Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 35 and Funding Opportunity Announcement under 2 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 200.204 (henceforth referred to as BAA ) is to solicit research proposals for submission to the United States (U.S.) Army Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC) Space and Missile Defense Technical Center (SMDTC) for funding consideration.
The SMDTC supports the joint warfighter by providing science, technology, and test and evaluation expertise to enable warfighter dominance today and in the future. As part of the Army Science and Technology enterprise, the SMDTC contributes to the current fight and enables the next generation to prevail in conflicts to come. The SMDTC focuses on three essential tasks: executing science and technology, research and development, and test and evaluation; managing and operating the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site; and conducting space operations and space domain awareness.
The SMDTC contributes to the success of the warfighter and joint force in four major technology areas of interest: tactical responsive space and high-altitude technologies, test and evaluation, strategic weapon technologies, and hypersonic defeat.
White papers for initial concept reviews and full proposals are sought from institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, and for-profit organizations (i.e., large and small businesses) for scientific research that supports the SMDTC mission and the published SMDTC research topics of interest. White papers and full proposals are expected to be for cutting-edge innovative research that could produce discoveries having a significant impact on enabling new and improved Army operational capabilities and related technologies.
In an effort to provide SMDTC's topics of interest and related information, USASMDC has published the following public webpage listing all current SMDTC research topics: https://www.smdc.army.mil/ORGANIZATION/TC/, hereafter referenced as the SMDTC webpage. Changes to these topics will be made using this website on an as-needed basis. A change to SMDTC's published BAA topics is not an amendment to this BAA and will not be posted on https://www.grants.gov/ and https://www.SAM.gov/. A change to this document (i.e., the BAA itself) will be considered an amendment and will be posted on https://www.grants.gov/ and https://www.SAM.gov/.
Interested parties are encouraged to continually browse the SMDTC BAA topics for white paper and proposal topics that SMDTC desires to explore. These specific topicsshould be viewed as suggestive, rather than limiting. SMDTC is always interested in considering other innovative research concepts of relevance to the Army if those concepts align with SMDTC's mission. Interested parties should also review https://www.grants.gov/ and https://www.SAM.gov/ to obtain the latest version of the BAA for white paper and proposal submission requirements.
To conserve valuable applicant and Government resources, and to facilitate determining whether a proposed research idea meets the guidelines described herein, prospective applicants contemplating submission of a white paper are strongly encouraged to contact the ACC-RSA SMD/SP POCs identified on Section V of this BAA, who will provide an SMDTC Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) to first discuss the concept. The TPOCs' names and contact information will be provided to the prospective applicant by the ACC-RSA SMD/SP POC.
After initial contact with an SMDTC TPOC, if an applicant elects to submit a white paper (Step 1), it should be prepared in accordance with the instructions contained in this BAA. Upon receipt, the white paper will be reviewed by the SMDTC TPOC and a recommendation will be provided to the applicant with either encouraged to submit a proposal or not encouraged to submit a proposal based on the review and availability of funding. Proposal submission (Step 2) should also be prepared in accordance with the instructions contained in this BAA. Note that a recommendation by the government for proposal submittal does not guarantee award or obligate the government for proposal cost.
The proposal submission guidelines differ for each legal instrument; therefore, applicants are advised to follow the specific applicable guidelines listed in this BAA for the type of instrument they are proposing. This BAA provides submission guidelines for proposals for FAR-based procurement contracts, as well as assistance instruments and other transactions. Upon review of a proposal, the Government will advise applicants on the most appropriate instrument for the proposed work.
In accordance with federal statutes, regulations, and Department of Defense (DoD) and Army policies, no person on grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin, or disability shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving financial assistance from the Army.
Applicants submitting proposals are cautioned that only a Contracting Officer, Grants Officer, or Agreements Officer can obligate the Government to any legal instrument involving federally appropriated funds.
All administrative inquiries regarding this BAA shall be submitted to the cognizant ACC-RSA SMD/SP Contracts Specialist POC. Scientific and technical questions should be referred to the TPOCs. Interested parties are encouraged to periodically check any of the following websites for updates and amendments to this BAA: https://www.grants.gov/, https://www.SAM.gov/, or the SMDTC BAA topics posted at https://www.smdc.army.mil/ORGANIZATION/TC/.
Background
The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC) Space and Missile Defense Technical Center (SMDTC) is issuing a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) to solicit research proposals aimed at supporting its mission of providing science, technology, and test and evaluation expertise to enhance warfighter capabilities.
The SMDTC focuses on executing science and technology, managing the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site, and conducting space operations. The BAA seeks innovative research that aligns with SMDTC's interests in tactical responsive space technologies, test and evaluation, strategic weapon technologies, and hypersonic defeat.
Work Details
The SMDTC is interested in receiving white papers and proposals for basic and applied research efforts. Proposals should focus on advancing the state-of-the-art or increasing knowledge rather than developing specific systems or hardware solutions.
Key tasks include:
1. Providing new and creative solutions to problem statements;
2. Fulfilling scientific study requirements;
3. Stating objectives in terms of areas of need rather than specific outcomes;
4. Anticipating meaningful proposals with varying technical/scientific approaches.
White papers must include a technical approach that is innovative, feasible, achievable, complete, supported by qualified personnel, and outline project objectives, methods, deliverables, key personnel, facilities/equipment needed, prior work experience, a project schedule, and a cost estimate.
Place of Performance
The geographic location for performance will be specified in individual proposals but may include various locations relevant to the research efforts.
