Attachment _1_RFI_USSOCOM_RDAX_Dragon_Spear_23.pdf

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Solicitation Number: USSOCOM Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) RFI Research Development Acquisition Experiment (RDAX) Dragon Spear 23 Event:

SOF CWMD / SOF CBRN

Notice Type: Special Notice TYPE: A–Research and Development NAICS: 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences.

Publish Date: 08 August 2023 Response Date: 08 September 2023, 12:00 Noon Daylight Savings Time (DST) Synopsis:

A. INTRODUCTION: CBRN RDAX Dragon Spear 23 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) and partners. USSOCOM and partners 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. The intent of RDAX Dragon Spear outreach is to communicate, inform, and collaborate with stakeholders in the technology transfer community as called for in Department of Defense Instruction 5535.8 DoD Domestic Technology Transfer (T2) program.

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

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

Dates/Theme/Location:

22 October - 26 October 2023: SOF CWMD / SOF CBRN – at the Army Reserve Center Fort Story, Virginia (VA).

B. OBJECTIVE:

1. RDAX Dragon Spear events provide an opportunity for technology developers to interact with operational personnel to determine how their technology development efforts and ideas may support or enhance SOF capability needs. The environment facilitates a collaborative relationship between Government, academia, and industry to promote the identification and assessment of emerging technologies.

2. The deadline for nomination package(s) is 08 September, 2023 at 12:00 Noon DST. After review of the RDAX Dragon Spear nomination submissions, the Government may invite select candidates to demonstrate their technologies at RDAX, see paragraph D below. Experiments will be conducted from 22 October – 26 October

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2023, in Fort Story, VA and will explore emerging technology solutions and revolutionary improvements in relevant technologies. Conceptual solutions can be any Technology Readiness Level (TRL), but materiel solutions should be beyond TRL 3.

Proposed experiments will be three days in duration and may be conducted in unimproved expeditionary-like conditions. There is no intention on the part of USSOCOM to purchase or procure equipment based solely on participation in the RDAX Dragon Spear.

3. 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. RDAX Dragon Spear themes include:

3.1. Integrated human machine teaming.

3.2. Reconnaissance and surveillance systems.

3.3. Unmanned and automated systems for detection and mitigation.

3.4. CBRN medical countermeasures.

3.5. Large scale, subterranean, urban, night, and maritime environments.

3.6. Decontamination efficiency.

3.7. CBRN sample processing and transfer.

3.8. CBRN intelligence exploitation.

3.9. Mobility of CBRN casualties.

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

4.1. Equipment decontamination in forward areas.

4.2. Sensitive equipment (Weapons, radios) decontamination.

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

4.4. Biological sequencing detection and identification far forward.

4.5. CBRN proximity or stand of detection beyond 6 feet.

4.6. CBRN medical diagnostic tools.

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.

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4.14. Spectral imaging such as (HSI)

4.15. Chemical and biological combination detectors.

4.16. Novel agent medical counter measure reactivator of acetylcholinesterase.

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 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. USSOCOM is seeking subject matter expertise and technology solutions that are developing content for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in the field and in near real time (seconds/minutes/hours) simulating CBRN contested environments. Often when AR and VR are combined it is referred to as Mixed Reality (MR) and/or Extended Reality (XR). EXAMPLE: During the event several items ranging from an electronic component to an aircraft can be captured (scanning/photo/video/other?) to produce a 3d image, point cloud, model, other. Be able to manipulate those media for required end products as needed. Experimentation metrics are difficulty of use, speed, media size, integration to human interface applications, flexibility throughout the process from physical (original) item to digital content and model and then back to physical model via additive manufacturing.

4.22.1 Create digital content from physical form to AR/VR environment quickly by users. Content can be geographic areas (buildings, neighborhoods, towns) or singular objects (small/medium/large).

Expected tradeoffs in quality, speed, and size to be included in experimentation plans. Technology would be used for CBRN mission planning and CBRN after action reviews.

4.22.1.1 Stand alone and/or enterprise photogrammetry tools and solutions.

4.22.1.2 LiDAR/Other tools and solutions.

4.22.1.3 Laser scanning.

4.22.1.4 Enterprise digital engineering tools and solutions; Computer

Aided Design (CAD), blueprints, drawings to AR/VR/MR/XR environments for collaboration and/or manipulation.

4.22.2 Content management tools and solutions for AR/VR/MR/XR capture, development, and operations using industry standards in an enterprise environment.

4.22.2.1 Assuming multiple phases of content any system, architecture, or components supporting gather, create, distribute, and organize the content in defined processes.

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4.22.2.2 Streaming services, app stores, VR device management, Kiosk modes.

4.22.2.3 Training/Learning platforms.

4.22.3 Modeling and simulation of military CBRN specific capability.

4.22.3.1 Radio Frequency for sensing and communications

4.22.3.2 Weapon Systems

4.22.3.3 Military platforms and vehicles

4.22.3.4 Surveillance and Reconnaissance sensors

4.22.4 The latest commercial hardware and software

4.22.4.1 Vive XR Elite

4.22.4.2 Other?

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 alberto.rios2.mil@socom.mil by 2 October 2023. 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 alberto.rios2.mil@socom.mil by 2 October 2023. All frequency questions shall be directed to the USSOCOM RDAX Dragon Spear team at the email above.

Respondents shall not contact the Fort Story Range Control unless directed.

8. Human Subjects. Activities being conducted in RDAX Dragons Spear 23 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 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.

mailto:alberto.rios2.mil@socom.mil mailto:alberto.rios2.mil@socom.mil

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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 08 September 2023, 12:00 Noon DST, 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 23 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 23. 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).

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 respondents’ submission costs, travel costs, technology experiments, and experimentation associated costs will be at the respondents’ expense. The 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.

https://vulcan-sof.com/login/ng2/home/government/9509eaf8-9c98-4c80-884b-132fc9ecc2a3

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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 CWMD 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 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.

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

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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 RDAX Dragon Spear event.

United States based 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. ITAR regulations do not apply to non-US based companies.

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 CWM SOF Cell- CBRN 7701 Tampa Point Blvd MacDill AFB, Florida 33621-5323 Primary Point of Contact:

alberto.rios2.mil@socom.mil

(813) 826-2670 https://www.pmddtc.state.gov/ddtc_public https://www.bis.doc.gov/