USSOCOM-BAAST-2015_Appendix_K_FinalRev1.docx

SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES ACQUISITION, TECHNOLOGY, AND LOGISTICS

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

APPENDIX K

TO

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT

USSOCOM-BAAST-2015

1.0 Introduction: USSOCOM Science and Technology Directorate’s (SOF AT&L-ST) vision is to Discover, Enable, and Transition technologies to provide an asymmetric advantage for Special Operations Forces (SOF). SOF AT&L-ST has identified specific technology Areas of Interest to accelerate the delivery of innovative capabilities to the SOF warfighter.

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-2015

2.4 BAA Addendum Title: SOF AT&L-ST Appendix K

2.5 Points of Contact (POCs):

Contracting Officer:

Primary: Ms. Sonia Lizotte, Phone 813-826-1066 Email sonia.lizotte@socom.mil

Alternate: Ms. Verdetta Weaver, Phone 813-826-5436 Email verdetta.weaver@socom.mil

Technical POC:

Ms. Damian Guinn, Phone 813-826-7416 Email damian.guinn@socom.mil

3.0 Closing Date: This BAA Addendum will close on October 5, 2017, at 11:59 p.m. EDT, unless superseded, amended, or cancelled. White papers may be submitted any time during this period subject to the submission process described in this addendum and the BAA.

4.0 Technology Areas of Interest:

USSOCOM is interested in receiving white papers from all responsible sources from industry, academia, individuals, and Government organizations capable of providing the research, design, development, and testing of SOF AT&L-ST related technologies. The intent is to accelerate the delivery of innovative capabilities to the Special Operations Forces (SOF) warfighter. Technology may include, but are not limited to:

4.1 Command, Control, Communications and Computers – Contested Communications USSOCOM is seeking communication technologies with Anti-Jam (AJ), low probability of intercept (LPI), low probability of detection (LPD), shielding from electromagnetic pulse (EMP), and counter-cyber capabilities to support a wide variety of future missions. USSOCOM interests are to provide mission assured communications that span the spectrum from tactical radios to satellite systems. The areas of concern are heavily degraded or denied electromagnetic environments and, contested and congested radio frequency environments. Technology developers are encouraged to respond with technology that meet some or all of the following parameters:

· System is at least a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) - 5, defined as component and/or breadboard validation in a relevant environment.

· System is modular and can be transported by a small vehicle; in a rucksack; or handheld.

· System is vehicle and/or battery powered.

· The communication systems could be capable of being shared with partner forces, (secure but non Type 1, and Electronics Countermeasures (ECM) systems compatible).

· System(s) may provide one or more of the following communication types or technology focus points:

· Over-the-Horizon (OTH), Beyond Line-of-Sight (BLOS)

· Line-of-site (LOS)

· Non-radio frequency

· Radio frequencies (RF): Wideband HF, VHF, UHF (900 MHz, 2.4 GHz), SHF (5-5.8 GHz, C-band, X-band, Ku, Comm Ka, Mil Ka,), Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF), and 60 GHz.

· Bandwidth expectations are ~500KB/s - 4MB/s throughput or higher and supports Internet Protocol networks.

· Signals capable of remaining at a level comparable to that of the RF environment and equipment background noise.

4.2 Command, Control, Communications and Computers – Wireless Systems USSOCOM is interested in technologies to unencumber SOF operators by reducing size, weight and power, and increase safety, such as reducing equipment snag hazards, on Wireless Communication Accessory Suites (CAS). The CAS may include headsets, Push-to-Talk (PTT) components, combatant vehicle (CV) / combatant craft (CC) intercom systems (ICS), and dismounted force equipment. Operations may include, but are not limited to, the following: Naval Special Warfare operations, land vehicles, dismounted operations, and CC. Candidate submissions should provide robust, seamless, wireless communications between systems on the operator’s body and between the operator and the vehicles or CC they are aboard. Technologies of interest shall include:

· Wireless systems must interface with SOF and service common radios (e.g. AN/PRC-148, AN/PRC-117G, and AN/PRC-152A), as well as current vehicle and combatant craft ICS. Of particular interest is a “smart” software system which automatically detects and adjusts to the make/configuration of components and ICS in its environment and tunes the system to function as required.

· Resistant to 24-hour saltwater/fog exposure without fresh water rinse and submersible to 3 meters.

· Speech intelligibility, aural localization, and comfort features/designs.

· Easy conversion to a “wired” communication capability for redundancy when wireless capabilities are degraded or jammed.

· Hazard of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance (HERO)/Personnel (HERP)/Fuel (HERF) testing. Must not cause Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI) to SOF vehicles or CC.

· Dual communications capability while aboard vehicles and CC for monitoring of ICS and platoon/unit-level tactical communications. Voice activated “open net” autonomous switching system or simultaneous communications is acceptable.

4.3 Command, Control, Communications and Computers – Optical Electronics USSOCOM is seeking advanced technologies associated with free-space optics (FSO) for communication. FSO communication systems should function over a minimum distance of 3 kilometers. Systems must support high-data rate, long-range links using small, low-mass, low-power consumption subsystems. More generally, transmission of unguided optical signals is known as optical wireless communications (OWC). Examples include medium-range visible light communication and short-distance Infrared Data Association (IrDA) protocols, using infrared LEDs. Also, ultraviolet communication (UVC) operating within solar-blind UV spectrum (200–280 nm). USSOCOM is specifically interested in:

· Observer to Point of Interest: Ground-to-Ground/Air-to-Ground

· Man Packable Equipment

· Voice and Data Communications

· Characterization Abilities:

· Short range OWC: Wireless body area network (WBAN) and wireless personal area network (WPAN) applications under standard IEEE 802.15.7, as well as underwater communications.

· Medium range OWC: indoor IR and visible light communications (VLC) for wireless local area networks (WLANs) and inter-vehicular and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications.

· Long range OWC: inter-building connections, also called FSO Communications.

· Ultra-long range OWC: inter-satellite links.

4.4 Command, Control, Communications and Computers – Antennas USSOCOM is seeking electronically-steered tracking antennas for communications in degraded or denied electromagnetic environments. Capabilities of interest include:

· Ruggedized and mountable for CV/CC operations.

· Able to operate in two or more of the following radio frequencies (RF): Wideband HF, VHF, UHF (900 MHz, 2.4 GHz), SHF (5-5.8 GHz, C-band, X-band, Ku, Comm Ka, Mil Ka,), Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF), and 60 GHz.

· Anti-jam/anti-spoofing capability.

· Shielding against electromagnetic pulse (EMP) effects.

· LPD/LPI

4.5 Command, Control, Communication and Computers – Non-Traditional USSOCOM is seeking non-traditional forms of communications. The area of concern is the ability to use indigenous communications infrastructure in deployed locations while maintaining complete anonymity with assured communications security. Technologies of interest shall include:

· Utilizing a secure operating system (OS) with integrity checks from which to boot an end user device (EUD) and establish a secure communications channel. No data is left on the EUD upon exit from the user’s session.

· Any EUD procured in the local area of operations could be a potential transmission device, utilizing the existing telecommunications infrastructure.

· Capable of FIPS 140-2, DISA STIG Compliance, Data at Rest (DAR) encryption (Minimal 256 Kbits encryption).

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-15 Appendix K at the following URL: https://www.socom.mil/SOF-ATL/Pages/BAAST15K-Overarching.aspx . If you experience problems uploading attachments, you are still required to complete requisite data fields and then email attachments to BAAST17K@socom.mil. Subject line of email should state, “White Paper-Topic Area-STBAA15K-Company Name.”

5.2 Technology Development Cost and Schedule: Offerors are advised to consider a limit of not more than $3 million total cost of development and not more than 36 months to complete all efforts for each submission under USSOCOM-BAAST-2015 Appendix J. Offerors may exceed this amount, but they may or may not be considered for award due to cost and schedule constraints and/or other statutory or regulatory requirements.

5.3 White Paper Review Periods: USSOCOM SOF AT&L-ST intends to conduct scientific reviews within approximately 30 days of the closure of this addendum. At the end of the review, USSOCOM will notify Offerors whether their white papers were selected for submission of a proposal. For planning purposes, a notional white paper evaluation schedule is provided. Future changes to this notional schedule may not be published and are at the sole discretion of the Government.

5.3.1 Notional Evaluation Period – White papers submitted from September 4, 2017 to October 2, 2017, will be evaluated from October 3, 2017 to October 31, 2017, with Offerors being contacted regarding the scientific review results of their white papers in November 2017.

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. Initially, a determination will be made if each Offeror is technically qualified and has a comprehensive understanding to undertake the development of the technology based on the information stated in the white paper. In accordance with USSOCOM-BAAST-2015, Section 4.3.1, the Government will determine the most technically competent and capable of the qualified Offerors using the following criteria:

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

· Technical: The degree to which the technical approach is 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.

· Schedule: The degree to which the proposed schedule is achievable; the resources, facilities, and equipment available; and the allocation of time per major task.

· Funding Availability: The Government will review the proposed Rough Order of Magnitude to determine if it is a fair estimate of the proposed scope of work and whether funds are available to support the proposed scope of work.