2023 AFRL/RW Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA)

SOURCES SOUGHT/MARKET SURVEY

5-page limit does NOT include the cover page.

All other information remains the same.

SOURCES SOUGHT/MARKET SURVEY

2023 AFRL/RW Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA)

FA8651-23-S-0003

NAICS Code 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering and Life Science (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

NOTE: THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary, and the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government.

I. PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:

AFRL/RWK, Eglin AFB is conducting a sources sought/market survey to gauge interest in various research topics associated with a future Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) .

The Government is seeking Partnership Intermediary Agreements (PIAs) with entities that will facilitate joint projects and accelerate technology transfer/transition between the AFRL and the commercial market. These intermediaries will act in a matchmaker capacity, to assist companies in identifying federal technologies that can be licensed and commercialized, with a goal of successful collaboration between the AFRL, small businesses, academia, and industry.

The PIAs Program goals are:

• Transfer technology developed by/for AFRL into Commercial Markets.
• Transition commercial and academic innovation for use within AFRL.
• Foster partnerships between AFRL, industry, and academia.
• Inspire and support the next generation of technology leaders through STEM initiatives.
• Foster and support innovation both within and external to AFRL.
• Support transition of Phase I, Phase II and Phase III SBIR/STTR-developed technology.

The PIAs Objectives are:

Technology Transfer (T2): The PI shall assist AFRL/RW with all technology transfer related activities to include regularly outreaching to inventors, increasing invention disclosures, marketing and outreach to potential collaborators to increase Technology Licensing Agreements (TLAs), Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), and Educational Partnership Agreements (EPAs). They shall also prioritize connecting the AFRL/RW with nontraditional companies and universities increasing exposure to innovative technologies of interest.

• Actively promote AFRL/RW technology transfer partnership opportunities to entrepreneurs, businesses, and academic institutions.
• Conduct technology and market landscape analysis and forecast studies to identify future directions for specific technologies and provide broad situational awareness regarding the origins and development of a particular technology domain or industry.
• Evaluate the AFRL/RW Intellectual Property (IP) patent portfolio to identify patents with the highest potential for commercial applications and research companies/markets, develop technology marketing summaries, and reach out to potential licensee companies/industries to promote T2 agreements and assist in negotiations.
• Broker and facilitate license agreements, Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), Educational Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and other technology transfer (T2) agreements between AFRL/RW and businesses and academic institutions.

Innovation and Technology Transition: The PI shall promote innovation by supporting AFRL engagement and collaboration with industry and academia. Additionally, the PI shall connect AFRL/RW with industry/academia to transition technologies into AFRL/RW.

• Publicize and promote AFRL/RW technology innovation and supporting Technology Transfer and Transition (T3) activities through a variety of channels and forums, which may include websites, paid advertising, events, digital campaigns, social media, email, press releases, articles, videos, infographics, surveys, and other forms of communications.
• Establish/manage physical and/or virtual collaboration spaces to promote AFRL/RW engagement with industry and academia.
• Conduct events which promote technology transition into the Air Force (e.g., demonstrations, showcases, industry days, design sprints, hackathons, workshops, and other similar events).
• Facilitate technology transition of innovative industry and academia approaches that mature Munitions concepts and their technology/manufacturing readiness level.

Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Support : The PI shall leverage the AFRL/RW SBIR/STTR Programs to achieve their mission and increase their effectiveness by supporting transition of SBIR/STTR-developed technology, leveraging Air Force technology transfer mechanisms, providing business and technical assistance to award recipients, conducting studies, and publicizing and promoting Air Force SBIR/STTR successes.

• Perform technology scouting to identify and recruit small businesses to the SBIR/STTR programs and support transition of Phase I, Phase II and Phase III SBIR/STTR-developed technology.
• Assist small businesses in navigating the SBIR/STTR process to facilitate transition of technology beyond Phase II, including the utilization of mechanisms such as Tactical Funding Increases (TACFI) or Strategic Funding Increases (STRAFI).
• Identify partner companies with promising previous or current SBIR Phase I’s or Phase II’s and canvas the DoD ecosystem for government users to partner with for transition to Phase III efforts. Assist SBIR technical Program Managers with transitioning later stage SBIR technologies into programs of record, and transition them into other commercial products.
• Conduct studies related to AFRL/RW SBIR/STTR programs, which include the economic outcomes and impacts resulting from research and development performed with SBIR/STTR funding, best practices for achieving success in commercializing and transitioning the results of SBIR/STTR funded programs, and feasibility of new, innovative approaches to increasing the effectiveness of the AF SBIR/STTR programs.
• Facilitate SBIR/STTR Pitch Days and assist SBIR technical Program Managers with developing Pitch Day topics and events. Provide facility support for execution of Pitch Days and ensure all security safety measures are adhered to.
• Promote and publicize AFRL/RW SBIR/STTR successes through a variety of mechanisms, effectively communicating such successes to the Pentagon, Congress, industry, and the general US public.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Outreach: The Partnership Intermediary shall work with AFRL and regional/national educational entities to expose students to high-value Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) learning opportunities.

• Leverage local, state, regional, and national efforts to enhance STEM programs, increasing proficiency in the fields most directly related to the AFRL mission.
• Identify trends in local and national K-12 STEM programming as well as compile data on student demographics to assist AFRL in designing programming that will have the maximum impact on students and families.
• Identify potential partnerships with local and national organizations that provide STEM programming, paying particular attention to opportunities for underserved or underrepresented students and communities.

II. BUSINESS INFORMATION:

Business Information in response to this market survey must include the following:

• Company/Institute Name:
• Address:
• Point of Contact:
• CAGE Code:
• Phone Number:
• E-mail Address:
• Web Page URL:
• Size of business pursuant to North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code:

Based on the above NAICS Code, state whether your company is:

• Small Business (Yes / No)
• Woman Owned Small Business (Yes / No)
• Small Disadvantaged Business (Yes / No)
• 8(a) Certified (Yes / No)
• HUBZone Certified (Yes / No)
• Veteran Owned Small Business (Yes / No)
• Service-Disabled Veteran Small Business (Yes / No)
• Is your company interested in possible subcontracting opportunities? (Yes/No)

State and local Government entities and their affiliates may qualify as Partnership Intermediaries. A Partnership Intermediary can be: (I) a state or local government agency; (2) a non-profit entity owned, operated, or funded in whole or in part by, or on behalf of, a state or local government; or (3) a non-profit entity chartered by a state or local government. 10 USC §2368(f)(2); 15 USC §3715(c). A non-profit entity seeking to qualify as a partnership intermediary therefore must provide a nexus to a state or local government. This nexus may consist of legislative sponsorship and/or (partial) funding, a defined state or local role in its operations, even if limited, or some form of government action demonstrating the organization is authorized to work on behalf of a state or local government. Place of performance is anticipated to be within 20 miles of Eglin AFB, FL

III. CAPABILITY STATEMENT:

Capability Statements in response to this notice must include:

1. Briefly describe the capabilities of your company and the nature of the services you provide.

2. Describe your company's past experience on projects similar in complexity to this requirement.

Forward all responses to Laura Kirkman, laura.kirkman@us.af.mil with the subject line: "Sources Sought Response to AFRL/RW Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA)". Responses must be received no later than 1600 CST on 07 April 2023. Responses shall not exceed 5 pages. Contractor format is acceptable.