QandA_Round_1.pdf

DARPA Blackjack Reference: HR001118S0032 Link: https://www.fbo.gov/spg/ODA/DARPA/CMO/HR001118S0032/listing.html

May 1, 2018 1

Question & Answer #1

Question 1: Do we need a Security clearance to bid on Blackjack? Reference Deadline to Request

Copies of the Classified and Export Controlled Appendices: April 27, 2018

Answer 1: Proposers do not need a security clearance to bid on DARPA BAA HR001118S0032.

The appendices are NOT required in any way to submit a bid they only contain supplemental information on possible payloads. In addition, if in conflict, the BAA as posted text takes precedence over any information contained in the appendices.

Question 2: Can FFRDCs participate as a subcontractor?

Answer 2: Per the BAA: “FFRDCs are subject to applicable direct competition limitations and cannot propose to this BAA in any capacity unless they meet the following conditions: (1) FFRDCs must clearly demonstrate that the proposed work is not otherwise available from the private sector. (2) FFRDCs must provide a letter on official letterhead from their sponsoring organization citing the specific authority establishing their eligibility to propose to Government solicitations and compete with industry, and their compliance with the associated FFRDC sponsor agreement’s terms and conditions. This information is required for FFRDCs proposing to be awardees or subawardees.”

Question 3: The BAA specifies that the abstract submission should include Section I of the proposal. The template for Section I requests pricing information for all phases and the follow-

on. Given the large scope of the effort requested through all phases and the follow-on it would be difficult for us to determine even ROM level pricing at this early stage of the proposal development. Thus we would like to know if pricing information is required for Section I of the abstract, or if we can instead simply put "TBD" and provide the Phase 1 pricing, and Phase 2, Phase 2 option, Phase 3, and Follow-on ROMs when we submit the full proposal.

Answer 3: The abstract should include "ONLY Section I (without the Official Transmittal Letter) and Section II-A of Volume I, Technical and Management Proposal. The cover sheet should be clearly marked "ABSTRACT," and the total length should not exceed two pages, excluding the cover page in Volume I, Technical and Management Proposal, Section I." For cost, a Rough Order of Magnitude estimate, by phase, would suffice at the abstract stage, or if a proposer does not have the cost information at the abstract stage, it can be marked TBD.

Question 4: Specific to the abstract submission for the subject BAA, for the cover page, item 10, Total funds requested from DARPA, is the expectation that this number include all three phases, or just Phase I?

Answer 4: The funds requested should be broken out across each of the three phases, if possible.

If detailed budget estimates are not available, the proposer can mark this information TBD or provide a ROM estimate, by phase.

https://www.fbo.gov/spg/ODA/DARPA/CMO/HR001118S0032/listing.html

May 1, 2018 2

Question 5: If submitting a proposal under Track A, Track B, or combined, as a prime or subcontractor, will there be any restrictions on submitting a proposal on the future “BAA2” (for the Autonomous Control Element/Pit Boss and Algorithm development etc.) as a prime or subcontractor? In other words, will a contractor be allowed to be part of teams submitting proposals to both Blackjack BAA1 and BAA2?

Answer 5: A contractor may propose in any capacity (prime/sub) for BAA1 or BAA2 or both anticipated Blackjack solicitations.

Question 6: Under Section IV.B.1. proposers are strongly encouraged to submit an Abstract and should follow the same general format as described for proposals. Is it a firm requirement to include item 10 Total Funds Requested should we elect to submit an Abstract?

Answer 6: Please reference answers to Question 3 and Question 4.

Question 7: Does $117.M budget cited in HR001118S0032 cover only the topics included in this BAA for the payload and satellite bus development or does it also cover the budget for future announcements covering autonomy, launch, ground systems and constellation flight operations?

Answer 7: The Budget cited in HR001118S0032 is anticipated to cover the work being solicited by BAA HR001118S0032 only. However, per the BAA: Multiple awards are anticipated in Phase 1 for Track A: Payload and Track B: Spacecraft Bus. The amount of resources made available under this BAA will depend on the quality of the proposals received and the availability of funds.

The Government reserves the right to select for negotiation all, some, one, or none of the proposals received in response to this solicitation.

Question 8: Please clarify durations for each phase of the program. The description and milestone schedule make it difficult to determine the exact number of days available for each phase of the program and if Gov Fiscal Year or Calendar year.

Answer 8: Please reference Figure 1 – Notional Program Schedule in the BAA. This schedule is based on Fiscal Years (FY18 through FY22). As indicated, the dates and durations of each phase are notional. The exact number of days will be driven by the development requirements for each unique proposed system and may not exactly match the notional schedule.