RFI-ACT-SACT-16-75.pdf

HQ Supreme Allied Commander Transformation

RFI-ACT-SACT-16-75

Headquarters Supreme Allied Commander Transformation Norfolk Virginia

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

This document contains a Request for Information (RFI) Call for Industry and Academia views on emerging technologies, most specifically pertaining to C4ISR (computing, sensing, data analysis, connectivity, etc.) and Logistics/Sustainment (adaptive manufacturing, autonomous delivery, tracking, predictive analysis, etc.)Suppliers wishing to respond to this RFI should read this document carefully and follow the guidance for responding.

General Information

Request For Information No. 16-75

Project Title Call for Industry and Academia views on emerging technologies, most specifically pertaining to C4ISR (computing, sensing, data analysis, connectivity, etc.) and Logistics/Sustainment (adaptive manufacturing, autonomous delivery, tracking, predictive analysis, etc)

Due date for submission of requested information

October 26, 2016

Contracting Office Address NATO, HQ Supreme Allied Commander Transformation

(SACT)

Purchasing & Contracting Suite 100 7857 Blandy Rd, Norfolk, VA, 23511-2490

Contracting Points of Contact 1. Ms Tonya Bonilla e-mail : tonya.bonilla@act.nato.int Tel : +1 757 747 3575

2. Ms Catherine Giglio e-mail : catherine.giglio@act.nato.int Tel :+1 757 747 3856

Technical Points of Contact 1. CAPT Mark Stoops, e-mail : mark.stoops@act.nato.int Tel : +1 757 747 3607

2. Mr. David Beckwith e-mail : david.beckwith@act.nato.int Tel :+1 757 747 3502 mailto:tonya.bonilla@act.nato.int mailto:curtis.day@act.nato.int mailto:mark.stoops@act.nato.int mailto:david.beckwith@act.nato.int

SECTION I - INTRODUCTION

1.1 Summary. HQ Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (HQ SACT) is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) announcement in order to facilitate information exchange between the 2016 Chiefs of Transformation Conference (COTC) and industry/academia regarding future technology. This engagement herein referred to as 2016 COTC TECH TALKS and further described in Section III, will take place on 15 December 2016 within the NATO HQ SACT main gallery, and will complement the COTC Scenario Based Discussions.

The 2016 COTC TECH TALKS aim to provide an unthreatening and intimate setting for the Chiefs of Transformation (COTs) to learn from industry/academia about emerging and future technologies and their likely impact on future military considerations.

1.2 Disclaimer. This is a Request for Information (RFI) only, and in no way constitutes a current Request for Proposal (RFP) or a commitment to issue a future RFP. The purpose of this RFI is to involve industry/academia, through collaboration, in the 15 December 2016 COTC TECH TALKS. HQ SACT has not made a commitment to procure any of the items described herein, and release of this RFI shall not be construed as such a commitment, nor as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement will be required or sought.

Further, respondents are advised that HQ SACT will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in responding to this RFI. The costs for responding to this RFI shall be borne solely by the responding party. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any subsequent RFP if issued in the future.

SECTION II – CONSTRAINTS

2.1 ACT has implemented a Framework for Collaborative Interaction (FFCI) to increase opportunities for industry and academia to contribute to ACT capability development efforts through collaborative work. Such collaboration enables HQ SACT, and NATO as a whole, to benefit from industry/academia models, advice, capabilities and experience in the course of this work. In addition to the benefits ACT gains from such projects, this collaborative effort will provide industry/academia with an improved understanding of NATO’s capability requirements and the associated issues and development challenges to be addressed by ACT. Potential collaborative projects are on specific topics that are of mutual interest to both parties but shall be restricted to collaborations in non-procurement areas. Several mechanisms have been developed already to support the initiation of collaborative projects between industry/academia and ACT, ranging from informal information exchanges, workshops, a n d studies to more extensive collaboration on research and experimentation.

2.2 Depending on the level and type of interaction needed for a collaborative project, a specific agreement may be needed between parties. The FFCI agreement for any specific project, if required by either party for the project to proceed, will range from “Non-disclosure Agreements” (NDA) for projects involving exchange of specific information to more extensive “Declaration of Mutual Collaboration” (DOMC) to address intellectual property and other issues. For the topics listed below, it is not envisaged that the level of contribution will be such that RFI respondents will wish to sign a NDA before entering into any significant collaborative work.

2.3 More extensive information on the ACT FFCI initiative can be found on the ACT web site being developed to support FFCI projects at http://www.act.nato.int/ffci.

http://www.act.nato.int/ffci

2.4 ACT, as the driving agent of transformation for NATO, supports the 2016 COTC TECH TALKS. The collaborative interaction sought is focused on informal information exchange during the 2016 COTC TECH TALKS on 15 December 2016. RFI respondents would be willing to share their technical knowledge, expertise, and observations with NATO COTC members and other attendees participating in COTC.

SECTION III - DESCRIPTION OF THE 2016 COTC TECH TALKS

3.1 Background. The COTC is an annual forum for invited Chiefs of Transformation and other stakeholders to interact and collaborate with senior leaders from ACT in areas aimed at strengthening the NATO Alliance and improving interoperability.

3.2 Objectives. This year the COTC will incorporate Scenario Based Discussions on 15 December (day two of the conference). These discussions will be enhanced by TECH TALKS, which will take place in the NATO HQ SACT main gallery. The 2016 COTC TECH TALKS will aim to provide an unthreatening and intimate setting for our Chiefs of Transformation to learn from industry/academia about emerging and future technologies and their likely impact on the military.

3.2 2016 Tech Talk Structure. The 2016 COTC TECH TALKS are focused on the twenty-eight NATO Nations’ Chiefs of Transformation (Flag and General Officers) taking part in a Scenario Based Discussion on the morning of Thursday, 15 December. There will be three (3) separate opportunities for industry/academia to TECH TALKS to the 28 Chiefs of Transformation. There will be additional opportunities for TECH TALKS with a group of 120+ supporting staff officers to include Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel, or equivalent. The intent is to introduce new and emerging technologies that fit within two categories:

a. Category 1 (Logistics and Sustainment). Examples of pertinent technology included:

autonomous delivery vehicles, adaptive manufacturing, energy, tracking, analysis, etc.

b. Category 2 (C4ISRl). Examples of pertinent technology include cloud data management, cognitive computing, communication & connectivity, big data analysis, surveillance, etc.

3.3 Expected input from industry/academia. Industry/academia will have on hand relevant materials that will bring to life an area of expertise and create a tangible learning environment for our Chiefs of Transformation about future technologies.

3.4 Expected benefits to industry/academia. Through this collaboration, ACT, as the driving agent of transformation for NATO, expects that industry/academia will be provided an opportunity to engage with senior military leadership from 28 nations and gain a better understanding of military trends. Participants (up to 3 from each organisation) are welcome to attend the conference at no charge.

3.5 Other. ACT will provide a pop-up exhibit wall/backdrop from which the industry/academia discussion will be presented. This backdrop, designed by ACT personnel, will thematically link the TECH TALK topic and Category to the Scenario Based Discussions theme.

SECTION IV - REQUESTED INFORMATION

4.1 Intent. The intent of this RFI is to call for formal collaboration with industry/academia in order to present future technologies relevant (Category 1 or Category 2) to the Alliance within the 2016 COTC TECH TALKS.

4.2 Answers to the RFI. The answers to this RFI should be submitted by email and must contain detailed information on technologies and how the responder envisages collaborating on the issues herein mentioned. References to any existing available materials or documentation that can serve to determine the level of expertise of the responder are welcome.

4.3 Follow-on. Post-submission, selected RFI respondents may be contacted to provide detailed information on their proposals.

4.4 Handling of Proprietary information. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and clearly marked as such. Please be advised that all submissions become HQ SACT property and will not be returned.

4.5 Questions. Questions of a technical nature about this RFI announcement shall be submitted by e-mail solely to the above-mentioned POCs. Accordingly, questions in an e-mail shall not contain proprietary and/or classified information. HQ SACT does not guarantee that questions received after 27 October 2016 will be answered. Answers will be posted on the HQ SACT P&C website at: www.act.nato.int/contracting-procurements.

4.6 Response Date. 26 October 2016

4.7 Summary. This is a RFI only. The purpose of this RFI is to involve industry/academia, through collaboration, in the 2016 COTC TECH TALKS. HQ SACT has not made a commitment to procure any of the items described herein, and release of this RFI shall not be construed as such a commitment, nor as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement will be required or sought. It is again, reemphasised that this is a RFI, and not a RFP of any kind.

Tonya Bonilla ACT Contracting Officer - Allied Command Transformation (ACT) NATO/HQ SACT Tel: (757) 747-3575, E-mail: tonya.bonilla@act.nato.int http://www.act.nato.int/contracting-procurements mailto:tonya.bonilla@act.nato.int