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COVID-19 Industry Day FAQ.pdf
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SVIP FAQ/Q&A Emerging Needs: COVID-19 Response and Future Mitigation Industry Day
SVIP Programmatic Questions Melissa Oh
Is this open to foreign companies?
Yes. However, awards to non-U.S. entities may take longer.
2. How many companies do you select on average per project?
Usually at least 1, as many as 7, and sometimes 0 if the solutions proposed do not meet
3. Do you have a definition of startup? For example, is an existing small company developing a
the requirements.
new product eligible?
Please refer to the SVIP OTS Section 4 for eligibility requirements.
4. How can universities and large companies provide help with COVID?
If you dont meet the startup definition, please see How to Work with Us for other
DHS S&T opportunities.
5. Can you submit more than one application?
You can only submit one application per company. If you believe that your technology
can address multiple use cases, please ensure that you articulate how your technology
can address multiple use cases within the same application.
6. Are there any security clearances requirements?
No, not at this time. If determined over Phase I that one is needed, we can have that
conversation then.
Is it possible to start at a later Phase?
No, we start at Phase I which is our proof-of-concept to ensure the company can
successfully meet DHS requirements. A company can always propose a shorter Phase I
(3 months).
8. Do oversees companies have to travel to the US?
We ask companies to budget for travel. Please price out travel in the application. We
can always modify the contract if travelling is no longer needed.
9. How do we reach out to DHS S&T if we do not qualify for the SVIP?
Please email us at SandT.Innovation@hq.dhs.gov.
10. If accepted into the program, can you describe the Phased structure?
Please reference our SVIP website to understand more about the programs phased
structure.
11. Will these COVID-19 contracts be managed through a consortium?
No, they will be managed by DHS program managers.
12. Can a non-profit get chosen?
Please refer to the SVIP OTS Section 4 for eligibility requirements.
13. What if we have not taken outside investing?
Companies without outside investment are eligible to apply. We have funded
companies without venture backing in the past.
14. How are the submissions vetted?
Please refer to the SVIP OTS Section 8 for Evaluation of Applications.
15. Do you ever create hybrid solutions from more than one applicant?
It is the companys business decision on who they would like to work with. We will
introduce companies to see if they want to collaborate, but it is never forced. We
encourage collaboration but hybrid solutions are company decisions.
16. For startups, if this is the first time weve worked with the government, is that a problem?
No, the program is designed for nontraditional government contractors with little or no
government experience.
17. If I have specific questions about my eligibility, who should I contact?
Email us at dhs-silicon-valley@hq.dhs.gov
18. Can a large company partner with a start-up?
More details are needed in order to answer this question. Some of the factors that go
into answering this question are whether or not the larger company can be considered a
nontraditional government contractor within the meaning of 10 U.S.C. Sec. 2302
(substituting the words Government Contractor for the words Defense Contractor)
and details regarding who is performing what portion of the work to ensure that smaller
company is not being used as a pass through.
19. Are you accepting solutions being developed by an academic institution?
Please refer to the SVIP OTS Section 4 for eligibility requirements.
20. Can this opportunity open doors to other government agencies?
Absolutely! There is no guarantee but successful SVIP performers have gone on to work
with other government agencies. A major part of the SVIP is promoting our performers
with other DHS components and government agencies that have similar issues in need
of our developed solutions.
21. Can two startups, which meet SVIP eligibility requirements, submit a proposal together?
Yes, but the SVIP can only award to one company. The startups will need to figure out
the work breakdown structure.
22. Will the live event be posted at a later date?
The recording and presentation are temporarily available through the registration site
until we can make them 508 compliant and permanently available on our website.
23. My company is a startup founded Feb 2019. We have received DHS SBIR P1 this year, DoD SBIR
P1 & P2 in 2019 and 2020. Do we qualify for this program?
No, if the total amounts exceed $1M in one year.
24. What was the university research partnership that was mentioned as part of the Contact Tracing
Application Testing Use Case?
Given procurement sensitivities, this information is not public at this time.
25. What if we already have a commercially available product that we would like to propose. Do we
still qualify?
Yes
to balance liquidity?
26. How fast after invoicing can we expect payment? EU can be months. Possibility of part upfront
There are no up-front payments. All payments are made after successful completion of
milestones and Government acceptance of associated deliverables.
27. Can you apply for more than one type of application at a time, if your company has several
products? Can you re-compete if the written pitch was not accepted/'good enough?
You can only submit one application per company. If you believe that your technology
can address multiple use cases, please ensure that you articulate how your technology
can address multiple use cases within the same application.
Per the guidance in the OTS HSHQDC-16-R-B0005, if the application is deemed non-
compliant, your application will be rejected, and you will receive an email notification
listing the compliance issue. You may fix the issue and resubmit the application if the
call is still open.
28. If my company got funding greater than 2 million for a government project 3 years ago, can we
still apply for a new project if we have not met the $1 MM threshold in the last 12 months?
Yes
No.
Use Case 1: Test and Validate Service and Security of Contact Tracing Apps - Anil John
1. Could you address what the attraction of applying to the SVIP?
It is your decision to apply to SVIP. SVIP provides non-dilutive funding, does not take
your core IP, provides mentorship and access to the Homeland Security Enterprise, and
the opportunity to validate the adaption of your technology in an operationally realistic
environment. We expect you to put in the work to take your solution out into the
market and be successful.
2. Would a virtual testbed be in scope?
If you believe that is a viable testing strategy for contact tracing applications, then apply.
3. Does DHS have an interest in accessing the data that comes out of these tests?
4. Will you be helping in the developing and the testing of the policy consideration?
DHS Office of Policy will be a participant in the policy considerations conversation that
will be convened via a separate work stream.
5. Most apps transfer data to a server, do you envision a testing framework that can somehow test
restrictions on the functional use of data anywhere in a cloud?
DHS is seeking a testing framework that will rigorously test and evaluate applications to
ensure that they are constrained to the designated and authorized purpose, and do not
leak, share or in some other manner utilize the data that they have access to either
directly or indirectly to compromise the privacy, security or civil liberties of the
individuals who have entrusted their sensitive and personal information to them.
Use Case 2: Video Analytics for Self-Screening at TSA Checkpoints - John Fortune
There are no hard metrics; any approach will help. DHS is looking for concepts that will
1. What are some metrics we should consider?
help with each subset.
2. Passenger screening or property screening?
As noted in the Call, the capability being sought are focused on people to ensure
social distancing measures are maintained, measure the length of contact between TSOs
and passengers, validate that passengers are properly progressing through the
screening process, and to detect anomalous behaviors when going through a self-
screening portal.
3. Does it include temperature, and heart rate (health monitoring)?
It could be used in the future, but we do not have a clear requirement from TSA. We
may get this requirement in the future but not right now. DHS would like to reduce
processing with less physical human interaction.
4. Set up system of prescreening and then give a QR code to each passenger? has DHS looked at
having different checkpoints based on other known factors about the traveler (testing, etc.)?
There have been a lot of thoughts including offsite screening, we would like a blended
environment, but we do not want to add a new checkpoint.
5. Are you looking for an end to end solution?
The SVIP solution is looking for video analytics, specifically.
6. Do proposers need to address all sections of this use case or just one?
Just one.
7. What is the Name of the BAA mentioned by John Fortune?
Passenger Self Screening: 70RSAT20RB00000002
Closed August 26th, 2020
8. Does self-screening include jackets, scarves, masks, carry-ons, handbags, luggage. etc. Would it
require providing instructions to passengers at the TSA checkpoint whether they are
compliant and proceed to the next checkpoint?
The self-screening concept design was requested under 70RSAT20RB00000002. There is
no
SVIP Programmatic Questions Melissa Oh
Is this open to foreign companies?
Yes. However, awards to non-U.S. entities may take longer.
2. How many companies do you select on average per project?
Usually at least 1, as many as 7, and sometimes 0 if the solutions proposed do not meet
3. Do you have a definition of startup? For example, is an existing small company developing a
the requirements.
new product eligible?
Please refer to the SVIP OTS Section 4 for eligibility requirements.
4. How can universities and large companies provide help with COVID?
If you dont meet the startup definition, please see How to Work with Us for other
DHS S&T opportunities.
5. Can you submit more than one application?
You can only submit one application per company. If you believe that your technology
can address multiple use cases, please ensure that you articulate how your technology
can address multiple use cases within the same application.
6. Are there any security clearances requirements?
No, not at this time. If determined over Phase I that one is needed, we can have that
conversation then.
Is it possible to start at a later Phase?
No, we start at Phase I which is our proof-of-concept to ensure the company can
successfully meet DHS requirements. A company can always propose a shorter Phase I
(3 months).
8. Do oversees companies have to travel to the US?
We ask companies to budget for travel. Please price out travel in the application. We
can always modify the contract if travelling is no longer needed.
9. How do we reach out to DHS S&T if we do not qualify for the SVIP?
Please email us at SandT.Innovation@hq.dhs.gov.
10. If accepted into the program, can you describe the Phased structure?
Please reference our SVIP website to understand more about the programs phased
structure.
11. Will these COVID-19 contracts be managed through a consortium?
No, they will be managed by DHS program managers.
12. Can a non-profit get chosen?
Please refer to the SVIP OTS Section 4 for eligibility requirements.
13. What if we have not taken outside investing?
Companies without outside investment are eligible to apply. We have funded
companies without venture backing in the past.
14. How are the submissions vetted?
Please refer to the SVIP OTS Section 8 for Evaluation of Applications.
15. Do you ever create hybrid solutions from more than one applicant?
It is the companys business decision on who they would like to work with. We will
introduce companies to see if they want to collaborate, but it is never forced. We
encourage collaboration but hybrid solutions are company decisions.
16. For startups, if this is the first time weve worked with the government, is that a problem?
No, the program is designed for nontraditional government contractors with little or no
government experience.
17. If I have specific questions about my eligibility, who should I contact?
Email us at dhs-silicon-valley@hq.dhs.gov
18. Can a large company partner with a start-up?
More details are needed in order to answer this question. Some of the factors that go
into answering this question are whether or not the larger company can be considered a
nontraditional government contractor within the meaning of 10 U.S.C. Sec. 2302
(substituting the words Government Contractor for the words Defense Contractor)
and details regarding who is performing what portion of the work to ensure that smaller
company is not being used as a pass through.
19. Are you accepting solutions being developed by an academic institution?
Please refer to the SVIP OTS Section 4 for eligibility requirements.
20. Can this opportunity open doors to other government agencies?
Absolutely! There is no guarantee but successful SVIP performers have gone on to work
with other government agencies. A major part of the SVIP is promoting our performers
with other DHS components and government agencies that have similar issues in need
of our developed solutions.
21. Can two startups, which meet SVIP eligibility requirements, submit a proposal together?
Yes, but the SVIP can only award to one company. The startups will need to figure out
the work breakdown structure.
22. Will the live event be posted at a later date?
The recording and presentation are temporarily available through the registration site
until we can make them 508 compliant and permanently available on our website.
23. My company is a startup founded Feb 2019. We have received DHS SBIR P1 this year, DoD SBIR
P1 & P2 in 2019 and 2020. Do we qualify for this program?
No, if the total amounts exceed $1M in one year.
24. What was the university research partnership that was mentioned as part of the Contact Tracing
Application Testing Use Case?
Given procurement sensitivities, this information is not public at this time.
25. What if we already have a commercially available product that we would like to propose. Do we
still qualify?
Yes
to balance liquidity?
26. How fast after invoicing can we expect payment? EU can be months. Possibility of part upfront
There are no up-front payments. All payments are made after successful completion of
milestones and Government acceptance of associated deliverables.
27. Can you apply for more than one type of application at a time, if your company has several
products? Can you re-compete if the written pitch was not accepted/'good enough?
You can only submit one application per company. If you believe that your technology
can address multiple use cases, please ensure that you articulate how your technology
can address multiple use cases within the same application.
Per the guidance in the OTS HSHQDC-16-R-B0005, if the application is deemed non-
compliant, your application will be rejected, and you will receive an email notification
listing the compliance issue. You may fix the issue and resubmit the application if the
call is still open.
28. If my company got funding greater than 2 million for a government project 3 years ago, can we
still apply for a new project if we have not met the $1 MM threshold in the last 12 months?
Yes
No.
Use Case 1: Test and Validate Service and Security of Contact Tracing Apps - Anil John
1. Could you address what the attraction of applying to the SVIP?
It is your decision to apply to SVIP. SVIP provides non-dilutive funding, does not take
your core IP, provides mentorship and access to the Homeland Security Enterprise, and
the opportunity to validate the adaption of your technology in an operationally realistic
environment. We expect you to put in the work to take your solution out into the
market and be successful.
2. Would a virtual testbed be in scope?
If you believe that is a viable testing strategy for contact tracing applications, then apply.
3. Does DHS have an interest in accessing the data that comes out of these tests?
4. Will you be helping in the developing and the testing of the policy consideration?
DHS Office of Policy will be a participant in the policy considerations conversation that
will be convened via a separate work stream.
5. Most apps transfer data to a server, do you envision a testing framework that can somehow test
restrictions on the functional use of data anywhere in a cloud?
DHS is seeking a testing framework that will rigorously test and evaluate applications to
ensure that they are constrained to the designated and authorized purpose, and do not
leak, share or in some other manner utilize the data that they have access to either
directly or indirectly to compromise the privacy, security or civil liberties of the
individuals who have entrusted their sensitive and personal information to them.
Use Case 2: Video Analytics for Self-Screening at TSA Checkpoints - John Fortune
There are no hard metrics; any approach will help. DHS is looking for concepts that will
1. What are some metrics we should consider?
help with each subset.
2. Passenger screening or property screening?
As noted in the Call, the capability being sought are focused on people to ensure
social distancing measures are maintained, measure the length of contact between TSOs
and passengers, validate that passengers are properly progressing through the
screening process, and to detect anomalous behaviors when going through a self-
screening portal.
3. Does it include temperature, and heart rate (health monitoring)?
It could be used in the future, but we do not have a clear requirement from TSA. We
may get this requirement in the future but not right now. DHS would like to reduce
processing with less physical human interaction.
4. Set up system of prescreening and then give a QR code to each passenger? has DHS looked at
having different checkpoints based on other known factors about the traveler (testing, etc.)?
There have been a lot of thoughts including offsite screening, we would like a blended
environment, but we do not want to add a new checkpoint.
5. Are you looking for an end to end solution?
The SVIP solution is looking for video analytics, specifically.
6. Do proposers need to address all sections of this use case or just one?
Just one.
7. What is the Name of the BAA mentioned by John Fortune?
Passenger Self Screening: 70RSAT20RB00000002
Closed August 26th, 2020
8. Does self-screening include jackets, scarves, masks, carry-ons, handbags, luggage. etc. Would it
require providing instructions to passengers at the TSA checkpoint whether they are
compliant and proceed to the next checkpoint?
The self-screening concept design was requested under 70RSAT20RB00000002. There is
no
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