Questions_and_Answers_4 Mar_v2.docx

Industry Day – PPON Technology Demonstration Questions and Answers 14 January 2025

Q: In the first paragraph of Section 1.3 “System Concept” of the Draft PPON the last sentence reads “This capability shall provide overmatch to comparable threat grenade launchers in near-peer formations in future operating environments”. Will the Government please provide the nomenclature of at least 1 near-peer grenade launcher so as to gauge PGS overmatch performance?

A: The Government is not evaluating requirements as part of the PPON effort. The PGS system lethality requirement(s) will be provided in the solicitation for the Program of Record.

Q: The third paragraph of Section 1.3 “System Concept” of the Draft PPON reads “It is anticipated that the PGS shall create a more lethal force using a direct-fire round that travels above or past cover, precisely airbursts fragmenting warheads, and defeats the enemy without causing substantial collateral damage .“ Will the Government please provide a description of “substantial collateral damage” or a test protocol matrix that would enable the identification of the reduction of collateral damage compared to current capabilities?

A: The Government is not evaluating requirements as part of the PPON effort. The PGS’s test procedures and methodologies will be provided in the solicitation for the Program of Record.

Q: It will be particularly challenging to fit requested technical, schedule, data assertions, and detailed ROM data in 10 pages. Will the Government consider removing the data assertions and/or ROM data from the 10-page limit?

A: Details are in the final PPON release. The ten (10) page limit does not include cover, cost, data right assertions, and certification pages.

Q: What type of contract (e.g. Firm Fixed Price (FFP), Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF), etc.) does the Government intend to issue when a Vendor is selected for an OTA award?

A: Fixed Price Agreement

Q: What are the PPON OTA data right expectation?

A: Per the PPON, the vendor shall assert their data rights in their White Paper.

Q: Are there any specific fire control requirements A: The Government is not evaluating requirements as part of the PPON effort.

Q: Min and max ranges for munitions A: The Government is not evaluating requirements as part of the PPON effort. The vendors are encouraged to describe how their System Element(s) is relevant to a potential PGS System Concept. If vendors propose a System Element(s) that is related to range of the PGS System Concept, then vendors should be aware that minimum range should provide for safe operation and greater range is encouraged.

Q: Access to information that industry does not know about.

A: The Government is looking into what information is available and can be released to industry. Specific data requests can be directed to Corey Woodson.

Q: What OTA vehicle/authority is being used?

A: The purpose of this PPON is to award multiple Fixed Price Prototype Project OTAs under Section 815 OTA authority, pursuant to 10 U.S.C. § 4022.

Q: Are there any expectations for funding phases 1-3, for White Papers (WP) or evaluations?

A: The Government will not be responsible for any expenses incurred by a vendor’s decision to participate in the proposal process for the PGS PPON Technology Demonstration.

Q: How many submissions may a company make?

A: One (1) White Paper. However, each white paper may propose multiple System Elements related to the PGS System Concept within the one White Paper

Q: Is it appropriate to submit a proposal/WP while a current corporate partner also submits a separate WP/proposal?

A: One White Paper submission per company. Each white paper may propose multiple System Elements related to the PGS System Concept within the one White Paper

Q: Is there a consortium management fee ROM required.

A: There is no consortium management fee included in the PPON.

Q: What if the maturation of our system element will take more than the 12-month PoP allowed in the PPON.

A: Ensure the White Paper includes clear project milestones related to the maturation of the System Element(s). If the White Paper is selected, the schedule may be discussed at Collaboration.

Q: Will the Gov conduct testing?

A: All testing will be conducted by the vendor.

Q: Can we provide other materials in our submission beyond the WP?

A: The page limit is ten (10) pages, does not include cover, cost, data right assertions, and certification pages. The white paper must stay within the ten (10) page limit. Any information over the ten (10) page limit will not be evaluated.

Q: Will the government provide PGS system lethality requirements?

A: The Government is not evaluating requirements as part of the PPON effort. The PGS system lethality requirement(s) will be provided in the solicitation for the Program of Record.

Q: The PPON states to help partnerships. Will the Gov facilitate partnerships?

A: Being selected for the PPON will get a vendor recognized by the industry. This may create opportunities and assist in teaming opportunities. The Government will not form nor facilitate partnerships.

Q: Is the PPON focused on the PGS system, pieces/elements, or ammunition?

A: The PPON focuses on any System Element of the PGS System Concept outlined in the PPON. A White Paper may reflect System Element(s) related to the PGS System Concept.

Q: What is the government’s ROM for this effort? Essentially, what is the government funding for this effort?

A: The Government reserves the right to award multiple Firm Fixed Price OTAs up to $2M each based on available funding.

Q: When will the final PPON be released?

A: The PPON was released on 12 February 2025. The PPON will close on 13 March 2025 at 1600 (EST).

Q: Can the Government expand on how IP rights are handled? If we use this funding to develop certain IP, what is the expectation of the Government to use that IP?

A: The vendor must assert any data rights to their IP in the WP. The determination of the source of development funds for technical data pertaining to items, components, or processes should be made at any practical sub-item or sub-component level or for any segregable portion of a process. Vendors may assert limited rights in a segregable sub-item, sub-component, or portion of a process which otherwise qualifies for limited rights.

Q: What if in our WP we cannot whittle down a cost to $2m or milestones/timeline to the 12-month PoP?

A: Proposal price to the Government shall not exceed $2M. Ensure the White Paper includes clear project milestones related to the maturation of the System Element(s). If the White Paper is selected, the schedule may be discussed at Collaboration. Proposals that exceed $2M to the Government will be considered less favorable. Cost sharing is allowable (see PPON for instructions).

Q: If we provide multiple efforts in a WP that exceed the $2M limit, will the government choose the best or most relevant to what they want?

A: The Government will not pick and choose which System Elements of the WP are critical technology to the PGS System Concept.

Q: Should our WP focus on the PGS PoR?

A: This PPON is a risk reduction effort and is independent of the PGS POR. Vendors are not required to respond to this PPON in order to respond to the PGS PO. The response of the Vendor to this PPON is entirely unrelated to, and confers no advantage towards, the PGS POR.

Q: Are you using the requirements from the PGS industry day to assess our WPs/Proposals?

A: The Government is not evaluating PGS Industry Day requirements as part of the PPON effort.

Q: Can we propose network lethality evolution?

A: A vendor may propose any System Element(s) that is a demonstrable critical technology to the PGS System Concept.

Q: Related to UAS, does the government have a desire for interoperability for FC?

A: A vendor may propose any System Element(s) that is a demonstrable critical technology to the PGS System Concept.

Q: Do accuracy studies fit within the PPON?

A: A vendor may propose any System Element(s) that is a demonstrable critical technology to the PGS System Concept.

Q: How is Government going to carry out field training for PGS with soldiers?

A: The Government’s System Training Plan (STRAP) for PGS has not been finalized.

Q: Does the Government plan to publish the draft PGS Capability Development Document (CDD) with the PPON release in February?

A: The PGS CDD will not be released with this PPON. The Government is not evaluating requirements as part of the PPON effort.

Q: What timeframe will be given to industry to submit initial white papers after the release of the final PPON?

A: White Papers are due 13 March 2025.

Q: Has the Government integrated the PGS Program of Record Acquisition schedule with the PPON Technology Demonstration schedule and if so will the Government share the integrated schedule with industry?

A: This PPON is a risk reduction effort and is independent of the PGS POR.

Q: At which technical status must a component be? Does the Government have maturation expectation, milestones, or readiness?

A: There is no specific TRL required at the beginning or end of this effort. The effort should mature a System Element(s) that can be utilized in a PGS System Concept.

Q: For white paper, we talk about milestones, reports, progress reports – are we loaded towards the end?

A: The White Paper shall propose a schedule that reflects key events and applicable milestones as determined by the Vendor.

Q: Can the Government speak to HEAB Lethality?

A: The Government is not evaluating requirements as part of the PPON effort. There is no specific HEAB lethality requirement for this effort.

Q: What is the most important part of the PPON?

A: The Army is interested in vendors to propose an effort to mature a System Element(s) that is a demonstrable critical technology to the PGS System Concept.

Q: Should we assume Pi/s is 0.5 and what does it mean for our submission?

A: The Government is not evaluating requirements as part of the PPON effort. There is no specific P(i/s) lethality requirement for this effort.

Q: As part of the PPON, would it be OK to conduct some of those trades?

A: The vendor is to propose the critical System Element(s) that they want to mature in this PPON.

Q: Can the Government provide clarity towards the intended target sets to help us determine caliber, accuracy, etc.?

A: The Government is not evaluating requirements as part of the PPON effort. PGS is envisioned to consist of a weapon, a fire control, and a family of ammunition which enables the user to engage personnel targets in defilade/cover, hovering UAS targets, and defeat enemy personnel at close ranges.

Q: Fuze is the hardest part of this, do you agree?

A: The vendor shall define the critical System Element(s) to mature in their proposal. The System Element shall be a demonstrable critical technology to the PGS System Concept

Q: Is the Government interested in Recoil vs total recoil energy?

A: The vendor shall define a critical System Element(s) to mature in their proposal. The System Element shall be a demonstrable critical technology to the PGS System Concept.

Q: Would you say your major interest there is in advancing the interfaces, like doing initial testing, or on individual improvements?

A: The vendor shall define a critical System Element(s) to mature in their proposal. The System Element shall be a demonstrable critical technology to the PGS System Concept

Q: if we can describe how its reducing risk in the POR, that would be useful?

A: This PPON is a risk reduction effort. The vendor may describe risk reduction in their white paper.

Q: for the ROM, how much $$$ do you have for this effort?

A: The Government reserves the right to award multiple Firm Fixed Price OTAs up to $2M each based on available funding.

Q: Does an a la carte proposal over 2M disqualify A: The vendor shall propose the efforts which are included within the proposal that does not exceed $2M. Proposal price to the Government shall be no more than $2M. The Government will not pick and choose which System Element(s) of the White Paper are critical technologies to the PGS System Concept. Proposals that exceed $2M to the Government will be considered less favorable. Cost sharing is allowable (see PPON for instructions).

Q: If we submit a white paper over 2M, is that not eligible?

A: Proposal price to the Government shall be no more than $2M. Proposals that exceed $2M to the Government will be considered less favorable. Cost sharing is allowable (see PPON for instructions).

Q: Does using IRAD change the terms of the PPON?

A: The Government will evaluate the proposed scope and price to the Government. Cost sharing is permissible in accordance with the PPON.

Q: Is there a specific direction you would like to see that go or more than others.

A: The vendor shall define a critical System Element(s) to mature in their proposal.

Q: Is the Government looking to develop these things for other systems or ONLY for the POR.

A: Optimize for PGS. This PPON is for a PGS Technology Demonstration.

Q: If our proposal has universal application, is that weighed as part of the evaluation?

A: Per the PPON, universal application is not an evaluation criteria.

Q: What are the feelings on Network Lethality?

A: The Vendor shall define a critical System Element(s) to mature in their proposal. The Government is not evaluating requirements as part of the PPON effort.

Q: Would accuracy studies that get after system effectiveness be applicable to this PPON?

A: A Vendor may propose any System Element(s) that is a demonstrable critical technology to the PGS System Concept

Q: Are we able to leverage TIC brigades as part of our proposal submission?

A: The proposal shall not be dependent on Government resources.

Q: How does the Government anticipate conducting training/operating qualification with the PGS system A: The Government’s System Training Plan (STRAP) for PGS has not been finalized.

Q: Does the TP round need to have a marking capability like 40mm rounds for 320?

A: A Vendor may propose any System Element(s) that is a demonstrable critical technology to the PGS System Concept

Q: CQB vs HEAB round, have different use cases. How would the FC be utilized for a CQB round vs a longer-range round? Is the Government intending to use the LRF for short engagements?

A: Operational Tactics and Techniques will be dependent on the proposed system capability.

Q: Does the Government anticipate using the LRF or a proximity fuze munition for c-UAS capability?

A: A Vendor may propose any System Element(s) that is a demonstrable critical technology to the PGS System Concept

Q: Can the Government provide clarity on the target behavior and intended capability on UAS systems? (Use of the FC on a hovering drone, it is straight forward. Moving drones (100+mph) a LRF would not be helpful, even with a tracking LRF. Are we trying to address all use cases on the drones. What do you want done?)

A: A Vendor may propose any System Element(s) that is a demonstrable critical technology to the PGS System Concept

Q: From the PGS Industry Day in August, there were requirements for Light Transmission, but it lacked clarity. Do we anticipate it as part of the final requirement?

A: The Government is not evaluating requirements as part of the PPON effort. A Vendor may propose any System Element(s) that is a demonstrable critical technology to the PGS System Concept.

Q: From the PGS Industry Day in August, there were requirements for Day, Night, and Thermal, should we target those requirements.

A: The Government is not evaluating requirements as part of the PPON effort. A Vendor may propose any System Element(s) that is a demonstrable critical technology to the PGS System Concept.

Q: Has the Government budgeted for major components of the PGS, or have an expectation of what major components should cost?

A: The Government will evaluate the final cost that is proposed in the white paper.

Q: Does the Government support shared power sources? Is there information available on a standard that can be leveraged?

A: A shared power source is not required for this PPON.

Q: Does the Government have input towards what reticle pattern they would like to see in the optic?

A: The Government is not evaluating requirements as part of the PPON effort. A Vendor may propose any System Element(s) that is a demonstrable critical technology to the PGS System Concept.

Q: Does the Government have a preferred vendor or method relating to barrel technology for increased lifespan that can be leveraged and avoid duplication of effort?

A: The Government has no preference.

Q: Does the Government have IP for fuze programming?

A: The Government is looking into what information is available and can be released to industry. Specific data requests can be directed to Corey Woodson.

Q: How do we get access to things we don’t know about?

A: The Government is looking into what information is available and can be released to industry. Specific data requests can be directed to Corey Woodson. However, information will not be available in time to respond to this PPON.

Q: Is there Government stuff that would be of benefit to us? Otherwise, we need to ask. CRADA for government owed or government accessible information. Is there a top 10 or whatever that we have and have not shared, that would be of interest to us?

A: The Government is looking into what information is available and can be released to industry. Specific data requests can be directed to Corey Woodson. However, information will not be available in time to respond to this PPON.

Q: What is the timeline to put a CRADA in place, if we were to consider one?

A: There is no specific timeline for a CRADA. The scope of the agreement may considerably affect the timeline for an agreement.

Q: The PPON does not specify a time or a place for white paper submission. Will the Government provide additional details about its expectations for submissions in response to this PPON?

A: The PPON was released on 12 February 2025. The PPON will close on 13 March 2025 at 1600 (EST). Responses to this PPON should be submitted to Corey Woodson.

Q: Will the Government consider partial awards of proposals that contain one or more System Element(s) to allow for one or more System Elements to be awarded even if the whole proposal isn't awarded? (PPON ref: Para 1.4 and 3.5.2) A: The government will not pick and choose which System Elements of the WP are critical technology to the PGS System Concept. The proposal shall reflect the entirety of what the Vendor is intending to do.

Q: What Payment Terms does the Government intend to include in the resulting OTA contracting vehicle?

A: Milestone Payments will be established by the milestone schedule that is submitted as part of the white paper. Ensure the white paper includes clear project milestones related to the maturation of the System Element(s). If the white paper is selected, the schedule may be discussed at Collaboration.

Q: Does the Government anticipate the request for a final proposal under this PPON will require cost detail beyond what has been requested for the ROM cost? If yes, will the Government please provide a description of the cost detail that is anticipated to be required in the final proposal? (PPON ref: Para 3.3) A: The PPON includes the information that is requested by the Government.

Q: How will "the potential impact of the data rights assertions" be evaluated? (PPON ref: Para 3.5.1) A: The Vendor must assert any data rights to their IP in the WP. The determination of the source of development funds for technical data pertaining to items, components, or processes should be made at any practical sub-item or sub-component level or for any segregable portion of a process. Vendors may assert limited rights in a segregable sub-item, sub-component, or portion of a process which otherwise qualifies for limited rights.