Submit NLT 08 September 2026 11:59 PM ET U.S. Citizens Only Purpose SOFWERX, in collaboration with USSOCOM Program Executive Office Maritime, Undersea (PEO-M-U), will host an Assessment Event. The PEO-M-U Program Office is engaging industry to determine the readiness of the manufacturing base to evaluate, fabricate, provide Objective Quality Evidence (OQE), and deliver an initial quantity of pressure-capable containment pods for our Large Format, Propagation Resistant battery design. Background/Synopsis The PEO-M-U develops and supports a family of manned submersibles that support the operation of our Warfighters. These manned submersibles are powered by large-format, propagation-resistant battery systems. The Battery Systems require a watertight, pressure-resistant , and shock-resistant design to transport and protect the integrity and function of the batteries. Objective The Government is seeking cost and schedule estimates and technical (primarily manufacturability) review of several designs (to be provided as part of this solicitation). The objective is to accumulate input from industry and select one or more vendors to manufacture and deliver one or more of the government-provided designs. The vendor will be responsible for reviewing the design(s) for manufacturability, assuming the Government will maintain Design Authority and perform applicable testing of the delivered pods. 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 PEO-M-U 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 - 21 August 2026 to 08 September 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 3 attendance, please review the assessment criteria and follow the submission instructions at the bottom of this webpage. Phase 1a - 02 September 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 02 September from 1:00–2:00 PM ET. RSVP at the bottom of this webpage. Phase 2 - 08 September 2026 to 11 September 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 14 September. Phase 3 - 30 September 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 4 may immediately begin. This event will be held virtually. Phase 4 - 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 RSVP to the 02 September Virtual Q&A Telecon: Click Here to RSVP (NLT 01 September) Review Assessment Criteria: Click Here to Review Download the White Paper Template: Click Here to Review Download the Quad Chart Template: Click Here to Review Review the Battery Bottle Drawings: Click Here to Review Complete the Submission Form: Click Here to Submit (NLT 08 September)
