USSOCOM-BAAST-Appendix_J_Rev1_28Apr17.docx

SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES ACQUISITION, TECHNOLOGY, AND LOGISTICS

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

APPENDIX J

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 J

2.5 Points of Contact (POCs):

Contracting Officer:

Primary: Ms. Nicoele Karas, Phone 813-826-6101 Email nicoele.karas@socom.mil

Alternate: Ms. Sonia Lizotte, Phone 813-826-1066 Email sonia.lizotte@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3.0 Closing Date: This BAA Addendum will close on June 5, 2017, at 11:59 p.m. EDT, unless superseded, amended, or cancelled.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 Fires/Scalable Effects Weapons (SEW):

USSOCOM seeks to study, design, develop, and demonstrate advanced technologies associated with the application of fire from non-lethal through lethal. These technologies include, but are not limited to, weapons, munitions, and fire control, with the major development goals being lighter weight, lower cost of ownership throughout the entire lifecycle of the product, and increased effectiveness. Highly desired are:

4.1.1 Improved Effectiveness of Fragmentation Weapons. Alternatives to existing fragmentation weapons, or weapons where the casing is shattered upon detonation, and identifying munitions with greater effectiveness while applying the FBI standard for bullets (10-12 in penetration of tissue simulant) in the design of fragmentation munitions. The technology and approaches should assess what industries such as aerospace, automobile manufacturing and other non-ordnance suppliers have available or in development that applies to the needs. Specifically desired are:

4.1.1.1 Analysis of alternatives on potential of fragmentation weapons.

4.1.1.2 Enhanced 40mm x 46xx fragmentation grenade. USSOCOM is interested in an enhanced 40mm x 46mm cartridge propellant system that optimizes the acceleration curve enabling heavier payloads at current ranges or current payloads a longer range while remaining within current pressure and recoil limits. Peak chamber pressure is approximately 2320-3000 psi depending on barrel material and thickness. Recoil safety limit is 45 ft-lbs to 50 ft-lbs. USSOCOM is interested in increasing the lethal area of a 40mm x 46mm fragmentation projectile with enhanced energetics and optimize controlled fragmentation. USSOCOM defines lethal area as having a minimum of 2 fragments per square meter and 90% of those fragments penetrating 12 inches of 10% tissue simulant.

4.1.2 Payload Development. Technologies that can be employed as a payload to stop/disable maritime vessels and that can be delivered from an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV). The payload can deliver a non-reversible effect, however, the effect should not betray hostile intent. Technologies/payloads that can be transported in a UUV compartment and can be exposed to a harsh, marine environment. Technologies/payloads should stop a vessel less than 50 meters long.

4.2 Human Performance

USSOCOM seeks to conduct research, design, development and demonstration of capabilities that enhance physiological, physical, psychological, and intellectual performance, and improve resistance to disease, stress, or injury caused by the demands of sustained operations in extreme environments. Highly desired are:

4.2.1 Performance Enhancements. Innovative solutions that will optimize human performance, reduce recovery time, and increase peak performance sustainability, including increased endurance, strength, energy, agility, enhanced senses, provide restorative effects of sleep, and enhance tolerance to environmental extremes. The technologies can be demonstrated through studies that provide proof of concepts or through solutions demonstrated in humans that quantify operational performance improvements. Technologies should not consist of new software applications, wearables, and additional studies on existing nutraceuticals that have been previously researched in depth. SOF AT&L-ST is specifically interested in:

4.2.1.1 Genomics, epigenetics, proteomics, and synthetic biology

4.2.1.2 Nutraceuticals and/or pharmaceuticals

4.2.1.3 Enhancing metabolic efficiency

4.2.1.4 Methods of improving oxygen delivery to muscles

4.2.1.5 Reducing the potential for musculoskeletal injury

4.2.1.6 Increasing tolerance to pain

4.2.1.7 Cognitive Enhancement

4.2.1.8 Sleep Restoration

Submissions should consider methods of demonstrating safety and efficacy, and a regulatory approval strategy if required. Proposed solutions do not have to be FDA cleared as a prerequisite, but nutraceuticals and/or pharmaceuticals must be US-sourced. Submitters should have access or partners with access to lab facilities.

4.3 Protection

USSOCOM seeks to conduct research, development and demonstration of advanced technologies associated with protecting the future dismounted SOF Operator. These technologies include, but are not limited to, ballistic body armor, helmets, and eye protection, with the major development goals being lighter weight and increased protection. SOF AT&L-ST is specifically interested in chemistry and microstructure improvements for advanced armor materials, including the following:

4.3.1 Mechanical property enhancements in existing armor ceramics through microstructure modifications

4.3.2 Development of new ceramic armor materials

4.3.3 Continued optimization of fiber-based armor materials, to include aramids, ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, and their associated resin systems

4.3.4 Investigations into additive manufacturing of armor materials (metals, polymers, and ceramics)

4.3.5 Thin, lightweight and low-cost transparent armor (polymer, glass and ceramic based solutions)

While the main focus of the research should be development of advanced armor materials, other considerations include projectiles of interest (7.62 x 39 mm MSC at 2400-2450 ft/s, 7.62 x 39 mm API BZ at 2400-2450 ft/s, 7.62 x 54R mm API B32 at 2850-2900 ft/s, and 7.62 x 51 mm AP M993 at 3050-3100 ft/s), a final system thickness of less than 1.0 inch, backface signature performance of less than 44.0 millimeters at the velocities listed above, and an ultimate goal of areal density reduction (with similar or improved ballistic performance).

4.4 Optical Electronics

USSOCOM seeks to conduct research, design, develop, and demonstrate advanced technologies associated with target engagement, intelligence, surveillance & reconnaissance, and neutralization of opposing force capabilities. These technologies include, but are not limited to, optics, lasers, sensors, and radar, with the major development goals being transition to the field within 5 years, backwards compatible with existing infrastructure, and do not require a significant cost investment to produce and sustain. SOF AT&L-ST is specifically interested in:

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

4.4.2 Man Portable Equipment and Turrets / Pods to Tower-Test

4.4.3 Characterization Abilities: Ability to identify and detect persons or objects of interest, identification of and thru material layers

4.4.4 Technologies that can be employed to effect long range enemy identification, to include laser vibrometry. Specific distances have yet to be determined, but should work outside the signature ranges of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms to ensure surreptitious collection

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 J 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 BAAST17J@socom.mil. Subject line of email should state, “White Paper-Topic Area-STBAA15J-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 45 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 April 20, 2017, to June 5, 2017, will be evaluated from June 6, 2017, to July 24, 2017, with Offerors being contacted regarding the scientific review results of their white papers in August 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.