Phase_2_QA_Template_Government Response_A0006_10.22.2025.pdf

# Reference: Paragraph/Sentence Question Answer Date

1 Appendix B, Page B-10

This question is related to our planned Volume II and Volume III submission. The BAA SOW states on page B-10 that transit services for the Acadia National Park are provided by DTI (Downeast

Transportation Inc.). Our proposal is related specifically to providing on-demand hiker shuttles. For this approach, will the transit operators be provided by DTI or independently hired by us?

Either way, is it appropriate and allowed for us to contact DTI as part of the proposal development process now?

DTI will provide the operator for fixed route and on-demand service in Acadia. See page B-16 of the BAA SOO under “Roles for Driver Provision” for additional details. DTI operates a transit service within Acadia and nearby communities, under a cooperative agreement with NPS. It is not appropriate to contact DTI during the proposal development process now. 10/14/25

2 BAA: 693JJ3-25-BAA-0004 Page 20

The list of attachments refer to a "pricing Workbook". Does the government have a template or format that we should use?

The government does not have a template or format for the

Pricing Workbook. The Pricing Workbook is provided by

Offerors and must include all items specified in the Cost/Price

Proposal Section.

To clarify that Cost Proposals should breakdown costs by park location and route (BAA, Page 13).

10/14/25

BAA: 693JJ3-25-BAA-0004

Summary of Important Dates

There seems to be a discrepancy in the Important Dates section.

Phase 1 is set to end in December 2026, but Phase 2 is listed to begin in January 2027 while the Go/No-Go decision is scheduled for

December 2027. This creates confusion, since Phase 2 would already have started before the Go/No-Go decision is made.

Could you please clarify:

1. Was the January 2027 Phase 2 start date intended to be January

2028?

2. Or is the Go/No-Go decision date a typo and should actually be

December 2026?

3. What is the intended sequencing between the end of Phase 1, the Go/No-Go decision, and the start of Phase 2?

The Go/No Go Decision to Exercise Phase 2 Option date should be December 2026. (BAA Page 5)

The intended sequencing is as follows:

FHWA will evaluate contractor performance during Phase 1 and will make the Go/No Go decision in December 2026 if

Phase 2 Option will be exercised.

If exercised, Phase 2 will begin in January 2027 and end in

March 2028.

10/15/25

BAA: 693JJ3-25-BAA-0004

Summary of Important Dates

Please confirm the anticipated Phase 2 period of performance. If awarded, Phase 2 will begin in January 2027 and end in

March 2028. 10/15/25

BAA: 693JJ3-25-BAA-0004

Project Funding Limits

Please confirm the anticipated funding levels for Phase 2. Estimated funding under this BAA (base and options) is between $1 million and $3.1 million for all awards in Phase 1 and Phase 2 combined.

10/15/25

BAA: 693JJ3-25-BAA-0004

Phase 2

For Phase 2 deployments (up to 15 months), is NPS expecting year-round operations, or seasonal pilots extended into multiple years?

Phase 2 will last 15 months. Offerors must propose a deployment period within this timeframe that falls within the park’s operating season. Both Phase 1 and Phase 2 deployments must occur during the park’s operating season

(see Appendix B – Statement of Objectives for details because operating seasons vary by park). Phase 1 need not cover the entire season, but the proposed schedule must align with it.

Phase 2 should demonstrate how the Phase 1 service can be expanded and improved based on lessons learned to respond to challenges identified in the first year of service. Phase 2 deployments must be at least as long as, or longer than, the

Phase 1 deployment if Phase 1 did not operate for the full park season.

10/15/25

BAA: 693JJ3-25-BAA-0004

Technical Approach - Technical

Capability and Technologies to be

Used

Can you clarify what is included in the term "cultural resources"? Cultural resources include architecture (historic and prehistoric structures and sites), archeological resources

(sites, artifact collections, and associated documentation), cultural anthropology resources (sites, collections, values, and traditions), cultural landscapes (historic sites, designed landscapes, vernacular landscapes, and ethnographic landscapes), historic research, and museum collections

(artifacts, specimens, archives, and objects). For more information: https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1027/cr.htm

10/15/25

Solicitation Number: 693JJ3-25-BAA-0004

Project Name: Development of an Automated Driving System (ADS) National Strategy for the National

Park Service (NPS) Through the Use of Pilots in an Operational Setting

Appendix B: Statement of Objectives

B-3 Certificate of Insurance

The requirement specifies $5M in General Liability insurance and

$5M in Auto Liability. Would NPS accept meeting this requirement through a combination of primary coverage plus Excess/Umbrella policies, as long as the total reaches $5M for each line?

Meeting the minimum coverage amounts specified in the BAA is a mandatory requirement for all submissions. Final insurance policy details will be thoroughly reviewed, negotiated, and confirmed prior to issuance of the special use permit.

FHWA anticipates incorporating FAR Clause 52.228-10 into the award.

10/15/25

Appendix B: Statement of Objectives

B-4 Phase 1 (Base): Technology &

Operations Pilots

Can you clarify how NPS will assess a vendor’s ability to operate safely in GPS-denied zones?

This should be included in the Data Collection & Evaluation

Plan for Phase 1. Performance in Phase 1 will be evaluated based on the overall success of the service in all areas including but not limited to the GPS-denied zones.

10/15/25

Appendix B: Statement of Objectives

B-22 Roles for Driver Provision

In the Golden Gate (GOGA) section, it is mentioned that there is staff housing available in the Marin Headlands. Could you clarify whether this housing would be available free of charge for the safety drivers we provide for the project, or if it would be subject to rental costs?

If government-provided housing or an RV site is utilized during the pilot the contractor will be required to pay the associated fees for its use. Offerors assuming the use of a government-managed RV site should utilize the published rates found on

Recreation.gov for budget estimation purposes. Final costs for any NPS provided housing or RV sites will be negotiated with the park after award.

10/15/25

Appendix B: Statement of Objectives

B-25 Roles for Driver Provision

In the Yosemite section of the Statement of Objectives, it is mentioned that existing transit staff may serve as backup safety operators. Could you clarify whether NPS expects vendors to provide all primary safety drivers, and whether these backup staff would only be a contingency, or if NPS anticipates providing safety drivers directly in any scenario?

Offerors should plan to fully staff and operate services. If utilizing other vendors, the offeror is responsible for making all arrangements, whether that's with DTI in Acadia or other vendors in Yosemite, after selection.

10/15/25

Appendix B: Statement of Objectives

B-11, B-17 Dispatch Systems

Can you clarify what your expectations are for a dispatch system in parks where cellular connectivity is not available?

Offerors are expected to provide all equipment and communications necessary to operate the proposed service.

In parks with existing transit operations, Offerors will be expected to coordinate with the existing transit operations and establish communications protocols for coordinating with dispatch/operations staff. This may include more manual solutions.

10/15/25

Appendix B: Statement of Objectives

B-11, B-17 Dispatch Systems

Can vendors propose subcontracted fleet operators for driver and dispatch services?

Yes. Offerors should plan to fully staff and operate services.

10/15/25

Appendix B: Statement of Objectives

B-3 Data Collection & Evaluation Plan

For the Data Collection & Evaluation Plan, will NPS standardize required performance metrics across all vendors, or should vendors propose their own frameworks?

Vendors should propose their own frameworks for performance metrics tied to the overall project objectives, addressing the parameters in Appendix B and considering what data can be shared and measured.

10/15/25

Appendix B: Statement of Objectives

Visitor Experience

What are NPS’s expectations for vendor-led visitor communications — limited to on-site customer service, or also outreach and media engagement?

Vendors should plan to provide all primary communications with visitors about the service in Communication Plans specified on Page B-3 of the Statement of Objectives. This includes in-person customer service interactions at stops and on board vehicles, as well as any needed digital, print, or phone communications to ensure an excellent visitor experience. Vendors should detail their plans for ensuring an excellent visitor experience in their proposals, including how they will evaluate performance on this metric. Vendors should coordinate with local NPS staff on communication messaging and logistics.

10/15/25

Appendix B: Statement of Objectives

Visitor Experience

Should vendors include translation/multilingual support in communications plans, given international visitors?

This is not required. English is the official language of the

United States per Executive Order 14224. However, we agree that planning for communications with visitors that may not speak English is prudent, and Offerors may include plans for this in their proposals if desired.

10/15/25