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Dual-Mode Detector Ensemble (DUDE)
Program Manager and PoC: Dr. Stu Horn
Questions and Answers
Q1. The solicitation calls out two spectral regimes of interest, 8-12 microns and 0.4-1.6 microns. I am wondering if it is of interest to divide the LWIR regime of interest into sub-bands, to provide “color” scene generation in the IR. My company, with University of Texas, has demonstrated in the lab techniques to achieve an uncooled detector with a narrow, frequency response tailored to a target frequency. The potential benefit is to provide color scenes in the IR that are more helpful to the human eye than monochrome or artificial-color scenes.
A1. BAA08-49 calls for a broadband 8-12 micron uncooled detector with a certain NETD spec. No color banding is being asked for.
Q.2 On page 17 of the BAA under Paragraph C. entitled, Submission Dates and Times, it states that "The full proposal (original and designated number of hard and electronic copies) must be submitted to DARPA/MTO, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714 (Attn.: DARPA BAA 08-49) on or before 12:00 p.m. (noon), Eastern Time, August 18, 2008". This paragraph also states that "The full proposal must be submitted via T-FIMS or Grants.gov in time to reach DARPA by August 18, 2008 (initial closing), in order to be considered during the initial evaluation phase". Is submitting the proposal via T-FIMS alone adequate for consideration? If hard and electronic copies are to be mailed as well, please designate the number of hard and electronic copies that are required to be mailed or delivered to DARPA/MTO.
A2. It is not necessary to submit hard copies to the BAA, it will be sufficient to upload your proposal as a softcopy to TFMIS.
Q.3 Part II - Section IV.B.3 Section II.C. This section states that cost, schedule, and payable milestones must be included. Please confirm if payment must be based on payable milestones. Section IV.B.4 states that offerors can request a CPFF award instrument. Payment under a CPFF contract is normally done monthly based on the cost of work performed. Can contractors request payment monthly under standard cost reimbursement invoicing practices?
A3. Payable milestones are applicable only if use of an Other Transactions or Fixed Price FAR-based contract are proposed/negotiated. Use of a CPFF contract would not require payment milestones.
Q4. Part II - Section IV.B.4 NOTE: This note states that "If DARPA anticipates using 6.1 funding for this effort; the Contractor must be made aware that total negotiated indirect cost rates may not exceed 35% of the total cost of the award." Please confirm if any of the awards anticipated to be made under this BAA will utilize 6.1 funding. If DARPA does anticipate using 6.1 funding but only for some of the awards, how will the contractor know if their award will funded with 6.1 funding?
A4. Given the nature of Broad Agency Announcements, in that each proposer defines the scope of their proposed research project in response to the stipulated research goals and objectives, DARPA can only state at this time that it is possible for one or more fundamental research awards to be made against this BAA. Proposers who state that the research they are proposing meets the definition of fundamental research, which in most cases would be university proposers, would have to abide by this requirement. Please note, however, that the contracting officer is, ultimately, the individual responsible for selecting the appropriate award instrument during negotiations.
Q5. Does the requirement for VNS test chips apply only to submissions for the VNS-only part of the program, or to all submissions? In other words, do submissions for the co-registered thermal/VNS sensor need to provide VNS test chips at month 8?
A5. The VNS test chips apply to all submissions. Submissions for the co-registered thermal/VNS sensor need to provide VNS test chips
Q6. What is the intent of the VNS Test Chips? If an existing test chip can be used that would satisfy the intent, can a mask savings be achieved by using the existing test mask rather than a special mask set for the DUDE program?
A6. The test device deliveries in Phase I and Phase II may be in a format selected by the contractor for assessing performance limitations for design of experiments. Physics based mathematical models shall be used to quantify differences between what is designed and calculated and what is built and measured.
Q7. What are the designator specifications of the aiming lights and designators? Will any standard designator suffice?
A7. Designator specifications apply to the designators currently used in military systems.
Q8. How are the optical MTF specifications in Table II to be interpreted?
A8. The BAA is planned to be amended with the following:
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Table 1: DUDE Program Metrics: Replace the row below from Table 1 Broadband (BB) flat optics (Montage Based Optics)
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40% MTF @ diffraction cut-off
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60% MTF @ diffraction cut-off
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80% MTF @ diffraction cut-off
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With the following row
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Broadband (BB) flat optics (Montage Based Optics) |
MTF - 40% of
diffraction limited |
MTF - 60% of diffraction limited
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MTF - 80% of
diffraction limited
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Q9. How is the spectral band for LWIR sensor specified? Will DARPA consider 8 -14 microns spectral band for LWIR sensors to take advantage of the additional transmittance between 12 -14 microns?
A9. The LWIR sensor spectral band may be defined as 8 – 14 um.
Q10. Does the LWIR NETD @ F/1 "80% pixels 30mK" in Table II mean "pixel operability of 80% where the operable pixels have a mean NETD of 30mK"?
A10. The LWIR NEDT @F/1 “80% pixels 30 mk” means that 80% of the pixels should meet the 30 mk NEDT.
Q11. If we elect to only develop the VNS detector when and how will we learn the interface requirements for LWIR integration?
A11. Additional information regarding interface requirements for LWIR integration will not be provided.
Q12. Do we need to establish an LWIR partner if we are only doing the VNS detector or will DARPA provide guidance in establishing partnerships?
A12. Teaming is encouraged as stated in the BAA. A link to a teaming website is provided.
Q13. What are the Phase 1, 2, and 3 deliverables if we are only doing the VNS detector? Can it be assumed that they are the same as in the VNS-LWIR detector simply without the LWIR component?
A13. Test device deliveries for the VNS sensor are described in the BAA.
Q14. Will there be follow up proposals between each phase or should it be assumed that all of the detail necessary to evaluate phase 2 and 3 should be included in this initial proposal?
A14. The BAA requires that all phases be included/priced in the proposal.
Q15. Will there be an opportunity to adjust the phase 2 and 3 cost proposals after phase 1?
A15. No
Q16. On page 13 of the BAA under paragraph 3, item 2 asks for the Technical area. What should be provided for Technical area? Is it assigned by DARPA?
A16.The Technical areas are: 1) Integrated Sight and 2) VNS Sensor.
Q17. On page 16 of the BAA under paragraph 4, item 19 asks for Subcontractor Information; what Subcontractor Information do you require? Is it the Subcontractor's DUNS number, TIN Number, and CAGE code or something else?
A17. This can be filled in at your discretion.
Q18. On page 16 of the BAA under item 20, proposal validity period is requested. On page 11 of the BAA, it says that "DARPA may evaluate proposals received after this date for a period of up to one year from the date of posting on Fed Biz Opps". Does this imply that DARPA wants proposals to be valid for one year?
A18. The proposal validity period is at the proposers discretion; however, a period of no less than 90 days is recommended to allow adequate time for proposals to be evaluated, selection decision/s to me made, and negotiations to begin.
Q19. On page 27, a subcontracting plan is requested. Should we put this in the Cost Proposal or somewhere else?
A19. Yes, please include this in the cost proposal.