ENTERPRISE PROTOTYPE INITIATIVE CONSORTIUM (EPIC)

onsortium (EPIC) program objectives. Once whitepapers are evaluated and determined selectable, proposals will be requested. The Government reserves the right to request proposals from any number of offerors. The Government is not responsible for costs incurred as a result of whitepaper or proposal preparation, development or submission and are the sole responsibility of the submitting party. Purpose: The purpose of this announcement is to solicit qualified offerors to submit whitepapers for the Air Force Research Laboratory Enterprise Prototype Initiative Consortium (EPIC) Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) for Prototype Indefinite Delivery Vehicle (IDV). Description: The core objective of EPIC is for the Recipient to perform a coordinated prototyping and testing program in conjunction with the Government that speeds the ability to rapidly prototype Government, industry and academia capabilities across all technology areas of interest relevant to the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) proposed to be acquired or developed by the Department of War (DoW) to sustain U.S. military technological advantage. Additionally, this OTA will serve as a vital tool to help DoW achieve military integration that is critical to reduce the cost of defense information systems technologies. The Government anticipates that EPIC will be awarded as an Other Transaction Agreement for Prototype, as authorized under 10 U.S.C. �4022. The form of the Agreement to be executed will be an Indefinite Delivery Vehicle (IDV) in which there will be one overarching Agreement between the Air Force and the successful entity. Under this Agreement, individual Project Level Orders will be solicited, awarded and performed. The ceiling is unlimited with a project ordering period of 120 months and project performance allowed up to 24 months after the project ordering end date. The OTA IDV will have multiple Project Level Orders (PLOs) awarded on a Firm-Fixed Price basis. The increments and dollar threshold will be determined by PLO with pricing based on the outcome of the project level competitions conducted throughout the term of the Agreement. Despite the Firm Fixed Price nature of the Agreement, the successful Offeror will need to identify an accounting system that is capable of tracking the receipt and disbursement of Government funds. Upon successful completion of Project Level Order Agreements, there could be potential for a sole source, follow-on production contract or OT. Follow-on production OT agreements will be determined on a project-by-project basis in accordance with the guidance provided in the Other Transactions Guide (OUSD (A&S)), 2023, applicable law, and policy. Issued by: FA8750 AFRL/RFZF 26 Electronic Parkway Rome NY 13441-4514 Agreements Officer�s Representative (AOR): Matthew P. Shaver Agreements Officer�s Representative 315-330-3295 Matthew.Shaver.1@us.af.mil The OT Lead�s deliverables are expected to consist nearly entirely of reports, although it is possible that in unique situations the OT-lead could be responsible for the delivery of software, hardware, or technical data. Project-Level Performers will be expected to deliver technical solutions, consisting of software, hardware, and/or technical data. Refer to the Statement of Work (SOW) and ADRLs. LIMITATIONS OF OTP AUTHORITY Appropriate Use of Authority.�(1) The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that no official of an agency enters into a transaction (other than a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement) for a prototype project under the authority of this section unless one of the following conditions is met: (A) There is at least one nontraditional defense contractor or nonprofit research institution participating to a significant extent in the prototype project. (B) All significant participants in the transaction other than the Federal Government are small businesses (including small businesses participating in a program described under section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638)) or nontraditional defense contractors. (C) At least one third of the total cost of the prototype project is to be paid out of funds provided by sources other than the Federal Government. (D) The senior procurement executive for the agency determines in writing that exceptional circumstances justify the use of a transaction that provides for innovative business arrangements or structures that would not be feasible or appropriate under a contract, or would provide an opportunity to expand the defense supply base in a manner that would not be practical or feasible under a contract. Anticipated Award Structure: The Government anticipates that EPIC will be awarded as an Other Transaction Agreement for Prototype (OTP), as authorized under Title 10 U.S.C. �4022. The resulting award is expected to be an OT Indefinite Delivery Vehicle (IDV) with an unspecified ceiling value, project ordering period of 120 months, and project performance allowed up to 24 months after project ordering end date. The OTP will have multiple Project-Level Orders (PLOs) awarded on a Firm Fixed Price basis. The IDV agreement is for services that do not procure or specify a firm quantity of services and that provides for the issuance of orders for the performance of tasks during the period of the Agreement. The increments and dollar threshold will be determined by each area of interest, with pricing based on the outcome of project-level competitions, conducted throughout the term of the Agreement. Despite the Firm Fixed Price nature of the Agreement, the successful Offeror will need to identify an accounting system that is capable of tracking the receipt and disbursement of Government funds. Upon successful completion of the Project-Level Agreements under a Project-Level Order, there could be potential for a sole-source, follow-on production OT or contract. Follow-on production OT or contracts will be determined on a project-by-project basis in accordance with the guidance provided in the Other Transactions Guide (OUSD (A&S)), 2023, applicable law, and policy. This procurement is a performance-based services acquisition. A period of performance of 120 months is anticipated. Project Level Orders are anticipated as Firm-Fixed Price agreements with milestone-based payments. Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) will be considered during performance of a PLO. Additional Agreement Terms and Conditions: Foreign Disclosure review has been completed; this Other Transaction Agreement is closed to foreign participation at the OT lead level as well as the Project Level Performer Level. Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence (FOCI): companies who have mitigated FOCI may inquire as to eligibility by contacting the Agreements Office focal points, Catherine Hulser, Agreements Officer, catherine.hulser.1@us.af.mil or Erica Ogundadegbe, Agreements Officer, erica.ogundadegbe@us.af.mil for verification. Please reference the title of the acquisition. Overall effort with allow awards up to and including TS/SCI level with an appropriate DD254 in place. Similar language and instruction will be included in each Project Level Order Project Announcement solicited under EPIC. Base Support will be on a project level order basis. Submission Instructions: 1) Whitepapers must be complete and respond directly to the requirements of the solicitation. 2) The whitepaper must be sent electronically in Micros