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Solicitation: 140D0423R0062 Requirement: On Call/Call When Needed Unmanned Aerial Systems
| Question Number |
| Vendor Question |
| Government Response |
| 1 |
| While this company’s quote identifies a compliant UAS by Manufacturer, Make, and Model (with version if applicable), the quote pricing page format (A2 - Item 1. Pricing on page 8 format) specifies “FAA Registration #”. Additionally, D9 Technical Capability D9.5 (page 53) specifies “serial Number” aircraft make, model and serial number that the Government confirms with the offeror will be made a part of the contract and will be binding if an offer is accepted for award. Noting the Serial Number of the UAS is required to register it with the FAA, and some supporting equipment is in procurement, can the proposal be submitted absent this information if the final serial number assignment is not known? The Manufacturer, Make, Model and Version definitively identifies the equipment. |
| The final UAS serial number assignment must be provided at time of proposal submission. |
| 2 |
| Is the Department of the Interior – Office of Aviation Services considering an additional solicitation for, or will the DOI consider a vendor’s alternative proposal for equipment and sensor capabilities, an alternative solution? Currently a wide variety of Multicopter/Multirotor UAS resources are used nationwide on initial attack and incident management. Each category of UAS has inherent design and logistical strengths and weaknesses. It is easier to coordinate airborne operations and separation between manned firefighting aircraft and Multicopters/Multirotors as they can operate just over the tree canopy. Multi-Rotor UAS and payloads are commonly used in Urban and Wild Land Firefighting – yet excluded from this solicitation. |
| This solicitation is for a fixed wing UAS based on the Government’s need. |
| 3 |
| Why a 12 hour continuous flight in flight endurance specified? Many capable VTOL systems could cover the goals strategic situational awareness and actional tactical data while operating from much more constrained take off and landing sites. But the smaller more cost advantageous systems have shorter than 12 hour endurances. They can still comply with the ability to provide 12 hours of on top flight time and fuel batteries for up to 12 hours of flight per 14 hour shift. |
| The endurance specification is based on past experience which identifies the need for efficiency of single take-off and landing in an operation day. |
| 4 |
| The solicitation limits the identified sensor payloads to Electro-optics and Infrared; with Long Wavelength specified and Medium wavelength desired. (B2.3.1 - The UAS shall have stabilized gimbal dual (EO/IR) Long Wave IR (LWIR) with 640 x 480 resolution) and (Exhibit 1 - Equipped with multiple modular payload configuration such as EO/IR gimbal and a separate mapping payload. Additionally include a stabilized gimbal dual (EO/IR) mid-wave (MWIR)). |
| At a minimum must include a stabilized gimbal duel (EO/IR) LWIR with 640x480 resolution. In accordance with D9.2 The Government may give a more favorable rating to an offer that exceeds the minimum specifications based on the defined order of precedence. |
| 5 |
| Reference paragraph C13.3 Non-Emergency Operations establishes that the DOI may seek to order non-emergent services that use alternative sensor payloads. Where should a respondent communicate additional capabilities and sensor systems that can support precision landscape mapping, vegetation monitoring (EO, multi-spectral, hyper spectral), wildlife counts and surveys and prescribed fire monitoring and mapping? |
| Vendors should provide this information in their Technical Capability. |
| 6 |
| Reference paragraph B1.1: Dictates two serviceable aircraft but further in the contract states “the UAS capable of 12 hours of continuous flight” (B2.1.1.2). What is the minimum number of serviceable aircraft requirement for this contract? |
| One UAS will be in operation at a time. The second is intended as a backup system. |
| 7 |
| Reference paragraph B2.1.1.2: States “the UAS capable of 12 hours of continuous flight…” Does “the UAS” encompass multiple vehicles (as dictated in B1.1) capable of 12 hours of continuous coverage? |
| It’s a single UAS for the 12-hour duration. |
| 8 |
| Reference paragraph B1.1: Dictates two serviceable aircraft. Is there any stipulation on the aircraft being fully owned by the contractor or is it possible for aircraft leasing that still meets the contract requirements? |
| The proposed UAS can be owned or leased by the contractor. |
| 9 |
| Reference paragraph B2.1.1: States the pilots must possess an FAA remote pilot certificate and an OAS Interagency Fire Remote Pilot Card. Do the pilots have to have A-450 and S-373 in order to attain the OAS Pilot card or are they carded a different way? |
| A450 and S373 are not required. Terms and Conditions paragraph B2.1.1 has been revised to remove “and OAS Interagency Fire Remote Pilot Card.” |
| 10 |
| Reference paragraph B1.1: If the contractor has more than 2 serviceable aircraft, would it be possible to fulfill more than 1 order of a call when needed contract? |
| There will be only one order at a time per vendor. The second vehicle is intended as back up. |
| 11 |
| Reference paragraph B13.1: Is inspection possible for surplus (over the 2 minimum requirement) aircraft after the 30-day period? |
| Inspections are possible for same awarded make model UAS based on the availability of the Government. |
| 12 |
| Reference paragraph B10.1: Is there a minimum pilot requirement dictated by the contract that is not obvious? There are Part 107 legal requirements that would not allow the fulfillment of this contract without a minimum of 2 pilots per shift/day and potentially more given the flight limitations in a 6/14 day period. |
| There is not a minimum number of pilots. |
| 13 |
| Reference paragraphs B1.3.1 / B1.3.2: Is there a program of record already implemented for situational awareness at the tactical/strategic level that must be integrated with or can this be open to the contractor for making the decision on the situational awareness tool? |
| This is open to the contractor. |
| 14 |
| Appendix Section B: References “mesh” networks. Is there a standard mesh network used by wildland fire firefighters currently? |
| There currently is not a standard mesh network. |
| 15 |
| Appendix Section B: Is there a preference for the “mesh” network that is utilized? |
| There is no preference; however, Vendor must be in compliance with any applicable laws/regulations. |
| 16 |
| Reference paragraphs B2.2.11 / B11.2.3: Are there additional information assurance / system access requirements for logging flight hours outside of the standard FAA requirements to comply with logging flight hours for this contract? |
| Only vendor provided flight logs. |
| 17 |
| For vendors hoping to submit multiple aircraft, will the DOI allow 10 pages per platform or will we be expected to fit all information for all aircraft into one 10-page section? |
| 10 pages per platform is allowed. |
| 18 |
| Reference paragraph B2.1.1.2: The UAS shall be capable of 12 hours of continuous flight and have sufficient fuel/batteries to last a 16-hour shift. |
a. Is the 12 hours of continuous flight to be completed without refueling?
b. Can this requirement be met with multiple aircraft?
a. The 12 hours of continuous flight are to be completed without refueling.
b. No, a single aircraft is required.
| 19 |
| Reference paragraph B1.3.1.1: Command/Overhead personnel will have the ability to view a live feed at the Incident Command Post (ICP) or other known location. Is the live feed capability a requirement? This requirement is mentioned throughout the document (see B1.3.1.1, B1.5.3, and Exhibit 1/Table 1/Ground Terminal). Conflicting verbiage makes it unclear if this is a requirement or an “Exceed Specification” requirement. |
| This is Exceed Specification. The Minimum spec is ‘50” monitor displaying live EO/IR gimbal feed at ground station. Display will be split screen with contextual map (fire perimeter) and camera view. |
| 20 |
| Reference paragraph B11.2.2: A maximum of 8 hours flight time per pilot during any assigned duty period |
a. Do the piloting duty hour requirements specifically apply to pilots or does it also apply to sensor operators, maintainers, etc. that are in the same crew?
b. Example: For a 10-hour flight, can a pilot fly for 5 hours, then rotate a different crew member for the other 5 hours? Would each 5 hour flight be counted as the pilot’s flight hour duty time, or would the 10 hours be the flight duty time?
a. This only applies to the pilot in command.
b. The pilot can rotate with other crew members. The 5 hour flight would be counted as the pilot’s flight hour duty time.
| 21 |
| Reference Section A, A.1 Item Requirement, Note 3: Pilots will be approved by the DOI Office of Aviation Services. Will there be a list provided to the DOI Office of Aviation Services first? |
| Vendor will work with OAS Fleet Manager for Pilot Carding. |
| 22 |
| Reference Section A, paragraph Table A2, Item 2 Additional Pay Items Schedule: Does Service Vehicle Class include vehicle AND trailer weight? |
| Vehicle only. |
| 23 |
| Reference Exhibit E1, page 73, 2nd block of the form requests “Offeror’s DUNS Number”. Should this be Offeror’s UEI? |
| Correct. This should be the Offeror’s UEI. Terms and Conditions have been updated accordingly. |
| 24 |
| Reference Exhibit E1, page 73, The form is asking for the “Government Contract Representative” details. Is this supposed to be “Offerors Contract Representative” details? |
| This should be the “Offerors Contract Representative”. Terms and Conditions have been updated accordingly. |
| 25 |
| What is the procedure for flights to continue following a mishap? |
| The CO, COR, UASM, IMT, and Vendor will work with the Agency Investigator to determine path forward. |
| 26 |
| Is there any exception to the 12-hour endurance? |
| There is no exception. |
| 27 |
| Is it possible to provide serial numbers of equipment at a later time as we upgrade equipment to using DOI-approved UAS? |
| No. UAS serial numbers must be provided at time of proposal submittal. See response to question 1. |
| 28 |
| RFP pg. 18, Table 1 Flight performance: Flight duration is 12 hours at max payload. Is this the requirement for type two aircraft as well? |
| Correct. 12 hours of continuous flight from a single UAS without landing. |
a. UAS, or Unmanned Aerial System is the term used to refer to the totality of ground equipment, communications methods, and aircraft used to perform remote aerial sensing. Will the government accept a UAS that utilizes multiple aircraft to achieve (and exceed) the performance requirements for 12 hours of continuous flight?
b. This paragraph states 12 hours of continuous flight, and Table 1 states up to 12 hours. Is the requirement 12 hours of continuous flight from a single aircraft without needing to refuel or change a battery?
a. No.
b. Correct. 12 hours of continuous flight from a single UAS without landing.
| 30 |
| RFP pg. 14, B13.2.2: The RFP States that the offeror must provide a copy of FAA Airworthiness Certificates or DOD, or NASA flight release prior to inspection. Offerors without the above certificates or releases will be required to participate in the OAS airworthiness review process at their expense. |
Can the government confirm that this requirement does not apply to UAS vehicles under 55lbs, which per FAA Part 107 are not required to have an Airworthiness Certificate?
This includes UAS under 55 lbs as OAS is responsible for Airworthiness.
| 31 |
| RFP pg. 12, B2.2.4: The table labeled "Command and Control" row 1 (Section B, Exhibit 1, page 18) indicates a requirement for a command-and-control range of greater than 15nm. Can the government clarify which value is correct, or if these are different requirements, provide amplifying data on the difference? |
| Paragraph B2.2.4 has a typo and should be 15 nautical miles. Terms and Conditions have been updated accordingly. |
| 32 |
| Is correct? B2.1.1.2 The UAS shall be capable of 12 hours of continuous flight and have sufficient fuel/batteries to last a 16-hour shift. Section B Table 1 says up to 12 hours of flight. |
| B2.1.1.2 has been updated to: The UAS shall be capable of 12 hours of continuous flight and have sufficient fuel/batteries to last a 14-hour shift. |