BAA VS-07-02 CALL 0003 Q A 1.pdf

BAA VS-07-02

CALL 0003

Questions & Answers #1 Posted 10 March 2010

Q: If we had an interest in proposing to all three topic areas under attachment 2 (a-c), could we combine all three proposal responses to 2a-c into one proposal? (i.e. one large proposal in response to Attachment 2, consisting of a Technical & Cost section for all three topic areas. This is aside from the required technical proposal for Attachment 1)

A: This approach is acceptable as long as each topic area has a corresponding technical section and cost section.

Q: Do we have to submit a base proposal for the main IDIQ contract that address all three objectives or do we only submit proposals against the topic areas?

A: The Government anticipates awarding multiple Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contracts. In order to be considered for an IDIQ award, an offeror must submit: a Technical Proposal that addresses all three objectives in the basic IDIQ contract Statement of Objectives provided as CALL 0003 Attachment 1, and a Technical Proposal and Cost Proposal for one or more of the Task Order Statements of Objectives provided as CALL 0003 Attachment 2.

If an offeror does not want to submit an IDIQ proposal, they may submit a Technical Proposal and Cost Proposal for another contract type, in accordance with the proposal preparation instructions provided in

BAA VS-07-02.

Q: Have you defined the evaluation criteria? How will the proposal for the base IDIQ contract, if required, be weighted compared to the topic proposals?

A: Evaluation criteria are defined in BAA VS-07-02 under the Proposal Review and Evaluation Procedures section.

There are no weights assigned to the basic IDIQ Contract proposal or to the Task Order proposals.

However, in order to receive an IDIQ contract award, an offeror must submit acceptable proposals for both the basic IDIQ Contract and a minimum of one (1) Task Order.

Q: Topic Area 2 in Attachment 2.b. discusses enhancing the current ISSAMS product. Could you tell us what ISSAMS stands for or what this tool is because it is not explained in the document?

A: The ISSAMS tool is an Integrated SSA Modeling and Simulation tool that generates synthetic imagery comparable to the output of a space borne sensor. It utilizes input from TASAT and / or VISIG, as well as sensor design data input by the user. It integrates the radiometric maps generated by TASAT or VISIG with background scenes generated by the SSGM (the Navy's Synthetic Scene Generation Module).

Q: Government furnished property is to be specified in the proposal. Several of the software tools that might require enhancement have been listed in the CALL: System Effectiveness Analysis Simulation (SEAS) Tool, Visual Signal Generator (VISIG), System Simulation Toolkit (SST), Time Domain Analysis Simulation for Advanced Tracking (TASAT), visible and IR synthetic scene generators, Satellite tool Kit (STK), and Satellite Orbit Analysis Program (SOAP). Are these all of the tools and models involved and can you identify which of the tools are government owned so that we can be sure to call them out in the proposal?

Questions & Answers #1

A: The Government could potentially furnish SEAS, TASAT, and SSGM, but the offeror would have to request this in their proposal. The Government will likely not offer STK or SOAP licenses except where they are used on-site at Kirtland AFB.

• System Effectiveness Analysis Simulation (SEAS) Tool: Government-owned

• Visual Signal Generator (VISIG): proprietary to Photon Research Associates (PRA)

• System Simulation Toolkit (SST) (also referred to as the Spacecraft Simulation Toolkit): SST is proprietary to Photon Research Associates (PRA), but the government has usage rights to the software. The Government can provide an API (Application Programmers Interface) into the SST if necessary.

• Time Domain Analysis Simulation for Advanced Tracking (TASAT): Government-owned, Northrop Grumman-maintained

• Visible and IR synthetic scene generation Module (SSGM): Government-owned

• Satellite tool Kit (STK): proprietary to Analytical Graphics Inc.

• Satellite Orbit Analysis Program (SOAP): maintained by Aerospace Corporation

Q: Is System Simulation Toolkit the correct definition of the acronym SST or is it Spacecraft Simulation Toolkit?

A: SST started as the Spacecraft Simulation Toolkit. It evolved into the System Simulation Toolkit, and is proprietary to PRA. The Government retains limited data rights to the software.

Q: Objective 3 in the base description indicates that interaction with incumbent MSE&A contractors and other contractors is required. Will we have to provide the plan for coordinating with these companies in the proposal? If so can you provide points of contacts for all incumbents?

A: A proposed plan is not required.

Q: If we have two people that are planning on proposing separately, does that mean that each person will submit their own (a) technical proposal in response to Attachment 1 & (b) their own Cost and Technical proposals in response to any/all of Attachment 2a-c?

A: The Government issues awards to a company and not to “people” within that company. Since this is the case, the Government will not award more than one (1) basic IDIQ contract to a single offeror for the same effort. Any proposed efforts for the Basic IDIQ Contract Statement of Objectives should be combined into one (1) Technical Proposal.

If a company submits a successful proposal for the Basic IDIQ Contract Statement of Objectives (CALL Attachment 1), it may receive multiple Task Order awards as a result of its proposals submitted in response to the Task Order Statements of Objectives (CALL Attachment 2).

Q: Hypothetically, if both people receive an award, will that "award" be in the form of a base contract in response to the proposal for Attachment 1 as well as a task order award issued under the base contract in response to any proposals for Attachment 2?

A: The Government issues awards to a company and not to “people” within that company. Since this is the case, the Government will not award more than one (1) basic IDIQ contract to a single offeror for the same effort. Any proposed efforts for the Basic IDIQ Contract Statement of Objectives should be combined into one (1) Technical Proposal.

Questions & Answers #1

If a company submits a successful proposal for the Basic IDIQ Contract Statement of Objectives (CALL Attachment 1), it may receive multiple Task Order awards as a result of its proposals submitted in response to the Task Order Statements of Objectives (CALL Attachment 2).

Q: Will there be an RFP in response to any proposals submitted?

A: No. Awards will be made based on the proposals received. The Government anticipates awarding IDIQ contracts and Task Orders as a result of this CALL. RFPs will be issued for work to be performed on future Task Orders once those future requirements are identified.

Q: When referencing the Baseline BAA (in accordance with "Applicability of the Baseline BAA" on page 6) of Call 0003 for proposal preparation/submission requirements, it states "Submit with a cover letter, an original, three paper copies, and one electronic copy of the technical proposal and the cost/business proposal." What is the difference between the "original" & the "three paper copies" required?

A: The “Original” proposal should be marked as the original. There is no difference between the original proposal and the required copies other than this marking.

Q: Does the "C-SOW" refer to the technical write up in response to Attachments 1 & 2 or is it entirely separate?

A: The C-SOW is part of the Technical Proposal. Please reference the Proposal Preparation section of BAA VS-07-02 for more detailed information concerning the Technical Proposal and the C-SOW.

Q: How do the five Space Vehicle (RV) Directorate Technical Areas (TAs) listed on page 1 map into Attachment 2a, 2b, & 2c?

A: The Space Vehicle (RV) Directorate Technical Areas (TAs) were provided as background information about the Modeling, Simulation, Evaluation, & Analysis (MSE&A) Program. These TAs have no material correlation to the requirements identified in CALL Attachment 2.

Q: Under the "Business Section" of the Baseline BAA- where can I find a Sample Model Contract?

A: Since a model contract was not provided with CALL 0003, it may be provided to each apparent successful offeror for review and comment as part of the BAA award process.

Q: Does Topic Area 3 include a Contract Advisory and Assistance Services role to support proposal evaluation? If so, are there OCI limitations imposed on the contractor’s potential role with development efforts?

A: No. Both BAA VS-07-02 and CALL 0003 are for Research and Development (R&D) efforts and do not include Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS). No A&AS contracts will be issued as a result of

CALL 0003.

Q: Is the contractor expected to evaluate other contractor’s MS&A tools? Are there OCI limitations if contractor has their own MS&A capabilities and applications?

A: No. Offerors are not expected to evaluate other contractors’ MS&A tools.

Questions & Answers #1

Q: Is contractor expected to develop software and tools or is only responsible for integrating other contractor provided software / tools? Or both?

A: Software and/or tools should be developed as required to support an offeror’s proposed efforts.

However, an offeror is not expected to integrate other contractors’ code.

Q: Within CALL 0003, under “Other Relevant Information”, item number 1 states that “a technical proposal shall be prepared and submitted based on the basic IDIQ contract Statement of Objectives provided in Attachment 1.” If our company intends to respond to only one of the individual Topic Areas, are we still required to submit a separate proposal based on Attachment 1, Basic IDIQ Contract, that includes all 3 topic areas?

A: The Government anticipates awarding multiple Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contracts. In order to be considered for an IDIQ award, an offeror must submit: a Technical Proposal that addresses all three objectives in the basic IDIQ contract Statement of Objectives provided as CALL 0003 Attachment 1, and a Technical Proposal and Cost Proposal for one or more of the Task Order Statements of Objectives provided as CALL 0003 Attachment 2.

If an offeror does not want to submit an IDIQ proposal, they may submit a Technical Proposal and Cost Proposal for another contract type, in accordance with the proposal preparation instructions provided in

BAA VS-07-02.