Smart Manufacturing

• Q&A content is newly published (no prior version). The update adds nine questions with answers covering the topics below.
• Monthly status reports (Q1): Working Group presentations should be non-proprietary; SBIR-protected data goes only in the Government version. OCUDU/Linux Foundation membership is not required but encouraged, and membership cost may be proposed, subject to Contracting Officer allowability under FAR 31.205-43.
• Spectrum (Q2): CBRS (GAA, PAL, or both) is the expected band; other bands need technical justification. Performers obtain their own spectrum authorization. Phase II delivers a cost analysis and proposed as-a-service pricing model, not an operating service.
• Economics KPM (Q3): "Fully loaded" covers hardware, RF design, installation, spectrum/SAS fees, and support. The ≤ $250,000 threshold applies to one-time deployment plus first-year support and spectrum fees; a three-year TCO is encouraged. Performers define a reference plant of at least three cells.
• Milestone correction (Q4): Months 14 and 16 were transposed. Prototype demonstration is Month 14; final design review and assessment is Month 16.
• Use cases (Q5): Confirmed that the representative-site MVP needs to demonstrate only one of two use cases; the second may be validated via RTEC or lab testing, ideally over the air.
• RTEC access (Q6): Any independent testing lab qualifies. RTEC testing should be priced in the Cost Volume. Existing RTEC-validated configurations can count toward the two-combination KPM if integrated into the full stack.
• NR positioning (Q7): An open-source LMF is required where network-native positioning is used (the zero-proprietary rule applies); hybrid fusion is allowed with justification. Instrumented or emulated UEs are acceptable if commercial devices lack positioning support.
• IT/OT segmentation (Q8): Network slicing or DNN separation can satisfy the requirement if within a zero-trust architecture (NIST SP 800-207). Ethernet PDU, 5G-LAN, and TSN need only be documented, not demonstrated.
• Handover (Q9): Intra-gNB inter-cell handover across three cells satisfies the requirement; inter-DU handover is encouraged.

Why it matters: Applicants should price RTEC testing and membership explicitly, correct their milestone plan to the Month 14/16 order, and frame the second use case as lab- or RTEC-validated.

Status changed from status: Pre-Release to status: Open.

Scope, description information changed.

New opportunity: Smart Manufacturing