Questions_and_Answers_for_BAA_13-012_Call_0003.pdf

Questions and Answers for BAA 13-012 Call 0003

Reference Question Answer

1 BAA 13-012 V.6,

page 9, section 3.3, second sentence

For the Limited English Proficiency Text to 9-1-1 topic project, the call for proposals does not specify a contract type. Has the government determined what type of contract vehicle it is likely to employ?

A Cooperative Agreement contract vehicle will most likely be employed.

2 BAA 13-012/CALL

0003, page 2, Limited English Proficiency Topic, 2nd paragraph, sentence 1 and 2.

Few, if any, PSAPs in the United States rely on a “translation application” like Google Translator for communications between Limited English Proficient (LEP) person and PSAP operators. Most, if not all, use a live, human interpreter for interpretation of voice communications between the LEP caller and the PSAP operator. If an applicant proposed the development of a text translation capability where translation of the text sent to the PSAP from the LEP texter is performed in real time by a trained human translator, and integrated with existing information technology (IT) platforms used by PSAPs to integrate text-to-9-1-1 into their operations, would the government deem that a responsive proposal to the objectives of the Limited English Proficiency Text to 9-1-1 topic?

Yes the Government would deem that “development of a text translation capability where translation of the text sent to the PSAP from the LEP texter is performed in real time by a trained human translator, and integrated with existing information technology (IT) platforms used by PSAPs to integrate text-to-9-1-1 into their operations” would be a responsive proposal to the objectives.

3 BAA 13-012/CALL

English Proficiency Topic, 2nd paragraph, last sentence

Has the government identified a specific “FCC or industry-defined acceptable translation standard for translation intervals and proficiency rates” that applicants should reference in their project plan? If not, can the government clarify whether it wants proposers to address which existing applicable standards apply, or develop a new standard if needed as part of the project plan?

The government has not identified a specific standard. Proposers should address which standards they feel most apply and identify areas where new standards may be needed.

4 BAA 13-012/CALL As part of the standards coordination Per the answer to question 4, English Proficiency Topic, Third Paragraph, Project Goal #2 “setting 9-1- 1- translation standards” process, does the government expect standard or conformance to be part of this effort? If yes, is the government envisioning development of a new standard or planning to use existing standards?

The government has not identified a specific standard. Proposers should address which standards they feel most apply and identify areas where new standards may be needed.

5 BAA 13-012/CALL

0003, page 2, Limited English Proficiency Topic, Third Paragraph, Project Goal #2 “setting 9-1- 1- translation standards”

Has the government identified a Standards Development Organization for this effort?

No, the Government has not identified a Standards Development Organization.

6 BAA 13-012/CALL

0003, page 2, Limited English Proficiency Topic, Third Paragraph, Project Goal #4 “Identify the startup, maintenance and operation cost for a text to 9-1-1 system;”

A text-to-9-1-1 translation capability would have to be integrated into the existing IT framework in any Next Gen 9-1-1 PSAP. Since December of 2014 more than 150 PSAPs have notified the FCC that they have already initiated some level of Text-to-9-1-1 capability indicating that technology for text-to-9-1-1 has been implemented at some level. Would the government clarify this objective to read “Identify the startup, maintenance and operation cost for a text to 9-1-1 translation capability.”

This would be more consistent with scope of the other project objectives.

The government accepts the recommended language of “Identify the startup, maintenance and operation cost for a text to 9-1-1 translation capability”.

7 BAA 13-012 V.6,

page 12, section 5.3, sentences 1 and 2

Do any subcontractors, partners, or other organizations represented in the proposal other than the Prime Contractor/Prime Applicant need to register at https://baa2/st/dhs/gov/ as part of the submission process?

Only the Prime needs to register. The prime will identify the subs they will work with when submitting their technical and cost proposals.

8 BAA 13-012/CALL

0003, page 2, Limited English Proficiency Text to 9-1-1 Topic, Third Paragraph, Project Goal #2 “operator education and training requirements”

Is “operator” defined as the translator and/or the PSAP functionary?

Operator is defined as translator and PSAP functionary.

https://baa2/st/dhs/gov/

9 BAA 13-012/CALL

English Proficiency Text to 9-1-1 Topic, 2nd paragraph, sentence 4.

The government asks proposer to develop a “real-time” text messaging to 9-1-1 emergency services. Short Message Service (SMS), or “text messaging” is the more common messaging technology readily available for PSAP information and communications technology (ICT) products, or at least a much more readily utilized technology by wireless phone “texters.” With SMS instant messaging the entire message is transmitted to the PSAP when the texter presses “send”. SMS is different than “real time texting (RTT)” where each character is transmitted as it is typed. RTT is typically used for some online messaging services and for closed captioning systems and TDD/TTY technologies used for the deaf. The reality is that the majority of ICT telecom products provide complete messaging functionality rather than the ability of transmitting each character by character as it is typed.

In the development and integration of an LEP Text to 9-1-1 translation solution, can the government clarify which text messaging protocol or protocols the translation capability should interface with? Should it be the goal for the translation capability to interface with all protocols commonly supported by ICT systems in use by Text-to-9-1-1 capable PSAPs?

If this effort is successful, the end goal will be for a translation capability that can interface with all common protocols.

10 BAA 13-012/ CALL

0003 SOO_G-

_Simultaneous Radio Transmission

Is the First Responders Group looking for a manufactured, turn-key solution? Or is a technology demonstration proposal good enough?

The FRG is looking for a technology demonstrator and would like the performer to identify a partner or manufacture capable of commercially producing the device. DHS can help the performer identify a manufacture if such assistance is needed.

11 BAA 13-012/ CALL

0003 SOO_G-

_Simultaneous Radio Transmission

It seems that upgrading the individual radios and using a trunked base-station system would meet a lot of the requirements. What is the reason behind not wanting to upgrade the individual radios?

The primary reason for not upgrading the radios is cost. Most departments in first response are made up of volunteers (with the exception of police). If a solution can be identified that minimizes the upgrading of equipment and minimizes cost to the first responder, that would be the most desirable solution.

12 BAA 13-012/ CALL

0003 SOO_G-

_Simultaneous Radio Transmission

There are a few generations of analog, public-safety PTT radios that have been developed over the years. Can you give us a baseline of the oldest generation of analog radios that would be supported with this new system and their supported feature set?

The requirements should encompass anything that is P25 compatible. Ideally, the solution would be on the “back end of comms” or centrally located at dispatch centers. If the solution is developed on the handheld devices themselves, they would most likely need to be digital or risk the scenario where they are only compatible with other “store-and-forward” enabled devices (proprietary equipment).

13 BAA 13-012/ CALL

0003 SOO_G-

_Simultaneous Radio Transmission

Does this system need to integrate with a wide-area repeater network?

No, the Government has not identified the need to integrate with a wide-area repeater network as a requirement.

However that does not eliminate it from inclusion should the vendor team determine it is necessary for a successful product.