Questions_Round_2.docx

Questions Received Concerning the 2016 Key Verification Assets Fund Broad Agency Announcement

The following programmatic questions were sent via the VFund@state.gov mailbox.

Question 1: (1) Will you be accepting white papers from other government organizations, such as the Department of the Air Force as the principal investigator. In our case, I lead an R&D team.

(2) The BAA asked for unclassified proposals, is there a way to send a separate classified attachment via secure channels for the proposal.

Response1: (1) Yes, the solicitation page and the Broad Agency Announcement state government agencies can submit proposals.

(2) Please submit an unclassified white paper as a placeholder to the mailbox specified in the Broad Agency Announcement, and send the classified version towurmserda@state.sgov.gov on SIPR or dwurmser@state.ic.gov on JWICS. Proposals maybe classified up to the TS level.

Question 2: We (IDA) are looking at putting in a proposal or maybe two on this. Can it be classified and if so, at what level?

Response 2: Yes, you may submit a classified proposal, please submit an unclassified white paper as a placeholder to the mailbox specified in the Broad Agency Announcement, and send the classified version to wurmserda@state.sgov.gov on SIPR or dwurmser@state.ic.gov on JWICS. Proposals maybe classified up to the TS level.

Question 3: One of our staff has a concept he would like to propose under the V-Fund BAA, but he’s coming to the conclusion that he can’t write something coherent and stay unclassified. Is it possible to submit a classified proposal? If so, what are the options for transmitting it? Thank you.

Response 3: Please submit an unclassified white paper as a placeholder to the mailbox specified in the Broad Agency Announcement, and send the classified version to wurmserda@state.sgov.gov on SIPR or dwurmser@state.ic.gov on JWICS. Proposals maybe classified up to the TS level.

Question 4: (1) So, would proposals that focus on experimental work be of interest or would work that creates a roadmap for a future, larger scale research program be more relevant?

(2) Do any of the topic areas listed represent a particularly poignant or currently underserved need?

Response 4: (1) The Broad Agency Announcement will accept proposals the focus on experimental work that creates a roadmap for a future, larger scale research program, as it applies to the research needs described in the document.

(2) Proposals my overlap between multiple treaty focus areas defined in the Broad Agency Announcement, but it must be in accordance with the guidelines stated on white paper content.