Implemented by
| Supported by
Implemented by Capital Consulting Corporation & Kansas State University – Salina, Supported by NIST & PSCR
This page will be updated as new FAQs become available.
# | Posted | Category | Question
|
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1 | 04/18/22 | Submission |
Do I need to submit a notice of intent before I apply? No, that is not necessary. However, we do encourage you to sign up on the Challenge website (https://firstresponderuaschallenge.org) to receive updates about the Challenge. |
2 | 04/18/22 | Submission |
Can Contestants submit multiple proposals? No. Each unique team or Contestant may submit one proposal. |
3 | 04/18/22 | Submission |
I just submitted our Solution Description proposal and noticed an error; can I submit an update? Yes. Updates to proposals can be submitted until the proposal deadline, only the latest version will be evaluated. |
4 | 04/18/22 | Submission |
For the Solution Description submission in Stage 1, what do the Rules mean by “form fields” and “online form”? These terms refer to the Contestant Portal, where you will submit the Solution Description proposal along with other required documents during Stage 1. Contestants may fill out a form and upload one or multiple documents which contain all the required elements. |
5 | 04/18/22 | Requirements |
Can I use technology I’ve worked on previously? Yes. The goal is to develop an innovative solution for first responder teams, which can include work you developed prior to this competition. However, the design must adhere to the UAS Design Specifications, outlined in Table B of the Official Rules. |
6 | 04/18/22 | Requirements |
Is it okay if my Stage 2 build differs from my Stage 1 solution description? Contestants will be selected based on their solution descriptions. We recommend that each team pursue their solution description as entered. Teams can make refinements; however, major shifts in the approach are strongly discouraged. |
7 | 04/18/22 | Requirements |
Why is the drone liability insurance required before the build? Liability insurance is required to ensure that all contestants are covered in the event of an accident during test flights for this challenge and the final live event. Proof of a team's drone liability insurance is required to be eligible to receive prizes. |
8 | 04/18/22 | Requirements |
Can a solution include multiple air vehicles? Yes. A team can implement multiple air vehicles as part of their design. However, the multiple air vehicles must adhere to the UAS Design Specifications, outlined in Table B of the Official Rules. |
9 | 04/18/22 | Requirements |
Do we have to design our UAS parts from scratch? No. System designs can utilize commercially available products in their design. |
10 | 04/18/22 | Requirements |
Can my proposal utilize a commercially existing drone? Not if the drone is completely unaltered for this challenge. An unaltered commercial off-the-shelf drone will not be accepted as a solution. |
11 | 04/18/22 | Requirements |
Are all the requirements mandatory? Yes. The Table B UAS Design Specification requirements specify the minimum accepted capabilities a drone (and the system) must have in order to be an acceptable submission in the contest. There are preferred additional capabilities at the bottom of the table that are desired but not required. |
12 | 04/18/22 | Requirements |
What is flyability? The way we define flyability is the ease with which the UAS can be controlled by a minimally trained pilot. Think of it this way–if you are a brand new pilot, how easily could you fly and operate the UAS. |
13 | 04/18/22 | Requirements |
What should we include in the MSRP? The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) is the price that a UAS would typically be sold for at a retailer. This price includes the cost of goods in the product as well as a typical markup (average 20%). The cost of goods should include any cost that went into manufacturing the UAS including parts, labor, software, and so on. |
14 | 04/18/22 | Requirements |
Does my UAS have to be a copter? No. Any airframe type can be utilized; however, Contestants must show that the airframe meets the UAS Design Specification and is powered by batteries only. |
15 | 04/18/22 | Requirements |
Do I need a FAA Part 107 license to participate in this challenge? FAA regulations do not include indoor operations of UAS, and therefore, you do not need a FAA Part 107 license to enter. |
16 | 04/18/22 | Requirements |
Is Wi-Fi allowed? The use of Wi-Fi for communications between components on the UAS itself is allowed but is not advised, because it may be susceptible to interference from other radio frequency (RF) sources. A wired approach for this type of communication may be more prudent. The use of Wi-Fi for any communications between the UAS and the ground station or the flight termination system is not allowed. |
17 | 04/18/22 | Contestant Teaming |
As a follow up for the eligibility, are US Legal Permanent Residents eligible? Per the Eligibility Requirements in the Official Challenge Rules, "At the time of entry, the Official Representative (individual or team lead, in the case of a group project) must be age 18 or older and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States or its territories. In the case of a private entity, the business shall be incorporated in and maintain a place of business in the United States or its territories.” |
18 | 04/18/22 | Contestant Teaming |
Is there a limit to the number of team members? There is no limit to the number of team members. |
19 | 04/18/22 | Contestant Teaming |
Can foreign teams participate? Yes, as long as the team has at least one US citizen. Contestants are required to comply with the Eligibility Requirements outlined in the Official Rules. |
20 | 04/18/22 | Contestant Teaming |
If I am part of the team, how is the prize money distributed? NIST distributes prize money as a lump sum payment to the official team representative. NIST is not involved in any further distribution of prize money. The official team representative must be age 18 or older and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States or its territories. |
21 | 04/18/22 | Contestant Teaming |
Will I owe taxes if I win Challenge prize money? Please be aware that all cash prizes awarded to Participants by NIST are subject to tax liabilities, and no withholding will be assessed by NIST on behalf of the Participant claiming a cash prize. Please reference the Terms & Conditions in the Official Challenge Rules. |
22 | 04/18/22 | Contestant Teaming |
Can I compete in Stage 2 of the Challenge if I didn’t apply or win Stage 1? Not in Stage 2.1, but yes, you may compete as a Walk-on contestant in Stage 2.2, by meeting all eligibility requirements defined for Stages 1 and 2, and having a fully compliant system. |
23 | 04/18/22 | Contestant Teaming |
Can we put our team logo on the UAS? You are free to design your UAS as you like. However, the NIST logo cannot be included. |
24 | 04/18/22 | Live Event |
Where is the live test being conducted? What are the dimensions of the flight area? Is it outdoors? To provide an even playing field, information regarding the location of the live competition site will not be shared until Stage 3. |
25 | 04/18/22 | Live Event |
What kind of support or resources are available near the Live Test and Evaluation Contest site? Challenge administrative staff members and live event site personnel will share site information and resources with Stage 2.2 winners. |
26 | 04/18/22 | Live Event |
Is the live event open to the public as spectators? Spectators will be limited to NIST staff, judges, Challenge contestant staff and media. Other spectators will be decided upon as we get closer to the date of the live event, and all spectators will be required to register in advance. |
27 | 04/18/22 | Terms and Conditions |
If I win a Stage but am no longer able to compete, do I have to return the funds? Once distributed, prize money is the property of the winner. However, we strongly encourage teams to continue participating in the Challenge as an opportunity to earn additional prizes, receive mentoring and improve your prototype. |
28 | 04/18/22 | Terms and Conditions |
Can we publicly talk about our participation? Absolutely. We encourage you to use this opportunity to publicly share your participation and any stage wins in the UAS Challenge. However, when publicizing your participation, you may not use NIST’s logo or official seal, and you may not claim NIST endorsement of your technology or organization. |
29 | 04/18/22 | Terms and Conditions |
Do I retain intellectual property ownership? Each entrant retains title and full ownership in and to their submission. Entrants expressly reserve all intellectual property rights not expressly granted under the Challenge agreement. By participating in the Challenge, each “contestant grants the Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology, a royalty-free, non-exclusive, irrevocable, worldwide license to display publicly and use for promotional purposes the contestant’s entry (“demonstration license”). This demonstration license includes posting or linking to the contestant’s entry on the Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology websites, including the competition website and inclusion of the contestant’s submission in any other media, worldwide.” Please refer to the Terms & Conditions in the Official Challenge Rules. |
30 | 04/18/22 | Terms and Conditions |
I receive Federal grants or contracts. Can I still apply? As stated in the Terms & Conditions of the Official Rules, “Individuals currently receiving NIST funding through a grant or cooperative agreement are eligible to compete but may not utilize the NIST funding for competing in this challenge.” Additionally, “Contestants may not be a NIST contractor or associate, or private entity providing services to NIST acting within the scope of their contract, employment, or funding or acquisition agreement with NIST which would involve the use of NIST funding to support a contestant’s participation in the challenge.” |
31 | 04/18/22 | Terms and Conditions |
I am in my high school’s drone club. Can I apply? The challenge is open to individuals who are 18 years of age and older. Please see the Official Challenge Rules for complete eligibility requirements. |
32 | 05/11/22 | Requirements |
What's the estimate on the maximum inclination for perching? The intention is for the UAS to be able to perch on an uneven surface. To illustrate, can your UAS maintain level attitude on the 2" end of a 2x4 with the Center of gravity hanging off the end? |
33 | 05/11/22 | Live Event |
Will finalist be given details about the indoor course? Yes, additional details will be available in the future. Keep in mind the nature of public safety response and unknowns are an intrinsic part of any live event scenario. |
34 | 05/11/22 | Requirements |
Are there any drone size limitations, such as size? While there are not specified size dimensions, solvers should consider their design in the context of needing to operate in an unknown indoor environment where entry points and space may be limited. |
35 | 05/11/22 | Requirements |
Can the drone have autonomous capability? It is allowable but not a requirement. |
36 | 05/11/22 | Live Event |
Will the indoor environment include smoke in addition to being dark and unstructured? Fire? Additional details will be provided in the future. However, as a general approach, solvers should keep in mind real-world first responder scenarios related to indoor environments. In fact, it might be beneficial for teams to consider collaboration or feedback from local first responders to ensure that they are responsive to typical scenarios. There will be first responder choice awards given as part of the Challenge. You should also review the official rules and the Stage 3 requirements. |
37 | 05/11/22 | Terms and Conditions |
Will the winning designs be considered for production beyond the competition? PSCR is focused on developing innovations in UAS technology for first responders. There are no additional requirements of the winners following the Challenge and they maintain the intellectual property. PSCR would like to see solvers move to commercialization of their products, but that is beyond the scope of the Challenge. There may be grants or other prize challenges that may be helpful to solvers after the Challenge is completed. |
38 | 05/11/22 | Requirements |
What is the output from this mission: recorded video/telemetry? Mapping of the environment? The main output is the video file and the flight telemetry. There is no requirement to map out the environment. |
Implemented by
| Supported by
Implemented by Capital Consulting Corporation & Kansas State University – Salina, Supported by NIST & PSCR