BAA-RVKD-2014-0001_CALL_0002_(ALMS)_Q A_(23_May_2016).pdf

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT

BAA RVKD-2014-0001 CALL 0002

Advanced Laser Modeling and Simulation (ALMS)

Questions and Answers (Q&A)

Q1: In reference to the following statement from the Call, what contractors have supported

AFRL using the existing SWaP toolkit in the past?

5.3 TASK 3: LASER SYSTEM MODELING INTEGRATION AND ANALYSIS

5.3.1 Size, Weight and Power Trade Study and Analysis Tools:

Use the existing SWaP toolkit to choose system components and help determine what technology areas would see the greatest benefit from further research and development efforts in order to meet mission requirements, reduce SWaP and optimize the trade space.

A1: The Schafer Corporation has supported AFRL using the SWaP toolkit.

Q2: Will the Government reconsider the page limitation and format of the technical proposal (currently 10 pages) so that substantive and informative responses can be developed?

A2: The page limit for technical proposals has been increased to 20 pages. Resumes of Proposed

Personnel are not included in the technical proposal page limitation. An amendment to Call 0002 will be posted to FBO.

Q3: The ALMS BAA Call Statement of Objectives uses the term "Government-owned, non-proprietary, or opensource" a number of times when referring to software. The term

"Government-owned" could be defined to mean software for which it has either unlimited rights or government purpose rights. Or it could mean software which the government itself developed. Please define precisely what is meant by these three terms within the context of this proposal.

A3: The Government maintains the software distribution rights and has open access to the source code.

Q4: The ALMS BAA Call references the Directed Energy High Performance Computing

Software Applications Institute (DE HSAI). Please provide resources for bidders to obtain more information about the DE HSAI including existing and planned capabilities, existing and planned software resources, and existing software integration standards. It would also be useful to be provided examples of studies and analysis which have been conducted using

DE HSAI resources in order to better understand the government's intent and requirements. Without information about the DE HSAI, only bidders who are presently directly involved in the development of the DE HSAI can meaningfully address the DE

HSAI integration requirements.

A4: More information will be provided on FBO.

Q5: Section 12.8 of the ALMS BAA requires an OCI analysis. In what part of the proposal submission shall the result of the OCI analysis be reported?

A5: The OCI analysis should be included in the Business Section of the proposal.

Q6: How many office stations/positions will be made available at AFRL for on-site support?

A6: The number of positions required will depend on the technical effort that is proposed.

Q7: Is it expected that all classified processing will be done at AFRL and none at the contractor's site?

A7: No, classified work can be accomplished at either location provided the contractor is setup for classified processing.

Q8: Is it actually intended that the contractors will be located possibly at the "other sites", or is the reference to the "other sites" meant to refer to virtual or computer networked presence? If the contractors will be located at the "other sites", please explain the context of that work.

A8: The contractor will not be required to go to the "other sites" referenced in the question.

Q9: We are anticipating that access to classified HPC resources will be on-site from AFRL and that unclassified access will be allowed from off-site locations over the general internet. Is this correct? With respect to access to the HPC centers, please provide any pertinent information concerning the logistics.

A9: Classified HPC networks can also be accessed over classified connection from the contractor's work area providing the contractor is setup for classified processing. More information on the HPC networks can be found at https://www.hpc.mil/.

Q10: Reference BAA-RVKD-2014-0001, pg 20, Section 3.b)2)vii. Will Relevant Prior

Work count against the 10 page limit?

A10: Relevant Prior work is to be included as part of the technical proposal. The Government is increasing the technical proposal page limit to twenty (20) pages. An amendment to Call 0002 will be posted to FBO.

Q11: Reference BAA-RVKD-2014-0001, pg 20, Section 3.b)2)ix. Will Resumes of

Proposed Personnel count against the 10 page limit?

A11: Resumes of Proposed Personnel does not count towards the page limitation of the technical proposal. An amendment to Call 0002 will be posted to FBO.

Q12: Reference BAA-RVKD-2014-0001_Call_0002_(05_May_2016) paragraph 2.0 – Is there more information available regarding the Directed Energy High Performance

Computing Software Applications Institute (DE HSAI)?

A12: More information will be provided on FBO.

Q13: Reference Cost Proposal Instructions paragraph 1.a – The government is requesting certified cost or pricing data, which is not necessary if the government expects adequate competition. Based on our analysis of potential competitors we believe there will be adequate competition for this call, and request that the government remove the requirement for certified cost or pricing data.

A13: Per BAA-RVKD-2014-0001, pg. 21, para 2), “Adequate Price Competition is determined not to exist because the absence of precise Government specifications and varying technical approaches proposed for R&D efforts. The Government will require certified cost or pricing data from the offeror whose proposal exceeds the thresholds listed at FAR 15.403-4.”

Q14: Reference Cost Proposal Instructions paragraph 2.a(2) – This paragraph states that fully disclosed Subcontractor/IOT proposals are required for ALL subcontractors.

Subparagraph (b) instructs us to obtain cost or pricing data from prospective sources for those exceeding $700,000. Please resolve the apparent discrepancy between these two items and clarify what is required of subcontractors.

A14: Fully disclosed proposals are required for all subcontractors. Cost or pricing data is required from sources in accordance with FAR 15.403.

Q15: Reference BAA-RVKD-2014-0001_Call_0002_(05_May_2016) paragraph 14.2 –

Given the variety of information requested and the level of detail required to respond to information requests, combined with the requirement that proposals be double-spaced, we recommend the government increase the page limit for the technical proposal from 10 pages to 20 pages.

A15: The Government is increasing the technical proposal page limit to twenty (20) pages. An amendment to Call 0002 will be posted to FBO.

Q16: Is the latest call for the ALMS open or closed?

A16: Proposals should be submitted against the ALMS Call.

Q17: A list of interested vendors is posted on FedBizOpps.gov Laser Simulation, Analysis and Research (LSAR) baseline BAA page. Is there a list of corresponding POCs for contacting potential collaborators?

A17: The Government does not have a list of corresponding POCs.

Q18: Is use of on-site Kirtland AFB facilities required for all or part of program?

A18: On-site facilities are available, but not required.

Q19: In the subject solicitation, in the SOO document, the following objective is described on p.7:

"Use the existing SWaP toolkit to choose system components and help determine what technology areas would see the greatest benefit from further research and development efforts in order to meet mission requirements, reduce SWaP and optimize the trade space."

Could you provide more information on the 'existing SWaP toolkit'?

A19: There currently are no user guides or manuals for the excel-based SWaP models, they are self-explanatory. The excel-based SWaP models will be provided to the contractor(s) selected for award.