Attachment _1_RFI_USSOCOM Technical Experimentation Event 22-3.pdf

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Solicitation Number: USSOCOM RFI TE 22-3 Technical Experimentation: Soldier Systems and Standoff Through-Wall Imaging 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: 17 Feb 2022 Response Date: 18 Mar 2022, 12:00 Noon Daylight Savings Time (DST) 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 22-3. This event will occur over the period of one week as shown below.

Dates/Theme/Location:

6 June - 10 June 2022: Soldier Systems and Standoff Through-Wall Imaging – at the Emerging Technology Institute (ETI), Red Springs, North Carolina (NC).

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 18 Mar, 2022 at 12:00 Noon DST.

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 6 June – 10 June 2022, at the ETI in Red Springs, NC 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 or higher as stated in paragraph 4.

Proposed experiments may be between a half day and two days in duration and may be

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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

TE.

3. Experimentation Focus: The primary intent of this event is to highlight technologies that support Soldier systems and Standoff Through-Wall Imaging related technologies.

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

4.1 Partner Force location and tracking. USSOCOM is interested in technologies providing the ability to positively identify dismounted and mounted partner forces while operating in proximity to an enemy force equipped with night vision capability or radio frequency sensing equipment. Technology areas of interest include:

4.1.1 Infrared (IR) emitting films or coatings.

4.1.2 Multi-spectral strobes.

4.2 Advanced ballistic protection. USSOCOM is interested in advanced Solutions that will improve the overall lethality and survivability of SOF operators, with specific emphasis on ballistic protection improvements. Ballistic materials could be applied to a soldier’s uniform, protective gear, shelter, mobility platforms and other critical equipment. Operator worn ballistic protection should have minimal impact on the individual’s mobility and freedom of movement.

Shelter protection systems should be low cost and easily emplaced. Vehicle mounted protection includes transparent applications. Reductions in weight and density are critical in all applications. Technologies of interest also

4.2.1 Novel manufacturing processes applied to existing materials.

4.2.2 Novel additive manufacturing techniques.

4.3 Direct fire location. USSOCOM is interested in technologies that provide the ability to quickly identify and locate point of origin for hostile direct fire during mounted or dismounted operations. Areas of interest include:

4.3.1 Active radar-based systems.

4.3.2 Novel sensing approaches to detection of direct ballistic threats

4.3.3 Artificial intelligence/machine learning algorithms to improve fire detection system performance and reduce operator workload.

4.3.4 Non-GPS location technologies

4.4 Visual augmentation devices. USSOCOM is interested in technologies that improve an operator’s ability to maintain situational awareness in all visibility conditions from daylight to total darkness. This interest area includes the fusion of output from multiple sensors operating across the electromagnetic spectrum into a single display, as well as display of augmented reality data. Technology areas of interest include:

4.4.1 Micro ocular projector

4.4.2 Innovative near-to-the eye display approaches

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4.4.3 High performance soldier-worn data processing

4.4.4 High performance head tracking sensors

4.4.5 Transparent Organic Light-emitting Device (OLED)

4.4.6 Multispectral vision enhancement

4.4.7 Digital fusion of multiple sensing modalities

4.4.8 Imaging across the electromagnetic and thermal spectrum

4.4.9 Active illumination across the electromagnetic and thermal spectrum

4.4.10 Tunable, multi-band imaging

4.4.11 Digital image processing

4.5 Personnel signature management. USSOCOM is interested in

technology or materiel that prevents detection of the operator’s multi-spectrum signature by radar, electronic, infrared, visual, electro‐optical, and acoustic detection technologies to conceal, confuse, or disrupt detection and identification risk posed by optical cameras integrated with Artificial Intelligence/Machine Language (AI/ML) driven pattern matching the identity of the operator or his equipment. Technology areas of interest include:

4.5.1 Advanced concepts and materials, blending with the surrounding background terrain to produce a signature devoid of detection by multispectral devices.

4.5.2 Deep fake video manipulation

4.5.3 Biometric collection database of known measures in use

4.5.4 Physical countermeasures

4.5.5 Non-physical countermeasures

4.5.6 Evaluation of varying physical analysis to determine risk exposure (Facial, gait, artifacts, etc.).

4.5.7 Time-delay swap or camouflage techniques on detection

algorithm

4.6 Advanced Power Solutions. USSOCOM is interested in technologies that provide both novel power storage and power generation solutions. Power storage methods must improve power density and more rapid recharge times compared to current battery technologies while lessening discharge rate and reducing the logistical burdens associated with current power requirements.

Power generation methods may include alternative methods and fuels to produce energy, resulting in greater power output or increased field expediency.

Technology areas of interest include

4.6.1 All Lithium battery approaches (air, metal, sulfur, etc.)

4.6.2 Solid state batteries

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4.6.3 Thermal differential

4.6.4 Aluminum Fuel

4.6.5 Fuel cell technologies

4.7 Standoff Through-Wall Imaging. USSOCOM is interested in

technologies to gain situational awareness through barriers and within structures in terrestrial and subterranean environments. System performance characteristics should include sensing through obstacles (like walls, barriers, terrain, or dense foliage), capable of detecting, locating, and imaging a building’s material and layout (wall depth, rebar pattern, strength of material, etc.), detection of personnel both stationary and moving (including location and number of personnel). Technology areas of interest include:

4.7.1 Acoustic-based systems

4.7.2 Innovative radio frequency-based system

4.7.3 Fused or multi-mode sensing systems

4.7.4 LIDAR-based systems

4.8 Wireless communication. USSOCOM is interested in wireless solutions that will reduce the snag hazard from multiple cables on the SOF operator with specific emphasis in a secure and reliable wireless network while maintaining cost efficiency. Wireless devices should create a secure wireless connection without significant hardware change or compromising military communications security (COMSEC) requirements. Technology areas of interest include:

4.8.1 Wireless connection between headset and Push to Talk (PTT)

4.8.2 Wireless connection between PTT to radio

4.8.3 Hybrid peer-to-peer devices

4.8.4 Wireless charging capability

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 20 May 2022.

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 mailto:exp@socom.mil

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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 2 May 2022. All frequency questions shall be directed to the USSOCOM Technical Experimentation team at the email above. Respondents shall not contact the RLM Communications facility directly.

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 18 Mar 2022, 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:

Technology experimentation nominations shall be submitted electronically by creating a Scout Card in the Vulcan system at: https: vulcan-sof.com by the respective deadline.

Scout Cards should be created within the TE 22-3 Technical Experimentation:

Soldier Systems/Standoff Through-Wall Imaging event. 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 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.

https://atlas-sof.com/

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• 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 (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:

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Number Theme/Focus Area Location Event Dates

RFI Open Period

TE23-1 TBD Avon Park, FL TBD

August

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

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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.

Contracting Office Address:

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

tech_exp@socom.mil

(813) 826-4646