SOCOM Academic RFI

A. Introduction U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is investigating the feasibility of entering into a long-term contractual agreement with an Academic institution within the local MacDill AFB geographic area. MacDill AFB geographic region is henceforth defined as a 2 hour travel distance. Based on the responses and feedback received from this RFI, program representatives may choose to meet with potential offerors and hold one-on-one discussions. Such discussions would only be intended to obtain further clarification of potential capability to meet the requirements. This RFI is being issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute an Invitation for Bids (IFB), a Request for Proposals (RFP), a Request for Quotation (RFQ) or an indication that the Government will contract for any of the items and/or services contained in this notice. In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.215-3, Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes, the Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs, of the FAR. No determination as to the viability of this requirement has been made at this point and there is currently no solicitation for this effort. Any solicitation resulting from this Request for Information (RFI) may be announced separately. B. Background USSOCOM requires access to applied research (as defined in FAR 35.001) and advanced technology development that can be uniquely supplied with a relationship with a dedicated academic partner. Furthermore, USSOCOM intends to develop a relationship allowing an Academic Institution within the MacDill AFB geographical area to provide potential interns, classified workspaces, senior level engineering capstone projects, and to collaborate with other National Academic Institutions in exploring the following USSOCOM primary concepts/capabilities: Autonomous Systems. Includes, but is not limited to, the design and development of the following autonomous systems: terrestrial robots, unmanned aerial, ground, and underwater vehicles/drones, and small satellites/space systems; associated subsystems including sensors, on board processing, communications, and locomotion. Encompasses research and development in the supporting disciplines of computer vision, natural language processing, control systems, mapping, navigation, Alternate Position, Navigation, and timing (APNT), teaming, and other machine learning and artificial intelligence methods. A Counter Unmanned Systems (CUAS) capability for the detection, geo-location, and mitigation of autonomous and unmanned vehicle threats. Particular focus on open hardware/software systems and commercial-off-the-shelf technology with associated modifications. Biotechnologies and Human Interface. Includes, but is not limited to the following biomedical engineering disciplines: tissue and genetic engineering; wound treatment/healing techniques; implants, bionics and prosthetics; pharmaceutical engineering to include drug/vaccine development and delivery; and rehabilitation engineering. Also includes research in nutrition and diet; exercise, training, and recovery; wearable technology; human machine interface to augment strength, increase user capability, and maintain operator mobility in a dynamic, austere environment. Human Interface seeks to integrate human considerations with and across all system elements and is primarily concerned with designing human-machine interfaces consistent with the physical, cognitive, and sensory abilities of the Special Operation Forces (SOF) Operator in order to mitigate this burden. Cyber and Electromagnetic Security. Includes, but is not limited to the development of measures in the cyber and electromagnetic domain to protect a computer or computer systems against unauthorized access or attack. Encompasses both traditional computer systems and networks as well as corresponding integrated communications, surveillance, and effects subsystems. Also includes development of cyber and/or electronic warfare related technologies leveraged to seize, retain, and exploit advantages in both cyberspace and across the electromagnetic spectrum. Open architecture systems that allow portability of waveforms and wideband/ultra-wideband (e.g. WB/UWB, etc.) communication. Computer programming and debugging. Developmental technologies to reduce or mitigate electromagnetic and acoustic signature. Transportation and Energy Infrastructure. Includes, but is not limited to the development of next generation transportation, energy and logistics capabilities. Encompasses transit and transportation demand management, associated operations and safety research; connected and autonomous vehicle technology; renewable energy along with transmission and storage technologies; and other smart city and smart grid technologies. Provides access to notable, related academic research capabilities. Tags. Includes, but is not limited to the development, deployment, and sustainment of integrated Tagging, Tracking, and Locating (TTL) information systems. Encompasses the integration of technical components, information technology components, organizational components, and documentation in support of technologies that provide TTL of persons and objects focusing on reduced size, weight, and power/price (SWaP2), improved accuracy, non-GPS based tracking, and/or new capabilities. Sensors. Includes, but is not limited to the development, deployment, and sustainment of integrated sensor information systems. Encompasses the integration of technical components, information technology components, organizational components, and documentation in support of technologies that provide persistent surveillance, unattended ground sensor systems, tactical surveillance systems, and force protection systems focusing on SWaP2, and increased flexibility in aerial, ground, underground and maritime/riparian environments. Digital Identities Exploitation. Includes, but is not limited to the development, deployment, and sustainment of systems utilized to collect, exploit, process and analyze information that are representative of external entities, including a person, organization, application, chemical or device referred to as Collected Exploitable Material/Materiel (CEM). Encompasses the Exploitation Analysis Capability concept of operations through the integration of technical components, information technology components, organizational components, and documentation in support of technologies used to collect unique biometric signatures to include latent fingerprints and DNA and forensically link items of interest to specific persons through forensic chemistry analysis, document/media/cellular phone/small Uncrewed Multi-domain Systems exploitation, etc. Communications. Includes, but is not limited to the development, deployment, and sustainment of integrated communications systems. Encompasses the integration of technical components, information technology components, organizational components, and documentation in support of technologies concentrating on line of sight (LOS) and beyond line of sight (BLOS) Radio Frequency (RF) communications, optical communications, and underwater communications with a focus on improving performance, advanced waveforms, advanced cryptography, flexibility, interoperability, SWaP2, and lower ownership costs in land/air/sea/space environments via manned/unmanned or man packable platforms. Signals Intelligence (SIGINT). Includes, but is not limited to the development, deployment, and sustainment of integrated signals intelligence information systems. Encompasses the integration of technical components, information technology components, organizational components, and documentation in support of technologies concentrating on Radio Frequency (RF) communications intercept and location with a focus on improving performance, modern signals, flexibility, SWaP2, and lower ownership costs in land/air/sea environments via manned/unmanned or man packable platforms. Processing, Exploitation and Dissemination (PED). Includes, but is not limited to the development, deployment, and sustainment of integrated PED information systems. Encompasses the integration of technical components, information technology components, organizational components and documentation in support of technologies used to process and analyze intelligence data for both display and intelligence product development/production focusing on improving flexibility, reducing processing times, reducing operators cognitive load, intuitive graphical user interfaces, and improved analysis functions. Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities (TENCAP). Includes, but is not limited to the development, deployment, and sustainment of integrated TENCAP information systems. Encompasses the integration of technical components, information technology components, organizational components, and documentation in support of technologies, processes and capabilities that extend National Technical Means investments and capabilities to the lowest tactical echelon users possible focusing on improved performance, SWaP2, and improved access by communications constrained users. Operations Research and Data Analytics. Involves techniques and methods to solve complex decision-making problems in military settings, including but not limited to data analytics, analysis of alternatives, logistics, scheduling, etc. Also includes mathematical, statistical, and computer modeling and simulation. Encompasses traditional operations research disciplines to include optimization algorithms and statistical analysis as well as large scale data analytics using machine learning and probabilistic techniques for predictive analytics applications. Mission Related R&D. Mission related and public service-oriented applied research, advanced technology development, testing, evaluation, and system analysis (other special operations-related capabilities and topics of importance to DoD) through the application of the above core competencies, along with the complementary capabilities. Limited Production and Sustainment. Produce and store limited quantities of core competency-related hardware and software. Limited production may involve use of the University’s advanced additive manufacturing capabilities. Includes delivery of associated initial spares, documentation, training, and ancillary equipment. Academic Capstone Collaboration. Involves building collaborative relationships with other Academic Institutions to allow USSOCOM the ability to reach across the broader intellect of the United States to work on problems and technology needs of the Command. Coordinate, collaborate, and host academic consortium activities focused on SOF problems. Conduct applied research and advanced technology development projects in the above core competencies along with complementary capabilities through other academic institutions as required. Academic Interns. Support the provision of student interns with education in the above core competencies to work alongside USSOCOM and the subordinate Components to help solve SOF problems. The interns shall have education in basic disciplines supporting SOF AT&L Acquisition processes and best practices for defense acquisition. Students and faculty will require the appropriate security clearance for the activity as specified at the task order level. Prototyping and Hackathon Events. Conduct prototyping and hackathon like events for USSOCOM utilizing the University’s core competencies and expanded academic consortium capabilities to rapidly iterate technologies in support of solving SOF problems. C. Request for Information USSOCOM requests a white paper (≤ 5 Pages) stating your geographical location in relation to MacDill AFB and how your Academic Institution can support the aforementioned primary concepts/capabilities. Responses to this RFI are due no later than 1300hrs EST on 11 March 2024. E. Contact Information All questions and RFI submissions shall be submitted to: Mr. Jerryl McCoy, Contracting Officer, [email protected]