697DCK-25-R-00278 BAA SIR Call 001-2026 Questions and Answers.pdf

697DCK-25-R-00278, WHITEPAPER CALL 001-2026

Questions and Answers

Question Number

Question Answer

1 Will this solicitation end date be moved out if for instance, Scott is unable to receive and respond to questions that are due Oct 17?

The FAA has extended the White Paper deadline to January 9, 2026, and is responding to all questions.

2 The whitepaper RFI states “FUNDING: Funding in the amount of $12,000,000 is anticipated to be awarded under this Call; however, funding is subject to change at Government discretion and availability.” It is also noted that “The total amount of funding available for the UAS BAA program each fiscal year will be divided evenly among all UAS Test Sites”.

Given this, should the Test sites be targeting: 1) 2 proposals that total $1,714,286, 2) 2 proposals that are $857,143 each, or 3) a single proposal that totals $1,714,286?

49 U.S.C. §44803(h) provides that funding provided under the section shall be divided equally among all UAS test ranges designated under the section. The FAA has $12 million dollars available to be divided equally among all test sites, subject to the availability of funds.

Currently, the FAA has 7 designated test sites, and there is an ongoing competitive selection for up to two additional test sites. Depending on the outcome of the competitive selection, the FAA’s maximum cost share for each test site is as follows:

7 test sites – $1,714,285 8 test sites - $1,500,000 9 test sites - $1,333,333

The FAA recommends that Offerors should submit White Papers with letters of attestation from current FAA UAS Test Sites that do not exceed $1,333,333. In the event that the FAA awards two new Test Sites, the FAA will modify the BAA Call White Papers to allow Offerors to submit White Papers with letters of attestation from the two new Test Sites. In addition, the BAA Solicitation will be amended to add the additional test sites if awarded.

The FAA cost share represents the maximum amount of the FAA’s share of the cost matching allocated to each test site. The FAA share + Respondent Proposed Share = Total Proposed Project Cost. For example, if a single project contemplates a 1:1 share using the entire FAA share of $1,714,285, then that proposed project must include the respondent identifying $1,714,285 of eligible matching costs for a total proposed project cost of $3,428,570 ($1,714,285 respondent proposed eligible matching costs plus $1,714,285 FAA matching).

In no event should the FAA share be more than 50% of the project cost or over the allocated amount for each test site. However, the respondent proposed costs may include more respondent-proposed costs than the FAA would match. In other words, following the example above, if the FAA was matching at the $1,714,285 level, there could be a proposed project for $5,000,000 ($3,285,715 respondent proposed costs including eligible matching costs, and $1,714,285 FAA matching). The FAA will not match any costs or provide additional funding for projects at a single test site beyond the amount allocated to that test site.

Test sites must partner with Respondents to provide any number of white paper submissions. Each white paper submission may include solutions and total proposed costs that when combined are less than, equal to, or more than the Test Site's allocation but the FAA’s liability will only be up to the allocation for the given Test Site. The FAA may award multiple awards for a given test site if the FAA share when combined are equal to or less than the FAA’s share of the amount allocated for a given test site. The FAA will evaluate submissions and request Proposals accordingly but will not award funds exceeding the FAA’s share of the amount allocated for any given Test Site's projects. Additionally, the FAA may award less than that allocated amount based on the availability of funds or technical evaluation of the white papers.

3 Our team is developing an AI-driven autonomous UAS platform designed to support collaborative and adaptive operations through modular hardware and software integration. The research emphasizes autonomous flight coordination, human-AI teaming, and safety assurance for UAS integration in the NAS.

Based on the current BAA, our concept appears to align most closely with Focus Area Number UAS009 – Autonomous Operations, with possible relevance to UAS002 (BVLOS) and UAS006 (Command and Control Link Technologies).

Before proceeding with a formal White Paper, we would appreciate your guidance on:

1. Whether this scope is a good fit under UAS009 or another Focus Area; and

2. The current funding availability for projects submitted through this BAA, particularly those partnering with an FAA-designated UAS Test Site.

1. It is the Respondent’s responsibility to choose which area they think is a “best fit” for their Proposal. They can mention other focus areas in their Whitepaper but need to select a single primary focus area for the project.

2. For this solicitation, there is $12 million dollars that will be divided between all the test sites that are designated by the FAA at time of award. Any proposal must include partnering with a designated FAA test site.

4 Are there any deadlines associated with the white paper submissions for Focus Area UAS005?

The deadlines for White Paper submissions are the same for all focus areas. Per the posting on sam.gov, "Whitepapers are due no later than January 9, 2026, 3:00 pm EST via email to Scott.E.Raber@faa.gov."

5 Is it possible to schedule a meeting for a technical discussion about the specific needs to address Focus Area UAS005?

There are no 1:1 discussions contemplated under the BAA. No, the FAA cannot meet to discuss the needs in more detail. We suggest that any entity interested in pursuing a project through this call coordinate with one or more of the FAA's designated UAS Test Sites to determine if there is mutual agreement on needs and a project concept to propose to the FAA in a White Paper submission.

6 What is the desired budget range for each project?

There is no desired budget range for any given project. However, there are limits to funding available for this program and how it is distributed. $12 million of FAA funding is available pursuant to this Call, which must be divided equally among projects where the Respondent has partnered with one of the FAA's seven UAS Test Sites. The sum of the FAA’s cost share for any proposed project or combined projects for a given Test Site may not exceed that FAA share for that test site.

As set forth in the Solicitation, the FAA will 1:1 match eligible respondent costs up to the amount allocated for a given test site.

Coordination between the Respondent and potential Test Site partners is the best way to determine the appropriate budget for a project.

7 Is it required or preferred to include an industry partner in this project?

The FAA encourages industry and other entities interested in assisting the FAA with integration of UAS into the NAS to submit Whitepapers. The only partnership requirement for a project is to partner with one of the FAA's designated UAS Test Sites.

8 Is the 1:1 cost share required? Yes. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 (Public Law 118-63) authorized funding for this program "for the purposes of ... providing matching funds to commercial entities that contract with a UAS test range to demonstrate or validate technologies that the FAA considers essential to the safe integration of UAS into the national airspace system." The details of the matching requirements are in the Solicitation and Call for White Papers.

9 If funding for UAS Test Site support comes out of the Contractor’s award, does the Contractor’s cost-share also have to match funding for the UAS Test Site funding?

The cost-share must be a 1:1 match of the proposed contractor’s project costs eligible for match by the FAA. The FAA share will not exceed the amount allocated to a given test site. The contractor is required to identify the eligible costs for matching.

10 If the $6M annually must be evenly divided amongst UAS Test Sites, then are contractor proposals grouped by their proposed UAS Test site and then evaluated?

All Proposals are evaluated as set forth in the BAA and Call for White Papers, after which they will be grouped by the proposed Test Site partner. Projects will be selected as set forth in the BAA and Call for White Papers and based on available funding for each Test Site's allocation of the funds.

11 Do FAA Test Sites participate in the proposal evaluation?

No. White Paper submissions and Proposals are only evaluated by the FAA.

12 Our qualifying company cost-share contribution includes the total of company R&D (both direct/indirect costs), plus hardware and other in-kind contributions. Please clarify that total company cost-share contribution—both labor dollar and non-labor dollar parts of our company cost-share— is included in calculating the “50% of the total cost of ‘the work’…” referred to in Section 14.1, “The FAA will pay no more than 50% of the total cost of the work that will be specified in any award under this BAA...”

The Respondent’s cost-share may be accomplished by a contribution to either direct or indirect costs and may be in various forms or combinations. These include, but are not limited to: cash outlays, real property or interest therein, personal property or services, cost matching, or other in-kind contributions. The Respondent’s cost share contribution that is reasonable, allocable, and allowable in accordance with the cost principles of the resulting contracts and directly beneficial, specifically identifiable, and necessary for the performance of the contract will be included in calculating the “50% of the total cost of the work” referred to in Section 14.1.

13 What is the period of performance that contractors should propose to?

Most UAS Test Site BAA projects have a one-year period of performance, but the period of performance may be shorter if needed.

14 Since DAA has its own focus area, what aspects of BVLOS are intended under the BVLOS focus area?

"The BVLOS Operations focus area is intended to more broadly cover testing and evaluation for BVLOS which may involve a breadth of technologies and risk mitigation approaches to achieve BVLOS ops safely.

The DAA focus area is intended to be more closely focused on evaluation of specific DAA technologies.

We recognize that these may be closely related. Please select the primary focus area that is the best fit for your White Paper and feel free to reference relevance to other focus areas in your White Paper as you see fit.

15 What is the maximum FAA cost allowed in our ROM? Is it $857K?

See Question 2 Answer

16 Do you anticipate the government shutdown to affect this BAA? e.g., changes to deadlines, funding, etc.

The deadline for submissions was extended to January 9, 2026, due to the impacts of the lapse in government funding.

Despite this extension, we still anticipate the award of BAA project funds to take place on or before September 30, 2026. There are no anticipated changes to the total funding at this time; however, see response to Question 2 for potential changes to allocation of funds.

17 The referenced FAA UTM Concept of Operations v2.0 describes and environment where “UTM Operators are ultimately responsible for maintaining separation from other aircraft, airspace, weather, terrain, and hazards, and avoiding unsafe conditions throughout an operation”. Does this statement still apply with expanding UTM operations in controlled airspace across the NAS?

UTM is intended to be a cooperative ecosystem where drone operators, service providers, and the FAA determine and communicate real-time airspace status. As the ecosystem matures, the FAA intends to provide real-time constraints to the UAS operators, who are responsible for managing their operations safely within these constraints without receiving positive air traffic control services from the FAA. Note that in the UTM ConOps 2.0, the term "UTM Operator" meant an operator of UAS who is using the UTM system. It is not the UTM service provider (USS).

18 At a minimum, the UTM network will have to allow controllers the tools and information necessary to ensure that legacy aircraft are deconflicted with UAS operations.

Would these same tools provide the information needed for ATC to control UAS in controlled airspaces, or does the FAA envision additional tools would be needed for this responsibility?

As stated above, there are no plans for ATC to control small UAS operating at low altitudes in controlled airspace.

19 If ATC is utilized to control UAS operation in controlled airspace, how does the FAA plan to address the added strain on controller workload?

As stated above, there are no plans for ATC to control small UAS operating at low altitudes in controlled airspace.

20 Whitepaper timing – The BAA states submissions can be made anytime, even without an active Call. Would you recommend submitting now, or waiting for Call 001 to be released?

Also, do you anticipate any delays due to the current government shutdown?

Call 001 has been released and can be found on the sam.gov website.

The deadline for submissions was extended to January 9, 2026, due to impacts of the lapse in government funding.

Despite this extension, we still anticipating awarding of BAA project funds to take place on or before September 30, 2026.

21 Cost share – Can cost share include contributions from multiple partners other than just the prime?

(e.g., test-site data feeds access, subcontracted partners in-kind support, or state-funded assistance from programs such as Genius NY), provided they’re verifiable and non-federally funded?

Yes. The Contractor can collaborate with the UAS Test Site and/or any other subcontracted partners to determine each entity's contribution to meet the requirement for 1:1 cost match.

22 Focus area fit – Would this project best fall under Focus Area 2 (BVLOS Operations) or Focus Area 7 (DAA Technologies)?

The BVLOS Operations focus area is intended to more broadly cover testing and evaluation for BVLOS which may involve a breadth of technologies and risk mitigation approaches to achieve BVLOS ops safely.

The DAA focus area is intended to be more closely focused on evaluation of specific DAA technologies.

We recognize that these may be closely related. Please select the primary focus area that is the best fit for your White Paper and feel free to reference relevance to other focus areas in your White Paper as you see fit.

23 Project alignment – Is a project focused primarily on third-party testing of our systems against these two ASTM standards consistent with the intent of the BAA, or would the FAA prefer we also include a review of testability and Means of Compliance (MoC) development for those standards as part of the effort?

Either of the approaches described in your question would be consistent with the intent of the BAA and would make for a valid white paper. As you consider your preferred approach, recognize that the FAA has interest in the broader applicability of outcomes from the BAA projects, as stated in the BAA solicitation, to support increasing knowledge in the specified focus areas and the advancement of systems or technologies to enable safe UAS integration in the NAS.

24 What is the FAA’s current definition or working threshold for a “close

There are industry consensus standards efforts in RTCA and ASTM relating to BVLOS pass” or “near-miss” event between uncrewed and crewed aircraft in low-altitude operations?

Specifically, what minimum separation distances are used to determine whether such encounters are considered reportable under FAA guidance, and what reporting mechanisms or data formats are preferred for documenting these occurrences during authorized test activities?

operations and Detect & Avoid technologies.

Coordination with potential Test Site partners may help you to consider testing methods, metrics, threshold criteria, and reporting criteria for the testing activities that you propose in your White Paper.

25 What current FAA-recognized methods, metrics, or threshold criteria are applicable for validating Detect-and-Avoid (DAA) system performance in mixed crewed/uncrewed environments below 1,500 feet AGL? For example, are there established benchmarks for alert latency, closure rate separation, or acceptable false-alert rates that would be relevant for assessing technical maturity or operational readiness under test site conditions?

There are industry consensus standards efforts in RTCA and ASTM relating to BVLOS operations and Detect & Avoid technologies.

Coordination with potential Test Site partners may help you to consider testing methods, metrics, threshold criteria, and reporting criteria for the testing activities that you propose in your White Paper.

26 For Focus Area Number UAS006:

Command and Control (C2) Link Technologies, is the FAA only focused on hardware? Or would it consider a white paper focused on software?

White Papers focused on software as well as hardware are welcome and will be considered.

27 I was reviewing the subject line effort and I noticed there is not a mention of foreign entities being acceptable or unacceptable to submit for this opportunity. Could you provide clarity on whether foreign entities are permitted?

White Papers will be accepted from foreign entities as long as they are not on the Specially Designated Nationals List.

28 Funding Limits – On page 9, the solicitation notes that “The total amount of funding available for the

There is no stated maximum budget for a given project. However, there are limits to

UAS BAA program each fiscal year will be divided evenly among all UAS Test Sites.” Does this mean that the scope of a proposed project should be limited to approximately $850,000 (i.e., $6M divided by 7 Test Sites)?

funding available for this program and how it is distributed.

29 Would a larger project, for example with a total cost of over $2M (shared equally between the Respondent company and the UAS BAA program), still be considered eligible for award? Or would such a Whitepaper be disqualified because it exceeds an allowable range for this solicitation?

A project with a total cost of $2 million could be funded with $1 million of FAA funds and $1 million of matching funds from the Respondent/Test Site team. A total proposed project with a proposed cost share amount for the FAA over the amount allocated for a single test site would not be permissible.

However, that project could still be eligible if the FAA share was capped at the share amount for the given test site, and the overall total proposed costs for the respondent could is greater than the FAA share.

Coordination between the Respondent and potential Test Site partners is the best way to determine the appropriate budget for a project.

30 May a company submit more than one application per year, particularly if the projects are proposed at different Test Sites and involve distinct scopes or local partners?

Yes, companies may submit multiple White Papers, in partnership with one or more Test Sites.

31 Would white papers submitted in 2025 for projects planned for delivery in 2027–2028 be eligible for award in 2025? Or must companies wait to submit until the year in which the project is expected to be executed?

White Papers submitted in 2025 will need to be prepared to execute upon award of funds, estimated on or before September 30, 2026.

The period of performance for projects is typically about 1 year.

32 The solicitation states that projects should “(A) enable a broad variety of development, testing, and evaluation activities related to UAS and associated technologies.”

Does “development” include R&D and technology development?

As stated in the Solicitation, this UAS BAA addresses the development of non-specific UAS technologies or Non-System Specific Development (NSSD) and procedures after they have gone through the applied research phase. There is a preference for systems or technologies that have demonstrated technological readiness in an operational environment (ground or airspace).

33 If so, would it be permissible for a company to conduct the majority of R&D activities in-house (for cost-effectiveness), and then perform testing and demonstrations at an FAA Test Site as the final phases of the project?

R&D and other activities can be done in-house or at other locations. For testing activities, the UAS Test Site must be one of the locations and all other locations must be under the FAA UAS Test Site’s authorization.

Coordination between the Respondent and potential Test Site partners is the best way to determine the appropriate scope for a project.