HR001124S0027_COFFEE_TA2_FAQ.pdf

HR001124S0027

COmpact Front-end Filters at the ElEment-level (COFFEE) Program, Technical Area 2 (TA2)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Document 5/14/2024

Q1: Can individuals who were not the original COFFEE BAA TA1/TA3 performers submit proposals for TA2?

A1: Yes.

Q2: Can the proposed solution for TA2 consist of filter technologies that were not developed through the original COFFEE BAA TA1/TA3?

A2: Yes. As stated in the BAA: “COFFEE TA2 is open to a range of architectures that overcome these challenges. However, TA2 is not intended to develop fundamental filter technology. TA2 should apply filter technology currently under development that meets COFFEE’s TA1 metrics in BAA1. The technical risks of individual approaches should be highlighted along with mitigation strategies as well as recent innovations that enable success…proposers must provide evidence that their fundamental filter technology meets the metrics and constraints of TA1 in BAA1.”

Q3: Are the metrics in table 1 for the filter or the demonstrator?

A3: Unless specified, they are for the demonstrator. For example, “maximum filter insertion loss” specifies the filter NOT the demonstrator.

Q4: What were the filter metrics for TA1 of the COFFEE program?

A4: See HR001121S0031 (BAA1). Link is provided in the COFFEE TA2 BAA.

Q5: Who are the performers on COFFEE?

A5: Active COFFEE performers gave full presentations at proposer’s day as found in the video posted to sam.gov. Previously awarded contracts for the COFFEE program are publicly available via sam.gov.

Q6: How can proposers obtain filters developed in TA1?

A6: It is up to proposers to obtain resources and expertise necessary to succeed in their proposed effort. DARPA will not provide filters in TA2 nor dictate teaming arrangements.

Q7: What if the proposed demonstrator has different metrics than those in table 1?

A7: If proposers are suggesting additional or different metrics, they should justify those metrics and provide a quantitative relationship of the technical difficulty of achieving those metrics relative to table 1.

Q8: Can development of fundamental filter technology be proposed if it is necessary to achieve the performance of the demonstrator?

A8: As stated in the BAA, COFFEE TA2 is not intended to develop fundamental filter technology; however, filter technology development may be considered as part of integration and realization of the final demonstrator. The proposer should provide justification for embarking on fundamental filter development including showing how activities are required to meet metrics.

Q9: Can there be fundamental research done within TA2?

A9: As noted in the BAA, “the Government expects that program goals as described herein may be met by proposed efforts for fundamental research and nonfundamental research.”

Q10: What level of demonstration is required?

A10: Proposers should make determinations on the specifics of their demonstration based on the information provided in the BAA and associated materials.

Q11: What does “manufacturable” mean?

A11: Manufacturability may include the variability across filter parts (see table 1) as well as factors such as scaling manufacturing volume related to the transition strategy for the integrated filter technology.

Q12: How will DARPA facilitate transition?

A12: DARPA will work in collaboration with performers to facilitate transition through its various offices and connections to mission partners.

Q13: How will ability to meet metrics be valued in comparison to transition strategy?

A13: Section II of the BAA covers the evaluation criteria of proposals.

Q14: What will the preliminary design review and prototype demonstration cover? Will there be other design reviews?

A14: We expect the specifics of design reviews, prototypes, and demonstrations to vary and depend on the specifics of individual proposals.

Q15: How will independent verification and validation (IV&V) be performed?

A15: The specifics of IV&V will vary and depend on the specifics of individual proposals.

Q16: How long will it take to receive feedback after abstract submissions?

A16: While there is no fixed date, we aim to give feedback in 2 weeks.

Q17: Will proposers need to find their own Contracting Officer Representative (COR)?

A17: No, DARPA will assign CORs to contracts if awarded.

Q18: Is the cost volume spreadsheet required?

A18: Deviations from the cost volume spreadsheet need to be justified.

Q19: Are proposals for TA1 being accepted?

A19: No.

Q20: Can an organization submit multiple proposals or participate on multiple teams?

A20: Yes.

Q21: Are proposals that incorporate technology from other DARPA programs accepted?

A21: Yes, we encourage proposers to leverage technology developments that enable them to overcome technical challenges related to achieving the goals of their proposal.

Q22: Are classified proposals accepted?

A22: Yes. See BAA, Section IV for instructions related to submission of classified materials.