Lightweight Body Armor (LWBA)

Purpose
SOFWERX, in collaboration with USSOCOM Program Executive Office-SOF Warrior (PEO-SW) will host an Assessment Event (AE) to identify solutions for Lightweight Body Armor (LWBA). The LWBA will provide the SOF operator with the lightest possible ballistic plate that meets ballistic protection requirements, to increase operational effectiveness and to reduce long term injury. The lightweight ballistic plates must be compatible with currently fielded USSOCOM body armor vests and meet the requirements of the technical drawings provided by USSOCOM.

Background
USSOCOM is seeking sources within the national technology and industrial base with the ability to provide USSOCOM LWBA. The objective is to streamline developmental efforts and field Special Operations (SO) - peculiar body armor in a rapid acquisition environment. The LWBA will focus on reducing the weight of currently fielded ballistic plates while maintaining or increasing the level of ballistic protection, and provide vital mission essential equipment for SOF operators.

Objective
The objective of the LWBA effort is to evaluate and identify the lightest weight ballistic plates that meet current ballistic performance specifications. The lightweight ballistic plates must be compatible with currently fielded USSOCOM body armor vests and meet the requirements of the technical drawings provided by USSOCOM.

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 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 - 11 July 2023 to 01 August 2023 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 3 attendance, please review the assessment criteria and follow the submission instructions near the bottom of this webpage.

Phase 1a - 19 July 2023 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 will take place on 19 July from 3:00–4:00 PM ET. Click Here to RSVP (NLT 18 July)

Phase 2 - 02 August 2023 to 10 August 2023 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 11 August.

Phase 3 - 29 August 2023 to 31 August 2023 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. 

This event will be held in person at SOFWERX, but will have a virtual component. Each vendor should attend with a team of no more than 2 individuals, and the rest of the sales/technical team can attend virtually.  

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

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

1. RSVP to Attend the 19 July Q&A Telecon: Click Here to RSVP (NLT 18 July)   
2. Review Assessment Criteria: Click Here to Review 
3. Download the White Paper Template: Click Here to Download 
4. Complete the Submission Form: Click Here to Submit (NLT 01 August)