4ID Webinar Q and A Publishable.pdf

4ID Webinar Q&A Response

QUESTION ANSWER

Does AFC anticipate greater emphasis on Recon/ISR vs.

Mission Command (e.g. comms relay) for this cycle?

At this point, no prioritization of one capability area over another.

Are cloud-based Software solutions viable for this initial effort?

Yes

I work with a COTS software, hybrid cloud company. Will 4ID (and/or Anduril/Palantir team) provide equipment (the current state) that we can then fall-in on to show our capabilities?

Upon selection, the 4ID - NGC2 team will work with vendors to integrate solutions.

Can we get a POC email address to coordinate follow up information?

opencallsolutions@aal.army

Will soldiers have devices and internet / NIPR access? Presumably, yes.

How will contractors access the "Unclass" Army network? Network integration will occur with 4ID/NGC2 personnel following selection.

Compatibility with maximally open architectured systems, MOSA, and non-proprietary APIs is important to help facilitate ease of integration.

Will the 4ID provide sandbox environments for testing software solutions?

Plan for an IL5 cloud instance.

Please clarify whether 4ID is looking to own these systems for 12 months or if this is more of a scenario where companies provide systems for major exercises a few weeks of the year (including train up etc) but take equipment back when not actively using in the field.

The intent is for soldiers to become familiar with the technology over time and experiment with it in operationally relevant scenarios and exercises. Depending on the technology, it could be difficult to accomplish this if units do not have access to the technology as needed. This can be further worked out following selection.

What is the environment? (IL5,6 or commercial) IL5+

We offer component or piecemeal solutions, will those be accepted?

Submissions should be able to "stand alone" in functionality, aside from the NGC2 integration piece.

4ID Webinar Q&A Response

QUESTION ANSWER

"Extended experimentation" implies 4ID will want to hold on to the system for quite some time. Is there a preferred structure for providing the units? Bailment?

Direct DLA sale? Is FSR support to the exercises allowable and/or how will it be evaluated?

It is anticipated FSR support will be allowed, at the very least, on some level or for some duration. Agreements for bailment/sale, etc. will be worked out between the company and contracting office following selection. Thus, it is critically important to provide an honest and true cost/schedule for the Army to incorporate the technology.

For C2, targeting tech, etc, would any sort of telemetry data be provided (for example UAV track data) or would we need to bring any data that is needed for a solution?

Especially at the project start, it's important for Soldiers and other end users to see and potentially use tech. In that context, it may be best to be prepared to demo a "standalone" capability, then work with 4ID/NGC2/others to increase specificity.

Can you further clarify no/low cost? In this context, “no/low cost” means that awards may be structured with minimal or no direct government funding. Instead, companies gain the opportunity for end-user feedback and assessment of their mature technology in potentially operationally relevant environments.

Can you further clarify meaningful quantities? Meaningful quantities means the number needed to achieve or demonstrate at a reasonable scale for experimentation, the overall effect or intent of your technology. Hypothetically, counter-UAS protection could potentially be demonstrated at squad/platoon level, methodology depending. Some software may need only one instance at higher C2 levels. Other attritable/consumable solutions could need many more in order to show the desired effect well enough for experimentation and feedback.

Does ATAK integration count? ATAK is already being integrated into NGC2 and is an acceptable indication of "potential ease of integration" into the NGC2 data layer.

Will my technology be owned by 4ID, or temporarily used and returned?

This can be worked out with the contracting office following selections. As an example, arrangements such as bailment agreements could be used, where appropriate.