DHS SBIR-2012.1 Q A Round 2.pdf

DHS SBIR-2012.1 Question and Answer Matrix As of December 9, 2011

ID# Date Answered

Topic Area Question Answer

1 11.22.2011 12.1-001 Should the tunnel be continuously enclosed or can sections be open to the environment? The objective is to minimize aerosol transmission of microorganisms.

2 11.22.2011 12.1-001 Will water be available onsite or should it be supplied with the unit? Assume water will be available from well, hydrant, municipality or tanker, however, the tunnel unit should have compatible fittings.

3 11.22.2011 12.1-001 Will a power source be available onsite or should it be supplied with the unit? Assume the tunnel unit will be capable of connecting to a generator or generating its own power.

4 11.22.2011 General The Phase I Option Cost proposal (not to exceed $50,000) is or is not included in the Technical Proposal portion of the document?

The cost proposal for the Phase I option must be included in the Technical Proposal (if an option is proposed and discussed in the Technical Proposal). The cost proposal for the option does not count against the Technical Proposal page limit.

5 11.22.2011 General The Phase I Main cost proposal (not to exceed $100,000) is or is not included in the Technical Proposal portion of the document?

The Phase I cost proposal counts as 1 page towards the proposal page count no matter how it prints out.

The cost proposal for the base effort (not to exceed $100,000) is entered separately via the SBIR portal when the proposal is submitted.

6 11.22.2011 12.1-005 What is an average size of the security perimeter? For example is it an open market place that can be the size of a football field or larger? Or is it more like a small hallway?

There is no size specified for this individual SBIR topic. It is, however, desirable for Phase I that the offeror propose a solution that addresses a security perimeter similar to a covered spectator concourse at a sports venue or passenger concourse at a mid-sized airport terminal.

7 11.22.2011 12.1-005 Are the security perimeters strictly indoor or strictly outdoor, or are you looking for solutions for both indoor and outdoor?

While a solution that addresses both environments is optimal, a solution that addresses the ability to track an individual in an indoor environment is permissible for Phase I. It is anticipated that the most successful proposals will define a clear path from Phase I to Phase III of this SBIR topic that indicates measureable progress toward tracking persons in both indoor and outdoor environments.

8 12.09.2011 12.1-005, General

Can a C corporation with a MWBE and a HUB designation and the owner have more than 51% of the company shares is eligible to submit a proposal for this solicitation?

The SBIR Policy Directive defines an eligible corporation as one that is: (i) at least 51 percent owned and controlled by one or more individuals who are citizens of the United States or permanent resident aliens in the United States; (ii) at least 51% owned and controlled by another business concern that is itself at least 51% owned and controlled by individuals who are citizens of, or permanent resident aliens in the United States; or

(iii) a joint venture in which each entity to the venture must meet the requirements of either (i) or (ii). The designations MWBE and HUB do not factor into the definition of corporate ownership. Subject to the above, your company as a C Corp would be eligible to submit.

9 12.09.2011 12.1-005 Does excluding the use of RFID include other radio driven technologies and protocols such as bluetooth, zeegbee, inferred or UHF sensor technologies or just the specific protocols for 433 and 915 MHz RFID protocols technologies?

There is no intent to prohibit any particular technical approach to the solution of the requirement presented in this topic. This prohibition was placed in the topic to emphasize to any potential offeror that any solution proposed must provide a means of tracking persons who are not necessarily cooperating in their own tracking.

This means that a solution to track persons within a secure perimeter should not rely on the need for an individual to carry anything other than his/her own individual personal items.

10 12.09.2011 12.1-005 Is voice analysis considered a biometric technology? The validity of voice analysis as a biometric is still much debated within the scientific community. However, any solution proposed by an offeror should be able to track a person within a secure perimeter without his/her cooperation. With respect to voice analysis in particular, the offeror should be able to clearly articulate the merits of including any particular sensor or technique in its proposed solution when an obvious countermeasure; e.g., not talking, is apparent. Also, an offeror should consider the potential privacy implications resulting from incorporation of voice analysis in a proposed solution and how those implications would be mitigated.

11 12.09.2011 12.1-005, General

Regarding the review process mentioned in the solicitation, it states that the Phase I SBIR proposals will be evaluated on a competitive basis and will be considered to be binding for six (6) months from the date of closing of this Solicitation unless the proposer states otherwise. If selection has not been made prior to the proposal's expiration date, proposers may be asked to extend their proposal for an additional period of time.

Additionally, the Timing of Phase I Awards indicates the following “the anticipated time between the date that this Solicitation closes and the award of the Phase I contract is approximately four (4) months. Phase I award information is posted on the website generally four (4) month after the close of the solicitation.” Based on this information, would May 5, 2012 be an appropriate start date for the performance period?

The proposed date submitted by the offeror is only an approximate date. Historically, the DHS SBIR program has made awards in approximately 120 days from the closing date of the solicitation. It would not be appropriate to assume that the specific date stated in the question, even if approximate, is the exact date that the project will start. Start dates will be determined by the Contracts Officer.

12 12.09.2011 General With regard to Section 3.7 Prior Awards Addendum on page 22 of the solicitation, I am not sure for some of the items listed if it should be with regard to a Phase I or a Phase II award. For instance the Phase I funding agreement number and Phase I Award amount are mentioned and I am wondering if this is really the Phase II funding agreement number and award amount. Could you tell us exactly what we should include in this addendum and for what phase each of these items is needed?

If your company has received more than 15 Phase II awards in the prior five fiscal years provide the following:

• Name of the awarding agency

• Date of Phase I and Phase II awards

• Phase I and II funding agreement numbers (i.e., Contract Number)

• Phase I & Phase II award amounts

• Phase I topic title

• Commercialization status for each prior Phase II award

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