QandA BAA FA9451-21-S-0002.pdf

Questions & Answers

BAA FA9451-21-S-0002

Advanced Electromagnetic Technology (AET) Program

Question: The subject BAA states: "The program will also evaluate and leverage advances in prime power technologies to optimize size, weight, and power (SWaP) requirements for future weapon systems." Would a proposal to demonstrate a SWaP optimized generator be responsive to the subject BAA? If a generator proposal would be responsive, should we propose in response to TASK ORDER 3 (Compact, Low Duty Factor Prime Power)?

Answer: Please refer to the statements of objectives for this task. This is a call for research and development of compact prime power technologies. Your proposal needs to include your approach to addressing all the objectives for the task to be responsive. Researching and developing a compact power generator could be part of a proposal but I think if you review the statement of objectives it likely will not cover all the objectives.

Question: “This is a Closed One-Step Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) (without Calls) to solicit proposals”

1. What is a “closed BAA”?

2. What is a “one-step” BAA?

3. What does “without calls” mean?

Answer: Please refer to BAA Guide for Industry, dated March 2020, Attachment 10 of the BAA.

Question:

1. Are the CSOWs included in the 30-page limit of the technical volumes or is there a separate page count for them?

2. The draft DD-254 included in the RFP as attachment 5, indicates that the FCL requirement (1a) and safeguarding (1b) levels are both SECRET. The continuation sheet (Attachment 5a) includes this comment for block 11c: “The contractor requires access to classified source data up to and including TOP SECRET in support of the work effort.”

Please confirm the classification level for work on this solicitation. For reference, the classification level of the predecessor award is TOP SECRET.

3. STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES (SOO), TASK ORDER 2, Charged Particle Beam

(CPB) Interactions, TASK ORDER DESCRIPTION says: “This research effort is divided into two components: the first component focuses on understanding and characterizing the effects that high energy particle beams can have on electronic systems, and the second component entails development of an accelerator to perform tests on the effects of CPBs on a range of electronic systems.” However, there is no mention in 3.0 TASK ORDER OBJECTIVES of any requirement to development an accelerator. Please clarify the requirement.

Answer:

1. The CSOW shall be included in the task order technical volumes (30 page limit). The

CSOW is not included in the IDIQ technical volume (20 page limit) and can be submitted separately but the IDIQ CSOW shall not exceed 10 pages.

2. Only SECRET information will be required. The DD254 is being modified to reflect this.

3. The description section of the SOO described the scope of the task order, so accelerator development is in scope but was not explicitly delineated in the SOO. However, after discussing that matter with Government SME’s, it was decided to amend the SOO.

Please see updated SOO amendment for task order 2.

1. The task order SOOs all state CDRL A014: Government Property Inventory Report should be submitted semi-annual. CDRL A014 on the CDRL DD Form 1423 states after the baseline is established, the property inventory shall be submitted annually. Which is correct, annually or semi-annually?

2. The SOOs for TOs 3, 4 and 5 Section 7.0 Security states, “This Task Order effort does not require a Secret facility clearance and safeguarding capability. Refer to 8.0 Security in the Basic SOO.” The Basic SOO states , “applies to all task orders” and includes, “Provide and maintain secure facilities necessary to process and store the data generated under this effort; Have and maintain the ability to handle and store unclassified, proprietary, and classified information to perform this activity.” To create a compliant CSOW, both of these statements would need to be included, but they seem to contradict one another. Can you clarify?

1. Annually

2. The Basic SOO requires that the Contractor have a security clearance; however, Task order 3, 4 & 5 do not require the handling and storage of classified information; just the ability to handle and store unclassified and proprietary information. You must propose to the basic IDIQ in order to propose to Task order 3, 4 or 5 (or any task order). The contractor needs to be able to handle and store classified information for the basic.

However, the Contractor Task order manager and key personnel for task order 3, 4 & 5 do not require a security clearance.

Question: If there is one technology that applies to two Task Orders would it be appropriate to propose the technology in one proposal?

Answer: These task orders are for research and development of technologies. The Description section is what describes what is in scope for that task. The proposed research would be your approach. A responsive proposal needs to include your technical approach to addressing all the statement of objectives for that task order.

1. “Attach 1” indicates that each contractor shall “Have and maintain the ability to handle and store unclassified, proprietary, and classified information to perform this activity;”

however “Attach 3c” for Task Order #3 states “This Task Order effort does not require a Secret facility clearance or safeguarding capability. Refer to 8.0 Security in the Basic SOO.” – Does Task Order #3 require contractors to have a security clearance?

2. Where security clearances are required, are they required prior to submission of proposal? Will the government support eligible contractors to apply for a security clearance pre/post-award in the event contractor does not currently possess a security clearance?

1. The Basic SOO requires that the Contractor have a security clearance; however, Task order 3 does not require the handling and storage of classified information; just the ability to handle and store unclassified and proprietary information. You must propose to the basic IDIQ in order to propose to Task order 3 (or any task order). The contractor needs to be able to handle and store classified information for the basic. However, the Contractor Task order manager and key personnel for task order 3 do not require a security clearance.

2. Per the solicitation, this effort will require access to and processing of classified information at the Secret level. The successful offeror will need Secret facility clearance and Secret safeguarding capability prior to award and throughout the period of performance. Offerors must verify their Cognizant Security Office information is current with Defense Security Service (DSS) at http://www.dss.mil.

Question: Are proposing companies required to submit a proposal for all six task orders in response to the subject BAA?

Answer: No. They have to propose to the basic and to any task order they feel qualified to address all aspects of the statement of objectives.

Question: We have noted that foreign persons are prohibited from this effort, however Task Order 5 is considered fundamental research. Will there be consideration given to participation by foreign persons on task order 5, specifically as it relates to potential university partners?

Answer: No. Foreign participation is prohibited. This means U.S. universities can propose or be part of the team but the persons involved in the research must all be U.S. citizens.

http://www.dss.mil/

Questions & Answers