Oversight_BAA_Release_Questions_20220210_v2.docx

Oversight BAA Release Question & Answer Reference: HR001122S0014

Review of BAA Program Statement: This BAA solicits innovative proposals for the DARPA TTO Oversight program in the area of software development for tracking terrestrial targets from space at scale. Revolutionary solutions are sought to enable autonomous constant custody at scale (1000 targets) from space through management of available hardware resources to support both peacetime and wartime monitoring of high value targets in contested environments, in which the resources and targets may be highly dynamic. Accordingly, proposals demonstrating innovation in resource management, task allocation, data management and dissemination are solicited.

Question 1: What is the M&S Environment?

Answer 1: Additional details on the M&S environment will be available after contract award.

Question 2: Where can we find more documentation on the M&S environment to help estimate integration costs?

Answer 2: Additional details on the M&S environment will be available after contract award.

Question 3: Does the M&S environment include accurate models for Blackjack/other p-Leo platforms and sensors, and accurate platform/sensor models for other constellations?

Answer 3: Additional details on the M&S environment will be available after contract award.

Question 4: While abstract format and content do not mention pricing, it does refer to sections I & II for format. Cover sheet suggests needing a funds requested (I.a.10). Is this required?

Answer 4: See sections IV.B.1 “Abstract Format” and IV.B.2 “Abstract Content” of the BAA.

Question 5: Similarly, a ppt is mentioned in II. Is this required for the abstract?

Answer 5: See sections IV.B.1 “Abstract Format” and IV.B.2 “Abstract Content” of the BAA.

Question 6: AI/ML were only briefly mentioned during the Proposers' Day. What exactly would you like ML to do in this program?

Answer 6: Offerors are encouraged to propose a technical approach that meets the program objectives.

Question 7: What would you like AI more broadly to do in this program?

Answer 7: Offerors are encouraged to propose a technical approach that meets the program objectives.

Question 8: In terms of contract structure for Track B, are you interested in doing an OTA that includes a software license to our world-leading planning software for the duration of Phase 1, and milestones?

Answer 8: Offerors should propose tools and intellectual property assertions that meet the program objectives.

Question 9: Once we have completed Track B Phase 1, are you interested in paying an ongoing annual software license to our world-leading planning software (that also includes software updates and support)?

Answer 9: Offerors should propose tools and intellectual property assertions that meet the program objectives.

Question 10: During the Proposers' Day, game-theoretic planning was not discussed. Yet it seems necessary in this context because the adversary (Red) can choose strategies that are bad for us (Blue). For example, the adversary can choose locations/trajectories that are hard or impossible to observe in combination (with the given Blue resources). As another example, during war, Red can actively take destructive actions. Furthermore, Red can choose his strategy based on what strategy Blue chooses. In other words, this is not simply a problem of planning against nature, but planning against (at least one) adversary, so game-theoretic planning seems necessary. Is game-theoretic planning expected in the solution?

Answer 10: Please refer to the “Review of BAA Program Statement” on page 1 of this document.

Question 11: What actions by Blue should the planning algorithm include?

Answer 11: Please refer to the “Review of BAA Program Statement” on page 1 of this document.

Question 12: What actions by Red should the planning algorithm include?

Answer 12: Please refer to the “Review of BAA Program Statement” on page 1 of this document.

Question 13: What observations by Blue should the planning algorithm include?

Answer 13: Please refer to the “Review of BAA Program Statement” on page 1 of this document.

Question 14: What observations by Red should the planning algorithm include?

Answer 14: Please refer to the “Review of BAA Program Statement” on page 1 of this document.

Question 15: How much of the Phase 1 $21M are you planning to allocate to Track B?

Answer 15: At this time, it is unknown how funds will be allocated to Track A or Track B. Award amounts are dependent on the quality and number of proposals, the available funding for the program, and what makes sense for the Program Manager's vision and plan for the program. The budget for the program is provided to give potential proposers an estimate of the financial boundaries of the overall program.

Question 16: How many performers do you expect to select for Track B?

Answer 16: At this time, it is unknown how many performers will be selected for Track B. Awards will be dependent on the quality and number of proposals.

Question 17: When during Phase 1 will the government-developed simulation be available for AI training?

Answer 17: Additional details on the M&S environment will be available after contract award.

Question 18: Can we assume the availability of an image processing module on LEO satellites that can process images and detect the targets in them? If so, is this module capable of processing three or more images from adjacent satellites, detect the targets in them and estimate their latitudes and longitudes?

Answer 18: During Phase 1, Oversight intends to be constellation-agnostic, in which the resources and targets may be highly dynamic. This likely includes constellation composition, sensor phenomenology, processing capacity, and re-tasking ability.

Question 19: Can the trajectories of LEO satellites be changed? If so, should the algorithm consider changing their trajectories to acquire targets?

Answer 19: Offerors may provide concepts of operations and assumptions as part of their solution trade space.

Question 20: Are the Phase 1 performers required to utilize an Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) or would an Agile Dev\SecOps Plan be acceptable?

Answer 20: See section IV.B.3 “Proposal Format” of the BAA.

Question 21: Is it expected that 5 slides will be provided with the Track A abstract?

Answer 21: See sections IV.B.1 “Abstract Format” and IV.B.2 “Abstract Content” of the BAA.

Question 22: What sensor modes and resolutions are available in the DARPA-provided M&S system? What are the output formats?

Answer 22: Additional details on the M&S environment will be available after contract award.

Question 23: For the first phase of 100 tracked targets, how many additional similar (background or confuser) objects/vehicles will be in the scene that need to be ignored?

Answer 23: During Phase 1, Oversight intends to be constellation-agnostic, in which the resources and targets may be highly dynamic. This likely includes constellation composition, sensor phenomenology, processing capacity, and re-tasking ability.

Question 24: For the first phase of 100 tracked targets, what information will be provided per target?

Answer 24: Phase 1 objectives include 100 stationary targets.

Question 25: When "re-tasking appropriate sensors" within a satellite node, to what extent are the sensors or satellite steerable?

Answer 25: During Phase 1, Oversight intends to be constellation-agnostic, in which the resources and targets may be highly dynamic. This likely includes constellation composition, sensor phenomenology, processing capacity, and re-tasking ability.

Question 26: Can you describe the virtual satellite constellation that will be used for the test? (orbits, spacing, etc.)

Answer 26: Phase 1 Oversight aims to be constellation-agnostic, which likely includes constellation composition, sensor phenomenology, processing capacity, and re-tasking ability. No virtual testing is expected to be done during Phase 1.

Question 27: Should we assume persistent sensing is available? Or should we assume there is a complete loss of all targets by any sensor for some period of time (e.g., an orbit), such that each target must be reacquired?

Answer 27: During Phase 1, Oversight intends to be constellation-agnostic, in which the resources and targets may be highly dynamic. This likely includes constellation composition, sensor phenomenology, processing capacity, and re-tasking ability.

Question 28: Does the GF modeling and simulation (M&S) environment include the LVC demonstration environment?

Answer 28: No virtual or live testing is expected to be done during Phase 1.

Question 29: Is there a limitation to the fraction of software processing that may occur in the cloud (on the ground) versus in space (on board)?

Answer 29: There is no limitation specified in the BAA.

Question 30: Can you clarify the definition of payload software?

Answer 30: Section I.D. “Excluded Technologies” of the BAA identifies “payload software” as an excluded technology. In this instance, “payload software” is defined as software that is focused on executing a mission for a purpose-built payload, such as a sensor. For example, software that is exclusively written to operate a sensor payload would fall into this category.

Question 31: What types of sensor phenomenologies and sensor collection modes are available to be tasked by the Oversight system for collection against "mobile, stationary, emitting, and non-emitting targets"?

Answer 31: During Phase 1, Oversight intends to be constellation-agnostic, in which the resources and targets may be highly dynamic. This likely includes constellation composition, sensor phenomenology, processing capacity, and re-tasking ability.

Question 32: What are the available compute resources and performance on satellites to host Oversight software?

Answer 32: During Phase 1, Oversight intends to be constellation-agnostic, in which the resources and targets may be highly dynamic. This likely includes constellation composition, sensor phenomenology, processing capacity, and re-tasking ability.

Question 33: Are satellite orbits and sensor orientations fixed so that Oversight software only considers how to allocate tasking of sensors to maintain track custody?

Answer 33: During Phase 1, Oversight intends to be constellation-agnostic, in which the resources and targets may be highly dynamic. This likely includes constellation composition, sensor phenomenology, processing capacity, and re-tasking ability.

Question 34: Do Track A performers need to manage the health and status of the individual satellites by including tasks for sensor calibration and built-in-test?

Answer 34: The BAA does not identify “needs” or “requirements” for technology development.

Question 35: When will performers need to have facilities in place to support classified activities for Oversight? Is DARPA willing to accept government co-use agreements for existing classified spaces and networks?

Answer 35: Section I.E. of the BAA contains language that identifies the expectations for classified work on the Oversight program. In general, yes, co-use agreements are acceptable as long as the appropriate procedures are followed to gain co-use approval from the other sponsor(s).

Question 36: Under the Track A description it says to develop "Applications and services that facilitate the interface between technologies developed and physical hardware available within the constellations…" Will specifications for the constellation HW be provided?

Answer 36: During Phase 1, Oversight intends to be constellation-agnostic, in which the resources and targets may be highly dynamic. This likely includes constellation composition, sensor phenomenology, processing capacity, and re-tasking ability.

Question 37: Will the sensor data types and flows be specified for the sensor tasking and data processing portion?

Answer 37: During Phase 1, Oversight intends to be constellation-agnostic, in which the resources and targets may be highly dynamic. This likely includes constellation composition, sensor phenomenology, processing capacity, and re-tasking ability.

Question 38: Is the Oversight system going to operate within a single security classification environment or will different sensors be at different classifications and require multiple levels of security and a Cross Domain Solution?

Answer 38: The BAA does not exclude any approaches to classified data processing and operations.

Question 39: When and how will the government M&S be provided to performers? Will performers have remote access to a government-maintained M&S environment or will each performer have its own local instance for testing?

Answer 39: Additional details on the M&S environment will be available during Phase 1 of the Oversight program.

Question 40: What sensor C2 and data interface standards will be used by the M&S environment (e.g. OMS/UCI, STANAG 4607, etc.)? Can we assume all sensors of a common type will support the same interface standards?

Answer 40: Additional details on the M&S environment will be available during Phase 1 of the Oversight program.

Question 41: Are the summary slides to be delivered with the abstract?

Answer 41: See sections IV.B.1 “Abstract Format” and IV.B.2 “Abstract Content” of the BAA.

Question 42: Does this mean that the Government many change the offerors proposed contract approach during negotiations? Traditional and OTA procurements have different T&C requirements/coverages, cost backup requirements etc. that may not have been considered during proposal formation. Should the offeror include assumptions on contract T&Cs in their proposal?

Answer 42: As stated in section II.A. “General Award Information” of the BAA, in all cases, the Government contracting officer shall have sole discretion to select award instrument type, regardless of instrument type proposed, and to negotiate all instrument terms and conditions with selectees. Regardless of proposed contract type, the Offeror is required to provide all documentation in the level of detail as outlined in the BAA, which includes identification of any pricing assumptions.

Question 43: OTAs allow other options for fulfilling requirements unique to that procurement type. Is that Government limiting satisfaction of the "cost sharing" to financial contributions only?

Answer 43: From the DoD Other Transactions Guide, "Resource-sharing in a transaction occurs when a portion of the total cost of the project is to be paid out of funds provided by sources other than the Federal Government. Contributions can be in cash or non-cash form, and costs can be either direct or indirect, so long as contributions are allowable, allocable, reasonable, and consistently accounted for by the awardee. This may include labor, materials, equipment, usage rights in Intellectual Property, and facilities costs, as well as independent R&D costs that may be reimbursed later by DoD through overhead rates on other awarded efforts. Forfeiture of fee, profit, or cost of money would not be consistent with general cost principles and should not be included in any resource-shared arrangement.

Question 44: Because OTAs are commercial while FAR Part 15 is not, how will the Government rank the cost proposals against each other to ensure fair competition?

Answer 44: In accordance with the BAA Scientific Review Process, the Government evaluates each proposal on its own merits against the listed evaluation criteria in the BAA. Because there is no single Statement of Work or single required technical approach, the Government does not compare or "rank" proposals against each other. Each proposal is evaluated in accordance with the BAA and deemed to either be selectable or not-selectable. Proposals are then chosen for funding from the subset of selectable proposals, keeping in mind any program budget limitations and what makes the most sense for the program as a whole.

Question 45: The BAA provides guidance on execution for key personnel and states they must be identified in the proposal. No key personnel definition by expertise or role is defined in the BAA. Does the Government require key personnel to be identified in the proposal?

Answer 45: The BAA contains the necessary guidance for key personnel identification in proposals.

Question 46: under Section III b) requests Subawardee Information, please define what Subawardee Information is necessary to fulfill this request.

Answer 46: The BAA contains the necessary guidance for subawardee information.

Question 47: Are “Attachment 2 Summary Slides” expected to be part of the Track B Abstract?

Answer 47: The BAA describes the Abstract and Proposal processes.

Question 48: The instructions p. 27, limit “Attachment 2 Summary Slides” to 5, but there are three in the attachment. Which slide(s) can be duplicated?

Answer 48: The BAA describes the Abstract and Proposal processes.

Question 49: How binding is the Abstract Budget?

· Can a budget that is declared in an Abstract differ from what is declared in the Full Proposal?

· If so, is there any limit on how much it can vary?

Answer 49: The BAA describes the Abstract and Proposal processes.

Question 50: How binding are the Intellectual Property assertions?

· Some IP has a long lineage, so it is not possible for the Tech Transfer Office to trace it all in the short time frame for writing an abstract?

· Can IP assertions vary from Abstract to Full Proposal?

Answer 50: The BAA provides guidance on IP assertions.

Question 51: What is intended by “payload software” on p. 6, “Excluded Technologies” Specific technological areas that are considered out of scope with respect to this BAA are as follows: Payload software Answer 51: Section I.D “Excluded Technologies” of the BAA identifies “payload software” as an excluded technology. In this instance, “payload software” is defined as software that is focused on executing a mission for a purpose-built payload, such as a sensor. For example, software that is exclusively written to operate a sensor payload would fall into this category.

Question 52: Proposal submissions through the DARPA BAA Website require a 500-word summary of the proposed Technical and Management approach for submission. We assume the DARPA BAA Website requires the 500-word summary statement for submission of Abstracts as well?

Answer 52: The BAA describes the Abstract and Proposal processes.

Question 53: Although we understand that the BAA takes precedence, will DARPA please post the slides presented at the Proposers Day or make those available via DoD SAFE?

Answer 53: The slides will not be posted.

Question 54: Please confirm if $21M listed is for Phase 1 only. If for full program, can you please describe expected split between Phase 1 and 2?

Answer 54: The intended budget for Phase 1 is $21M. Phase 2 budget is underdetermined at this time.

Question 55: What is the expected interaction between Track A and B, and who should budget for the integration effort?

Answer 55: The BAA describes the expected interaction between Track A and Track B.

Question 56: Can you confirm that Track A scope is a superset of Track B, such that a Track A performer can provide both the architecture and software services relevant to Oversight vision?

Answer 56: Section 1 of the BAA describes the roles of Track A and Track B.

Question 57: Can more details be provided on the Design Reference Mission expected?

Answer 57: During Phase 1, Oversight intends to be constellation-agnostic, in which the resources and targets may be highly dynamic. This likely includes constellation composition, sensor phenomenology, processing capacity, and re-tasking ability.

Question 58: Is target pattern of life prediction within scope?

Answer 58: During Phase 1, Oversight intends to be constellation-agnostic, in which the resources and targets may be highly dynamic. This likely includes constellation composition, sensor phenomenology, processing capacity, and re-tasking ability.

Question 59: How will performance of solution be evaluated through integrated M&S? What will be the success metrics?

Answer 59: Additional details on the M&S environment will be available during Phase 1 of the Oversight program.

Question 60: Regarding the Abstract Format, on Page 20 the solicitation states the abstract should be 5 pages and should follow Sections I and II of the full proposal instructions. I just wanted to confirm that slides are NOT required for the abstract submission?

Answer 60: The BAA does not identify slides in the abstract submission guidelines, it does describe the Abstract and Proposal processes.

Question 61: Regarding the Industry Day which occurred on Jan 28, 2022. Will the slides and a list of attendees be published?

Answer 61: Slides will not be published, the list of attendees who agreed to publish information will be provided.

Question 62: What information, if any, does DARPA plan to provide related to generic or specific models for sensors?

Answer 62: During Phase 1, Oversight intends to be constellation-agnostic, in which the resources and targets may be highly dynamic. This likely includes constellation composition, sensor phenomenology, processing capacity, and re-tasking ability.

Question 63: p 11, top row of table, righthand column: What is meant (more explicitly) by "Critical system documentation"?

Answer 63: See Section I.E. “Program Plan and Risk Management” Phase 1 Track A Description of the BAA.

Question 64: p 41, paragraph 5: Instructions for submission of classified proposal portions (2 CDs) seems inconsistent with p 35, paragraph 4 (2 CDs plus 6 hard copies). Please clarify.

Answer 64: Please see BAA amendment 01 for clarification.

Question 65: how many satellites in p-LEO orbit can we assume for Phase 1?

Answer 65: During Phase 1, Oversight intends to be constellation-agnostic, in which the resources and targets may be highly dynamic. This likely includes constellation composition, sensor phenomenology, processing capacity, and re-tasking ability.

Question 66: There were several bullets on the Proposers day slides that were marked as “CUI”, but the same content appears in the publicly released BAA. Can you clarify whether any information that appears in both documents and was marked “CUI” in the proposer’s day slides is actually supposed to be protected at the CUI level or not?

Answer 66: The BAA takes precedence; any information contained in the BAA is publicly released information.

Question 67: Is the development of raw sensor data processing and target identification technologies in scope, or should we assume that such systems already exist?

Answer 67: Section 1.D “Excluded Technologies” of the BAA identifies excluded technologies, including sensor hardware development and payload software.

Question 68: Can you specify what sensor modalities are in scope for Oversight?

Answer 68: During Phase 1, Oversight intends to be constellation-agnostic, in which the resources and targets may be highly dynamic. This likely includes constellation composition, sensor phenomenology, processing capacity, and re-tasking ability.

Question 69: Can DARPA provide the PitBoss specification/design documents to proposers prior to proposal due date (i.e., ASAP)? It would be especially useful to get access to specifications of the sensors and sensor processing software (if any) aboard the Blackjack satellites in order to plan for tasking them.

Answer 69: During Phase 1, Oversight intends to be constellation-agnostic, in which the resources and targets may be highly dynamic. This likely includes constellation composition, sensor phenomenology, processing capacity, and re-tasking ability.

Question 70: When will the classification guide be made available to proposers?

Answer 70: Section IV.B.4.b “Security Information” of the BAA contains instructions to request the security classification guide.

Question 71: Will the “100s of SDA Tranche 1 satellites” mentioned in the Proposers day slides host PitBoss software? If not, what can we assume about the interfaces?

Answer 71: During Phase 1, Oversight intends to be constellation-agnostic, in which the resources and targets may be highly dynamic. This likely includes constellation composition, sensor phenomenology, processing capacity, and re-tasking ability.

Question 72: Can you please provide the name of the M&S tool that will be used to integrate and V&V the models? Thank you ...

Answer 72: Additional details on the M&S environment will be available after contract award.

Question 73: The BAA states that “Abstracts should follow the same general format as described for proposals (see, “Proposal Format”) but include ONLY Sections I and II of Volume I, Technical and Management Proposal.”

· Is the cost estimate in Section I required for the Abstract?

· Are the Section II summary slides included as part of the abstract submission?

Answer 73: The BAA describes the Abstract and Proposal processes.

Question 74: Are Track A teams expected to provide the detection/recognition as well as tracking/prediction algorithms needed to locate targets with the payload sensors, or will that be provided by the government or other parallel efforts?

Answer 74: During Phase 1, Oversight intends to be constellation-agnostic, in which the resources and targets may be highly dynamic. This likely includes constellation composition, sensor phenomenology, processing capacity, and re-tasking ability.

Question 75: What level of on-board processing power can we assume will be available to the Oversight software running on the satellites?

Answer 75: During Phase 1, Oversight intends to be constellation-agnostic, in which the resources and targets may be highly dynamic. This likely includes constellation composition, sensor phenomenology, processing capacity, and re-tasking ability.

Question 76: How many p-LEO satellites in how many orbital planes can we assume for initial target coverage calculations?

Answer 76: During Phase 1, Oversight intends to be constellation-agnostic, in which the resources and targets may be highly dynamic. This likely includes constellation composition, sensor phenomenology, processing capacity, and re-tasking ability.

Question 77: Do we assume reliance on the SDA Transport Layer for comms?

Answer 77: During Phase 1, Oversight intends to be constellation-agnostic, in which the resources and targets may be highly dynamic. This likely includes constellation composition, sensor phenomenology, processing capacity, and re-tasking ability.

Question 78: What is the anticipated M&S environment the government will provide, and when can we expect details?

Answer 78: Additional details on the M&S environment will be available during Phase 1 of the Oversight program.

Question 79: If selected for submittal of a proposal, when are the DARPA required representations and certifications due to the Government? Do these representation and certifications count against the required page count?

Answer 79: Refer to BAA for proposal submission guidelines.

Question 80: Confirm that the Certificate of Cost or Pricing Data will be submitted once negotiations are completed with the DARPA PCO.

Answer 80: Refer to the BAA for proposal submission guidelines.

Question 81: Does the $21M budget for Phase 1 also include the budget for the DARPA provided modeling and modeling and simulation (M&S) environment? Or is that environment separate from the $21M budget?

Answer 81: DARPA anticipates up to $21M in industry awards for Phase 1.

Question 82: Are there budget estimates available for Phase 2?

Answer 82: Not at this time.

Question 83: How will the Gov't provide access to classified M&S environments to support the deployment of work completed at the Secret or TS/SCI level? What percentage of work is expected at a classified level?

Answer 83: Section I.E “Program Plan and Risk Management” of the BAA contains language that identifies the expectations for classified work on the Oversight program. Additional details on the M&S environment will be available after Phase 1 award.

Question 84: What level of control of the (BAA p4) "… existing and/or state-of-the-art networks to connect constellations and ground resources" does DARPA intend the Oversight software to provide? For example: Network topology can be specified based on mission needs by establishing specific OISL (Optical InterSatellite Link) between spacecraft for both in-plane and cross-plane network paths and links to specific ground entry points to enable access to terrestrial networks/ground-based operations centers. At a lower level actual message routing could be adjusted within the network topology based on message priority and network link load factors.

Answer 84: During Phase 1, Oversight intends to be constellation-agnostic, in which the resources and targets may be highly dynamic. This likely includes constellation composition, sensor phenomenology, processing capacity, and re-tasking ability.

Question 85: What is the M&S Environment?

Answer 85: Additional details on the M&S environment will be available during Phase 1 of the Oversight program.

Question 86: Where can we find more documentation on the M&S environment to help estimate integration costs?

Answer 86: Additional details on the M&S environment will be available after Phase 1 awards.

Question 87: I wonder if you could clarify whether an architecture and software adapted to work on the space domain qualifies as within scope of allowed underlying technologies for DARPA Oversight?

Answer 87: The BAA describes technology focus areas and excluded technologies.

Question 88: I wonder if you could clarify whether a combination and/or integration of the first wave and the second wave of AI technologies:

· the first wave of AI technologies consists of rule-based system, an expert system with a knowledge base and an inference engine

· the second wave of AI technologies consists of machine learning and deep learning technologies that created statistical pattern recognizers from large amounts of data

· is within the scope of allowed underlying technologies for DARPA Oversight?

Answer 88: Please refer to the “Review of BAA Program Statement” on page 1 of this document.