PEO-SW: SOF Safety at Sea Assessment Event (AE)

PEO-SW: SOF Safety at Sea Assessment Event (AE)

Submit NLT 14 December 2026 11:59 PM ET U.S. Persons Only

Purpose
SOFWERX, in collaboration with USSOCOM Program Executive Office SOF Warrior (PEO-SW) and Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC), will host an Assessment Event (AE) to seek a prototype to support life raft capabilities in single Maritime SOF craft operations.

Background/Synopsis
Naval Special Warfare forces are seeking prototype solutions to enhance modernized, crew-sized emergency maritime survival and safety supplies for single maritime craft operations.

Objective
Seeking an industry partner to provide prototypes that can be taken to Operational Testing and Developmental Testing events by USSOCOM, with the ultimate solution to be selected for program procurement by FY29.  

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 Program Executive Office SOF Warrior 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 5.101.

Event Timeline
Phase 1 - 13 November 2026 to 14 December 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 at the bottom of this webpage.

Phase 2a - 02 December 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 December from 12:00-1:00 PM ET. RSVP at the bottom of this webpage.

Phase 3 - 15 December 2026 to 22 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 23 December.

Phase 4 - 12 January 2027 to 14 January 2027 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.

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. RSVP to the 02 December Virtual Q&A Telecon: Click Here to RSVP (NLT 01 December)
2. Review Assessment Criteria: Click Here to Review
3. Download the White Paper Template:Click Here to Review
4. Download the Quad Chart Template: Click Here to Review
5. Complete the Submission Form: Click Here to Submit(NLT 14 December)

Questions?

For event-related questions, please contact Olivia Larounis