DHS DoD FAA Air Domain Awareness and Protection in the NAS RFI Q&A Final Govt Responses.pdf

70RSAT20RFI000001: Air Domain Awareness and Protection in the NAS 2019-2020 Equipment Demonstration and Evaluation

Questions and Answers

1. Question: Page 4: “The Government plans to evaluate sensors/systems capable of detection, tracking and identifying MUMS” --- from there our company wants to understand if sensors and platforms are the focus, or only the sensors? What does the Government mean with the term systems?

Response:

The program is to find technology for ADA and CUAS at different regions and environments. The major thrust is to find sensors and systems that can be used for ADA and CUAS. If the platform is required to provide the coverage, the platform becomes important.

We use a common definition of a system, such as, “A system is a group of interacting or interrelated entities that form a unified whole.] A system is delineated by its spatial and temporal boundaries, surrounded and influenced by its environment, described by its structure and purpose and expressed in its functioning.”

2. Question: Are sensors also be electro-optical or do they have to be radar or similar? Any type of sensor?

Response:

We are looking for any technology that will provide as a stand-a-lone or system ADA and/or CUAS.

3. Question: Referencing Technical Consideration Questions 1-3 of the response template, is the phrase “at no cost to the Government” hypothetical or is it certain that the government will not provide funding for the contemplated demonstrations?

Response:

No funding will be provided to participants. The Government will be using CRADA’s for the demonstration. The Government will provide the location, clearance to demonstrate and the resources to conduct the demonstration. The Contractor will be responsible for their time and effort, transportation for their equipment and cost to setup, maintain and operate their systems for the short-term demonstrations. For the long-term demonstration, the Government will take over the cost to operate and maintain the equipment.

4. Question: Referencing Technical Consideration Question #27 of the response template, can you please elaborate what is meant by an “inflated envelope” UA?

Response:

Inflated envelope refers to balloons and other lighter than air and heavier than air vehicles that are filled with a gas in the NAS.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System#cite_note-merriam-webster-system-1

5. Question: Referencing Technical Consideration Question #77 of the response template, can you please give a concrete example of “suspicious activity data being verified or validated”?

Response:

The Government seeks to determine whether the system has the ability to corroborate the data it generates with data from other sources to provide decision support to the system operator.

6. Question: Referencing Technical Consideration Question #81 of the response template, what is meant by an “authoritative source”?

Response:

The government seeks to determine whether the system’s graphical user interface displays data from multiple sensor types/modalities separately or if logic is used to combine the data from multiple sensor types / modalities (fused data) to display an individual object or track of interest along with an indicator of the sensor / modality used as the primary (authoritative) source of detection.

7. Question: Referencing Technical Consideration Question #84 of the response template, are “digital” chain of custody procedures required to be completely embedded / integrated inside the system, or can they be external to the system (e.g., access to supporting web forms that are provided with use of the system)?

Response:

There is no requirement associated with this question. The Government wants to assess the systems ability to maintain defensible chain of custody procedures and documentation. This could include, but is not limited to generating system reports, documenting methodologies for producing accurate results, and the storing or transfer of data in a forensically sound manner.

8. Question: Can multiple responses be provided, by the same participant, for this RFI? E.g. submitting a proposal for an ADA-only system, and in addition submitting additional proposal/s for a C-UAS system/s, having the same ADA module used in conjunction with mitigations mean/s?

Response:

Yes

9. Question: Referencing Technical Consideration Question #6 of the response template, can you please define what is meant by “data recording” – what type of data is expected to be recorded, and in what format/specifications? Is raw data (e.g. RF raw intercepts/recordings, EO camera footage, radar raw data) required to be recorded or only analyzed/fused data (e.g. target detection determination, target tracks, target geolocations, fused target data etc.) needs to be recorded?

Response:

Specific to question 6 only – the data can take on many forms, but one example would be a time-stamped filed that indicates a detection through some sort of binary indicator (i.e. True/False or 0 and 1), and/or Target ID assignment for probable UAS.

10. Question: Referencing Technical Consideration Question #77 of the response template, please define “suspicious activity” and clarify what exactly is the Discrimination Capability required here?

Response:

The Government seeks to determine whether the system has the ability to corroborate the data it generates with data from other sources to provide decision support to the system operator.

11. Question: Page 4, para 2: The Government plans to enter into Agreements with the participating organizations to demonstrate systems (not to exceed 6 months and not to exceed 3 locations).

Question: Does DHS wish to maintain custody of any system for the full 6 months and in-between testing, or will participants be able to recover their systems after completion of one event and then provide at the start of the next event?

Response:

The supplier is expected to transport, install, uninstall and remove the equipment for the short demonstration. If selected for the long duration demonstration the equipment will redeploy to the new location and installed.

12. Question: Page 4, Para 5: If the system performance matches the Key Performance Parameters (KPPs), the participating organization will be invited to participate in an evaluation of the system for specific environments (airport, urban, plains, mountainous, maritime). Question: Can the government provide additional information about the nature of demonstration and evaluation sites? Will they be isolated, controlled sites? On government property or other? Any special requirements to operate in that environment?

Response:

The assessments will be conducted in areas that will actually embody or closely represent real-world situations and environments. The mountainous and plains will be in isolated locations similar to what will be found on the northern border. The urban will be in an actual city to ensure the demonstration has the audible noise, RF congestion, urban obstacles and other environmental conditions are taken into account. The type of property varies, but most are expected to be located on Government owned properties. The Government will provide all the clearances to operate equipment during the demonstration.

13. Question: Page 4, para 5: If the system performance matches the Key Performance Parameters (KPPs)…Question: Are these KPPs the items listed in Section 2.1 as Common Capabilities Requirements?

If not, what are the KPPs?

Response:

They are the same.

14. Question: Page 6, para 1: Several months of planning are required prior to the live demonstrations and evaluations. Question: Can the government please clarify if participating organizations are included in the planning phase? Are those months included in the not-to-exceed 6 month timeframe?

Response:

The suppliers will be part of the period before the demonstration. During that time the government will be working with the supplier to develop and sign a CRADA. The supplier will also be educated on what to expect during the demonstration and all their responsibilities for the demonstration. The long duration six months timeframe is not part of this.

15. Question: Page 10, para 3: The participating organization should have subject matter expertise readily answer questions throughout the process. And Page 4, para 5: During the longer duration evaluations, the government will make the determination if the participating organization is present during the test event… If present, the participating organization will be excluded from test execution activities to the greatest extent possible. Question: Can the government clarify what it means to have subject matter expertise readily answer questions? Must the SMEs be in the vicinity of the system during evaluation or can they answer questions remotely?

Response:

For the short duration demonstration the supplier should have SME on site at the demonstration to support the effort. For the long duration, the supplier should have a SME available via telephone or other means to address questions.

16. Question: Page 6, para 2: Results of the evaluations will provide the Government three imperative results to develop standards Question: Will participants receive a copy of or a summary of DHS evaluation results for the three imperatives described on page 6?

Response:

Suppliers will received pertinent data out of the effort, but will not receive the entire report developed from the findings.

17. Question: General: Will the same Gov’t operators be used at the events and up to 3 different locations, or will training of new operators be required at each event? Will there be only one training session at each event or will multiple training sessions be required?

Response:

Based on the sites where the systems will be demonstrated, several training courses maybe required.

18. Question: General: Will international observers be allowed at any of the test events?

Response:

The suppliers will be able to bring international observers once they pass the approval cycle. The government may have international observers at the events.

19. Question: General: Under Section 2 and at the bottom of page 6/top of page 7, there is a reference to future request for proposals for equipment and systems – will only systems that have participated in this CRADA be allowed to respond to a future RFP or will other systems that did not participate be allowed to respond?

The future RFP’s will be open to all systems and providers. The information from this RFI may be used to inform decisions in future procurements.

20. Question: Attachment A: Air Domain Awareness and Protection in the NAS – RFI Response Template Question: Line 136-139, Questions 3-6 of the General Product Questions, all request cost information, but given no information on quantities, sites, number of operators with training needs, etc. it will be difficult to ensure we are providing proper information. Can DHS provide better guidelines as to the requirements or constraints for which a cost Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) should be provided?

Response:

You should assume it is for one system. Responses to this RFI does not limit suppliers on what they propose, so we are not able to cap costing. We are counting on the supplier to define their information.

21. Question: Referencing Technical Consideration Question #2 of the response template, during the 6 month timeframe, how often will the equipment be in use? Will it be possible for the contractor to use the equipment for their own purposes on a non-interfering basis during this time?

Response:

The 6 month demonstration is planned to operate the equipment 24 hours a day, every day. The equipment will be dedicated to the program.

22. Question: Referencing Technical Consideration Question #2 of the response template, is there an estimated time frame for the 6 month window so that assets can be properly allocated to support?

Response:

It is expected that the long term demonstration will start in mid Government fiscal year 2021

23. Question: Referencing Technical Consideration Question #2 of the response template, will the same operators be operating the system for each event?

Response:

It is expected the same team will be using the system for the long duration program.

24. Question: Referencing Technical Consideration Question #2 of the response template, if selected, can additional capabilities be brought by the contractor that are not part of the baseline response if they are available during the test events?

Response:

That will need to be address at the time of selection

25. Question: Referencing Technical Consideration Question #3 of the response template, will the equipment be stored at a Government site when not in use or is the contractor responsible for securing a storage location for the equipment?

The Government will provide a location to store equipment.

26. Question: Referencing Technical Consideration Question #11 of the response template, does "motives" mean the probable threat of the UAS?

Response:

The question is referencing the intent of the operation of the UAS. It is not meant to imply or be referred to as “threat”, which has a different definition.

27. Question: Referencing Technical Consideration Question #23 of the response template, is the RF analysis measuring the RF noise environment or is this RF analysis of suspect threats?

Response:

The RF analysis referenced refers to the capability of the system to measure the ambient RF noise at each place it is deployed.

28. Question: Referencing Technical Consideration Question #81 of the response template, please provide definition of "authoritative source" in this context.

Response:

The government seeks to determine whether the system’s graphical user interface displays data from multiple sensor types/modalities separately or if logic is used to combine the data from multiple sensor types / modalities (fused data) to display an individual object or track of interest along with an indicator of the sensor / modality used as the primary (authoritative) source of detection.

29. Question: Referencing Technical Consideration Question #102 of the response template, will lasers be authorized for use during the trial?

Response:

Recent legislation (cited on page one of the RFI) authorizes specific circumstances and locations where DOD, DOE, DOJ, DHS, and the FAA may employ the use of counter-UAS (C-UAS) activities. Specific sites for the assessment of this RFI have not yet been selected, thus any use of C-UAS activities will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Additionally, as effective mitigation relies on accurate detection, the C-UAS capabilities of selected systems would only be assessed after the detection assessments.

30. Question: Please confirm the planning required for the events will be completed by the Government.

If any support is required by the contractor for these activities, please specify.

Response:

The Government will be planning for the event. The supplier will be provided what to expect and their requirements for the event.

31. Question: Can you please clarify that the Government is seeking to have vendors supply one complete system for evaluation for up to six months that may be moved up to three different locations.

Not three systems to be located at three locations over a six month period.

The intent is to use one system at a site for up to 6 months. At this time there is no intent to move systems to different locations once the long duration testing begins.

32. Question: What is the Period(s) of Performance for evaluations?

Response:

For the short duration, PoP is up to one week, for the long duration 6 months or longer.

33. Question: Will DHS specify a specific RCS for use with radar?

Response:

No.

34. Question: Will DHS specify a specific UAS model that all respondents should use when answering questions?

Response:

The specific UAS’s used will not be provided to the suppliers before the event. Each event will use the same UAS so the Government can compare results between systems.

35. Question: Will the testing be done in 3 locations and will each solution have to be demonstrated in all 3 locations?

Response:

There will be 4 different locations; mountainous, plains, urban and maritime. Based on Government selection and supplier willingness to participate there may be up to 4 locations.

36. Question: Referencing Technical Consideration Question #81 of the response template, can the Government please clarify the following: fused graphical user interface and authoritative source?

Response:

The government seeks to determine whether the system’s graphical user interface displays data from multiple sensor types/modalities separately or if logic is used to combine the data from multiple sensor types / modalities (fused data) to display an individual object or track of interest along with an indicator of the sensor / modality used as the primary (authoritative) source of detection.

37. Question: Referencing Section 4 of the RFI, “Submission Instructions,” there is a statement that requires contractors to answer “Yes” to three questions found in that section. What flexibility can the contractor assume in answering these questions? For example, it may be difficult for contractors to provide a demonstration asset for a continual six-month span. However, the contractor may be fully supportive of three separate demonstrations throughout the year. How may contractors determine their eligibility for participation?

The short-term demonstration is only to determine if the equipment appears to operate as specified in the response. The long-term demonstration is to evaluate the capability of the system. If the supplier cannot support at least one site, 6-month evaluation they should consider not responding to the RFI.

38. Question: Referencing Technical Consideration Question #2 of the response template, our interpretation is the CRADA period for system experimentation is 6 months, with testing at each location being a shorter interval. What is the expected duration of testing at a single location? What is the expected time interval between test events? Which territories would be under consideration?

Response:

The long and short duration demonstrations can have up to four locations for each. The initial short-term demonstration will be at the plains location. At the Government’s discretion and the supplier’s willingness, the supplier equipment could be demonstrated at one or more of the sites. The selection for the long duration demonstration will be based on the assessment conducted at the short duration sites and the supplier’s willingness to participate at the long duration demonstration sites.

39. Question: Referencing Technical Consideration Question #37 of the response template, can you clarify what the intent of the question is?

Response:

If the ADA system is developed by the “Acme Company” and is capable of detecting UAS also developed by the “Acme Company” AND it does so by taking advantage of special knowledge or access of how Acme Company UAS operate, then it is not independent. We essentially want to understand if there are any special organizational dependencies between the detection system and the threats we are trying to be aware of.

40. Question: Referencing Technical Consideration Question #42, we assume this question specifically refers to system operator training in support of this CRADA. Would there be a cadre of USG operators to be trained once on the system? Or is training of different operators required for each test event?

Response:

Several training courses may be required based on the sites the system is chosen to be demonstrated.

However, it is expected that the same team will be operating the system for the long duration program.

41. Question: Referencing Technical Consideration Question #43, we assume this question specifically refers to system operations support of this CRADA- does DHS have an envisioned scope of what support entails?

Response:

The question refers to training of operators of the system if in the future the system under test is ultimately acquired.

42. Question: Referencing Technical Consideration Question #80, this question is very broad, are there specific requirements to be met?

No.

43. Question: Referencing Technical Consideration Question #85, is this question framed to assess system resilience to a bad actor's cyber exploit on the system under test to gain access to system data?

Response:

No. The Government seeks to determine if manufacturers, vendors, or integrators have access to data or if data is transmitted to them after a system is delivered.

44. Question: Referencing Technical Consideration Question #86, is this question framed to assess system resilience to a bad actor's attempt to locate the system under test using cyber-related exploits?

Response:

No. The Government seeks to determine if manufacturers, vendors, or integrators have access to information on deployment locations after a system is delivered.

45. Question: Referencing Technical Consideration Question #87, is this question framed to assess system resilience to a bad actor's cyber exploit on the system under test?

Response:

No. The Government seeks to determine any capability (other than authorized physical access) for software updates to be initiated by the manufacturer, vendor, or integrator after a system is delivered.

46. Question: Referencing Technical Consideration Question #88, is this question framed to assess system resilience to a bad actor's cyber exploit on the system under test?

Response:

No. The Government seeks to determine any capability for obfuscating or disregarding UAS without the knowledge of the operator or governing organization.

47. Question: Referencing Technical Consideration Question #109, is a single response expected, e.g., choose 1 of the four environments?

Select all that apply