 Definitions  Purpose  Work Statement  Contract types  Publicizing  Proposal Evaluation  Scientific & Technical Reports  Data & Patents  Educational Institutions & Non Profits  Broad Agency Announcements  FFRDCs

 Basic Research – systematic study directed toward greater knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and of observable facts without specific application toward processes or products in mind  Applied Research – systematic study to gain knowledge or understanding necessary to determine the means by which a recognized and specific need may be met  Development – systematic application of knowledge toward the production of useful materials, devices, and systems or methods, including design, development, and improvement of prototypes and new processes to meet specific requirement **note these definitions are from OMB Circular A

FAR The primary purpose of contracted R&D programs is to advance scientific and technical knowledge and apply that knowledge to the extent necessary to achieve agency and national goals › Directed more towards objectives/goals › Cannot guarantee success › Different technical approaches

The contracting process shall be used to encourage the best sources from scientific and industrial community to become involved in the program and must provide an environment in which the work can be pursued with reasonable flexibility and minimum administrative burden

R&D Work Statement FAR Performance Work Statement (PWS) – FAR Must be individually tailored to attain the desired degree of flexibility for contractor creativity & exercise innovation Language suitable for contractors best effort for the furnishing of technical effort and report on the results Describe the work in terms of required results rather than “how” the work is to be completed or # of hours to be provided Enable assessment of work performance against measurable performance standards Rely on use of measurable performance standards and financial incentives in a competitive environment to encourage competitors to develop and institute innovative and cost-effective methods of performing work

R&D Work Statement (SOO) FAR (d) Performance Work Statement (PWS) – FAR37.602(c) PWS typically created by contractor in response to Government prepared SOO Contents of SOO: Area of exploration, tasks to be performed, & objectives of R&D Background information to assist with clear understanding Information on factors that may constrain the results of the effort Reporting requirements and items the contractor is required to furnish Type & form of contract contemplated Any other considerations peculiar to work to be performed Typically PWS created by Government Contents of PWS: States purpose Scope or mission Period and place of performance Background Performance objectives (required results) Any operating constrains

Cost Reimbursement FAR & 16.3 Fixed Price R&D FAR Fixed-Price Contracts FAR Generally, considered appropriate for R&D Nature of development work often requires a cost-reimbursement completion arrangement (FAR16.306(d)) May be used with incentive Used only to the extent that goals, objectives, specifications, and cost estimates are sufficient to permit For appropriate levels of effort can be specified in short-duration Appropriate when designs become more firmly established, risks are reduced, and production tooling, equipment, and processes are developed and proven Appropriate for acquiring commercial items or acquiring other supplies or services on basis of reasonable definite functional or detailed specifications when contracting office can establish fair and reasonable prices at outset Adequate price competition Reasonable price comparisons Available cost or pricing information Performance uncertainties can be identified & estimates made

R&D FAR 5.203(a)(2)(e) Other than R&D FAR 5.203(a) Full announcement is a minimum 45 days from publishing in GPE 15 days for notice of proposed contract actions (pre-solicitation notice) 30 days for solicitation May be combined or published separately

R&D FAR and Other than R&D FAR Proposes the best ideas or concepts and has the highest competence in specified field of science or technology involved Consistent with evaluation criteria that is in the solicitation Evaluate cost or price estimate for reasonableness Provides insight into Offeror’s: Understanding of project Perception of risk Ability to organize & perform the work BAA Peer Reviewed Selection based on Technical Importance to agency programs Funds availability Evaluate competitive proposals Factor and subfactors specified in solicitation Cost of Price evaluation Past Performance evaluation Technical evaluation Cost information Small business subcontracting evaluation

 Scientific and Technical Reports document and disseminate the precise nature and results of analytical studies, research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) on an assigned task(s) to the analytical, scientific, technical and management community.  Scientific and Technical Reports, may be definitive for the subject presented, exploratory in nature, or an evaluation of critical subsystem or of technical problems. Definition found in Data Item Description (DID)

 Contracts shall specify technical data to be delivered (35.011)  Patents & IP covered under FAR Part 27 › DFARS covers more in-depth for DoD contracts  Assertions – see FAR Part 27

 Contractor bears primary responsibility for research  Has to provide › Principle Investigator (PI) name & resume/capabilities › Time estimate › List all personnel closely involved  Notify CO when › Change PI › Change time/effort › Change method or objectives  Difference with GFP › Less than $5K contractor keeps title › Over $5K title to vest with government unless otherwise agreed to

BAA FAR Request for Proposal (RFP) FAR Appropriate for basic or applied research Directed towards Advancing state-of-the-art or Increasing knowledge or understanding Used when meaningful proposals with varying technical/scientific approaches can be reasonably anticipated Solicitation phase it is encouraged for communication between TPOC and prospective offeror Describe Government’s requirement Specific Outcomes (PWS) Anticipated terms and conditions Info required to be in proposal Factors and significant subfactors that will be used to evaluate the proposal Restrictive communication in the solicitation phase

 Sponsor – means the executive agency which manages, administers, monitors, funds, and is responsible for the overall use of an FFRDC  Enables Government agencies to use private sector resources to accomplish tasks that are integral to the mission and operation of the sponsoring agency – has to have a clear statement of purpose and mission  The FFRDC is prohibited from competing with industry in response to a Federal agency request for proposal for other than the operation of an FFRDC  The FFRDC is operated, managed, or administered by an autonomous organization or as an identifiable separate operating unit of a parent organization, and is required to operate in the public interest, free from organizational conflict of interest, and to disclose its affairs to the primary sponsor  All work placed must be within the purpose, mission, general scope of effort, or special competency of the FFRDC

 The National Science Foundation (NSF) maintains a master list of FFRDCs