Contactless Iris Collection Collaboration Event

PEO-TIS: Contactless Iris Collection Collaboration Event (CE)

Request to Attend NLT 28 August 2026 11:59 PM ET U.S. Citizens Only

Purpose
SOFWERX, in collaboration with USSOCOM Program Executive Office Tactical Information Systems (PEO-TIS), will host a series of events to complete a study of mobile devices (Android-based cell phones and tablets) with built-in cameras for their use in unaided iris localization and collection, including resolution testing and image distortion analysis. This work is considered device performance based on publicly available camera optics information against published standards. This work will support the resulting iris capture for incorporation into biometric files for matching and storing submissions into the authoritative Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS).(References ISO/IEC 19794-6:2011, ISO/IEC 29794-6:2015, DoD EBTS 4.1). 

Background/Synopsis
A previous study indicated that it is possible to conduct iris localization using a mobile device camera, but a wider population pool is required to validate these results. A wider population of 500-1000 is adequate to prove the basic viability of the biometric algorithm. Results should include significant matching scores, a breakdown of individual camera performances, and insight into the near-infrared (805 nm – 1,000 nm) instrument response function.

Objective
Prove contactless iris collection reaches matchable quality while leveraging the native lighting sources on a mobile device, which will inadvertently reduce overall size, weight, and power (SWAP) and the need for tethering additional hardware to existing biometric collection devices. 

1. A peer-reviewed study will be conducted by the Identify Intelligence Exploitation program office and subject matter experts that support the program to prove or disprove the objective.

2. The initial development of an application or process will enable the objective for incorporation into current devices or processes. 

Why You Should Participate
USSOCOM seeks to enter into non-Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) or FAR-based agreements with Industry, Academic, and National Lab partners whose solutions are favorably evaluated by USSOCOM Program Executive Office Tactical Information Systems (PEO-TIS) 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: 30 September 2026 Collaboration Event (CE): SOFWERX will host the Collaboration Event (CE) with Industry, Academic, and Laboratory partners focused on Contactless Iris Collection 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 during the Phase 2 submission window. Request to attend the CE below,NLT 28 August. Confirmed requestors will receive an invitation to attend the event on/around 09 September.  

Tentative Agenda
All times listed are in ET
8:00 – 8:20: Participants arrive at SOFWERX
8:20 – 8:25: SOFWERX Welcome
8:25 – 8:45: Stakeholder Overview & Problem Set
8:45 – 9:45: Current Limitations Breakout
9:45 – 10:00: Break
10:00 – 11:00: Ways to Overcome Limitations Breakout
11:00 – 12:00: Lunch (on your own)
12:00 – 2:30: Problem Statement Development
2:30 – 2:45: Break
2:45 – 3:45: Problem Statement Briefs
3:45 – 4:30: Voting
4:30 – 5:00: Path Forward

Note: Agenda is subject to change

This event will be held in person at SOFWERX. 

Phase 2 - 27 October 2026 to 27 November 2026 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 4 attendance, please review the assessment criteria and follow the submission instructions that will be near the bottom of this webpage on/around 27 October.

Phase 2a - 11 November 2026 Q&A Telecon: Interested offerors may participate in a virtual Q&A session to better understand the PM's specific technology objectives. The telecon will take place on 11 November from 1:00-2:00 PM ET. RSVP form will be available on/around 27 October.

Phase 3 - 30 November 2026 to 14 December 2026 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/around 15 December.

Phase 4 - 19 January 2026 to 21 January 2026 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 5 may immediately begin.

This event will be held in person at SOFWERX and will have a virtual component.  

Phase 5 - 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 based upon successful prototype criteria, which will be determined for each 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
Government, Industry, Academia, National Labs, and Non-Traditional Attendees

1. Request to attend the 30 September Collaboration Event: Click Here to Request to Attend(NLT 28 August)

Questions?

For event-related questions, please contact Sarah Marks