NOTHING CONTAINED IN THE RESPONSES TO THE QUESTIONS PUT FORTH BY INDUSTRY SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS DIRECTION BY THE U. S. AIR FORCE, NOR SHALL ANY ANSWER PRESENTED CREATE ANY OBLIGATION ON THE PART OF THE U.S. AIR FORCE TO EITHER ISSUE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL OR AWARD A CONTRACT. IN ADDITION, THE U. S. AIR FORCE WILL NOT REIMBURSE ANY EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH ACCESSING THESE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. NOTE: ANSWERS PRESENTED AT THIS TIME ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. (Date shown is date question was asked. All questions asked between 9/13/95 and 9/14/95 are indicated as 9/15/95)
9/15/1995
1. Who will maintain hardware and software configuration control of the prototype and when will the prototype go under configuration control?
Answer: Hardware configuration control will be the responsibility of Lincoln Labs with Government oversight. Upon completion and acceptance of the prototype, the hardware design will be controlled by the government configuration organization. Lincoln Labs will continue to maintain the drawings on a day-to-day basis.
Software configuration will the responsibility the organization developing the software except that the government will maintain control of the requirements documents through the services of both Mitre Corp. and Lincoln Labs.
The prototype will be under configuration control after the design is accepted by the government. Lincoln Labs will control and maintain drawings during the development phase. The government will retain rights to prototype drawings, and may require that copies of the drawings pertaining to delivered prototype be supplied to the government on aperture cards or electronic media, To Be Determined (TBD). Prototype drawings will be available to the production contractor.
9/15/1995
2. Who will maintain hardware and software configuration control of the production system and when will the production units go under configuration control?
Answer: Hardware configuration control will be the responsibility of production contractor with Government oversight. Upon completion and acceptance of the production units, the hardware design will be controlled by the government configuration organization. The production contractor will maintain the drawings on a day-to-day basis.
Software configuration will the responsibility the organization developing the software except that the government will maintain control of the requirements documents through the services of both Mitre Corp. and Lincoln Labs. It is not expected that the government will require controlling oversight below the requirements and system documentation level, but does expect to receive "information" copies of documentation when requested.
The production units and drawings will be under configuration control when the hardware is accepted by the government. Maintenance of the production drawings will be the responsibility of the production contractor. The government will retain rights to production drawings, and will require that copies of the drawings pertaining to delivered hardware be supplied to the government on aperture cards and/or electronic media.
9/15/1995
3. What Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) data deliverables are you considering?
Answer Contract Data Requirements List has not been developed. The government expects to:
a. Minimize the number of CDRL deliverables to the extent possible. This will be accomplished by discussions with potential contractors and the selected contractor. Contractor developed drawings/documents in contractor format, below the system level will not require government approval. Delivered configuration CDRL deliverables in contractor format will consist mainly of lists of extant contractor documents and their current status. The government may require delivery of documents for review/information purposes. Government approval of contractor developed documentation is not expected until final delivery.
b. Whenever possible, CDRL deliverables will be delivered on electronic media. The government welcomes contractor suggestions on how/what means can be used to meet this objective. There are no protocols/system in place at this time.
9/15/1995
4. Will a System Engineering Management Plan be developed by Lincoln Labs? Will it be available in the Library? When?
Answer: By definition no. Internally, Lincoln Labs uses detailed project management planning tools. It's placement in the library will be determined at a later date.
9/15/1995
5. Will the Lincoln Labs statement of work be in the Library?
Answer: Yes.
9/15/1995
6. How will the Government handle neutralizing subsystem components used by competition?
Answer: Not a problem at this time. Details of all non-catalog items being procured by Lincoln Labs for the Prototype will be provided in the Request For Proposal (RFP) library.
9/15/1995
7. When will the RFP be released?
Answer: Third Quarter FY96, subject to date of final FY96 Budget Authority.
9/15/1995
8. Does the Acquisition Strategy allow for recompetition past the basic contract?
Answer: The acquisition strategy has not been finalized at this time.
9/15/1995
9. Has the effort for the initial contractor engineering cadre been determined?
Answer: No.
9/15/1995
10. How will the Government handle long lead items for Serial Number #2 and #3?
Answer: TBD
9/15/1995
11. Please clarify Price vs. Cost competition as briefed, what does it mean?
Answer: Bottom-line price vs. elements of cost. Basically affects amount of cost documentation required of the Offerors.
9/15/1995
12. Is Software Engineering Institute (SEI) Level 3 required for the Industry partner?
Answer: TBD
9/15/1995
13. How will the design be documented in the RFP? Sketches? Parts Lists?
Answer: RFP will contain all requirements via SOW [SOO], Specification [Technical Requirements Document (TRD)], and Contract Data Requirements Lists.
9/15/1995
14. Is it correct to assume that after contract award, the Industry Partner is a full Integrated Product Team (IPT) member and will participate in all reviews, meetings, etc., with insights into suppliers/ vendors?
Answer: Yes.
9/15/1995
15. During fabrication and test of the prototype, it is anticipated that some hardware and software design changes will be necessary. In the event that the contract is not of a cost-plus nature, how will the cost impact of these changes be handled? What level of performance responsibility must be assumed by the Contractor?
Answer: The type of contract for this portion has not been determined. The contract type will be determined by the risk of performance.
9/15/1995
16. Who is the prime [contractor] on the IPT during the prototype phase, and then for the production phase. Design Agent?
Answer: Lincoln Labs is responsible for the Prototype design. The Government is the lead for the IPT. The successful offeror is responsible for the production design.
9/15/1995
17. When will communications between the IPT and industry stop?
Answer: Communications between Industry and the IPT will stop when proposals are received.
9/15/1995
18. Would the Government clarify the spares requirement for both land based operations and sea based operations?
Answer: DBR must be rapidly deployable to any part of the world. Any Line Replaceable Unit that can cause a system failure must be readily available for a 90 day deployment.
It is feasible that we could use different sparing support concepts for land and sea modes. We will be looking at various options to support the land system, depending on where we anticipate locating these systems.
9/15/1995
19. Does the transportability requirement include the sparing concept?
Answer: DBR must be rapidly deployable to any part of the world. Any Line Replaceable Unit that can cause a system failure must be readily available for a 90 day deployment.
It is feasible that we could use different sparing support concepts for land and sea modes. We will be looking at various options to support the land system, depending on where we anticipate locating these systems.
9/15/1995
20. What will be industry's responsibilities for software design/software maintenance of the Lincoln Labs provided software?
Answer: TBD
9/15/1995
21. Where does DBR funding come from? (i.e., Mission Area Plan, Program Element, etc..)
Answer: This program is included with other funding in Program Element 31315.
9/15/1995
22. What will be the role and extent of involvement by industry in the Integrated Product Team?
Answer: Once the Production Contract is awarded, the contractor will be a full DBR IPT member.
9/15/1995
23. How much time will there be for contractors to work with Lincoln Labs?
Answer: At least one year.
9/15/1995
24. When will a Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) list be made available?
Answer: A provisional GFE list will be developed as Lincoln Labs implements the prototype. This will be included in the data base and potential bidders comments will be welcomed. The final list will be before release of the RFP.
9/15/1995
25. Will there be additional industry day type meetings for bidders to receive additional information?
Answer: TBD
9/15/1995
26. Can Team Members provide non-GFE items if shown to be cost effective?
Answer: TBD
9/15/1995
27. Who defines and conducts Qualification tests?
a. What is the technical basis for acceptance?
b. Will qualification testing of the prototype reduce the levels of qualification testing required for the production systems?
Answer: The qualification tests for the prototype system will be developed by Lincoln Labs. The tests will be reviewed and validated by the IPT. A similar procedure will be used for the production systems, with industry expanding and modifying the prototype tests as appropriate to validate additional requirements that may be added to the production system.
a. The Technical Requirements Document and the test matrix developed from it.
b. Not necessarily.
9/15/1995
28. Will contract be for 3 systems or 2 systems with mod kit upgrade for prototype?
Answer: Two systems and a complete overhaul/upgrade of the prototype to the production configuration.
9/15/1995
29. What is the potential for additional systems and/or block upgrades being identified in the RFP?
Answer: The RFP may have options for additional systems and/or block upgrades.
9/15/1995
30. Could the Government explain the requirements associated with Lincoln Labs lot buys of components (e.g..., tubes)?
Answer: There are no requirements associated with Lincoln Labs lot buys.
9/15/1995
31. What percentage of design completion will provide for Lincoln Labs to agree to release of RFP which minimizes industry risk?
Answer: RFP release is not linked to a certain percent of design completion.
9/15/1995
32. Who will be responsible for modifying ship 1 and ship 2?
Answer: Military Sealift Command.
9/15/1995
33. How would the contractor integrate its added value into the prototype system?
Answer: TBD
9/15/1995
34. How does the Government envision industry participation in Design Prototype phase if Design Review occurs simultaneously with RFP release?
Answer: TBD.
9/15/1995
35. What Industry Pre Contract Activities have occurred up the present (program schedule indicates October 1994 start)?
Answer: Various contractor visits in August 1995 and Industry Day in September 1995. The Dual Band Radar Program effort officially commences with the signing of the FY96 Defense Appropriations Bill.
9/15/1995
36. How will fabrication, process assembly and integration and test procedures (system/subsystem) for the prototype be documented and made available to the Contractor?
Answer: Lincoln Labs is in the process of developing a list of the design release package contents (system definition and design, fabrication, manufacturing, sourcing, and quality assurance details). When this list is finished, responsibilities for developing the individual documents will be assigned to members of the IPT and their supporting organizations. This documentation will be made available through the DBR Library.
9/15/1995
37. Who documents the system baseline to support traceability, testing and upgrades for the Prototype? For the Production Systems?
Answer: Lincoln Labs is in the process of developing a list of the design release package contents (system definition and design, fabrication, manufacturing, sourcing, and quality assurance details). When this list is finished, responsibilities for developing the individual documents will be assigned to members of the IPT and their supporting organizations. This documentation will be made available through the RFP library.
9/15/1995
38. Will a system specification and/or operations concept be made available in the Library? When? What are the operational requirements driving the design?
Answer: System Specification and Concept of Operations will be added to the RFP library when finalized.
9/15/1995
39. What is the funding source (Line Number) and amount for the program?
Answer: This program is included with other funding in Program Element 31315.
9/15/1995
40. What is the participation level of Industry during the first year of the program (before Contract Award)?
Answer: Industry will have access to the DBR RFP Reference Library to review DBR pertinent material prior to RFP release and subsequent to submittal of proposals. Industry will also have access to HERBB, the Hanscom Electronic RFP Bulletin Board, and can access draft RFP documentation from HERBB; plus, other DBR information that the Government will be making available via HERBB."
9/15/1995
41. Are you planning on block upgrades or additional quantities?
Answer: The RFP may have options for additional systems and/or block upgrades.
9/15/1995
42. Will the Lincoln Labs prototype design meet all A-Specification requirements or will industry be responsible?
Answer: Lincoln Labs will meet all requirements of the Prototype A-Specification.
9/18/1995
43. Because of the highly corrosive environment in which the radar is to operate, has an Operations Maintenance and Support technical services contract been considered?
Answer: TBD
9/15/1995
44. Given the schedule constraints, why no separate contract for follow-on?
Answer: We do not understand the Question.
9/15/1995
45. What does refurbishment of the prototype system mean?
Answer: "Refurbishment" means that any upgrades and improvements that are incorporated in the industry production systems will be retrofitted to the prototype system as well.
9/15/1995
46. According to the schedule, the first ship modification is being performed just as the contractor is coming on-line, how will the contractor influence the ship modifications based on the production design?
Answer: Contractor will not influence modification to first ship.
9/18/1995
47. How much money was planned, programmed and spent in FY 1995 on the Dual Band Radar?
Answer: No money was spent on DBR in FY 1995.
9/15/1995
48. Has the Government decided on a program language? Currently the prototype is 50% FORTRAN and 50% C.
Answer: The prototype language is about 50% FORTRAN and 50% C as stated.
9/18/1995
49. Has a Joint Required Operational Capability document been submitted or validated by the OJCS?
Answer: No.
9/15/1995
50. What is the PE Number?
Answer: 31315
9/15/1995
51. Is the prototype planned to fully meet all systems requirements for size, weight, power, cooling, temperature, humidity, shock, vibration, EMI, RFI, human factors, reliability, maintainability, transportability, safety, workmanship? Will these requirements be specified in the RFP? Is there a specification for the prototype and/or production systems?
Answer: The RFP will document system level performance and functional requirements for both the prototype and the production systems.
9/15/1995
52. Please describe the system level testing concept to be incorporated?
Answer: System level testing will consist of internal calibration and test using injected test signals, as well as external calibration and test using balloon-borne spheres and satellite tracks. The calibration procedure will be highly automated. Automated diagnostics will provide subsystem visibility down to the field-replaceable unit level.
9/15/1995
53. How will design changes to the prototype be documented and distributed to the contractor?
Answer: Prior to RFP Release, Design changes to the prototype will be documented and distributed to the contractor via the RFP library.
After RFP Release and before Contract Award, changes will be documented by an RFP Amendment.
After contract award, the contract will be modified.
9/15/1995
54. Will there be a Design Release package, what will it contain, and who is responsible for producing it?
Answer: Yes. We are in the process of developing a list of the design release package contents (system definition and design, fabrication, manufacturing, sourcing, and quality assurance details). When this list is finished, responsibilities for developing the individual documents will be assigned to members of the IPT and their supporting organizations. This documentation will be made available through the RFP library.
9/15/1995
55. Is the prototype anticipated to fully implement all system functions and fully meet all system performance/environmental requirements?
Answer: The RFP will document system level performance and functional requirements for both the prototype and the production systems.
9/15/1995
56. If the Industry Partner is to be responsible for the software for the production versions of the system, will the computers and development environment software be provided as GFE? Or, will the Government expect the contractor to list this as a contract cost? Or, does the Government expect that the contractor will provide these as part of facilitation?
Answer: TBD
9/15/1995
57. Will the operators and maintainers of the prototype system be the same (design agent) personnel for the production system? To what extent is the contractor required to produce training and maintenance documentation for existing prototype design?
Answer: TBD
9/18/1995
58. In what program element number is the Dual Band Radar Included?
Answer: This program is included with other funding in Program Element 31315.
9/15/1995
59. Are there plans for additional units? Block Upgrades? Planned Programmed Product Improvements (P3I)?
Answer: The RFP may have options for additional systems and/or block upgrades.
9/15/1995
60. Which Lincoln Labs division is building the prototype radar?
Answer: The Prototype system is being built by a matrix organization of personnel from Divisions 3, 7, and 9 at Lincoln Labs.
9/15/1995
61. What is the funding line for DBR and how long has it been funded?
Answer: This program is included with other funding in Program Element 31315.
9/18/1995
62. How much money is planned for allocation to the Dual Band Radar program in FY 1996?
Answer: This information is not releasable.
9/15/1995
63. When does reliability, maintainability, and availability become a factor in the source selection process?
Answer: Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability are important.
9/15/1995
64. What does the Government believe are the high risk areas?
Answer: The Government has not currently identified any risk areas as "high risk." Technically challenging areas include the following:
1. Transportability
2. Field maintenance and serviceability
3. Sea basing
4. Efficient adaptation of software from legacy systems
5. High-power dual-frequency feed design
6. Rapid classification and acquisition of targets of interest.
7. Schedule
9/15/1995
65. Will drawings be made available from Lincoln Labs?
Answer: Yes.
9/15/1995
66. Is the funding solid?
Answer: Yes.
9/15/1995
67. Will the Government be using the Hanscom Electronic RFP Bulletin Board (HERBB) to indicate when changes are made to the RFP library and RFP packages?
Answer: HERRB will be used to the maximum extent possible. Bidders are encouraged to visit the RFP Library regularly.
9/15/1995
68. Will the Program Office appoint a program office focal point to handle problems on HERBB that relate to DBR?
Answer: The DBR Focal Point will be Chris Haftel, (617) 377-9448. If Chris is not available, his backup is Bill Jenkins, (617) 377-9453.
9/15/1995
69. If phase array technology provides best surveillance and track resolution, why not integrate an existing S-Band array with existing X-Band system?
Answer: Cost considerations dictate the use of a dish system in the Prototype.
9/15/1995
70. The real time displays do not seem to have components derived from coherent processing. Is this true? Why not? Amenable to such?
Answer: Not true. Displays of coherently processed information are an open option in the prototype and follow-ons.
9/15/1995
71. Does Lincoln Laboratory intend to have a high speed data link? Is there any thought to providing any on-site analysis capability? Possible use of cookbooks?
Answer: A high-speed data link is a potential block upgrade. Some very low rate communications capability is being considered for the baseline. Thought is being given to an onsite analysis capability.
9/15/1995
72. Is the Sensitivity the same for S & X bands? X has a smaller dish. What does " 1 Sec Dwell" mean? Coherent Integration? V.D. Integration?
Answer: See classified information in the RFP library for sensitivities. 1 second dwell implies 1 second of noncoherent integration.
9/15/1995
73. Why is there no Monopulse for X Band? Would be useful for Beta [tracking] estimates for crossing targets.
Answer: Tracking is performed at S-band. X-band monopulse is not being considered due to cost and complications to feed and receiver design.
9/15/1995
74. Have you considered developing a single S Band tube to replace the 4 existing tubes in the Lincoln Lab design?
Answer: The intent is to use Non-Development Items (NDI) wherever possible. A new tube development would adversely impact program cost and schedule.
9/15/1995
75. What are the formats for the displays for the prototype and production systems?
Answer: The displays are X-window graphics displays with the SGI GL library calls for specific high performance functions. Sample representations of the displays will be available to the contractors in the RFP library.
9/15/1995
76. Since it appears that the size of the shelters have been determined could the Government provide design data that supports the shelter size?
Answer: At this time all information on equipment layout in the shelters is preliminary.
9/15/1995
77. Is the Operating System (or Executive) a COTS item? And if yes, how much modification, alteration, and/or tailoring will have been done, especially to the kernel?
Answer: The standard REACT version of the SGI OS will be used. No modification to the OS will be necessary. There may be drivers written for directly connected interrupts.
9/15/1995
78. What are the mass/roll requirements for T-AGOS ships?">"Answer: Total weight for the shipboard DBR system is approximately 110,000 lbs. Information on ship's pitch/roll as a function of sea state is contained in library document "Summary of T-AGOS 1 Class Buoy Trials and Criteria Evaluation Results", T. R. Applebee and G. Answer: Rossignol, NSWC, December 1992.
9/15/1995
79. Will the Prototype include the following:
a. All necessary internal/external calibration capabilities?
b. A complete built-in-test (BIT) function?
c. A complete fault detection/fault isolation capability?
What extent will the above functions be automated? Will the end-item be the same?
Answer: Yes to a and b. Prototype has a requirement for on-site test and calibration. A qualified yes to c. Fault detection/fault isolation will be provided, but degree is TBD.
9/15/1995
80. What design analysis tools will Lincoln Labs use? Will these be available for contractor use?
Answer: We have evaluated Viewlogic for Schematic Capture and Simulation. We are going to evaluate Integraph. We also plan to utilize Autocad for Mechanical Design. Software design tools will consist of IDE Software Through Picture CASE tools and the Code Complete support software on the SGI with symbolic debuggers, call tree analyzers and real-time CPU performance monitoring. There will also be source code configuration control and baseline revision software. All of these items are commercially available. The contractor must include the cost of the COTS packages in their proposal.
9/15/1995
81. What are the total weight requirements for the shipboard system?
Answer: Total weight for the shipboard DBR system is approximately 110,000 lbs.
9/15/1995
82. Please clarify the range requirements for the DBR radar? Is it 1200 Km or 1500 Km?
Answer: The maximum range window to be covered in bow-tie search mode is 1200 km. In the nominal mission scenario this window will extend from 300 km range to 1500 km range.
9/15/1995
83. Why isn't Lincoln Labs using Solid State devices for the power amplifiers?
Answer: A very large number of modules would be necessary to meet power requirements, resulting in an excessive cost to the Prototype.
9/15/1995
84. The X-Band tube was cited as only available tube. Does this tube meet all requirements such as 1 GHz Bandwidth?
Answer: Yes.
9/15/1995
85. What major subsystems and components have already been selected and who are the providers?
Answer: The design is not finalized to the extent of component selection.
9/15/1995
86. Does 1 second dwell [time] imply coherent integration over the period?
Answer: No. It implies non-coherent integration.
9/15/1995
87. Is information available in the Library on the types of waveforms that Lincoln Labs will be using in the prototype?
Answer: Yes.
9/15/1995
88. Are all of the computer interfaces either Mil or Industry Standard interfaces (i.e.., FDDI, SCSI, RS232, Ethernet, etc..)? If no, how/which interfaces are not , what are the protocols, and how are they documented?
Answer: In general the interfaces are Industry or Military standard. There is a possibility that a custom design will be used for PRI (pulse repetition interval) communication between the MTS (master timing system) and its subsystems. Documentation will be provided for any custom design and placed in the RFP library.
9/15/1995
89. Are all of the software development tools COTS? If no, what level of support will be provided? Any software cost tools being used by Lincoln Labs (e.g.., COCOMO)?
Answer: All the software support tools are COTS except for items such as the read packages.
9/15/1995
90. Please clarify in the NAIC briefing why Sea Base [mode] has no requirements for Range Accuracy, Angle Accuracy, or Ship Position when there are desired values? How can the mission be accomplished?
Answer: TBD.
9/15/1995
91. Will the block upgrades include the possibilities of other frequency bands?
Answer: Other frequencies are not under consideration at this time.
9/15/1995
92. What percentage of software is developed by Lincoln Labs? Who else has developed software that is being used? Is any of the software from competitive sources?
Answer: The legacy software is based on code developed at Lincoln Laboratory with the assistance of contractor programmers. The programmers that were involved in the original implementation will be used for the DBR software. None of the potential offerors will be involved in the software development.
9/15/1995
93. What percentage of the prototype is represented by COTS, NDI, New Design? How much is integration and test?
Answer: The percentage has not been computed.
9/26/1995
94. What was the purpose of the survey handed out at Industry Day? How will the answers be used?
Answer:. To receive feedback and suggestions from industry.
9/26/1995
95. How does industry submit additional questions?
Answer: General questions may submitted in writing or electronically on HERBB to the program office at ESC/TNT, Attn: Mr. Chris Haftel, 51 Schilling Circle, Hanscom AFB, MA 01731. Questions of a proprietary nature must be sent to ESC/TNK, Attn: Mr. Jim McKenna, 51 Schilling Circle, Hanscom AFB, MA 01731.
9/26/1995
96. How do I contact the program office?
Answer: General questions may submitted in writing or electronically on HERBB to the program office at ESC/TNT, Attn: Mr. Chris Haftel, 51 Schilling Circle, Hanscom AFB, MA 01731. Questions of a proprietary nature must be sent to ESC/TNK, Attn: Mr. Jim McKenna, 51 Schilling Circle, Hanscom AFB, MA 01731.
9/27/1995
97. Are there standard software packages that the program office is using or recommend?
Answer: The following are the standard office software packages currently in use by the DBR program office:
Word Processing: Microsoft Word for Windows, Ver. 6.0
Spreadsheets: Microsoft Excel for Windows, Ver. 5.0
Graphics: Microsoft Powerpoint for Windows, Ver. 4.0
Scheduling: Microsoft Project for Windows, Ver. 4.0
Database: Microsoft Access, Ver. 2.0