Dry Combat Submersible

(DCS) Transporter

Virtual Assessment Event

02-04 September 2020

Submissions Closed

 

Purpose
SOFWERX, in concert with USSOCOM PEO-Maritime (PEO-M), will host a series of events to identify solutions to Dry Combat Submersible (DCS) Transportation.

Background
Dry Combat Submersible (DCS) is required to be transportable over land, air, and sea. The original DCS design supported transportation within a 40-foot High Cube Military Van (MILVAN), on a Low Boy (low bed), or standard flatbed-type trailer. Several fact-of-life changes, including an increase in size and weight of the vehicle, along with associated airport offloading options have driven the need for a design-for-purpose transporter to meet the transportability requirements for all realistic operational scenarios.

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 USSOCOM S&T subject matter experts. As such, the follow-on Assessment Event is considered competitive in the same manner as a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) or Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO), 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 2371b and/or Section 2371b(f), and as notice of pre-solicitation activities IAW FAR 5.204.

Event Timeline
Completed Phase 1 – 10 June 2020 Virtual Collaboration Event: SOFWERX will host a Virtual Collaboration Event with Industry, Academia, and Laboratory partners focused on Dry Combat Submersible (DCS) Transportation needs. During this event, Warfighters will interact with potential solution offerors and further communicate operational needs. 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. The 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 event, you are free to submit your technology for review in the Assessment Event (AE) after 11 June.

Completed Phase 2 – 11 June 2020 to 10 July 2020 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 solutions for USSOCOM review. To submit your technology for potential Phase 4 attendance, please follow the submission instructions that will be near the bottom of this webpage after 11 June.

Completed Questions Due – NLT 18 June 2020 11:59 PM EST: Interested offerors may submit additional questions (form below) regarding specific technology objectives or in preparation for their white papers. Responses to questions will be posted at the bottom of this website NLT 25 June 2020.

Completed Phase 3 – 11 July 2020 to 29 July 2020 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 Phase 4 Assessment Event o/a 29 July.

Completed Phase 4 – 02 September 2020 to 04 September 2020 Virtual Assessment Event: During the Assessment Event (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 evaluation criteria will be outlined in the event invitation. If the USSOCOM evaluation panel favorably evaluates a solution brief, negotiations for Phase 5 may immediately begin.

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

  • Other Transaction Agreements under 10 U.S. Code, Section 2371 or 2371b* (prototyping/production follow-on)
  • Procurement contract for experimental purposes 10 U. S. Code, Section 2373
    Business to business research and development agreement as a sub-award (15 U.S. Code, Section 3715)
  • Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (15 U.S. Code, Section 3710a)
  • *An award under 10 U. S. Code, Section 2371b 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 even if all successful prototype criteria are not fully met during the prototype project.

Questions?
For event-related questions, please contact Kinsey Crim, kinsey.crim@sofwerx.org

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