NOTAM Challenge Questions with Answers.pdf

SOO/FAA NOTAM Challenge Questions Questions & Answers

1 Question: Can FAA provide a list of the "highly regulated data sets" vendors are to adhere to?

Answer: NOTAM data is regulated by the FAA JO 7930.2 policy. FAA provides multiple sources to access NOTAM data, including the NOTAM Search application

(https://notams.aim.faa.gov/notamSearch) and the NOTAM API available at https://api.faa.gov.

2 Question: Can FAA provide a comprehensive list of the legacy machine interfaces and web services in place today?

Answer: See Figure 1, Current Aeronautical Information Systems, and Figure 2, Current FAA NOTAM Systems in the SOO. These figures represent the various legacy systems that manage different types of aeronautical information. They include the AI Static repository for processing airport, navaid, fixes, waypoints, and other essential static aeronautical information; two systems supporting the special activity airspaces where one supports the definitions and the other the schedules; a system to support temporary flight restrictions; another for altitude reservations; sector design analysis; two systems for obstacle data management where one is for workflow and case management while the other is the authoritative source, and finally, two systems supporting NOTAMs, which is further detailed in Figure 2. The interfaces among the systems include SOAP-based request/response and publish/subscribe interfaces over FAA's SWIM with an AIXM 5.1 payload; legacy XML interfaces not through SWIM but restricted to the FAA network; the legacy NADIN/AFTN network; and some legacy ODBC/JDBC database connections or flat files.

An updated version of Figure 1 and 2, depicting the current system names and providing descriptions of the current aeronautical information systems and tools, is attached for reference.

3 Question: The NOTAM Challenge-Based Acquisition document does not indicate when FAA will assess respondants for a determination of responsibility as part of the acquisition for this major NAS initiative. Can FAA provide clarification on when - specifically which acquisition phase - a determination of responsibility will be made?

Answer: This will be conducted as part of the Phase I down-select when OT Agreements will be awarded for Phase II 4 Question: Will the FAA please clarify the references to "contractual vehicle text" and "terms and conditions for the contractual vehicle"?

Answer: The Government anticipates OT agreements will be awarded prior to Phase II and this will be the "contractual vehicle".

5 Question: We understand the rationale for requesting a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM), however there isn't enough information at this time to provide a meaningful range. Will

FAA defer the ROM requirement until subsequent phases in the acquistion, when requirements and prototyping are more clearly understood?

Answer: The Government will not be evaluating the requested ROM, however the Government will use this information to identify potential risk areas for future phases.

6 Question: What information is FAA requiring for the "full accounting of the following items" planned for incorporation into the concept paper?

• For 3rd party software licenses - is the product name sufficient?

• For Software Licenses - does this refer to software owned by the Prime Contractor and proposed subcontractors?

• For Artifical Intelligence information - is the FAA requesting a statement on the alignment of the Concept with the cited E.O., and a desciption of plans for protection of AI models planned to be utilized as part of implementation?

Answer: Embedded software and respective licensing include supply chain implications. At a minimum, the Government expects insights into manufacturer, country of origin for the supply chain, architectural interdependencies (e.g., relational database for system storage), licensing structure (e.g., cpu-based, named user, etc.), and any other pertinent information related to how licensing impacts the overall solution.

7 Question: As Strengths and Weaknesses appear to be weighted the same, how will the Evaluators compare submitted Concept Papers with respect to strengths, weaknesses, and risks?

Does one identified Weaknesses offset one identified Strength?

How are Risks weighted when assessing Concept Papers, relative to Strengths and Weaknesses?

In making a down-select decision, will the FAA prefer Concept Paper one Strength and no Weaknesses over a Concept Paper that has multiple Strengths but also multiple Weaknesses?

Answer: As stated in section 3 of the evaluation approach "Based upon the Evaluators’ assessment of the impact of all identified strengths, weaknesses, and risks in the concepts presented by vendors and how their concept best addresses the SOO and Scope Considerations and Principles Documents, the FAA will make a down-select decision to determine which offeror(s) move forward to the next phase of the Challenge-Based Acquisition." No further detail will be provided.

8 Question: Given the complexity of the response required to address the full scope of the NOTAM SOO as well as the anticipated volume of questions from interested parties, would the Federal Aviation Administration consider extending the Challenge Opportunity’s submission deadline to be no earlier than thirty (30) calendar days after the FAA provides its responses-to-industry questions?

Answer: Per the notice posted to sam.gov the FAA has extended the due date to March 11th, 2024.

9 Question: Alternatively, if the FAA is unable to extend the submission deadline as detailed above, would the FAA consider extending the Challenge Opportunity’s due date to March

15, 2024 so that interested companies are able to fully incorporate the FAA’s responses-to-industry questions?

Answer: Per the notice posted to sam.gov the FAA has extended the due date to March 11th, 2024.

10 Question: Will the government confirm that the intent of the initial phases of the Challenge-Based Acquisition (ChBA) is to ultimately result in a contract or OT agreement?

Answer: The FAA's intent is to award an OT Agreement at the end of Phase I.

11 Question: Will the government confirm that the intent of this requirement is that any cloud based services used as part of the solution described within the NOTAMs Concept paper must be FedRAMP authorized?

Answer: Yes, for cloud-based solutions, cloud service offerors must be authorized under the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP).

12 Question: Will the government clarify the FedRAMP level required for cloud based services used as part of offers solutions?

Answer: All Solution(s) (including cloud-based) should meet the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) security controls for a high-impact system and service, per Statement of Objective 13 Question: Will the government clarify that prime contractors are not limited to the listed subcontracts at this stage of the ChBA and may, at their discretion, add additional teammates at any point during subsequent phases of the ChBA?

Answer: The Government is not limiting it to any participants from previous ChBA events. Prime Contractors may change their subcontractors as long as they identify to the government that they are changing their subcontractors and identify the work they will perform. As the Government moves into later phases, prime contractors ability to modify subcontractors may be limited. The government will provide appropriate notification regarding subcontractor limitations

14 Question: Will the FAA please clarify if any resulting acquisition from the ChBA will have small business requirements and what those requirements will be?

Answer: As the Government continues to develop the phases, the government will evaluate small business requirements and provide amendments as necessary.

15 Question: Will the FAA please define what they mean by "service-based" offering?

Answer: In this challenge, a “service-based solution” is a model in which the capital assets are contractor owned, operated, and maintained. The FAA seeks to have services for both NOTAMS and Aeronautical Information, as defined in the SOO, delivered. The FAAs intent and characterization for acquiring a services-based model is documented in the Request for Concept Paper and the Challenge Scope and Considerations.

In their Request for Concept Paper, the FAA has stated that offerors will “Provide a proposed technical approach and architecture to meet the SOO to include a defined NOTAM service-based solution.” In the NOTAM challenge scope considerations and principle, the FAA states “Solution providers will be evaluated based on the completeness of their narrative, describing the features and capabilities included in delivering a complete NOTAM service capability.” Finally, regarding an AI solution, the FAA states, “Respondents are encouraged to propose innovative services-based contracting, or “software-as-a-service” business models (e.g., contractor-owned, contractor operated), understanding the FAA’s preference for a services delivery model, and will be expected to describe the business model envisioned and operational maintenance and sustainment concept of their proposed AI solution.”

A service delivery model shall address roles and responsibilities of all entities involved in the management and delivery of services. The FAA is open to different and innovative business models for acquiring the service-based solutions.

16 Question: Services delivery model can have many different meanings in the context of this challenge based acquisition. Can the FAA please clarify what "services delivery model" then prefer in the context of the text "understanding the FAA's preference for a services based delivery model" ?

Answer: In this challenge, a “service-based solution” is a model in which the capital assets are contractor owned, operated, and maintained. The FAA seeks to have services for both NOTAMS and Aeronautical Information, as defined in the SOO, delivered. The FAAs intent and characterization for acquiring a services-based model is documented in the Request for Concept Paper and the Challenge Scope and Considerations.

In their Request for Concept Paper, the FAA has stated that offerors will “Provide a proposed technical approach and architecture to meet the SOO to include a defined NOTAM service-based solution.” In the NOTAM challenge scope considerations and principle, the FAA states “Solution providers will be evaluated based on the completeness of their narrative, describing the features and capabilities included in delivering a complete NOTAM service capability.” Finally, regarding an AI solution, the FAA states, “Respondents are encouraged to propose innovative services-based contracting, or “software-as-a-service” business models (e.g., contractor-owned, contractor operated), understanding the FAA’s preference for a services delivery model, and will be expected to describe the business model envisioned and operational maintenance and sustainment concept of their proposed AI solution.”

A service delivery model shall address roles and responsibilities of all entities involved in the management and delivery of services. The FAA is open to different and innovative business models for acquiring the service-based solutions.

17 Question: Will the FAA confirm that they have a preference for a "services delivery model" for both the Part 1: Targeted Notice to Air Mission (NOTAM) Solution and the larger Aeronautical Information (AI) Solution?

Answer: In this challenge, a “service-based solution” is a model in which the capital assets are contractor owned, operated, and maintained. The FAA seeks to have services for both NOTAMS and Aeronautical Information, as defined in the SOO, delivered. The FAAs intent and characterization for acquiring a services-based model is documented in the Request for Concept Paper and the Challenge Scope and Considerations.

In their Request for Concept Paper, the FAA has stated that offerors will “Provide a proposed technical approach and architecture to meet the SOO to include a defined NOTAM service-based solution.” In the NOTAM challenge scope considerations and principle, the FAA states “Solution providers will be evaluated based on the completeness of their narrative, describing the features and capabilities included in delivering a complete NOTAM service capability.” Finally, regarding an AI solution, the FAA states, “Respondents are encouraged to propose innovative services-based contracting, or “software-as-a-service” business models (e.g., contractor-owned, contractor operated), understanding the FAA’s preference for a services delivery model, and will be expected to describe the business model envisioned and operational maintenance and sustainment concept of their proposed AI solution.”

A service delivery model shall address roles and responsibilities of all entities involved in the management and delivery of services. The FAA is open to different and innovative business models for acquiring the service-based solutions.

18 Question: Section 2.1 states that the Cover Sheet is not included in the page count but is also limited to one page. Section 2.4 states that the disclosure statements shall be included in the Cover Sheet. It would be very difficult to include all of the disclosures for both the Prime and Subs on a one page document like the Cover Sheet. Would the government please consider either removing the one page limit for the Cover Sheet or allowing the disclosures to be submitted as separate document with no page limitations?

Answer: Yes, the FAA would like for the Cover Sheet to remain separate of the Disclosure Statements and the Disclosure Statements should be included as a separate Attachment.

19 Question: Can the FAA confirm that there are no PII or Protected Health Information (PHI) data sources as part of the NOTAMS and AI systems? What considerations need to be made around data sources with sensitive (Secret, Top Secret, etc.) activities?

Answer: NOTAM and AI data does not include PII or PHI. Personal Identifiable Information (PII) is collected from users originating NOTAMs to verify their authorization to issue NOTAMs for their respective facilities. The NOTAM System does not store or distribute sensitive data.

20 Question: Will the FAA provide a list of these more than a dozen systems and their Interface Control Documents (ICD)?

Answer: Further information may be provided during subsequent ChBA phases. State your assumptions as required. The various functions of the different systems are described in response to Question 2.

21 Question: Will FAA provide a list of these 16 tools and their ICDs?

Answer: Further information may be provided during subsequent ChBA phases. State your assumptions as required. The various functions of the different systems are described in response to Question 2.

22 Question: Will the FAA provide a list of these nearly a dozen systems and their ICDs?

Answer: Further information may be provided during subsequent ChBA phases. State your assumptions as required. The various functions of the different systems are described in response to Question 2.

23 Question: The SOO states: Supports machine transactions with processing latencies under 30 seconds with variable user workloads without affecting performance. Can FAA clarify to which functional block this sentence refers or the boundary of the transaction ?

Answer: This refers to any machine transactions within the NOTAM and AI Solution.

24 Question: At what stage of this acquisition process will the FAA grant access to legacy data and system ?

Answer: The FAA has not determined this at this time. Further guidance will be provided as part of the Phase II invitations.

25 Question: On p. 5, the RCP permits a patent owner to check a box stating that they will grant the Government a license "under reasonable terms and conditions (identified in section 3.1.9 –Proposed Data Rights Assertion) that are demonstrably free of any unfair discrimination." We are not able to locate Section 3.1.9, Proposed Data Rights Assertion in the RCP. Can the Government please clarify the cross-reference?

Answer: Please disregard the reference to 3.1.9. The following table should be filled out for all assertions in accordance with AMS Data rights clause 3.5-14 Representation of Limited Rights Data and Restricted Computer Software (January 2010) and 3.5-18 Commercial Computer Software License (January 2009) State whether there are any data rights issues that we should be cognizant of moving forward. Specifically, please identify any intellectual property, patents and inventions involved in the proposed solution and associated restrictions on the Government’s use of that intellectual property, patents, and inventions. Present the following table for all assertions.

26 Question: Will the FAA be giving the same stipend for the OTA to all offerors during the OTA process or will offerors have to propose an amount for the OTA?

Answer: Yes, the amount of the stipend will be the same for all offerors awarded an OT Agreement.

27 Question: Will the scope of the prototype be the same for each offeror?

Answer: Yes, the scope will be based on the information provided within the SOO and the Scope Considerations and Principles documents. As referenced in the Scope

Considerations and Principles document, "At a minimum, respondents must provide a response to Part 1 (Targeted NOTAMs solution). Responses will be evaluated based on the completeness of the operational, technical, and maintenance concept in addressing each of element described above, the rationale of the proposed solution, basis for implementation schedule, realism of assumptions, and pragmatism of solution migration from prototype to production, and transition into full operations." Each vendor may be given an opportunity to further develop their concept into a prototype and given the same prototype evaluation criteria, as requested and negotiated under the OTA. Please refer to Challenge Based Acquisition Overview Amendment 1.

28 Question: Can the Government clarify what is meant by “Affirmation of Business Status Certification”?

Answer: All necessary information is captured by the cover sheet please disregard the "Affirmation of Business Status Certification" as it was determined unnecessary for this

ChBA.

29 Question: Is the Data Rights Assertions the same as the Patent Owner(s) Statement?

Answer: The Data Rights Assertions are not the same as the Patent Owner(s) Statement. The following table should be filled out for all assertions in accordance with AMS Data rights clause 3.5-14 Representation of Limited Rights Data and Restricted Computer Software (January 2010) and 3.5-18 Commercial Computer Software License (January 2009) State whether there are any data rights issues that we should be cognizant of moving forward. Specifically, please identify any intellectual property, patents and inventions involved in the proposed solution and associated restrictions on the Government’s use of that intellectual property, patents, and inventions.

Present the following table for all assertions.

30 Question: Please provide instructions for submission of Intellectual Property statements and any other necessary attachments. Should they be submitted as separate PDF documents, or as attachments to the cover letter, or as attachments to the Concept Paper (but outside the 25-page limit)?

Answer: It should be submitted as a separate attachment to the concept paper following the format provided. It is not included in the page count.

31 Question: What is FAA’s target “start date” of the program. Can the FAA provide additional information about the expected business rhythm or key FAA milestones once an award is made? What is the projected contract award date?

Answer: See the updated Challenge-Based Acquisition Overview, Section 2.0, provided on sam.gov.

32 Question: Due to complexity of the FAA’s operational scenario, will the FAA grant a two week extension of the Phase 1 delivery so that offerors can thoroughly align their solutions to the operational scenario.

Answer: Per the notice posted to sam.gov the FAA has extended the due date to March 11th, 2024.

33 Question: What is the aggregate volume of data on the Origination side of the NOTAM system total per year, average per month and per busy hour?

Answer: Approximately 2.6 million NOTAMs originated in the United States each year, with an average of 220,000 per month. However, the system should also be able to process NOTAMs from foreign countries that are not generated in the US. Both US and foreign-originated NOTAMs are processed by the NOTAM System, with around 40,000 being processed daily, during peak times.

34 Question: Of all the data input into the NOTAM system, what percentage of data is generated by internal Origination systems and what -- by external data feeds arriving via SWIM?

Answer: Approximately 68% of NOTAM volume is generated by the FAA's systems, with the remaining International NOTAM data received via the National Airspace Data Interchange Network (NADIN) Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network (AFTN). Currently, NOTAMs are not ingested/received through SWIM. It is only being used to distribute them.

35 Question: Within the NOTAM+Challenge+Phase+1+Request+for+Concept+Papers, on pages Page 7 of 11 Section 2.4 Intellectual Property Statements/Agreements/Disclosures, will the Government include a limitation of liability in the contractor’s agreement, including an exclusion of consequential damages?

Answer: Additional intellectual property terms and conditions will not be determined until subsequent phases.

36 Question: Within the NOTAM+Challenge+Phase+1+Request+for+Concept+Papers, on pages Page 11 of 11 Section 4. Disclosure of Information, will the non-governmental personnel used as evaluators, be from companies excluded from proposing and sharing solutions on this opportunity? Please provide a list of 3-Party companies the government intends to use for evaluation.

Answer: Yes, per AMS policy any 3rd party companies the government intends to use for evaluation will be excluded from competing for this acquisition. The companies will not be disclosed.

37 Question: What assumptions should be made regarding NAS cloud connectivity? How does the FAA Mission Essential Platform initiative align with the September 2025 NOTAM target release date?

Answer: There have been no formal decisions made in regard to the Mission Essential Platform. Please see SOO section 3 for further information. State your assumptions as required.

38 Question: Please provide assurance that Foreign Nationals will be authorized to work directly on the future contract and that individuals will not require USA residency.

Answer: Yes, foreign nationals may participate in accordance with Personnel Security Oder 1600.1F Chapter 8, Section 10 and AMS Clause 3.14-3:10. Foreign Nationals as

Contractor Employees and Non-Employees.

39 Question: Please provide a challenge-based acquisition schedule that includes targeted dates for down select decisions, request date for sample problem participation, request for prototype, and expected contract award date.

Answer: See the updated Challenge-Based Acquisition Overview, Section 2.0, provided on sam.gov.

40 Question: Please identify the underlying data interfaces that will be made available to the offerors for the AIM application environment in the NAS Ops enclave and the FAA hosting infrastructure.

Answer: Further information may be provided during subsequent ChBA phases. State your assumptions as required. The existing interfaces are depicted in Figure 1 Current Aeronautical Information Systems and Figure 2 Current FAA NOTAM Systems in the SOO, and a high level description is provided in response to Question 2.

41 Question: Could you provide more details on the specific software components, database types, and legacy infrastructure components currently in use for the NOTAM systems?

Answer: The current NOTAM systems, depicted in Figure 2 Current FAA NOTAM Systems in the SOO, include a variety of legacy technologies such as Oracle and Postgres databases; web and client based applications; and Solaris and RHEL operating systems. Further information may be provided during subsequent ChBA phases. State your assumptions as required.

42 Question: Regarding the nine distinct tools for originating NOTAMs mentioned, could you elaborate on these tools and those used for the distribution of NOTAMs?

Answer: Figure 2 in the SOO depicts the current FAA NOTAM Systems. NOTAMs are originated today through several web-based applications, a machine interface, and a legacy client application. NOTAMs distributed today through both web-based applications and machine interfaces.

43 Question: What legacy systems are in place for numbering and validation of NOTAMs, and what process is currently utilized for this purpose?

Answer: Figure 2 in the SOO depicts the current FAA NOTAM Systems that number and validate NOTAMs today. The United States NOTAM System (USNS) is the authoritative source for NOTAM numbers, and follows the NOTAM numbering rules in the FAA JO 7930.2 policy.

44 Question: Could you provide examples of the dedicated operations and management frameworks that are employed to manage these legacy systems?

Answer: Further information may be provided during subsequent ChBA phases. State your assumptions as required.

45 Question: Is considering emulation as a first step towards modernization feasible, with subsequent phases focusing on the comprehensive modernization of the application and system?

Answer: The FAA is interested in hearing all innovative and feasible ideas from industry. If the solution proposes multiple steps, the FAA is interested in any transition plans in the concept paper response. State your assumptions as required.

46 Question: Would it be possible to share more diagrams for a clearer understanding of the system's architecture, including but not limited to:

Current State Diagram, Transition State Diagram, Sequence Diagrams, Data Flow Diagrams, Integration Diagram, Security Architecture Diagram, Infrastructure Diagram, Component Diagram, User Interaction Diagram

Answer: Further information may be provided during subsequent ChBA phases. State your assumptions as required.

47 Question: Could you share additional details regarding which FAA Programs are involved with the NOTAM systems and what other technical operators need to be considered in the modernization process?

Answer: The various systems are described in response to Question 2. Further information may be provided during subsequent ChBA phases. State your assumptions as required.

48 Question: In the event that a potential partnership becomes viable in later stages, can adjustments be made to accommodate this?

Answer: The Government is not limiting it to any participants from previous ChBA events. Prime Contractors may change their subcontractors as long as they identify to the government that they are changing their subcontractors and identify the work they will perform. As the Government moves into later phases, prime contractors may not be allowed to change subcontractors but will be notified.

49 Question: Under section 2.4, the FAA is requiring sub-contractors/vendors to complete the submitter statement/patent owner statements, are these completed statements excluded from the page count for the Concept Paper?

Answer: It should be submitted as a separate attachment to the concept paper following the format provided. It is not included in the page count.

50 Question: Will the Government allow additional subcontractor, teaming partners, or vendors to submit any required Intellectual Property Statements/Agreements/Disclosures referenced in RCP 2.4 following Phase 1? It would be to the benefit of the Government for offerors to add partners that may increase innovation, optimize schedules, or promote cost efficiency as the prototype is developed

Answer: Yes, it should be submitted as a separate attachment to the concept paper following the format provided. It is not included in the page count.

51 Question: When using the term "Digital NOTAM", do you always reference the international defined Digital NOTAM (AIXM 5.1) standard or some form of digitizing NOTAMs in a(n)

(FAA) proprietary format?

Answer: The FAA's "Digital NOTAM" scenarios are based on the AIXM 5.1 digital event specification and provide additional rules on compliance with FAA NOTAM Policy.

Documentation will be provided as GFI for subsequent ChBA phases.

52 Question: Please explain in more detail the meaning/use case of "Supports AI lifecycle processing for non-digital (free text) NOTAM in cases where a digital NOTAM alternative may be required." We are specifically unsure what the reference to the alternative means.

Answer: An alternative to a digital NOTAM would be a text-based NOTAM written in freeform that does not necessarily adhere to the digital NOTAM event specification. It is inevitable to have a small percentage of freeform NOTAMs to handle situations either due to a lack of baseline data for the underlying features or situations that do not currently have a digital NOTAM event specification. In such cases, a freeform NOTAM could be used. However, since it is not possible to completely constrain these freeform NOTAMs, the system must have the functionality, at a minimum, to include additional reviews via workflows to ensure they comply with the NOTAM policy before being published.

53 Question: Please explain following Objective "Solution(s) that ensure data security in transmission and storage while restricting data using least privileged access, Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) principles, and allow authorized originators to directly manage and issue the required temporary change notifications without review, especially when they use digital event specifications." The second part of the sentence appears to be unrelated to the security. Please clarify.

Answer: The second part refers to a stringent security requirement that permits only authorized users to originate NOTAMs, given they can be published instantly to the NAS, affecting the availability of critical aeronautical features.

54 Question: How much and Where do you (FAA) get the worldwide data from for AI and NOTAM (Amount, API, Format, Process)?

Answer: International NOTAMs are received via NADIN (AFTN).

55 Question: In the current (or legacy) FAA system, are there AI objects that would not map one to one to AIXM 5.1 standard?

Answer: Since the basic AIXM 5.1 message covers only the core features, extensions to AIXM 5.1 are anticipated to cover all the data elements and specific requirements of the FAA.

56 Question: Would these objects be required to be imported in the new AI system? Could you list them?

Answer: Existing extensions to AIXM 5.1 for the FAA's static and dynamic data would need to be supported by the new solution. Further information may be provided during subsequent ChBA phases. State your assumptions as required.

57 Question: On page 2 of the Request for Concept Paper, Section 2.1, indicates that Data Rights Assertions are not included in the page count. Please clarify the expectation for Data Rights Assertion?

Answer: The Data Rights Assertions are not the same as the Patent Owner(s) Statement. The following table should be filled out for all assertions in accordance with AMS Data rights clause 3.5-14 Representation of Limited Rights Data and Restricted Computer Software (January 2010) and 3.5-18 Commercial Computer Software License (January 2009) State whether there are any data rights issues that we should be cognizant of moving forward. Specifically, please identify any intellectual property, patents and inventions involved in the proposed solution and associated restrictions on the Government’s use of that intellectual property, patents, and inventions.

Present the following table for all assertions.

58 Question: On page 3 of the Request for Concept Papers, Section 2.4, I, the FAA requests 3rd party software. Please clarify the expectations for 3rd party software, e.g., will product name alone suffice?

Answer: Embedded software and respective licensing include supply chain implications. At a minimum, the Government expects insights into manufacturer, country of origin for the supply chain, architectural interdependencies (e.g., relational database for system storage), licensing structure (e.g., cpu-based, named user, etc.), and any other pertinent information related to how licensing impacts the overall solution.

59 Question: On page 3 of the Request for Concept Papers, Section 2.4, the FAA requests software licenses. Please clarify the expectations for software licenses?

Answer: Embedded software and respective licensing include supply chain implications. At a minimum, the Government expects insights into manufacturer, country of origin for the supply chain, architectural interdependencies (e.g., relational database for system storage), licensing structure (e.g., cpu-based, named user, etc.), and any other pertinent information related to how licensing impacts the overall solution.

60 Question: On page 3 of the Request for Concept Papers, Section 2.4, II, the FAA states: "Each participant (prime contractor and each sub-contractor) shall complete the submitter statement below. The statement shall be included in the Cover Sheet." Please confirm that this is not part of the Cover Sheet and should be included with the CONOPS paper?

Answer: It should be submitted as a separate attachment to the concept paper following the format provided. It is not included in the page count.

61 Question: On page 5 of the Request for Concept Papers, Section 2.4, the FAA references "section 3.1.9 - Proposed Data Rights Assertion." Please clarify the intent for Data Rights

Assertion or provide section 3.1.9?

Answer: The Data Rights Assertions are not the same as the Patent Owner(s) Statement. The following table should be filled out for all assertions in accordance with AMS Data rights clause 3.5-14 Representation of Limited Rights Data and Restricted Computer Software (January 2010) and 3.5-18 Commercial Computer Software License (January 2009) State whether there are any data rights issues that we should be cognizant of moving forward. Specifically, please identify any intellectual property, patents and inventions involved in the proposed solution and associated restrictions on the Government’s use of that intellectual property, patents, and inventions.

Present the following table for all assertions.

62 Question: Would the Government entertain a 3-week extension to the concept paper due to the complexity of forming a full solution and addressing new requirements identified in the RCP? Additional time is needed to engage industry partners to collaborate on the best solution architecture (including the Operational Approach, Communication/Collaboration Plan and Business Viability).

Answer: Per the notice posted to sam.gov the FAA has extended the due date to March 11th, 2024.

63 Question: Under section 2.4, the FAA is requiring sub-contractors/vendors to complete the submitter statement/patent owner statements, are these completed statements excluded from the page count for the Concept Paper?

Answer: It should be submitted as a separate attachment to the concept paper following the format provided. It is not included in the page count.

64 Question: Will the Government allow additional subcontractor, teaming partners, or vendors to submit any required Intellectual Property Statements/Agreements/Disclosures referenced in RCP 2.4 following Phase 1? It would be to the benefit of the Government for offerors to add partners that may increase innovation, optimize schedules, or promote cost efficiency as the prototype is developed

Answer: The Government is not limiting it to any participants from previous ChBA events. Prime Contractors may change their subcontractors as long as they identify to the government that they are changing their subcontractors and identify the work they will perform. As the Government moves into later phases, prime contractors ability to modify subcontractors may be limited. The government will provide appropriate notification regarding subcontractor limitations

65 Question: Will the Government perform Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) testing within a contractor owned/contractor operated model to ensure the FAA’s safety requirements are met? Would the Government describe and provide industry on how this will be performed, as it will impact the consistency of offeror approaches for evaluation within Phase 1 of the ChBA? Will the Government be testing the solution prior to September 2025, and what schedule, timelines, etc. should offerors expect?

Answer: The FAA is seeking an operational capability by September 2025, which includes our intention to perform some form of IV&V consistent with corresponding FAA policy. Additional information may be provided in support of subsequent ChBA phases. State assumptions as required.

66 Question: How will all impacted stakeholders (DoD, industry, etc.) validate and accept the solution into operations? Have acceptance criteria and all use cases been defined? Can those criteria and use cases be provided so that an offeror can accurately develop a rough order of magnitude?

Answer: The approach may be dependent on the concept being offered. Additional discussion will be available in subsequent ChBA phases.

67 Question: How will Safety Risk Assessment and Cybersecurity acceptance testing/verification and validation be performed? Will the contractor or Government be performing that function, and along what timeline should an offeror expect that to be performed?

Answer: The FAA is seeking an operational capability by September 2025, which includes our intention to perform some form of Safety Risk Assessment and Cybersecurity acceptance testin/verification and validation with corresponding FAA policy. Additional information may be provided in support of subsequent ChBA phases. State assumptions as required.

68 Question: Is it the Government's intent to waive ITAR and/or export restrictions (to include sharing of technical data) to allow foreign COTS solutions to be utilized for the NOTAMS solution in compliance with FAA Orders (e.g. FAA Order 1240.13)? If so, how does the Government intend on interfacing the proposed system with secure networks?

Answer: The FAA will not be waiving any ITAR and/or export restrictions.

69 Question: Within the SOO document, Figure 1 (Current FAA Aeronautical Information Systems) has a box in the lower left with the following text included: NOTAM, Flight Planning, and PIREP. The shading of the box is not included in the legend. Can FAA provide a definition in the legend for what the color is intending to represent?

Answer: That refers to an AI support system that has multiple functions. For the RCP, it can be considered as an independent system with no impact on the NOTAM system functionality. It can be considered as a client to the NOTAM system’s distribution machine interface.

70 Question: Is it still the Government's intent to fund prototype solutions under FY24/FY25 budgets upon selecting top rated solutions? Is funding available and programmed for this requirement?

Answer: Section 3.3 of the RCP has requested viability information from offerors.

71 Question: What evaluation criteria or benchmarks will be used to assess the completeness and compliance of the proposed Aeronautical Information (AI) solution, considering elements such as implementation, maintenance, scalability, and alignment with FAA’s preference for an innovative services-based contracting or “software-as-a-service” business models?

Answer: As stated in section 3 of the evaluation approach "Based upon the Evaluators’ assessment of the impact of all identified strengths, weaknesses, and risks in the concepts presented by vendors and how their concept best addresses the SOO and Scope Considerations and Principles Documents, the FAA will make a down-select decision to determine which offeror(s) move forward to the next phase of the Challenge-Based Acquisition." No further detail will be provided.

72 Question: Does the Government have an anticipated timeline between Phase 1 evaluation and announcement of the Phase 2 ChBA?

Answer: See the updated Challenge-Based Acquisition Overview, Section 2.0, provided on sam.gov.

73 Question: In the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) / Machine Learning (ML) technologies that evolve, how does the Government intend to ensure safety assessment is performed with the technology implementation?

Answer: The use of AI/ML may be implemented, but the accuracy and quality of the NOTAM is critical. Safety assessments, testing, and confirmation that data integrity will be maintained is important. State your assumptions as required.

74 Question: The FAA’s specific requirements for data security and privacy.

Answer: Please see SOO section 3 for further security information. State your assumptions as required.

75 Question: Integration requirements with existing FAA systems and data sources.

Answer: See response to Question 2.

76 Question: Specific technical standards or protocols (e.g., AIXM) that the cloud solution must support.

Answer: There have been no formal decisions made in regard to the Mission Essential Platform. Please see SOO section 3 for further information. State your assumptions as required.

77 Question: Disaster recovery and business continuity expectations for the NOTAM and AIS systems.

Answer: Aeronautical Information Systems are vital for NAS safety, with NOTAMs being particularly crucial for timely updates. Delays in delivering this information can have a significant impact on air traffic operations. Thus, these systems must be highly resilient and available, minimizing disruptions to air traffic. Disaster recovery and business continuity expectations are in Section 3.1 of the Phase 1 Request for Concept Papers and in the Architecture section of the SOO

78 Question: Aeronautical Information Systems are vital for NAS safety, with NOTAMs being particularly crucial for timely updates. Delays in delivering this information can have a significant impact on air traffic operations. Thus, these systems must be highly resilient and available, minimizing disruptions to air traffic. Disaster recovery and business continuity expectations are in Section 3.1 of the Phase 1 Request for Concept Papers and in the Architecture section of the SOO+C157

Answer: Please see SOO section 3 for further monitoring information. State your assumptions as required.

79 Question: Expectations for vendor support, maintenance, and future enhancements.

Answer: Please see SOO section 3 for further information. State your assumptions as required.

80 Question: Budgetary constraints or considerations for the NOTAM and AIS cloud solution.

Answer: Section 3.3 of the RCP has requested viability information from offerors.

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