Drone in a Box (DIBs)

Request to Attend NLT 24 March 2025 11:59 PM ET

Purpose
SOFWERX, in collaboration with USSOCOM Program Executive Office Tactical Information Systems (PEO-TIS), will host a Collaboration Event (CE) to identify production model solutions for a configurable multidomain system capable of performing a variety of missions related to uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and uncrewed ground systems (UGV). 

Background/Synopsis
The Program Executive Office for Tactical Information Systems (PEO-TIS) is conducting a search for innovative solutions in a specific technology area, aiming to expand its knowledge and explore available capabilities that can support USSOCOM's vision for a configurable uncrewed air/ground system. This system should enable the Warfighter to adapt and respond to evolving multidomain mission sets, providing a flexible and dynamic solution that can be tailored to meet the unique demands of modern warfare.

The "Drone in a Box" concept is a modular, adaptable, and scalable solution designed to provide Warfighters with a flexible and responsive Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capability, utilizing both Uncrewed Ground Systems (UGS) and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) with a desired maximum gross takeoff weight of 55 pounds. This innovative approach enables operators to rapidly reconfigure and tailor their systems to meet specific ISR mission requirements by swapping out interchangeable parts and components from an assembly package. The assembly package will include modular frames, propulsion systems, a sensor, and payload modules (such as electro-optical, infrared, and signals intelligence sensors), power and energy modules, control and navigation systems, and communication systems, allowing Warfighters to quickly adapt to changing mission requirements and conduct a variety of ISR tasks, such as area surveillance, target tracking, and battle damage assessment. The "Drone in a Box" system will support both Group 1 and Group 2 UAS, as well as small UGS, providing Warfighters with a comprehensive and flexible ISR capability to respond to emerging threats, gather critical information, and enhance their situational awareness in a variety of environments, including urban, rural, and austere terrain. The UGS component will enable Warfighters to conduct ISR missions in areas where UAS may be limited, such as in dense urban environments or under heavy tree cover. By leveraging the "Drone in a Box" concept, Warfighters will be able to rapidly deploy and reconfigure their ISR assets to meet the demands of dynamic and evolving mission sets, ultimately providing a decisive advantage on the battlefield. The "Drone in a Box" system is designed to deliver a modular, adaptable, and scalable ISR solution that meets the evolving needs of the Warfighter.

Objective
The objective of the Collaboration Event (CE) for the "Drone in a Box" concept is to collaborate with industry partners to assess current capabilities of production model solutions for a configurable multidomain system, delivering a modular, adaptable, and scalable Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) solution that meets the evolving needs of the Warfighter, enabling them to rapidly deploy and reconfigure their ISR assets to meet dynamic mission sets and provide a decisive advantage on the battlefield.

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-TIS 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 - 24 April 2025 Collaboration Event (CE): SOFWERX will host the Collaboration Event (CE) with Industry, Academic, and Laboratory partners focused on "Drone in a Box" 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 07 May for the AE. Request to attend the CE below, NLT 24 March. Favorably evaluated requests will receive an invitation to attend the event on/around 03 April.  

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 - 07 May 2025 to 04 June 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 07 May.

Phase 2a - 14 May 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 14 May from 1:00 PM ET - 2:00 PM ET. RSVP form will be available on/around 07 May.

Phase 3 - 05 June 2025 to 13 June 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 16 June.

Phase 4 - 09 July 2025 to 11 July 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 in person at SOFWERX and will have a virtual component. 

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 24 April Collaboration Event: Click Here to Request to Attend (NLT 24 March 11:59 PM ET)

2. Review Assessment Criteria: Will be Posted on/around 07 May

3. Download the White Paper Template: Will be Posted on/around 07 May

4. Complete the Submission Form: Will be Posted on/around 07 May