Vendor Questions Spreadsheet_BDR_SAMPosting18Jan23.pdf

Item Question Answers

We have SOW-compliant BDR & B/DDR commercial products we would like to offer which have FCC Identifier's associated with them, but they do not yet have a J/F 12 Number because they are new and have not yet been deployed at a USAF facility. Our experience has been that the NTIA process which the J/F 12 relies on is initiated when an Installation Spectrum Manager processes a frequency proposal and application for equipment certification when an order for the product is placed. Are we able to offer a SOW-compliant product that does not yet have a J/F 12 number?

The Government appreciates industry insight into this process and is finalizing the internal process specific to this BOA. More information will be provided when it is available, and the process will be clarified in the solicitation.

If a vendor is required to obtain a J/F 12 number before a first order is placed for their product under the BOA, who should the vendor contact to initiate the J/F 12 process?

More information will be provided when it is available, and the process will be clarified in the solicitation.

If we receive a J/F 12 number for a SOW-compliant product after the BOA RFQ closes, how do we get such new product onto the

BOA?

The vendor should contact the BOA Administrative Contracting Officer at 377 MSG Services Contracting Branch (PKA) so that the product can be reviewed for possible on-ramping to the BOA.

What interface(s) are allowable/supportable for sending detection alerts to users of Air Traffic Control tower information displays such as IDS5? (see SOW 5.1.7)

A formal system is not defined by the Air Force for integrating bird radar detection output into air traffic control systems. However, this is a desired capabilty that can only be defined by site specific end users.

Would the Government consider using existing contracting vehicles, in conjunction with the proposed BOA, to expedite customer purchases of systems and support vice competing each individual effort at the unit level?

The team working on this BOA is not aware of any existing enterprise-wide vehicles.

Does the Government plan to provide funding incentives or support to individual units through this BOA?

No, not at this time.

Is bird detection a higher priority than drone detection for the purposes of this opportunity or are those combined capabilities of equal weight regarding the solution?

The Government's focus for this requirement is flight safety and the AFSEC/SEFW finds that the greatest risk to flight safety comes from birds. Therefore, the Government team intends to prioritize bird detection through the BOAs and is reviewing the requirement for drone detection.

A revised SOW will be published when it is available.

It has been been over a decade since the drafting of the FAA AC 150/5220-25 and there have been significant advancements in the field of avian detection. The FAA recognizes this fact and is in the process of reviewing these advancements in order to update the Airport Avian Radar AC with the goal of either including non-radar-based technologies for avian detection in the existing AC or writing a separate AC for these technologies. The current AC 150/5220-25 will be updated to include technology advancements either way.

Knowing that there are viable options other than radar-based bird/drone detection systems available, why has the USAF opted to limit this solicitation and therefore their installations to radar only?

If the USAF plans to create a pre-approved avian detection technology database why wouldn’t all viable technologies be included or minimally considered?

The Government is reviewing the requirement and will address this via a revised SOW. For informational purposes, the Air Force promotes use of BDRs through guidance in Air Force Instruction 91-212, Bird/wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard Management Program. In addition to providing Ordering Activities an option for a turnkey solution, the Government seeks to standardize use of this technology in order to establish formal policies, Concept of Operations, and compliance requirements to support the guidance from the AFI.

9 Will non-radar be excluded from the solicitation?

The Government is reviewing the requirement and will address this via a revised SOW.

Are there a specific number of nodes that will be set up at each airfield?

The OA will determine their needs. There are not a specific number of nodes that will be evaluated at time of BOA award.

When differentiating between birds IAW 5.1.11 and 5.1.12 would there be an option to use a camera?

An internal discussion will be required

12 Why does 5.1.5 limit the radar power for five hours?

From market research, five hours was determined to be appropriate. A product that exceeds this requirement may be submitted.

Looking at 5.1.4, may be challenging due to logisitics. Is there a Plan B to keep spare parts on hand to meet this requirement?

The decision to maintain spare parts would be made at the OA level.

14 Can 2D radar options be included in the proposals? No, the requirement is for 3D radar.

Bird Detection Radar Industry Day

9 January 2023 Questions & Answers

DISCLAIMER: All answers given are pre-decisional. Should any Solicitation documents conflict with the answers given below, the solicitation documents shall take precedence. These answers are being provided only with the goals of clarifying the Government's intent and obtaining feedback from Industry. Some answers may have changed in light of incorporating Industry feedback since they were answered. The Draft RFP will incorporate more changes than those indicated below.

Will the requirement be updated to align with FAA AC 150/5220- 25?

No known date has been given indicating when the FAA will be updating the AC. The requirement will be reviewed as needed throughout the life of the BOAs, including if/when the FAA AC is revised.

16 How/when will pricing be done?

The BOA RFQ will not include an evaluation criterion for price. Prices will not be requested or reviewed for the BOAs. Contracting Officers at the ordering level will request pricing as part of their orders.