Q A_Final_March_20 _2013.pdf

BAA 13‐05 Question and Answers

March 20, 2013

Question 1: Is a lead organisation required?

Answer 1: Yes, a lead organization must be identified.

Question 2: Can Universities lead?

Answer 2: Yes, universities can be the lead.

Question 3: Do all partners have to register?

Answer 3: No, only the submitting partner need register.

Question 4: The sample White paper in Appendix I differs from the pro forma in Section 4.3. Please clarify?

Answer 4: From section 4.3 in the BAA‐‐"The listed sections in Table 18 should be included in the White

Paper adhering to the page count allocation." Also note that Appendix I, Sample White Paper Format, also references using Table 18 for sections and page counts. The appendix provides some suggested formatting approaches and counts in the total page count.

Question 5: Would a collaboration of two UK Universities and their spin‐off company be of sufficient size, in principle, to respond under Task Area 5?

Answer 5: Yes, any partnerships capable of carrying out responsive research will be considered.

Question 6: Is Task Area 5 our only option?

Answer 6: Proposers may respond to any Task Area and task with the exception noted regarding Task

3.2 Test Articles in paragraph one under Task Area 3.

Question 7: Does this BAA allow for an Offeror to submit one proposal covering more than one Task

Area?

Answer 7: No, a separate white paper will need to be submitted for each task. In other words, separate white papers will need to be submitted for tasks 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, and 5.1.

Question 8: Would you accept a proposal which combines X‐ray with another detection technology, or is this BAA solely for X‐ray methods alone.

Answer 8: The focus on this BAA is X‐ray detection technology applicable to checkpoint and checked baggage stream‐of‐commerce items with the capability integrated into the equipment. However, complimentary, alternative methods with an adequate business case and capability may be of interest.

Question 9: Reference: BAA, Task 3.2 Test Articles (page 51) ‐ Since companies bidding on Task 3.2 Test

Articles (page 51 of the BAA) are already restricted from participation in the rest of this contract, will the

Government consider setting aside this 3.2 Task for Small Business? There are small business companies well qualified, cleared, and able to perform a task of this nature and magnitude.

Answer 9: There are no Small Business set asides.

Question 10: Reference: BAA, Task 3.2 Test Articles (page 53). Does DHS wish to use an existing design approach for the creation of modular test bags?

Should we propose different design concepts or use the existing modular approach?

Answer 10: New, innovative approaches are sought for this BAA.

Question 11: Reference: BAA, Task 3.2 Test Articles (page 53) Can DHS provide the performance criteria against which the bags will be evaluated? This is needed to establish rational Performance Metrics as indicated on p. 53.

Answer 11: No additional metrics are available, but will be refined during the program to support the intended uses.

Question 12: Reference: BAA, Task 3.2 Test Articles (page 53) ‐ What are the attributes and specifications for the Gold Standard Bag set?

Answer 12: A description is provided in Task 3.2 for the intended use in testing EDS and AT equipment;

however detailed specifications are not currently available.

Question 13: Task 3 lists test window 2 in the milestone table 11 but in the text has it in the optional task 3.1.2. Where does it belong and does it need to be started by month 10?

Answer 13: Task 3.1.2 is an optional task with a scheduled start at month 10. Alternatively scheduled test windows may be proposed with adequate supporting rationale that meet the goals and intent of the BAA.

Question 14: Page 23 says minimum measured isotropic resolution of 0.5 mm. Does “minimum” resolution mean that the measured resolution number, denominated in millimeters, must be 0.5 mm or larger; or that it must be 0.5 mm or smaller? How is the resolution to be measured? Is it, for instance, intended as a standard deviation or a full width half max (or some other quantity)? May the 0.5 mm requirement be satisfied by a submitting a reconstruction engine that employs 0.5 mm voxel sizes? If the resolution meets the minimum requirement of 0.5 mm in all dimensions, but is nonetheless anisotropic, is that acceptable?

Answer 14: The resolution must be less than 0.5 millimeters as measured by the physical measurement and supported by the reconstruction technique. Anisotropic may be considered with supporting rationale if all dimensions are less than 0.5 mm.

Question 15: In regards to the Project Proposal form in appendix I. Is the white paper meant to be embedded in that form? Does the space that form takes up count toward the 8 pages of the white paper?

Answer 15: Yes to both questions. The appendix provides some suggested formatting approaches.

Question 16: In task 3 the machine is expected to go into the initial data collection in Month 3. Is there a possibility to delay this initial data collection by a few months?

Answer 16: Alternatives may be proposed with adequate supporting rationale that meet the goals and intent of the BAA.

Question 17: Does DHS expect that the set of materials to be tested in 3.1.1 will coincide with the set of materials for current certification testing to HME standards, which is Electronic Baggage Screening

Program (EBSP) Requirements for Automated Detection of Explosives, Revision 7.1 and/or to HME testing conducted under other current TSA testing vehicles?

Answer 17: Materials of interest are in the current TSA acquisition documents for the EDS and AT platforms.