FY20 ST BAA_FNL_21 Apr 20_.pdf

UNCLASSIFIED

SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES ACQUISITION, TECHNOLOGY, AND LOGISTICS

DIRECTORATE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (SOF AT&L‐ST)

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT

USSOCOM‐BAAST‐2020

For

TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

1.0 Introduction:

United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), Special Operations Forces Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (SOF AT&L), Directorate of Science and Technology (S&T), transformed the BAA infrastructure to better align with the USSOCOM Commander’s strategic priorities and vision. As such, the S&T Directorate will continue to evolve its investment strategy in FY21 and beyond by focusing on SOF modernization development efforts that include more encompassing, disruptive technology efforts that are larger in scope and meet the demands of the strategic vision and Future Operating Environment (FOE). USSOCOM will continue making some investments in Special Operations Forces (SOF) enhancements in the programs of record.

2.0 General:

2.1 Agency: United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)

2.2 Program Office: Science and Technology Directorate (SOF AT&L‐ST)

2.3 BAA Number: USSOCOM‐BAAST‐2020

2.4 BAA Title: SOF AT&L‐ST

2.5 Points of Contact (POCs):

Contracting Officer:

Primary: Mr. Ronald Reed, Phone 813‐826‐2732 Email: ronald.reed1@socom.mil

Alternate Contracting POC:

Ms. Leyla Campbell, Phone: 813‐826‐1819 Email: leyla.l.campbell.ctr@socom.mil

Technical POC:

Primary: Mr. Peter Greany, Phone 813‐826‐7423 Email: Peter.Greany@socom.mil

3.0 Closing Date: Unless amended, this opportunity will remain as an open ended announcement from the date of posting through 31 December 2025. White papers may be submitted at any time during this 5‐year period subject to the submission process described in this BAA.

Offerors who wish to be considered for award in the fiscal years 2020 and 2021 must submit white papers on or before 21 May 2020, at 11:00 a.m. EDT, unless superseded, amended, or cancelled.

The Government may amend or update the technical focus areas and request a separate call for white papers at any time during the active period for this announcement.

4.0 Technology Areas of Interest:

Special Operations Forces (SOF) are designed to operate in austere environments and continue to be in the forefront of the United States efforts confronting an emerging reality where any opponent possesses potential for overmatching capabilities. The new “normal” for SOF will be to operate in satellite denied/disrupted environments, under threat of targeting by high‐end military capabilities, including Weapons of Mass Destruction, where the Cyber and Electronic Warfare domains are contested and increased scrutiny is routine. The Future Operating Environment (FOE) is a world of “Convergence”: the point where the gap between non‐state and state actor capabilities diminishes and the threat to force and mission success increases significantly. Core SOF missions such as Direct Action, Counterterrorism, Security Force Assistance, Counter Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and more are not expected to change significantly;

however, the operational environment in which these missions will be executed is changing in accordance with global themes and trends. SOF missions will not significantly change, but the environment in which they are conducted is, and will continue, to change significantly.

To permit SOF to succeed in such a complex and dynamic environment, S&T seeks to hyper enable SOF Operators. The Hyper Enabled Operator (HEO) is a SOF professional empowered by technologies that accelerate tactical decision making by increasing situational awareness and reducing cognitive workload. No single technology will independently make operators hyper enabled. Instead, operators will become hyper enabled through the integration of technologies.

More specifically, the Hyper Enabled Operator will have technologies which permit the persistent, near‐real‐time collection of data; the rapid, automated distillation of those data into mission relevant information; the dissemination of that information to the personnel who require or can best use it; the presentation of that information in easily understandable formats and user‐friendly modalities; the ability to use that information to select, direct, and implement tailorable, non‐ lethal and lethal effects to best meet mission objectives; all while maintaining freedom of movement and tactical invisibility. Thus, S&T seeks white papers in the areas of Next Generation Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Networking and Data Management, Biotechnology and Human Interface, Next Generation Effects and Precision Strike, and Next Generation Mobility and Signature Management to build the Hyper Enabled Operator (see diagram below for a depiction of the HEO concept.

S&T is interested in receiving white papers from all responsible sources (reference FAR 9.1) from industry, academia, individuals, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, National Laboratories, and Government laboratories capable of pursuing, developing and evolving disruptive capabilities that must be made available to the SOF Operator within the next five to seven years in order to achieve mission success in the FOE. In this context, disruptive technology is an unused, unapplied and untested alternative to current technology. It applies to hardware, software, networks and combined technologies. Disruptive technology refers to any enhanced or completely new technology that replaces and disrupts an existing technology, rendering it obsolete. A disruptive solution is intended to be a ground‐breaking technology or totally new approach that displaces an existing technology or approach. SOF seeks to become more lethal, more available, more invisible, more omniscient and more invulnerable.

USSOCOM employs capabilities in all domains: terrestrial, maritime, air, space, and digital. SOF personnel place a premium on technologies that are small, lightweight, rugged, modular, multi‐ use, easy to use, have low power consumption, require minimum maintenance, and designed for operation in extreme environments. Technology designs should consider comprehensive signature management approaches enabling low visibility and clandestine capabilities.

This BAA will sub‐divide each technology focus area into two parts (disruptive technologies and SOF enhancements). The request for disruptive technologies is focused on peer/near‐peer adversary technologies, new technologies that displace existing technology, and modernization of the Special Operations Forces capabilities in all domains. These topics are contained within Sections 4.1 thru 4.6. Secondly, this BAA includes a request for technology insertion and SOF enhancements (also referred to as incremental improvements) aimed at supporting the SOF AT&L Program Executive Offices with advanced technology that addresses areas within their programs of record. These SOF enhancements are found in each technology focus area Section 4.1 thru 4.6.

SOF enhancement technologies will be identified during initial proposal screening and subsequently evaluated separately by the requisite PEO and program office. More specifics on the evaluation of disruptive technologies and SOF enhancements is found in Section 6.0.

4.1 Next Generation Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Capability Focus Area:

USSOCOM S&T's Next Gen ISR capability focus area is focused on automated and persistent near‐ real‐time data/information collection, processing, exploitation, and dissemination solutions, systems, and capabilities to include up and down cross‐domain functionality enabling predictive analysis to augment SOF operators and analysts. Focus is on increasing and enhancing SOF's ability to manage and understand threats and the environment, process multiple data and communications inputs for optimized decision making, and support rapid, on‐the‐move ability to learn and communicate knowledge across a mission stakeholder team to search, locate and process High Value Targets.

4.1.1 Next Generation ISR Disruptive Technology Areas Include:

4.1.1.1 Autonomy‐Enabled ISR/Battlefield Situational Awareness (SA): It is difficult to achieve persistent ISR without substantial manning and networking resources. SOF is interested in automated detection, identification, and localization capabilities to support SA of dismounted personnel. SOF requires the ability to edge process, disseminate and query information in operating environments that are unfavorable to the utilization of traditional networks and computer servers. Bandwidth for information backhaul to computational centers and infrastructures is not regularly available to small teams. SOF small teams lack sufficient personnel manually to process, exploit and disseminate the amount of information generated by sensors deployed throughout the world. SOF desires software applications that are optimized for computing at the edge, automate the organization and fusion of data collected from multiple sources and multiple intelligence disciplines with neural networks and machine learning to recognize patterns and anomalies from various sensor types. SOF desires Augmented Reality (AR) enabling capabilities that provides warfighters with visual cues to identify and discern targets, foes, and friendly forces.

4.1.1.2 Stand‐off Through‐Wall Imaging: SOF routinely enters a building with multiple rooms.

Some are empty and some have people inside. SOF's interest is in obtaining a preliminary indication of where inhabitants are located, distinguish between human and animal, and identify if humans are armed and location of hidden rooms, voids or hiding places. SOF requires the ability to gain situational awareness through barriers and/or within structures. SOF desires the ability to determine the physical characteristics of a wall (depth, rebar pattern, strength of material), presence of individuals and the contents and lay‐out of structures at standoff distances in order to support operations. Other options for stand‐off imaging include holographic capabilities. This area should focus on different form factors to include handheld, manpackable, and large stationary devices, and include the ability to project images that are not real but seem real, and have the ability to develop personalized message campaigns for the image to project.

4.1.1.3 Stand‐off Biometrics: SOF is in search of tactical physical, behavioral, physiological, and/or electromagnetic signatures matching capability. The system should quickly conduct tactical biometrics matching worldwide from a distance of 1Km or more. The system needs to have the ability to both store and upload data, operate both, while stationary or moving, and capable of supporting both overt and covert operations. The systems should employ advanced analytical software and sensor fusion designs to ingest multiple data inputs including but not limited to iris, facial, anatomical measures, gestures, gait, heartbeat, electromagnetic signals, deoxyribonucleic acid, and microbiome recognition. Software designs should consider counter countermeasures intended to mask one’s identity from automated mechanisms. Software applications should have the ability to operate on smart phones. Other options for stand‐off biometrics include a distance up to 8 Ft with the ability to quickly ingest physical, behavioral, physiological, and/or electromagnetic signatures the operator can use to measure response rates, provide a confidence factor, and assist in determining overall campaign effectiveness. Software designs should consider non‐intrusive, innovative concepts with visualization capabilities. Downloaded and saved data should come with further enrichment capabilities such as data tagging, user comments, and synchronization of similar biometrics.

4.1.1.4 Non‐Radio Frequency Tagging, Tracking and Locating (TTL): SOF requires the ability to track a person or vehicle without the use of traditional electronic emitters, or other means that can be detected, to continue monitoring after losing contact with the subject. The tag on a person or vehicle must not be able to be detected by electromagnetic sensing devices, but the user can still get near‐real‐time updates. The tag must not emit an RF signature while in use. The user should be able to retrieve or remotely interrogate the tag. The tag must be adaptable to fit numerous Concept of Operations (CONOPs) requirements for power and concealment.

4.1.1.5 Space Based ISR: SOF requires the ability to perform ISR related missions and functions from space. This includes dedicated communications, exfiltration of sensor data, tracking of tags, collection of RF emitters, geolocation, and optical surveillance in all bands. The preferred path is to develop payloads for standard cubesat/nanosat deployment vehicles. In addition, SOF requires the ability to communicate with their space assets using a device that can be carried in a rucksack.

4.1.2 Next Generation ISR SOF Enhancement (Incremental) Technology Areas Include:

NOTE: PEO‐SRSE has a classified addendum to this BAA announcement to address more detailed ISR requirements. To request access to the classified addendum send an unclassified email to SRSEBAA@socom.mil. Provide your company name, address, cage code, and POC information.

PEO SRSE will provide specific follow on instruction regarding prospective companies gaining access to the classified addendum by exchanging their facility clearance information with the USSOCOM Facilities Clearance Office.

SOCOM POCs specific to this addendum are:

Contracting: Eric Carlin; E mail: eric.carlin@socom.mil Technical: Robert McCaskey; E mail: robert.mccaskey@socom.mil

4.1.2.1 SIGINT: These areas concentrate on RF communications intercept and location.

Technologies of interest should provide or improve the capability to Detect, Intercept and Locate RF Signals of Interest of all types. Platforms and operational environments can be on land, air, sea, manned or unmanned, and manpack based. Technologies of interest are:

Detect:

o Improved reception sensitivity o Improved filtering to include in‐band o Improved antennas to include both active and passive gain o Signal AI/Machine Learning classifier designation for Signals of Interest (SOI) o Detection of electronic devices in room, vehicle, etc. with handheld device

Intercept:

o Improved SOI identification o Advanced signal recording o Improved cellular exploitation middleware, cellular pin code bypass/cracking

Locate:

o Improved Direction Finding capability o DF in GPS denied space o Digital HF, VHF and UHF signals o Wi‐Fi, WiMAX, Bluetooth, RFID and Near Field Communications (NFC) o Provide Geolocation data to the user via the Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK)

Common Operational Picture”

4.1.2.2 Technical Support Systems (TSS): This area concentrates on items critical to mission success but is often not part of the initial design. Technologies of interest should provide improved performance, SWaP2 and ease of use. Technologies of interest are:

Unmanned/robotic emplacement of unattended sensors in denied areas.

Emplacement of sensors via air, land, or water

Avoid detection by adversaries

Orientation of sensor, if required Data Exfil: Technologies that provide additional data transfer capabilities, reduce SWaP, increase flexibility in aerial, ground, underground, and maritime/riparian communication environments.

Multiband, micro‐sized devices capable of transmitting and receiving RF over distances greater than currently achieved

New technologies that provide long distance data transfers in miniature packages, low signature, and are multipath resilient

Data transport devices designed to perform in restricted propagation environments

Data transport technologies to maximize limited bandwidth (e.g. compression, transmission technologies)

Quantum and laser communications technologies

4.1.2.3 Biometrics: This area covers technologies used to collect, analyze and distribute various physical parameters that can be used to identify personnel. There is particular interest in technologies with a small form factor that provides the capability to rapidly (< 2 min) identify personnel, reduce false alarm rates and/or offer novel approaches at short to long distances in all environmental conditions. Technologies of interest are:

Touchless fingerprint capture at near and extended distances for matching against authoritative databases and on‐board watch lists

Facial and/or iris capture for matching against authoritative databases and on‐board watch lists

Rapid, portable handheld DNA collection and processing for matching against authoritative databases and on‐board watch lists

Multi‐modal biometric enrollment and matching device; must include a combination of an iris scanner, facial recognition, DNA, and fingerprint capture and processing.

4.1.2.4 Forensics: This area covers the collection and processing of both physical and electronic information obtained from target locations either forward or within a deployed, controlled‐ environment shelter. In the short term, there is a need to process media devices on or near target locations and enable rapid analysis and target development. There is also a focus on updating equipment that can provide greater fidelity of chemicals of interest forward including but not limited to illicit narcotics, explosives and pre‐cursors.

Media and cell phone exploitation capability:

o Exploit multiple cellular or operating systems without limitations o Conduct cable less exploitation of devices such as cell phones, tablets, laptops, computers, IoT devices, etc.

o Simultaneously collect (image) multiple target devices o Conduct a simultaneous automated search and triage to extract data and metadata based on multiple user‐defined parameters, including, but not restricted to, text, still image and video, time, location, and hashtag value, and compare to on‐board watch lists o Conduct Optical character recognition (OCR), Optical word recognition (OWR), intelligent character recognition (ICR), intelligent word recognition (IWR), and Convolutional Neural Networks and Image Classification of exploited data.

o Create an operator‐configurable output that is interoperable with standard open‐ source Application Programming Interfaces (API) and integrate into current Intelligence Community analytical and mission command APIs o The device should save all captured data in the event of interruption (rapid disconnect).

o Innovative transmission or transfer of large images and data pages over the internet

Document exploitation capability:

o Document exploitation, to include rapid scan and translation of foreign language via on‐board disconnected OCR and OWR; small form factor devices such as a tablet, or mobile device

Chemical exploitation capability:

o Chemical analysis capabilities that are deployable to austere and power constrained environments o Operated in a shelter and semi temperature‐controlled environment o Detect and provide fidelity for organic and inorganic materials o Trace evidence collection, identification, and processing o Small form‐factor devices such as a tablet, or mobile device

4.1.2.5 Tags: This area covers Tagging, Tracking and Locating (TTL) technologies that can be used on persons and objects. Technologies of interest would provide reductions in size, weight and power/price (SWaP2), improved accuracy or new capabilities to the following:

Tags capable of employing Micro‐Electro‐Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) dynamically for periods when GPS is degraded, denied or non‐ existent.

Capabilities that exploit personal electronic devices for TTL.

Capabilities that exploit organic vehicle electronic systems for TTL.

Small form factor (AA battery size) energy harvesting technologies for trickle charge of maritime sensors

Frequency agile tags able to operate at various frequency ranges while maintaining comparable size, weight, and power (SWaP).

Tag on a chip (IC) capable of sticker applications

Tags capable of employing signals of opportunity dynamically for periods when GPS is degraded, denied, or non‐existent.

Tags that make use of various Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) constellations simultaneously

Novel non‐traditional TTL capabilities

4.1.2.6 Sensors: This area covers various persistent surveillance systems and sub‐systems also referred to as unattended ground sensor (UGS) systems, Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Target Acquisition (RSTA) tactical still and video surveillance systems, and indication and warning systems. Technologies that provide additional capabilities, reduce SWaP, increase flexibility in aerial, ground, underground, and maritime/riparian environments of the following

Capabilities that easily integrate with existing SOF systems/architectures and based on pen architectures

Intelligent sensors that alert, highlight, communicate, and process at the tactical edge

Man‐portable discrete intrusion detection systems

Systems that accommodate multiple wavelengths in small COTS applications (still imagery focus)

Swappable/modular capabilities (still imagery focus)

Imagery and video compression techniques

Imagery and video atmospheric distortion mitigation

Sensor algorithms for fusing data from multiple sensors to reduce false alarms

Sensor algorithms for location, classification, characterization, and identification of items of interest

Detection via handheld (cell phone size) electronic scan of small devices, such as sim cards, SD cards, or similar items on a person

4.1.2.6 Enhanced Color Night Vision: SOF is in need of a head‐worn and/or weapon mounted color night vision capability. This capability will aid Operators in rapid and efficient target identification, discrimination of targets and host nation partners, and differentiation of various laser colors/wavelengths for command and control. This capability would provide SOF Operators and Aviators greater clarity during transition to NVG’s during EENT giving them the tactical advantage over our enemies. The selective colorization of image intensifiers will enhance visual acuity in extreme lighting conditions, differentiate laser emissions, and improve identification/recognition of persons, signals, and modern LED lights. Proposed specifications per optical channel may include:

FOV: 40 degrees (+ ‐ 2 degrees)

Latency: Below 4ms

Refresh rate: Faster than 240 Hz frame rate

Power consumption: No more than 150 milliwatts at peak power, generally 120 or less (no more than 40 milliamps at 3v)

Depth of field: Improve over currently fielded equipment by 15%

Starlight sensitivity: Equal to or better than the current fielded Generation 3 image intensifiers. Operational threshold: 2x10‐6 foot candles

Color feature: Colorization of the optical channel is preferable to consistent colorization

Color accuracy: Primary colors must be accurately perceived by the operator. Unique colorization of various friendly and enemy laser wavelengths is desired

Performance during colorization: Must not be degraded below 72 lp/mm, SNR 33, 2376 FOM, Resolution during colorization: 1.3 cycles per milli‐radian

Power consumption during colorization: Desired battery life of at least one operational period of darkness

4.2 Network and Data Management Capability Focus Area: USSOCOM must be able to utilize disruptively new and enhanced existing technologies to transform networks and data management techniques required to facilitate the Hyper‐Enabled Operator concept in the FOE.

The FOE will encompass an increasingly contested and dynamic electromagnetic spectrum and will require a comprehensive approach in order for SOF to effectively operate in.

4.2.1 Network and Data Management Disruptive Technology Areas Include:

4.2.1.1 Edge computing: SOF seeks technology solutions that provide advanced computing to support localized SOF teams in degraded, disconnected, contested or anti‐access/ area denial (A2/AD) communications environments. Data collection, management, storage, and dissemination has become very complex. Edge computing hardware solutions need to be able to process data from multiple sources and sensors to process and analyze such data to further enable SOF operators. Edge computing solutions miniaturized to a very small form factor (i.e. ‐ individual chips) will allow for body‐worn hardware components supporting either individual or multiple functions in a low‐power consumption manner. Edge compute devices must facilitate multiple varieties of evolving analytical software and toolset processing needs. Those applications must include the fusing of multiple disparate data sources. The output must enable the SOF end user with the right data, at the right time, and at the right location. The following attributes are preferred:

Provide low‐power consumption computing relative to existing, Commercial‐Off‐

The‐Shelf (COTS) CPU/GPU hardware.

Support software applications that provide advanced data analytics and visualization tools that reduce operator cognitive load.

Provide ability to compute and derive insights at multiple points within a tactical network prior to reach‐back to enterprise‐level network connection.

Support networking of multiple body‐worn computing chips that are capable of fusing multiple data types.

Technology submissions must finish at TRL 6 or greater.

The ability to conduct face‐to‐face engagement with non‐English speaking individuals with a wearable system that automatically changes the words spoken into the desired language and transversely converts the foreign language back to English.

4.2.1.2 Non‐Global Positioning Systems (GPS) Positioning, Navigating and Timing: SOF requires the ability to maintain accurate Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) in areas where satellite Global Positioning System (GPS) services and other radio navigation signals are unavailable or untrusted. Effective navigation and situational awareness in space, in the air, on land or in sea‐ based environments are critical to SOF. SOF seeks alternative modalities for achieving Assured PNT (APNT) services. SOF operates in areas of incidental or deliberate GPS interference or denial.

Incidental denial includes GPS services lost due to movement into subterranean areas (caves, basements, bunkers) or signal‐blocking environments (urban canyon, parking garage, buildings, and dense urban areas). Deliberate denial includes electromagnetically contested environments.

Capabilities should consider a multimodal approach that combines multiple PNT methods to determine the actual final result. Capabilities should consider advances in Alternate‐PNT devices for mobile platforms that provide options for distributed networks of cooperative devices such as: celestial attributes, multi‐platform based beacons/triangulation (SUAS platforms and services), common timing, and the detection of jammers or other attack vectors. Such capabilities should have cognitive/automated attributes to assure seamless transition when interruptions or disruptions occur. The following attributes are preferred:

Solutions must be applicable to multiple platforms including, but not limited to:

Maritime, Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing, tactical vehicles, dismounted forces, and all groups of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), etc.

Solution accuracy must be equal to or greater than the following: Position error (xy) < 1% distance travelled, Position error (z) < 2% distance travelled, Heading error < 20 degrees/hr.

Technology submissions must finish at TRL 6 or greater.

4.2.2 Network and Data Management SOF Enhancement (Incremental) Technology Areas Include:

4.2.2.1 Information Systems: Technologies concentrate on exascale processing and exploitation of intelligence and information data for global situational awareness and decision support to commanders at all echelons. Software applications will be deployed in a loosely coupled, open architecture that separates display and user interactions from data preparation, analytics, and algorithmic processing. Technologies should provide new capabilities via Application Programming Interface (API) processing of all sources of stored and streaming data. Areas of interest include:

Connecting strategic and tactical Special Operations Forces commanders via near real‐ time collaboration leveraging advanced fused analytics, auto‐correlation across joint functions, and warfighting domains

Application of industry open standards, data quality and data management sufficient to execute advanced computational artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms for shared situational awareness and military decision making

Fusion of real and synthetic data streams enabled by advanced algorithmic processing of multi‐dimensional data in order to visualize, collaborate, and act on unsynchronized and/or synchronized information in support of planning, rehearsal, and execution

Data interchange for metadata, user generated content, and associated data structures and semantic representations to enable interoperable ingest, export, and exploitation by other designated information system or sub‐systems

4.2.2.2 Data Visualization: Multi‐modal interfaces and associated information presentation designs that permit SOF Operators to receive and intuitively understand networked information from communication, computing, and sensor systems. Physical aspects of the technology must not interfere with the Operator’s native ability to see, hear, or feel the local environment nor constrain the Operator’s ability to move.

4.2.2.3 Obfuscated Data Transport Systems/Architectures: This area covers secure communications transport networks used to route information, worldwide, to desired locations in a manner that takes full advantage of the trends in commercially available networks to obscure the originating source and final destination from third‐party discovery. Technologies of interest would provide networks constructed potentially using a combination of co‐location sites, public telecommunications service providers, and public cloud service providers and incorporate threat counter‐measures.

4.2.2.4 Group 1 UAS Payloads: This area covers the ability for SOF to send and receive messages via a group 1 UAS in urban and/or rural environments. This small UAS should include payloads for the following capabilities:

Radio broadcast (FM)

Television broadcast (analog/digital)

Cellular (GSM/LTE/5G)

Internet of Things

Loudspeaker

Sonic projection

Air‐drop capability

Electronic warfare/ electronic attack

Long‐term viability either with solar panels or other energy source

Holographic projection capability

Secure transmissions (encrypted but unclassified)

4.2.2.5 All‐Terrain Terrestrial Platform: This area should focus on payloads similar to the group 1 UAS but with the ability to travel on the ground through all land terrains. Specifically, the all‐ terrain platform should be able to provide several capabilities to SOF:

Radio broadcast (FM)

Television broadcast (analog/digital)

Cellular (GSM/LTE/5G)

Internet of Things

Loudspeaker

Sonic projection

Air‐drop capability

Electronic warfare/ electronic attack

Long‐term viability either with solar panels or other energy source

Holographic projection capability

Secure data transmission

4.2.2.6 Low‐Visibility Communications: This product line covers hardware and software solutions to provide low visibility team communication and situational awareness capabilities.

Technologies of interest would provide:

The ability to have two‐way obfuscated communications between SOF personnel and allied personnel

Allow more diverse infrastructure employments beyond those just found in US/Western industrialized countries including low‐bandwidth and high‐latency disadvantaged communications channels

Disassociation of user signatures

End‐to‐End encryption

4.3 Next Generation Effects / Precision Strike Capability Focus Area Introduction: USSOCOM seeks to study, design, develop and demonstrate advanced technology concepts and materials associated with the application of effects from non‐lethal through overmatching lethality. These technologies may include, EW, directed energy (DE), kinetic weapons, munitions, devices and fire control systems. The major developmental goal is a standalone effects system which gives an operator or platform the ability to tailor the effects directed onto a target, ranging from incapacitation up through and including scalable effects, allowing for a wider range of non‐kinetic and/or kinetic effects on the enemy without increasing the logistical burden on a small SOF formation.

4.3.1 Next Generation Effects Disruptive Technology Areas Include:

4.3.1.1. Non‐Traditional/Non‐Kinetic Effects: USSOCOM Directorate of Science & Technology (S&T) is seeking to develop the next generation of weapon effects and precision strike capabilities.

These next generation capabilities will be focused on potential SOF specific targets during peer/near peer engagements, encompassing all phases and levels of conflict. The immediate goal is to bound the problem by conducting a comprehensive analysis of potential SOF targets and their vulnerabilities to emerging, non‐traditional/non‐kinetic technologies and then determine the ability to leverage these new technologies to effectively neutralize or destroy the targets. The analysis must be conducted at the classified SECRET level or above.

4.3.1.2. Precision Strike: USSOCOM is seeking advanced precision strike capabilities with the following key attributes:

a. Ensuring accurate and unimpeded weapons delivery against targets in any environment.

b. Operator selectable effects including scalable, non‐lethal, electric, directed energy with the ability to set for proximity, near surface burst, target sensing and bounding effects.

c. The ability to engage personnel, both individually and as a group, with scalable effects.

d. Include an integrated fire control system that utilizes multi‐spectral sensor fusion to enable detection, location, and targeting of various items of interest including but not limited to humans, vehicles, electronic emitters, threat optics, lasers, rocket launchers and gunfire.

The fire control system should fuse inputs from integrated environmental sensors and targeting devices and compute firing solutions to aim system effects systems. The integrated fire control system should not be detectable by enemy forces.

e. The ability to positive identification (PID) dismounted and mounted partner forces while operating in proximity to an enemy force.

f. Integration into tactical networks in order share potential target information for rapid and scalable effects on an enemy force.

g. Real time and near real time target PID and location data processing. Scalable; on the individual device, target data pushed to an end user device, and processing via a tactical cloud. Primary factors currently reducing PID range are:

Image quality (resolution, noise, contrast)

Capability of automated threat discrimination algorithms (e.g., AK‐47 vs M4)

h. Algorithms to more reliably detect and positively identify the presence and type of threat should be submitted. Algorithms that address limited training data and can make high confidence assessments under stressing imaging conditions (i.e. minimally resolved targets) will be favored.

4.3.2. Next Generation Effects SOF Enhancement (Incremental) Technology Areas Include:

Develop an Architecture that allows legacy systems to be upgraded in order to process and share situationally obtained information onboard or off board the system.

Expand the role of all Operators on the battlefield by means of using multiple sensors to provide target inputs to the actionable entity. Improvements are sought to increase spatial resolution, reduce noise, and enhance contrast. Examples include optical and geometric super resolution techniques.

4.4 Biotechnologies and Human Interface Capability Focus Area Introduction: This capability area encompasses biomedical technology development efforts to support our SOF medical community and an expanded focus on optimizing the performance of our SOF Operators (i.e., increase both physical and cognitive capability while mitigating the effects of stressors that degrade performance and health). The growing utilization and dependence on complex equipment and unmanned/autonomous systems and the increasing capabilities offered significantly burdens USSOCOM personnel. Human Interface seeks to integrate human considerations with and across all system elements, and is primarily concerned with designing human‐machine interfaces consistent with the physical, cognitive, and sensory abilities of the SOF Operator in order to mitigate this burden. Specific areas of focus include:

4.4.1. Enhanced human‐machine interface to allow the seamless ingestion of collected information and the control of technical and unmanned/autonomous systems in order to capitalize on the opportunity to fully leverage developing technical capabilities with minimal operator focus.

4.4.2. Automation of tasks and decisions suited for technical accomplishment thereby lowering operator cognitive load during combat operations (i.e., automated decision making support). This includes the use of machine learning, artificial intelligence, data analysis, or other strategies and/or technology to increase the speed and accuracy of the observe–orient–decide–act (OODA) loop decision cycle.

4.4.3. Ability to provide eye protection and maintain normal unaided vision while displaying a range of easily digestible visual data with minimal interference to the operator’s field of view or visual situational awareness.

4.4.4. The use of novel, non‐invasive strategies and/or technology to speed the acquisition of new skills, more rapidly reach skill proficiency, and prevent degradation of acquired skills.

4.5 Next Generation Mobility and Signature Management Capability Focus Area:

Introduction: USSOCOM seeks technologies that provide the SOF Operator with improved and versatile mobility capabilities in ground, air and maritime operating environments.

Signature Management Submission Instructions: White papers on this topic shall not be submitted through the process used for the rest of this BAA. Submissions that are signature management related requires 2 steps. First, a general unclassified description should be submitted on the BAA web page and do not attach documents to that submission on the web page. Second, a “read only” CD/DVD or document should be mailed to the address provided below. White papers and quad charts shall be written to a standard format “read only” CD/DVD and mailed to the following address or submitted through secure channels as appropriate:

USSOCOM

SOF AT&L‐ST, ATTN: James Griffin 7701 Tampa Point Boulevard MacDill AFB, FL 33621‐5323 Submissions must be postmarked by the BAA submission deadline in order to be considered

4.5.1 Signature Management: USSOCOM seeks solutions for signature reduction in visual, infrared, radio frequency, and acoustics for currently fielded and future systems. USSOCOM is interested in advanced technologies which provide multispectral signature reduction for personnel and platforms while minimizing the size, weight and power requirements. Technologies that provide exceptional performance will be considered for next generation platforms and personnel solutions. Contractors and organizations selected for projects in this area will likely require active security clearances and cleared working facilities.

4.5.1.1 Electro Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) apertures: USSOCOM seeks submissions for reduced signature installation concepts for a variety of fielded or next generation EO/IR systems.

4.5.2 Next Generation Mobility: USSOCOM seeks capabilities/concepts for next generation mobility platforms that are versatile, increase SOF mobility capabilities and offer reduced multispectral signature management characteristics. SOF is interested in a truly “All Terrain” system that is capable of navigating multiple environments (i.e. mountains, snow, water and desert) and is interoperable with existing logistical systems. Both manned and unmanned solutions are acceptable for submission.

4.5.2.1 Additional areas of interest related to this topic would include advanced materials, hybrid/electric considerations, designs that are able to traverse difficult terrain, preferably transportable within current logistics considerations and increase range/speed capabilities.

4.5.2.2 Maritime radar: USSOCOM seeks submissions for low power maritime radar technologies that provide detection, track and identification capabilities that are lightweight, reliable and tailorable for installation on a wide variety of platforms.

5.0 Supplemental Submission Instructions and Information:

5.1 Submission Website: All Offeror’s submitting white papers shall complete requisite data fields for USSOCOM‐BAAST‐2020 at the following URL: https://www.socom.mil/SOF‐ ATL/Pages/baa.aspx. If you experience problems uploading attachments, you are still required to complete requisite data fields and then email attachments to BAAST20@socom.mil. Subject line of email should state, “White Paper‐Topic Area‐STBAA20‐Company Name.”

5.2. White Paper Submission Process: Interested Offerors shall submit a white paper as described below that shall be valid for a minimum of six months from the closing date of the specific announcement to this BAA. Additional submission instructions regarding timelines, submission sites, email addresses and POCs are provided in this BAA and can be requested.

5.3. White Paper Content and Format:

5.3.1. Format: White papers shall use the format described at Appendix A ‐ White Paper Format. White papers shall meet the following requirements: (1) Paper Size ‐ 8.5 x 11 inch paper;

(2) Margins ‐ 1"; (3) Spacing ‐ single; (4) Font – Times New Roman, 12 Point; (5) Microsoft Office 2010 or compatible format and/or PDF format. The Integrated Master Schedule is not restricted in size. The naming convention of white papers shall conform to the following format:

CompanyName_WhitePaperTitle_MMDDYYYY.doc or pdf and contain no more than 50 characters and no special characters.

5.3.2. Number of Pages: White papers will not exceed five pages. The cover page, quad chart, and Integrated Master Schedule are not counted in this page limit. All pages shall be numbered.

5.3.3. Cover Page: Labeled "WHITE PAPER" and shall include: (1) BAA number and Technology Areas of Interest as referenced in Section 4 above; (2) white paper title; and (3) Offeror information to include address, phone, fax, and technical contact with email address.

5.3.4. Technical: The Offeror shall submit a description of the scope of work necessary to satisfy the BAA stated technical challenges and design objectives. This shall include: (1) technical approach; (2) technical risk areas; (3) design maturity; (4) any other technical data/information to be conveyed for consideration. The Offeror shall identify the management, technical qualification and composition of the research team, key personnel, and subcontractors. The Offeror must address the quality assurance process to assess its capability to successfully develop the technology and configuration control plan.

5.3.5. Price/Cost and Schedule: The Offeror shall provide a determination of the cost to develop the technology through each phase from concept development through prototype proofing. Each Offeror shall submit a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) of the costs based on work areas of development to perform the overall technology development effort. The Offeror shall submit a schedule by major tasks to develop the technology through completion of the prototype and proof of readiness.

5.3.6. Quad Chart: The Offeror shall submit a quad chart following the example at Appendix A. The quad chart shall include: (1) description of the technology effort with drawing or schematic; (2) technical performance required to achieve and complete the effort; (3) costs by deliverable and schedule; and (4) technical resources and team members.

5.4 Technology Development Cost and Schedule: Offerors are advised to consider if the proposed solution meets the following criteria:

5.4.1 S&T Activities: USSOCOM desires proposals that conform to the definitions of Applied Research or Advanced Technology Development. Please refer to the DoD Financial Management Regulation Volume 2B, Chapter 5 for the full definitions. The abbreviated definitions are listed below:

Applied Research‐ Applied research is defined as systematic study to gain knowledge or understanding necessary to determine the means by which a recognized and specific need may be met.

Advanced Technology Development‐ Includes all efforts that have moved into the development and integration of hardware for field experiments and tests.

5.4.2 Technology Readiness Level (TRL): USSOCOM desires proposals with TRLs between two and six. The TRL definitions are listed below:

TRL 2‐ Technology concept and/or application formulated. Invention begins. Once basic principles are observed, practical applications can be invented. Applications are speculative and there may be no proof or detailed analysis to support the assumptions. Examples are limited to analytic studies.

TRL 3‐ Analytical and experimental critical function and/or characteristic proof of concept. Active research and development is initiated. This includes analytical studies and laboratory studies to physically validate analytical predictions of separate elements of the technology. Examples include components that are not yet integrated or representative.

TRL 4‐ Component and/or breadboard validation in laboratory environment. Basic technological components are integrated to establish that they will work together. This is relatively “low fidelity” compared to the eventual system. Examples include integration of “ad hoc” hardware in the laboratory.

TRL 5‐ Component and/or breadboard validation in relevant environment. Fidelity of breadboard technology increases significantly. The basic technological components are integrated with reasonably realistic supporting elements so it can be tested in a simulated environment.

TRL 6‐ System/subsystem model or prototype demonstration in a relevant environment.

Representative model or prototype system, which is well beyond that of TRL 5, is tested in a relevant environment. Represents a major step up in a technology’s demonstrated readiness.

5.4.3 Cost and Schedule: In addition to the S&T activities and TRL, USSOCOM desires white papers that are scoped between $3 to $15 million total cost of development and between 36 to 72 months to complete all efforts required to obtain a TRL of 6 (refer to section 5.2.2 for definition) for each submission under USSOCOM‐BAAST‐2020. Offerors do not have to conform to the cost and schedule criteria outlined in this section but they may or may not be considered for award. If an offeror does not conform to the cost and schedule criteria outlined in this section, the offeror is highly encouraged to provide rationale why their proposal does not meet the cost and schedule criteria and why it still meets the S&T activities and TRL criteria.

5.5 White Paper Review Process and Periods: USSOCOM SOF AT&L‐ST intends to conduct peer reviews within approximately 45 days of the closure of this announcement. At the end of the review, USSOCOM will notify Offerors whose white papers were selected for submission of a proposal. A request for proposal will use similar Review Criteria for evaluation as are outlined in paragraph 6.0 below, unless the request for proposal specifies different criteria. For planning purposes, a notional white paper evaluation schedule is provided below. Future changes to this notional schedule may not be published and are at the sole discretion of the Government.

Per SOFARS Provision 5609.507‐1, The offeror’s attention is directed to the fact that contractor personnel may review and provide support during proposal evaluations. When appropriate, the following contractor personnel may have access to offeror’s proposals and may be utilized to objectively review a proposal in a particular functional area and provide comments and recommendations to the Government’s decision makers. They may not establish final assessments of risk, rate or rank offerors’ proposals. All advisors shall comply with procurement Integrity Laws and shall sign Non‐Disclosure and Rules of Conduct/Conflict of Interest statements. The Government shall take into consideration requirements for avoiding conflicts of interest and ensure advisors comply with safeguarding source selection and proprietary data. Submission of proposal in response to the solicitation constitutes approval to release the proposal to Government Support Contractors.

5.5.1 Notional Evaluation Period: White papers submitted from 21 April 2020 through 21 May 2020, will be evaluated from 24 May 2020 to 31 July 2020 with Offerors being contacted regarding the scientific/peer review results of their white papers in August 2020.

6.0 White Paper Review Criteria

6.1 Review Criteria: The Government will review each white paper and select the Offerors that have the greatest potential to meet the needs of USSOCOM technology requirements. A determination will be made if the Offeror is responsive to the BAA criteria set forth in paragraphs 5.4.1, 5.4.2, and 5.4.3 (S&T Activities, TRL, and Cost and Schedule), is technically qualified, and has a comprehensive understanding to undertake the development of the technology based on the information stated in the white paper.

6.1.1 Importance to Agency Programs: The degree to which the technical approach is relevant to the proposed area of interest.

6.1.2 Technical: The degree to which the technical approach is disruptive, innovative, feasible, achievable, complete and supported by a technical team that has the expertise and experience to accomplish the proposed tasks. This includes an evaluation of the probability for transition of this effort into an acquisition program, a military system, or other military capability.