70RSAT24RB00000001 - LRBAA Industry Day Questions-Answers.pdf

Responses to Questions submitted via Pigeonhole during 2024 event Note: The Government reserves the right to make minor grammatical adjustments to submitted questions for clarity.

Rules of Engagement

1. What if an LRBAA topic is classified Type II or III, yet the company proposes a tech solution that is better aligned with Type I??

Answer: Each topic posted has a “Topic Research Sought” that is included, but we accept all research idea/concepts to any topic for any type and DHS will determine if the potential benefit and costs proposed are in alignment with our mission, in the evaluation process.

General Q&A

1. Just curious, the industry day agenda does not cover many of the 23 topics (e.g., the CYBCI area) -- will there be other events that will cover such topics?

Answer: There is an LRBAA Today webinar series, which is an opportunity for the innovation community to learn more about the Department’s research challenge areas, specific to LRBAA topics, and understand how to use the LRBAA program to work with S&T. To learn more, go to https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/lrbaa-today-webinar-series and join our mailing list to learn about future episodes.

2. Where can a supplier obtain additional information or feedback on whitepaper submittals that were not accepted? RFI feedback for revision and resubmittal is highly desired. Thanks!

Answer: The LRBAA process is not a RFI process. The Industry Engagement is setup to be a light lift for industry and government to see if the proposed concept/idea of a solution is of interest to meet DHS challenges. The decision to invite to the next step, Virtual Pitch, or not, is feedback from the government review panel for the interest in the proposed research concept/idea as submitted.

3. Is there any transparency or feedback why industry engagement 3-pager was not accepted? Feedback will be helpful so that one can revise white paper and resubmit again.

Answer: The Industry Engagement is setup to be a light lift for industry and government to see if the proposed concept/idea of a solution is of interest to meet DHS challenges. The decision to invite to the next step, Virtual Pitch, or not, is feedback from the government review panel for the interest in the proposed research concept/idea as submitted.

4. Is artificial intelligence part of any topics discussed today in the afternoon? I am very interested to talk to some one about AI, preparedness, and predictions.

https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/lrbaa-today-webinar-series https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/lrbaa-today-webinar-series

70RSAT24RB00000001 - LRBAA Questions and Answers

Answer: All of the videos from the afternoon session will be made available on SAM.gov. Sign up for the LRBAA emails, to receive a notification when they are posted.

Potential offerors should read the topic details to understand the scope and determine the applicability of technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, in their submission.

5. Communications Internet Protocol Packets have life expectancies. Our company’s solution is the bridge to full AI Provisioning & Routing, non-IP.

Answer: It is not the intent of the LRBAA to procure products or services to address specific needs that are best met through a more traditional solicitation process.

6. Why are Q&A not addressed?

Answer: All questions submitted during the event will have answers posted on SAM.gov.

7. Why do you not provide feedback for Industry Engagement if the proposal is rejected?

Answer: The Industry Engagement is setup to be a light lift for industry and government to see if the proposed concept/idea of a solution is of interest to meet DHS challenges. The decision to invite to the next step, Virtual Pitch, or not, is feedback from the government review panel for the interest in the proposed research

8. Will LRBAA replace SBIR? Currently there are no topics posted on SBIR by DHS.

Answer: No, the LRBAA is separate from the DHS SBIR program. The SBIR Program implementation is required under 15 U.S.C. 638. DHS SBIR annual solicitations are typically released in December (with pre-solicitation release in November). For more information on the DHS SBIR program, please visit https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/sbir.

9. Is there funding for PRRES 03 at this time or next year or is this topic now closed? Thank you.

Answer: The PRRES 03: Integrating risk sciences and adaptive engineering for community and infrastructure resilience topic is currently ‘Active’ and accepting new Industry Engagement submissions.

10. Will the slides be emailed out? I missed the video link that was just shared.

Answer: All of the videos from the afternoon session will be made available. Sign up for the LRBAA emails, to receive a notification when they are posted.

11. If our product contributes to multiple topics, can we reference them all on a single proposal, or do we need to submit individually for each topic?

why are Q&A not addressed?

Answer: *If* the submissions are unique, there is no limit on the number of topics and/or abstracts a company can submit to. A potential source (i.e., company) can submit to multiple different topics, or multiple submissions to the same topic, in the LRBAA announcement as long as the research concept/idea included in each submission is unique.

12. Providing proposals via the internet does not seem secure. Does the portal provide the required security to protect offerors data?

https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/sbir

Answer: DHS S&T takes the security of information and proposal submission protection very seriously. The sign in page for the portal has links for the Terms of Service and DHS Privacy Notice specific to the BAA portal, which is the system for receipt of LRBAA submissions. Step 1, Industry Engagement, of the LRBAA process does not require (and specifies not to include) any proprietary information. Once Virtual Pitch (Step 2) and Written Proposal (Step 3) submissions are entered into the portal and in DHS possession, we take all required steps to ensure proprietary information is properly secured from unauthorized disclosure.

13. Do you prefer to have potential proposers to contact a PM to better align and focus a concept prior to LRBAA WP submission, or is it preferred to go through the WP process?

Answer: Noted in the LRBAA announcement in Section 5: Process Detail on pg. 28, the submission process starts by registering on the DHS S&T LRBAA Submissions Portal (https://baa.dhs.gov/baa/public). Step 1, Industry Engagement is specifically designed to be a light lift for both industry and government, and its purpose is to allow offerors to find out the potential interest of the proposed approach, as applicable to the broad topic area.

For LRBAA, the offerors should be using the cited resources and conducting research to best understand the DHS mission need they believe their concept can address. There are no specific discussions scheduled with DHS POCs to receive direction on how or what to submit.

14. If one submits to a topic are but is better suited to a different topic area based on DHS review, what does DHS do? does it simply reject? or will it be reviewed in regard to a better topic area?

Answer: Each research concept/idea that is submitted is reviewed individually as to how best it meets the topic and moves through all phases of the process (Industry Engagement, Virtual Pitch and Written Proposal) accordingly based on the recommendations of the assigned topic evaluation team. It is the offeror’s responsibility to determine what they believe is the most appropriate application for their concept/solution.

15. Can a company revise and resubmit non-accepted abstracts to the same topic area?

Answer: Offerors do have the ability to resubmit to the same, or different, topic if/once a submission is not recommended to move forward, as long as the topic is "Active" and accepting new submissions.

16. Is there any guidance on average ROM for individual topic areas? How can a company know if the abstract was not selected based on the estimated price vs the technical merit?

Answer: Different topic areas have different levels of funding, for many reasons. And different proposed efforts would have different fair and reasonable costs, which may or may not align with the amount of available funding.

In the initial submission there is a request for a ROM on cost. The offeror should provide a realistic estimate of the effort proposed. DHS will determine if the potential benefit and costs proposed are in alignment with our mission, in the evaluation process. If the submission is recommended through to step 3 for the written proposal a detailed cost estimate will need to be completed with the submission. Large discrepancies between the ROM and the final cost estimate could impact the determination as to whether the need is in alignment with the cost requirement or funding available for the particular benefit that would be achieved.

17. Are the topic owners available to discuss research concepts prior to preparing and submitting white papers?

Answer: Noted in the LRBAA announcement in Section 5: Process Detail on pg. 28, the submission process starts by registering on the DHS S&T LRBAA Submissions Portal (https://baa.dhs.gov/baa/public). Step 1, Industry Engagement is specifically designed to be a light lift for both industry and government, and its purpose is to https://baa.dhs.gov/baa/public allow offerors to find out the potential interest of the proposed approach, as applicable to the broad topic area.

For LRBAA, the offerors should be using the cited resources and conducting research to best understand the DHS mission need they believe their concept can address. There are no specific discussions scheduled with DHS POCs

18. I am reviewing the "Long Range Broad Agency Announcement 24-01" document, but difficult to find some information such as budget limitation and expected length of performance period for each subtopic?

Answer: Different topic areas have different levels of funding types of efforts have very different costs, for many reasons. And different proposed efforts would have different fair and reasonable costs, which may or may not align with the amount of available funding. In the initial submission there is a request for a ROM on cost. The offeror should provide a realistic estimate of the effort proposed. DHS will determine if the potential benefit and costs proposed are in alignment with our mission, in the evaluation process. If the submission is recommended through to step 3 for the written proposal a detailed cost estimate will need to be completed with the submission. Large discrepancies between the ROM and the final cost estimate could impact the determination as to whether the need is in alignment with the cost requirement or funding available for the particular benefit that would be achieved.

19. How might we in the private sector find or provide funding for your programs that you need but are not sufficiently funded?

Answer: Projects awarded through the LRBAA are not typically open to non-Government investment for a variety of reasons.

20. Why providing a Q&A section when those Q&A are not being talked about in each session?

Answer: To provide equitable access to information all questions and answers are made available to all attendees, each question and answer submitted during the event will be posted on SAM.gov.

21. How soon will the video recordings be posted? Also, where can I find them once posted?

Answer: The recorded sessions will be posted to our S&T YouTube channel in the coming months. Notifications of availability will be made to those on the LRBAA mailing list and a notice will be posted to SAM.gov.

22. Does S&T have examples of successful submissions and their life cycle? What are the Success stories?

Answer: There are a number of success stories. Please see the recording of the How are LRBAA Topics Generated panel session to hear about some.

23. When S&T does an evaluation of a technology, how is its findings presented to other DHS agencies and are they required to use these technologies?

Answer: It depends on the work and the sensitivity of the topic. Typically, if it’s a broad DHS technology evaluation, DHS could put out cleared lists of technologies that components could acquire under the FAR. A good example of this is the small UAS platforms that have been cleared for use across Government. Given the DGI issue, it was necessary to publish a list of vetted platforms.

24. About using DHS classified data. Can solution provide AI solution using publicly available data and demonstrate?

Also, if we can request data using FOIA.

Answer: This may be dependent on the problem to be solved and the specific requirements of the program and its customer. The FOIA process does not release classified data.

25. Does the same panel evaluate all submissions or are there SMEs for each topic area?

Answer: Each topic has its own government review panel assigned to review submissions, so each submission is evaluated independently as it relates to the topic it was submitted to.

What is LRBAA?

1. What is the typical period of performance of an award?

Answer: Different topic areas have different levels of funding, for many reasons. And different proposed efforts would have different fair and reasonable costs, which may or may not align with the amount of available funding.

In the initial submission there is a request for a ROM on cost. The offeror should provide a realistic estimate of the effort proposed. DHS will determine if the potential benefit and costs proposed are in alignment with our mission, in the evaluation process. If the submission is recommended through to step 3 for the written proposal a detailed cost estimate will need to be completed with the submission. Large discrepancies between the ROM and the final cost estimate could impact the determination as to whether the need is in alignment with the cost

2. Is the list of awardees posted somewhere?

Answer: Publicly available information on awarded LRBAA proposals can be found on the portal at the following URL: https://baa.dhs.gov/baa/public/awards-search-page

3. Small businesses have limited resources. It would be helpful to understand how many proposals are submitted and how many DHS moves forward with - we need to understand if success is a long-shot.?

Answer: Publicly available information on awarded LRBAA proposals can be found on the portal at the following URL: https://baa.dhs.gov/baa/public/awards-search-page

4. During what month does the annual topic update occur?

Answer: There is not a set month for the annual topic updates. To receive information on LRBAA news and events, sign-up for our mailing list by visiting https://baa.dhs.gov/baa/public.

5. Would you able to provide a notional time frame for the approximate amount of time it takes for your team --idea submittal, the review, and the notional approval of a solution?

Answer: Noted in the LRBAA Announcement in Section 2: Process Overview on pg. 7, the submission and evaluation goals for each step of the process are provided.

6. Is it recommended that we speak to a program manager prior to entering the Industry Engagement Step, which includes abstract, quad chart and optional video?

Answer: Noted in the LRBAA announcement in Section 5: Process Detail on pg. 28, the submission process starts by registering on the DHS S&T LRBAA Submissions Portal (https://baa.dhs.gov/baa/public). Step 1, Industry Engagement is specifically designed to be a light lift for both industry and government, and its purpose is to https://baa.dhs.gov/baa/public/awards-search-page https://baa.dhs.gov/baa/public/awards-search-page allow offerors to find out the potential interest of the proposed approach, as applicable to the broad topic area.

For LRBAA, the offerors should be using the cited resources and conducting research to best understand the DHS mission need they believe their concept can address. There are no specific discussions scheduled with DHS POCs

7. Is there funding available to support new R&D with LRBAA?

Answer: Yes, LRBAA topics are expected to receive submissions for new R&D.

8. The LRBAA is an open announcement covering many areas of the DHS mission. What is the threshold for DHS/S&T to issue a targeted BAA for a more specific mission need?

Answer: Targeted BAAs are considered when we have a specific need and want to evaluate all the options for proposed solutions and select the one(s) that best meet the DHS need for that application. Targeted BAAs will also typically have specific due dates for submission, funding thresholds and period of performance guidance.

9. Are the abstracts/quads posted on public page?

Answer: As noted in the LRBAA Announcement in Section 1: Introduction on pg. 4, it is the policy of DHS to treat all materials as proprietary information and to disclose their contents only for the purposes of evaluation and are not posted to any public pages.

10. Is there a list of functional steps that end in actual work, e.g., a contract?

Answer: Details of the LRBAA process, including a flow chart, can be found in the LRBAA Announcement in Section 2: Process Overview on pgs. 5-7. If recommended to Step 3, Written Proposal, it is possible that a decision, by the government review panel, can be made to explore the pursuit of a funding agreement (contract, grant, etc.).

11. does DHS S&T want to leverage other federal efforts, e.g., DoD, to build upon a start, to develop a DHS specific solution aimed at an LRBAA topic area?

Answer: Yes, DHS S&T is interested in pursuing research/development solutions to our challenges that would extend the capabilities of either DHS or other agency’s previous efforts.

12. How do you find the right program manager to discuss our new R&D idea with?

Answer: Noted in the LRBAA announcement in Section 5: Process Detail on pg. 28, the submission process starts by registering on the DHS S&T LRBAA Submissions Portal (https://baa.dhs.gov/baa/public). Step 1, Industry Engagement is specifically designed to be a light lift for both industry and government, and its purpose is to allow offerors to find out the potential interest of the proposed approach, as applicable to the broad topic area.

For LRBAA, the offerors should be using the cited resources and conducting research to best understand the DHS mission need they believe their concept can address. There are no specific discussions scheduled with DHS POCs

13. What should the start and end technology readiness level (TRL) be?

Answer: The LRBAA process, by design, covers a wide range of subjects to contemplate proposals for original research that fall outside the scope of more narrowly defined BAAs. Noted in the LRBAA Announcement in

Section 4: Research Topics on pg. 9, each topic notes the types of research solutions that are being sought. The 3 different types are:

• Type I: Projects/activities that focus on gaps or needs that have been identified by DHS components

• Type II: Enduring research that results in better and more actionable data sets, knowledge products, standards, and peer-reviewed publications to support scientific endeavors

• Type III: Exploring emerging science and technology areas and their potential threat or application to future DHS missions

14. Why does S&T prohibit proprietary information with the quad chart submission?

Answer: In the Industry Engagement submission (Step 1 of the process), it is stated not to include proprietary information because the information provided in this step is not protected by the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) from being disclosed.

15. How does S&T protect offerors' intellectual property rights in technologies that might stem from funding under the LRBAA?

Answer: DHS adheres to the Intellectual Property provisions in the FAR for the protection of “Data Rights” and “Patent Rights”.

16. Industry proposals do not get feedback at the first two stages of evaluation. It leaves industry in a position of not knowing whether to pursue engagement with DHS or not. For example, is the proposed solution uninteresting to DHS or just unclear in some key area? Without feedback, it becomes increasingly likely that industry will not come back, leaving DHS without a potential solution.

Answer: The Industry Engagement is setup to be a light lift for industry and government to see if the proposed concept/idea of a solution is of interest to meet DHS challenges. The decision to invite to the next step, Virtual Pitch, or not, is feedback from the government review panel for the interest in the proposed research

17. What is an acceptable ROM for submissions?

Answer: Different topic areas have different levels of funding, for many reasons. And different proposed efforts would have different fair and reasonable costs, which may or may not align with the amount of available funding.

In the initial submission there is a request for a ROM on cost. The offeror should provide a realistic estimate of the effort proposed. DHS will determine if the potential benefit and costs proposed are in alignment with our mission, in the evaluation process. If the submission is recommended through to step 3 for the written proposal a detailed cost estimate will need to be completed with the submission. Large discrepancies between the ROM and the final cost estimate could impact the determination as to whether the need is in alignment with the cost

18. What is the maximum duration of the projects?

Answer: Different topic areas have different levels of funding, for many reasons. And different proposed efforts would have different fair and reasonable costs, which may or may not align with the amount of available funding.

In the initial submission there is a request for a ROM on cost. The offeror should provide a realistic estimate of the effort proposed. DHS will determine if the potential benefit and costs proposed are in alignment with our mission, in the evaluation process. If the submission is recommended through to step 3 for the written proposal a detailed cost estimate will need to be completed with the submission. Large discrepancies between the ROM and the final cost estimate could impact the determination as to whether the need is in alignment with the cost

How are Topics Generated

1. Are the lists of component needs available to industry? Would help with our long term planning.

Answer: They are Law Enforcement Sensitive and cannot be shared. That’s why we publish announcements like LRBAA so we can reach industry on specific topic areas.

2. Is it appropriate to speak with TPOCs before proposing within a specific topic area, similar to the way OTAs encourage pre-proposal technical discussions?

Answer: Noted in the LRBAA announcement in Section 5: Process Detail on pg. 28, the submission process starts by registering on the DHS S&T LRBAA Submissions Portal (https://baa.dhs.gov/baa/public). Step 1, Industry Engagement is specifically designed to be a light lift for both industry and government, and its purpose is to allow offerors to find out the potential interest of the proposed approach, as applicable to the broad topic area.

For LRBAA, the offerors should be using the cited resources and conducting research to best understand the DHS mission need they believe their concept can address. There are no specific discussions scheduled with DHS POCs

3. The President is proposing a DHS S&T budget cut of $13.4M. Will this impact the LRBAA effort?

Answer: S&T is facing a significant cut, which will force difficult funding decisions across the board. However, since programs do not set aside a specific budget for LRBAA efforts, the impact on potential selection of new LRBAA efforts is difficult to determine.

4. Does S&T only want tech proposals? What about social and behavioral research and modeling?

Answer: S&T is interested in proposals that generally tie to the topic areas listed. That is why there is non-static list of topic areas. As our interest or needs change then you can respond accordingly.

5. Does OHS use the LRBAA?

Answer: We work with DHS components, like OHS, to determine if there is a need for a topic to be included on the LRBAA announcement to address a requirement they may need assistance with.

6. If your proposal addresses several of the 23 topics, would we need to submit multiple times or does the submission allow us to note several topics?

Answer: *If* the submissions are unique, there is no limit on the number of topics and/or abstracts a company can submit to. A potential source (i.e., company) can submit to multiple different topics, or multiple submissions

7. What is the difference between a Program Manager, a Portfolio Manager, and a Technical Manager?

8. Answer: Program managers head up the program areas and they make sure that all the efforts under a particular area are moving along in sync. Portfolio managers are within Office of Requirements Analysis (ORA) and they're the ones that that are the liaison with the components and to make sure that we have a path to be able to receive their needs and understand what they are and their prioritization. Technology managers work in the Technology Centers Division (TCD) are responsible for managing different areas of science or technology and providing such expertise.

9. How are issues around sustainability (operations and support requirements) accounted for in the R&D programs/solutions?

Answer: In selecting potential development opportunities/solutions, S&T considers a number of factors connected to transition in deployment. Where possible, we try to incorporate such requirements into the solution being developed. If an idea is less mature, we identify a longer-term roadmap/pathway to complete follow-on efforts if initial R&D stages are successful.

10. The panel has mentioned 7 divisions that each have their own strategic priorities. What are the 7 divisions? and can we see what their strategic plans are?

Answer: The divisions can be found at the following link: Research | Homeland Security (dhs.gov)

11. How important is it to provide a “transition plan” for moving a research product into operations for long term sustainability?

Answer: Within S&T’s Office of Mission and Capability Support, every program/project is required to have a transition plan that provides a pathway and requirements for successfully moving from S&T to the operational component. These are developed in partnership with the component/end-user early and maintained throughout the R&D lifecycle.

12. Do you have any advice for applicants from academia, as opposed to from industry/private sector?

Answer: In terms of academia, we believe the comments would apply. In your responses, focus on the innovation, research or address the problem. Again, in terms of real estate (i.e., page limits) do not spend a lot of content on the University or capabilities in the early stages. Also, discuss how this would be brought to market; would you collaborate with channel partners or would this lead to Intellectual property such as patents etc.

13. It’s hard to find the actual parameters for what I can submit - you said 2 pages but the flowchart says 3 page white paper. What are the actual rules?

Answer: The LRBAA announcement, SAM.gov, is the authoritative source for the submission requirements and restrictions. Noted in the LRBAA Announcement in Section 5: Process Detail on pg. 29, for the Industry Engagement submission you are required to submit an abstract (limited to 3 pages) and quad chart. A short video is optional.

14. How do the topics and requirements for the LRBAA map to the DHS Innovation, Research & Development Strategic Plan 2024-2030? Thank

Answer: The IRD Strategic Plan provides cross-cutting technology areas for the Department. We anticipate that solutions to the LRBAA topics will likely utilize one or more of these technology areas.

15. Are there organized opportunities for teaming? For instance, a list of those who attended the sessions.

https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/research https://sam.gov/opp/f0ce4e1c87de47648f1bbf6cf7c5e0d9/view

Answer: We will not share the list of event attendees publicly. Please see Section 3: Eligibility on pg. 8 in the LRBAA Announcement for information regarding who can submit.

16. How high is the priority to extend “screen at speed” beyond airports?

Answer: U.S. Customs and Border Protection is facing unprecedented volume of trade, commerce, travel, and immigration through all ports of entry. To keep pace with this volume while balancing the need to secure our borders, this is a very high priority for the Department.

17. If our technology is used by the public, for instance screening at the airport, is it necessary to address the user experience? If so, can we partner with a firm to do this?

Answer: S&T is looking at the user experience as one small part of modernization efforts. When they are ready for inputs, announcements (for RFI’s, etc.) will be posted on SAM.gov.

18. In terms of interoperability, is the focus on interoperability internal to S&T capabilities and/or solutions, or interoperability with external components, e.g., DoD?

Answer: Interoperability is between components of DHS and external partners depending on the mission of the component. First Responders are very different from Secret Service and the Coast Guard.

19. All tech solutions need customization, following up on my leveraging DoD work question, is this desirable or looked at as duplicative?

Answer: Leveraging efforts from DoD with customization is a good thing—we see it as leveraging funding and furthering federal research dollars. However, you must clearly define the research and development that S&T would be funding and what the benefit would be.

20. Is DHS S&T happy with the amount and type of incoming proposals? If not, why do you believe you are not?

Answer: DHS S&T has found the LRBAA to be a valuable mechanism to discover novel and innovative approaches to DHS mission needs. We hold Industry Day events, produce LRBAA Today webinar episodes and other outreach activities to help educate and encourage submissions that meet the requirements of the announcement and goals of the topics.

21. When we (industry) find a technology developed in another country such as Israel, UK, etc., will those technologies be considered as part of a proposal?

Answer: If/how technologies developed outside the US can be appropriately incorporated into a solution for DHS depends on many factors. To find out if there is interest in a potential specific application an Industry Engagement (Step 1) should be submitted to a relevant topic.

22. What is the best way to engage with the right individuals to gain an understanding of what the true problem set is? at times the written requirement does not match the sought after solution.

Answer: Noted in the LRBAA announcement in Section 5: Process Detail on pg. 28, the submission process starts by registering on the DHS S&T LRBAA Submissions Portal (https://baa.dhs.gov/baa/public). Step 1, Industry Engagement is specifically designed to be a light lift for both industry and government, and its purpose is to allow offerors to find out the potential interest of the proposed approach, as applicable to the broad topic area.

For LRBAA, the offerors should be using the cited resources and conducting research to best understand the DHS mission need they believe their concept can address. There are no specific discussions scheduled with DHS POCs

23. Related to "Emerging Technologies" PROES-01, description describes QIS as example. Are only cyber/IT/algorithms-type project sought, or ANY emerging technologies such as life science, engineering, etc.

Answer: Research disciplines for Tech Centers include: Cybersecurity and Communications, Quantum, Sensors and Platforms, Biometrics, Modeling and Simulation, Data Analytics and AI, Social Behavior sciences

24. Are any topic areas seen as higher priorities? Is the potential funding pool equal across topic areas?

Answer: There is no priority difference between any of the 'Active' topics listed in the LRBAA Announcement.

Different topic areas have different levels of funding, for many reasons. And different proposed efforts would have different fair and reasonable costs, which may or may not align with the amount of available funding. In the initial submission there is a request for a ROM on cost. The offeror should provide a realistic estimate of the effort proposed. DHS will determine if the potential benefit and costs proposed are in alignment with our mission, in the evaluation process. If the submission is recommended through to step 3 for the written proposal a detailed cost estimate will need to be completed with the submission. Large discrepancies between the ROM and the final cost estimate could impact the determination as to whether the need is in alignment with the cost

25. Are initial proposals proprietary to the submitter?

Answer: As noted in the LRBAA Announcement in Section 1: Introduction on pg. 4, it is the policy of DHS to treat all materials as proprietary information and to disclose their contents only for the purposes of evaluation.

26. Does DHS S&T have an OTA Consortium?

Answer: The establishment of Consortia is not an effort that would be conducted using the LRBAA.

27. When does the Silicon Valley Innovation Program 5-Year Other Transaction Solicitation release topics?

Answer: For more information regarding the Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP), please go to https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/svip.

28. Is there a process by which a long-term solution is matured into a near-term solution to an operational solution?

Answer: There are fundamental steps to transition research and development efforts and each one has its own path. S&T generates transition plans to explore and identify those paths and help mitigate challenges.

29. I understand the LRBAA is for R&D projects. What happens when a solution matures beyond an R&D project?

Answer: When a solution moves beyond R&D (typically TRL-7 for S&T), the solution is transitioned to a Component for final development and integration. S&T also works closely with partners throughout the R&D lifecycle to identify opportunities for research and development commercialization.

30. Are there merits/benefits of submitting the same technology to different challenges with different use cases?

Does this increase the probability of support and continued engagement?

https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/svip

Answer: No. *If* the submissions are unique, there is no limit on the number of topics and/or abstracts a company can submit to. A potential source (i.e., company) can submit to multiple different topics, or multiple submissions to the same topic, in the LRBAA announcement as long as the research concept/idea included in each submission is unique.

31. Are there title words for each item on the quad chart? Or does it have the following: "Purpose, Procedure, Analysis Results" titles?

Answer: At the end of the LRBAA Announcement on pgs. 49-50, Attachment 1 (Quad Chart Instructions) provides a template with details on what to include in each quadrant of the document.

32. Our challenge has been and continues to be the fact, DOD and Government don't understand something they haven't seen before and is outside their current capability miss the creative thinking designs.

Answer: DHS is a cabinet level agency and not part of DoD. Compelling proposals will help the USG understand the value and impact of creative solutions, even those that haven’t been seen before.

33. What kind of budgets are associated with each of the six mission areas or 23 topic areas? Can we find this detail in budget documents?

Answer: DHS Budget information can be found at the following link: DHS Budget | Homeland Security

34. Our pitch failed because of the questions on commercialization, not technical. Do I need an industry partner or a path to commercialization to be successful?

Answer: An industry partner or path to commercialization is not necessarily a requirement. Because S&T plans for transition early, providers that can clearly articulate a vision or plan for commercialization may be viewed more favorably. For some topic calls, the programs/projects have more flexibility for earlier stage research where a less defined commercialization pathway, and therefore risk, is acceptable.

35. What if an LRBAA topic is classified Type II or III, yet the company proposes a tech solution that is better aligned with Type I?

Answer: All proposals will be reviewed and evaluated based on established criteria and requirements related to the individual topic call. The topic sponsor may select solutions that are classified differently if presented with a compelling proposal.

LRBAA Submission Process

1. What if a proposal crosses two or more topic areas? Can/should we submit to multiple topics?

Answer: *If* the submissions are unique, there is no limit on the number of topics and/or abstracts a company can submit to. A potential source (i.e., company) can submit to multiple different topics, or multiple submissions

2. Are there templates or other specific guidance for the abstract and quad chart?

https://www.dhs.gov/dhs-budget

Answer: The announcement does not specify a specific template for the abstract. The only requirement for the abstract is that it does not exceed the 3-page limit and describes the technology or research, why it is unique, and an overview of the company, its capabilities, and relevant experience.

At the end of the Announcement on pgs. 49-50, Attachment 1 (Quad Chart Instructions) provides a template with details on what to include in each quadrant of the document.

3. Is there a length limit to the demo video?

Answer: At the end of the Announcement on pgs. 51-52, Attachment 2 (Industry Engagement Video Instructions) provides instructions for the non-professional video that it should not be greater than 4 minutes in length.

4. I understand the demo video cannot contain proprietary information. Can proprietary information be included in the portal submissions?

Answer: Step 1, Industry Engagement, should not contain any proprietary information. If a submission is recommended to participate in the Virtual Pitch or Written Proposal steps of the process, proprietary information can be included in materials required to be submitted for each of those steps.

5. Will my existing account information be prefilled in this updated platform?

Answer: If you have created an account in the portal (https://baa.dhs.gov/) the proposal submission form will pre-fill in most of the company information fields from information that has previously saved in a user’s profile.

Topic Talk: Novel Approaches and Locations for Explosive Performance Characterization and Testing

1. Are you looking for modeling and simulation of handmade and IEDs?

Answer: Novel approaches of modeling and simulation are of interest to the program.

2. For TSA are you wanting to test explosives on fuselages?

Answer: A current effort tests explosives on fuselages. We are not interested in pursuing additional testing on fuselages with this LRBAA topic area.

3. What are the testing location requirements?

Answer: The testing location must be currently licensed as an explosives testing range up to at least 50lbs fragmenting. The range officials must be tolerant of the use of improvised and homemade explosives including synthesis on site.

4. Can you use a tribal reservation?

Answer: The program office has no restrictions on this.

5. Would you be interested in working with a HC U for testing?

Answer: Yes, there is interest in working with HBCUs https://baa.dhs.gov/

6. Are your privacy concerns about ethical use or about the public perception of the use?

Answer: The topic area does not have any privacy concerns due to the testing nature.

7. I saw "ballistics" written on a slide, so would this topic also apply to things like projectile research that use explosive primer to shoot and go fast, but don't explode?

Answer: Any mention of ballistics was referring to a technique for measuring near-field blast termed “Ballistic Pendulum”. The ETA Program is not interested in projectile research at this time.

8. Granted LRBAA can be submitted all year around, what is the a (general) time between submission and check for funding, to begin the R&D?

Answer: Submission and Evaluation Timeframes can be found in Section2: Process Overview on pg. 7 of the LRBAA Announcement. Please see the Contracting Process recording to hear about the factors that contribute to the timeframes for that part of the process.

9. Related to entry-points: Do any offices or programs under DHS connect with, or support (STEM or training or workforce development)? For example, I heard that FEMA, an emergency arm, falls under DHS.

Answer: This Topic Area is not related to training. Workforce development is usually contained within the specific component for example Transportation Security Officer training is within the Training office of the Transportation Security Administration. Other training is run through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) which is a component of the Department of Homeland Security.

Topic Talk: Screening at Speed

1. The topic here is about explosives detection. Does the LRBAA or DHS more generally have a need for characterizing explosions after they occur, such as relating to a terrorist attack, for example?

Answer: Screening at Speed does not have requirements regarding characterizing explosions after they occur. Screening at Speed is focused on mitigating risk and detecting explosives and other prohibited items before they can be used to cause harm. Screening at Speed cannot speak on behalf of other parts of DHS or other topics in this solicitation.

2. Is there a public data available to generate synthetic data?

Answer: There may be publicly available data, but Screening at Speed does not specifically endorse any available data. Screening at Speed has seen Offerors demonstrate successful approaches that adapt data from other fields to apply to this domain, such as medical data and radar data.

Topic Talk: Maritime Environment and Climate and Coastal, Port, and Waterway Security

1. What do you consider a "Dark Vessel"?

Answer: Non-emitting or uncooperative vessels which are attempting to evade detection, typically because they are performing illegal activities.

2. Why do we post if the questions don't get asked?

Answer: Per instructions given prior to the presentations, attendees are to submit questions to the Pigeonhole website. Some questions were addressed during the Question & Answer session and all other questions with answers will be posted to SAM.gov.

3. What type of budgets are available per project?

Answer: The scale of projects can range and depends upon the scope and complexity of the technology being proposed to be developed.

4. is visualization such as Augmented Reality working with digital twin of the port of interest to this subject?

Answer: Please refer to the Maritime Safety and Security (MSS) Roadmap, which is a capability roadmap addressing current and future demands across DHS and to inform future initiatives and budget requests:

https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/publication/maritime-safety-and-security-roadmap-brochure.

You can also visit the Maritime Safety and Security Program website for additional information: Maritime Safety and Security | Homeland Security (dhs.gov)

5. What TRL are you looking for?

Answer: For this topic, development efforts are performed at TRLs ranging from 4 – 7. However, mature technologies at 8 or 9 that will be used in a different capacity and need modification can be leveraged. This would decrease the TRL for that application to address specific Homeland Security requirements not satisfied by the existing capability and potentially be eligible for funding through DHS S&T LRBAA.

6. Would unattended sensors be of interest?

Answer: Please refer to the Maritime Safety and Security Roadmap, which is a capability roadmap addressing current and future demands across DHS and to inform future initiatives and budget requests:

https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/publication/maritime-safety-and-security-roadmap-brochure.

You can also visit the Maritime Safety and Security Program website for additional information: Maritime Safety and Security | Homeland Security (dhs.gov)

7. Can we submit to multiple topics?

Answer: *If* the submissions are unique, there is no limit on the number of topics and/or abstracts a company can submit to. A potential source (i.e., company) can submit to multiple different topics, or multiple submissions

8. You mentioned AOIs ranging from ports to the Arctic. Are you looking for solutions that can be used across different waterways (rivers, shoreline, littorals, open ocean)?

Answer: Please refer to the Maritime Safety and Security Roadmap, which is a capability roadmap addressing current and future demands across DHS and to inform future initiatives and budget requests:

https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/publication/maritime-safety-and-security-roadmap-brochure. You can also visit the Maritime Safety and Security Program website for additional information: Maritime Safety and Security | Homeland Security (dhs.gov) https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/publication/maritime-safety-and-security-roadmap-brochure https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/maritime-border-security https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/maritime-border-security https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/maritime-border-security https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/maritime-border-security https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/maritime-border-security https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/publication/maritime-safety-and-security-roadmap-brochure

To the greatest extent possible, capabilities should be interoperable irrespective of the location / mission they are used for. However, the vastness and lack of infrastructure in the Arctic and open ocean provide unique challenges that may result in specific solutions for those regions.

9. What targets are of interest? Dark vessels, aircraft, more?

Answer: Please refer to the Maritime Safety and Security Roadmap, which is a capability roadmap addressing current and future demands across DHS and to inform future initiatives and budget requests:

https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/publication/maritime-safety-and-security-roadmap-brochure. You can also visit the Maritime Safety and Security Program website for additional information: Maritime Safety and Security | Homeland Security (dhs.gov)

Surface / Subsurface vessels ranging from ~40’ wood / fiberglass hull to ocean going freighters are the primary interest of the MSS Program. Multirole technologies and sensors also capable of detecting aircraft (crewed / uncrewed) are also of interest.

10. Is commercialization not scope of LRBAA? I heard it is R&D only.

Answer: The Science and Technology Directorate's Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (LRBAA) is a standing, open invitation to the scientific and technical communities to fund pioneering research and development (R&D) projects in support of our nation’s security. Please visit the Long Range Broad Agency Announcement website for additional information: S&T LRBAA | Homeland Security (dhs.gov)

Commercialization is but one means of transitioning a technology for use by DHS Components. Technologies can also be transitioned directly to DHS Components or into their missions and systems. How a technology is transitioned for use by DHS Components is unique to each development effort.

Topic Talk: Technology Acceptance

1. Is this topic mostly focused on digital technologies or are you also interested in hardware tech adoption?

Answer: Any new or emerging technology that DHS will use could be studied under this topic area. We have tried not to limit to specific technologies, use cases, customers, or TRL levels.

2. Are we allowed to use FCC White Spaces bandwidth to communicate between residential tech nodes? How do we go about using mandated FCC bandwidth for research in dual-use networking modems.

Answer: This question is not applicable to the subject LRBAA topic.

3. What funds would best help deploy any given system across a region or system, similar to the FCC DTV rollout a few years ago? Or is this only centered around research R&D?

Answer: S&T can only fund R&D efforts. The deployment and maintenance of technologies or systems must be planned for by components using the technology. This research should help bolster the implementation planning of components.

4. Critical topic. Is there funding attached to this topic?

Answer: All current LRBAA topics have an expectation that funding is available for submissions of interest.

https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/publication/maritime-safety-and-security-roadmap-brochure https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/st-lrbaa

5. Who has jurisdiction for residential nodes that have access to local wireless spectrum? Who would have the closest jurisdiction for policy?

Answer: This is a question is not applicable to the subject LRBAA topic.

Topic Talk: Public Safety Tools for Lithium-ion Battery Incidents

1. Will DHS provide access to data about the batteries structure, failure modes and other things we need to know to solve that problem since manufacturers will surely not share those data?

Answer: At this time DHS will not provide data on battery structure and failure modes to prospective Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (LRBAA) offerors.

2. Where are the primary sources of ignitions. In trash? While on-person, in transit, typically in hot cars, typically on chargers at homes? Some context highest ignition area stats would help solutions.

Answer: Due to limitations in current reporting as well as the variety of types of batteries and their uses, quantitative data is not available to answer this question at this time.

3. In many cases Li ion batteries have more stored energy that some explosives. Have the US Gov asked companies such as Apple, if their batteries are safe?

Answer: We cannot speak for all of the US Government nor for all of DHS.