Added: April 4, 2008
The US Army Contracting Agency, White Sands Directorate (WSMR DOC), White Sands Missile Range in support of Test Resource Management Center, Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), is soliciting white papers and proposals, both technical and costsfor innovative research and development concepts focused in the area of Unmanned and Autonomous System Testing (UAST). This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) identifies scientific and technical areas of interest for research and or exploratory development of four technology areas in terms of four topic areas. The BAA is conducted using full and open competition. In an effort to minimize proposal preparation cost, the BAA utilizes a two- step process. The first step will be the submission of a white paper.The white paper must contain as a minimum: Title, Period of Performance, Rough Order of Magnitude Cost, Company Address, Technical and Contracting Points of Contact, Phone, Fax & Email, Task Objective, Technical Summary and Proposed Deliverables. Offerors that submit white papers that are consistent with the intent of the BAA, and are of interest to the Government will be invited to submit a proposal (step two). The submission of a white paper is required prior to the submission of a proposal. Failure to follow this two-step process may preclude the chance for award. White papers submitted in response to the BAA will be evaluated in accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth in the BAA. Technical evaluations will employ a peer or scientific review process. A white papers technical evaluation and its importance to agency programs, along with funding availability are primary bases for contract award. Cost realism and reasonableness shall also be considered to the extent appropriate. White papers will be accepted continuously through 19 May 2008. The BAA technical areas of interest are divided into the following groups: 1. UAST Modeling and Architecture (MA), MA-1 Sensors and Intelligence Fusion Processing, MA-2 Multi-Agent, Multi Sensor, MultiModal Decision Making, MA-3 Modeling, Simulation, and Prototyping for Complex Adaptive Environments, MA-4 Energy and Sustainment, MA-5 Human Systems Integration and Human Machine Interface, MA-6 Adaptive Architectural Frameworks, MA-7 Collaborative Tools, 2. UAST Aspects and Protocols, (AP) AP-1 Synthetic/Surrogate Presentations, AP-2 System- ilities Assessment, AP-3 Ensuring Safety in all Battle space Environment, AP-4 Payloads and Weapons Fail Safe Management at System Level, AP-5 Obstacle/Collision Avoidance, AP-6 Launch and Recovery, AP-7 Long Duration Testing, 3. Test beds and Test Environments (TTE), TTE-1 Distributive Command and Control (C2) and Situational Awareness Portal, TTE-2 Communications and Natural Networks, TTE-3 Bandwidth and Spectral Diversity, TTE-4 Interfaces and Semiotic Agents, TTE-5 Platforms and Ecosystems, TTE-6 Prescribed System of Systems Environments, TTE-7 Unfolding Complex System Environments, 4. UAS Analytics (A), A-1 Autonomy Classification, A-2 Cognition Evaluation, A-3 Sensing and Perception for UAST, A-4 UAST Concept of Operations, A-5 Measures of Performance and Measures of Effectiveness, A-6 Swarming and Intelligent Agent Behavior, A-7 Perceptional Invariance and Categorization. OFFEROR INFORMATION: Evaluations may take up to 60 days from receipt of White Paper to complete. Numerous awards may result from this BAA and will depend upon the quality and merit of white papers and proposals received and available funding. If the Government decides to pursue a concept with regard to this BAA a formal proposal will be requested. Award of any contracts resulting from this BAA is anticipated to occur in FY08 or FY09. If selected, you must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) (http://www.ccr.gov/) in order to receive the award. If you are not in the CCR at the time we are ready to make the award, you will be disqualified. Issuance ofthis BAA does not obligate the Government to fund any white paper, pay any proposal preparation costs, or to award any contract. All responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government's needs may submit a white paper, which will be considered. No portion of this announcement is set aside for historically black colleges and universities (HBCU's) or minority institutions (MI's); proposals are invited from all sources. The Government reserves the right to select for award, all, some, or none of the white papers or proposals received in response to this announcement. The UAST BAA, instructions for the submission of white papers and required proposal summary form are published at the WSMR DOC web site located at http://www.wsmr.army.mil/docpage/pages/sol_stat.htm . Potential sources are reminded that it is their responsibility to frequently check this website for any issues and updates regarding this Broad Agency Announcement. White papers are to be submitted electronically on CD-ROM in Microsoft Office 2003 or higher. The original and one copy of the CD-ROMs shall be submitted to Army Contracting Agency White Sands Directorate. The date and time for submission of the completed white papers and the proposal summary form, is 19 May 2008, 12 Noon Mountain Standard Time. Point of Contact Email your questions to timothy.a.byrnes@us.army.mil and mindy.franklin@us.army.mil Deadline for questions is 01 May 2008.
**SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR WHITE PAPERS HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO 1700 MDT 2 JUNE 2008.**
1. Through this solicitation, is there any specific application scenario, other than the one suggested, which the UAST program is interested in addressing?
Response: Generally speaking, implications throughout the BAA make references to application scenarios within System of Systems and Complex System mission scenarios. Suggest the Offeror address those sections of the BAA related to the scenarios. If the Offeror has additional specific application scenarios associated please provide.
2. How will the progress of this project be monitored?
Response: The following processes will be used to monitor progress:
a) Plant visits to physically check on progress made on the Project
b) Offeror will provide monthly status reports due on the 10th of each month for the prior month.
c) Phone/e-mail. Periodically, the Government COR will call or e-mail the Offeror requesting information related to the Project
d) Phase Deliverables:
1.) Demonstrations
2.) Documentation
3.) Software/Hardware
4.) Mandatory and Voluntarily Conference Meetings W/OSD to present/promote status of project
e) Measures of progress will be established and monitored with periodics assessment
3. Does this program emphasize the project to use any specific commercially available software for development of this system?
Response: The Government cannot dictate commercially available software for the development of this system and is left up to the Offeror's to select the appropriate software required to accomplish the task.
4. Does the above described approach to testing and evaluation address the T&E; goals set for the UAST program?
Response: The Government has conducted extensive research and has also consulted with SME to address the T&E; goals for the UAST program. If the Offeror feels that he/she has a better approach, then please present it within the confines of the White Paper.
5. Are you looking for submissions that encompass an entire technical area, e.g. 1. UAST Modeling and Architecture?
Response: See page 18 of the BAA once again for examples of possible submittals. The subitems in the Appendix were provided as guidance for the scope of each of the four major TTA areas. It is assumed that the Offeror has a certain level of expertise in; i.e. subject matter expert (SME) field(s) being addressed by the BAA. Proposed White Paper(s) may encompass portions or entire technical areas. However, the Offeror should review the BAA section/instructions White Paper(s) submissions.
6. The BAA calls for innovative research and development concepts focused in the area of Unmanned and Autonomous System Testing (UAST). In the technical areas of interest cited, is the call for:
a. Conducting flight testing or field testing of new technologies being developed under either corporate internal research and development or other government sponsored research and development? or
Response: Proposed T&E; testing is under the 6.3 funding banner. As a consequence, the Department of Office of Secretary of Defense (OSD) is looking for new and innovative ideas that address the testing requirements of the UAST BAA. Also, as long as the proposed T&E; testing for UAS is under those guidelines, it doesn't matter whether corporate internal research and development of other government sponsored research and development are derived.
b. New ideas and/or methods for testing relevant new and emerging technologies?
Response: Proposed T&E; testing of UAST testing again must invoke new and innovative technologies that are in the TRL levels specified on page 17 of the BAA
7. In the technical areas of interest cited, is there any intent to fund further development of the new technologies to facilitate testing, or is the intent only to fund those technologies that are ready for test?
Response:
a) If at the end of the Project (Period of Performances -Phases I-In + Any Options)the proposed T&E; testing of UAST is delivered and demonstrated and OSD is convinced that it has merit, the project will further be funded (multiple quantities) and go into production via the Central Test and Evaluation Investment Program (CTEIP).
b) The intent here is to fund those technologies to meet the 6.3 funding criteria within the TRL levels, PLEASE refer to page 17 for clarification
8. If the intent is to fund flight / field test activities only, does the Army possess test platforms (UAVs, etc.) that they intend the technology testing to be conducted with? Or does the Army anticipate contractors will provide their own test platform assets to support the testing?
Response:
a) The funding spectrum is for all UAS types (Space to Underwater) The Army does posses some ground test platforms that can be used. In addition, since this is an OSD (Purple) program, the Army/WSMR is in collaboration with the other services (Army, Navy, Air Force) to address UAS testing of other platforms.
b) Perspective Offerors can provide their own surrogate platforms to demonstrate their T&E; technology. Surrogate platforms can either be optionally used for demonstration and or become part of the T&E; UAST deliverable.
9. Are there expected funding levels associated with any anticipated awards?
Response: Yes there are. Typically, on the average the funding levels ranged from $300K to $500K per period of performance (POP). However, the Offeror is not precluded to include options that correspond to proposed phases and associated POPs. Typically project should not exceed three years. However, if the White Paper merits higher funding levels because of some really innovative 6.3 technology, we can take proposal to OSD approval. If OSD approves, then funding levels can increase accordingly.
10. Is the quad chart included in the 15 page limit?
Response: The 15 page limit has an additional page; namely the cover page (15+1=16). However, all appendixes i.e.; the quad chart is Appendix F and a consequently a separate page and not to be considered to be part of the 15 page limit.
11. Is the WBS included in the 15 page limit?
Response: The WBS is Appendix H and consequently a separate page.
12. On page 28 of the BAA, paragraph ii, the solicitation refers to the first 10 pages and then the first 13 pages. Which is correct? Should the WBS and quad chart be inserted in this section?
Response:
a) Offeror should disregard the paragraph that starts out with The first ten pages ..... Paragraph ii, should read: The first thirteen pages should serve to provide an overview with a clear and concise technical description of the effort proposed. Figures, schematics, drawings tables, charts, etc., shall follow associated technical descriptions. The format below should be covered in the thirteen pages.
b) The WBS is Appendix H and yes it is a separate page.
c) The quad chart is also an appendix and should be Appendix F - a separate page and not Appendix E as stated on page 26, line item number 5.
d) On Page 26, reference to line item number 6 Provide a separate Microsoft Project file of the Gantt chart (See Appendix F). That Appendix should be Appendix G
13. Where are the white paper submission instructions?
Response: See Page 25, Part II White Paper Preparation and Submission
14. Is it permissible to email the white papers to you on Monday, 5/19 rather than express mailing CD ROMs?
Response: We take careful steps to guard proprietary information contained in each and every one of the White Paper submittals and discourage use of e-mail for this purpose. The Government cannot be held liable for compromise of this type of information when it's being transmitted via the Web and the fact that the information lives in the servers and such.
Also, we fully realize that the transmitted e-mail information can be encrypted, but then this is subject to miss-matching communication problems at both ends and usually turns out to be greater effort involved just to send and receive the documents.
To keep things running smoothly, we must insist that all Offerors submit their White Papers in accordance with the UAST BAA0002 instructions; via CD-ROM
