Description
*****UPDATED 15 APR 2020***** Submission deadline extended to 25 May 2020 at 9:00 PM Pacific Time. Updates are bold and underlined . Submissions and questions MUST BE MADE THROUGH THE AFWERX WEBSITE at the link below. All details regarding Space Challenges are located there. Any questions regarding the challenges or how to submit, how to partner, etc should be made through this link: https://afwerxchallenge.com/spacechallenge The AFWERX Space Challenge initiative is made up of four challenges targeted at creating integrated space operations leveraging the best in technology while maintaining security, being resilient and increasing agility. Four challenges are running concurrently but are focused on separate topics. Persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance DoD Commercial Space Partnerships Global Space Transport and Delivery Space Asset Resiliency Here are some reasons to participate: Opportunity to receive funding for rapid prototyping and prospective further development of your solution in a military context Potential long term contract or agreement and continuing business partnerships with USAF and other government agencies If selected, you will receive official recognition for you and your company through publication on internal and external USAF communication channels Opportunity to collaborate and work with industry and the government to positively impact the warfighter and U.S. strategic advantage Potential invitation to attend the challenge showcase to network with peers, USAF or other Department of Defense (DoD) customers and investors The ability to scale throughout the government and DoD We are looking for individuals, companies, teams, academics, investors and government entities from the U.S. and allied countries who develop or have expertise in the focus areas of each challenge. Industry can increase their focus on military applications benefiting from the opportunity to partner with USAF to create, expand, or adapt a commercially viable product. Submissions will be open until 25 May 2020 at 9:00 PM Pacific Time. Submissions will be made on afwerxchallenge.com and will need to answer all required submission fields in order to be accepted. All submissions will be officially reviewed by the evaluation team starting May 26th using the criteria mentioned below to select the teams that will be provided an invitation to the Challenge Showcase event. Communication to all successful and unsuccessful teams will be sent by 9 June 2020 via email. The showcase will take place in either Las Vegas or Seattle, but a date has not yet been determined. A confirmation will be sent by 9 June 2020. The showcase will be a great opportunity to meet individuals, teams and enterprises that were also selected to attend. Another evaluation will be completed at the showcase via private pitches and also public discussions on the showcase floor with evaluators. There may be some additional criteria used in the evaluation at the showcase, if this is the case, all teams invited to the showcase will be notified at the same time before 9 June 2020 . All dates are subject to change. We will communicate any changes on https://www.afwerxchallenge.com. Participation for the challenges require a completed submission using the web form on the AFWERXchallenge.com website for the topics. The announcement of AFWERX events, considered to possess high potential for further efforts, may be made at https://www.afwerxchallenge.com. FAR-based contracting instruments, Other Transaction Authority (OTA) for Prototype Projects 10 USC 2371b, to include follow-on production OTs, Prizes for advanced technology achievements 10 USC 2374a, and/or Prize Competitions 15 USC 3719 may support the accomplishment of these events. All announcements made at both beta.sam.gov (formerly fbo.gov) and https://www.afwerxchallenge.com website(s) are considered to satisfy the reasonable effort to obtain competition per 10 USC 2374a (b), 15 USC 3719 (e) and 10 USC 2371b (b)(2). Possibility of working with existing prime contractors on existing Air Force contracts. All FAR-based actions will follow announcement procedures per FAR 5.201(b) accordingly. Subject matter experts advising the government team may include firms contracted by other participating DoD branches (U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard). These firms are contracted to provide advisory and assistance services to USAF or other DoD branches. Even though these firms are an important supporting element in ongoing efforts, they may be asked to provide limited advice on potential solutions. It is the responsibility of participating firms to protect their own intellectual property or other proprietary information as necessary. Notice to Offeror(s): Funds are not presently available for these efforts. No award will be made under this open call until funds are available. The United States Government reserves the right to cancel this open call, either before or after the closing date. In the event the government cancels this open call, the government has no obligation to reimburse an offeror for any costs. The submission deadline is controlled by the AFWERX Challenge server time and is not dictated by local participant computer time. AFWERX Challenge shall not be held responsible for discrepancies in computer times, delays due to internet connectivity, server performance due to large numbers of participants utilizing the software at the same time, or other factors outside of AFWERX Challenge’s control. No exceptions will be made for late submissions regardless of the reason. It is advisable to complete submissions well in advance of the submission deadline.