MODIFICATION
A -- High Frequency Geolocation (HFGeo) Phases 2 and 3 - Amendment 1
- Notice Date
- 12/19/2014
- Notice Type
- Modification/Amendment
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity, Washington, District of Columbia, 20511, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20511
- Solicitation Number
- IARPA-BAA-14-05
- Archive Date
- 1/28/2016
- Point of Contact
- Chris Reed,
- E-Mail Address
-
dni-iarpa-baa-14-05@iarpa.gov
(dni-iarpa-baa-14-05@iarpa.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Amendment 1 High Frequency (HF) communications systems are in widespread use around the world. They are useful for both Line of Sight (LOS) and beyond-LOS communications links. Precise location of HF transmitters that use the ionosphere for long-range communications is challenging because of the wide variety of natural and anthropogenic noise sources present in this band, ionospheric variations, Faraday rotation, multipath, and multi-mode components arriving from different directions in azimuth and elevation. Even more challenging are the rapid and severe changes in the ionosphere arising from climatic and other sources. The HFGeo Program aims to dramatically improve the ability to detect and geolocate HF emitters. Phase 1 of the program addressed technical innovations to accomplish this objective including 1) the ability to accurately resolve multiple angles-of-arrival and polarization states through novel antenna concepts; 2) the ability to enhance signal-to-noise ratio and signal detection through the use of multi-dimensional adaptive signal processing; and 3) the ability to accurately determine the dynamic state of the ionosphere. These components were addressed in two prior solicitations, IARPA-BAA-11-07 and IARPA-BAA-12-04. Phase 2 includes system integration of these innovations followed by a non-real-time field test. Phase 3 will be real-time implementation and demonstration with field testing. Phase 2 will be 18 months and Phase 3 will be 15 months in duration. Phase 2 provides the transition from the key technologies of Phase 1 to the development of a prototype system of hardware and off-line signal processing for use in initial field tests with surrogate targets. Phase 3 will implement real-time signal processing, incorporate signal processing enhancements, and test against realistic targets in realistic environments. If successful, HFGeo will deliver rigorously tested technology capable of accurately geolocating HF sources. This BAA only covers HFGeo Phases 2 and 3. General questions may be submitted to: dni-iarpa-baa-14-05@iarpa.gov. Security-related questions may be submitted to: dni-iarpa-baa-14-05-security@iarpa.gov. Amendment 1 IARPA-BAA-14-05 HFGeo Phases 2 and 3 Questions and Answers This notice constitutes Amendment 1 to the HFGeo IARPA-BAA-14-05. An updated version of the BAA, incorporating all amendments, will also be posted at the conclusion of the question and answer period. It is the responsibility of interested offerors to acknowledge receipt of all amendments in their proposal. This amendment can also be viewed at www.iarpa.gov. Q 1. Table 2 indicates a weight limit for the antenna system of 150 kg, including any support structures. Section 1.A.2.a refers to the same 150 kg limit. Can you please confirm that the 150 kg weight limit applies only to the antenna system? A. The weight limit of 150 kg applies to the antenna system, including any support structures. Q 2. May we assume that cables connecting the antennas to receivers are not included in the antenna system weight budget? A. Cables are considered part of the antenna system. The weight limit of 150 kg applies to the antenna system. Q 3. While there is a clear desire to minimize total system SWAP to ease transportability, is it correct to conclude that there is no overall system SWAP limit? A. As noted in 1.A.2.a. on page 10 "Innovation for rapid deployment and setup will be viewed favorably. In all cases, the prototype should be capable of set-up in the test configuration without use of heavy equipment or significant site preparation and be compliant with the size restrictions as well as 10 m height and the total weight will not exceed 150 kg, including any support structures or wires as explained in Table 3." Additional size, weight, and power constraints are provided for Phase 3 in Table 3. Q 4. Is there a preference for the operator to be local with the system, or is remote operation desired? A. There is no preference. As noted in 1.A.2.a. on page 10 "Innovation for rapid deployment and setup will be viewed favorably." Q 5. If operators are local, is there a desire for the performer to provide environmental protection such as a tent? A. As noted in 1.A.2.a. on page 10 "Innovation for rapid deployment and setup will be viewed favorably." Environmental protection for the performer staff operating equipment during Phase 2 and 3 field test events is the responsibility of the offerors. Q 6. Must the entire system (exclusive perhaps of one calibration antenna) be located within the 50 meter diameter circle or only the antenna system? A. The 50 m restriction applies to the antenna system only. Q 7. Does IARPA have a preferred test location? A. Test planning considerations are cited in 1.A.2.d. on page 14: "The performer will be expected to participate during some phases of the test planning and to offer suggestions and recommendations for a successful test." For purposes of cost estimation, offerors can assume it will be White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), in New Mexico. The solutions developed must be applicable to all "middle geomagnetic latitudes." Q 8. The BAA indicates that the program will begin in May of 2015 and run for 33 months (Phases 2 and 3), which would take it through January of 2018. However the BAA (page 6) indicates that the program is complete in December of 2017. Can you please clarify? A. The total period of performance is 33 months. The 2nd paragraph on Page 6 of the BAA will be corrected to read: "IARPA is seeking innovative solutions for Phases 2 and 3 of the High Frequency Geolocation (HFGeo) Program. These phases of the HFGeo Program are envisioned to begin in May 2015 and end by January 2018." Q 9. With regard to Section 6.B.13 of the BAA (Lawful Use and Privacy Protection Measures), what does IARPA envision as being required to prove that data collected by the offerors were acquired in accordance with U.S. laws and regulations? A. The offeror shall provide a description of (1) existing data identified in its proposal and (2) all data obtained after contract award (including data obtained but not used). For both categories of data, the offeror shall include in its description of the data how the data were obtained, the source(s) from which the data were obtained, and an assertion that the data were obtained in accordance with U.S. laws and regulations. Q 10. Page 36, Section 5.C, says "IARPA will only review proposals against the criteria described under Paragraph 5.A above." Should this include Section 5.B, too? A. Yes, the second paragraph under 5.C., on page 36 of the BAA will be revised to read as follows: "IARPA will only review proposals against the criteria described under Paragraphs 5.A and 5.B above, and will not evaluate them against other proposals, since they are not submitted in accordance with a common work statement. For evaluation purposes, a proposal is the document described in Section 4. Other supporting or background materials submitted with the proposal will not be considered." In addition, the second paragraph of 5.B on page 34, will be revised to read as follows: "Note to offerors regarding the evaluation criteria: Award(s) will be made to offerors on the basis of the evaluation criteria listed in Sections 5.A and 5.B, program balance and availability of funds. Award recommendations will not be made to offerors(s) whose proposal(s) are determined to be not selectable.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/notices/ca048426308ce57be613e75b6b7e7c2e)
- Record
- SN03600920-W 20141221/141219234400-ca048426308ce57be613e75b6b7e7c2e (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
| FSG Index | This Issue's Index | Today's FBO Daily Index Page |