CWMD_RD_Open_BAA_IndustryDayQ&As_20190502.pdf

Questions & Answers from May 1, 2019 CWMD 5 Year Research & Development Open Broad Agency Announcement Industry Day

1. Could you please tell me if the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation posted as solicitation number

70RDND19R00000003 on FBO contains requirements similar to any work performed currently or in the past, or will this be a new requirement? If possible, can you please provide the most recent contract or task order number?

This is for a new requirement.

2. Can DHS provide further description and context for the CWMD.07 topic statement, “capability to detect and identify chemical/biological threats in response to emerging operational needs”? What are these emerging operational needs?

These emerging operational needs will be determined as they arise.

3. Is CWMD interested in proposals that develop new semiconductor or scintillator materials for gamma-ray or neutron radiation at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 1 or 2?

With the authorization of CWMD through the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Act of 2018, CWMD is now responsible for chemical/biological/radiological/nuclear (CBRN) R&D across TRL 1-7 for the office’s respective mission space. Topic Solicitations released under the OBAA identify specific needs.

4. Will we take questions about the topic solicitation posted with the Open BAA?

Not during the Industry Day call. On May 2, an announcement will be posted on FedBizOps indicating that CWMD will officially begin accepting pitch paper submissions as well as topic-related questions per the Topic Solicitation instructions.

5. Is R&D interested in cross-domain data analytics?

Yes

6. Who is responsible for conducting CBRN research and development for Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 1-7?

With the authorization of CWMD through the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Act of 2018, CWMD is now responsible for CBRN R&D across TRL 1-7 for the office’s respective mission space.

7. The solicitation posted to FBO mentioned a “notification for submitting pitch papers”. Who gives that notification? Potential offerors or DHS CWMD?

DHS CWMD will post the notification to FBO when the pitch paper submission phase starts.

8. Will data be made available from the current instance of Securing the Cities (STC)?

Data availability will be based on the need(s) defined by the current topic solicitation. If potential offerors are aware of existing data sets that would be beneficial/necessary to the current or future topic solicitations posted, please contact DHS CWMD. We are not always aware of every available dataset in the community.

9. Is real-time biological data analysis a goal of DHS CWMD R&D?

Yes. DHS CWMD R&D is always looking to push the performance envelope of currently fielded sensors and other equipment, setting lofty stretch goals to bolster innovation.

10. Does DHS CWMD R&D have a list of chemical and biological threat agents of interest?

When CWMD was authorized in December 2018, it was given the authority to conduct chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear research and development. Since this authorization, CWMD R&D has begun planning research and development focusing on countering chemical/biological threats. This planning includes understanding chemical and biological threat agents of interest.

11. Are Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) bursts and the effects of such attacks within the DHS CWMD R&D mission space?

No

12. How can industry more readily engage with DHS CWMD on a more individualized basis (outside of topic solicitation Q&A periods)?

Aside from the Q&A periods designated for Open BAA topic solicitations, DHS CWMD is working to resurrect the previous industry engagement website which will provide an avenue for more individualized engagement opportunities and questions to be addressed. No official date currently on when the website will be live.

13. Can offerors submit more than one pitch paper for a posted topic?

Yes, there is no limit to the number of pitch papers that can be submitted.

14. What is the budget for the 5-year Open BAA?

The CWMD budget will not be discussed during this session.

15. Will the Q&As from today’s DHS CWMD R&D Virtual Industry Day be posted to FBO?

Yes