FA8750-20-R-1001 UNICORN BLUE QA 20200521.docx

TECHNICAL QUESTIONS

1. The notice mentions integrating technologies as well as developing prototypes, is there a pre-existing target hardware platform, or is the goal to develop a new stand-alone device?

BOTH – Use pre-existing hardware if not obsolete, but development of new prototypes always welcomed or if modifications are determined to be a requirement by the government.

2. If there is a pre-existing target platform, are there specifications or requirements available?

YES

3. The notice mentions “real-time processing solutions”. Is the goal to have every technical ability done in real-time, including detection, exploitation and geo-location?

YES, the goal is to EVENTUALLY have all technical abilities done in real-time, but non-real-time is acceptable as a stepping stone to a real-time solution within limits to be determined by the government.

4. What type of exploitation is envisioned, e.g., predicting open frequency, jamming, spoofing, repeating?

All types of SIGINT and Cyber exploitation are on the table and acceptable for proposed work or discussion.

5. In reference to the phrase “…to automatically extract the contents of the transmissions”, is the goal to sync, decode, and receive a variety of unknown signals? Or is it to recognize different signals as a previously seen signal to group them into a friend or foe category?

YES to both

6. Will there be requirements for reverse engineering signals/waveforms as a countermeasure?

YES

7. Is the purpose of the deliverables meant for R&D prototype systems (that inform the AF of viable paths to follow for future procurements) or is the purpose of the deliverables the actual fielded systems themselves that fulfill operational missions?

The expectation is that both approaches will be considered as developed from requirements. Requirements may be for a prototype or for integration of technology for a system that will evolve into actual fielding. This is entirely based on the results of technology and the end customer expectations. Generally we don’t push for total fielding in the acquisition sense. Many of our tools are developed end to end state that can be accepted by an external entity that does the final integration and fielding and we test through our capability capacity.

8. Are phase array antennas, which offer directionality to assist in geolocation of transmitter, of interest?

No, not at this time.

9. Is mobile node synchronization in the absence of GPS signal of interest?

Yes, this would be of interest.

10. Do you anticipate the primary interest will be in edge detection solutions or minimal hardware or algorithm prototypes on lab type solutions?

Yes. While not necessarily a “primary” interest, this would be of interest.

11. What is an acceptable initial TRL and an anticipated end TRL?

4 and 7 are the expected TRLs.

12. Will this contract be limited to the collection and analysis of signals from a single domain (space, ground, air, sea)?

No. Any/all domains are intended.

13. Is there an expectation that signals will be collected at frequencies across the entire RF spectrum that are commonly used for communication purposes? (Ex. S-band, C-band Ka-band, etc. for spacecraft communications, and Wi-Fi, 5G terrestrial cellular communications frequencies and more). ?

This effort is not limited to only commonly used frequencies. The entire RF Spectrum will be of interest.

14. Would certain signals and sources (spacecraft vs ground transmitters) be weighted the same?

In this effort, weighting will be determined both by Government direction and customer requirements.

15. Will there be any benefit to having the capability to collect signals from different domains? (ex. having both ground and space based sensors) Will different collection capabilities be weighted the same? (ex. would space based collection capability carry a higher value than ground based)?

The ability to collect from differing domains is of value. See above response to item number 14 for correlation

16. Is there any value in combining collections and observations from different technologies / phenomenologies? (ex. collecting both optically and in the RF spectrum on an emitting spacecraft and fusing that data together to provide additional insight into operational behavior, potential mission objectives and status) ?

At present this is not a determining factor but would potentially have relevance in the future or on other efforts.

17. Is there an expectation that collected data and analysis will be provided to the UDL (Unified Data Library) or some other kind of common access government-owned repository?

At present this is not a determining factor but would potentially have relevance in the future or on other efforts.

PROCUREMENT QUESTIONS

1. How many awards does the government anticipate making?

We anticipate multiple awards (ex. 2-5). The range can be provided more precisely when the acquisition strategy is approved.

2. Does the government plan to hold an Industry Day prior to final RFP release?

The Government does not intend to hold an Industry Day prior to final RFP release, but we plan to post a draft RFP and allow for industry Q&A.

3. Is it anticipated the RFP will only ask for a company’s general capabilities and past performance in the area, essentially to qualify the company to do work on an IDIQ contract, and thus the RFP will not request specific technical solutions to specific technical tasks? Or will there be an awardable technical task (e.g., involving more than delivery of a management plan) or sample task included in the RFP? If so, what would be the potential scope and schedule?

We anticipate having 1 or more awardable technical tasks which will require specific technical solution(s). Additional requirement information will be included in the draft RFP.

4. Will task orders be competed under the effort? If so, what is the anticipated turnaround time from Task Order Request to proposal submission?

We anticipate using the ordering procedures at FAR 16.505 after basic IDIQs are awarded. Most, or all, requirements should be subject to fair opportunity competition. We have not yet set an anticipated turnaround time from task order proposal request to submission; it may be 30 calendar days unless circumstances warrant a different response time.

5. Can subcontractors be added to a winning team after contract award?

We anticipate that subcontractors can be added after contract award as needed to fulfill task order requirements.

6. What is the anticipated source of funding for tasks under the effort? Is this only for the Air Force, or will this be for other services too? If so, what services?

Funding sources are to be determined but are expected to include AFRL and customer funds.

8. Will TS/SCI clearances be required? Is there a classified spec and what classification level will it be?

In the presolicitation notice we stated "at time of award, a successful Offeror must have Top Secret facility security clearance at the prime level and at any tier where work will be performed" and do anticipate the need for TS/SCI clearances.

9. The presolicitation notice mentions that Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) Orders may be issued under this contract. Is it a requirement for the small business to have an approved cost accounting system in order to participate in this solicitation?

To be awarded a CPFF task order, a prime contractor needs to have in place a cost accounting system determined adequate by DCAA. DCMA is able to issue an approval after DCAA completes its determination.

10. The presolicitation notice also mentions that this is a Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5). What percentage (if any) of the work could be subcontracted to a large business by a small business prime contractor?

The RFP will include FAR 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting. DFARS Class Deviation 2019-O003 Revision 2 applies. The small business prime contractor must not pay more than 50 percent of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities. Any work that a similarly situated entity further subcontracts will count toward the 50 percent subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded.

A “similarly situated entity” means a first-tier subcontractor, including an independent contractor that has the same small business program status as that which qualified the prime contractor for the award and that is considered small for the NAICS code the prime contractor assigned to the subcontract the subcontractor will perform.

11. Will the GSA OASIS Pool 5B small business set aside contract vehicle be utilized?

The plan is to solicit this requirement as a Small Business set-aside through BetaSAM.

12. Would you be able to send me the original RFI that was sent out? It is not attached in GovWin IQ or SAM; only your responses to the Q&A are attached.

An RFI was not issued. The BetaSAM notice has the information we have put out to industry.

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FA8750-20-R-1001

UNICORN BLUE Q&A 20200521