicant That Is In The Designated Integrity And Performance System Accessible Through Sam Currently Fapiis See 41 U S C 2313 Ii That Applicants May Review Information In The Designated Integrity And Performance Systems Accessible Through Sam And Comment On Any Information About Itself Iii That The Government Will Consider Any Comments By The Applicant In Addition To The Other Information In The Designated Integrity And Performance System In Making A Judgment About The Applicant S Integrity Business Ethics And Record Of Performance Under Federal Awards When Completing The Review Of Risk Posed By Applicants As Described In 200 205 Federal Awarding Agency Review Of Risk Posed By Applicants 4 Anticipated Announcement And Federal Award Dates Selection Of Proposals For Negotiation Is Planned To Be Completed By June 18 2021 Awards Under This Announcement Are Anticipated To Be Made By July 30 2021 F Federal Award Administration Information 1 Federal Award Notices Once The Proposal Evaluation Process Is Complete Applicants Will Be Notified In Writing Of Selection Or Non Selection Applicants Not Selected For An Award May Request Feedback Regarding The Evaluation Findings Of Submitted Proposals A Written Request To The Contracting Officer Must Be Received Within 3 Calendar Days After Receipt Of Notification Of Non Selection 2 Administrative And National Policy Requirements It Is U S Army Policy To Use Information Contained In Proposals For Evaluation Purposes Only While This Policy Does Not Require That The Proposal Bear A Restrictive Notice The Applicant Should In Order To Maximize Protection Of Trade Secrets Or Other Information That Is Commercial Or Financial And Confidential Or Privileged Place The Following Notice On The Title Page Of The Proposal And Specify The Information Subject To The Notice By Inserting Appropriate Identification Such As Page Numbers In The Notice In Any Event The Information Data Contained In The Proposals Will Be Protected To The Extent Permitted By Law However The U S Army Assumes No Liability For Use And Or Disclosure Of Information Not Made Subject To This Notice Notice Restriction On Use And Disclosure Of Proposal Information The Information Data Contained In Insert Page Numbers Or Other Identification Of This Proposal Constitutes A Trade Secret And Or Information That Is Commercial Or Financial And Confidential Or Privileged It Is Furnished To The Government In Confidence With The Understanding That It Will Not Without Permission Of The Applicant Be Used Or Disclosed Other Than For Evaluation Purposes However In The Event A Cooperative Agreement Is Awarded On The Basis Of This Proposal The Government Shall Have The Right To Use And Disclose This Information Data To The Extent Provided In The Cooperative Agreement This Restriction Does Not Limit The Government S Right To Use Or Disclose This Information Data If Obtained From Another Source Without Restriction 3 Reporting Technical Reports Each Applicant Awarded Under This Notice Of Funding Opportunity Are Referred To As A Vlrcoe Each Year The Vlrcoe Shall Present An Annual Program Review Highlighting The Progress And Research Accomplished During That Program Year The Vlrcoe Shall Provide A Written Annual Report Summarizing The Accomplishments For Each Individual Research Task As Well As The Presentation And Supporting Materials For The Annual Review At The End Of The Five Year Program A Final Program Report Is Required For The Entire Five Year Program The Final Report Shall Include The Vlrcoe S Overall Accomplishments Research Paper Publications Degree Recipients Along With Subsequent Career Paths Patents Filed Technical Accomplishments Of Each Task And Technology Transfer Initiatives The Vlrcoe Shall Submit Federal Financial Reports Sf 425 On A Quarterly Basis And A Final One Within 90 Days After The Agreement Expiration Date Financial Reports The Vlrcoe Shall Submit Federal Financial Report Sf 425 Within 15 Days Following The End Of Each Federal Fiscal Quarter January 15 April 15 July 15 And October 15 Containing The Actual Costs Incurred For The Last Three Months And The Estimated Costs For The Following Four Months The Final Sf 425 Shall Be Submitted Within 90 Days After The Agreement Expiration Date In Accordance With 2 Cfr Part 200 Appendix Xii Award Term And Condition For Recipient Integrity And Performance Matters If The Total Value Of Your Currently Active Grants Cooperative Agreements And Procurement Contracts From All Federal Awarding Agencies Exceeds 10 000 000 For Any Period Of Time During The Period Of Performance Of This Federal Award Then You As The Recipient During That Period Of Time Must Maintain The Currency Of Information Reported To The System For Award Management Sam That Is Made Available In The Designated Integrity And Performance System Currently The Federal Awardee Performance And Integrity Information System Fapiis About Civil Criminal Or Administrative Proceedings Described In Paragraph 2 Of This Award Term And Condition This Is A Statutory Requirement Under Section 872 Of Public Law 110 417 As Amended 41 U S C 2313 G Federal Awarding Agency Contact S Thomas Helms Contract Specialist 757 878 2900 Thomas M Helms6 Civ Mail Mil Kenny Hood Contracting Officer 757 878 0103 Kenneth M Hood Civ Mail Mil H Other Information This Notice Of Funding Opportunity Is For The Award Of New Cooperative Agreements To Continue The R Amp D Efforts For The U S Army Vlrcoe Program There Are No Related Programs For Ihes With This Agency Or This Program Applicants Must Identify Proprietary Information In Their Proposal Submission Files And Provide Instructions For The Handling Of Such Material Applicants May Be Requested To Provide Additional Information Based On Their Submittals Unnecessarily Elaborate Responses Containing Extensive Marketing Materials Are Not Desired This Notice Of Funding Opportunities Will Not Be Construed As An Obligation On The Part Of The Government To Acquire Any Products Or Services No Entitlement To Payment Of Direct Or Indirect Costs Or Charges By The Government Will Arise As A Result Of Submission Of Responses To The Notice Of Funding Opportunities And The Government S Use Of Such Information The U S Army Reserves The Right To Reject Any Or All Proposals Received In Response To This Notice Of Funding Opportunity When Such Action Is Considered In The Best Interest Of The Government In Addition The Government Reserves The Right To Select For Award Any All Part A Portion Of Or None Of The Proposals Received The Government Intends To Incrementally Fund Any Resultant Award Instrument Depending On Available Funding And The Term The U S Army Reserves The Right To Make No Awards Under This Notice Of Funding Opportunity And In The Absence Of Program Funding Or For Any Other Reason To Cancel This Notice Of Funding Opportunity By Publishing Such Cancellation Notice In Https Beta Sam Gov The U S Army Assumes No Liability For Canceling The Notice Of Funding Opportunity

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