OFFSET_Sprint_1_FAQ_Conformed_through_20-Nov-17.pdf

Conformed through November 20, 2017

HR001117S0011 Amendment 1 – Swarm Sprints OFFensive Swarm-Enabled Tactics (OFFSET) Frequently Asked Questions

As of October 31, 2017

IN THE EVENT OF ANY INCONSISTENCY BETWEEN THE ANSWERS PROVIDED

HEREIN AND THE BAA, THE BAA SHALL TAKE PRECEDENCE

Q1. The solicitation for the first Sprint (HR001117S0011-Amendment-01) emphasizes the development of swarm “tactics” to be validated first in a simulation environment. Are proposers expected to provide, as part of the Sprint 1 base effort, complete implementations for all ‘primitives’ and ‘algorithms’ required to implement the proposed tactics, or may the base-phase simulations assume competent implementation of these lower-level skills by the unmanned platforms?

For example, would it be acceptable for a simulated platform to provide a “doorway detection” function, which provides a detection output event (with some probability of detection and false alarm), but does not model the specific sensor data (imagery) and signal processing (object detection) associated with that function?

A1. Yes, the tactics implemented in this Swarm Tactics Sprint should include the implementations of the underlying primitives and algorithms needed to achieve the tactic.

Proposals are encouraged to leverage existing and/or open-source algorithms and libraries. In the example provided, the imagery and object detection capabilities should be included as components of the tactic. However, in the event that a synthetic technology (i.e., notional technology that does not yet exist) is a critical component of the tactic, the synthetic technology can be modeled in a reasonable manner that may not include all of the underlying algorithms. Note that synthetic technologies are not the focus of this Swarm Sprint, so any reliance on synthetic elements should be compelling and justified in the proposal.

Q2. If Sprint 1 proposers are expected to provide full-stack implementations of all

‘primitives’ and ‘algorithms,’ is it accurate to assume that the proposer-supplied simulation for base-phase evaluation must therefore be of sufficient fidelity to provide all required sensor base data to stimulate the signal and data processing algorithms and related primitives?

A2. Yes, the proposer-supplied simulation should include models of any required sensors to a reasonable level of fidelity. Proposals should include a discussion of the sensor models and justification for their level of fidelity.

Q3. Are proposals from university teams with a single PI and postdoc/students accepted?

A3. Yes, as long as the proposals meet the requirements listed in the BAA.

Q4. The document mentions that duration of the sprint is 6-9 months, which would be too short for our planned work. Would it be possible to have the duration of the sprint as one year (including integration)?

A4. We are unable to extend the sprints for longer than the 6-9 month time frame due to the nature of the experiments.

Q5. What is the start date for the next sprint cycle?

A5. DARPA anticipates sprint topics to be released at regular intervals throughout the program. The swarm sprints will likely focus on one of five thrust areas: swarm tactics, swarm autonomy, human-swarm teaming, virtual environment, and physical testbed. The dates have not been determined at this point.

As of November 9, 2017

Q6. As an FFRDC are we eligible to propose? If so, are there any special restrictions or contract vehicles that would apply to us?

A6. The “Eligible Applicants” section is unchanged by the amendment; please refer to the initial posting of the BAA #HR001117S0011. FFRDCs are eligible to propose.

Additional information and instructions are located in the initial BAA.

Q7. Could you please confirm foreign companies can apply and that the application forms are the ones; listed under Amendment 1?

A7. Yes, foreign participation is welcome. There are required forms. Please see the BAA and

Amendment for submission requirements.

Q8. Is the deadline for submission still Nov 29?

A8. Yes

Q9. Is the question period still open?

A9. Yes, we will continue to accept questions and post on a rolling basis to the DARPA

Opportunities page.

Q10. Is there a website for proposers? Was there a Proposers Day?

A10. There is not a website for Proposers Day. There was a Proposers Day in January 2017 for the OFFSET Swarm Systems Integrators and the start of the Program. Information from that Proposers Day can be found on the DARPA Opportunities page. The BAA is located here https://www.fbo.gov/spg/ODA/DARPA/CMO/HR001117S0011/listing.html.

Proposers Day for OFFSET Swarm Sprinters (relevant to the current BAA Amendment) https://www.fbo.gov/spg/ODA/DARPA/CMO/HR001117S0011/listing.html was Virtual and can be found on the Opportunities page and at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7KPBHPEMM0

Q11. Section IV.B.1 states that the proposal should be delivered in two volumes, Volume I

– Technical and Management Proposal and Volume II – Cost Proposal. Should Attachment 3-Summary Slide (PowerPoint) and Attachment 4-Administrative and National Policy (Word) be converted to PDF and inserted as part of Volume 1?

A11. Attachment 3 and Attachment 4 can be submitted as separate documents when submitting the proposal.

As of November 16, 2017

Q12. Our research team plans to make only numerical simulations in order to validate the proposed algorithm. Would it be possible to present, as a deliverable, the numerical simulations? Do you expect some implementation on real robots or with physical simulators?

A12. Yes, numerical simulations are a viable approach for this sprint, and integration on physical robots is not a requirement. However, proposals will be evaluated in part based on the feasibility of integrating the proposed algorithms into a physics-based robotics simulator and/or robot testbed.

Q13. Could the results obtained in this project be published in research journals, congresses, etc.? Could we include in the Cost Proposal the cost of the publication in journals or in congresses?

A13. Please refer to the public release information on the DARPA website http://www.darpa.mil/work-with-us/contract-management/public-release

Q14. Will it be required to travel to the U.S. to present the proposal or the project's results?

A14. Yes, key participants are required to attend the OFFSET Swarm Sprint Program Kickoff meeting to be held at DARPA (Arlington, VA). Sprinters are not expected to travel to the field experiments.

Q15. Would it be possible to deliver a proposal without any partner from the U.S.?

A15. Yes, foreign organizations are able to submit.

Q16. Should we cost this option assuming that we will integrate with both SSI architectures, or will it be more like we get to pick which one based on which architecture is more attractive from an ease of integration/development standpoint?

http://www.darpa.mil/work-with-us/contract-management/public-release

A16. Swarm Sprinters will be able to select one or both of the Swarm Systems Integrator-developed architectures for the tactics integration option.

Q17. I imagine we would be getting exposure to these architectures with associated

SDK’s/ICD’s early-on even if they’re not ready for integration until after the sprint.

Is there any estimate as to when we can expect that exposure even if only in draft form?

A17. It is anticipated that the relevant SDK/ICD documents will be made available at least by the end of the first six-month period of the program. Swarm Systems Integrators may release earlier beta versions and associated documentation as they become available.