USSOCOM Enterprise Training Solution

Submissions Closed 05 January 2024

Purpose 
SOFWERX, in collaboration with USSOCOM Program Executive Office-Services (PEO-SV), will host a series of events to identify, collaborate, and find solutions to streamline the acquisition, purchasing, and scheduling of enterprise training. The purpose of this effort is to alleviate the burden on units of ordering and purchasing required training multiple times throughout the year.

Background/Synopsis
In February of this year, the USSOCOM Commanding General initiated a series of round tables to discover areas of burden being experienced by the USSOCOM Enterprise. Acquiring, purchasing, and scheduling training is one of the top issues. A Government Purchase Card (GPC) can be used for any training requirement under $25K, but if the training occurs multiple times per year, and you make several purchases, it is flagged as a split purchase. If the training is over $25K, you can execute a Purchase Order, which requires multiple quotes before a contract can be let for the requirement. A Request for Proposal (RFP) for an open bid and source selection is also required before the contract can be awarded. This process traditionally takes between six to twelve months.

Objective
The goal of this series of events is to identify capabilities for a tool that will enable government stakeholders to sort through a menu of available training options from available companies. The tool should allow customers to rate companies' past performance and allow units to purchase and schedule training without resoliciting and/or renegotiating a contract or purchase order. Ideally, the tool will also provide firewalls to protect company proprietary data and ITAR information and reside on the unclassified network.
 

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-SV 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
Completed Phase 1 - 27 July 2023 USSOCOM Enterprise Government Only Collaboration Event (CE): SOFWERX will host the Government Only Collaboration Event (CE) with TSOCs and Components and a select group from HQ USSOCOM focused on enterprise training solution needs. During this event, Government stakeholders will review the list created during the HQ USSOCOM Government Only CE and integrate their training requirements and desirements. Problem statement(s) will be developed to frame enterprise training solution needs. Outcomes from this Government Only Collaboration Event will shape the Industry, Academia, and Laboratory Collaboration Event on/around 19 September. 

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: Voting
4:30 – 5:00: Path Forward

Note: Agenda is subject to change
 

This event will be held in person at SOFWERX, but will have a virtual component. 

Completed Phase 2 - 19 September 2023 Collaboration Event (CE): SOFWERX will host the Collaboration Event (CE) with Industry partners focused on enterprise training solution needs. During this event, Warfighters will interact with potential solution offerors and further communicate operational training 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 10 October for the AE. Request to Attend the CE below, NLT 05 September.

Tentative Agenda
All times listed are in ET
0900-0930: Attendees Check-In
0945-1000: SOFWERX Welcome Remarks
1000-1015: Stakeholder Remarks
1015-1200: Problem Statement Round Robin
1200-1330: Lunch (On Your Own)
1330-1400: Large Group Q&A
1400-1430: Networking
1430-1445: Technologies, Techniques, and POCs Submissions
1445-1500: Wrap-Up and Follow-On Event Schedules/Q&A
1500: Optional SOFWERX 101 & Tour

Note: Agenda is subject to change

Completed Phase 3 - 30 November 2023 to 05 January 2024 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 5 attendance, please review the assessment criteria and follow the submission instructions that will be near the bottom of this webpage.

Completed Phase 3a - 13 December Q&A Telecon: Interested offerors may participate in a virtual Q&A session to better understand the end user's specific technology objectives. The telecon took place on 13 December from 2:00-3:00 PM ET. 

Completed Phase 4 - 08 January 2024 to 26 January 2024 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 26 January.

Phase 5 - 07 February 2024 Assessment Event: 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 6 may immediately begin.

This event will be held virtually. 

Phase 6 - 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