Attachment_1_RFI_USSOCOM_TE_Event_25-2.pdf

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Solicitation Number: USSOCOM RFI TE 25-2 Collaborative Autonomy Integration Notice Type: Special Notice TYPE: A–Research and Development NAICS: 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Publish Date: Nov 21, 2024 Response Date: Dec 23, 2024, 12:00 Noon Easter Standard Time (EST) Synopsis:

A. INTRODUCTION: Technical Experimentation (TE) 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.

Technical experimentation will explore emerging technologies, technical applications, and their potential to provide solutions for future SOF capabilities.

This RFI is for TE 25-2. This event will occur over the period of one week as shown below.

Dates/Theme/Location:

14 April - 18 April 2025: Collaborative Autonomy Integration at Avon Park Air Force Range, FL.

B. OBJECTIVE:

1. Technology experimentation 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 December 23, 2024 at 12:00 Noon EST. After review of the TE nomination submissions, the Government may invite select candidates to demonstrate their technologies at the USSOCOM sponsored TE event.

Experiments will be conducted from 14 April – 18 April 2025, at Avon Park Air Force Range, FL and will explore emerging technology solutions and revolutionary improvements in relevant technologies. Materiel solutions brought to the event should be between a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 3 and 6. Proposed experiments may be conducted between a half day and two days in duration and may be conducted

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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 TE.

3. Experimentation Focus: The primary intent of this event is to highlight technologies that support the integration of Collaborative Autonomy technologies.

Problem Statement: SOF requires autonomous systems and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies that can collaborate to perform tactical tasks.

Definition of Collaborative Autonomy: A digital network of autonomous systems leveraging AI to collaborate in real time to perform tactical tasks in the joint and combined operating environment with actions conducted across the spectrum of integrated deterrence and capabilities enabling joint and combined operations to deliver a superior decision advantage.

Reference: DoD Directive 3000.09 Autonomy in Weapon Systems

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

4.1 Collaborative Autonomous Systems

4.1.1 Multiagent Coordination:

4.1.1.1 Decentralized decision-making frameworks that enable

autonomous agents (ground, air, and sea) to collaborate without central control, adapting to dynamic environments.

4.1.1.2 Distributed task allocation across multiple unmanned

systems to maximize efficiency and effectiveness in real time missions.

4.1.1.3 Self organizing systems that allow autonomous

communications, information sharing, and synchronization of effort, even in GPS or communication denied environments.

4.1.2 Swarm Intelligence:

4.1.2.1 Swarming algorithms that allow many autonomous units to collaborate effectively in search, surveillance, or reconnaissance missions.

4.1.2.2 Mission planning to include modeling and simulation.

4.1.2.3 Messaging protocols to support dynamic UxS teaming.

4.1.2.4 Fault tolerance where swarms can continue functioning when individual units are lost or disabled, maintaining mission objectives.

4.1.2.5 Ability to operate in DDIL environment and configure failsafe overrides associated with lost communications or GPS.

4.1.2.6 Cooperative formation control for swarms to dynamically adjust formations for optimized task execution (e.g., covering larger areas, maintaining stealth).

4.1.2.7 Performance capabilities with greater than 10 platforms.

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4.1.2.8 Mission command capabilities including C2 performance with greater than 10 platforms.

4.1.3 Machine Learning for Autonomous Behavior:

4.1.3.1 Realtime learning systems where autonomous platforms

continuously learn from their environment to adapt to evolving situations.

4.1.3.2 Reinforcement learning algorithms that enable collaborative systems to improve mission performance through trial and feedback in both simulated and real-world environments.

4.1.3.3 Predictive analytics that enable agents to anticipate the actions of hostile forces and adapt accordingly during missions.

4.1.3.4 Open-source Computer vision software operating on

platform providing detect, classify and identity.

4.1.3.5 Open-source Computer vision software for multi-domain sensors.

4.1.3.6 Edge refinement of open-source computer vision models.

4.1.3.7 Synthetic training data for open-source computer vision models.

4.1.3.8 Open-source Computer vision model explainability and

observability.

4.2 Human Autonomy Collaboration

4.2.1 Autonomous Decision Support Systems:

4.2.1.1 AI driven decision aids that provide real time support to human operators, suggesting optimal actions or interventions based on mission goals and available data.

4.2.1.2 Human machine teaming interfaces designed for intuitive interaction between human operators and autonomous systems, including augmented reality (AR) and voice command systems.

4.2.1.3 Adaptive autonomy where human operators can

dynamically adjust the level of autonomy (from full autonomy to manual control) based on situational needs.

4.2.2 Trust and Transparency in Autonomy:

4.2.2.1 Cognitive modeling of trust to measure and predict human trust in autonomous systems, allowing for system behavior adjustments to build and maintain trust over time.

4.2.3 Shared Situational Awareness:

4.2.3.1 Realtime data sharing between human operators and

autonomous systems for synchronized decision making.

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4.2.3.2 Multi-sensor fusion to combine data from various

autonomous platforms (visual, infrared, radar) and provide a comprehensive picture of the battlefield or environment.

4.2.3.3 Natural language processing (NLP) for seamless

communication between human operators and autonomous systems.

4.3 Autonomous Systems for Tactical Operations

4.3.1 Autonomous Surveillance and Reconnaissance:

4.3.1.1 Autonomous drones and vehicles capable of performing

persistent ISR missions with minimal human intervention, including real time environmental mapping and threat detection.

4.3.1.2 Autonomous systems with onboard AI that can process and prioritize sensor data for tactical decision making (e.g., identifying high value targets or areas of interest).

4.3.1.3 Multidomain autonomous operations where systems can

operate across air, land, and sea, coordinating missions autonomously across domains.

4.3.2 Resilient Navigation and Control:

4.3.2.1 Autonomous navigation algorithms capable of operating in GPS denied environments, utilizing alternative methods such as visual navigation, terrain mapping, or signal triangulation.

4.3.2.2 Failsafe control systems that enable autonomous platforms to safely continue missions or return to base in case of system failure, jamming, or loss of communication.

4.3.3 Intelligent Target Recognition and Tracking:

4.3.3.1 AI based object recognition systems that allow autonomous systems to identify and classify targets, distinguishing between friend, foe, and noncombatants.

4.3.3.2 Autonomous multitarget tracking where systems can track multiple moving objects simultaneously, prioritizing based on mission parameters.

4.3.3.3 Cooperative target engagement where multiple autonomous systems can collaborate to track and engage high priority targets efficiently.

4.3.3.4 Multidomain autonomous systems and components that can provide target location error accuracy necessary to support Joint targeting and aid in target custody.

4.3.4 Counter-Surveillance Detection

4.3.4.1 Multi-sensor fusion system designed to detect, identify, and classify surveillance threats autonomously.

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4.3.5 AI-Driven Radio Frequency (RF) Classifier:

4.3.5.1 Autonomous RF identification systems that identify, locate, and classify Friend or Foe signals, platforms, personnel, or activities of interest using RF signatures.

4.3.6 Intelligent Tactical Communications System

4.3.6.1 Communication systems capable of sensing the

environmental for threats and autonomously adapt to the most reliable and least detectable communication medium, mode, frequency, or modulation.

4.3.6.2 Low Size, Weight, Power, and Cooling/Cost (SWaP-C)

Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) edge devices and supporting solutions to enable comms diversity in contested and denied environments.

4.3.7 Novel Autonomy Solutions

4.3.7.1 New or different technologies that enable tactical advantage via autonomous systems or platforms.

4.4 Autonomous Logistics and Resupply Systems

4.4.1 Autonomous Resupply Operations:

4.4.1.1 Unmanned ground and aerial systems capable of delivering supplies to remote or contested locations without human escort.

4.4.1.2 Autonomous load management where resupply systems

can dynamically adjust payloads and routes based on real time mission needs and environmental conditions.

4.4.2 Collaborative Transport Platforms:

4.4.2.1 Swarm logistics platforms where autonomous systems

collaborate to transport equipment and supplies across long distances, optimizing routes and resupply points.

4.4.2.2 Self organizing resupply chains that autonomously

coordinate between multiple vehicles and operators to ensure timely deliveries even under hostile conditions.

4.5 Security and Resilience in Collaborative Autonomous Systems

4.5.1 Cybersecurity for Autonomous Systems:

4.5.1.1 Built-in cybersecurity features to protect against

unauthorized access, control, or data exfiltration in collaborative autonomous platforms.

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4.5.1.2 Distributed security protocols that ensure autonomous agents can continue operating securely even when individual systems are compromised.

4.5.2 Resilient Autonomous Networks:

4.5.2.1 Self-healing networks that enable autonomous systems to maintain communication and control even when part of the network is degraded or disrupted.

4.5.2.2 Secure, encrypted communication channels that allow for safe data sharing between autonomous units and human operators, even in contested or high-risk environments. These requirements emphasize the key elements of collaborative autonomy, ranging from multiagent coordination to human machine teaming and secure autonomous operations.

4.5.2.3 Anti-jam mesh GCS communications and waveforms

4.6 Collaborative Autonomy Architectures

4.6.1 Portable Software/Hardware Architecture:

4.6.1.1 Platform agnostic software and/or hardware architecture optimized for future collaborative autonomy tactical applications.

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

6. Safety Requirements: All respondents shall review the TE 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 the tech_exp@socom.mil by 18 Feb 2025.

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 tech_exp@socom.mil by 4 March 2025. All frequency questions shall be directed to the USSOCOM Technical Experimentation team at the email above.

mailto:exp@socom.mil

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8. Human Subjects. It is not anticipated that activities being conducted in this TE event will require the use of research or experimentation involving human subjects.

Technology experiment 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.

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 December 23, 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:

Technology experimentation 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 TE 25-2 Technical Experimentation:

Collaborative Autonomy Integration 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 personnel will review submissions to determine whether an experiment submission will be accepted for invitation to attend the TE event.

A complete submission consists of:

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

• Completely filling in the Supplemental Information Sheet (RFI Notice

Attachment 2) and attaching it to the Scout Card. Supplemental Information Sheets are a MANDATORY requirement for ALL respondents.

• 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 experiments.

USSOCOM shall provide venues, supporting infrastructure, and assessment https://vulcan-sof.com/login/ng2/home/government/9509eaf8-9c98-4c80-884b-132fc9ecc2a3

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(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 TE 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.

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 from these experiments may be broadly disseminated, but only within the Government. If selected for participation in Technical Experimentation, developers may be requested to provide additional information that will be used in preparation for the experiments.

Future TE events with TENTATIVE themes/focus areas, locations, ANTICIPATED dates and RFI open periods are as follows:

Number Theme/Focus Area Location Event Dates

RFI Open Period

TE25-3 Human Machine Teaming

Red Springs, NC 3-7 June

January

TE26-1 TBD TBD TBD TBD

Technology developers invited to this event are encouraged to contact each other using the social media through USSOCOM Technical Experimentation. While USSOCOM

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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 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 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 TE 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.

http://www.tinyurl.com/LinkedIn-SOCOMTE https://www.pmddtc.state.gov/ddtc_public https://www.bis.doc.gov/

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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.

Contracting Office Address:

7701 Tampa Point Blvd MacDill AFB, Florida 33621-5323 Primary Point of Contact:

tech_exp@socom.mil

(813) 826-4646