Questions_and_Answers.pdf

1. If it is advantageous to the government, would the Department of the Interior be open to having initial and currency training conducted at vendor locations?

Ans. Not at this time, training will be provided at the locations identified in the solicitation.

2. Are there minimum specifications available for the various sensors?

Ans. There is not a minimum specification, however the quality of imagery will be a key part in the evaluation of the offered aircraft.

3. What change management process does the Department of Interior plan on using as sensor technology evolves?

Ans. As identified in the specification, the requirement is a modular payload system that allows for addition of new sensor technology.

4. Do all pilots have to be government or would the Department consider allowing certified contractor mission support (pilots, remote sensing and GIS)?

Ans. This solicitation is intended for purchase of various systems to be flown by trained Government pilots.

5. The stated specification for the micro fixed endurance is 2-4 hours, while medium fixed wing specification is 60-90 minutes. Is this correct?

Ans. This specification was amended and posted to FBO.

6. Does Federal Aviation Administration approved Certificates of Authorization or Exemption 333 substitute for the NASA evaluation process or DOD flight release requirement?

Ans. No, the 333 exemption will not substitute for the NASA evaluation process.

7. Will the Department of the Interior allow other government agencies to have access to the contract?

Ans. It may be possible, depending on the contract ceiling.

8. Would the Department of the Interior consider using vendor supplied ranges for testing, evaluation and training?

Ans. No, not at this time.

9. In the Documentation Requirements for this solicitation section B4.5, it states that “The Contractor shall provide a sample of specified imagery.”

Can you provide any further explanation on what “specified imagery” is?

Ans. We would expect a sample of both EO/IR (if required by the spec) and we would like to see video samples as well as stills that are representative of the quality and resolution we can expect from the offered product.

10. Why the 30 to 55 pound weight limit?

Ans. The min spec is under 55 pounds is so that we conform to the proposed FAA small UAS regulations. Lighter is better if we can get it so that's why 35 pounds is the target

11. Why a 30 minute flight duration?

Ans.. 30 minutes is the minimum we would require in order to conduct the types of missions we will be using these aircraft for. Again that's just the minimum, the target spec is longer.

12. Details needed to assess compliance with requirements stated within solicitation. Specifically in Payload Specifications (Target UAS Requirement)

Provide MISB (motion imagery MUXE Video for HD quality or better……

Motion Imagery Standards Board documents do not call out “MUXE”. Is there a reference specification that can be posted?

Ans. Disregard MUXE. Video should be MISB compliant. With metadata embedded in the video.

13. Item 4: Medium Fixed UASs (Type II Fixed), equipped as specified for medium endurance operations.

Platform weight under 25 lbs. Platform weight under 10 lbs.

Is the “weight” requirement truly “empty weight” ?

Ans. The weights are Min spec and Target. The minimum spec is and aircraft under 25lbs (including fuel, payload and any other items needed for the aircraft to be airworthy and ready to fly). 10lbs is the "target" to aircraft weighing less would be an enhancing feature.

14. The Schedule A pricing structure only allows for one price for a given system in given configuration even though this is somewhat in opposition to the minimum and target requirements.

Would it be possible to provide a price matrix for our systems and price options rather than a single price for that type of aircraft?

Ans. We don't plan on changing the pricing schedules at this time.

15. We have multiple aircraft fulfilling the requirements of Item 2: Medium Rotary UASs (Type II Rotary). Is it possible for one offerer to put in multiple responses for this category with different products?

Ans.. Yes, it is possible to offer multiple UAS for one category. Be sure to provide the required documentation for each.

16. The solicitation is asking for a completed form 1449. This appears to me more as it is to be completed by the government? Which parts is the bidding vendor supposed to complete in this form?

Ans. Please fill in the following blocks on the 1449:

17a. Contractor/Offeror (include DUNS) 30a, b., and c.

17. In section C the following question is asked;

Flight planning software able to program multiple GPS waypoints with in flight line modifiable options in flight for all aircraft?

What does it refer to? Re tasking in flight or control of multiple aircraft from one software?

Ans. Just the ability to discontinue a flight plan and initiate a new one and/or modify an existing plan. No intent to control multiple aircraft at this point.

18. For the pricing of the UAS, is it correct to assume that the price for each unit is all inclusive (i.e. air vehicle, antennas, ground control station, EO/IR payload, manuals, cases, ground support equipment)? If this is true, for 20 UAS, you would desire 20 ground control stations with 20 air control vehicles with 20 EO/IR Payloads with 20 of everything else required for a turnkey system?

Ans. The solicitation is for the purchase of an unmanned aircraft system meeting the minimum specifications, and the option to buy additional systems meeting the minimum specifications per the estimates listed for each category of systems.

19. When citing the payload weight, is the payload weight in addition to the camera payload?

Ans. This would be inclusive of the camera payload

20. Is the solicitation for the purchase of one ground control station and one air vehicle, with the option to buy 19 more ground control stations and air vehicles or the purchase of one ground control system and one air vehicle with the option to only buy 19 more air vehicles without additional ground control stations?

Ans. The solicitation is for the purchase of one unmanned aircraft system meeting the minimum specifications, which includes a ground control station, and the option to buy additional systems meeting the minimum specifications, which includes a ground control station, per the estimates listed for each category of systems.