Next Generation Command and Control Proof of Principle in support of Project Convergence Capstone 5 (PCC5)

Next Generation Command and Control Proof of Principle in support of Project Convergence Capstone 5 (PCC5)
Request for White Papers – PUBLIC RELEASE
JULY 31, 2024
Updated August 2, 2024

This call for White Papers (WPs) is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. In accordance with FAR 15.202 (e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. The Government will not reimburse costs incurred by respondents in response to this call for WP, or for participating in any information exchange regarding details of the call for WP.

Any information submitted by respondents to call for WPs is voluntary. The Army does not intend to pay for the information solicited. Respondents should not construe this call for WPs as a commitment for any purpose. Respondents will not individually be notified of the results of any government assessments. Note: This call will be governed by the “two-step” process described in General Information of Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) solicitation number W56KGU-22-R-0ESI. Respondents that submit a proposal without first submitting a WP may not be eligible for award.

The Proof of Principle is comprised of both technology demonstrations and experiments addressing novel application of technologies for defense purposes and may be considered to inform future Programs.

1. BACKGROUND/DESCRIPTION:
The U.S. Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) C5ISR Center, Engineering and Systems Integration (ESI) Directorate is interested in receiving information from companies or organizations on development and demonstration of a next generation command and control proof of principle technologies. Solutions can support ONE or BOTH of the requested capabilities in Sections 2a and 2b (of the CUI attachment) AND must be capable of supporting a technology demonstration at Project Convergence Capstone 5 event in Q2/Q3FY25. The PCC5 demonstration will take place in a field environment at the National Training Center (NTC), Fort Irwin, California.

Submission Guidelines:

Prospective Industry respondents are required to submit a white paper Not To Exceed (NTE) 10 Pages in technical volume, which should focus on describing details of the proposed questions noted above. In addition, respondents shall include a ROM cost and narrative (NOT to be included in the 10 page limit) associated with meeting the technical requirements as described in the WP. ROM submissions shall be broken out by base and option(s) as outlined in the Call for WP and shall be inclusive of estimated costs for Labor, Material/Equipment, Other Direct Costs, Sub-contracts, and Fee/Profit.

In order to provide a complete response to this request all interested parties must request access to the controlled document. To gain access to Attachment 01, your company/entity must be certified by the Joint Certification Program (JCP). Your entity/company’s Data Custodian requester (designated) on block 3A of the DD Form 2345 is the only authorized individual that can download the controlled attachment. Your entity/company is responsible for the protection of the controlled document after the download.

If your entity/company is not pre-certified by the JCP, you will need to apply for certification by completing a DD Form 2345 and emailing it to jcp-admin@dla.mil. Detailed information regarding the JCP application procedures is available at the JCP website at https://www.dla.mil/Logistics-Operations/Services/JCP/. The ESI Directorate or ACC will not review the JCP application or issue the JCP certification. Please direct any questions regarding the JCP certification process to jcp-admin@dla.mil.

Access to the controlled attachment is granted through SAM after your JCP status has been verified. Please ensure that you have the correct role when requesting access to the controlled document in SAM. The correct role is a data entry role or contracting role. To request access to download the controlled attachment, click on the tab for “Attachment/Links, then click on the title of the controlled document. When you receive the pop-up window to request access, enter the reason for the request in the window, making sure to include your entity’s CAGE Code and JCP Certification Number then hit submit. Please note that entering a different CAGE code or JCP certification number into the remarks section of your request in SAM will not be accepted. Only the CAGE code and JCP certification number associated with the request will be reviewed. Once the notice is submitted, the access status on the controlled document will change to “Pending”. The Access POC will review your request, granting access if requirements are met or reject for correction.

WPs for the Next Generation Command and Control Proof of Principle in support of Project Convergence Capstone 5 (PCC5) can be submitted to the Engineering and Systems Integration (ESI) BAA inbox, usarmy.apg.devcom-c5isr.mbx.esi-bus-ops-acq-baa@army.mil.

Evaluation and Notification:

Official notification of acceptance for participation will be sent via email to the primary POC listed for the submission approximately one month after the submission deadline closes. Additionally, if selected to provide a proposal in response to the submitted WP, respondents may also be asked to conduct oral presentations to supplement their proposal. Those oral presentations will be scheduled after the evaluation of the proposal and will be coordinated directly with the respondents selected.

Award Information

1. BAA TYPE: This is a call for Procurement Contract WPs only and will be governed by the “two-step” process described in General Information of Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) solicitation number W56KGU-22-R-0ESI. Respondents that submit a proposal without first submitting a WP may not be eligible for award.

2. QUESTIONS DUE DATE AND TIME: Technical questions are due no later than 09 AUG 2024, 3:00 pm EDT via email to the Contracting Officer and Contract Specialist listed below.

3. WHITE PAPER DUE DATE AND TIME: WPs are due no later than 30 AUG 2024, 3:00 pm EST via email to usarmy.apg.devcom-c5isr.mbx.esi-bus-ops-acq-baa@army.mil with a copy to the Contracting Officer and Contract Specialist.

4. Please mark yourself as an interested vendor to ensure you receive any future updates to this Call for White Paper.

5. For general submission questions, please contact: Contracting Officer, Nicolas Martin nicolas.a.martin2.civ@army.mil and Contract Specialist, Jessica Gerard, jessica.m.gerard3.civ@army.mil.