UNCLASSIFIED

BIGST BAA HM047623BAA0001

Topic 07: LASER_Ver1

UNCLASSIFIED

BIG-ST BAA HM047623BAA0001

Topic 7: LASER

BIGST BAA (HM047623BAA0001)

Topic # 07 – Lidar Analysis for Surface & Environmental Reconnaissance (LASER)

Document Change History

Updated TRL description paragraph (page 1), Updated requirement section (page 5) Removed reference to phase 2 (page 6) Removed phase 1 requirements (page 7-8) Removed phase 1 specific deliverables (page 10) Updated due date for AI/ML objects report (page 11) Updated due date for SW Docs Package (page 11) Updated due date for Test Plan (page 11) Updated due date for Transition Plan (page 12) Updated due date for Final Report (page 12) Updated description and due date for Final Demonstration and Brief (page 12)

Table 1: Document Change History

Expected Awards

The Government intends to issue one award. The Government reserves the right to cancel and/or issue no awards. All contract awards are subject to the availability of funds.

Award Type: The Government is contemplating issuing either a Procurement Contract or Other Transaction Agreement.

Offeror/Performer shall submit a recommended Award Type along with the Abstract. It will ultimately be the Contracting Officer’s sole discretion to select the award instrument type, regardless of instrument type proposed, and to negotiate all instrument terms and conditions with selectees.

Budget

The total budget per phase is as follows:

Phase 1 (15 months): $854K

Note: Proposed Travel costs cannot exceed 8% of the Offeror’s overall proposed price.

Topic Technology Readiness Level (TRL):

The project will begin at TRL 4 and progress to TRL 5. Depending on the quality of collection results, anticipate project to end at TRL5 with potential to achieve TRL6. The Offeror will work with NGA to monitor potential for a TRL 6 outcome. TRL 6 outcomes will reflect a software algorithm solution. Offeror should not expect an increase in labor cost if TRL 6 is pursued. Offeror will continue to work with existing funds. NGA will coordinate resources for testing in a relevant environment at TRL 6. TRL definitions can be found in the BIGST BAA General Solicitation, HM047623BAA0001.

Dates

Table 2: Dates

Submission Instructions:

Please review BIGST BAA General Solicitation (HM047623BAA0001), all associated Revision documents, and specifically Appendix 1 – Abstract Template and Appendix 2 – Proposal Template for content and format.

Offerors/Performers must review the entire solicitation package requirements related to the Abstract and Proposal submission instructions and the specific Topic Call requirements. The Questions and Answers session closes at the timeframe specified above. The Government reserves the right not to answer any further questions beyond the specified closing date.

Abstracts, Proposals, and all questions shall be submitted directly to the Contracting Officers, Viphalac Chanthaphone at Viphalac.chanthaphone@nga.mil and Patricia Hill @ Patricia.D.Hill@nga.mil, and to the Contracting Specialist, Charlena Evans at Charlena.D.Evans@nga.mil.

Topic Research Opportunity DescriptionALERT: Object detected

Figure 1: Surface and Subsurface Detection

NGA intends this Topic Call to explore use of Space Lidar 3D signatures for repeatable and accurate object detection and characterization of objects over land (above surface) and under water (subsurface) levels. NGA seeks to task the offeror with development of test methodology, data collection and novel data analysis for 3D signatures of objects using environmental space lidars. The goal of this assessment aims to determine if derived 3D signatures can serve as calibration and enhancement tools for other data sources that lack elevation information.

NGA will evaluate the effectiveness and accuracy of NASA's environmental-focused space lidars; Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) and Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) for detecting and characterizing 3D signatures of various objects (e.g., man-made structures, vessels, underwater objects). NGA will compare Space Lidar 3D signatures to established government approved open-source reference data such as airborne lidar or other 3D datasets. The resulting comparison of the NASA lidars collections with other data sets will provide detailed analysis describing the precision and accuracy with which we can identify specific man-made objects and determining elevation profiles of man-made objects both at surface level and subsurface (underwater) as shown in figure 1.

Separate Phase 1 efforts, which are not part of this BAA, produced both ground-truth data and space lidar-derived three-dimensional (3D) signatures for large objects located above ground and below the water surface. Specifically, this work included the derivation and classification of 3D signatures for large terrestrial and underwater objects using ICESat-2 and GEDI data. These Phase 1 efforts provide a preliminary assessment of the feasibility of using ICESat-2 and GEDI to derive 3D signatures for large objects in both environments.

The assessment will evaluate whether space lidar-derived 3D signatures correspond to ground-truth data within ±1 meter. Preliminary results and findings will be provided to BAA performers to support further refinement of object-detection algorithms developed for space lidar-derived 3D signatures.

Under this BAA and subsequent efforts, the Offeror shall further refine the classification methods applied to these 3D object signatures. The Offeror shall also develop and implement automated processes to extract 3D signatures from space lidar data and annotate maps to identify the resulting features.

In detail, the Offeror shall develop an object-detection workflow for space lidar-derived submerged and surface detections. The Offeror shall further leverage space lidar-detected object results to develop and implement artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) methodologies for the autonomous identification of surface and subsurface objects and populate them to a map. The Offeror shall produce final feasibility reports and document all findings.

Findings will inform 3D GEOINT capabilities, Safety of Navigation Air, Safety of Navigation Sea and 3D GEOINT Missions.

Requirements:

To successfully execute this research opportunity, Offerors must adhere to the following baseline requirements:

1. Algorithm Performance & Quality Assurance The Offeror must implement rigorous quality control to ensure the 3D signatures and AI/ML algorithms meet the established accuracy thresholds:

Detection accuracy within ±1 meter (Z elevation) compared against ground truth measurements for underwater targets, and cm-scale accuracy for above-ground targets.

AI/ML Probability of Detection (PD) greater than 75% and Probability of Error (PE) less than 25%.

The Offeror shall document their self-auditing methodology for these metrics in a formal Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP), to be evaluated by the Government. Details for the QASP are found in section 5 of this document and CDRL A0004.

2. Intellectual Property (IP) and Data Rights Offerors must clearly delineate between pre-existing, proprietary algorithms (Background IP) and newly developed code. While the Government expects a minimum of Government Purpose Rights for all newly developed AI/ML models, workflows, and deliverables funded under this contract, Offerors may propose Limited/Restricted Rights for pre-existing Background IP, provided it does not inhibit the Government's ability to operate, modify, or transition the final prototype independently.

3. Transition and Deliverable Formatting The Offeror's AI/ML object detection workflow must not be a "black box." The prototype must be delivered in a format compatible with standard Government systems (e.g., Python or MATLAB). The Offeror must provide comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), software design descriptions, and live demonstrations to ensure the Department of War can seamlessly transition the capability to Safety of Navigation and 3D GEOINT missions at the conclusion of Period of Performance (PoP).

Background and Purpose

NASA's environmental-focused space lidars ICESat-2 and GEDI have unverified effectiveness in characterizing man-made structures, vessels, and underwater objects. NGA has successfully used ICESat-2 space lidar to derive seafloor “Elevation” products called Satellite Computed Bathymetry Assessment (SCuBA) and now seeks to evaluate ICESat-2 accuracy for detecting man-made objects.

ICESat-2 operates as a polar-orbiting space-based lidar system designed primarily for ice elevation mapping. It utilizes a green wavelength laser (532 nm) that effectively captures both terrestrial and subsurface (underwater) elevation data.

GEDI represents another NASA space lidar platform deployed on the International Space Station, employing an infrared wavelength laser (1064 nm). Due to its spectral characteristics, the GEDI system can only detect elevation features above the surface and lacks the capability to penetrate water for subsurface measurements. Evaluation of these systems as designed will identify existing but unused capabilities.

This Topic Call is innovative based on the following points:

1. Extreme Asset Repurposing (High ROI) NGA seeks a technical solution using existing, on-orbit civilian assets designed by NASA for environmental science—ICESat-2 (designed to measure melting ice sheets) and GEDI (designed to measure forest canopies)—and repurposing them for 3D GEOINT and Safety of Navigation. Getting Department of War (DoW) supported information out of civilian climate sensors is a massive return on investment for the taxpayer.

2. Subsurface & Surface 3D Signatures from Space Traditionally, finding and characterizing submerged man-made objects like shipwrecks requires expensive, slow-moving naval assets like sonar-equipped ships or underwater drones. This solicitation attempts to penetrate the ocean's water column from space using ICESat-2’s green wavelength laser (532 nm) to capture highly precise (±1 meter) 3D elevation profiles of underwater objects. Achieving reliable, repeatable subsurface object detection from orbit is a massive technological leap. Beyond enhancing maritime navigation safety, space-based lidar systems significantly improve aviation safety by providing precise 3D signatures of vertical obstructions. Traditional methods often struggle to capture accurate elevation data for structures such as towers under challenging conditions. In contrast, space lidar offers a reliable, advanced capability to extract critical height information for these difficult vertical hazards.

3. Algorithmic Force Multiplication (AI/ML) The true innovation tasks the contractor with building an autonomous Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) workflow. By demanding automated detection algorithms with strict performance metrics (Probability of Detection > 75%, Probability of Error < 25%), we are automating the exploitation process. This allows the Department to scale the capability globally without having to hire thousands of new imagery analysts.

4. Creating a Universal Calibration Tool The BAA notes that these 3D lidar signatures will serve as "calibration and enhancement tools for other data sources that lack elevation information." This means the innovation has a compounding effect: by mastering space-based lidar, we can retroactively improve the accuracy and 3D positioning of our other, non-elevation intelligence feeds.

Project Structure/Scope

Requirement. Section 1 of this document contains program-based requirements for this topic call and Section 4 contains the detailed technical requirements and standards for each deliverable.

Satellite Data Provided The Government will supply space lidar derived 3D signatures of surface and subsurface targets within designated Areas of Interest (AOIs) during the kickoff meeting. The Government will provide initial ICESat-2 data from prior collection efforts Offerors must submit discovered objects from collections performed under this contract to the Government for authorization before conducting additional analysis.

Refine/Automate Object Detection Classification As stated above, prior efforts will produce object classifications for large objects derived from environmental space lidar data. A preliminary classification and object-detection scheme based on three-dimensional (3D) signatures derived from space lidar data will be provided. The Offeror shall automate and further refine classification algorithms for surface and subsurface objects derived from space lidar data.

Produce Prototype AI/ML detection of man-made objects The Offeror must develop object detection algorithms using AI/ ML techniques. The objective is to have automatic detection of manmade objects from ICESat-2 and GEDI.

Transition Support The Offeror must support a 3-month transition period for activities such as formatting end products based on stakeholder and user feedback, providing a demo to stakeholders and developing SOPs to run algorithms created under this effort.

Report on AI/ML Methodologies Offerors will leverage space lidar object detection results to develop and implement artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) methodologies for autonomous identification of surface & subsurface objects. This phase of the project will include a transition period for capability transfer to NGA.

Final Technical Report The Offeror must produce a comprehensive final report documenting lessons learned, best practices, comparative analysis between ground truth and satellite data, AI & ML autonomous lidar object detection results.

Conduct Close Out Activities The Offeror must conduct a final demonstration/briefing for Government and partners at least two weeks before the end of the PoP.

Performance Metrics Offerors must meet the following metrics:

Accurate reporting of suspected manmade objects in space lidar data with a probability of error (PE) less than 25% and a probability of detection (PD) greater than 75

Accurate reporting of suspected manmade objects in space lidar data with a probability of error (PE) less than 25% and a probability of detection (PD) greater than 75

*Report on ICESat-2 data usability submerged objects *Report on ICESat-2 & GEDI usability for surface objects *Comparison to ground truth NLT the last business day prior to the last two weeks of the PoP

Success metrics include achieving detection accuracy within ±1 meter when compared against established ground truth measurements for underwater targets and cm scale for above ground targets. The comprehensive final report will document capabilities for identifying objects in both underwater and terrestrial settings.

Table 3: Metrics

Deliverable Items The following table(s) provides a list of Deliverables:

Deliverables

-SW User Manual or Guide -SW Maintenance -SW Installation -SW Design Description -Database Design Description -Interface Design Description (if required by NGA) 30 days prior to completion of each phase. (Further details in section A023)

-Meeting outcome -Updated schedule -Action items -Changes to feasibility study (if required) -Changes to metrics (if required) Conducted 1st week after contract award brief and associated documents provided 2 weeks after Kick-off

Test plan will be updated for each phase.

90 days after kick-off.

Revision provided 90 days after contract award. (Further details in section A024)

Table 4: Deliverables

Performance Requirements Summary (PRS)

The following is a list of the contractual requirements that are considered mission critical, which will be verified as contractually compliant by Government personnel. Each requirement includes a Government determined performance standard and the resource that is used to perform the verification. Any functional area not listed were omitted because it did not have a requirement identified as critical. Surveillance of any functional area that does not have critical requirements will be accomplished through surveillance of the Contractor quality program.

100% Inspection: One Hundred Percent Inspection is exactly what the title implies – inspecting a requirement every time it occurs.

Validated Customer Complaints: Customer complaints will be validated and investigated to ensure compliance with the PRS prior to being transmitted to the Contractor.

Contractor Performance Metrics: The Government will consider relevant and timely performance metrics submitted by the Contractor.

Repeatable measurement for 90% of collected data.

Sampling of project test data

>90% retained for project utilization.

Sampling of test collection data and demonstration data.

Table 5: Performance Metrics

Intellectual Property Considerations

NGA anticipates that achieving the goals of the program will necessitate a minimum of Government Purpose Rights in all deliverables. After completion of this effort, NGA expects to have Government Purpose to modify, use, and/or distribute any developed prototype software with other United States Government Organizations. This includes all algorithms, prototype software, documentation and training videos produced by a performer for this effort.

Notwithstanding these assumptions, the Government acknowledges the possibility that other approaches proposed by Offerors may also achieve program goals. In that case, refer to section 4.5.6.4 (2), Data Rights, of the BIG-ST BAA General Solicitation for additional instructions.

Government Furnished Information/Data/Property

NLT 10 days (2 weeks) after award

Table 6: GFI/GFD/GFP

Security Considerations

Work under this effort will be up to the Unclassified//FOUO level.

Unclassified Work Performance Security Requirements

Uncleared Contractor personnel are authorized to work on this contract at the unclassified level only at the Contractor site without the requirement of a security clearance.

Uncleared Personnel Security Requirements

Any Contractor personnel working with Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) must receive a favorable HSPD-12 adjudication within 60 days if they require access to NGA systems or facilities. If a favorable HSPD-12 is not obtained within the 60-day timeline the Contractor cannot access NGA systems or facilities. If HSPD-12 is denied, the Contractor shall be removed from the contract. NGA will sponsor the HSPD-12 background investigation for Contractor personnel as needed.

Foreign nationals are not permitted to perform unclassified work under the terms of this contract without prior written approval from the Contracting Officer (CO) or the COR. Should NGA identify the use of unauthorized personnel, the CO may direct the Contractor at its own expense, to remove, and replace any unauthorized contractors, subcontractors, or other personnel performing on the contract. Such action may be taken at the NGA's discretion without prejudice to its rights under any other contract provision, e.g., termination for default.

Uncleared Contractor personnel visiting NGA facilities or other sites may receive the appropriate visitor badge and be escorted, as appropriate. The Contractor will return the visitor badge at the end of each visit day.

Physical Security Requirements

Contractor personnel are forbidden from bringing prohibited or unauthorized items into any NGA installation or other secure facility covered under this contract. These items include weapons, cell phones, cameras, two-way pagers, laptops, recording devices of any kind, flash drives, or any other removable media. Exceptions may be granted by NGA Security upon the Contractor’s request. If granted, Contractor personnel must bring documentation showing approval prior to entering the facility with the item(s). Violations may subject the Contractor and its offending personnel to civil and/or criminal liability IAW applicable laws and regulations governing access to secure Government facilities.

Information Security Requirements

NGA shall have the sole authority to determine whether, and to what extent, protected information shall be provided to the Contractor under the terms of the contract. The Contractor shall not access, download, print, or further disseminate any unclassified information outside the execution of the defined contract requirements without the guidance and written permission from the COR.

When the Contractor receives protected information under the terms of this contract, the Contractor will comply with all applicable NGA, DoD, and IC information security policies for the proper marking, handling, processing, storing, and safeguarding of unclassified and CUI material. The Contractor will ensure that document markings are given the lowest possible security classification to maximize dissemination while still maintaining the information’s confidentiality and integrity as necessary.

Access to CUI will be pursuant to DFARS clause 252.204.7012. The prime contractor shall include this clause, including paragraph (m), in subcontracts, or similar contractual instruments, for operationally critical support for which subcontract performance will involve covered defense information, including subcontracts for commercial items without alteration, except to identify the parties. The Contractor shall determine if the information required for Subcontractor performance retains its identity as covered defense information and will require protection under this clause. Contractor personnel shall not release any unclassified information, regardless of medium (e.g., film, tape, document), pertaining to any part of this contract or any program related to this contract, unless the COR has given prior written approval or in performance of a project that has been scoped and negotiated by NGA.

NGA will assess and authorize Contractors to process unclassified information on government-owned information systems, conduct oversight of such information system processing, and provide information system security guidelines IAW with FAR clause 52.204-21 and other information system security control policies, standards, and procedures. Contractor will be responsible for executing specific provisions under the contract for the accreditation of classified information systems, and upon request, shall provide the COR a written statement confirming accreditation compliance with the minimum information systems requirements established in the DD Form 254. The Contractor shall include the substance of FAR clause 52.204-21 in subcontracts under this contract (including subcontracts for the acquisition of commercial products or commercial services, other than commercially available off-the-shelf items), in which the Subcontractor may have federal contract information residing in or transiting through its information system.

In accordance with FAR Part 4.7 and FAR clause 52.215-2, the Contractor may retain one archival copy of any Government-furnished information provided to the Contractor during the course of performance of the contract, subject to Contractor following relevant data safeguarding practices and CUI restrictions. The disposition of such Government-furnished information is otherwise solely at the discretion of the Government. As directed by the NGA CO or COR, the Contractor will destroy or return to NGA all Government-furnished information upon contract termination or when no longer required for contract performance.

Cybersecurity Requirements

The Contractor must, at a minimum, implement 10 U.S.C. Sections 391 and 393 along with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication (SP) 800-171, “Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Information Systems and Organizations” requirements.

If the Contractor intends to use an external cloud service provider to store, process, or transmit any covered defense information in performance of this contract, the Contractor shall require and ensure that the cloud service provider meets security requirements equivalent to those established by the Government for the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) Moderate baseline (https://www.fedramp.gov/resources/documents/)

In the event that the Contractor discovers a cyber incident that affects a covered Contractor information system or covered defense information residing therein, or that affects the Contractor’s ability to perform the requirements of the contract that are designated as operationally critical support and identified in the contract, the Contractor shall—

1. Notify the DoD Cyber Crime Center (DC3) and the COR in writing within 72 hours of incident discovery

2. Conduct a review for evidence of compromise of covered defense information, including, but not limited to, identifying compromised computers, servers, specific data, and user accounts. This review shall also include analyzing covered Contractor information system(s) that were part of the cyber incident, as well as other information systems on the Contractor’s network(s), that may have been accessed as a result of the incident in order to identify compromised covered defense information, or that affect the Contractor’s ability to provide operationally critical support.

In the event the Contractor discovers and isolates malicious software in connection with a reported cyber incident, the Contractor shall submit the malicious software to DC3 in accordance with instructions provided by the COR. The Contractor should NOT send the malicious software to the COR.

Performance

13.1 Period of Performance. The period of performance for this contract is 15 months.

13.2 Place of Performance. Work is primarily to be performed at the Contractor’s Facility and Government Facility; 7500 GEOINT Drive, Springfield, VA 22150.

Clauses

The following paragraphs list additional information to BIG-ST BAA General Solicitation.

5X52.209.9004 Use of Contractor Support

(a) The Government will use S2 Analytical Solutions, Vysnova Partners, Inc., Culmen International, InSPIRE, ProCleared, RTI Consulting, ACS, LBO Technology, Strategic ACI, Accolade, Princip, Arion Systems Inc, and MITRE for administrative and/or technical support during source selection and during the term of any resulting contract. The exclusive responsibility for source selection will reside with the Government.

(b) Proprietary information submitted in response to this solicitation will be protected from unauthorized disclosure as required by Subsection 27 of the Office of Procurement Policy Act as amended (the Procurement Integrity Act)(41 U.S.C. 423) (hereinafter referred to as "the Act") as implemented in the FAR. S2 Analytical Solutions, Vysnova Partners, Inc., Culmen International, InSPIRE, ProCleared, RTI Consulting, ACS, LBO Technology, Strategic ACI, Accolade, Princip, Arion Systems Inc, and MITRE are bound contractually by the Protection of Information and Nondisclosure Agreements clause with respect to proprietary information. By submitting a proposal in response to this solicitation, the Contractor consents to the Government disclosing Contractor proprietary information to the aforementioned contractors for the purposes indicated.

(End of Provision)

BIGST BAA TOPIC CALL TEMPLATE 23 MAR2023

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