ICSPOTS

Submissions Closed 30 October 2024 11:59 PM ET
U.S. Citizens Only

Purpose 
SOFWERX, in collaboration with USSOCOM Program Executive Office – SOF Warrior (PEO-SW) and the Army Research Lab, will host the Intelligent Components Software Platforms Open Technology Systems (ICSPOTS) Assessment Event (AE) to develop concepts and components of systems that utilize an open architecture to enable Electronic Warfare (EW). Additionally, system level aspects, such as integration, testing, and training, are also considered to ensure fieldable solutions. 

Background/Synopsis
With a rapidly changing tactical operational environment and the preponderance of radio frequency (RF) signals in the space, maintaining a comprehension of cyber and EW persistent threats continues to put risks to the Warfighter operating in the field. The ability to increase awareness of adversarial capabilities from an EW perspective and prevent U.S. forces from being targeted is of utmost importance.

The Foundational Research for Electronic Warfare in Multi-Domain Operations (FREEDOM) program at the Army Research Lab in partnership with USSOCOM aims to improve the ability to sense and communicate in the multispectral space to support Multi-Domain Operations. These requirements are increasingly challenging due to the expansion of the contested RF spectrum and the new sensors virtually occupying the RF space.

One of the most persistent challenges in the Department of Defense is the advent, or availability of a scalable and sustainable data structure and schema. The use of scalable knowledge graphs for certain disciplines and domains will deliver an unprecedented foundation to apply machine learning and eventually artificial intelligence to the EW problem set.

Technology Focus Areas
1. Sensors
2. Data networking (transport/backhaul)
3. Data processing
4. Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence
5. Data Visualization
6. System Integration, Testing, and Training Concepts

Objective
USSOCOM PEO-SW will use this assessment event with Government, Industry, Academia, and National Laboratory participants to identify solutions providers and evaluate technology, architecture, and implementation strategies through technology evaluations and/or technology sprints to enhance our understanding in this area. 

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-SW Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). As such, the follow-on Assessment Event 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 - 02 October 2024 to 30 October 2024 Submissions to the Assessment Event 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 at the bottom of this webpage.

Completed Phase 1a - 16 October 2024 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 16 October from 2:00–3:00 PM ET. RSVP form is available at the bottom of this webpage. 

Completed Phase 2 - 31 October 2024 to 15 November 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 one-on-ones on/around 15 November.

Phase 3 - 10 December 2024 to 12 December 2024 One-on-Ones: During the One-on-Ones, selected participants will be allotted a 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 4 may immediately begin.

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

Phase 4 - 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