Robotic Industry Day Announcement

1. General Information There is no risk to you for participating in this survey. Participation in this effort is strictly voluntary with no obligation incurred by the United States Government (USG). The USG will in no way be bound to this information if any solicitation is issued. However, this presents an important opportunity for Industry to receive initial requirements information linked to the Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) efforts. Participation in this Industry Day is strictly voluntary and the U.S. Government will not reimburse contractors for any cost incurred for its participation in this event. There is no requirement for any information to be submitted to the Government based on this FBO announcement before Industry Day. 2. Purpose Robotics and Autonomous Systems Division, Capabilities Development and Integration Directorate, U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence, herein after referred to as the United States Government (USG), is providing Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) to industry. CUI includes a redacted version of the approved RAS Initial Capabilities Document (ICD) and draft RAS requirements matrix. This information could support the potential acquisition of RAS systems. Given this approach, the USG is providing early access to requirements information to Industry to facilitate possible internal research and development efforts and to gain feedback from industry for system capability refinement. System capabilities include wearable robotics, Artificial Intelligence and machine learning. This notice does not constitute an Invitation to Bid or Request for Proposal, is not to be construed as a solicitation, and no award shall be made on the basis of this notice. There is no formal solicitation available at this time, nor will a solicitation be issued against this notice. This is not a request for information and does not obligate the Government to issue a solicitation. The U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence will host a RAS Industry Day on 30 August 2018 in room W101 at McGinnis Wickam Hall, 1 Karker Street, Fort Benning Georgia 31905. At the RAS Industry Day, the RAS Division will describe the operational context and RAS high level capability needs; Product Director Autonomous Systems will brief the current program plan; and other USG representatives may provide additional information and guidance. In order for your company to attend Industry Day, you must provide an approved and current DD Form 2345 Military Critical Technical Data Agreement along with a by name list of the attendees. Industry will be able to ask general questions during open session 0900-1200, 30 Aug. There will also be one-on-one sessions available 1300-1600, 30 Aug, to discuss specific technologies. If industry wishes to be considered for the limited one-on-one sessions, submit a one page white paper on the proprietary technology to be discussed as part of the registration process - priority will be given to non-traditional industries that do not have a continuing presence at MCoE. Companies will be informed of their selection and if appropriate their time slot by 29 Aug 18. The RAS Industry Day may be followed by a Product/Platform Performance Demonstration (PPD) at a date to be determined. Announcements and invitations to the RAS PPD will also use the FBO process for notification. There may also be Industry days in the future focused on other RAS capabilities. 3. Background The RAS ICD was presented to senior Army leaders for approval in early July; final approval is anticipated prior to 30 August. 4. Requesting Controlled Unclassified Information The CUI in the RAS ICD and draft RAS requirements matrix is available to properly vetted, interested domestic and foreign industry participants who want to gain an early understanding of RAS requirements. US and Canadian Companies must have an approved and current DD 2345 Military Critical Technical Data Agreement to receive the RAS ICD and draft RAS requirements matrix. The United States - Canada Joint Certification Program Office is the approver of these forms. For more information, please visit their website https://www.dlis.dla.mil/jcp/Default.aspx. We will only be providing the CUI to the custodian listed on the DD 2345 form. If your company would like to receive a copy of the RAS ICD and draft RAS requirements matrix, please have the custodian listed on your DD 2345 form send an email request to Mr. Johnny Baker, johnny.l.baker.civ@mail.mil. Your request must contain the following: - Your Company's name and address - Your Name, Title, Office phone number and email address - Copy of the valid/current DD 2345 After verification, the RAS ICD and draft RAS requirements matrix will be sent to the Custodian listed on the DD 2345. Also, a RAS Industry Day registration form will be emailed to the Custodian to be completed for the proposed attendees. The USG will respond to requests, normally within five (5) business days. The RAS ICD and draft RAS requirements matrix is currently available for distribution. Please be advised, once your request has been approved, you will automatically receive any updated or additional CUI that becomes available during the duration of this special announcement. We will only be sending registration information to the custodian listed on the DD 2345 form. Foreign companies must submit their requests via a letter through their Embassy in the United States. Disclosure of the RAS controlled unclassified information will be made on a country by country basis, partially based on the ability of the foreign company to properly safeguard USG CUI. The letter is no more than two pages but should include: A) A request for documentary records and who is requesting. B) The Solicitation number. C) What it is they are requesting and why. D) Embassy Point of Contact with signature/stamp. E) Statement of Sponsorship describing the company's ability to secure the information and the Government's assumption of responsibility. 5. Proprietary Information There is no requirement to submit any information to the USG based on this announcement. However, if comments or concerns are voluntarily submitted, the USG acknowledges its obligations under the Federal Acquisition Regulation 3.104-4 to protect proprietary information provided to the Government (18 U.S.C. - 1905). Pursuant to this statute, the USG is willing to accept any trade secrets or proprietary restrictions placed upon qualifying data voluntarily submitted and to protect such information from unauthorized disclosure, subject to the following: - Qualifying data must be clearly marked PROPRIETARY and be accompanied by an explanatory text so that the Government is clearly notified as to exactly what data so qualifies. - Mark only data that is truly proprietary. - Proprietary data transmitted electronically must have the PROPRIETARY legend on both the cover of the transmittal e-mail as well as at the beginning of the file. Proprietary information contained within the correspondence shall use the legends: "PROPRIETARY PORTION BEGINS" and "PROPRIETARY PORTION ENDS." Disclaimer. The USG is not obligated to protect unmarked data. Nor is the Government obligated for like data in possession of third parties or for data which is afterwards placed in the public domain by the contractor or by third parties through no fault of the USG. Should the USG need to reproduce the protected data for distribution purposes between Government offices, all such data will be reproduced with restrictive legends in place. Support Contractors: The Government sometimes uses support contractors in reviewing responses. Consequently, voluntary responses that contain proprietary information may receive only limited or no consideration since the Respondent's marking of data as "PROPRIETARY" will preclude disclosure of same outside the Government and therefore will preclude disclosure to these support contractors assisting the evaluation effort. The USG will use its best efforts to review those voluntary responses that contain proprietary information without using support contractors consistent with the resources available. 6. Submission Schedule There is not a formal submission schedule. There is not a requirement for a formal submission of information to the USG. If a company desires to provide informal submissions, comments, or concerns after receiving the RAS ICD and draft RAS requirements matrix provided based on request to this announcement please contact: Johnny baker Email Address: johnny.l.baker.civ@mail.mil Or Andrew Vincent Email Address: Andrew.a.vincent.civ@mail.mil 7. Instructions for Responding to this Announcement There is not any requirement for a formal submission of information to the USG. A. Classified Response: N/A B. UNCLASS Response: If a company is allowed to submit informal comments or concerns, please send Johnny Baker (johnny.l.baker.civ@mail.mil), and Andrew Vincent (andrew.a.vincent.civ@mail.mil). 8. Questions N/A