USSOCOM & SOFWERX - PEO-M: Next Generation Maritime Optical Systems Collaboration Event (CE)

Request to Attend NLT 23 April 2025 11:59 PM ET
U.S. Citizens Only

Purpose
SOFWERX, in collaboration with USSOCOM Program Executive Office - Maritime (PEO-M), will host a series of events to identify solutions for the Next Generation Maritime Optical Systems for the Naval Special Warfare Combatant Crafts. 

The Next Generation Maritime Optical Systems Collaboration Event seeks to bring together USSOCOM PEO-M Stakeholders with industry leaders and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to foster collaboration and gain valuable insights into the current state of the Maritime Optical System market, as well as identify emerging technologies and planned future advancements. This exchange will directly inform the requirements for the upcoming Next Generation Maritime Optical Systems for the Naval Special Warfare Combatant Crafts and ensure the requirements reflect the most cutting-edge and innovative solutions available. 

The collaboration will be crucial in delivering a state-of-the-art system that prioritizes both operator and craft safety and survivability, ultimately enhancing mission effectiveness in challenging maritime environments.   

Background/Synopsis
The legacy Combatant Craft Forward Looking Infrared (CCFLIR) program equipped Special Operations Forces (SOF) with a critical multi-sensor, electro-optic system. This system significantly enhances SOF effectiveness by improving their ability to detect, recognize, identify, range, track, and highlight objects of interest in challenging maritime environments, regardless of visibility conditions. 

Building upon this foundation, the CCFLIR, Increment 2 (CCFLIR2), leveraged technological advancements for a new generation of capabilities. These included increased operational range, advanced image fusion, net-centric data sharing, enhanced information assurance, improved signature management, and seamless integration with craft and combat systems. These upgrades directly support the operational requirements of the Navy's newer Special Warfare Combatant Craft, ensuring mission success in contested and complex maritime theaters. 

Objective
This event will unite USSOCOM SOF AT&L PEO-M, industry leaders, and subject matter experts to collaboratively shape the future of maritime superiority. Together, we will define the Next Generation Maritime Optical System for our Combatant Craft fleet, ensuring our advantage both today and for decades to come.

The goal is to leverage cutting-edge technology to significantly enhance the current Maritime Optical System capabilities (CCFLIR and CCFLIR2) in several key areas: 

• Increased Operational Range:  Extending the Electro-Optical and Infrared (EO/IR) effective reach.

• Advanced Image Fusion:  Combining data from different sensors for a clearer tactical picture.

• Net-Centric Data Sharing:  Seamlessly sharing real-time information across the network.

• Enhanced Information Assurance:  Protecting sensitive data from unauthorized access and cyber threats.

• Improved Signature Management:  Minimizing multi-sensor detectability.

• All-Weather Capability:  Unhindered by darkness, fog, smoke and adverse weather conditions.

• Seamless Craft and Combat Systems Integration:  Ensuring the EO/IR system connects seamlessly with other onboard systems.

• Increased Sea State Operation:  Ensuring the EO/IR system can survive operations during Sea State 5 conditions.

• Ensuring Increased Maintainability:  Especially regarding fragile components like glass and cables, requires a multi-pronged approach focusing on design, material selection, and maintenance procedures.

• Decreased Footprint:  System shall have a smaller footprint then the current Combatant Craft Forward Looking Infrared (CCFLIR 2) from a size, weight and power standpoint.

These upgrades are crucial for equipping the Navy's Legacy and Future Combatant Crafts, ultimately enhancing both crew and craft survivability and effectiveness in challenging operational environments. 

Why You Should Participate
USSOCOM seeks to enter into non-FAR or FAR-based agreements with Industry, Academic, and National Lab partners whose solutions are favorably evaluated by PEO-M Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). As such, the follow-on Assessment Event (AE) is considered competitive and solutions will be evaluated independently of one another primarily for technical merit. This serves dually as notification of the intent to research the feasibility of an agreement under 10 U.S. Code, Section 4022 and/or Section 4022(f), and as notice of pre-solicitation activities IAW FAR 5.204.

Event Timeline

Phase 1 - 10 June 2025 Collaboration Event (CE): SOFWERX will host the Collaboration Event (CE) with Industry, Academic, and Laboratory partners focused on "Next Generation Maritime Optical Systems" concept needs. During this event, Warfighters will interact with potential solution offerors and further communicate operational needs and desirements. Participation in this event is not mandatory, however, it is designed to provide insights to ensure potential offerors understand the problem set(s) fully and to increase the likelihood of matching their technologies with Warfighter needs. This CE is also an opportunity for attendees to meet and form partnerships that may provide a more comprehensive solution. If you do not wish to participate in the CE, you are free to submit your technology on/around 08 July for the AE. Request to attend the CE below, NLT 23 April. Favorably evaluated requests will receive an invitation to attend the event on/around 01 May.  

Tentative Agenda
All times listed are in ET
8:00 – 8:20: Participants arrive at SOFWERX
8:20 – 8:25: SOFWERX Welcome
8:25 – 8:45: Stakeholder Overview & Problem Set
8:45 – 9:45: Current Limitations Breakout
9:45 – 10:00: Break
10:00 – 11:00: Ways to Overcome Limitations Breakout
11:00 – 12:00: Lunch (on your own)
12:00 – 2:30: Problem Statement Development
2:30 – 2:45: Break
2:45 – 3:45: Problem Statement Briefs
3:45 – 4:30: Prioritization
4:30 – 5:00: Path Forward

Note: Agenda is subject to change

This event will be held in person at SOFWERX. 

Phase 2 - 08 July 2025 to 05 August 2025 Submissions to the Assessment Event (AE) Open: Interested respondents who could potentially provide solutions that meet the needs of USSOCOM are encouraged to submit their capability for USSOCOM review. To submit your technology for potential Phase 4 attendance, please review the assessment criteria and follow the submission instructions that will be near the bottom of this webpage on/around 08 July.

Phase 2a - 21 July 2025 Q&A Telecon: Interested offerors may participate in a virtual Q&A session to better understand the PM's specific technology objectives. The telecon will take place on 21 July from 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET. RSVP form will be available on/around 08 July.

Phase 3 - 06 August 2025 to 15 August 2025 Downselect: USSOCOM will downselect those respondents/submissions they feel have the highest potential to satisfy their technology needs. Favorably evaluated submissions will receive an invitation to attend the AE on/around 18 August.

Phase 4 - 09 September 2025 to 11 September 2025 Assessment Event (AE): During the AE, selected participants will be allotted a one-on-one session with the USSOCOM evaluation panel to pitch, demonstrate, and/or discuss their solutions. The forum will include a Q&A portion and discussions may continue outside of the event. Solution brief presentation guidelines will be outlined in the event invitation and solutions will be assessed according to the criteria in the link provided below. If the USSOCOM evaluation panel favorably evaluates a solution brief, negotiations for Phase 5 may immediately begin.

This event will be held virtually.

Phase 5 - Path Forward: Successfully negotiated awards may fall under any combination of these categories:

• Business to business research and development agreement as a sub-award through the SOFWERX Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) (15 U.S. Code Section 3715)
• OTA for research or prototype projects (10 U.S. Code Sections 4021, 4022)
  • An award under 10 U. S. Code, Section 4022 may result in the further award of a follow-on production agreement without additional competition based on successful prototype completion. The Government may make this follow-on production award based upon successful prototype criteria, which will be determined for each prototype project.
• Procurement for experimental purposes (10 U.S. Code Section 4023)
• Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (15 U.S. Code Section 3710a)
• Prizes for advanced technology achievements (10 U. S. Code Section 4025) and/or prize competitions (15 U.S. Code 3719)
• FAR-based procurement contract 

NOTE: Awardees may need to be compliant with NIST SP 800-171, Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in Non-Federal Systems and Organizations

How You Can Participate
Government, Industry, Academia, National Labs, and Non-Traditional Attendees

1. Request to attend the 10 June 2025 Collaboration Event: Click SWX EVENT LINK to Request to Attend (NLT 23 April 11:59 PM ET)
2. Review Assessment Criteria: Will be posted on/around 08 July
3. Download the White Paper Template: Will be posted on/around 08 July
4. Complete the Submission Form: Will be posted on/around 08 July

Questions?

For event-related questions, please contact Alana Hymel at alana.hymel@sofwerx.org