USFS_AFUE_Response_to_Questions_from_Draft_SOW.pdf

RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS FROM DRAFT STATEMENT OF WORK FOR AG-024B-S-15-9016

1) Question: Does the USFS contemplate the acquisition as a 100% set aside for small business under NAICS code 481211?

Response: Yes, the requirement will be set aside for small business for that particular NAICS Code.

2) Question: Paragraph B.3.(a).(2) states …” The crew is generally comprised of the contractor pilot, one AFUE provided aerial supervisor or aerial observer occupying the co-pilot station and an aft crew station which may be staffed by an AFUE provided instructor, trainee, observer, or sensor operator…” which seems to indicate there may be times where it is just the contractor pilot and someone in the right seat (supervisor or observer) and no person at the aft crew station. B.6.(a).(8) then states a “FAA approved workstation for front seat and rear seat sensor and system operation”. Is it contemplated by the USFS for the sensor suite, operational graphic user interface, data recording/storage, and datalink be operable from the co-pilot station (e.g.

not from the aft crew station)?

Response: The co-pilot position is intended to be an aide to the pilot for mission planning, direct coordination for positioning the aircraft for optimal data collection while providing for safety first, and improved situational awareness. The Aft position will be the sensor operator position which will be government provided or optionally contractor provided.

3) Question: Paragraph B.3.(a).(2) states that “Total daily fight times could exceed eight (8) hours with an additional crew”. It is not clear from the draft Schedule of Supplies or Services what availability is required of the contractor by the USFS, e.g. 24/7 availability or flight support that complies with the Flight Hour and duty limitations in B.14 by a single crew? In B.7.(i) Optional services it mentions an optional additional pilot. Will there be a requirement for more than one pilot to satisfy the anticipated workload or is that an option?

Response: We may require the aircraft to be available for more than 14 hours should we order another pilot to support operations. Pilots will be held to their duty limitations, however, when an additional pilot is brought in, we anticipate operations up to 20 hours per day and UA will be deducted in fifteen minute increments of 1/80. However, due to the availability of daylight it would most likely not be 20 hours per day unless the aircraft was flown to Alaska.

4) Question: Paragraph B.4.(a) states that Contractors shall hold a current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Carrier or Operating Certificate under 14 CFR part 135. Aircraft offered shall be listed by make, model, series, and registration number on the Contractor’s 14 CFR 135 Operating specifications at the time of the offering and for the duration of the contract. Is it understood that the Part 135 requirements may be satisfied by a teammate/sub-contractor and not necessarily held by the Prime Contractor?

Response: No, the offeror shall possess the FAA 135 Certificate.

5) Question: Paragraph B.5.(b).(1) Payload; appears the word ‘fuel’ is missing from ‘3 hours plus 30 minute reserve’.

Response: The payload shall be 750 pounds useful payload when fully equipped. The aircraft must have a three hour fuel capacity plus a thirty minute reserve when calculating this payload.

6) Question: Paragraph B.5.(b).(1) Power plant. There is a requirement for aircraft to have a minimum positive single engine climb rate when equipped per the contract. This implies a multi-engine aircraft with an engine failure, yet a single engine aircraft with an engine failure could not achieve this. Consider making the requirement multi-engine turbine or jet.

Response: Climb gradients apply for both single engine and multi-engine aircraft with regard to IFR procedures. Therefore, the required climb gradient applies to single engine aircraft with one operational power plant and two multi-engine aircraft that have experienced a power plant loss putting them into a single engine flight scenario.

7) Question: Paragraph B.5(c) Aircraft Condition. High visibility paint schemes are desired. Is there a specification for the high visibility paint scheme desired?

Response: The intent was a paint scheme other than the OD Green from formerly military aircraft.

8) Question: Paragraph B.7 Sensor Requirements; (a) “All required technology offered for this platform in (a) through (h) below must be:” Suggest the word ‘either’ or words ‘one of the following’ be added immediately after ….(h) below must be:

Response: All technology offered in response to the this solicitation and operated under the resulting contract shall meet and be approved in accordance with one of the methods identified in B.7(a)(1) through (4).

9) Question: Paragraph B.7.C.3.iv: Are the requirements of B.7.C.3.iv required in real-time or can detect, differentiate, and monitor be performed in post flight?

Response: The detection, differentiate, and monitoring of items B.7.C.3.iv are required to be done in real-time on the aircraft, the additional products that will need to be produced could be completed post flight. It is highly desirable for the products from items (A)-(F) to be fully automated.

10) Question: The GSD requirement for the primary sensor is 2m and B.7.C.3.iv.C specifies a requirement for 1m GSD. Please clarify.

Response: Section B.7.C.3.ii refers to the collection GSD of the raw imagery, assuming near-vertical acquisition, which is related to the computed calibration focal length and camera height above average horizontal terrain. For example; adjacent pixels center points are no more than two (2) meter apart when projected on the ground at the operational altitude. Section B.7.C.3.iv.C refers to the capacity to detect/identify that a 1 meter diameter spot fire (minimum 600 degrees C) exists within one pixel.

11) Question: Paragraph B.7 Sensor Equipment Requirements (page 7) (D) Ability to detect (track) suppressant delivery aircraft. Can the USFS please clarify how many aircraft are to be tracked and whether that tracking is autonomous or manual tracking (record path shape)?

Response: It is possible that multiple aircraft could be delivering suppressants at the same time (mix of fixed wing and helicopters) which will commonly be only one but could be several.

Automated points or vectors that are created and saved for later analysis are highly desirable. If this is not automated it will need to be a manual process completed by the sensor operator. If other options are possible, the contractor should include and describe in the offer.

12) Question: Does Para B.7.C.3.iv.f require the automated measurement of distances or is computer aided manual measurement acceptable?

Response: Automated points or vectors that are created and saved for later analysis are highly desirable. If this is not automated it will need to be a manual process completed by the sensor operator. If other options are possible, the contractor should include and describe in the offer.

13) Question: Paragraph B.7.(e).(1) How many audio channels are expected to be recorded?

(2xAM, 2xFM, 1xICS, 1xPIC/SIC = 6 sources

Response: The requirement is to record all audio channels in sync with the imagery. This can be a single audio file which plays back with the same time stamp as the recorded imagery. It is desirable to have the ability to play back each channel separately (for times of simultaneous radio traffic that overlaps) but is not required.

14) Question: Paragraph B.7.(e).(2) Please recommend codecs which are both compatible with GIS and are supported by Microsoft Windows Media Player.

Response: Data must be stored in, or have the ability to export to, a nonproprietary or open source codec that can be ingested by GIS and Microsoft products. A single mission may have multitude codecs; however the resulting codec(s) must function independently of any proprietary codec/software that may be available by the vender during to contract period. Check with Microsoft and ESRI’s motion video add-in for compatibility. The most common codecs would use the file extension of .avi, h.264, or .mpg4. There are several others, check with Microsoft for compatibility.

15) Question: Paragraph B.7.(f).(1) What specific frequency bands will be used for data link operation; 2.4ghz, 900mhz, 5.6ghz?

Response: The AFUE ground crews currently use local area data links which use 2.4 ghz.

16) Question: Paragraph B.7.(f).(2) Does the ‘Alternate Communications System’ need to be recorded?

Response: No, the alternate communication system does not need to be recorded.

17) Question: Paragraph B.7.(h).(1).i specifies altitude and orbit radius; should the GSD and coverage now be calculated from the radius or at NADIR as prescribed in B.7.(c).(3).ii?

Response: Section B.7.C.3.ii refers to the collection GSD of the raw imagery, assuming near-vertical acquisition (NADIR) which is related to the computed calibration focal length and camera height above average horizontal terrain. For example; adjacent pixels center points are no more than two (2) meter apart when projected on the ground at the operational altitude.

18) Question: Both B.7.(h).(2) and B.7.(h).(2).i use the term ‘Enhanced’. Please clarify.

Response: The term “Enhanced” is intended to be a general term for capability greater than the primary sensor requirements.

19) Question: Paragraph B.7.(h) Does the USFS contemplate having the contractor price the Optional and Replacement Equipment and how will that be evaluated with respect to the total evaluated price? Will a sensor capable of addressing multiple ‘replacement systems’ requirements in a single sensor be evaluated more favorably than individual systems that cost more when added together? For example Replacement #1= $5000, Replacement #2= $4000 and contractor offers a sensor that meets both requirements for $7500

Response: Clarified in the issued solicitation.

20) Question: Paragraph B.7.(h).(2).ii – What is the intent behind “Sensor Imagery Fusion”? Could this be clarified such as “Georegistered imagery from multiple bands blended to present detections in SWIR or MWIR as overlays atop color EO”.

Response: Modified in the solicitation.

21) Question: Paragraph B.7.(h).(2).iv requires a laser range finder but a maximum range and resolution is not specified.

Response: The maximum range for range finder is 1 mile with a resolution of 1 meter or less.

22) Question: Is the intent of B.7.h.2.vii to steer the gimbal to maintain target lock on a selected object versus tracking an object through the image space of the sensor?

Response: Correct, steer the gimbal to maintain lock on selected target.

23) Question: Paragraph B.7.(h).(4) Optional Internet; can you please clarify what specifications (dictates frequencies, 2.4GHz and/or 5.8GHz) are required 802.11- A/B/G/N/AC?

Response: The intent of the optional internet is to provide wireless connections for standard portable devices such as Laptop computers, tablets, iPads or Smartphones. These devices generally connect using 2.4GHz and 802.11 A/B/G protocol. The proposed system may include additional options.

24) Question: Paragraph B.7.(h).(4) What is the bandwidth requirement for the SATCOM?

Response: Data rate minimum of 30 kbps up and down.

25) Question: Paragraph B.8 Note 3: Please clarify what is meant by ‘Supplemental Air Attack Kit installations shall not elevate the aircraft’s capability beyond the type for which it would otherwise be approved.”

Response: This contract does not require the use of supplemental Air Attack Kit, if the aircraft has existing hardware install to support the use of a supplemental Air Attack Kit, it will be inspected.

26) Question: B.12.(b) “The Contractor shall identify to the Government the maintenance facilities and/or maintenance personnel used to fulfill the requirements of this contract.” B.3.(a).(2) states that ‘this platform may be utilized at any location in the Continental United States or Alaska…” Please clarify the intent of identifying the maintenance facilities and whether that is in advance of maintenance action taken. It may be contemplated by a contractor to use established FBO or service centers.

Response: Requirement was removed from the solicitation.

27) Question: With just a single, purpose built dedicated aircraft, what is the USFS estimate and allowance for maintenance down time?

Response: The goal would be zero but realistically we are looking for availability rates to be in the 90% - 100% range and for maintenance to be performed outside of duty day expectations.

28) Question: Paragraph B.14.(a).(6) makes reference to reporting hours to a ‘helicopter’ manager.

Response: Corrected in final version to read – aircraft manger or COR.

29) Question: How much time is contemplated between contract award and performance start for the contractor to acquire long lead items, install, integrate, test, certify etc.

Response: Award will be made as quickly as possible, however, the contract indicates that the start date will be June 1, 2015 or 30 days from contract award, whichever is later.

30) Question: Will fuel be paid for by USFS through a government card or included in a flight hour rate.

Response: Fuel shall be included in the flight rate and requirement for fueling included in the solicitation.

31) Question: Would the single engine minimum positive climb rate requirement not be better stated as: “The aircraft, after a failed engine event, shall achieve a minimum positive climb rate when equipped per the contract of 200 ft/nautical mile at 5,000 ft MSL at 30 degrees C.”?

Response: The language satisfies the FAA’s lead and the recommended language would not include three or four engine aircraft.

32) Question: The table in section 3 shows nominal IR wavelengths for various applications. Does this table represent a requirement to sense from 2 um – 10 um spectrum in its entirety? If so, is this requirement for this range of capability to exist in a single sensor? In multiple sensors simultaneously? In multiple sensors which can be swapped out to change configurations?

Response: The IR chart was included as a reference. The sensor requirements are listed in B.7.C.3.iv, it is not expected that sensors will be swapped out for missions. The systems will be evaluated based on the ability to meet the listed mission requirements.

33) Question: The GSD requirement for the primary sensor is 2m, however in section (B.7.C.3.iv.C) the government specifies a requirement for 1m GSD. Please clarify.

Response: Section B.7.C.3.ii refers to the collection GSD of the raw imagery, assuming near-vertical acquisition) which is related to the computed calibration focal length and camera height above average horizontal terrain. For example; adjacent pixels center points are no more than two (2) meter apart when projected on the ground at the operational altitude. Section B.7.C.3.iv.C refers to the capacity to detect/identify that a 1 meter diameter spot fire (minimum 600 degrees C) exists within one pixel.

34) Question: Are all the requirements of (B.7.C.3.iv) required in real-time?

Response: The detection, differentiate, and monitoring of items B.7.C.3.iv are required to be done in real-time on the aircraft, the additional products that will need to be produced could be completed post flight. It is highly desirable for the products from items (A)-(F) to be fully automated.

35) Question: In sensor capability (D) the government requires the ability to “detect (track) suppressant delivery aircraft.”

a. Please define the government’s expectations for “track.” (i.e. Autonomous Track, Operator Track, Show Track)

b. Please define the government’s expectations for “detect.” (i.e. automatic detect, manual detect)

Response: The expectation for “track” is the ability to find an aircraft from recorded imagery with the primary sensor. This would be point or vector data which finds a location and time.

Ideally this would be an automated function, if not will be a manual sensor operator task.

“detect” is the ability to see or record data of the signature of an aircraft.

36) Question: In sensor capability (E) the government requires the ability to minimize/filter 80% false positives.

a. Please provide a definition of false positives in this application.

Response: False positives refer to an IR signature that appears to be heat from fire, when it is refection from water, metal roof or rock.

37) Question: In Primary sensor (4) the government requires a sensor to be mounted for unobstructed 360 degree continuous pan.

a. Some sensors have a “pan limit” which requires the sensor to automatically turn and reestablish the view – will this “pan limit” be allowed in the primary sensor?

Response: Yes, the intent of the government is to maximize potential flight profile options an avoid damage to the sensor should the aircraft need to maneuver outside the typical collection profile. I.E. external physical obstructions/limitation such as umbilical cables, antennas, etc.

38) Question: In section (B.7.C.3.iv.F) the government requires the measurement of distances – is this requirement for an automated measurement of distances, a continuous automated measurement or is a computer aided manual measurement acceptable?

Response: Automated points or vectors that are created and saved for later analysis are highly desirable. If this is not automated it will need to be a manual process completed by the sensor operator. If other options are possible, the contractor should include and describe in the offer.

39) Question: (B.7.e.1 B.7.e.1) How many audio channels are expected to be recorded? (2xAM, 2xFM, 1xICS, 1xAFF= 6 sources)?

Response: The requirement is to record all audio channels in sync with the imagery. This can be a single audio file which plays back with the same time stamp as the recorded imagery. It is desirable to have the ability to play back each channel separately (for times of simultaneous radio traffic that overlaps) but is not required.

40) Question: (B.7.e.2,) Will the government provide preferred codecs which are both compatible with GIS and are supported by Microsoft Windows Media Player?

Response: Data must be stored in, or have the ability to export to a nonproprietary or open source codec that can be ingested by GIS and Microsoft products. A single mission may have multitude codecs; however the resulting codec(s) must function independently of any proprietary codec/software that may be available by the vender during to contract period. Check with Microsoft and ESRI’s motion video add-in for compatibility. The most common codecs would use the file extension of .avi, h.264, or .mpg4. There are several others, check with Microsoft for compatibility.

41) Question: (B.7.f.1,) What specific frequency bands will be used for data link operation, 2.4GHZ, 900MHZ, 5.6GHZ?

Response: The intent of the optional internet is to provide wireless connections for standard portable devices such as Laptop computers, tablets, iPads or Smartphones. These devices generally connect using 2.4GHz and 802.11 A/B/G protocol. The proposed system may include additional options.

42) Question: In (f) data link, Alternate communications, the government outlines acceptable solutions. Does the government require that this communications system also be recorded and provided as a layer within the data collected by the primary sensor?

Response: The alternate communications data link does not need to be recorded.

43) Question: In section (B.7.h.1.i) the government specifies altitude and orbit radius. Does the government intend that GSD and coverage be calculated from the radius, or at nadir as prescribed in (B.7.C.3.ii)?

Response: As in Section B.7.C.3.ii; refers to the collection GSD of the raw imagery, assuming near-vertical acquisition (NADIR) which is related to the computed calibration focal length and camera height above average horizontal terrain. For example; adjacent pixels center points are no more than two (2) meter apart when projected on the ground at the operational altitude.

44) Question: Both (B.7.h.2 and B.7.h.2.i) use the word “Enhanced”, please clarify?

Response: The term “Enhanced” is intended to be a general term for capability greater than the primary sensor requirements.

45) Question: In replacement system 2 (B.7.h.2.ii,), the government requires sensor imagery fusion. Would the government please define and further explain sensor imagery fusion?

Response: The term fusion is used to describe the blending of imagery from multiple bands.

This is commonly done by overlaying the IR imagery on EO imagery.

46) Question: What format is required for the mosaics and still-images?

Response: Mosaics and still images must be geo tagged, georeferenced, or geo registered.

Common formats that meet this requirement are GeoTiff or Geo JPEG.

47) Question: Will the government provide more details on requirement #7?

a) Is the government’s intent to dynamically adjust the image for gain/offset (brightness/contrast)?

Response: The government requires the ability to adjust the sensor based on the dynamic conditions of the mission.

48) Question: B.7.h.2.iv requires a laser range finder but a maximum range and resolution is not specified. Please clarify.

Response: The maximum range for range finder is 1 mile with a resolution of 1 meter or less.

49) Question: Is the intent of B.7.h.2.vii to steer the gimbal to maintain target lock on a selected object versus tracking an object through the image space of the sensor?

Response: Correct, steer the gimbal to maintain lock on selected target.

50) Question: (B.7.h.4 Optional Internet) – Will the government provide preferred specifications and frequencies (i.e., 2.4GHz and/or 5.8GHz) that are required for 802.11- A/B/G/N/AC?

Response: The intent of the optional internet is to provide wireless connections for standard portable devices such as Laptop computers, tablets, iPads or Smartphones. These devices generally connect using 2.4GHz and 802.11 A/B/G protocol. The proposed system may include additional options.

51) Question: (B.7.h.4)What is the government’s preferred bandwidth requirement for the

SATCOM?

Response: Data rate minimum of 30 kbps up and down.

52) Question: Section B.7.c.3.ii rightly acknowledges the fact that pixel ground sample distance (GSD) is not uniform across an image and thus prescribes the calculation of GSD at near nadir.

B.7.c.3 specifies an operating altitude of 10- 12.5kft AGL. However, B.7.c.3.i does not specify if coverage area should also be calculated using a nadir or instead using an oblique line of sight

(LOS). Section B.7.h.1.i does specify an orbit radius of 1.5 Nautical Miles implying that the region of interest would not be below the aircraft but instead at the center of the orbit.

Performing GSD and coverage calculations for an orbit differ from that required of nadir looking strip flying.

Response: There is no question to answer. The area of interest would generally be at center of orbit unless maneuvering to avoid column of smoke.

53) Question: It would also be beneficial to know if coverage calculations should be restricted to an area of persistence throughout orbit or if simple single sequence image coverage is acceptable.

The coverage requirement can be calculated in the simple case as a quadrilateral on the ground. However, in the case of a surveillance orbit the true persistent coverage would be less and is defined by the intersection of multiple such quadrilaterals over time.

Response: A simple sequence is acceptable; however the standard mission will be an orbit over an area of interest. Details will be used in the evaluation.

54) Question: Per section B.7.c.3.ii GSD requirement for the primary sensor is a maximum of 2m yet B.7.c.3.iv.C specifies a need for a GSD of 1m. Please clarify.

Response: Section B.7.C.3.ii refers to the collection GSD of the raw imagery, assuming near-vertical acquisition which is related to the computed calibration focal length and camera height above average horizontal terrain. For example; adjacent pixels center points are no more than two (2) meter apart when projected on the ground at the operational altitude. Section B.7.C.3.iv.C refers to the capacity to detect/identify that a 1 meter diameter spot fire (minimum 600 degrees C) exists within one pixel.