Questions_and_Answers_-_DARPA-BAA-16-10.pdf

DARPA-BAA-16-10

MOCCA

24 February 2016

MOCCA DARPA-BAA-16-10

Questions and Answers

IN THE EVENT OF ANY INCONSISTENCY BETWEEN THE ANSWERS PROVIDED HEREIN

AND THE BAA, THE BAA SHALL TAKE PRECEDENCE.

KEEP

1. Should Proposers consider how to recover the MOCCA UUV? Can MOCCA UUVs be expendable?

A. Per BAA, section 1.1.2 page 7 (first paragraph) MOCCA is not a UUV development program.

2. What is the standoff distance for the MOCCA UUV?

A. MOCCA metrics are outlined in Table 1 of the Classified Addendum.

3. Which shipboard sensors are available for use?

A. Proposers should propose which sensors are most appropriate for their design. Proposers should reference the Classified Proposers’ Day briefing for information on available sensors and the temporary alteration (TEMPALT) process.

4. What are the MOCCA UUV stay time and dwell time requirements between engagements?

A. The Program metrics annotated in Table 1 of the Classified Addendum translate to program objectives for range and counter detection range. While program metrics are annotated in Table 1, proposers should note that the Government has identified these goals with the intention of bounding the scope of effort while affording the maximum flexibility, creativity, and innovation in proposing solutions to the stated problem.

5. Can Proposers utilize a contractor test site?

A. Yes. See BAA, section 1.3 page 8-9 (paragraph 2). Proposers should outline realistic cost and schedules associated with use of these facilities.

6. What sonar frequency should the MOCCA system utilize?

A. Proposers should select from available frequencies outlined in the Classified Proposers’ Day briefings to best meet the program metrics outlined in Table 1 of the Classified Addendum.

7. How does DARPA define low probability of intercept and low probability of detection?

A. See Table 1 of the Classified Addendum.

8. If Proposers wish to propose to both TA-1 and TA-2 and both are included in the same proposal will they be evaluated separately?

A. No. See BAA, Section 2 page 10 (paragraph 1). Single proposals addressing both TA-1 and TA-2 will be evaluated as a single proposal against the evaluation criteria specified in the BAA.

9. If Proposers submit to both TAs and have dependencies between TAs will that detract from award?

A. No. See BAA, section 2 pages 10 (paragraph 1 & 3).

10. Does a selectable TA-1 proposal need to address both the sonar transducer and the bi-static signal processing or can it just be one component (i.e. transducer only or bi-static signal processing)?

A. TA-1 proposals should address both the transducer and the bi-static signal processing (see BAA, section 1.2.1 pages 7-8 paragraph 2-3). Whether it is selectable will be decided only after the entire proposal has been evaluated against the evaluation criteria in the BAA.

11. Should Proposers include testing costs in their overall proposal cost?

A. Per BAA, section 1.3 page 9 (paragraph 2) “testing may be conducted at Government test facilities.” Use of these facilities should be identified in the proposal along with realistic costs and schedules for use of these facilities. The cost and schedule described would be a Government incurred cost. The Proposers’ cost and schedule estimate (ROM) will be used for Government planning for the In-Water Performance Validation Test during Technical Interchange Meeting four (TIM-4) outlined in the BAA, section 1.3 page 9.

12. Will Fleet assets be available for testing in Phase 1?

A. Proposers may propose utilizing any assets they feel are necessary in Phase 1. The rationale and costs for these assets should be included as part of the proposal.. As outlined in Section 1.4 of the BAA, DARPA expects to conduct at-sea demonstrations in Phase 2.

13. BAA section 4.3.2.1 states “Note: It is recommended that the SOW be developed so that each Phase of the program is separately defined.” What is meant by “each Phase?”

A. See BAA Amendment 1 (posted February 9, 2016) section 4.3.2.1 page 24. This text now reads “Note: It is recommended that the SOW be developed so that each task of the program is separately defined.”

14. The MOCCA BAA states that the total amount of money to be awarded in Phase 1 is up to $12,000,000. Does this included testing, SETA, NUWC costs?

A. DARPA expects to award up to $12M for MOCCA performers which includes limited testing costs that should be identified in Proposer’s submissions.

15. No threat information is provided as part of the BAA. Can DARPA provide this?

A. Proposers should reference the Classified Proposers’ Day threat briefings.

16. Can Government labs or agencies submit proposals?

A. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and Government entities (e.g., Government/National laboratories, military educational institutions, etc.) are subject to applicable direct competition limitations and cannot propose to this BAA in any capacity unless they meet the conditions outlined in the BAA, section 3.1.1 page 13.

17. Do Proposers have to outline the statutory authority if using Lake Seneca, Carderock, or another Government testing facility?

A. No. Use of a Government testing facility does not require statutory authority.

18. Does DARPA anticipate that Phase 1 efforts will integrate acoustic sources into UUVs? Should Performers estimate NUWC’s integration costs to assist such efforts?

A. See BAA, section 1.4 page 9-10.

19. When is the expected award for Phase 1?

A. DARPA expects to award approximately 120 days from selection, which is estimated to be mid- August 2016.

20. Can Proposers stipulate using a UUV that is not part of the U.S. Navy/NUWC/PSU inventory?

A. Yes. Proposers may propose using alternative UUV designs and should identify the UUV’s capabilities to achieve the program metrics outline in the Classified Addendum. Per BAA, section

1.1.2 page 7 (paragraph 1) “the MOCCA program will not develop a UUV.”

21. Should the MOCCA UUV sonar transmit pulsed or continuous active sonar?

A. Performers should select the most appropriate active source form to support their system design.

22. Should Performers consider radiated noise vulnerability of the UUV?

A. See BAA, section 1.2.2 page 8 (paragraph 2). The Program metrics annotated in Table 1 of the Classified Addendum translate to program objectives for range and counter detection range. While program metrics are annotated in Table 1, proposers should note that the Government has identified these goals with the intention of bounding the scope of effort while affording the maximum flexibility, creativity, and innovation in proposing solutions to the stated problem. Performers are encouraged to identify derivative metrics when developing their system design (see BAA, section 1.5 page 10 paragraph 2). UUV radiated noise is only of concern if it effects host submarine stealth.

23. Has any target strength data been collected on UUVs or modeling that can be made available?

A. No additional UUV target strength data is available. Additional UUV data will be made available to MOCCA performers, as necessary.

24. Are TA-2 communications solutions limited to existing acoustic communications systems on board a submarine?

A. See BAA, section 1.2.2 page 8 (paragraph 2).

25. Will DARPA provide guidance on actual available acoustic communication spectrum?

A. Proposers should select from available U.S. Navy submarine systems and associated spectrum.

26. For TA-2, is DARPA only interested in fully integrated systems or are partial systems acceptable (i.e.

development of a compact communications sensor)?

A. TA-2 proposals should fully address the technical area as outlined in the BAA section 1.2.2 page 8.

27. Please clarify what is meant by a static communication link of less than 1 knot.

A. Less than 1 knot indicates the speed differential between the transmitter and receiver.

28. What is the procedure to follow to contact non-DARPA organizations that briefed at the Proposers’ Day?

A. Contact DARPA at DARPA-BAA-16-10@darpa.mil with any specific information requests.

29. Can alternative means of communication be pursued other than acoustic communications?

A. See BAA, section 1.2.2 page 8.

30. Can corporations submit as a team and individually?

A. Yes. Entities can submit multiple proposals on multiple teams.

31. Will the counter-detectability of the interceptor be made available (i.e. target signature)?

A. See Classified Proposers’ Day briefings. By request, additional data can made available after contract award to MOCCA performers.

32. Should the MOCCA communications link be able to handle a significant amount of communications/data?

A. Proposers should conduct system analysis to determine optimal system design to best achieve the program metrics outline in Table 1 of the Classified Addendum.

33. Can the MOCCA utilize multiple UUVs? Is DARPA interested in a multi-static approach?

A. DARPA seeks innovative solutions to UUV(s) in direct support of submarine ASW using distributed active sonar systems solutions. The generic concept of operations shown at industry day was illustrative and was explicitly stated as not a prescriptive or favored solution. DARPA will receive any distributed active sonar solution as responsive to the BAA. However, any proposed solution must be proposed with sufficient rationale and analysis to provide insight into how it will perform relative to the MOCCA system metrics defined in Table 1 of the Classified Addendum.

34. Will Pennsylvania State University provide their structured single crystal material for transducers?

A. See BAA, section 3.4.1 page 14.

35. Will all Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs) require test events?

A. Per BAA, section 1.3 page 9 only TIM-4 will require reporting on a test event. Proposers may schedule additional test events and this will be evaluated as part of the Cost Realism evaluation.

36. Does DARPA have a specific Technology Readiness Level that they expect systems to achieve upon completion of Phase 1?

A. DAPRA expects to validate TA-1 and TA-2 solutions in an in-water performance test as part of

TIM-4.

37. Can submit information from other government agencies above the SECRET classification level?

A. Proposers should follow the procedures laid out in the BAA, section 4.2.1 pages 15-18 for security requirements.

38. Can the UUV have sonar receivers?

A. Yes, but not required to meet the program metrics outlined in Table 1 of the Classified Addendum.

39. Can DARPA provide own-ship acoustic data?

A. See Classified Proposers’ Day briefings. By request, additional data can made available after contract award to MOCCA performers.

40. Can Proposers’ utilize a UAV or other communications modality?

A. See BAA, section 1.2.2 page 8. Proposers may propose any communications modality. Any proposed solution must be proposed with sufficient rationale and analysis to provide insight into how it will perform relative to the MOCCA system metrics defined in Table 1 of the Classified Addendum.

41. What is the maximum acceptable power level for the sonar source?

A. See BAA, section 1.2.1 page 7-8. Proposers may propose any active sonar power level. Any proposed solution must be proposed with sufficient rationale and analysis to provide insight into how it will perform relative to the MOCCA system metrics defined in Table 1 of the Classified Addendum.

42. Is DARPA looking for large teams capable of integrating all MOCCA systems?

A. See BAA, section 3.4.1 page 14. Phase 1 will focus on the sonar and communication technical challenges.

43. Given the recent weather issues which impacted the Proposer’s day and receipt of the classified addendum, will the government consider a one week extension?

A. The proposal submission date will remain March 15, 2016.

44. If we are including a classified addendum with our submission, is it included in the page count? If so, how?

A. Yes. See BAA, section 4.3 for maximum page length for each section (combined classified and unclassified must adhere to maximum page count).

45. Are we permitted to include a table of contents with our submission? If so, will it count towards the page count?

A. Yes, provided Proposers meet all formatting requirements outlined in 4.3. A table of contents may be included after Section I. Administrative and will not count towards the section page length.

46. Per BAA, section 1.1.1 the BAA states “…detailed and accurate predictions of the acoustic environment are important…” Are acoustic environmental predictions required for the performance of TA-1 and TA-2?

A. Yes. Detailed and accurate predictions of the acoustic environment will be instrumental to the performance of both TA-1 and TA-2.

47. Per BAA, section 4.3.2.1 the BAA states that the 3 slide summary “…does not count against the page limit.” However, the overall Section II page count (17) equals the sum of all subsection page counts, including subsection F. Does the 3 slide summary count against the page count for Section II?

A. Yes, the three slide summary does count toward the section page count.

48. Per BAA, section 4.3.2.1. This 3 page limit subsection is for cost schedules and milestones. The last 3 lines identify additional proposal requirements to “… clearly explain the technical approach(es) that will be employed to meet or exceed each program metric…and provide ample justification as to why the approach(es) is/are feasible.” This additional technical justification seems like it should be separate from a schedule. Is it really meant to be part of the 3 page schedule proposal section?

A. Yes. The page limitation for 4.3.2.1 Section III. I is three pages.

49. How do Subcontractors submit their proprietary Cost packages to the Government? Should the proprietary subcontractor proposal documentation be submitted in hard copy to the DARPA address provided on page 20 of the BAA, with a reference to the prime contractor’s name and proposal number?

A. Unclassified proprietary subcontractor proposals may be submitted via DARPA’s BAA Website (https://baa.darpa.mil) with reference to the prime contractor’s name and proposal number or by the prime contractor in a sealed envelope as stated in Section 4.3.2.2 page 27 (paragraph 3). Classified proprietary subcontractor proposals submitted directly to DARPA by the subcontractor should be submitted in accordance with the guidance detailed in the BAA under Section 4.2.1 with reference to the prime contractor’s name and proposal number; or may be submitted by the prime contractor in a sealed envelope.

50. For testing at government facilities identified in the proposal is a Work for Private Parties Agreement required at the time of proposal submission?

A. No. This agreement is not required at time of proposal submission. However, per BAA, section

1.3 page 9 (paragraph 2) “testing may be conducted at Government test facilities.” Use of these facilities should be identified in the proposal along with realistic costs and schedules for use of these facilities. The cost and schedule described would be a Government incurred cost. The Proposers’ cost and schedule estimate will be used for Government planning for the In-Water Performance Validation Test during Technical Interchange Meeting four (TIM-4) outlined in the BAA, section 1.3 page 9.

51. What DARPA/DoD projects have involved the deployment of underwater fiber optics over long distances, and what were the successes and failures of the underwater fiber optic deployment? What were the lessons learned?

A. No additional DARPA/DoD project information will be provided for MOCCA proposers.

Additional information will be made available to MOCCA performers, as necessary.

52. Section 4.3.2.1 Volume I Section II and III specify no more than 17 and 24 pages respectively. Each paragraph under these sections indicate a page count for that paragraph that total up to the maximum page count per the section. Is it permissible to adjust these paragraph page counts in our proposal so long as the total does not exceed the maximum pages for that section?

A. No. Maximum page lengths are for each individual section.

53. In the system prototype, to be designed, built and fielded in Phases 2 and 3, does the entire source-system package need to fit in the 21” vehicle payload space described by NUWC during their briefing and will the power required for the source be provided by the platform or will it need to be included in prescribed payload space? Will performers need to accommodate the solution from the “other”

Technical Area in that same given volume? (i.e. Does a source and COMMs solution need to fit into a single payload space if they are being proposed separately?

A. See BAA, section 1.4 pages 9-10. Phase 1 will focus on the technical challenges associated with the MOCCA program. Phase 2 will include integrate Phase 1 sonar and communications solutions into test UUV platforms.

54. We anticipate having to procure long lead items for this program. Can DARPA share the expected time delay between notification of selection, negotiation and contract start? This information will allow offerors to plan order placement accordingly to minimize schedule impact caused by the procurement of long lead items.

A. DARPA anticipates to notify proposers in May 2016 and contracts to be awarded in August 2016.