BAA_13-012_Call_0005_Questions_and_Answers-_Amendment_2.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.

16 Section 5.4 of the BAA Volume 1, Technical Proposal, The Proposal instructions in Section

5.4 of the BAA indicate that Volume 1, Technical Proposal, has a limit of 20 pages, however later on in Section 5.4, under the “Resumes of Key Personnel” and “Other Key Personnel” section, the instructions reference the “30 page limit.” Can you please confirm whether the Technical Proposal has a 20 page limit or a 30 page limit?

The BAA has been corrected and Version 9 has been released. The page limit is now 30 pages.

17 Section 5.4, “Proposal Content”

In Section 5.4, under “Proposal Content,” the Technical Volume includes a section on “Cost Summary.”

Do you want to see the “Cost Summary” in the Technical Volume (as instructed) or should all cost information and the “Cost Summary” be included in Volume 2, Cost Proposal.

As stated in the BAA, please include a cost summary in the technical value that includes the projected total costs for each task in the initial period of performance and any proposed option year of the effort, including a summary of subcontracts, man hours, and consumables.

18 Section 5.4, “Proposal Content,”

In Section 5.4, under “Proposal Content,” the Technical Volume includes a section on “Assertion of Data Rights.” Similar to the question above, should we include this in the Technical Proposal or Cost Proposal, especially if we explain our commercial licensing approach and any estimated cost development information?

The Assertion of Data Rights is to be included in the Technical Volume.

As noted in the BAA it is anticipated that the proposed Assertion of Data Rights will be incorporated as an attachment to the resultant award instrument. To this end, full proposals must include a severable self-standing Assertion of Data Rights without any proprietary restrictions, which can be attached to the contract or agreement award.

19 Section 5.4, Volume 2:

Price/Cost Proposal, In Section 5.4, Volume 2: Price/Cost Proposal, we are asked to provide information regarding a Cost Accounting System for Cost Reimbursement Type Contracts. In Sec 3.1 of the BAA, the government indicates that “a mix of contract types will be used throughout the life of the BAA. The specific type of contract will be issued in each call for white papers and proposals.” In Call 0005, Section 7, Award Type, the government indicates that we should see BAA 13-012 Version 8, Section 3 (the language cited above) to indicate the Award Type. Given that no award

The Government will make the determination whether a Cooperative Agreement, Grant or Contract is the best fit for a vendor’s effort.

If a vendor’s proposal is selected for award and is determined to be best suited for a Contract, the contract type is negotiable between the vendor and the Government. The vendor is welcome to suggest a contract type, but please provide as much information as possible should the type is suggested, can a vendor suggest the appropriate contract type and if the recommended appropriate contract type is not a Cost Reimbursement Type Contract, does the vendor need to provide any information regarding their accounting system?

Government feel that a cost type contract is most appropriate.

20 BAA 13-012

V.8, page 21, first bullet, “These resumes do not count towards the 30-page limit.”

BAA 13-012

V.8, page 21, second bullet, “This section will not count towards the 30-page limit.”

Aside from the "Resumes for Key Personnel" and "Other DHS Support", which other mandatory proposal section(s) are not included in the page count?

No there are no other sections that are not included in the page count.

21 BAA 13-012

V.8, pages 18- 23, Section 5.4, “Format and Content of Full Proposal”

Should/can the proposal have an "Acronym" section that does NOT count against the page count?

There are no plans to add an Acronym section at this time.

22 BAA 13-012

V.8, pages 18- 23, Section 5.4, “Format and Content of Full Proposal”

Do "References/Endnotes" count against the page count?

Yes, references and endnotes count against the page count.

23 Are offerors able to submit multiple submissions for the full proposal with different vendors? Or is it one submission only per company?

For each white paper that was submitted, only one proposal may be submitted.

24 2.2 Type Classifications

On page 10, it says the technologies delivered at the end of the POP need to be TRL 7 or higher.

The technology TRL level on page 11 (type I: TRL 3 or 4; or type II: TRL 5 or 6) refers to the state of technology as it

Then on page 11 it says that in order to meet the requirement, companies submitting a proposal shall identify which type two classifications aligns with our proposed strategy - the options provided only include TRL 3&4 and TRL 5&6.

What is page 11 trying to ask for?

exists before the award. The technology delivered to DHS at the conclusion of the Contract period of performance shall be at TRL 7 or higher.

25 5.4 Proposal Content- Cover Page

On page 19, the cover page item number 10, it says that I need to state the certifications for prototypes as found in section 845...where can I find section 845?

Is the word "certification" in this section referring to a special type of certification from an authority?

Section 845 is the authorization for the Government to use OTAs (Other Transactions).

Section 845 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994, Pub. L. No.

103-160.

The certifications in this section is in reference to the use of SAM.gov in which any offeror wishing to do business with the Government must register in SAM and complete their certifications. Please visit SAM.gov if you have more questions regarding these certification requirements.

26 5.4 Proposal Content- Assertion of Data Rights

On page 22, in the section on assertion of data rights, there is a sentence at the top of the page prior to the data rights required outline that reads:

"Offer's pre-award identification shall be submitted as an attachment to its offer and shall contain the following information:"...

What is "the offeror's pre-award identification"? Is that a separate form? Or do vendors just include answers to the data rights section within the proposal as usual?

Please include the data rights section as usual. This pre-award just refers to your identifications in your proposal.

27 5.4 Proposal Content- Volume 2- Cost Proposal

How does a vendor get a written opinion or other statement from a CFA or CFAO? Who do we contact to get a statement or written opinion?

If an offeror has not been audited by a CFA and has no written opinion, the vendor most say so in their proposal.

If the vendor is selected for an award and a cost type contract is the best contract type for the effort, the Government will contact the CFA (DCAA) and request an audit and written opinion. Vendors are unable to request an audit on their own.