SSN Question and Answers.docx

Question 1: Given the PWS requirement to replicate current peer/near-peer adversary UAS tactics, techniques, and procedures, will the Government consider the use of contractor personnel in lawful non-immigrant status who possess recent operationally relevant expertise on those threat TTPs and prior OPFOR support experience at NATO exercises, provided they meet all installation access, security, background check, and vetting requirements outlined in the solicitation?

· Answer: As long as they are able to be processed IAW with base access requests (BARS). Refer to PWS Section 9 for Base Access guidance.

Question 2: Schedule Confirmation: The PWS lists tentative dates for MCCRE (4-10 October 2026) and ITX (3-7 August 2026). What is the Government’s current confidence level in these dates, and when will firm dates and any additional unit-level training days be provided?

· Answer: The dates mentioned are currently valid, they are subject to change. The Government will provide updates as they come up.

Question 3: Exact Locations & Site Access: When will exact training locations/ranges (especially CUAS lanes at 29 Palms) be finalized? Will the Government provide an opportunity for a pre-performance site survey?

· Answer: All MCCRE activities generally take place either in the Camp Lejeune restricted areas or the GSRA, an area of land to the west of highway 17 owned by the DOW but within the restricted Airspace, the Division and MEF each have airspace access authorizations for this area. 29 Palms is no longer included in this requirement. See updated PWS.

Question 4: Base Access & Vetting Timelines (29 Palms): Given the August 2026 ITX timeline, what is the realistic lead time required for DBIDS/background checks and obtaining the Combat Center Access Authority Letter? Can the vetting process be expedited post-award if necessary?

· Answer: Support to SLTE for 2d MarDiv, 2d Marines, and V22 is no longer required. See updated PWS.

Question 5: Swarm & Engagement Requirements

· Please clarify expectations for FPV swarm attacks (e.g., are physical proximity/impacts simulated, fly-bys, or visual/RF effects sufficient?)

· Answer: See updated PWS Section 3.2.2.

· What constitutes a successful swarm engagement from the RED CELL perspective?

· Answer: See updated PWS Section 3.2.3.

· Confirm the required frequency and element size for 10-UAS swarms outside of designated CUAS lane training.

· Answer: Unable to furnish this information at this time. In general, division and MEF spectrum offices can process requests for NDAA compliant systems as long as the request is received 25 days in advance. Requested information to be provided upon award.

Question 6: Persistent Surveillance Expectations: What level of coverage is required for the 1-2 drone persistent surveillance (e.g., continuous overwatch of battalion AO, specific sectors, duration on station, etc.)?

· Answer: See updated PWS Section 3.3.

Question 7: Daily Flight Hours & Operational Tempo: What is the anticipated daily flight time/hours for both persistent surveillance and swarm operations?

· Answer: See updated PWS Section 3.5.

Question 8: RED CELL Integration & Scheme of Maneuver: Will the Government provide the RED CELL scheme of maneuver (timelines, routes, positions) at least 14 days in advance? How closely will contractor personnel embed and coordinate in real time with the RED CELL?

· Answer: See updated PWS Section 6.2.

Question 9: Group 1 / Group 2 UAS Mix & Realism: What mix of Group 1 and Group 2 UAS is preferred? Are there any specific adversary TTPs or platform characteristics the Government wants emphasized?

· Answer: See updated PWS Section 3.6.

Question 10: Deliverables – Daily Report Format: What specific content, metrics, and format does the BN Commander / BN Gunner expect in the daily reports (e.g., detection times, engagement success rates, TTP observations)?

· Answer: See updated PWS Section 3.4 Question 11: Final Brief Requirements: What is the desired duration, content focus, and classification level for the 29 October PowerPoint brief to 2d Marine Regiment?

· Answer: See updated PWS Section 3.8.

Question 12: Government Logistics Support: Please confirm that the Government will provide no lodging, meals, transportation, or vehicles for contractor personnel. Are there any limited Government convoy or shuttle options available?

· Answer: See updated PWS Section 6.1.

Question 13: UAS Platform Changes: After the initial 10-day post-award submission of UAS platforms, will the Government allow substitutions or additions during performance?

· Answer: Yes, pending changes to spectrum requirements for additions (if a different TMS).

Question 14: Footage Requirements: What are the expectations for video footage (resolution, types of views, retention, and any restrictions on sensitive material)?

· Answer: See updated PWS Section 3.5.

Question 15: Night / BVLOS / Altitude Operations: What are the typical restrictions or authorizations for night operations, BVLOS, and maximum altitudes in the training areas at Camp Lejeune and 29 Palms?

· Answer: See updated PWS Section 3.4.

Question 16: Weather / Cancellation Contingencies: What contingency plans or make-up provisions exist if training days are lost due to weather or range conflicts?

· Answer: See updated PWS Section 3.8.

Question 17: Contract Type & Evaluation: What contract type is anticipated (FFP, T&M, hybrid)? How will contractor performance be evaluated?

· Answer: The contract type will be Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP). Contractor performance will be evaluated in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). Performance will be assessed on technical quality, safety compliance, post-action briefings, and flight-window execution.

Question 18: Additional Training Days: Are there any planned home-station or other training events between July and October 2026 beyond the listed MCCRE and ITX?

· Answer: See updated PWS.

Question 19: Intellectual Property / Data Rights: Who owns the rights to collected footage and reports?

· Answer: 2d MarDiv COMMSTRAT is the release authority for any photo and video footage collected. Before public release or commercial use, COMMSTRAT should be contacted for review. The Government retains Unlimited Rights to all video footage and reports first produced in the performance of this contract. The contractor retains no proprietary rights and is strictly prohibited from releasing, publishing, or commercially utilizing any contract-produced data without prior written approval from the Contracting Officer and COMMSTRAT.

Question 20: Communications/C2. Will the USG provide the communications network or will this be required by the contractor? If the network is contractor provided, are there approved frequency bands at Camp Lejeune and 29 Palms, or any restrictions/bans on specific data links, mesh networks, encrypted comms, autonomy, or C2 systems? Are there any specific anti-jam or contested RF environment simulation expected for training?

· Answer: See updated PWS Section 6.4 Question 21: Do you all plan to kinetically defeat the drones or is all of this cold force on force training?

· Answer: See updated PWS Section 3.9.

Question 22: Can the drones have a simulated payload or are you looking to have effects? Meaning can the payloads be completely inert or do you want feedback such as with the Kraken LED trainer?

· Answer: See updated PWS Section 3.2.1.

Question 23: Swarm Execution vs. FPV Contradiction: Section 3 requires "First-Person View (FPV) swarm attacks" and defines a swarm as ten (10) UAS. By definition, a true UAS swarm utilizes a single, integrated autonomous ground control station operated by one pilot. However, FPV flight inherently requires a strict 1-to-1 pilot-to-drone ratio. Please clarify if the Government specifically requires the contractor to provide 10 individual pilots simultaneously flying manual FPV drones on the range, or if a single operator deploying a 10-ship autonomous swarm satisfies the requirement?

· Answer: See updated PWS Section 3.2.2.

Question 24: Data Security and Classification of Footage: Section 5 requires the contractor to retain and deliver positive and negative video footage of Marine TTP effectiveness. Will this captured footage and the subsequent daily performance reports be classified as Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), or Secret? This clarification is required to ensure proper hardware and data encryption compliance on contractor networks.

· Answer: To the max extent possible, footage should be unclassified. If certain systems require a classification, provide a 30-day notice for the government to accommodate the medium or negotiate the platform as required.

Question 25: Spectrum Management and Non-NDAA Platforms: Section 3 allows for non-NDAA compliant assets, which often operate on non-standard commercial RF frequencies. If local range control or the G-3 denies spectrum clearance for a specific realistic adversary platform post-award (per Section 6.3.1), will the Government provide alternative cleared frequencies, or will an alternative platform list be negotiated without penalty to the contractor?

· Answer: See updated PWS Section 3.2.2.

Question 26: Drone Attrition and Defeat Mechanisms: The Supported MCTs (6.1.1.8.1.1) state the primary focus is to train units to "defeat" UAS. If the training units successfully employ kinetic defeat (small arms) or non-kinetic defeat (EW/jamming causing a crash) against contractor UAS, will the final RFP include a mechanism or CLIN for drone attrition/replacement costs, or should the contractor price anticipated hardware destruction into their fixed-price proposal?

· Answer: See updated PWS Section 3.9.

Question 27: Definition of "Attack": Section 5 requires the swarm to "'attack' a minimum of a squad sized element." Does the Government define "attack" as dropping inert kinetic payloads (requiring specialized drop mechanisms), physical ramming, or simply buzzing the formation to simulate an attack vector and trigger the unit's passive security drills?”

· Answer: See updated PWS.

DISTRIBUTION: DoW COMMUNITY ONLY

DISTRIBUTION: DoW COMMUNITY ONLY

DISTRIBUTION: DoW COMMUNITY ONLY