Amendment 0002.pdf

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing items 8 and 15, and returning or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment your desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT 1. CONTRACT ID CODE

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE 4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6) CODE

(SF-30) FAA Template No. 11 (8/97)

FACILITY CODE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION

NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers is extended, is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS.

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO.

IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15C. DATE SIGNED

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

16C. DATE SIGNED

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

PAGE OF PAGES

6. ISSUED BY CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code) (X)

CODE

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

OMB Control No. 2120-0595

p. 1

AAQ610-AFN

The purpose of this amendment is to post the Questions and Answers.

AAQ-610 Grants & R&D FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center Building 300, Fourth Floor Atlantic City International Airport Atlantic City NJ08405

692M15-20-R-00028

1 7

09/30/2020

SOLICITATION 692M15‐20‐R‐00028, AMENDMENT 0002

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. How will the FAA post answers to airport questions? Is there a deadline to submit questions?

ANSWER: The FAA will post answers to the questions and comments received by amendment to the solicitation on beta.SAM. As noted in the beta.SAM contracting opportunity notice, questions and comments that arise from this solicitation should be submitted via e‐mail by 5:00 P.M. EST, October 8, 2020.

2. If an airport operator/team has unique skills and may be performing functions for other agencies, will the FAA entertain support from the airport operator for operating technologies/systems or operating as nefarious actors at no additional charge for services?

ANSWER: As stated in the solicitation on Page 1, Footnote 2, the FAA is required to operate the technologies as part of this effort. On Page 3, second paragraph, under “Research Approach”, the FAA also plans to operate the target UAS.

3. As the UAS threat evolves and as technological solutions mature like the ones being built by DARPA, the FAA will stand to benefit from these technologies. How does the FAA plan to test systems beyond the initial 10 that are selected as part of the FAA White Paper Call 004?

ANSWER: The FAA does not have plans to test any systems beyond the initial 10.

4. How will technology refreshment be achieved long term? Will airports selected be used in the future to assist in testing?

ANSWER: Technology refreshment is not addressed in the solicitation. Future airport selection is unknown.

5. What is considered “Routine UAS operations to test and evaluate the performance of UAS detection and/or mitigation technologies deployed by the FAA”? The airport operator needs to understand this to coordinate the operations.

ANSWER: As stated in the solicitation on Page 3, third paragraph, under “Research Approach”, the FAA plans to operate the detection/mitigation systems on a monthly basis. On Page 3, second paragraph, last sentence, “[t]he FAA will provide the UAS targets for testing and will provide adequate advanced notification to the airport operator and air traffic.”

6. Please clarify “Testing may be discontinued if any technology/system does not perform as advertised” since systems may operate differently in different environments of operation?

ANSWER: This question is not in the correct context, it is merging two different items. Page 4, first full paragraph states that “Transition from KACY to the one additional airport will be based on the successful

“graduation” of any selected offeror’s technology/system from KACY, meaning that the technology/system performed as advertised, generated reliable and accurate data, and warrants further evaluation in another operational setting. Testing may be discontinued if any technology/system does not perform as advertised or if, in Phase 2, the technology or system is unable to duplicate the detection distances identified previously at KACY.“ The ‘not as advertised’ comment is for the testing at KACY. The system must perform as the vendor stated in their proposal. For the second part of your question, see

Page 3, second paragraph, under “Research Approach”: “ In Phase 2, the FAA will use the baseline performance data collected during Phase 1 to help determine whether and to what extent other airport variables (geography, noise, interference, proximity to metropolitan areas, airport infrastructure, etc.)

impact the performance of each technology/system.” This is when the FAA will evaluate whether the new environment changes any of the system’s performance. Due to time constraints, the FAA reserves the right to swap out technologies if the technologies are not providing useful data.

7. If an airport operator or their team is qualified and has experience testing these systems for the DOD, DOJ or others, can an airport operator offer to do a portion of the work or is the intent for the FAA to perform all testing over the two year period?

ANSWER: As stated in the solicitation on Page 1, Footnote 2, the FAA is required to operate the technologies as part of this effort.

8. Can an airport operator do the work at no or lesser cost?

ANSWER: As stated in the solicitation on Page 1, Footnote 2, the FAA is required to operate the technologies as part of this effort.

9. If the FAA approves the operation, can an airport operator perform UAS Detection and Mitigation testing for other organizations at the airport during the FAA testing period of two years?

ANSWER: As stated in the solicitation on Page 11, under UAS Activity, Question 2, the FAA would have to conduct a risk assessment of proposed activities to ensure non‐interference.

10. Is graphics provided in electronic format considered a part of the page count? For example‐ KMZ

Files.

ANSWER: Yes.

11. Will the Firm Fixed Price Agreement be in the form of an Other Transactional Agreement?

ANSWER: Yes, the FAA anticipates the resulting agreement to be an Other Transactional Agreement but reserves the right to choose final agreement type.

12. Will the airport operator get the COA/Waiver or will the FAA secure that for all operational equipment that requires it?

ANSWER: The FAA will be responsible for obtaining all Certificates of Authorization, waivers, authorizations, permits, approvals, etc. in‐order to conduct UAS operations on and within the vicinity of an airport and within controlled and uncontrolled airspace in support of this program consistent with

Solicitation Amendment 0001.

13. Will the airport operator be required to get operational permissions from all agencies of concern

(FCC, etc.) to maintain compliance with Federal Law?

ANSWER: The FAA and the UAS detection and mitigation technology vendor will be responsible for operational permissions to operate at each of the respective airports consistent with Solicitation

Amendment 0001.

14. In order for the airport operator to be willing to enter into additional agreements, as appropriate, with the air traffic facilities of impact with terms and conditions as determined by FAA Headquarters, the airport must know in advance the types of systems to be used. When does the FAA anticipate this will be provided?

ANSWER: The FAA will not know which technologies are going to which airport until both the technologies and airports are selected.

15. How much space and climate‐controlled area does the FAA envision needing?

ANSWER: The FAA will not know how much space is needed until the vendors are selected. This will be worked out with selected airports as the program progresses.

16. What if the FAA needs special equipment not owned by the airport operator, is it the airport operator’s responsibility to provide any and all support equipment?

ANSWER: No, the FAA will be responsible for acquiring special equipment that the airport does not have access to.

17. Who is responsible for the tools/storage for data collection? Is it the FAA or Airport Operator or other?

ANSWER: The FAA will be responsible for providing all tools and hardware required for collecting and storing data.

18. How much secured storage area do you envision needing for vendor equipment when initially receiving items? How long do you anticipate vendor equipment needing to be stored? Will this same requirement be in place when vendor equipment is shipped back out following testing?

ANSWER: The FAA will not know the exact size of the equipment that will require storage, as this depends on which vendors are selected. It is anticipated that the timeline will be very short, as FAA researchers will be following the technology as it leaves KACY and moves to the next airport. Prior to the actual shipment, the FAA may conduct a site visit to the hosting airport to work out these logistics.

When testing is complete, the FAA will work with the respective vendors to prepare the equipment for shipment. Storage during this phase should be minimal.

19. FAA Operational Suitability Requirements for an Airport Operator Host section, Bullet #7, states parenthetically that, “this information may be provided on a map, diagram, or KMZ (Google Earth) electronic file.” Can you confirm that these maps/files are attachments that will not be included in the

10‐page limit for Section 1A?

ANSWER: Per page 8 of the solicitation, submissions for this Section 1A, in its entirety, must not exceed

10 pages, and must be single spaced, single sided, and use a 12 point font. Submission content beyond

10 pages will not be reviewed/evaluated.” This includes tables, graphs, maps or KMZ images/files.

20. UAS Activity section, 3(a). There are nearly 50 occurrences that must be described in our solicitation response (and other respondents might have many more). Will this section of the response count toward the 10‐page limit for Section 1A? If so, alternatively, may it be excluded by attaching it as a separate file similar to maps and diagrams (question #1 above) if those files are not included in the 10‐ page limit?

ANSWER: Yes, information on UAS activity events will be counted in the 10 page limit. The FAA will accept a general description/summary of the UAS activity events, if there are too many to list. Please be sure to at least include the number of events, summary of distances/direction from the airport, and information/outcome on any notable/more severe events (close proximity to final approach/aircraft, persistent threats, etc.). As stated on page 6, the “FAA may contact key personnel for clarification on any submissions. The FAA may also ask for additional documentation to help understand, clarify, or validate responses to this solicitation.”

21. We have approximately 1400 acres that are directly accessible AOA with a total of 4400. Most of the area not associated with the AOA is land purchased for noise abatement adjacent to the airport property and is mostly undeveloped. With this said there is minimal if any infrastructure. With the requirements of providing electricity and possible network to remote antennas, can you elaborate more on possible distances from the main location and what actual requirements those may be? $100,000 may not cover the cost of this alone if the requirements are unattainable for us.

ANSWER: On page 6 of the solicitation, in the second paragraph, it states that “The FAA also may consider those airport operators with less than 2,300 acres if the airport operator is able to demonstrate that additional airport operator‐owned or leased property outside the immediate airport perimeter fence is available, with appropriate access to power and line of sight to the airport, for installation of sensors.”

Airport Operators would need to demonstrate/explain that they have access to the immediate property to meet the 2,300 acre requirement. Also, the next paragraph, states “The FAA reserves the right to conduct a site visit(s) to all, some, or none of the airport operators responding to this solicitation, to evaluate and/or verify available property and resources.” The purpose of the site visit would be for the

FAA to verify that the property proposed is suitable to host the test and evaluation effort. The FAA does not know, at this time, the actual distances that would be needed between sensors and control systems, as the vendors and technologies have not yet been selected.

22. Can you also elaborate a little more on the internet connectivity? Is the airport expected to provide network connectivity to all antenna locations or is it only to the main antenna with wireless connectivity from main to the remote antenna?

ANSWER: The FAA will need access to at least one external network connection at the location where the user interface/console of the detection and/or mitigation system is located to allow for remote access/data retrieval/maintenance of the system. If the airport does not have any network connections in place that would facilitate this project, the FAA is prepared to provide wireless point to point network connections within the airport environment to bring the sensor signals back to the user interface/console. At this time, it is very difficult to determine the exact requirements of each system, as they have not yet been selected.

23. While we do understand that this is a set contract price and program if requirements exceed available budget, is there going to be a clause for the airport to remove itself from the program?

ANSWER: Yes, termination procedures will be included in the resulting agreement, however, as stated on

Page 6 of the solicitation, first paragraph, “[t]he airport operator will receive a stipend of $50,000 at the beginning of the effort, and then receive a second stipend of $50,000 after successful completion of twelve (12) months of test and evaluation activities. Terminating the agreement prior to successful completion may result in forfeiture of the second stipend.

24. Is the “Announcement Number” the same number as the “Solicitation Number”?

ANSWER: Yes

25. Regarding the preferred general formatting. Appendix A has 5 numbered mandatory factors, 17 bulleted operational suitability requirements, and an additional 5 headings with numbered questions under each one. Should submissions be organized in a “question/answer” format, including the headings, prompts, and questions from the solicitation each followed by the airport’s response? Or do the reviewers prefer that submission be written in narrative format?

ANSWER: The FAA will accept various formats as long as the specific questions asked are answered and they can be identified within the submission.

26. Do you need all 2,300 acres at the same geographical location?

ANSWER: The 2,300 acre requirement was put in place to mimic the amount of land available at KACY inside the Airport Operations Area (AOA) to allow vendors to set up their sensors. When the FAA moves a vendor’s technology from KACY to another airport, the FAA wants to ensure that the same level of scalability is maintained. If the outer parcels of land are arranged such that they could be used to mimic the footprint of KACY, and are available for potential installation of sensors, then the FAA would find that acceptable.