Attachment 7 - Questions and Answers.pdf

Questions & Answers Technically Advanced General Aviation Research Simulator

SIR/RFO 6973GH-18-R-00113 July 10, 2018

Attachment 7

1. QUESTION: Is there any chance the due date could be extended again for a response?

ANSWER: The proposal due date remains July 11, 2018, 3:00 P.M. CT.

2. QUESTION: This is largely a commercial simulator developed under our own funding, which meets SOW section 2.1. The SOW sections 4.4.i, 11.3.ii and 12.3.i seem to indicate that we must turn over all software source code over to the government as part of this effort. Can you clarify the government’s intent for

COTS software source code?

ANSWER: One need the FAA has regarding the simulator is the ability to reconfigure displays, etc…, and to modify the application software as needed to support varying types of experiments. If the FAA does not have any access to the relevant segments of the source code to perform needed modifications, then the FAA cannot update or modify the device to meet changing/evolving research task needs.

The FAA needs to have the ability to perform the equivalent of a “cold start” where software is loaded onto blank system media, which may even include the operating system, and to compile and link executable code from the original source code. Here it is useful to differentiate between code specifically written for the simulator delivered to the government, which did NOT exist prior to the specific deliverable, and code that was developed previously in support of some other commercially released device. The former would become the property of the government anyway, whereas the latter would not. There are the equivalent of nondisclosure agreements regarding software that the FAA has entered into previously to protect any

“proprietary” kinds of software.

3. QUESTION: Section L says in L.10 how to submit the offer via postal/overnight mail but the Offer section says must submit vial email.

3.2.2.3-20 OFFERS (JAN 2018)

(a) The offeror (you) must submit responses to this SIR by the following electronic means e-mail. Your offer must arrive at the place and by the time specified in the SIR.

What is the required method for the offer submittal?

ANSWER: Proposals may be submitted either electronically (page 31, Electronic Offers and 3.2.2.3-20

Offers) or hard copy (page 33, Directions for Submitting Proposal(s)).