THUNDERSTORM TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION and EXPERIMENTATION 20-3 Virtual: Soldier Survivability Please note that if you responded to the original Thunderstorm 20-3 RFI, you do not need to respond to this posting as well. The demonstration team will be in contact with you to set up your virtual demonstration . A. INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this request for information (RFI) is to solicit technologies from private industry, government research and development (R&D) organizations, and academia for inclusion in a future capability demonstration and experimentation event focused on improving soldier survivability. Anticipated technologies that enhance soldier survivability include advancements in training methods, sensors that improve situational awareness, soldier and personal protective equipment (SPE/PPE), and soldier signature management. The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD (R&E)) Rapid Reaction Technology Office (RRTO), sponsors this effort. The intent is to accelerate the delivery of innovative capabilities to the warfighter by demonstrating and experimenting with the capability in an operationally relevant environment. The results of this effort will be used to inform decision makers of emerging and available technology solutions that enhance or improve operational capabilities. Interested parties are welcome to submit their applications to participate in the demonstration and experimentation events. Technologies demonstrations are planned to take place at the unclassified level; as such, proposals must be submitted at the unclassified level. For technologies that have features or applications at higher classification levels, please respond with an unclassified proposal. If this technology is chosen for the Thunderstorm 20-3 virtual demonstration, arrangements can then be made for subsequent discussions at the appropriate level. This RFI is for Thunderstorm 20-3V, with a virtual demonstration event planned for April 2021. The application deadline is 5:00 PM EDT on 15 March 2021. Please note that if you responded to the original Thunderstorm 20-3 RFI, you do not need to respond to this posting as well. The demonstration team will be in contact with you to set up your virtual demonstration. This RFI is NOT a solicitation for procurement or other acquisition proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for the information solicited. B. BACKGROUND: Thunderstorm provides an opportunity for technology developers to demonstrate and experiment with new and evolving technological capabilities in an operationally relevant environment, as well as to obtain insight into federal technology gaps and emerging needs. The demonstration and experimentation environment enables a collaborative working relationship between government organizations, academia, and industry. This promotes the identification of emerging needs and an assessment of maturing technologies with the primary goal of accelerating the delivery of technology discoveries to the Department of Defense and interagency partners. Thunderstorm provides a realistic demonstration environment for technology developers to interact with operational personnel. Technologies brought to the event should be at a technology readiness level (TRL) of 4 or greater (http://www.acqnotes.com/acqnote/tasks/technology-readiness-level). The Thunderstorm technology demonstration and experimentation event(s) involves individual or multiple technologies and is conducted with interagency partners. The technology developer provides the capability for demonstration and experimentation and personnel for installation and integration into the overall event. The technology developer operates the system during the event and uninstalls the system upon completion. The Thunderstorm staff plans, coordinates, and assists with the associated logistics of the technology demonstration and experimentation, and provides limited assistance for the installation and integration efforts. The Thunderstorm staff will not assist with engineering changes to the demonstrated technology or system. Industry, academia, and other government organizations are invited to submit demonstration and experimentation applications addressing innovative technologies, potentially leading to follow-on government/industry collaboration and further development of emerging capabilities or fielding of mature capabilities. C. DESCRIPTION: The Thunderstorm 20-3 virtual demonstration and experimentation event will focus on challenges encountered with improving soldier survivability. These include technologies that enhance soldier survivability through training, sensors and situational awareness, Soldier Protective Equipment/Personal Protective Equipment SPE/PPE, signature management of personnel and equipment, and Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) solutions. The event will support both developmental and mature technologies and is planned to be conducted over a two-day timeframe in April 2021 as a virtual event. Under the direction of the RRTO, the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) will lead the 20-3V demonstration and experimentation event, with support and participation from the Applied Research Laboratory at Pennsylvania State University (ARL/PSU) and other DoD and government partners. Candidate capabilities will emphasize soldier survivability with increased mobility and automated operations with a goal of reducing or eliminating operator workload requirements, limiting/reducing size, weight, power, and reducing cost. Respondents are invited to submit technology demonstration and experimentation applications. Capabilities of interest include, but are not limited to: Training Support Technologies: Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) for maintenance, emergency, and battlespace training applications. Decision-based, multi-user training technologies. End-to-End immersive war gaming environments which may include planning, execution, and scoring capabilities or a subset of these components. Live-fire training solutions with a surrogate Opposing Force (OPFOR). Sensors and Situational Awareness: Capture of critical, time-sensitive information about a rapidly changing environment (e.g., obstruction identification on a map to re-route personnel). Transmit data/information to other users within the same domain or to a central command common operating picture. Capture of real-time collection of Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) information for dismounted personnel when moving through GPS-degraded and GPS-denied areas Real-time physiological monitoring of personnel with emphasis on minimizing SWaP Real-time mapping and interior GEOINT; storage and later reuse of maps desired. Applications with unique deployments (UAVs/UGVs, throw-bots, etc.) and focus on SWaP reduction are desired. Man-portable systems for remote data collection in multiple domains and environments Emerging threat detection and/or integrated early warning systems Soldier and Personal Protective Equipment (SPE/PPE): Increase soldier effectiveness through enhancements in soldier protection and individual equipment Microwave protective equipment Decontamination solutions for large vehicles operating in potential CBRN environments Soldier and Materiel Signature Management: Textiles/materials or technologies to manage radar, electronic, thermal, infrared, visual, electro-optical, and acoustic signatures generated by either dismounted or mounted units and associated equipment. Alter or camouflage aspects of the operator or their equipment to make them undetectable and/or unrecognizable. Quick-reaction camouflage utilizing such technologies as electrochromic, electrowetting, or bio-inspired materials or coatings applicable in a variety of Areas of Responsibility (AOR)s (Woodland, Desert, Arctic, Urban) Radar cross-section (RCS) reduction for units under canopy Vehicle thermal signature reduction Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Solution: Incorporated with clothing or other soldier-borne equipment Ability to integrate into Nett Warrior (NW) Secure, discrete means of IFF behind enemy lines After a review of the vendor applications, the government may invite candidates to brief their capability to support the selection process and/or invite candidates to demonstrate and experiment with their capability during the Thunderstorm 20-3 virtual demonstration and experimentation event with the intent to accelerate the delivery of innovative capabilities. Importantly, vendors may be selected for follow-on events at facility specific locations in support of future acquisition activities. Industry participation in the demonstration and experimentation activities does not suggest or imply that the government will endorse, procure, or purchase equipment. D. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: Submit demonstration applications to the Thunderstorm demonstration and experimentation program electronically. Please use the application provided in Appendix 1 or email
[email protected] to request an application template or if you have any questions. The application submitted under this RFI shall be limited to four pages. Applications shall be clearly marked with RFI number: RRTO-20-3-RFI-01. The application shall be formatted to print as typewritten on single-sided paper with one-inch margins on all sides and 1.5-spaced text. 10-point font or larger with normal (uncondensed) spacing shall be used. All applications shall be submitted in the portable document format (PDF) file format and shall be less than two MB in size. All applications must be submitted via email to
[email protected] and include the following information: Subject: Thunderstorm 20-3 Application Company name/business division/address Capability name Primary POC info for the application: name, email & phone number You will receive an email within two business days verifying your application was received. Each application must address only one technology solution; multiple applications addressing multiple systems may be submitted. Thunderstorm will provide venues, supporting infrastructure and personnel for assessment (operational and technical), based on availability of resources. Costs specific to running the technology developer’s equipment, as well as the technology developer’s travel costs will be at the technology developer’s expense. Invited technology developers must be prepared to be self-sufficient during the execution of their demonstration and not dependent on venue resources. If you have questions regarding the submittal, please contact: thunderstorm @gtri.gatech.ed u . DO NOT SUBMIT CLASSIFIED INFORMATION in the application. Thunderstorm 20-3V is planned to be held at the unclassified level. Capabilities may be For Official Use Only (FOUO) and may be subject to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) restrictions. It is incumbent on the demonstrators to ensure that these restrictions are outlined in their application so that appropriate protections can be made. DO NOT SUBMIT ACQUISITION PROPOSALS. Submit demonstration applications and white papers only. Thunderstorm technology demonstration and experimentation applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 PM EDT on 15 March 2021 . No contracts will be awarded based solely on this announcement. Submission of an application does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the demonstration and experimentation event. E. BASIS FOR SELECTION TO PARTICIPATE: Submissions will be reviewed by the RRTO and appropriate supporting government organizations and support contractors. The RRTO will determine whether a submission will be accepted for invitation at the demonstration. Selection of respondents to participate shall be based on the extent to which the technology represents a particular class or level of capability that can be provided to interested commands or interagency partners. Other considerations include: Relevance to event focus area Completeness of application and supporting information Technical maturity Relevance of or adaptability to Department of Defense or interagency partner operations/missions Relevance to current operational needs F. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Technology developers shall assure that all proprietary information, documentation and equipment are appropriately and clearly marked. Be advised that lessons learned from these demonstrations may be broadly disseminated through official channels within the Federal government and partner government agencies associated with the Thunderstorm program. If selected for participation, technology developers may be requested to provide additional information that will be used in preparation for the event. G. USE OF INFORMATION: The purpose of this notice is to gain information for potential future use and/or collaboration for development of technology capabilities. All proprietary information contained in the response shall be clearly marked. Any proprietary information contained in response to this request will be properly protected from any unauthorized disclosure. The government will not use proprietary information submitted from any one firm to establish future capability requirements. H. SPECIAL NOTICE: University affiliated research centers (UARCs), federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), and/or contractor consultant/advisors to the government will review and provide support during evaluation of submittals. When appropriate, non-government advisors may be used to objectively review a particular functional area and provide comments and recommendations to the government. All advisors shall comply with procurement integrity laws and shall sign non-disclosure and rules of conduct/conflict of interest statements. The government shall take into consideration requirements for avoiding conflicts of interest and ensure advisors comply with safeguarding proprietary data. Submission in response to this RFI constitutes approval to release the submittal to government support contractors. I. FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) 52.215-3: Per FAR 52.215-3 Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997): The government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI notice or to otherwise pay for the information. Although "proposal" and "technology developer" are used in this RFI, your responses will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. In accordance with FAR Clause 52.209(c), the purpose of this RFI is to solicit technology demonstration candidates from R&D organizations, private industry and academia for inclusion in future Thunderstorm technology demonstration and experimentation events sponsored by RRTO.