Attachment 7 Questions_Answers 26AUG2021.pdf

Research and Development Satellite Assessment (RaDSAt)

FA9451-21-S-0001 CALL 0001

Questions & Answers

26 August 2021 Attachment # 7

Q1: Is the Government seeking one contractor for all SATURN and one for STARS? One contractor for both?

A1: The Government intends to award two Arrangements under this call, one Arrangement for SATURN, and one Arrangement for STARS. Although, the Government has not precluded the possibility of awarding both Arrangements to the same vendor or making multiple awards to multiple vendors.

Q2: Is the Government seeking the flexibility to receive proposals for less than the total anticipated funding?

A2: The funding profile provided was for planning purposes only. The Government is seeking a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) with the white paper based on the type/level of support is submitted as the offeror’s technical approach. . Please refer to Section VI. White Paper, D.5 Cost Estimate/Rough Order of Magnitude, page 14.

Q3: STARS focuses on Tasks 1.1 and 1.2, does a STARS white paper need to propose to all subtasks under 1.1 and 1.2? Or selected?

A3: Vendors are may submit white papers to any or all subtasks defined in the Statements of Objectives documents.

Q4: For STARS: is there a need for a SME that is knowledgeable and experienced with the broader Satellite Threat DE Effects Physics, Mission and Mission Partners, or simply knowledgeable on running the SatAC code?

A4: Key staff should have appropriate qualifications to perform proposed effort based on the offeror’s technical approach.

Q5: For STARS: Is there any information available regarding the SatAP mission partners?

A5: Please refer to Attachment 1, STARS Statement of Objectives, Section 3. Background.

Q6: For STARS: What information is required for the mission partner experimentation with SC, SDA, and DCS?

A6: Please refer to Call 0001, Research and Development Satellite Assessment (RaDSAt), Amendment 2 dated 02 August 2021, Section VI. White Paper for submission requirements and evaluation. Also please refer to Attachment 1, STARS Statement of Objectives, specifically:

- Section 1.Objectives

- Section 4. Technical Requirements

- Section 7. Deliverables and Data Rights

- List of Tables

Q7: For STARS: What methods are expected to perform satellite and space object data and information collection? Are DE techniques and tactics expected to be used to perform this function?

A7: The Government does not intend to prescribe methods for space object data and information collection. Vendors are encouraged to propose methods they assess to be the most effective.

The Government anticipates methods proposed will range from classic/traditional to new and innovative techniques.

Q8: For STARS: What is the intended use of the data for the SatAP mission partners?

A8: Please refer to Attachment 1, STARS Statement of Objectives, specifically:

- Section 1. Objectives

- Section 2. Scope

- Section 3. Background

Q9: For STARS: Will hardware design and fabrication be allowed on the STARS project?

A9: The Government does not anticipate any hardware design or fabrication under the STARS Arrangement.

Q10: For STARS: Are there custom or COTS tools you are already using, such as STK?

A10: The Satellite Assessment Center (SatAC) mission use a broad array of software tools to accomplish its mission. Some tools are COTS, some are developed and maintained internally.

Q11: For STARS: Will the Government be the interface to coordinate the schedule with RDL for any needed tests?

A11: Yes.

Q12: For SATURN: What is the objective of the Multi-Domain Space Testbed? What is entailed in the Multi-Domain Space Testbed?

A12: Please refer to the Attachment 2, SATURN Statement of Objectives, paragraph 4.3.7 Multi-Domain Space Testbed Development – 4.3.7.1 Multi-Domain Space Test.

Q13: For SATURN: Are there other effects beyond DE incorporated into the Multi-Domain Space Testbed? If so, will this task include the development of these effects?

A13: Currently, the Government does not anticipate a need to model effects in addition to Directed Energy effects.

Q14: In Call 0001, Research and Development Satellite Assessment (RaDSAt), Amendment 2 dated02 August 2021, Section VI. White Paper, the due date is listed as “Thursday, 30 August 2021”. Please confirm that the due date is Monday, 30 August 2021 and not Thursday, 26 August 2021?

A14: The due date is Monday, 30 August 2021. This Amendment 3 will reflect the correct date.

Q15: The BAA states funding is uncertain; can you please let us know the sponsoring agencies/stakeholders responsible for funding?

A15: This announcement is under an Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) under 10 U.S.C. § 2373, not a BAA. Please refer to Attachment 1, STARS Statement of Objectives, Paragraph 3. Background.

Q16: For STARS, do your objectives include actual physical measurements (new measurements) to characterize the properties of new materials relevant space systems to validate their resilience to lasers at sufficient powers and wavelengths?

A16: The Satellite Assessment Center (SatAC) collaborates with other AFRL organizations to obtain measurements needed to model characteristics of satellite materials.

Q17: Is there interest in advanced simulation and modeling approaches that address both advancing laser systems and technologies, and the new materials being used in spacecraft, spacecraft payloads, subsystems, and sensor system windows, optics, apertures, etc.? Or is the emphasis on further integrating and retaining the M&S tools already in use by SatAC?

A17: The scope of the Satellite Assessment Center (SatAC) mission does not include advancing laser system technology, or new materials. Please refer to SATURN Statement of Objectives, paragraph 2.0.

Q18: What is the expectation for on-site support (number of persons, type/level of expertise)?

A18: The type/level of on-site support is based on the offeror’s technical approach. Please refer to Call 0001, Research and Development Satellite Assessment (RaDSAt), Amendment 2 dated 02 August 2021 Section VI. White Paper, D.4. Technical Content and Proposed Deliverables and Section VI. White Paper F. White Paper Evaluation Criteria. Number of Persons.