BAA08-01Q A12Dec2007.doc

Science & Technology Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (BAA 08-01) Questions and Answers for BAA 08-01:

1) What is the closing date for BAA 08-01, is it Dec 2007 or 2008? The FedBizOpps announcement and the BAA Section I, paragraph 4 and Section IV, paragraph 1 provides the closing date as 12/31/2008.

2) If the white paper is due by 12/31/2008, there isn’t enough time to submit a full proposal by 12/31/2008. If the white paper is selected and you are requested to submit a full proposal, a new deadline will be established individually to allow sufficient time to respond under this BAA.

3) If I would like technical input on my idea, who do I contact? The BAA Section I, paragraph 5 provides topic areas of interest and a description of the topics. Section I, paragraph 6 provides email contacts corresponding to the topic areas. Send your email directly to those contacts.

4) The BAA Section I, paragraph 6 (right above page 5) references the document “High Priority Technology Needs” dated May 2007. The BAA website posts two documents dated March 2007, is there a more current version available? Use the current version of both correspondence posted on the BAA website.

5) We would like to know the history of social sciences work at DHS S&T—that is who is in the intended customer of the new technology/capability, what type of work has been ongoing under DHS funding. It would be very helpful if you could point us to any documentation toward this end. Follow the link http://www.hsarpabaa.com/index.asp and click on Requirements and Opportunities Human Factors

6) What is the DHS S&T’s definition of “Long Range”? i.e. When should the actual product be ready for production and how many years? Long Range indicates that the BAA reflects areas of strategic interest to DHS S&T and does not specifically relate to product readiness.

7) Assuming we elect to submit a “white paper” and assuming the technology would be of interest to the DHS S&T, when would a prototype be required? It is up to the offeror to determine the schedule for prototyping their technology. We encourage you to contact a Subject Matter Point of Contact per the BAA prior to submitting a white paper.

8) Does the DHS S&T prefer more “mature” technologies or is the DHS’s preference based on the “improvement potential” provided by a given technical solution? DHS Science and Technology and the Long Range BAA indicate interest in research and development. Mature technologies are acquired directly by customer organizations.

9) We realize the “Long Range BAA” is open to all businesses. However, if two companies, a large business and a small business, submitted similar/equal technical solutions that would be of interest to the DHS, is the BAA solicitation structured to favor the small business in some manner? We are a large business and our “intent to bid” decisions are based on the fact we may be at a disadvantage due to the fact we are a large business. The Long Range BAA evaluates all ideas from qualified offerors based on technical merit.

10) How much funding is allocated to the Long Range BAA? There is no specific funding allocated to the Long Range BAA. Awards are made based upon selection and subject to the availability of funds.

11) We are interested in teaming, how do we sign up? Go to the BAA website and click on “BAA08-01, Long Range BAA” then click on one of the three bullets titled “Teaming Portal”. It was pointed out that a newsletter pops up informing you to join the mailing list and to input contact information. As of December 11, 2007, the “Teaming Portal” has been corrected. Any previous entries must be re-registered.

12) What is the amount anticipated to be awarded and the period of performance of awards under the Long Range BAA? The BAA Section II – Award Information provides that the amount and period of performance for each selected Full Proposal will vary depending on the research area and the technical approach to be pursued by the selected Offeror. We suggest you propose a baseline program for a commensurate amount and period, and any options that would enhance or expand the product. This will allow the most flexibility in determining how to proceed based on availability of funds and need.

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BAA 08-01 Q&A

Published: 12/12/2007