Attachment _1_RFI_USSOCOM_CBRN_RDAX_Dragon_Spear_24.pdf

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Solicitation Number: USSOCOM RFI CBRN RDAX Dragon Spear 24 Notice Type: Special Notice TYPE: A–Research and Development NAICS: 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences Publish Date: 24 July 2024 Response Date: 23 Aug 2024, 12:00 Noon Eastern Standard Time (EST) Synopsis:

A. INTRODUCTION: Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) Research Development Acquisition Experiment (RDAX) Dragon Spear 24 This Request for Information (RFI) is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this RFI is to solicit technology experimentation candidates from Research and Development (R&D) organizations, private industry, and academia for inclusion in future experimentation events coordinated by the U. S.

Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). USSOCOM invites industry, academia, individuals, and Government labs to submit technology experimentation nominations addressing innovative technologies identified in paragraph 4 below. The intent is to provide participants with the opportunity to gain Special Operations Forces (SOF) insight/perspective on participant technologies.

CBRN RDAX Dragon Spear will explore emerging technologies, technical applications, and their potential to provide solutions for future SOF capabilities.

This RFI is for CBRN RDAX Dragon Spear. This event will occur over the period of one week as shown below.

Dates/Theme/Location:

17 November - 21 November 2024: SOF CWMD / SOF CBRN – at the Guardian Centers in Perry, Georgia (GA).

B. OBJECTIVE:

1. RDAX Dragon Spear provides an opportunity for SOF units of action and CBRNE enablers to assess innovative technologies in operational CWMD scenarios. The environment facilitates a collaborative relationship between Government, academia, and industry to inform SOF CWMD research, development, and acquisition priorities.

2. The deadline for nomination package(s) is 23 Aug 2024 at 12:00 Noon EST.

After review of the CBRN RDAX Dragon Spear nomination submissions, the Government may invite select candidates to demonstrate their technologies at RDAX.

Experiments will be conducted from 17 November – 21 November 2024, at Guardian Centers in Perry, GA and will explore emerging technology solutions and revolutionary improvements in relevant technologies. Innovative conceptual solutions can be any Technology Readiness Level (TRL), materiel solutions should be beyond TRL 3.

Proposed experiments will be four days in duration and may be conducted in unimproved expeditionary-like conditions. There is no intention on the part of

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USSOCOM to purchase or procure equipment based solely on participation in the CBRN RDAX Dragon Spear.

3. CBRN RDAX Dragon Spear Focus: The primary intent of this event is to highlight technologies that support SOF CWMD in large scale multi domain CBRN contested environments. CBRN RDAX Dragon Spear themes include:

3.1 Human machine teaming.

3.2 Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

3.3 Robotics and automation.

3.4 Medical.

3.5 Mobility and logistics.

3.6 Decontamination.

3.7 Sampling and exploitation.

3.8 Force Protection.

3.9 Irregular Warfare.

3.10 Large scale, subterranean, urban, night, and maritime systems.

4. Technology areas to explore during the event include the following:

4.1 Equipment (Interior/exterior) decontamination in forward areas.

4.2 Sensitive equipment (Weapons, radios) decontamination.

4.3 Personnel protective technologies (Mask, suits, boots, gloves).

4.4 Biological detection and identification in forward areas.

4.5 CBRN proximity or stand of detection beyond 6 feet.

4.6 CBRN medical diagnostic tools or counter measures.

4.7 Radiation detection or identification.

4.8 Autonomy integration between air and ground systems.

4.9 CB aerosol/vapor identification within 60 seconds.

4.10 Unmanned platform integration with CBRN sensors and breaching.

4.11 Wearable sensors for CBRN physiological monitoring.

4.12 Micro sensors for manned and unmanned sensors.

4.13 Personal decontamination in forward areas.

4.14 Group 3,2,1 Spectral imaging such as (HSI).

4.15 Chemical and biological combination detectors.

4.16 Novel agent medical counter measures.

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4.17 Sensitive Site Exploitation tools for media and intelligence collection.

4.18 Autonomous unmanned CBRN resupply and sample transfer.

4.19 Autonomous 3D mapping outside and inside of buildings.

4.20 Networked CBRN sensor common operating picture.

4.21 Energy, power, or battery solutions to extend life of equipment in austere environments.

4.22 Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality/Extended Reality for CBRN training and mission planning.

4.23 Scalable Tactical Assault Respirators

4.24 SCBA air compression systems

4.25 Negative pressure collective protection enclosures

4.26 Automated integrated layered defense security systems.

4.27 Artificial intelligence object and target recognitions of Hazmat threats.

4.28 Remote operated unmanned ISR from space to seabed.

5. Security/Classification Requirements: Respondents shall not submit classified information in the technology experimentation nominations.

6. Safety Requirements: All selected respondents shall review the RDAX Dragon Spear Safety Guide (RFI Notice Attachment 3). Those respondents who are invited to demonstrate their technologies must complete a Deliberate Risk Assessment Worksheet (Department of Defense Form 2977) (RFI Notice Attachment 4) in accordance with MIL-STD-882E and the Department of the Army Techniques Publication No. 5-19 (ATP 5-19). Risk assessments shall be emailed directly to RDAX@socom.onmicrosoft.com by 1 November 2024. Respondents should include instructions that describe the safe operation of the device nominated for the experiment.

7. Frequency Requirements: If your experiment will be radiating on a given frequency or frequency band, you must have prior approval to transmit on that frequency. Prior approval includes compliance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Title 47, Part 15, or a Special Temporary Authority (STA) from the FCC. You must have National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) frequency approval if your experiment includes Government-owned equipment, and you will be operating within a Federal Band. Respondents are advised to not wait for confirmation of selection/invitation to the event before requesting a STA from the FCC. Your authority to radiate must be emailed directly to RDAX@socom.onmicrosoft.comby 1 November 2024. All frequency questions shall be directed to the USSOCOM RDAX Dragon Spear team at the email above.

Respondents shall not contact the Guardian Centers unless directed.

8. Human Subjects. Activities being conducted in RDAX Dragons Spear 24 event will require the use of research or experimentation involving human subjects. RDAX submissions will be reviewed for potential research or experimentation involving human subjects. Any submission that is determined to potentially include research or mailto:RDAX@socom.onmicrosoft.com

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experimentation involving human subjects will be required to adhere to DoD Instruction

3216.02 “Protection of Human Subjects and Adherence to Ethical Standards in DoD Supported Research” and ensure appropriate Institutional Review Board and DoD Human Research Protections Office approvals prior to conducting those activities.

9. Other Special Requirements: DO NOT SUBMIT PROPOSALS OR MARKETING

DEMONSTRATIONS. SUBMIT TECHNOLOGY EXPERIMENTATION NOMINATIONS

ONLY. EXPERIMENTATION NOMINATION SUBMITTALS FOR THIS RFI WILL ONLY

BE ACCEPTED UNTIL THE CLOSING DATE OF 23 Aug 2024, 12:00 Noon EST, for the requirements stated above. No contracts will be awarded based solely on this announcement or any subsequent supplemental RFI announcements.

C. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:

RDAX Dragon Spear 24 nominations shall be submitted electronically by creating a Scout Card in the Vulcan system at:vulcan-sof.com by the respective deadline. Scout Cards should be created within the RDAX Dragon Spear 24 collection. The Vulcan system is best accessed by using Firefox or Google Chrome browsers. Associated technology experiments with distinctly different uses or applications should have a separate nomination submitted by each respondent. USSOCOM SOF CBRN personnel will review submissions to determine whether an experiment submission will be accepted for invitation to attend the RDAX event.

A complete submission consists of:

• Creating a Scout Card in the Vulcan system as described above.

• Completely filling in the Supplemental Sheet (RFI Notice Attachment 2) and attaching it to the Scout Card.

• Devices with radio frequency emissions must state the intended frequency or frequencies used by the device(s).

• An FCC STA, Experimental License, or NTIA document (for developmental radio frequency emitting devices). If neither is available at the time of submission, provide status of your FCC/NTIA request.

• Instructions on how to safely use the technology (as needed).

• If applicable, a picture of the device with a short description of the size (shows the dimensions or places the device next to a ruler, currency, or man-sized object for comparison).

• A signed Photo Release (RFI Attachment 5).

• A completed Quad Chart (RFI Attachment 6).

Selected respondents will be invited to participate in USSOCOM with partner experiments. USSOCOM and partners shall provide venues, supporting infrastructure, and assessment (operational and technical, based on availability of resources and written request as discussed above) personnel at no cost to invited respondent(s). All https://vulcan-sof.com/login/ng2/home/government/9509eaf8-9c98-4c80-884b-132fc9ecc2a3

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respondents’ submission costs, travel costs, technology experiments, and experimentation associated costs will be at the respondents’ expense. The CBRN RDAX Dragon Spear venue will only provide basic access to training areas or ranges (if approved and applicable) to conduct experiments, a facility to connect to the internet, basic venue infrastructure including frequency coordination/deconfliction, and shore power. Invited respondents must be prepared to be self-sufficient during the execution of their experiments and not dependent on venue resources.

Time and space will be made available for technology developers to conduct real-time modifications and updates to technologies. Technology developers are advised to bring all tools and equipment necessary to present/operate their technology at the event.

D. BASIS FOR SELECTION TO PARTICIPATE:

Selection of respondents to participate shall be based on the extent to which the technology represents a potential capability increase to SOF in CBRN contested environments.

Other considerations include:

• Technical maturity

• Relevance of or adaptability to military operations/missions

• Relevance to current operational needs

• Relevance to Event Focus Area

E. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: All efforts shall be made to protect proprietary information that is clearly marked in writing. Lessons learned by USSOCOM and partners from these experiments may be broadly disseminated, but only within the Government. If selected for participation in CBRN RDAX Dragon Spear, developers may be requested to provide additional information that will be used in preparation for the experiments.

Technology developers invited to this event are encouraged to contact each other using the social media through USSOCOM Technical Experimentation. While USSOCOM Technical Experimentation has access to several social media, the preferred collaboration social media link is LinkedIn www.tinyurl.com/LinkedIn-SOCOMTE.

F. USE OF INFORMATION: The purpose of this notice is to gain information leading to Government/Industry collaboration for development of USSOCOM and partners technology capabilities and to assist in accelerating the delivery of these capabilities to the SOF warrior. All proprietary information contained in the submission and technology experimentation shall be appropriately marked. The Government will not use proprietary information submitted from any one firm to establish future capability and requirements.

During the event USSOCOM may broadcast technology experiments via video-teleconference back to USSOCOM and/or their operational components. Respondents to this RFI shall review and submit the photography approval form at Attachment 5.

http://www.tinyurl.com/LinkedIn-SOCOMTE

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G. SPECIAL NOTICE:

1. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) or contractor consultant/advisors to the Government will review and provide support during evaluation of submittals. When appropriate, non-Government advisors may be used to objectively review a particular functional area and provide comments and recommendations to the Government. All advisors shall comply with procurement integrity laws and shall sign non-disclosure statements. The Government shall take into consideration requirements for avoiding conflicts of interest and ensure advisors comply with safeguarding proprietary data. Submission in response to this RFI constitutes approval to release the submittal to approved Government support contractors.

2. There will be foreign attendees (military, government, or industry partners), who are interested in the capabilities being demonstrated at the CBRN RDAX Dragon Spear event. Respondents are ultimately responsible for complying with all International Trafficking in Arms (ITAR) /Export Administration Regulations (EAR) requirements associated with their equipment. Before declaring their ITAR/EAR status, respondents to this RFI should verify the ITAR/EAR status of their technology by visiting the US Department of State Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (ITAR) website at:

(https://www.pmddtc.state.gov/ddtc_public) and the US Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security website (https://www.bis.doc.gov/) for more information on Export Administration Regulations (EAR). USSOCOM event organizers will restrict access as necessary to assist in protecting ITAR/EAR related technology demonstrations.

H. Per Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.215-3, Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997):

1. The Government does not intend to award a contract based on this RFI notice or to otherwise pay for the information.

2. Although "proposal" and "respondent" are used in this RFI, your responses will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal.

3. In accordance with FAR 15.209(c), the purpose of this RFI is to solicit technology experimentation candidates from research and development organizations, private industry, and academia for inclusion in future experimentation events coordinated by

USSOCOM.

Office Address:

USSOCOM J10-38 Operations Division, Capabilities Branch 7701 Tampa Point Blvd MacDill AFB, Florida 33621-5323 Primary Point of Contact:

RDAX@socom.onmicrosoft.com alberto.rios2.mil@socom.mil

(813) 826-2670 https://www.pmddtc.state.gov/ddtc_public https://www.bis.doc.gov/ mailto:alberto.rios2.mil@socom.mil