Request to Attend NLT 17 May 2023 11:59 PM ET
U.S. Citizens Only
Purpose
SOFWERX, in collaboration with USSOCOM, U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC), will host a series of events to replicate enemy Integrated Air Defense Systems (IADS) for USSOCOM training purposes.
Background/Synopsis
Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO) is the training focus of the Army. The Combat Training Centers (CTC) offer large scale complex training on real world problems in a controlled environment. Enemy IADS pose a large threat in LSCO by denying friendly air superiority and friendly Freedom of Maneuver (FOM). IADS can be targeted in multiple ways to achieve desired effects. The current problem is the CTC visually modified (VISMOD) IADS, used for training, offer only visual targeting exploits. In order to replicate a realistic challenge in LSCO, a complex IADS VISMOD with digital sigatures needs to be created to increase training value.
Objective
To create an electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) capability that can be exploited in various ways to increase training value.
Why You Should Participate
USSOCOM seeks to enter into non-FAR or FAR-based agreements with Industry, Academic, and National Lab partners whose solutions are favorably evaluated by USASOC Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). As such, the follow-on Assessment Event (AE) is considered competitive and solutions will be evaluated independently of one another primarily for technical merit. This serves dually as notification of the intent to research the feasibility of an agreement under 10 U.S. Code, Section 4022 and/or Section 4022(f), and as notice of pre-solicitation activities IAW FAR 5.204.
Event Timeline
Completed Phase 1 – 11 January 2023 Government Only Collaboration Event (CE): Confirmed Government partners will identify current limitations and ideate ways to overcome limiting factors. Problem statement(s) will be developed to frame IADS replication needs. Outcomes from the Government Only Collaboration Event will shape the Industry, Academia, and Laboratory Collaboration Event on 15 March. RSVP NLT 04 January. This event will take place in-person at SOFWERX in Tampa, FL.
Tentative Agenda
All times listed in ET
0800 – 0815: Participants arrive at SOFWERX
0815 – 0820: SOFWERX Welcome
0820 – 0830: Stakeholder Overview & Problem Set
0830 – 0930: Current Limitations Breakout
0930 – 0945: Break
0945 – 1045: Ways to Overcome Limitations Breakout
1045 – 1100: Large Group Huddle
1100 – 1200: Lunch (on your own)
1200 – 1430: Problem Statement Development
1430 – 1445: Break
1445 – 1545: Problem Statement Briefs
1545 – 1630: Voting
1630 – 1700: Path Forward
*Agenda is subject to change
Phase 2 – 08 June 2023 Industry, Academia, and Laboratories Collaboration Event (CE): SOFWERX will host the Collaboration Event (CE) with Industry, Academic, and Laboratory partners focused on IADS replication needs. During this event, Warfighters will interact with potential solution offerors and further communicate operational needs and desirements. Participation in this event is not mandatory, however, it is designed to provide insights to ensure potential offerors understand the problem set(s) fully and to increase the likelihood of matching their technologies with Warfighter needs. This CE is also an opportunity for attendees to meet and form partnerships that may provide a more comprehensive solution. If you do not wish to participate in the CE, you are free to submit your technology on or around 06 July for the AE.
Tentative Agenda
All times listed in ET
0900-0930: Attendees Check-In
0945-1000: SOFWERX Welcome Remarks
1000-1015: Stakeholder Remarks
1015-1200: Problem Statement Round Robin
1200-1330: Lunch (On Your Own)
1330-1400: Large Group Q&A
1400-1430: Networking
1430-1445: Technologies, Techniques, and POCs Submissions
1445-1500: Wrap-Up and Follow-On Event Schedules/Q&A
1500: Optional SOFWERX 101 & Tour
*Agenda is subject to change
Phase 3 – 06 July 2023 to 03 August 2023 Submissions to the Assessment Event (AE) Open: Interested respondents who could potentially provide solutions that meet the needs of USSOCOM are encouraged to submit their capability for USSOCOM review. To submit your technology for potential Phase 6 attendance, please review the assessment criteria and follow the submission instructions that will be near the bottom of this webpage on or around 06 July.
Phase 3a – 19 July 2023 Q&A Telecon: Interested offerors may participate in a virtual Q&A session to better understand the PM’s specific technology objectives. The telecon will take place on 19 July from 2:00 – 3:00 PM ET. RSVP form will be available on or around 06 July.
Phase 4 – 04 August 2023 to 11 August 2023 Downselect: USSOCOM will downselect those respondents/submissions they feel have the highest potential to satisfy their technology needs. Favorably evaluated submissions will receive an invitation to attend the AE on or around 14 August.
Phase 5 – 29 August 2023 to 31 August 2023 Assessment Event (AE): During the AE, selected participants will be allotted a one-on-one session with the USSOCOM evaluation panel to pitch, demonstrate, and/or discuss their solutions. The forum will include a Q&A portion and discussions may continue outside of the event. Solution brief presentation guidelines will be outlined in the event invitation and solutions will be assessed according to the criteria in the link provided below. If the USSOCOM evaluation panel favorably evaluates a solution brief, negotiations for Phase 6 may immediately begin.
This event will be held in person at SOFWERX, but will have a virtual component.
Phase 6 – Path Forward: Successfully negotiated awards may fall under any combination of these categories:
- Business to business research and development agreement as a sub-award through the SOFWERX Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) (15 U.S. Code Section 3715)
- OTA for research or prototype projects (10 U.S. Code Sections 4021, 4022)
- An award under 10 U. S. Code, Section 4022 may result in the further award of a follow-on production agreement without additional competition based on successful prototype completion. The Government may make this follow-on production award even if all successful prototype criteria are not fully met during the prototype project.
- Procurement for experimental purposes (10 U.S. Code Section 4023)
- Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (15 U.S. Code Section 3710a)
- Prizes for advanced technology achievements (10 U. S. Code Section 4025) and/or prize competitions (15 U.S. Code 3719)
- FAR-based procurement contract
NOTE: Awardees may need to be compliant with NIST SP 800-171, Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in Non-Federal Systems and Organizations
How You Can Participate
Government, Industry, Academia, and National Labs
- Request to Attend to the Collaboration Event: Click Here to Request to Attend (NLT 17 May)
- Review the Problem Statements: Click Here to Review
- Review Assessment Criteria: Will be Posted on or about 06 July
- Download the White Paper Template: Will be Posted on or about 06 July
- Complete the Submission Form: Will be Posted on or about 06 July
Questions?
For event-related questions, please contact Claire Hawley, claire.hawley@sofwerx.org