UPDATE : Opportunity to request an invitation extended through August 21 2024 at 5:00PM EST The Innovation & Modernization (I&M) office within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Researching and Engineering (OUSD (R&E)) is seeking to invite a limited number of industry observers to Thunderstorm 24-3 "Robotic Partners and Human-Machine Interfaces". Thunderstorm 24-3 is a technology showcase focused on exploring emerging robotic partners and human-machine interface solutions, in partnership with the U.S. Army Futures Command. WHERE : Thunderstorm 24-3 will take place near Bryan, Texas. Details will be provided to upon receiving an invitation to attend. WHEN: Thursday, September 19 2024 (8:30 AM – 4:00 PM CST). WHAT: Thunderstorm is a Department of Defense (DoD) sponsored series of technology discovery events. Each Thunderstorm provides opportunities for developers to showcase their solutions in an operationally realistic environment for Government attendees to discover new technologies and capabilities. Thunderstorm 24-3 will focus on showcasing emerging solutions for reducing the physical and cognitive burden on operators. Technologies will include autonomous robotic platforms, human-machine interfaces, and resilient navigation and communication systems for directing robotic partners in environments with degraded connectivity. The overall classification of the event is UNCLASSIFIED. WHO: Thunderstorm 24-3 is an invitation only event. Through this RFI, Innovation & Modernization will invite a limited number of industry observers to attend an ‘Industry Day’ during the Thunderstorm 24-3 showcase. The intent is to provide the companies already selected to showcase their solutions at Thunderstorm with greater exposure to industry observers. Industry observers must attend on behalf of private organizations that specialize in supporting small business development, such as investment firms or technical consulting firms. Thunderstorm is otherwise a limited to U.S. Government personnel and their representatives, along with select technology developers showcasing their current prototype solutions (selected through a previous RFI: IM-20240404-W-Thunderstorm_24-3). Thunderstorm 24-3 is sponsored by I&M and conducted in close coordination with the U.S. Army Futures Command, as well as additional DoD stakeholders. Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) supports the execution of Thunderstorm 24-3 as directed by I&M leadership. HOW: Participation at Thunderstorm 24-3 through this RFI will be limited based on venue constraints, and determined on a first-come basis amongst interested parties that meet the basic qualifications for attendance. There will be a limit of one (1) representative per organization. All requests to attend must be submitted by 5:00 PM EST on August 21 2024 , to be considered. Interested parties will need to email the required information to the Innovation & Modernization office (email:
[email protected]) if they wish to be invited to attend Thunderstorm 24-3. Please use the Subject Line "Thunderstorm 24-3: Industry Observer Request". Required information to provide includes: Attendee Name (First & Last) Attendee email address and phone number Attendee Nationality Organization Name Organization Headquarters Organization website Brief Description (<100 words) about the organization, and their role supporting small businesses and non-traditional innovators. If invited to attend Thunderstorm 24-3, individuals must comply with all Thunderstorm 24-3 rules. This includes, but is not limited to, procedures surrounding visitor access and sharing of information. Failure to comply with all rules in a timely fashion may result in an individual having their invitation rescinded. WHY: Innovation & Modernization drives efforts to compete with adversaries by developing capabilities that support the joint Warfighter. Thunderstorm showcases provide opportunities for the DoD to identify novel approaches to operational challenges and clearly communicate with technology developers to influence prototype development. Innovation & Modernization recognizes the need to foster a more vibrant innovation ecosystem that brings in partners that can further facilitate cross-collaboration and generate additional opportunities for accelerating the development of promising prototypes into fieldable capabilities. THIS IS AN INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY. This announcement is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future.