Project Fox-ACE Call Questions and Answers.pdf

FA9302-21-S-C001 - Finding Agile Solutions for Test (FAST) Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO)

Call FA2280-23-S-C001 - Project FOX Agile Combat Employment Combat Mission Systems Operational Evaluation

Questions and Answers

Date: 24 October 2022

1. What types of data will be ingested by the FOX BOX? Images, video, or other sensor data?

a. Currently, potential image/video will be from sniper pod or similar formats as well as other potential optical sensors. We encourage any recommendations for both hardware and software solutions.

2. What types of visual objects (e.g. buildings, vehicles, people) or events are to be detected?

a. Vehicles and events will be of interest.

3. With regards to the statement on page 5 and in other places, “White papers may be ineligible for further consideration if all requirements of this solicitation are not met…,” if an offer has a hardware (HW) and/or software (SW) solution that can meet technology objectives individually, but not comprehensively, will they be considered ineligible? In other words, can individual HW or SW products be proposed that don’t address all the elements of the solicitation objectives comprehensively?

a. Offeror's will not be considered ineligible if a white paper addresses technology objectives individually. Meaning, a partial solution described within a White Paper will still be evaluated.

4. Can we assume that the scope of this solicitation is just for the development, demonstration and support of HW and SW products for experimentation on eVTOL and other FOX platforms?

Or should we include ROM estimates for operational deployment of products as well?

a. Offeror’s may choose to provide Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) estimates for operational deployments, but should consider making it clear within the White Paper.

Transition plans for operational deployment and sustainment of software and/or hardware products are encouraged.

5. What are the specifications of the hardware that the AVERA GRA will be running on? Anticipated resource availability (CPU/Memory/Disk space)?

a. The specific hardware solutions will change depending on vendor proposals and government requirements. Current government prototypes include both X-86 and ARM solutions. If there is a minimum requested hardware capability, please state this in white-paper response.

6. What is the anticipated timeline for integration of proposed software into the AVERA GRA?

a. Project FOX GRA will include a platform adapter and other components, to include current AVERA version or subsequent / alternate revisions. The platform adapter and vendor specific software integration work will begin in December 2022

7. Will the deployment be in a SIL, on Government provided hardware replicating the AVERA GRA, or on aircraft? Is there a SIL? If so, where will it be located?

a. The deployment will be both in lab SIL replicating messages as well as on the aircraft.

The SILs will be located at Edwards AFB, Hill AFB, Eglin AFB, and the ACC Fed Lab at Beale AFB, depending on which platforms are selected for demonstration purposes.

8. Is there an anticipated offset in timelines for eVTOL hardware integration, AVERA GRA integration, and our solution integration? If so, what are the offsets?

a. The Government priority is to integrate combat capabilities into existing and emerging platforms. Vendor active engagement and conformity to collaborative solutions will determine integration offsets and available government support for specific integration opportunities. The Government will be working with specific aircraft vendors to ensure software development and hardware development integration plan is well defined per platform.

9. What is the Government's position regarding honoring SBIR Data Rights and commercial data rights for an award through this solicitation?

a. Should an offeror be selected for the Second Step (see para. 4.2. of the Call), there will be an opportunity to complete DFARS 252.204-7017 Identification and Assertion of Use, Release, or Disclosure Restrictions for any subsequent award. This will allow an offeror to assert rights in technical data to include SBIR data rights for past work completed under the SBIR program.

10. What is the Government's position for SBIR preference this solicitation?

a. This general solicitation is a Call against a Commercial Solutions Opening with the goal of reviewing innovative solutions from as many prospective industry partners as possible (i.e., unrestricted competition). Small Businesses, including prior SBIR awardees, are encouraged to participate.