BAA_Q&A_Round_1_(1-28-19).pdf

DARPA Angler

Reference: HR001119S0009

Link: https://www.fbo.gov/spg/ODA/DARPA/CMO/HR001119S0009/listing.html

Question 1: Can a company propose to partner with more than one prime for Track A efforts? Does DARPA anticipate limiting the efforts of one company that may be a subcontractor on multiple Track A teams in a similar scope?

Answer 1: Yes, a company may propose to partner with more than one prime for Track A efforts.

Proposals will be evaluated in accordance with BAA section V regardless of teaming arrangements.

Question 2: When are the due dates for abstracts, proposals, and questions?

Answer 2: Due dates for the abstracts and questions can be found on page 3 of the BAA. DARPA does not anticipate further changes to program due dates.

Question 3: Will all Track B proposals be required to possess SECRET level clearance and address the classified aspects of the Angler program?

Answer 3: Track B proposers are not required to have access to classified information to propose, though abstracts and proposals inherently pertaining to the Angler classified mission or metrics will need to meet or exceed those metrics.

Question 4: Can proposals to Track B focus on one or more sub-systems from both TA 1 and TA 2 (e.g., path planning and navigation)?

Answer 4: Yes, performers may propose to Track B with focus on multiple Technology Areas, or may submit multiple Track B proposals to address these technical areas.

Question 5: Is it possible to come and view classified program material onsite at DARPA?

Answer 5: Materials will not be available onsite at DARPA. Those wishing to receive materials must do so as specified in BAA section IV.A.2.

Question 6: Would DARPA allow a Track B proposer to be selected even if it does not have the ability to handle classified information?

Answer 6: Track B proposers are not required to have access to classified information to propose, though abstracts and proposals inherently pertaining to the Angler classified mission or metrics will need to meet or exceed those metrics.

Question 7: Will DARPA be offering any schedule relief to the posted due date for abstracts as January 24, 2019?

Answer 7: Please refer to page 3 of the BAA for abstract and proposal due dates.

https://www.fbo.gov/spg/ODA/DARPA/CMO/HR001119S0009/listing.html

Question 8: How should university researchers without security clearances participate in Angler?

Answer 8: Track B is an opportunity for proposers that do not have access to classified information to propose, though abstracts and proposals inherently pertaining to the Angler classified mission or metrics will need to meet or exceed those metrics.

Question 9: Should Track B abstracts and proposals attempt to strictly confine themselves to TA 2 requirements and descriptions or is overlap with TA 1 be acceptable?

Answer 9: Performers may propose to Track B with focus on multiple Technology Areas, or may submit multiple Track B proposals to address these technical areas.

Question 10: Regarding the Phase 2 and Phase 3 deliverables, does DARPA plan to take delivery of some or all of the hardware built or purchased under this contract?

Answer 10: Performers should be prepared for DARPA to take delivery of hardware built or purchased under this contract.

Question 11: What is the anticipated Phase 1 start date?

Answer 11: DARPA anticipates that Phase 1 will begin upon contract award, anticipated to be in the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20). DARPA reserves the right to adjust award dates as required.

Question 12: What is the expected number of awards and value range of Track A and B awards?

Answer 12: DARPA is unable to disclose this information.

Question 13: To avoid a possible OCOI, will the Government be identifying the assigned SETA?

Answer 13: No. DARPA has an OCI policy that prohibits contractors/performers from concurrently providing Scientific Engineering Technical Assistance (SETA), Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS) or similar support services to any DARPA office(s) and being a technical performer.

Question 14: Can a Track A team propose a sub-set of the Technical Areas (for example: 6 of the 7 areas) for Phase 1 with the intention of adding a Track B performer(s) at the beginning of Phase 2 to complete the all Technical Area requirements?

Answer 14: No, per BAA section I.B.2., track A performers must propose solutions to include all Technical Area objectives in order to be selected for the Angler Program.

Question 15: Will the Government consider a Track B award from non-winning Track A proposal?

Answer 15: DARPA will not consider Track A proposals for selection in Track B. Those Track A proposers wishing to also be considered for Track B must submit a separate proposal to that track.

Question 16: Will the Government consider a Track B award from non-winning Track A proposal?

Answer 16: No.

Question 17: Do you concur that sprint speed for all portions of the Phase 3 demonstration is ≥ 6 knots?

The 8 kt sprint speed given for Phase 3 in Table 8 contradicts the Phase 3 sprint speed given on page 24: "... transit includes a sprint phase lasting a minimum of 1 hr at 6 knots speed through water."

Answer 17: Sprint speed for phase 3 is 8 knots per Table 8 of the BAA.

Question 18: What is the expected accuracy of the CEP for the finish point once the mission is complete?

Answer 18: Per Table 8 of the BAA, the object uncertainty in Phase 3 is 500 meters or less. No specific metric is assigned to the CEP of the robot’s finish location following the Phase 3 objective.

Question 19: What is the maximum in water weight of objects that are to be manipulated?

Answer 19: Per BAA section I.B.6.a), proposers must provide this information in support of the mission vignettes defined in the classified BAA addendum.

Question 20: Do the turbidity levels listed in the program metrics potentially extend all through the target CEP?

Answer 20: Listed turbidity levels may extend through all portions of the Angler mission, including the target CEP, and are expected to be variable during the entire mission vignette

Question 21: Will a priori bathymetric maps of the CEP or traverse be available for mission planning?

Answer 21: It is assumed that some a priori information is available to the Angler robot during mission planning, however DARPA values sensing and environmental awareness solutions that enable the Angler robot to manage environmental, mission, and situational awareness. Any a prior information will be the responsibility of the performers during demonstrations.

Question 22: Can beacons or markers be dropped during the mission? Would these markers need to be retrieved by the vehicle?

Answer 22: DARPA does not prohibit the placement of markers or beacons during the Angler mission, provided that any beacons originate from the Angler platform and adhere to the surface expression constraints described in the BAA. Any such device may not need to be recovered, however DARPA values approaches that minimize disturbances to the natural environment.

Question 23: Will targets have a distinct visual signature in clear water relative to adjacent objects and environment?

Answer 23: Targets will vary, and have unknown parameters as discussed in BAA section I.B.2.b).

Additionally, targets will be cooperative or uncooperative as described in BAA section I.B.6.a), “Object Types”.

Question 24: Will targets have a distinct acoustic signature relative to adjacent objects and environment?

Answer 24: Targets will vary, and have unknown parameters as discussed in BAA section I.B.2.b).

Additionally, targets will be cooperative or uncooperative as described in BAA section I.B.6.a), “Object Types”.