BAA Questions and Government's Response.pdf

693JJ3-20-BAA-0002 Questions and Government’s Response

# Question Government Response 1 Please confirm that all goods and services being purchased under this BAA will be considered commercial items and only subject to the Commercial Items portion of the FAR.

If an offeror is proposing a commercial item, as defined in FAR Part 2.101, the commercial items portion of the FAR will be applied. The commercial items portion of the FAR may not apply to those offerors proposing prototypes.

2 BAA-ITS V2X Spectrum Testing:

Section 5(1): Can you please clarify Should the 30/60/90 days be assumed after April 2020, the anticipated contracts award date?

This BAA anticipates that commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) devices can be delivered within 30 days. However, this BAA anticipates prototype devices can be delivered within 60 or 90 days. Per the Evaluation Criteria (Section 6.1), the primary basis for selecting proposal submissions for award will be based on Technical Merit, to include: 1) device availability and timely device delivery; 2) technical documents; 3) technical support for prototype devices; 4) technical merit in readiness in testing; and availability of funds.

3 BAA-ITS V2X Spectrum Testing:

Section 5(3): What level of interaction and support does USDOT expect from vendors during testing?

In regards to commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) devices, the USDOT is seeking devices that are sold in substantia without modification in the same form in which the device is sold in the commercial marketplace. Therefore, the Offeror should have a better estimate on their product and the level of support.

In regards to prototype devices, the USDOT has experienced tremendous delays in our testing schedule from vendors with prototype devices. In the past, the USDOT has conducted approximately 4-5 technical web meetings/audio conference interactions as well as email or phone technical support expected for: questions/issues with documented instructions for device operation; and, troubleshooting unexpected device performance issues. Therefore, the Offeror is solely responsible for under estimating the complexity, technical assistance, and hours of their own devices.

4 BAA-ITS V2X Spectrum Testing:

Section 5(4): Will vendors be given an opportunity to remedy issues found during testing?

In regards to commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) devices, the issues are expected to be minor so the remedy must be immediate.

In regards to prototype devices, the USDOT has experienced tremendous delays in our testing schedule from vendors with prototype devices. The opportunity to remedy issues will be based on the level of complexity and impact to the timing/schedule of testing.

5 Appendix A- Device Characterization:

8e – Can you please clarify the manual sensing control capability.

This control capability refers to whether it is possible to manually turn on and off sensing-based Semi-Persistent Scheduling (SPS) with regard to the cellular-based V2X devices.

6 Appendix A- Device Characterization:

11 – What are the specific requirements for the debug mode?

This refers to provision of a user interface that allows pausing operations as well as logging, viewing and interacting in detail with the internal operations of the software running on the device. Also, please specify the operating system in use, and whether the standard operating system error logs will be accessible to the test team.

7 Appendix A- Device Characterization:

15 – Can you please explain the loopback functionality in support of conformance testing of the "loopback" here

This applies to the cellular-V2X devices. The specific loopback functionality for V2X sidelink conformance testing is as described in clause 5.4 of 3GPP TS 36.509 V14.7.0 (2019-12)

8 Please describe the relationship between this BAA and Secretary of Transportation Chao’s announcement on January 15, 2020, regarding the new program designed to help avoid traffic accidents and save the lives of first responders rushing to aid in emergencies using V2X technologies.

The BAA clearly states the background, program scope, purpose, and objectives.

The US DOT is seeking devices, documentation, and technical assistance (when necessary) to evaluate the capabilities of available equipment/devices and underlying technologies through both small-and large-scale field testing in the 5.9 GHz “Safety Band.”

9 Is US DOT seeking LTE C-V2X technologies that utilize network communication modes implemented over "Uu interfaces" for this announcement? Or is US DOT only interested in LTE C-V2X technologies using "PC5 interfaces"?

This BAA primarily seeks non-networked V2X communications devices. However, if there are devices that can deliver cooperative, interoperable ITS with a networked capability, please describe in the proposal.

10 Does this broad agency announcement include a need for any test equipment to simulate congestion?

The BAA clearly states the background, program scope, purpose, and objectives.

The US DOT is seeking devices, documentation, and technical assistance (when necessary) to evaluate the capabilities of available equipment/devices and underlying technologies through both small-and large-scale field testing in the 5.9 GHz “Safety Band.”

11 Can a University that has a prototype unlicensed Wi-Fi device that operates in 5.9GHz apply to the solicitation?

Yes.

12 Can a University that has a prototype DSRC device that operates in 5.9GHz apply to the solicitation?

Yes.

13 Section 1.4 does mention that the solicitation is looking for both test track and real-world testing. Should someone respond with ability to offer real-world testing, do you envision the testing would be done (in cooperation with the applicant), in their environment? For example, we have over 100 devices deployed to date in varying conditions, with more on the way shortly. The testing would be done on those roadways with our deployed RSUs and OBUs and with access to our data from our software environment? Or, is the USDOT wanting to remove currently deployed real-world devices and test them elsewhere in their own facility?

This BAA is specific to acquisition of devices and not test environments.

The BAA clearly states the background, program scope, purpose, and objectives.

The US DOT is seeking devices, documentation, and technical assistance (when necessary) to evaluate the capabilities of available equipment/devices and underlying technologies through both small-and large-scale field testing in the 5.9 GHz “Safety Band.”

14 Is there any restrictions on who may participate, in particular are Chinese company’s able to apply?

There are no specific restrictions on who may apply to this BAA.

Please be aware that the Buy-American Act applies to this BAA. However, application of the Buy-American Act does not preclude foreign involvement as one or more exceptions to the Buy-American Act may apply, depending on each offeror’s solution.

As a reminder, please ensure your company has a valid registration in SAM.gov before submitting a proposal.