Contractor Questions and Government Answers in Response to Sources Sought (AI_ML).docx

Contractor Questions and Government Answers in Response to:

Sources Sought W911QX-23-R-0001 Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) development processes and technologies, and pathfinder processes to identify militarily relevant technologies.

01 September 2022 Contractor Question #1: Teaming with an overseas company?

Government Answer #1: Submit their capabilities statement (for each company) and Executive Summary of the proposed teaming arrangement for Government review.

Contractor Question #2: If the solicitation posted is primarily for AI/ML Services/Support or if you all are looking for hardware that can be advanced through the process as well.

Government Answer #2: No Hardware.

Contractor Question #3: Is someone at the AFCEA TechNet Augusta Event have any additional information regarding this requirement?

Government Answer 3: No.

Contractor Question #4: Can you provide specific format and content requirements for the Sources Sought responses?

Government Answer 4: No specific format or content requirement.

Contractor Question #5: provide information on ARL’s follow-on acquisition process and timeline for this requirement?

Government Answer 5: Currently the Government is performing a sources sought for market research purposes in order to determine an acquisition strategy and timeline.

Contractor Question #6: Would you please let us know the approximate timeframe of the RFP release?

Government Answer 6: This will be a Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 requirement. The Government does not have an approximate timeframe for RFP release while determining an acquisition strategy.

Contractor Question #7 Is this a new requirement or contract renewal? If re-compete, what is the current contract number and who is the incumbent?

Government Answer 7: The current contract # is a task order off of base IDIQ W911QX-15-D-0006 the task order # is W911QX-19-F-0062.

Contractor Question #8 Will the Government consider using GSA Schedule?

Government Answer 8: The Government is still determining an acquisition strategy.

Contractor Question #9 Will the Government be changing the Solicitation Number upon RFP release?

Government Answer 9: The Government won’t change the solicitation number.

Contractor Question #10 Will the Government consider a set-aside for Total Small Business?

Government Answer 10: The Government is still determining an acquisition strategy.

Contractor Question #11 Will the Government be making the award for this requirement in FY23?

Government Answer 11: Yes.

Contractor Question #12 (Sources Sought Doc Page #2 – Line 13) The Source’s Sought Document Says Place of Contract Performance: Government Facility, but aspects of the PWS, e.g., “develop and demonstrate novel concepts” can be done more cost-effectively by means of subject matter experts on contractor sites?

Furthermore, Is the government open to hybrid models where development is done on contractor premises and evaluation/integration/demonstration is done at Government premises?

Government Answer 12: The Government is open to a hybrid model. However, some efforts may be classified, and work must be performed in a secured government facility.

Contractor Question #13 (Draft PWS Doc Page #1 – C.1 Paragraph #2) Does the government expect the response to include a detailed description of Analyst Concept for the proposed TTCP AISC demonstration, or just a statement of the ability to define and deliver such a demonstration –with the TTCP AISC demonstration to be developed subsequently jointly with ARL colleagues?

Government Answer 13: The Government does not expect the response to include a detailed description of the Analyst Concept for the proposed demonstration. The demonstration will be developed jointly with ARL personnel.

Contractor Question #14 (Draft PWS Doc Page #1 – C.2) The government states that “The Contractor shall demonstrate their concept to meet these goals at the TTCP AISC 23.” Can the government clarify the what the contractor is expected to demonstrate?

Government Answer 14: The contractor is expected to demonstrate novel AI/ML applications and analytical techniques tailored for the tactical edge.

Contractor Question #15 (Draft PWS Doc) Can the government clarify whether the contractor will be evaluating and/or assessing R&D topics that will be used to inform a future procurement?

Government Answer 15: The government will seek to transition algorithms, techniques, etc. to an appropriate acquisition partner.

Contractor Question #16 (Draft PWS Doc Page # 1-2 – C.2, C.3) Can the government clarify if topics, or portions of topics, can be performed at varying levels of clearance, including Unclassified, Secret, and Top Secret?

Government Answer 16: Yes.

Contractor Question #17 (Draft PWS Doc Page # 5 – C.7) Will the government accept an interim TS/SCI clearance for personnel supporting this PWS?

Government Answer 17: Yes.

Contractor Question #18 (Draft PWS Doc Page #6 – C.8) The government states that it retains Government Purpose Rights to use, modify, reproduce, release, perform, display, or disclose technical data within the Government without restriction; and Release or disclose technical data outside the Government and authorize persons to whom release, or disclosure has been made to use, modify, reproduce, release, perform, display, or disclose that data for United States Government purposes. Can the government clarify whether protections can be made available for contractor IP or inventions associated with support to this PWS?

Government Answer 18: The Government will have Government Purpose Rights license (as defined in DFARS 252.227-7013 and DFARS 252.227-7014) and will afford the contractor IP protections consistent with these authorities.

Contractor Question #19 (Draft PWS Doc) Does the government expect the contractor to perform original work as part of this PWS? Or will the contractor scope simply be evaluating government directed research topics?

Government Answer 19: The scope will primarily be evaluating research topics, but this does not preclude original work.

Contractor Question #20 (Draft PWS Doc) Can the government provide the estimated workload for this PWS? In order to allow the contractor to evaluate the approximate FTE and facility requirements.

Government Answer 20: The estimated workload is 5-6 FTEs.

Contractor Question #21 The Government mentions GFE- Can the Government elaborate on what Data Sets/GFE is provided?

Government Answer 21: The government has several data sets available for experimentation and AI development work. The data sets are primarily imagery based. The government will issue laptop computers and phones as necessary.

Contractor Question #22 Would the Government be amenable to any MOA to support other Army Department capabilities vital to the success of the further redefining COP and other critical support work?

Government Answer 22: This would be addressed on case by case basis in consultation with our legal support.

Contractor Question #23 Will this be a multiple award IDIQ?

Government Answer 23: The Government is still determining an acquisition strategy.

Contractor Question #24 (C.2) Is there an incumbent delivering professional engineering and analysis contractor support for the Technology Integration Branch and the TTCP in a similar capacity as described in this PWS?

Government Answer 24: Yes.

Contractor Question #25 (C.1) What is the timeframe or dates for the Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP) Artificial Intelligence Strategic Challenge (AISC) in 2023?

Government Answer 25: The timeframe and dates are still TBD.

Contractor Question #26 (C.3.1) Please describe how the “situational awareness picture” is currently updated with the available data.

Government Answer 26: For experimentation purposes all data available is fed into an operating picture without any filtering.

Contractor Question #27 (C.3.1.1) We understand personnel are to be cleared at TS/SCI level. Will the government process contractor personnel who already have a TS clearance for the SCI requirement after award?

Government Answer 27: No Contractor Question #28 (C.5, C.7.2, Sources Sought #13) The PWS states “Work shall be performed throughout the ARL and at Contractor provided facilities.” and “The Contractor shall have a Top-Secret facility clearance with at least Secret safeguarding capability”. The sources sought notice states: (13) Place of Contract Performance: Government Facility

Government Answer 28: Work will primarily be performed at ARL facilities. If classified work is performed at the contractor facility, the contractor will be required to have a safeguarding capability. The decision to sponsor a contractor’s facility will be made on a case by case basis.

Contractor Question #29 (C.3.1.1) What is the highest classification level of the GFI anticipated to be made available by the COR for this project? How is that GFI stored and made available to support contractors?

Government Answer 29: TS/SCI Contractor Question #30 (C.3.1) Regarding the need to “develop and demonstrate novel concepts”, if a contractor has a proprietary software solution to satisfy that need, what are the software accreditation requirements to operate that software inside a government network?

Government Answer 30: ARL follows the Risk Management Framework for its experimental testbed.

Contractor Question #31 (C.3.2) If the “novel concept” offered by a contractor is in the form of software, would a software license be considered an acceptable ODC when submitting the pricing quote?

Government Answer 31: Yes.

Contractor Question #32 (Sources Sought) Please clarify the NAICS code to be used for the solicitation. The notice includes both 541690 (with a $16.5 million small business size standard) and 541712, which is no longer active.

Government Answer 32: This was a clerical error: it was addressed see updated version on sam.gov under Sources Sought # W911QX-23-R-0001.

Contractor Question #33 (C.1) Since the anticipated period of performance is 4 years, is it an assumption that the remaining time not allocated to the AISC in 2023 would be to support the continued research and development of the technical solution or product?

Government Answer 33: Yes. The AISC effort is a multi-year effort that may be extended to 2025.

Contractor Question #34 (C.2) Will there be a request for proposal process to be accepted in order to demonstrate a concept at AISC 23?

Government Answer 34: No.

Contractor Question #35 (C.7.2) Will the Contractor secure facility be required to be located at a certain distance from ARL Adelphi?

Government Answer 35: No.

Contractor Question #36 (C.1) Please provide the dates, venue, and agenda for the TTCP Artificial Intelligence Strategic Challenge 2023?

Government Answer 36: The dates, venue and agenda are still TBD.

Contractor Question #37 (C.2) which states “To accomplish its mission as detailed in C.1., the Technology Integration Branch requires professional engineering and analysis contractor support addressing real time situational awareness in a dense and information-soaked environment. The Contractor shall demonstrate their concept to meet these goals at the TTCP AISC 23.”

Government Answer 37: The contractor receiving the award will support the TTCP AISC 2023 event and subsequent events as necessary. The planned timeframe for award is 2nd quarter CY 2023. The government is still determining its acquisition strategy.

Contractor Question #38 (C.3.3.1) Other Direct Costs (ODCS) sites” the Contractor shall furnish on an as needed basis other small expendable items or parts of a non-routine nature needed to ensure that schedules are met.” Please provide examples of anticipated expendable items.

Government Answer 38: Hard drives, sim cards for OCONUS use, etc.

Contractor Question #39 (C.6) Will the final RFP/Solicitation include the requirement for contract “key personnel”? If so, what key personnel labor categories are anticipated?

Government Answer 39: The government is still determining its acquisition strategy.

Contractor Question #40 (C.5) Is this Sources Sought for staff augmentation, where contract individuals will work on-site, or is this a request to contract a medium-to-large size project for a company to own then deliver back to the government?

Government Answer 40: This is for on-site work.

Contractor Question #41 (C.5) What is the page limit or recommended length for responses?

Government Answer 41: There is no limit. The government recommends the contractor propose a specific, detailed and supported (by documentation and any history) proposal that meets the governments requirements.

Contractor Question #42 (C.1) At what Technology Readiness Level (TRL) should the Technical Concept be demonstrated?

Government Answer 42: TRL 3-7.

Contractor Question #43 (C.3.1) What portion of the analysis pipeline is of greatest interest e.g., complete end-to-end solution, data aggregation, data analysis, visualization, reporting/recommendations?

Government Answer 43: Complete end to end integration.

Contractor Question #44 (C.3.1) How close to the tactical edge would the ideal solution reside e.g., ahead of the warfighter, on the warfighter, on a vehicle, Command Tent, FOB, centralized?

Government Answer 44: The ideal solution would be from the level of the warfighter to the FOB level.

Contractor Question #45 (C.3.1 + C.3.1.1) How will Conflict of Interest (COI) be avoided between requirement C.3.1 (Technical Concept) and the two sections labeled C.3.1.1 (analysis)? Is the intent for the Contractor to implement the Technical Concept as a platform, and provide analysis using it?

Government Answer 45: The intent is for the contractor to develop a technical concept, but also provide analysis on other concepts the government provides. If there isa conflict of interest that arises, the contractor will have to draft an Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) mitigation plan.

Contractor Question #46 (C.2) PWS refers to TTCP AISC 2023, “The Contractor shall demonstrate their concept to meet these goals at the TTCP AISC 23.”

• Question: Can the Government provide additional information about this event to include when the event is scheduled to occur?

Government Answer 46: The dates, venue and agenda are still TBD. TTCP AIS is a multi-year program that may extend to 2025.

Contractor Question #47 (C.3.1) “The Technology Integration Branch has a need to develop and demonstrate novel concepts to fully exploit all available data and provide improved 24/7 situational awareness for Tactical Unit type Mission Command while reducing the number of analysts required.”

• Question: Does the Government intend for the contractor to develop AI/ML solutions or develop concepts for implementing AI/ML solutions?

Government Answer 47: Both.

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