Purpose SOFWERX, in collaboration with USSOCOM and the Joint Special Operations University (JSOU), will host a series of events to find solutions for a Geographic Information System (GIS) generated Geopolitical Toolkit and associated Social Network Analysis. Background/Synopsis SOF professionals require a GIS-generated tool that allows them to graphically layer the work of prominent geopolitical theorists and the underlying currents of compound security threats (economic imbalance; governance and human security imbalance; dynamics of the region, sect, and ethnicity; changes in demography; resource and environmental scarcities; border and boundary artificiality). This tool will better equip SOF to predict geopolitical flashpoints and understand the contributing conditions. Relatedly, SOF professionals require a social network analysis of these geopolitical flashpoints, enabling them to visualize the relationships between various stakeholders and plan more effective interventions. Objective Develop GIS-generated Geopolitical Toolkit (or atlas) and social network analysis to help SOF professionals assess and visualize where geopolitical flashpoints might emerge. The prototype must be baselined on the Campaign Plan for Global SOF Operations (CP-GSO). The aim is a single operating picture that combines the GIS-generated Geopolitical Toolkit, leveraging data analytics to construct network models that inform SOF interventions. Why You Should Participate USSOCOM seeks to enter into non-FAR or FAR-based agreements with Industry, Academic, and National Lab partners whose solutions are favorably evaluated by JSOU Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). As such, the follow-on Assessment Event (AE) is considered competitive, and solutions will be evaluated independently of one another primarily for technical merit. This serves dually as notification of the intent to research the feasibility of an agreement under 10 U.S. Code, Section 4022 and/or Section 4022(f), and as notice of pre-solicitation activities IAW FAR 5.204. Event Timeline Phase 1 – 09 November 2022 Q&A Telecon: Interested participants may join a virtual Q&A session to better understand the scope and intent of the 13 December Collaboration Event (CE). The telecon will take place on 09 November 2022 from 2:00-3:00 PM ET. Click Here to RSVP (NLT 08 November) Phase 2 – 13 December 2022 Collaboration Event (CE): SOFWERX will host the Collaboration Event (CE) with Industry, Academic, and Laboratory partners focused on GIS-generated Geopolitical Toolkit and associated Social Network Analysis needs. During this event, Warfighters will interact with potential solution offerors and further communicate operational needs and desirements. Participation in this event is not mandatory, however, it is designed to provide insights to ensure potential offerors understand the problem set(s) fully and to increase the likelihood of matching their technologies with Warfighter needs. This CE is also an opportunity for attendees to meet and form partnerships that may provide a more comprehensive solution. If you do not wish to participate in the CE, you are free to submit your technology on or around 04 January for the AE. Request to attend the CE below, NLT 16 November. Confirmed attendees will be notified o/a 18 November. Tentative Agenda All times listed are in ET 0800 – 0820: Participants arrive at SOFWERX 0820 – 0825: SOFWERX Welcome 0825 – 0845: Stakeholder Overview & Problem Set 0845 – 0945: Current Limitations Breakout 0945 – 1000: Break 1000 – 1100: Ways to Overcome Limitations Breakout 1100 – 1200: Lunch (on your own) 1200 – 1430: Problem Statement Development 1430 – 1445: Break 1445 – 1545: Problem Statement Briefs 1545 – 1630: Voting 1630 – 1700: Path Forward Note: Agenda is subject to change Phase 3 – 04 January 2023 to 25 January 2023 Submissions to the Assessment Event (AE) Open: Interested respondents who could potentially provide solutions that meet the needs of USSOCOM are encouraged to submit their capability for USSOCOM review. To submit your technology for potential Phase 5 attendance, please review the assessment criteria and follow the submission instructions that will be near the bottom of this webpage on or around 04 January. Phase 4 – 26 January 2023 to 01 February 2023 Downselect: USSOCOM will downselect those respondents/submissions they feel have the highest potential to satisfy their technology needs. Favorably evaluated submissions will receive an invitation to attend the AE on or around 02 February. Phase 5 – 14 February 2023 to 16 February 2023 Assessment Event (AE): During the AE, selected participants will be allotted a one-on-one session with the USSOCOM evaluation panel to pitch, demonstrate, and/or discuss their solutions. The forum will include a Q&A portion and discussions may continue outside of the event. Solution brief presentation guidelines will be outlined in the event invitation and solutions will be assessed according to the criteria in the link provided below. If the USSOCOM evaluation panel favorably evaluates a solution brief, negotiations for Phase 6 may immediately begin. This event will be held in person at SOFWERX. Phase 6 – Path Forward: Successfully negotiated awards may fall under any combination of these categories: Business to business research and development agreement as a sub-award through the SOFWERX Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) (15 U.S. Code Section 3715) OTA for research or prototype projects (10 U.S. Code Sections 4021, 4022) An award under 10 U. S. Code, Section 4022 may result in the further award of a follow-on production agreement without additional competition based on successful prototype completion. The Government may make this follow-on production award even if all successful prototype criteria are not fully met during the prototype project. Procurement for experimental purposes (10 U.S. Code Section 4023) Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (15 U.S. Code Section 3710a) Prizes for advanced technology achievements (10 U. S. Code Section 4025) and/or prize competitions (15 U.S. Code 3719) FAR-based procurement contract NOTE: Awardees may need to be compliant with NIST SP 800-171, Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in Non-Federal Systems and Organizations How You Can Participate Industry, Academia, National Labs, and Non-Traditional Attendees RSVP to the 09 November 2022 Q&A Telecon: Click Here to RSVP (NLT 08 November) Request to attend the 13 December 2022 Collaboration Event: Click Here to Request to Attend ( NLT 16 November) Review Assessment Criteria: Will be Posted on or about 04 January Download the White Paper Template: Will be Posted on or about 04 January Complete the Submission Form: Will be Posted on or about 04 January Questions? For event-related questions, please contact Claire Hawley,
[email protected]