Questions and Answers.docx

Question 1: PWS paragraph 3.0 states that "the assets used by the Contractor in this training requirement are not required to be Blue UAS or NDAA compliant." The solicitation's incorporated clause list also includes DFARS 252.204-7018, Prohibition on the Acquisition of Covered Defense Telecommunications or Video Surveillance Services or Equipment.

Can the Government confirm that, notwithstanding 252.204-7018, contractor-owned UAS platforms manufactured in a covered foreign country (e.g., DJI or comparable Group 1/2 commercial platforms) are permissible for use in performance of this requirement — given that these platforms are contractor-owned/operated field equipment used solely for adversary-force replication on the training range, and are not connected to or integrated with any Government information system or network?

· Answer: Due to the urgency of this requirement, the Government has amended the PWS. See PWS Section 3.0.

Question 2: Scope & Workload Clarity: To ensure we staff and equip correctly, can the Government confirm the expected maximum number of 10-drone swarm events across the seven training days?

· Answer: As a result of this question, the PWS has been amended. See PWS Section 3.1.

Question 2a: Will the persistent surveillance requirement (1–2 aircraft) remain constant even on days when swarm attacks are the primary focus, or can the mix be adjusted based on White Cell priorities?

· Answer: See PWS Section 3.3. Yes, persistent surveillance is a daily baseline requirement. The Regimental White Cell may dynamically adjust the operational mix of ISR and attack profiles, but all execution will remain within the daily 10-hour flight window.

Question 2b: Are any additional or remedial training days currently anticipated beyond the 4–10 October window? Understanding this early will help us maintain readiness without unnecessary cost.

· Answer: See PWS Section 3.1.1. No additional training days are currently scheduled.

Question 3: Aircraft & Technical Alignment: Which current near-peer or VEO Group 1/Group 2 systems does the Government consider the highest priority for realistic replication? This will allow us to configure the most relevant flight profiles and payloads.

· Answer: The Government accepts industry standard for most relevant flight profiles and simulated payloads.

Question 3a: To maximize training value while managing attrition risk, can the Government share the expected intensity and typical duration of active jamming that may be employed against the contractor aircraft?

· Answer: Further information will be provided upon award.

Question 3b: Are there preferred thermal/FLIR performance characteristics (resolution, recording format, etc.) that would make the daily video products most useful for the Battalion and Regiment?

· Answer: As a result of this question, the PWS has been amended. See PWS Section 3.0.

Question 4: Personnel & Coordination Support: Will contractor representation at the 2 September Final Planning Conference be beneficial? If so, how many personnel and for which sessions would best support integrated planning?

· Answer: Contractor representation is highly recommended to facilitate integration with the White Cell.

Question 4a: To optimize crew rest and safety, can the Government provide the anticipated daily start-time window for the 10-hour flight period?

· Answer: See PWS Section 3.6. Further information will be provided upon award.

Question 4b: Are there any range access or vehicle limitations we should plan around so that our support package remains fully effective?

· Answer: Instructions for coordination with Range Control will be provided upon award. Refer to Base Access guidance in PWS Section 9.

Question 5: Deliverables That Maximize Training Value: What format and approximate length for the daily NLT 2100 reports would be most useful to the Battalion Commander and Gunner (e.g., short PowerPoint with embedded video clips, written summary + separate video package, etc.)?

· Answer: Daily report formats will be provided during the coordination period upon award.

Question 5a: For the final 29 October brief and video turnover, is there a preferred structure or maximum volume of footage that best supports the Regiment’s after-action review process?

· Answer: As a result of this question, the PWS has been amended. See PWS Section 3.9.

Question 6: Risk Reduction & Government Support: What process will be used to document and reimburse aircraft losses directly caused by Government active jamming so that we can rapidly replace capabilities and maintain training continuity?

· Answer: Any claims for operational losses occurring during the performance of this contract will be handled in accordance with FAR 52.212-4.

Question 6a: Will any Government-furnished frequency support, range safety briefings, or communication assets be available to streamline our integration with the White Cell/EXCON?

· Answer: Further information provided upon award. See PWS Section 6.4.

Question 6b: To ensure smooth base access, can the Government confirm the typical processing time for Contractor Vetting/DBIDS once the required documents are submitted?

· Answer: See PWS Section 9.

Question 7: Schedule & Execution Flexibility: What is the earliest date after award that the contractor can begin formal range and spectrum coordination?

· Answer: Coordination may begin upon award.

Question 7b: If weather or range conflicts occur, what is the preferred process for rescheduling so that both the training audience and the contractor can adapt efficiently?

· Answer: See PWS Section 3.8.

Question 8: PWS Section 3.0/3.1: How many CUAS lanes are anticipated per training day, and what is the maximum number of lanes or supported units that may require concurrent contractor support?

· Answer: Further information will be provided upon award.

Question 9: PWS Section 3.0/3.1/5.0 (Deliverables): Please confirm whether the Government requires one ten-UAS swarm per training day, one swarm per active CUAS lane, or both, and whether a ten-UAS swarm is required on all seven training days or only on designated swarm days.

· Answer: Further information will be provided upon award.

Question 10: PWS Section 3.2.2/5.0: How many swarm attack iterations and what approximate operating duration should the contractor plan per training day or CUAS lane?

· Answer: Further information will be provided upon award.

Question 11: PWS Section 3.3/5.0: Please confirm whether persistent surveillance requires at least one ISR aircraft continuously airborne throughout the active training window, whether two aircraft must ever be airborne simultaneously, and whether aircraft handoffs are acceptable to maintain continuous coverage.

· Answer: As a result of this question, the PWS has been amended. See PWS Section 3.3.

Question 12: PWS Section 3.6: Please confirm that the ten-hour limitation applies to the daily flight-operations window and not to the combined cumulative flight hours of all contractor aircraft.

· Answer: As a result of this question, the PWS has been amended. See PWS Section 3.6.

Question 13: PWS Section 3.4/3.6: What are the anticipated earliest report time and latest release time each day, and on which training days should the contractor plan for night or Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations?

· Answer: Further information to be provided upon award.

Question 14: PWS Section 3.7: Please confirm whether the Group 2 UAS must be employed every training day or only during designated missions, and identify the anticipated minimum number of Group 2 sorties or operating periods.

· Answer: As a result of this question, the PWS has been amended. See PWS Section 3.7.

Question 15: PWS Section 1.0/3.0/8.1: Will the Government provide specific priority near-peer or Violent Extremist Organization UAS threat profiles and TTPs for replication, or should the contractor develop the threat profiles and associated Master Scenario Events List based on current operational conditions?

· Answer: As a result of this question, the PWS has been amended. See PWS Section 8.2.

Question 16: PWS Section 3.2.3/6.3.1: Will the Government provide a standard spectrum-clearance worksheet, and how should the contractor reconcile the platform list due within ten post-award days with the technical submittal due at least 25 days before execution? Please also identify any preferred or prohibited frequency bands and the approval process for substitute platforms or frequencies.

· Answer: The Government will collect the necessary information to facilitate spectrum-clearances upon award.

Question 17: PWS Section 3.9.1: Which training periods are expected to include active Government jamming or electronic attack, and when will the Government provide the Electronic Warfare coordination protocol identifying affected bands, notification procedures, safety boundaries, activation windows, and stop criteria? Please also identify the process for determining that aircraft loss or damage resulted directly from authorized Government jamming and the basis for reimbursing repair, replacement, or leased-equipment costs.

· Answer: Further information provided upon award.

Question 18: PWS Section 6.4/9.0: What communications equipment and services will the Government provide to contractor personnel embedded with the Regimental White Cell or Exercise Control (EXCON), and what approval process applies to contractor-provided radios, data links, or mission-network equipment? Separately, please identify whether key contractor personnel must hold an active security clearance or eligibility, Common Access Card, or additional facility-access credential to enter or operate within EXCON, command-post, or other controlled areas.

· Answer: Further information provided upon award.

Question 19: PWS Section 3.5: PWS paragraph 3.5 states that video inputs should not include timestamps but then requires multiple event times. Please confirm whether event times must be embedded in the video, maintained in a separate event log, included in the daily report, or provided through a combination of these methods.

· Answer: As a result of this question, the PWS has been amended. See PWS Section 3.5.

Question 20: Will the Government provide a daily report template, scoring rubric, required performance metrics, or briefing format, and will contractor evaluators receive Government detection, reporting, mitigation, and response timelines necessary to assess unit performance?

· Answer: Further information will be provided upon award. The White Cell will coordinate reporting outputs.

Question 21: PWS Section 3.5/3.10: What approved procedures and security requirements will apply to the transfer, storage, encryption, marking, access, retention, and final disposition of raw video, thermal imagery, flight records, reports, and Controlled Unclassified Information?

· Answer: The Division Security Manager (SECMAN) will provide coordinating instructions for all security related questions upon award.

Question 22: PWS Section 3.2.1: How many inert payload releases or visual training effects should the contractor plan for during each training day, and what technical-safety package and approval lead time will Range Control and G-3 require?

· Answer: Further information to be provided upon award.

Question 23: PWS Section 3.9.2.1: Does "simulated target ramming" require an aircraft to intentionally impact an approved target, or should the contractor simulate an attack and recover or terminate the aircraft without physical contact?

· Answer: All impacts and effects to physical aircraft shall be considered “simulated”. Wave off procedures shall be enacted to prevent physical damage.

Question 24: Covered Telecommunications Equipment: The PWS states contractor UAS are not required to be Blue UAS or NDAA compliant. Does the prohibition on covered telecommunications and video surveillance equipment (Section 889 / DFARS 252.204-7016) still apply to EO/IR and FLIR/thermal sensor components used on contractor UAS, independent of the Blue UAS/NDAA waiver?

· Answer: Due to the urgency of this requirement, the Government has amended the PWS. See PWS Section 3.0.

Question 25: Multi-Aircraft Flight Operations: Given FAA Part 107 §107.35 generally requires one PIC per aircraft operating simultaneously, does 2d MARDIV's airspace/range authorization for this exercise provide any basis for multiple-aircraft operation per PIC within the restricted range, or should the Contractor plan to staff one PIC per airborne aircraft for full swarm events?

· Answer: Further coordination with Range Control upon award.

Question 26: RF Technical Submittal Timeline: Section 3.2.3 requires RF technical submittals at least 25 days prior to range execution, while Section 6.3.1 requires a full UAS platform list to 2d MARDIV G-3 within 10 days of award. Given the anticipated award timeline relative to the October 4 start date, can the Government confirm there is sufficient time to satisfy both requirements, or clarify how these two timelines are intended to interact?

· Answer: The Government will collect the necessary information to facilitate spectrum-clearances upon award.

Question 27: Jamming-Related Loss/Damage Claims: Section 3.9.1 states the Government is responsible for drone loss or damage directly caused by active Government jamming. Is there an established process, form, or point of contact for documenting and submitting such claims?

· Answer: Any claims for operational losses occurring during the performance of this contract will be handled in accordance with FAR 52.212-4.

Question 28: DBIDS/Vetting Lead Time: Given the Contractor Vetting Office's limited hours (M-F, 6 a.m.-2 p.m.), how far in advance of the October 4 start date should Contractor personnel information be submitted to ensure credentials/passes are issued in time?

· Answer: See PWS Section 9.

Question 29: Insurance Requirements: The PWS does not specify insurance minimums. Does the Government require the Contractor to carry a minimum level of aviation/general liability insurance for this effort?

· Answer: Not applicable to this requirement.

Question 30: Aircraft Identification/Deconfliction: Are there any required markings, transponder settings, or coordination procedures so Range Control/security can distinguish Contractor RED CELL aircraft from an actual incursion during exercise execution?

· Answer: Further coordination with Range Control upon award.

Question 31: Battery/Endurance Requirements: Section 3.6 establishes a daily flight window not to exceed 10 hours. Does the Government have an expected or minimum endurance requirement per aircraft type (ISR/VTOL vs. FPV), or is the Contractor free to determine sortie length and battery rotation to meet the 10-hour window?

· Answer: See updated PWS Section 3.6.

Question 32: Ground Operations Location: Will the Contractor be provided any fixed structure (building, tent, or similar) from which to operate, or should the Contractor plan to operate entirely from the field/vehicles for the duration of each training day?

· Answer: Further information will be provided upon award.

Question 33: Staging Area to AO Distance: Approximately how far will the Contractor's staging/launch area be from the active training AO for each iteration (V26/V12 for Iteration 1, V22 for Iteration 2)?

· Answer: Further information will be provided upon award.

Question 34: Communications/Utility Infrastructure: Will any communications infrastructure (Wi-Fi, cellular signal, or power) be available at the Contractor's operating location, or should the Contractor plan to be fully self-sufficient (e.g., generators, cellular hotspots) for the duration of both iterations?

· Answer: Further information will be provided upon award.

Question 35: Secure Equipment Storage: Will a secure, Contractor-restricted-access location be available to store UAS platforms, batteries, and equipment overnight between training days, or should the Contractor plan to transport all equipment off-site each night?

· Answer: Further information will be provided upon award.

Question 36: PWS Section 3.7 (Flight Mix) states: "The contractor shall utilize a standardized mix of Group 1 and Group 2 UAS." Could the Government clarify whether this requires the Contractor to field aircraft meeting the DoD Group 2 weight classification (21-55 lbs) specifically, or whether it describes an upper capability ceiling that can be satisfied entirely with Group 1 (sub-20 lb) aircraft configured for both the ISR/surveillance and Hunter-Killer roles described in 3.7.1 and 3.7.2?

· Answer: Further information will be provided upon award.

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