Broad Agency Announcement- PM SSV 7-Sep-2021.pdf

ARMY PROJECT MANAGER SOLDIER SURVIVABILITY PROGRAM EXECUTIVE OFFICE

SOLDIER

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA)

Announcement Number: W91CRB-21-PMSVVBAA

Issued by:

U.S. Army Contract Command - Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG) 6515 Integrity Court, Building 4310

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005

Effective Dates [18 August 2021 – 17 August 2026]

Overview Information

Customer: Program Executive Soldier (PEO) Soldier, Ft. Belvoir, VA, Project Manager (PM) Soldier Survivability (SSV)

Issuing Acquisition Office: U. S. Army Contract Command – Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG), 6515 Integrity Court, Building 4310, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005

Research Opportunity Title: PM Soldier Survivability Broad Agency Announcement for Fiscal Years 2021 through 2026

Announcement Type and Date: Broad Agency Announcement issued 18 August

Research Opportunity Number: W91CRB-21-PMSVVBAA

Eligible Applicants: Proposals may be submitted by degree granting colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, foreign organizations, and commercial firms (including Small Businesses (SB), large businesses, Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDBs), Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZones), veteran-owned businesses, minority businesses, Women Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs)), and nontraditional vendors. Proposals from government facilities and organizations will be considered under this announcement.

Proposals are encouraged from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) (as determined by the Secretary of Education to meet requirements of Title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. § 1061)) and from Minority Institutions (MIs) defined as institutions “whose enrollment of a single minority or a combination of minorities…exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the total enrollment.” [20 U.S.C. § 1067k(3) and 10 U.S.C. § 2323(a)(1)(C)].

To be eligible for award, a prospective recipient (except other Governments, including state and local Governments) shall meet certain minimum standards pertaining to financial resources, ability to comply with the performance schedule, prior record of performance, integrity, organization, experience, operational controls, technical skills, facilities, and equipment.

Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost sharing, matching, or cost participation is not required for eligibility under this Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) when awarding a FAR type contract. However, if an Other Transaction Agreement is awarded under this solicitation, cost sharing, matching, or cost participation may apply.

Research Opportunity Description: PM SSV solicits proposals for the development of state-of-the-art Soldier clothing and individual equipment, personal body armor, and other survivability items.

Table of Contents Overview Information Introduction Section I: Funding Opportunity Description

Technical Area 1 - Hard and Soft Armor Technical Area 2 - Explosive Ordnance Disposal Soldier Capability Technical Area 3 - Personal Blast Protection Technical Area 4 - Integrated Head Protection Technical Area 5 - Test Methods and Test Standards Technical Area 6 - Fabric Technologies Technical Area 7 - Advanced Manufacturing Technical Area 8 - Personal Protection System Integration Technical Area 9 - Modeling and Simulation Technical Area 10 - Integrated Soldier Concealment Technical Area 11 - Individual Equipment Technical Area 12 - Vector Protection Technical Area 13 - Personnel Air Drop Technical Area 14 - Hydration Technical Area 15 - Multifunctionality and Integrated Systems Technical Area 16 - Adaptive Squad Architecture

Technical Area 16.A. Overarching Adaptive Squad Architecture Technical Area 16.B. Power Technical Area 16.C. Data Management Technical Area 16.D. Wireless Capabilities on Soldier Interoperability Technical Area 16.E. Soldier Mobility and Survivability Technical Area 16.F. Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technical Area 16.G. Cross Domain Security Architecture Technical Area 16.H. Electromagnetic Interference

Section II: Award Information Section III: Eligibility Information

3.A. Eligible Applicants 3.B. Participation 3.C. Organizational Conflicts of Interest

Section IV: Application and Submission Information 4.A. Process Summary

Step 1: Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Registration Step 2: Concept Paper (Preproposal) Submissions Step 3: Proposal Preparation and Submission

4.B. Evaluation Approach for Proposals 4.C. Disposition of Proposals 4.D. Antiterrorism and Operations Security Requirements

Section V: Award Administration Information 5.A. Government Furnished Property (GFP) 5.B. Type of Contract 5.C. Preparation Costs 5.D. Availability of Funds

5.E. FAR Information and References 5.F. Technical Reports

5.F.1. Monthly Status Reports 5.F.2 Final Report

5.G. Invoicing and Payments 5.H. Restricted Data on Proposals 5.I. Intellectual Property

5.I.1. Noncommercial Items (Technical Data and Computer Software) 5.I.2. Commercial Items (Technical Data and Computer Software) 5.I.3. All Offerors – Patents 5.I.4. All Offerors – Intellectual Property Representations

5.J. Protection of Human Subjects 5.K. Animal Use 5.L. International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR)

Section VI: Agency Contacts Appendixes

Appendix 1: Exhibits Exhibit 1: Concept Paper Sample Exhibit 2: Statement of Work Sample

Introduction

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), which sets forth research areas of interest to PM SSV, is issued under paragraph 6.102(d)(2) of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), which provides for the competitive selection of proposals and 10 U.S.C. 2371b should any OTA being awarded stemming from this announcement. The Government considers proposals submitted in response to this BAA and selected for award to be the result of full and open competition and in full compliance with the provision of Public Law 98-369, "The Competition in Contracting Act of 1984" and subsequent amendments.

PM SSV is one of the five project management offices under Program Executive Office Soldier (PEO Soldier). PM SSV’s mission is to provide and rapidly deliver to Soldiers enhanced protection, individual equipment, and aviation life support capabilities, which provides combat overmatch and facilitates mission execution. There are three Product Managers under PM SSV:

a. Product Manager Soldier Protective Equipment (PM SPE) produces state-of-the art armor protection to defeat ballistic and fragmentation threats. PM SPE’s mission is to increase the Warfighter’s lethality and mobility by optimizing Soldier protection and effectively serving as the Lifecycle Manager for all personal protective equipment. Its products include body armor, helmets, ballistic eye protection, bomb suits, and hearing protection.

b. Product Manager Air Warrior (PM AW) develops and provides advanced equipment for Aircrews to enhance mission effectiveness, integration with aircraft platforms, and clothing and equipment to maximize aircrew member survivability. PM AW’s mission is to integrate aviation life support and mission equipment into an ensemble that provides combat overmatch and improves the combat effectiveness of the Army aircrew member.

c. Product Manager Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment (PM SCIE) develops and provides superior and sustainable integrated clothing and equipment for Soldiers in a rapidly changing global environment. PM SCIE’s mission is to support Soldiers in all operational environments and improve their survivability, protection, mobility, and sustainability by providing safe, agile, adaptive, durable and operationally effective organizational clothing and individual clothing.

PM SSV’s intent is to use this BAA to attract Government and Industry proposals that fulfill requirements directed toward advancing state-of-the-art technologies in support of PEO Soldier mission interests. This BAA identifies PM SSV development areas of interest, and provides prospective offerors information on the preparation of proposals, along with proposal evaluation factors. The Government reserves the right to award purchase orders, contracts, and Other Transactions Agreements against this BAA.

New contractor technology resulting from work executed under this BAA typically leads to an additional requirement for the applicable contractor to provide services in support of operational experiments to evaluate the measures of merit and performance enhancement capability to the Soldier. However, it is not possible at the time of release of this announcement, or at the time of contract award, to accurately predict or anticipate if these services will be required, nor is it possible to anticipate the level of effort required. In addition, the technology explored under this BAA typically has application across the various branches of the Department of Defense (DoD). In order to satisfy the unique needs of these different branches, and to ensure a proper job is done in the evaluation of the applicable technology, the Government may execute contract modifications to awards stemming from this BAA, may add new Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs), or expand on current CLINs, for services providing for flexibility in executing technology assessment. In the event that this is required, the Government will consider these modifications to be within the scope of this BAA and the resulting contract, and therefore will have met the requirements of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), DoD FAR Supplement (DFARS), and the Competition in Contracting Act. The benefit of this flexibility to the Government, and ultimately the taxpayer, is a significant increase in the Research and Development (R&D) return on investment. The flexibility to have multiple users (branches of the military) in the technology evaluation cycle is crucial and allows systems and technologies to be developed in a manner that has broader DoD market applications. This allows the technology resulting from the work of this BAA to be modularly reconfigured during development to meet goals and objectives for all DoD services.

The Government does not consider the costs of concept papers or the cost to complete proposals in response to this BAA an allowable direct charge to any award resulting from this BAA or any other award. It may be an allowable expense to the normal bid and proposal indirect costs specified in FAR 31.205-18, independent research and development and bid and proposal costs.

In accordance with federal statutes, regulations, DoD, and Army policies, no person on grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin, or disability shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving financial assistance from the Army.

The Government cautions offerors submitting proposals that only a duly appointed Contracting Officer (KO) or Agreements Officer acting within the scope and limits of his or her authority may obligate the Government to the expenditure of funds.

The Government will not consider requests for conference or symposium support, consultant services, engineering, marketing services, or training support under this announcement.

This BAA is a continuously open announcement valid throughout the period from the date of issuance through 17 November 2026, unless superseded, extended, or canceled. The Government will accept concept papers up until 17 August 2026. The Government may make awards against this BAA up until 17 November 2026. The Government will post the BAA, and any subsequent amendments to this BAA when they occur, to the SAM.gov Contract Opportunities web site. Interested parties are encouraged to check this website periodically for updates and amendments.

Section I: Funding Opportunity Description

PM SSV has sixteen (16) major areas of interest, and PM SSV sub-categorizes each major area into more specific areas of interest. PM SSV is seeking collaborative research in advancing state-of-the-art technologies, engineering solutions, and prototype systems. The Government reserves the right to modify any of these sixteen areas, add areas with or without sub-categories, or remove sub-categories or major areas of interest at any time during the BAA announcement period.

PM SSV assesses all proposed efforts to determine their technology readiness level (TRL) for acceptance under this BAA. All research prior to being funded under this BAA must be assessed to be a TRL of 5 or above according to the table below.

Level Definition DoD DAG Description

Basic principles observed and reported

Lowest level of technology readiness. Scientific research begins to be translated into applied research and development. Examples might include paper studies of a technology’s basic properties.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

System prototype demonstration in an operational environment.

Prototype near, or at, planned operational system.

Represents a major step up from TRL 6, requiring demonstration of an actual system prototype in an operational environment such as an aircraft, vehicle, or space.

Actual system completed and qualified through test and demonstration.

Technology has been proven to work in its final form and under expected conditions. In almost all cases, this TRL represents the end of true system development. Examples include developmental test and evaluation of the system in its intended weapon system to determine if it meets design specifications.

Actual system proven through successful mission operations.

Actual application of the technology in its final form and under mission conditions, such as those encountered in operational test and evaluation.

Examples include using the system under operational mission conditions.

PM SSV is interested in funding research in the following technical areas:

Technical Area 1 - Hard and Soft Armor

PM SSV requires improvements to materials, systems, and assessment methods to meet body armor broad ballistic threats and to lighten the load carried by the Soldier.

This type of technology includes:

a. Implementation of advanced ceramic materials or alternative technologies with the proven capability of providing weight reduction or improved properties (e.g., hardness, fracture toughness, durability, etc.) into system-level form factors.

b. Optimization of novel or enhanced processing techniques for ceramic materials to improve system-level material properties, reduce cost, or improve manufacturing efficiency.

c. Implementation of improved hard armor backing material or armor integration methods that allow for overall system weight reduction, back face deformation reduction, energy absorption, or improved durability.

d. Improvement of the concealability of concealable body armor as well as advancements in spike resistance and edged blade stab resistance or reductions in overall system weight.

e. Advancement in armor form factor fit and integration with the human body to ensure consistent protection for all Soldiers including anthropometrically designed armor optimized for female Soldiers.

f. Application of new high performance fiber grades, improvements to existing high performance fibers, or fiber processing improvements (e.g., treatments, weaving methods, etc.) to system-level form factors that will increase ballistic protection, improve Soldier comfort, facilitate Soldier mobility, lengthen expected system lifecycle performance, reduce logistic burden, improve manufacturing base security, enhance system-level performance properties, or reduce system weight.

g. Integration of unique and novel textile weaves or hybrid soft armor designs into protective systems to improve soft body armor ballistic protection, stab resistance, or armor flexibility.

h. Development of flexible hard armor systems solutions, which consider ergonomic inputs based on Soldier’s efficiency, environment, physiology, and comfort and examine the effect of the system will have on anatomy (priority of vital organs) and anthropometry.

i. Use of innovative surface geometries and coatings into protective systems that reduce Soldier detectability across the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum.

j. Implementation of non-hazardous materials and geometries that mitigate crack propagation in armor materials to enhance overall fracture toughness.

k. Use of additive manufacturing technologies to create armor systems with improved armor performance.

Technical Area 2 - Explosive Ordnance Disposal Soldier Capability

PM SSV requires improved Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) protective equipment or enabling technology that allows an EOD Soldier to perform their mission more efficiently through:

a. Application of improved power management and power distribution.

b. Optimization of head-up display form factors and system-level integration options.

c. Application of enhanced digital infrared (near and far), light (including color), and other situational awareness or optically enhancing sensors into heads-up displays.

d. Application of improved injury modeling parameters to better establish performance parameters with verified lethality criterion and assess system level improvements.

e. Optimization of system level design to improve fit and sizing, reduce weight, improve performance, reduce costs, or increase mobility and flexibility.

f. Use of scalable designs that allow the user to tailor the level of protection depending on mission parameters.

g. Development of improved cooling systems with better power efficiency, reduced noise, improved cooling duration or capacity, reduced weight, more comfortable or improved form factors, or enhanced safety features.

h. Integration of systems which improve situational awareness including communication, field of view, and visual display on bomb suit systems.

Technical Area 3 - Personal Blast Protection

Blast protection for the individual Soldier involves protection of the body (head, neck, torso, and extremities) against a variety of blast events. New materials and systems are required to protect against blast threats and to lighten the load carried by the Soldier.

This type of technology includes:

a. Application of unique and novel materials or systems which provide personal protection against blast events and reduce blast injury.

b. Studies of blast effects to include overpressure and behind armor effects on the Soldier and the materials or systems to mitigate effects.

c. Development of performance standards for blast protective systems.

Technical Area 4 - Integrated Head Protection

Headborne protection for the individual Soldier involves protection of the head (to include the face, eyes, and neck) against fragmentation munitions, handgun projectiles, small arms threats, and blunt trauma impacts. New materials, designs, and technologies are required to meet this broad range of threats while also providing the appropriate ergonomics, comfort, hearing, and cooling necessary to allow the individual Soldier to wear the head protection for extended periods. This type of technology includes:

a. Technological advances in materials or processing for use in combat helmets to improve ballistic performance and reduce weight. Solutions may include materials processing optimization, materials hybridization, or new fiber or material development.

b. Novel modular designs and integration concepts to provide head protection against multiple threats (e.g., ballistic, blast, blunt impact, etc.). Concepts should identify protection capabilities for each component and the protection provided for each area of the head. Such designs would offer the user the ability to tailor the level of protection to the current threat by adding or removing modular integrated components (e.g., face protection, eye protection, and neck protection).

c. New materials or suspension systems that can be used with the current Army and other military helmets to reduce shock and concussive injuries, which will ultimately reduce mild Traumatic Brain Injuries (mTBI).

d. A ballistic resistant integrated head protection system for use by aviators that incorporates inherent crash protection capabilities.

e. A helmet retention system that integrates with current Army and other military helmets without penetrating the ballistic helmet shell (i.e., screw and post in current design).

f. Materials or design improvements for maxillofacial protection to improve ballistic performance, or reduce weight, or both.

g. Transparent materials for enhanced eye protection without visibility reduction.

h. Ballistic eyewear or component material with rapid transition capability from clear state to sunlight resistant state, and vice versa, with preference for unpowered solutions.

i. Laser eye protection with the ability to selectively, automatically, passively, or actively protect against a wide range of laser wavelengths and powers.

NOTE: Lasers represent an ongoing threat to Soldiers with their ability to distract, induce temporary blindness, cause permanent blindness, or otherwise prevent Soldiers from executing their duties.

j. Novel hearing protection design and integration concepts that provide easy to use and reusable hearing protection with auditory 360 degree situational awareness.

NOTE: The Government desires an open architecture design to ensure interoperability with Army and common military radios, which provides options for both two-way communication and hearing protection to ensure maximum Soldier communication capability. Novel hearing protection design should mitigate the mission compromising effects of unprotected, steady-state, and impulse noise exposure during combat and training operations.

Technical Area 5 - Test Methods and Test Standards

Test methods and characterization related to component, system performance, or material manufacturing processes. This type of technology includes:

a. Characterization and development of test methods for high performance fibers.

NOTE: Methods are needed to understand and develop a correlation between constitutive fiber properties and ballistic performance, and to measure and evaluate relevant mechanical (static and dynamic) and physical properties of fiber and fibrous materials.

b. Characterization and development of test methods for ceramic materials.

NOTE: Methods are needed to understand and develop a correlation between constitutive ceramic properties and ballistic performance, and to measure and evaluate relevant mechanical (static and dynamic) and physical properties of ceramics.

c. Characterization and development of test methods for composite materials.

NOTE: Methods are needed to understand and develop a correlation between constitutive properties of component materials and ballistic performance, and to measure and evaluate relevant mechanical (static and dynamic) and physical properties of composites.

d. Improved backing material for measurement of behind armor blunt trauma to minimize testing variation.

NOTE: The solution would provide an understanding of static and dynamic material response to impact event and correlation to blunt trauma. The solution would also address test calibration, test repeatability, and the mass production of existing synthetic Behind Armor Blunt Trauma (BABT) materials under development.

e. Development of an improved test methods for Behind Armor Blunt Trauma (BABT) testing, which includes sensor instrumentation to measure BABT.

NOTE: The solution would directly measure the static and dynamic loading characteristics of the ballistic event such as force, pressure, and time response to more accurately correlate the event to resulting trauma. Develop a rapid scanning technology capable of accurately determining a BABT measurement in existing witness material.

f. Development of an improved soft armor abrasion test method for system level evaluation of the durability of soft armor ballistic panels.

g. Development of test standards for flexibility of soft armor, which correlate to the natural movements of the human body (i.e., torque and bending).

NOTE: The solution will develop standards, which can characterize a soft armor package and evaluate it with statistical validity and specific pass and fail criteria.

h. Development of high throughput Nondestructive Test and Evaluation (NDTE) methods to assess hard armor, soft armor, and helmet shelf life and service life.

i. Characterization and development of test methods for ballistic protective eyewear.

NOTE: Improvements to or replacement of test methods are required to increase understanding related to the performance characteristics of ballistic protective eyewear.

NOTE: New or improved test methods will focus on eyewear optical qualities, chemical resistance, dust or sand protection, salt-water resistance, and ability for new ballistic protective eyewear systems to come in a prescription.

j. Characterization and development of test methods for ballistic protective transition eyewear.

NOTE: Improvements or replacement test methods are required to increase understanding related to the performance characteristics of ballistic protective transition lenses with a focus on eyewear transition time, transition range, and battery life.

k. Characterization and development of test standards and apparatus for evaluation of hearing protection systems.

NOTE: There is a need for methods to increase understanding and quantify the effects of hearing protection performance and the effects on situational awareness.

l. Characterization and development of method and a sensing system for non-destructive evaluation of damage in hard armor and helmets.

m. Development and improvement of test methods and standards for Soldier-borne sensors and sensor systems to include testing of physical devices, sensor networks, and computer algorithms.

n. Development and improvement of test methods and protocols for evaluating the microbiological treatment capabilities of water purifiers.

o. Development of test protocols for evaluation of bite protection chemistries, to include a variety of vectors e.g., mosquitoes, sand flies, ticks, etc.

Technical Area 6 - Fabric Technologies

Development of protective materials is essential to support Soldiers deployed throughout the world. There is a need for versatile clothing systems that will protect the Soldier across the temperature spectrum while reducing weight and volume. This type of technology includes:

Development of protective materials is essential to support Soldiers deployed throughout the world. There is a need for versatile clothing systems that will protect the Soldier across the temperature spectrum while reducing weight and volume.

a. Fabric technologies with enhanced durability (e.g., tear strength, abrasion resistance, color fastness to laundering) without compromising performance or comfort.

b. Flame resistant fabrics while improving other performance characteristics (e.g., durability, comfort, etc.) or reducing cost.

c. Non-toxic (non-perfluorinated) water-resistant technologies for fabrics to replace existing solutions with undesirable properties (e.g., reduced air permeability, flexibility, etc.) .

d. Smart fabrics that add value to the wearer by introducing abilities not present in traditional fabrics. Such fabrics could have the ability to communicate, transform, conduct energy, grow, adapt their breathability to various operation environments, and adapt their characteristics to address threats that appear in an operational area.

f. Improved materials that will provide increased environmental protection at a reduced weight or volume.

g. Lightweight materials and designs that enhance Soldier performance, comfort, and protection in a tropical environment.

h. Innovative, lightweight, low bulk technologies or systems to provide improved environmental protection during high altitude standoff parachute operations.

Parachutists operating under these conditions face exposure to extremely low temperatures from takeoff to insertion.

i. Alternative sustainable (i.e., green, EPA compliant) methods for achieving the effects of durable press for cotton, natural fiber, or cotton blend clothing.

j. The Army has a need for comfortable, lightweight, breathable, textiles that, when worn over the nose and mouth, trap droplets that are released when the wearer talks, coughs or sneezes. Fabric should allow wearer to wear garment for prolonged periods, during exercise, and not cause discomfort or difficulty breathing. Fabric must be durable, launderable, with physical characteristics (e.g., air permeability, weight) comparable to disposable (procedure) masks. Fabric must be free of finishes or treatments. Mask designs are also being sought which maximize comfort and fit (e.g., no gaps along edges, use of folds or pleats and adequate air permeability to prevent air from leaking out the edges of the mask, etc.).

Technical Area 7 - Advanced Manufacturing

a. Application of modern technology, such as virtual prototyping, for clothing/equipment pattern to 1) identify any garment fit and/or balance issues earlier in the design process 2) provide validation to ensure pattern pieces within each variation of size and length align with one another and is/are producible and 3) test size set grade rules that are applied to the pattern result in the desired fit (ease over body) and finished dimensions.

b. Applications of modern clothing manufacturing technologies to improve supply chain efficiency (e.g., up-to-date and predictive capacity, predictive garment or fabric manufacturing, etc.).

c. Applications of new prototyping and manufacturing technologies to enable high efficiency production e.g., faster, less waste, etc. New manufacturing technology solutions may include machine innovations (laser-cutting, fusing, seam bonding, etc.), sewing robots, stitch-free clothing (3D or sculptural knitting), 3D printing, digital textile printing, etc.

Technical Area 8 - Personal Protection System Integration

Personal protection for the individual Soldier involves protection of the torso, arms, groin, and legs against fragmentation munitions, small arms, and handgun projectiles.

New materials, designs, and technologies are required to meet this broad range of threats while also providing the appropriate ergonomics, comfort, weight, and cooling necessary for the individual Soldier to be capable of wearing the body armor for extended periods. This type of technology includes:

a. A system to improve load distribution of personal body armor.

NOTE: The system should focus on increased mobility, agility, and endurance while decreasing fatigue and injury.

b. Development of an active cooling system to mitigate heat stress for the individual Soldier.

NOTE: The solution should focus on improvements in system power and battery life, noise reduction, and size and weight reduction compared to current solutions. The solution should also address various environmental factors including mechanical shock, vibration, blowing sand or dust, rain, salt fog, Electromagnetic Interference (EMI), etc.

c. Development of a passive cooling system to improve comfort and mitigate heat stress for the individual Soldier.

d. Development of lightweight, integrated, modular, and flexible extremity protection.

e. New or improved engineering designs, which incorporate enhancements to personnel protection including area of coverage (soft and hard armors), modular attachment points, flexibility, compatibility with existing equipment, and tailorability to increasing threat levels.

f. Novel modular designs to provide body and extremity protection against multiple ballistic and nonballistic threats.

NOTE: Concepts should identify ballistic protection capabilities for each component and the area of the body it will protect. The solution would offer the Soldier the ability to tailor the level of protection to the current threat by adding or removing modular integrated components (e.g., hard plates, soft panels, neck protection, and extremity protection).

g. System improvements or novel designs for a sensor system that detects blast overpressure, blunt impact, kinetic force and shock wave, and head and body acceleration or force.

NOTE: Sensors shall be small, lightweight, and low-power. Sensors shall be capable of detecting, storing, and transmitting data from impacts, accelerations, blast overpressure events, or other events that may cause injuries in an operational environment. The sensors shall be reverse compatible with currently fielded Soldier protection equipment and designed with an open architecture that ensures integration with future systems.

h. Novel design approaches for incorporating modular components to provide ballistic and blast protection and reusable active and passive flotation solutions. The passive solution shall be scalable from less than 17.5 to no more than 65 pounds and independently Soldier initiated or automatically initiated (on contact with water). The active flotation shall provide at least 65 pounds of positive buoyancy force. The active flotation must be capable of righting an incapacitated person to face up. Either system must use the currently fielded body armor as a base platform.

i. Improvements in materials, novel system design and architectures, and integration concepts to provide increased integration of Soldier protective equipment and Organizational Clothing And Individual Equipment (OCIE) that allows for overall system weight reduction, increased system functionality, and Soldier acceptance.

Technical Area 9 - Modeling and Simulation

Computational predictive modeling of high rate deformation and failure of materials subjected to ballistic impact conditions.

a. Development of a materials model for ceramic-based armor.

NOTE: A need exists to predict 1) the ballistic performance of ceramic-based armor at different areal densities and against a variety of threats and impact velocities; 2) armor back-face deformation; and 3) defeat mechanisms and the temporal evolution of the ballistic event.

b. Development of a material models for soft-armor systems, considering fiber constitutive properties, tow and weave architecture, and hybrid construction.

NOTE: A need exists to predict 1) the ballistic performance of soft armor panels at different areal densities and against a variety of threats and impact velocities; 2) armor back-face deformation; and 3) projectile-fabric interaction and failure modes.

c. Development of a materials model for fiber-based armor-grade composite laminates.

NOTE: A need exists to predict 1) the ballistic performance of composite laminates at different areal densities and against a variety of threats and impact velocities; 2) composite armor laminate back-face deformation and delamination; and 3) defeat mechanisms and the temporal evolution of the ballistic event.

d. Development of mathematical models to correlate helmet material properties, geometry, suspension systems, and retention systems to blast effects.

e. Development of models or correlation tools to analyze or relate the effects of blasts or impacts or both recorded by body worn sensors to the effects experienced by the head or torso of the Soldier wearing the sensor.

f. Development of computer algorithms to analyze Soldier-borne sensor data to forensically determine the characteristics of the blast or blunt force event experienced by the Soldier. This may include methods to easily store, query, and retrieve field data with common characteristics.

Technical Area 10 - Integrated Soldier Concealment

Improvements to Soldier clothing and equipment are needed to reduce detection through visual and electronic means. Technology is needed for:

a. Improved concealment technologies to mitigate detection across the infrared spectrum.

b. Improved concealment technologies to mitigate detection by ground surveillance radar.

c. Improved concealment technologies to reduce thermal signature.

d. Alternate concealment technologies or approaches that reduce Soldier detection or increase visual breakup.

Technical Area 11 - Individual Equipment

Improvements to materials to improve functionality of individual equipment.

a. Alternative injection molded plastic resin for individual equipment that meets current requirements (e.g., must withstand operating conditions of -40 to 140 °F and cannot shatter (i.e., only ductile failures)).

b. Injection molded plastics to mitigate detection across the infrared spectrum.

c. Alternative high-strength, low-cost individual equipment hardware.

d. Development of semi-rigid moldable material with flame resistant capability for individual equipment items (e.g., holsters, grenade pouches, etc.).

e. Powered or unpowered human augmentation technologies for example speed, strength, etc.

Technical Area 12 - Vector Protection

Vector disease protection for Soldiers is becoming an increasing need as Soldiers are continuing to deploy to more austere environments where vector diseases are on the rise requiring greater protection. This type of technology includes:

a. Development of alternative insecticidal treatment with increased bite protection while maintaining low toxicity for the Soldier.

b. Development of spatial repellant systems that provide improved deterrence, functional time, and decreased toxicity over the current DEET (diethyl ( meta ) toluamide; an insect repellent).

Technical Area 13 - Personnel Air Drop

Improvements to materials and systems are required to meet broad military parachutist requirements to both maintain safety and to increase capability. This type of technology includes:

a. Development of innovative oxygen delivery methods in support of high altitude parachuting missions.

b. Development of methods and technologies for reducing the signature of personnel parachute systems against detection from a variety of sources during high and low altitude missions.

NOTE: This includes near infrared and short wave infrared detection as well as radar detection.

c. Development of technologies in support of cargo and personnel combination drops where jumpers follow cargo loads.

d. Development of lighter, less bulky fabrics and hardware components for next parachute systems.

Technical Area 14 - Hydration

Improvements to individual Soldier hydration systems are required to meet broad requirements for providing potable water to the individual Soldier. This type of technology includes:

a. Development of improved methods or systems capable of providing potable water from any water source, including brackish and sea water.

b. Development of hydration systems with improved capabilities for use in cold weather environments.

c. Development of hydration systems with improved capabilities for operating in a chemical, biological, radiological, and Toxic Industrial Materials (TIM) contaminated environment.

d. Development of improved purification methods and systems to remove Toxic Industrial Chemicals/Materials (TICs/TIMs).

e. Development of microbiological purification systems with improved purification, capacity, and flow rate.

Technical Area 15 - Multifunctionality and Integrated Systems

There is a need for multifunctional systems that addresses two or more Soldier needs and that, when combined, reduce the overall weight burden on the Soldier, improve mobility, reduce logistic burden, or provide some other demonstrable system-level improvement.

a. Development of innovative materials, fabrics, and membranes capable of changing properties in various environments to tailor permeation based on operational environment and threats present in that theater of operation.

b. Development of innovative types of Soldier equipment that integrate seamlessly with existing Soldier kit and items in development with the goal of enhancing Soldier mobility, reducing overall burden, or facilitating the addition of more individual or squad-level functionality.

NOTE: An example of this is the Integrated Helmet Protection System (IHPS) that incorporates mounting points and powered rails that allow the IHPS helmet to integrate with a wide range of specialty equipment based on individual Soldier needs.

Technical Area 16 - Adaptive Squad Architecture

Improvements are needed to solve challenges within the Army’s current operational concept, potential environment(s) and the Army’s modernization priorities. These challenges are identified in the following eight problem statement areas. Focus on the dismounted squad and its members that when aggregated with their equipment (e.g., weapons, sensors, tools, etc.) form an integrated combat platform.

Technical Area 16.A. Overarching Adaptive Squad Architecture

Problem Statement. Currently the US Army is working to develop an authoritative architecture for the Soldier and Squad. The current absence of an authoritative architecture creates disparate and unintegrated systems on the Soldier, resulting in increased size, weight, and power burdens. This requires the Soldier to manage multiple power sources, processing systems, cables, and interfaces that are not necessarily compatible or built to a standard. The result is a load carriage that is not optimized, uses power and processing inefficiently, and poses a weight burden that our Soldiers and Squads just cannot afford.

Desired Outcomes.

a. A system in which the data is portrayed in a standard interface, rapidly aggregated and translated into actionable intelligence, and shared seamlessly across all stakeholders.

b. A system in which the data is prioritized and optimized to reduce cognitive burden while still providing the leader the information needed to achieve dominance on the battlefield.

c. A simplified process or tool(s) to enable seamless transition and exchange of data from all available data sources in order to fully enable the Close Combat Squad.

d. Maximum efficiency is achieved by systems operating within the available (e.g., current, proposed, developmental, etc.) bandwidth.

Desired Outcome.

Facilitate the ability to achieve and maintain overmatch at the squad and individual Soldier level in a multidomain environment through increased lethality (effects and range), increased situational awareness and understanding, optimized power sources and management, increased mobility (reduced (Desired Outcome cont.) Soldier's load and innovative integration approaches), seamless and near-real time flow of data translated into actionable intelligence, protection against all threats, and reduced logistical burden. A systems integration approach to the Soldier and Squad that is defined by an adaptive architecture will drive and help define these solutions.

Technical Area 16.B. Power.

Problem Statement. Future power required at the Soldier and Squad level exceeds what the current solutions provide, resulting in either increased load (reduced mobility), or reduced operational reach in future systems. This fact, combined with the lack of an integrated systems approach to power; and a lack of common design standards and protocols; and a lack of “intelligent” power management has led to stove-piped power solutions and exacerbated logistics, load and mobility challenges. Solving the Power problem at the Soldier and Squad level must result in a balanced approach to energy storage, and power management, distribution, and generation capabilities.

Desired Outcomes.

a. Innovative, integrated, and lightweight (portable and scalable) tactical power solutions that have increased energy densities and power generation, management, and distribution abilities. These solutions must be rapidly rechargeable (without decreasing density), easily operated, interoperable with current and future Soldier kit, and are operational in any military environment. The Army also desires the ability to execute wireless charging of Soldier worn batteries while on the move in a variety of air and ground combat platforms and while conducting dismounted movements.

b. Systems with significantly reduced power consumption.

c. Intelligent Power management that can further decrease power consumption through machine learning and artificial intelligence without soldier input and is reliable and functional over a variety of Close Combat Squad operational scenarios.

Technical Area 16.C. Data Management.

Problem Statement. Data at the Soldier and Squad level comes in from a variety of sensors and sources and in disparate forms; is limited in how it can be shared amongst and across echelons; is slow and archaic; is not well aggregated and synthesized into actionable intelligence; and in turn does not support the timely and accurate decision making process that is necessary for overmatch. Additionally, the quantity of data that is available to the Soldier, where it is stored, and how persistent it is may create substantial cognitive burdens on the Soldier that severely constrain the Solders’ and Squads’ capability to exploit the data for operational gain.

Desired Outcomes.

a. A system in which the data is portrayed in a standard interface, rapidly aggregated and translated into actionable intelligence, and shared seamlessly across all stakeholders.

b. A system in which the data is prioritized and optimized to reduce cognitive burden while still providing the leader the information needed to achieve dominance on the battlefield.

c. A simplified process or tool(s) to enable seamless transition and exchange of data from all available data sources in order to fully enable the Close Combat Squad.

d. Maximum efficiency is achieved by systems operating within the available (e.g., current, proposed, developmental, etc.) bandwidth.

Technical Area 16.D. Wireless Capabilities on Soldier Interoperability.

Problem Statement. Design of the systems within the ASA must ensure that the incorporated Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU) wireless modules, and (Secret And Below) SAB wireless modules do not permit the spillage of Classified data from the SAB modules to the SBUs module. Wireless capabilities on the Soldier is an evolving capability that should greatly improve Soldier maneuverability, survivability, and lethality by allowing wireless transmission of data amongst soldier ancillary devices. There are currently two variants of wireless capabilities on the Soldier modules: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 for SBU data and National Security Agency (NSA) SAB for SECRET data (in development). The Army is also investing in a smaller form-factor, lower-power wireless capabilities on the Soldier modules.

Desired Outcomes.

a. A decision on which module to use in an application based on the classification of the data with the understanding that SBU and SAB data cannot be interoperable.

b. Ensured interoperability between current and future wireless capabilities on the Soldier modules of the same classification.

c. Wireless capabilities on the Soldier network data can be pushed between Squad members and to higher echelons (i.e., interoperable with Non-Traditional Waveforms technologies).

Technical Area 16.E. Soldier Mobility and Survivability.

Problem Statement. Soldier mobility and survivability are reduced by the bulk, weight, stiffness, and overall thermal burden of the Soldier's Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Load Carriage Equipment. The best Soldier system design attributes and materials must improve Soldier mobility, protective capabilities, and performance.

Desired Outcomes.

a. Design, develop, and field multi-functional and multi-purpose, lighter-weight equipment and materials that integrate with other PEO efforts.

b. Optimize existing Soldier kit designs to provide more space for Soldier equipment without compromising protection and mobility.

c. Develop material solutions that increase Soldier survivability through lower probability of detection across the Electromagnetic (EM) Spectrum, improved vector protection, advanced Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) protection, and increased ballistic protection properties.

d. Incorporate thermal management designs to yield more breathable fabrics.

e. Develop systems, such as load bearing augmentation capabilities that provide or consolidate multiple capabilities and technologies to reduce the cumulative effects of equipment load.

Technical Area 16.F. Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Problem Statement. The future battle field will see AI in sensors, drones, interfaces, and mission command systems, and as the Close Combat Squad transitions to fully digital capabilities, how do we make data available forward in a manner that does not encumber the squad, has cross cutting data sharing, and is not a limiting factor to AI development which enables data exploitation? These AI solutions must leverage cloud-hosted software to share data and collaborate. Cloud-hosted software is routinely optimized for hosting on a specific cloud provider.