INTRODUCTION
The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) is the Navy's corporate laboratory. NRL conducts basic and applied research for the Navy in a variety of scientific and technical disciplines. The basic research program is driven by perceptions about future requirements of the Navy.
NRL conducts most of its research program at its own facilities but also funds some related research such as anticipated by this announcement. More extensive research support opportunities are available from the Office of Naval Research (ONR). ONR announcements may be accessed via the Internet at http://www.onr.navy.mil.
The Navy's operational effectiveness depends on its ability to keep pace with rapidly developing technologies. NRL contributes to this requirement by conducting research in the following areas, organized into NRL'S three research directorates and Naval Center for Space Technology:
MATERIALS SCIENCE AND COMPONENT TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORATE
OCEAN AND ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORATE
NAVAL CENTER FOR SPACE TECHNOLOGY
This is NRL’s Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for the years 2007 and 2008 issued under the provisions of paragraphs 35.016 and 6.102(d)(2) of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). Proposals may range from theoretical studies to proof-of-concept to include fabrication and delivery of a prototype. BAA topics include all NRL sites located in the Washington, DC area, the Stennis Space Center, MS, and Monterey, CA. Proposals submitted in response to a BAA announcement that are selected for award are considered to be the result of full and open competition and are in full compliance with the provisions of Public Law 98-369, "The Competition in Contracting Act of 1984."
NRL is interested in receiving proposals for the research efforts described under this BAA. This announcement is an expression of interest only and does not commit the Government to make any award or to pay for any response preparation costs. The cost of proposal preparation for response to a BAA is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resultant contract or any other contract; however, it may be an allowable expense to the normal bid and proposal indirect cost specified in FAR 31.205-18.
Interested parties should be alert for any BAA amendments that may be published.
PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT ADDRESSES LISTED UNDER EACH RESEARCH INTEREST, EXCEPT TO CONFIRM RECEIPT OF THE "Initial Proposal", if necessary. See Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions. The Government reserves the right to select for award all, some, or none of the proposals received in response to this announcement. Prospective offerors are cautioned that only the contracting officer is legally authorized to commit the Government.
The NRL BAA Program is administered through the NRL Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP). Questions regarding this program should be directed to Marita F. Thompson, Deputy for the NRL Office of Small Business Programs at e-mail marita.thompson@nrl.navy.mil. Please include your organization name, address, e-mail address and phone number. "Initial Proposals" (IP) should NOT be sent to this e-mail address.
This BAA should not be construed as a commitment or authorization to incur costs in anticipation of a grant, cooperative agreement, other transaction, or contract; the Government is not bound to make any awards under this announcement. Funds may not be currently available for topics under this BAA. No contract award will be made for a topic until appropriated funds are available from which payment for contract purposes can be made.
Proposals may be submitted by any non-governmental entity, including commercial firms, institutions of higher education with degree-granting programs in science or engineering (universities), or by consortia led by such concerns. NRL encourages participation by small businesses, veteran-owned small businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, HUBZone small businesses, woman-owned small businesses, and historically black colleges and universities and minority institutions. However, no part of this BAA is specifically reserved for these entities as contemplated by FAR 6.102(d)(2)(i).
Awards under this BAA are expected to take the form of contracts. Grants, cooperative agreements, or other transactions may also be awarded if appropriate. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 541710 -- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Technical and cost proposals submitted under this BAA will be protected from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with FAR 3.104-5 and 15.207. The cognizant Government experts will perform the evaluation of technical proposals. Cost proposals will be evaluated by Government business professionals.