BAA_13-012_Call_0005_Questions_and_Answers-_Amendment_1.pdf

BAA 13-012 Call 0005 Questions and Government’s Response

Reference Contractor’s Question Government’s Response

1 BAA 13-

012/Call 0005/ SOO H, page 2, Section 1.0, last sentence

Are there specific databases currently used by the First Responders that would be beneficial to integrate into the solution or is the use of the word (databases) a generic term?

We are using databases generically here. However the software needs to be easily integrated into the certain Common Operating Pictures (COPs) such as Next Generation Incident Command System (NICS), ESRI Geospatial Information System (GIS), Raven Emergency Management Platform (http://www.ravenwics.org/0, Knowledge Center (http://knowledge-center.com/), and WebEOC.

2 BAA 13-

012/Call 0005/ SOO H, page 2, Section 2.0, second paragraph

Is it safe to assume all "common communication devices" will have access to the open Internet?

One must not assume that all devices have internet connectivity. In fact, most devices will be part of an internal secure network; but some devices do currently have access to open Internet.

However, we must keep in mind the evolution of FirstNet.

As the new Next Generation 9- 1-1 architecture is being developed, mitigation of cybersecurity risks will be critical. Your approach should address cybersecurity risks.

3 BAA 13-

012/Call 0005/ SOO H, page 4, Section 4.1, first paragraph, first sentence

Is the intention of "available libraries and web service endpoints" imply the solution should be accessible via API (Application Programming Interface) in addition to having its own visualization (user interface)?

Yes.

4 BAA 13-

012/Call 0005/ SOO H, page 5, section 5.1, fourth bullet

When stating "support platform interoperability", is the intent for the solution to push data into other systems or for other systems to be able

The government is open to best practices as per the vendors approach. However, if the vendors are able to both push and pull/access information via to pull/access information from the proposed solution?

proposed solution that would be a plus. For example, pushing hospital alerts directly from hospital to emergency response vehicle/driver, who in turn pulls/access information on traffic & weather delays onto google maps to optimize route to hospital.

5 BAA 13-

012/Call 0005/ SOO H, page 6, section 6.2, last paragraph

In regards to "provide DHS multiple prototype deliverables", considering this is software, is the final deliverable with 50 evaluation licenses sufficient for post-contract testing and evaluation?

Yes.

6 BAA 13-

012/Call 0005/ SOO H, page 7, section 6.5:

It mentions $10 to download the application - is that a onetime fee or a recurring licensing fee?

Envisioned as a one-time fee.

7 SOO A

Wildland Fire Respiratory Protection

Please clarify the requirements, specifically the 12 month – 18 month Award 3.6 Anticipated Period of Performance for Individual Awards. If granted the award, does this mean that an offeror would need to have a production model of the respirator within a maximum of 18 months?

Does this mean that funding is provided for a maximum of 18 months? Any information you can offer will be greatly appreciated.

The offeror would have to have a prototype device ready by the end of 18 months that meets the requirement of SOO A to provide respiratory protection for Wildland firefighters. The device would not have to be in production by the end of 18 months, but should be ready for commercialization. The goal of the solicitation is to develop a device that will be available for sale to Wildland Firefighters across the country, so commercialization of the device that is developed is an important aspect of this project.

8 Do I need to register a company for submitting white paper? May I submit a white paper right now, and register a company later for full proposal submission?

You must register a company to submit a white paper. The DHS BAA portal requires company information to submit a white paper.

9 SOO E

Multimeter wire attack kit

Does the project allow subcontracting to a foreign company, or purchase of some components such as printed circuit boards from oversea vendors?

BAA HSHQDC-13-R-B0012 is open to ALL responsible sources domestic or foreign.

Foreign or foreign-owned Offerors are advised that their participation is subject to the foreign disclosure review procedures, applicable export control laws and other applicable federal laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to foreign entities.

10 In the proposal, may on offeror budget a small percentage of fund for the local government departments, such as police department or traffic management department, for their effort in the project such as testing and evaluation of the prototype as consultants?

Yes.

11 Will this call result in Cooperative Agreement awards or in Federal Contracts?

This call could result in the award of cooperative agreements, contracts, or Interagency Agreements.

12 On page 15 of BAA 13-012 Version 8 (subsection 5.2) it says offerors will have 30 “business days” from the official call for white papers for the submission deadline. This is different than calendar days and would normally exclude weekends and banking holidays. The white paper for Call 0005 is due 5-24-2017, which would be using 30 “calendar” days since the call went out on 4-24-2017.

Therefore, it seems that the BAA itself sets a deadline of 30 “business” days and the other document (the Announcement?) sets a deadline of 30 “calendar” days.

The BAA Call 0005 has been amended to correct this discrepancy. White papers are now due June 05, 2017.

13 Is there a specific format for the White Papers as there is for the Proposals?

There is no such specific format for the White Papers.

Offerors are free to choose their own format so long as they follow the requirements for the white paper.

14 Are Offerors able to submit multiple whitepapers with different vendors? Or is it one submission only?

Offerors may submit multiple white papers.

15 SOO A

Wildland Fire Respiratory Protection- Must Have Requirements

Must Offerors meet all the requirements to be considered for the solicitation. If not, can the Government please prioritize this list or provide the highest value requirements?

All of the “Must Have” requirements listed on Page 5 of the SOO were provided to DHS S&T by wildland firefighters, so they are all important for the safety and long term health of wildland firefighters. It is important that any solution that is developed meets as many of these requirements as possible, and ideally it will meet all of them. However, if the solution that an offeror envisions does not meet all of these requirements, offerors are still encourage to submit a White Paper describing their best solution to address this issue and the merits of their proposed solution will be considered during the evaluation process.