SSTI 4 ANSWERS 4 DEC 2024.pdf

ADVANCED REMOTE SENSING

SSTI IV (CALL 015)

4 DECEMBER 2024

QUESTION AND ANSWERS

1. The call states that the effort is at CUI level. Are there any additional physical security or other related requirements around developing prototype hardware? Also related to the CUI requirements, are there any special restrictions around software development, computing, or cloud computing?

a. Yes, CUI requires specific protections – though we would highlight that you may not be working at the CUI level immediately. That is being driven by the level of project that you are undertaking. By the time you reach CUI levels, however, you would need to be following CUI control requirements.

For some specifics, would recommend you review NIST SP 800-171, 800-171A, 800-172 and 800-172A (Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information | CSRC):

https://csrc.nist.gov/projects/protecting-controlled-unclassified-information

2. Do you anticipate technology developed in the institute to become export controlled or otherwise restricted?

a. The likelihood or potential for current or future export control is not a selection factor for this award. Because the range of proposals in this CALL is wide, the USSF anticipates some awards to develop export restricted technologies. Note that this is not an assessment of expected technical maturity, but a projection based on past CALLs.

b. USSF will evaluate all valid proposals in the CALL. Any protection measures required for controlled technologies will be discussed with awardees upon award. The USSF and

AFRL cannot provide legal advice about the determination of controlled technologies and encourages offerors to discuss this matter with their legal counsel.

3. Has it been decided if the United States Military at West Point can be a subcontractor/partner?

a. The United States Military at West Point is not an eligible recipient of a SSTI 4 award, either as the prime recipient or otherwise as a sub-recipient

4. Are UARCs allowed as one of the Universities for SSTI 4?

a. No. UARCs are not eligible recipients of a SSTI 4 award, either as the prime recipient or otherwise as a sub-recipient.

5. Are UARCs allowed to be one of the three required Universities in the initial years?

a. No. UARCs are not eligible recipients of a SSTI 4 award, either as the prime recipient or otherwise as a sub-recipient.

ADVANCED REMOTE SENSING

SSTI IV (CALL 015)

4 DECEMBER 2024

6. Are FFRDCs eligible to be a potential recipient in addition to the lead university and two university partners? Someone like GTRI (a UARC)?

a. No. FFRDCs and UARCs are not eligible recipients of a SSTI 4 award, either as the prime recipient or otherwise as a sub-recipient.

7. Is AFIT considered an institution of higher education or a federal governmental agency for the purpose of teaming arrangements?

a. AFIT is not an eligible recipient of a SSTI 4 award, either as the prime recipient or otherwise as a sub-recipient

8. Would you please share with me what that budget is, at least within a rough order of magnitude, or alternatively the dollar range at which past contract awards under this program have been made?

a. Please see Page 9 of “SSTI IV ARS – STAR-FISH CALL 015.docx.” This is only an estimated amount and is the cumulative amount for the sum of all potential and should not be construed to be the total amount for each award.

9. As you likely know, the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) is a federal government institution of higher education (the USAF’s organic graduate school). A civilian state university has asked

AFIT if it would like to partner on the subject call. We are interested in doing so, but can you please confirm whether AFIT is eligible to participate as a sub to the lead state university? Thank you.

a. AFIT is not an eligible recipient of a SSTI 4 award, either as the prime recipient or otherwise as a sub-recipient