A. INTRODUCTION: This is a Request for Information (RFI). This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this RFI is to gain information leading to Government/Industry collaboration for development of United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) technologies and capabilities, and to assist in accelerating the delivery of these capabilities to the warfighter. The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) invites industry, academia, individuals, and labs to submit technology demonstration papers addressing innovative technologies and capabilities that can be used in austere environments: power-generation for Special Operations Forces (SOF), airborne casualty evacuation, and resupply for USSOCOM supported units. After review of the technology demonstration paper submissions, the Government may invite select candidates to demonstrate their capabilities in USSOCOM sponsored experiments, to be held quarterly through 30 September 2010 at various locations including Camp Roberts, CA, and Camp Atterbury, IN. These experiments will provide an opportunity for the submitter to interact with USSOCOM personnel for the purpose of USSOCOM assessing potential impact of emerging technology solutions on USSOCOM missions and capabilities. Technology Demonstration papers shall be submitted electronically to email address:
[email protected]. The subject line of the email must indicate "ESS for SOF," followed by the organization's name. This announcement is effective through 30 July 2010. Technology demonstration papers may be submitted at any time during the effective period. B. OBJECTIVE (1) Background : The United States Special Operations Command conducts quarterly experiments in cooperation with the Naval Postgraduate School at Camp Roberts, CA, and Camp Atterbury, IN. These experiments are conducted with representatives from Government Research and Development (R&D) organizations, academia, and private industry. The experiments provide an opportunity for technology developers to interact with operational personnel and determine how their efforts might support SOF capabilities. The environment facilitates a collaborative working relationship between academia, Government, and industry and supports identification, assessment, and dissemination of emerging and mature technology information and the acceleration of delivery of capabilities to Special Operations warfighters and those they support. (2) Experiment Focus: Experiments will be conducted in May and August 2010 at Camp Roberts, CA, and June and September 2010 at Camp Atterbury, IN, to explore the application of emerging technology solutions providing SOF power-generation, casualty evacuation, and resupply for military forces in remote areas, in support of current or future military operations. The following areas are of particular interest: a. SOF Power Generation: Solutions for SOF power generation that can provide energy to team houses, small Forward Operating Bases (FOBs), and remote tactical applications. Equipment will be used in austere and harsh (e.g., very hot or cold, humid, dusty) environments. b. Airborne Casualty Evacuation: Airborne casualty evacuation of at least two personnel that can be accomplished in extreme austere environments. Air platforms must be capable of short field take-off and landing on unimproved surfaces, and require minimal maintenance and ground support equipment. Equipment must be able to accomplish the mission safely and effectively in the most expeditious manner possible. c. Austere Resupply: Manned or unmanned solutions for resupply of equipment and supplies to remote locations will be required. Delivery precision is of major concern. Solutions may include both land and airborne delivery systems. Airborne solutions must have short field take-off and landing capabilities from unimproved surfaces. Technology to be demonstrated shall be at a minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5. Detailed information on TRLs can be found at http://www.dod.mil/ddre/doc/May2005_TRA_2005_DoD.pdf (3) Security Requirements: The submittal process under this RFI is intended to be as streamlined as possible in order to allow the Government to leverage technology solutions capable of meeting urgent warfighter needs. Vendors should not submit classified information in the technology demonstration papers. (4) Other Special Requirements: DO NOT SUBMIT PROPOSALS. SUBMIT TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION PAPERS ONLY. No contracts will be awarded based solely on this announcement. C. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: (1) General Information: Technology demonstration papers shall not exceed two (2) pages using a PDF format and no less than 10-point font. The Respondent shall prepare an additional unclassified, non-proprietary title and summary page at the beginning of the document, which does not count toward the page limit. Technology demonstration papers in excess of two (2) pages may not be considered. This will be at the discretion of the Government. Multiple concept papers addressing different technology demonstrations may be submitted by each respondent. Papers may be reviewed by USSOCOM personnel or Naval Postgraduate School faculty, saff or students. Each technology demonstration paper must address only one demonstration. Select respondents will be invited to participate in USSOCOM experiments. USSOCOM will provide venues, supporting infrastructure, and assessment (operational and technical) personnel at no cost to the respondent. The respondent's travel costs and technology demonstrations will be at the respondent's expense. (2) Submission Format: Section A: Respondent Name, Point of Contact, Title, Date, E-Mail Address, Phone #, Fax #, Organization/Office Symbol, and Address. Section B: Capability Description--What is the capability you are proposing to demonstrate? What is the intended purpose of this technology? How will the capability enhance SOF mission effectiveness? Describe limits of environment in which this solution can operate. Section C: Technology Demonstration--How do you envision execution of the technology demonstration? What is the proposed demonstration methodology? Section D: Support Components--What additional support is required for the demonstration including hardware, software, data, facilities, and training? Section E: Please note related federal contracts to include point of contact and current telephone number and address. D. BASIS FOR SELECTION TO PARTICIPATE: Selection of respondents to participate will be based on the extent to which the technology represents a particular class or level of capability that can be provided to SOF. Other considerations include: • Technical maturity • Breadth of application • Relevance of or adaptability to military operations/missions • Relevance to current operational needs. Selected respondents will be notified no less than thirty (30) prior to the selected Technology Demonstration events specified in paragraph (2)(B). E. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: All efforts shall be made to protect proprietary information that is clearly marked in writing, identify what information is proprietary or intellectual property. Lessons learned by USSOCOM from these experiments may be broadly disseminated within the Government. F. USE OF INFORMATION: The purpose of this notice is to gain information on possible Government/Industry collaboration for development of USSOCOM technologies and capabilities, and to assist in accelerating the delivery of these capabilities to the warfighter. All proprietary information contained in the response shall be separately 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 the capability and requirements. G. Per Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.215-3 Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997): a. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI Notice 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 Federal Acquisition Regulation. b. Although "proposal" and "respondent" are used in this RFI, your responses will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. c. The purpose of this RFI Notice is to gain information on possible Government/Industry collaboration for development of USSOCOM technologies and capabilities, and to assist in accelerating the delivery of these capabilities to the warfighter. H. POINTS OF CONTACT: Questions on the objectives or preparation of technical demonstration papers should be addressed to:
[email protected], and the Subject Line must be titled: QUESTION(s) _ESS for SOF.