Solicitation Questions and Answers Updated 17 April 2025.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 23 KB Posted
- Attached to
- Maritime Automated Ingestion for Scene - Aware Identification and Localization (MAINSAIL)
- Solicitation number
- FA2377-25-R-B003
About this file
This file is a Solicitation Questions and Answers document for the MAINSAIL (Maritime Automated Ingestion for Scene-Aware Identification and Localization) federal contract opportunity. The solicitation, issued by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), seeks proposals for developing autonomous maritime target recognition capabilities using spaceborne sensing assets. Key details include a revised total budget of $6.8M (reduced from $9.8M), with funding profiles across fiscal years 2025-2026. The program requires advanced algorithmic development for automated target recognition, focusing on identifying and predicting maritime target locations using direct and contextual data methods.
Specific technical and administrative requirements include: electronic proposal submission, a 30-page technical proposal limit (excluding appendices), potential for classified appendices (preferred submission via SIPR or JWICS), and a preference for work performed at a contractor's TS-level classified facility. The anticipated work composition is estimated at 30% classified and 70% unclassified, with AFRL preferring offsite contractor SCIF locations. Proposers should develop solutions responsive to the Statement of Objectives within the available $6.8M funding, with an understanding that milestone planning must align with fiscal year funding constraints and FAR 52.232-22 Limitation of Funds clause.
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Contractual Q&A
| Questions | CO Response |
| The MAINSAIL Solicitation states that "Proposals must be submitted electronically" (p. 3). However, section 8.7 (Proposal Content Checklist) states "Offerors other than small businesses are to include a subcontracting plan in Microsoft Word Readable Format on a CD ROM as well as a hard copy." Please clarify whether hard copies and/or CD ROMs will be required or if all documents can be submitted electronically. | All documents should be submitted electronically. |
| The MAINSAIL Solicitation 5.2.b Technical/Management Proposal states, "Pages shall be numbered starting with the cover page being Page 1, and the last page being no greater than Page 30." Please confirm whether the 30 page limit is inclusive of all content, to include any appendices. Please also confirm whether text in tables should be single- or double-spaced. | 30 page limit does not include appendices. Text in tables should be single spaced |
| Model Contract contains FAR 52.219-4 Notice of Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns. This clause states that offerors who are not HUBZone will have 10% added to the offerors price. As the cover page does not designate this effort as a set-aside, we request removal of this clause. | As this is not a set-aside, this clause is not required. |
| In Amendment 1, Section 1.0 Overview Information changed the Estimated Program Cost from $9.8M to $6.8M however the Section 3.2 Anticipated Funding table did not change. Can we get some clarification? | Section 3.2 Anticipated Funding should show: |
| On 9 April, an amended MAINSAIL solicitation was posted that changed the funding reflected on page 3 from $9.8M to $6.8M. However, the funding table in para 3.2 on page 10 still shows a total of $9.8M. Which number is correct? | The budget for the MAINSAIL solicitition is $6.8M. The funding table in para 3.2 on page 10 of the Solicitation Amendment 1 has been updated |
| Regarding available funding, does the industry solution need to match the funding available in each fiscal year, or can we build our solution and milestones as though the entire amount is available for the whole period of performance? In particular, we’re looking at that $0.600M in FY25 and whether there is an expectation that the money must be executed in the approximately 2 weeks remaining of FY25 after award? | This is just a funding profile that shows the fiscal year and types of funding we're expecting to get. Build your milestones under the assumption that we won't get more funding than is listed for the appropriate fiscal year you're working in and the fiscal years prior. For example, you shouldn't do work in FY25/FY 26 that would generate billable costs over the $3.2M we have budgeted for FY25 and FY26. FAR 52.232-22 Limitation of Funds will still apply and the Government is not obligated to reimburse the Contractor for costs incurred in excess of the total amount allotted by the Government. The $.600M in FY25 will be obligated onto the contract at award but will not need to be executed in the 2 remaining weeks of FY25. |
| Does AFRL have a preferred cost template? | AFRL does not have a preferred cost template. |
| The solicitation went to $9.8M to $6.8M, but deliverables for the program didn’t change. Why is that? | The initial amount on the solicitation was in error due to miscommunications from the AFRL team. We are interested in seeing your proposals relative to the amount of funding available and will evaluate based on the possibilities achievable with this amount of funding. We apologize for the confusion. |
Technical Q&A
| Questions | PE Response |
| The MAINSAIL Solicitation Section 5.2.a.7 states the following: "No classified technical proposals or cost volumes are expected. Offerors are encouraged to keep all elements of the proposal package unclassified. In the rare case where an offeror has a need to submit a classified appendix, please contact the technical POC for delivery instructions." ARS would like to provide a classified appendix; please advise on the procedure and specifications for submitting that document. | Classified appendices are appreciated. Please submit classified appendices on SIPR to benjamin.p.lewis7.civ@mail.smil.mil or on JWICS at benjamin.lewis@af.ic.gov. A low-side email tipper to Ben Lewis at benjamin.lewis.13@us.af.mil is also appreciated. |
| With the 30% reduction in planned program funding, is there any scaling back to the objectives of MAINSAIL, or possible prioritization adjustment? | The original funding numbers were a miscommunication between the PI and contracting team. We are interested in seeing solutions that respond to the SOO within the available funding profile. |
| Does AFRL RY require the work be performed at: a governement SCIF onsite, a contractor SCIR offsite, a non-SCIF contractor facility (i.e., code low/push high), or a combination of any of the above? In the event that multiple options are ac eptabel does RY have a preference that you can share? | MAINSAIL would prefer work to be performed at a contractor SCIF offsite. A very limited on-site presence may be acceptable, but space at AFRL is limited. |
| In section 2.9.2, it states that the place of performance is WPAFB, OH 45433. Must work occur on base, or can it occur in a contractor facility? | Classified workspace at AFRL is limited. We would prefer classified work to occur at contractor facilities, but may be able to accommodate a very limited on-site presence. Performers not located in the Dayton, OH area are not required to accomplish work in the Dayton/WPAFB area. Work need not occur on base if performers have sufficient classified facilities |
| What is the anticipated ratio of work that must be performed in a SCIF vs that may be conducted in an unclassified environment? | Due to the sensors and technologies involved, there will likely be a large classified component to this program. A very rough estimate would be 30% classified work, 70% unclassified work, but that may vary widely depending on proposed tasks. AFRL of course supports a hybrid paradigm of developing as much work as possible on unclassified systems and transitioning to classified systems. |
| Would AFRL consider sponsoring a TS FCL upgrade post-award, or must performers already have a TS-accredited facility? | Unfortunately, upgrading a secure facility is a programmatic schedule risk. Given the types of data necessary for the MAINSAIL program, it is advantageous to have an already-accredited SCIF. |
| For offsite (remote) safeguarding of classified materials, is a Secret-level facility sufficient, or would a TS-level accredited facility be required? | TS-level facilities are likely required, since some of the data and products for MAINSAIL will be at the TS level. |
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