Technical Support and Operational Analysis (TSOA)

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 be more effective, efficient and lethal. The Technical Support and Operational Analysis (TSOA) invites industry, academia, individuals, and laboratories to submit technology white papers addressing innovative technologies and capabilities that can be used in challenging environments: Physical (Terrain -Natural & Urban) Electronic (Frequency Congestion & Overload) Contested (Electronic Interference, Cyber Attacks, & CBRNE) Low Visibility (Tactical Effects without the Overt Tactical Signature) The TSOA project supports the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Rapid Reaction Technology office (RRTO) to improve Warfighter maneuver, survivability and lethality. The TSOA team identifies potential vulnerabilities in emerging technologies including performance degradation in contested environments, interoperability, adaptability and training/ease of use through live experiment venues. After reviewing the technology submissions, the Government may invite select candidates to participate in a TSOA field experiment/assessment venue in which we evaluate the capability as applied to the Warfighter, its technical limitations and vulnerabilities through an enemy perspective. These assessments will be held at various venues to include, but not limited to, Camp Dawson, WV, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA, Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA, Camp Roberts, CA, Camp Shelby, MS, Ft. Hood, TX, Fort AP Hill, VA, Joint Base Lewis-McCord, WA, Camp Atterbury, IN, Stennis, MS and Port Canaveral, FL through 31 December 2019. These assessments will provide the submitter an opportunity to interact with the Warfighter, the DoD Science and Technology community, academia, Combatant Commands (COCOMS), Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs) and other federal agencies for the purpose of assessing potential impact of emerging technology solutions on missions and capabilities. Technology White papers shall be submitted electronically to email address: usarmy.belvoir.rdecom-cerdec.mbx.nvesd-art-tsoa-submissions@mail.mil The subject line of the email must indicate TSOA, followed by the submitting organization's name. This RFI is effective through 31 December 2019. Papers may be submitted at any time during the effective periods, but specific event cut-off dates are listed below, and an indication of which event the submission is for is needed. B. OBJECTIVE (1) Background: The TSOA conducts Field Experiments/Assessments funded by RRTO to support the vulnerability identification and system limitation in contested environments for emerging capabilities in an operationally relevant venue. These assessments are conducted with representatives from Government Research and Development (R&D) organizations, academia, and industry. TSOA 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. The assessment results are reported back to the program director. (2) Assessment Focus and Submission Timeline: TSOA assessments will be conducted: December 2018, February/March 2019, and June 2019. Off-cycle assessments may be conducted on an as needed basis throughout 2019. TSOA Field Assessments TSOA 19-1 Execution: 3-7 December 2018 Focus (not limited to): Building Coalition Partner Capacity in Very Complex Terrain Location: Camp Roberts, CA Environment: Extensive Urban Environment, some SUB-T, restricted airspace, Sharp elevation and complex terrain RFI Submission Deadline: 1 October 2018 TSOA 19-2 Execution: February/March 2019 Focus (not limited to): Maneuver in Built-up Areas Location: Camp Shelby, MS Environment: Urban Environment (Containers), some SUB-T, restricted airspace, large wooded maneuver space RFI Submission Deadline: 28 December 2018 TSOA 19-3 Execution: June 2019 Focus (not limited to): Near-Peer Connectedness in Urban Environments and Fighting in Multi-tiered, Segmented Manmade Structures Location: Complex Urban Environment Environment: Urban, tall buildings, Extensive SUB-T (Improved & primitive), congested RF RFI Submission Deadline: 1 April 2019 (3) Field Experiment/Assessment Focus: The following technical areas are of particular interest: TSOA main focus areas include but are not limited to the following a. Timely Mission Command and Tactical Intelligence: Common Operating Picture Battle Space Owner (relevant) Realtime Situational Awareness Hyper Spectral Imagery Enhancement Standoff Measurement 3D Mapping on the move (standoff and/or man-packable) Object Recognition Data Compression and Transfer Data Standard / Common Operational Environment Communications Sensor & Data Fusion Autonomy Data Dissemination Secure Communications Data Handling & Storage b. Reduce Warfighter Overburden: Weight & Volume Forward Edge Computing/Processing Set Up User Interface Electronic Burden Trouble Shooting Training Ergonomics Integrated Capabilities Transport Multi-Functional Capabilities Logistics supportability Availability Sustainable Scalable Functionality Adaptability/Flexibility Customizable c. Enhance Lethality and/or Capability to Temporarily Incapacitate Threats: Detecting Locating Targeting Hardware/Software leveraging for Internet of Things (IoT) devices and other Electronics Unattended Ground Sensors (UGS) BDA Marking Identifying Target Discrimination Reduce collateral damage Reduced TLE / CAS HUMINT SIGINT MASINT STANO Devices Extended Ranges d. Increase Force Protection (Soldier/Vehicle/Base): Active Defense Identify Management/Threat Mitigation Concealable Antennas Counter Multi-Threats Cover from Direct /Indirect Fire Enhance Troop Movement Perimeter Security Entry Control Points Expeditionary Power Long Range Surveillance Sense and Warn 360 Hemispherical Protection Subsurface Protection Obscuration Active Defense Detect/ID/Mitigate CBRNE Detect/ID/ Mitigate Explosive Hazards Autonomous Systems Warn & Alert Area Denial Establish, Expand, Protect, and Close Bases Shape Terrain Perform Infrastructure Reconnaissance Access, Establish, Secure, Expand Ports of Debarkation (POD) (4) 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 assessment papers and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) restrictions should be clearly listed. (5) Other Special Requirements: DO NOT SUBMIT PROPOSALS. SUBMIT TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT PAPERS ONLY. Instructions and templates can be found at www.uniquemissioncell.org No contracts will be awarded based on this announcement. C. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS Responses shall be addressed to: usarmy.belvoir.rdecom-cerdec.mbx.nvesd-TSOA-tsoa-submissions@mail.mil (1) General Information: Technology White 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, which does not count toward the page limit. Technology assessment papers in excess of two (2) pages may not be evaluated. Multiple concept papers addressing different technology assessments may be submitted by each respondent. Papers will be reviewed by TSOA personnel. Each technology assessment paper must address only one assessment. If you are submitting a technology that has previously been assessed at a TSOA event, you are highly encouraged to explain what has changed from the previous assessment. Selected Respondents will be invited to participate in TSOA field experiments. TSOA will provide venues, supporting infrastructure, and assessment (operational and technical) personnel at no cost to the selected respondent. The respondent's travel and shipping will be at the respondent's 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 Assessment--How do you envision execution of the technology assessment? What is the proposed assessment methodology? Section D: Support Components--What additional support is required for the assessment 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. D. 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 forces. Other considerations include: 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 Respondents will be notified in writing prior to event execution for the selected Technology Assessment events specified in paragraph B.(2). E. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: All Respondents shall clearly identify and mark in writing all proprietary information provided on all documents. Technical lessons learned by TSOA assessments 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. F. USE OF INFORMATION: The purpose of this notice is to gain information on possible Government/Industry collaboration for development of TSOA 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. G. The Government does NOT intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI Notice or to otherwise pay for the information solicited. H. POINTS OF CONTACT: Questions on the objectives or preparation of technical assessment papers should be addressed to: usarmy.belvoir.rdecom-cerdec.mbx.nvesd-TSOA-tsoa-submissions@mail.mil, and the Subject Line must be titled: QUESTION(s) for TSOA.