AWG LIO Assessment

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 partnering to accelerate the development of technologies that will enable the Warfighter to receive situational awareness on unmanned aerial system threats. B. BACKGROUND When maneuver commanders are challenged with the effects of small unmanned aerial systems (UAS), they must make informed, risk-based decisions in order to ensure survivability, retain freedom-of-action and accomplish the mission. The key to awareness and understanding is identifying what information is required for an informed risk-based decision. This RFI is intended to identify developmental technologies that are interested in being part of a scenario-based Layered Integrated Operations (LIO) event. The LIO, funded by The Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Research and Technology) and supported by the Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC) Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD) and the Asymmetric Warfare Group, supports vulnerability and system limitation analysis of emerging capabilities in contested and in an operationally relevant environments. Analysis results are intended to aid and inform advanced technology development and will not be used for future acquisition decisions. These events are conducted with representatives from Government Research and Development (R&D) organizations, academia, and industry. The events provide an opportunity for technology developers to interact with operational personnel and determine how their efforts might support military capability gaps and high priority mission deficiencies. 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 delivering capabilities to the Warfighters and those they support. Technology Demonstration Papers submitted for consideration must have prototypes (Technology Readiness Level 6 or higher) ready for User assessment that address areas presented within the Request for Information (RFI). The prototypes will be put in the hands of the warfighter to use while conducting realistic missions in adaptive scenarios. C. INTENT CERDEC NVESD, in collaboration with the Asymmetric Warfare Group, will assess capabilities designed to address the following Layered Integrated Operations mission objectives: Multiple experiments will be created based on technology participants and experiment objectives (listed below). The first experiment will concentrate, but is not limited to, the first bullet objective. D. EXPERIMENT OBJECTIVES - Single system integration with a tactical common operating picture (COP; Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) preferred) - allow maneuver elements and command elements to view blue force tracking and alerts on the same operational picture. o If integration is successful, team with participating technologies to integrate together and send data to the COP together. - Layered multi-system integration with a tactical COP - allow maneuver elements and command elements to view multiple systems at the same time on the same operational picture. - Layered Integrated Operations with semi-autonomous target handoff - systems of systems fully integrated into a tactical COP utilizing machine learning algorithms for alert prioritization. E: LIO MISSION OBJECTIVE DEFINITIONS: 1. Single System Integration: Provide real-time capability technologies to detect, identify, characterize, locate and warn against all known or validated UAS threats, in addition to other asymmetric threats. - The LIO concept requires a solution that reduces the operational risk to maneuver forces by delivering effects across the operating area and providing commanders with information in a more proactive manner. Ideally, with systems layered across the operating environment, this information allows commanders at multiple echelons to make decisions wherever they are on the battlefield, with the definitive goal of providing the maximum amount of decision space to enable operations. - Detection and Identification - the ability to recognize UAS threats in a contested environment. o Utilizing specific and non-specific C-UAS capabilities for recognition. - Characterize, Deter, and Defeat - the ability to assist in the positive identification (PID) of the UAS and utilize appropriate action against it. - Integrate system data - the ability to deliver alerts to friendly forces near the estimated point-of-contact and provide near-real time understanding of the contested environment is essential to expand our sources of information beyond traditional means. o Integrating system data into a tactical COP enables proactive risk-based decision making at multiple echelons. 2. Layered Multi-System Integration: Environment in which systems can defend with depth and integrate with each other to provide commanders in the operations center and elements on the ground near-real time information on a tactical COP. 3. Layered Integrated Operations: Utilizing an integrated systems of systems approach, incorporating several nodes spread throughout an operating environment (OE) allowing friendly forces freedom of movement throughout that OE. Inherently, the concept relies on both static and mobile based systems layered throughout the OE in order to be most effective and provide deep security and awareness. Utilize machine learning algorithms to prioritize data received from the systems of systems data. F. TIMELINE The key milestones for LIO 2018 Technology Selection are outlined below. All dates are tentative: 21 August 2018: Technology submissions deadline 29-30 August 2018: Technology submissions reviewed for possible inclusion in LIO Event 07 September 2018: Technology selections released 05-09 November 2018: Execution of event G. ELGIBLE SOURCES Technology Demonstration Papers submitted for this RFI will be considered from the following U.S. and Foreign Enterprises: - Industrial/commercial concerns including small businesses. - Accredited Degree granting colleges and universities. - Not-for-profit organizations. - Other Non-U.S. sources. - DoD-sponsored Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) specified in DFARS 235.017-1. - University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), provided that it is permitted by the UARC's DoD sponsor. H. 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. Respondents should not submit classified information in the technology demonstration papers and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) restrictions should be clearly listed. I. OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS DO NOT SUBMIT PROPOSALS. SUBMIT TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION PAPERS ONLY. Instructions and templates can be found at https//uniquemissioncell.org. No contracts will be awarded based on this announcement. J. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS Submissions shall be submitted to the following email address: usarmy.belvoir.rdecom-cerdec.mbx.nvesd-art-tsoa-submissions@mail.mil (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 and an unclassified quad chart, which do not count toward the page limit. Technology demonstration papers in excess of two (2) pages may not be evaluated. Multiple concept papers addressing different technology demonstrations may be submitted by each respondent. Papers will be reviewed by Government Personnel and contractors on contracts that directly support the Government. Each technology demonstration paper must address only the LIO concept. Selected Respondents will be invited to participate in the LIO experiment. LIO will provide venues, supporting infrastructure, and assessment (operational and technical) personnel at no cost to the selected respondent. All other costs incurred by the respondent, including but not limited to the respondent's travel and shipping costs, will be at the respondent's sole 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 for the assessment? What is the intended purpose of this technology? How will the capability enhance 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. K. 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 the warfighter. Other considerations include but not limited to the following: - Relevance of or adaptability to military operations/missions - Relevance to current operational needs - Breadth of application - Technical maturity - Available time - Government funding - Integration into a Common Operating Picture Selected and Non-Selected Respondents will be notified in writing based on the timeline in section D. L. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION All Respondents shall clearly identify and mark in writing all proprietary information provided on all documents. Technical lessons learned by the LIO event may be broadly disseminated within the Government and Government support contractors. Respondents must provide information that clearly asserts rights in technical data if developed exclusively or partially at private expense in order to claim any restrictions. Developed exclusively at private expense means development was accomplished entirely with costs charged to indirect cost pools, cost not allocated to a government contract, or any combination thereof. Identification of the data or software must have enough specificity to support the respondent's assertion is important for the parties to avoid misunderstanding during the information gathering assessment activities. M. USE OF INFORMATION The purpose of this notice is to gain information on possible Government/Industry collaboration for development of LIO technologies and capabilities, and to accelerate the delivery of these capabilities to the warfighter. All proprietary information contained in the response shall be separately identified and marked. Any proprietary information contained in response to this request will be properly protected from any unauthorized disclosure. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI Notice or to otherwise pay for the information solicited. N. POINTS OF CONTACT Questions on the objectives or preparation of technical demonstration papers should be addressed to: usarmy.belvoir.rdecom-cerdec.mbx.nvesd-art-tsoa-submissions@mail.mil, and the Subject Line must be titled: QUESTION(s)_for LIO. Contracting Office Address PO BOX 12211 RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, North Carolina 27709-2211 United States Primary Point of Contact John Klopfenstein; john.p.klopfenstein.civ@mail.mil; (813) 839-0750