GAMBIT_BAA_Questions and Answers_Amendment1_HR001122S0048.pdf

UNCLASSIFIED

Answers to BAA Questions

Broad Agency Announcement

Gambit

Tactical Technology Office

HR001122S0048

Amendment 01

Release Date: November, 08 2022

The purpose of this amendment is to:

1. Add two additional questions which were not included on the original Answers document.

The BAA requires those requesting a procurement contract to submit the supplementary DARPA-specific representations and certification (RNCs) at the time of proposal submission. Volume I does not allocate any pages for the RNCs and Volume II does not mention it as a requirement. Given that there is not a page count allocation for the RNCs in Volume I nor is it mentioned for Volume II, can the RNCs be a standalone document as a part of the submission?

A: RNCs should be submitted as part of Volume II.

Can proposers receive a copy of the other SCG document (DARPA-CG-1086) mentioned in the unclassified Gambit SCG?

A: Proposers will not be granted access to DARPA-CG-1086. DARPA will seek to grant access to proposer(s) following contract award, assuming the awardee has adequate facilities and personnel for the classification level.

Can proposers receive a copy of the final report, a list of the performers, or any additional information from the seedling study?

A: Proposers will only be sent the documents listed in the BAA: a DD254, the Gambit SCG, and the Gambit Proposers Day slides. If one or more contracts are awarded, DARPA may provide the final report from the seedling study to performers at that time.

Proposal format states maximum page limit for Volume I is 47 pages. Volume I bracketed page numbers total 49 pages. Please confirm if the maximum page limit for Volume I is 49 pages.

A: Yes, the total maximum page limit for Volume I is 49 pages. This change was made in the Amendment 2 to the BAA, which posted at the same time as this Q&A.

The proposal states that all proposers are required to submit the supplementary DARPA-specific representations and certifications. Are subcontractors required to submit the supplementary DARPA-specific representations and certifications as well? If so, do they need to be submitted with the prime’s or as a part of their sealed proprietary package?

A: The subcontractor’s representations and certificates should be submitted as a part of their sealed proprietary packages.

Proposal states that all proposers are required to include letters of commitment from GFE providers (wind tunnels, direct connect facilities, etc.). Some facilities are reluctant to provide commitment to a test event far into the future due to current testing backlog and utilization. Can we propose to utilize facilities that are unwilling or unable to provide letters of commitment during the proposal period?

A: The BAA states that “proposers should seek to include a letter of commitment” from GFE facilities. Given this is a “should” statement, proposers should use best effort to attain a letter of commitment. If the facility is unwilling to provide a letter of commitment, proposers should assess the risk that this places on their proposal. Based on the risk assessment, proposers should determine whether the particular facility is the best option or if a different facility is more appropriate as a primary or alternate option.

The BAA states that only 8.5x11 size is allowed for the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS). Can proposers utilize 11x17 with 8pt. font for readability?

A: There is no page limit on the IMS submission. Therefore, proposers can submit their IMS a paper size and font that enhances readability (e.g. 11x17 with 8pt. font). DARPA also encourages submitting the IMS as a separate Microsoft Project file to enhance readability.

Where in Volumes I or II does the customer request the Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI) Plan and Small Business Subcontracting Plan be submitted, and are these parts of the subject page limitation, an addendum or an attachment?

A: OCI Plans and Small Business Subcontracting Plans can be submitted as addenda that do not count towards the page limitation. Prospective proposers are advised to contact DARPA in advance of submitting the proposal to inform of any OCI concerns.

Can the customer clarify its position on the requirement for a Small Business Subcontracting Plan if the contractor includes subcontractors in their offer proposal?

A: For all proposals that exceed $750K the requirements as identified by FAR Part 19 must be met. For all “other than small businesses”, a subcontracting plan must be provided with the proposal when subcontracting opportunities exist.

When is the anticipated contract start date?

A: Contract start date has not been established and is subject to successful negotiation of a contract.

What is the funding available for this effort?

A: Funding information will not be released.

Is the proposer expected to include government assets in our cost/pricing data (i.e. wind-tunnel assets at Langley AFB)?

A: Proposers should provide cost estimates for all Government furnished equipment (GFE) requested in the proposal. GFE cost estimates should be provided by the owning Government organization where possible, but can be based on prior experience if cost estimates from the owner cannot be attained.

Can the customer please clarify the number of awards for Phase 1

A: Multiple awards are anticipated under this BAA; an exact number of awards is not predetermined.

Can the customer please clarify the timing of the down-select for Phase II: Will this be prior to, during or post execution of Phase 1?

A: Proposers are expected to propose Phase 1 as the base period of the contract and Phase 2 as a contract option. The down select is expected to occur at the end of Phase 1 by exercising the Phase 2 option for the down selected performer(s).

Does the customer expect a prime contractor to carry only one RDE subcontractor from the beginning of Phase I, or can they carry multiple suppliers for a portion of Phase I and perform a down-select?

A: DARPA will not direct the structure of proposer’s teaming arrangements or subcontractor strategies. Proposers are expected to propose teaming arrangements and subcontractor strategies that they believe optimally balance risk, cost, schedule, and technical performance.

Can the customer identify the point of contact for the AEDC Test Facilities?

A: Please contact Kirk Butler at kirk.butler@us.af.mil

Can the customer identify any preference for using USAF test facilities, NASA or private test facilities?

A: DARPA has no preference on use of particular facilities. Proposers should propose facilities that optimally balance risk, cost, schedule, and technical performance.

Caveat used on addendum was not mentioned on the BAA security guidance or mentioned in the SCG. Please confirm the proposal can be submitted with the same classification level with the caveat used on the classified addendum?

A: Proposals can be submitted at any level of classification as long as the appropriate procedures are followed for the classification level. Please refer to BAA Section IV.B.2.b).(2) “Classified Submissions” section beginning on page 29 for information on classified proposal submissions.

What WBS pricing detail level should the offeror include in the Government-provided MS Excel DARPA Standard Cost Proposal Spreadsheet in the development of the cost proposals? Is it required to go to the same WBS level depth across the entirety of the WBS?

A: Per the BAA, “Offerors should submit cost proposals to the level of detail that substantiates the summary of cost estimates.” To meet this, proposers should detail cost estimates at a sufficient level to allow adequate estimation of cost and Government assessment of cost realism. BAA Section IV.B.1.b), on pages 25-27, has additional information on providing detailed cost breakdowns.