Technology Gateway 2023 Call for Whitepapers

UPDATES: Submission deadline extended to 28 April 2023 Industry Day scheduled for 15 March 2023, 1100-1200 GMT-5/EST (Register here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=CV-BUM36Yka01QTRH5XQlvo8Ub5syEVMjmLJmNg6f4tUM0pTTEVXMUY4MVY1NUlFRFBDUldYUVcwVC4u) Quad Chart and Whitepaper upload is now REQUIRED Third focus area added: Offensive and Defensive Cyber Operations (OCO/DCO) tools THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS BEING MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) W56JSR-18-S-0001. Technology Gateway 2023 Call for Whitepapers Army Futures Command (AFC) is looking to expand the Army's ability to experiment, evolve, and deliver technologies in real time to address both urgent and emerging threats and expedite critical capabilities to the field to meet Combatant Commanders needs. In partnership with RCCTO, AFC DEVCOM is hosting its next Technology Gateway experimentation event anticipated to begin in October 2023 and requesting whitepapers from interested participants. A. Background: Technology Gateway is a collaborative experiment between industry partners and the Army, intended to enable collective innovation and identify novel technology capabilities that will help the Army achieve its modernization goals. It provides Industry, a structured opportunity to demonstrate their technologies to Government representatives in a controlled and operationally relevant environment. It is part of Army Futures Command's Project Convergence campaign of learning, which is designed to aggressively advance and integrate the Army's contributions to the Joint and Multi-national Force for convergence effects across all domains (air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace) to overmatch U.S. adversaries. Technology Gateway includes a series of experiments and observations in simulated battlefield environments. Hosted by Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM), Technology Gateway activities will set the conditions for collective innovation and further experimentation in both basic research and applied science and technology with industry partners. Whitepapers for participation in Technology Gateway 2023 can be submitted through a single-entry point (i.e., the Industry Portal (link included below in Sec. C)) in response to Army priorities as outlined in this call. Submissions will undergo a 2-step evaluation process. Step 1 (Technical Merit Reviews): Subject matter experts from across AFC will provide Technical Merit Reviews (TMRs) based on the evaluation criteria as detailed below. Step 2 (Operational Merit Reviews): Following a down-select based on TMR evaluation results, select whitepapers will be invited to participate in virtual Technical Exchange Meetings (TEMs) with the Government team to discuss operational requirements and experiment alignment. Qualifying companies will be invited to participate in Technology Gateway 2023 based on the final Operational Merit Review. Please see the attachment for a tentative timeline. If selected and subject to the availability of funds, the Government may provide funding for travel and other associated travel costs for onsite participation/demonstration activities. Follow-on award opportunities may be available following participation in Technology Gateway based on the Government's invitation to submit a full proposal. If a full proposal is requested, alternate submission instructions will be provided in accordance with Government processes. B. Focus Areas: DEVCOM is soliciting organizations with new and innovative technology in the below challenge areas, as aligned with Army Modernization Priorities. Areas of specific interest for Technology Gateway 2023 include: (a) Network, (b) Joint Contested Logistics, and (c) Offensive and Defensive Cyber Operations (OCO/DCO) tools. Innovative Means for Reconnoitering and Securing Far Side of Wet Gap Crossing Emerging Capabilities to Autonomously Deliver Large Quantities of Supplies at Scale (1000s of Gallons of Fuel Simultaneously) Management of Autonomous Systems to Provide Effective and Efficient Capabilities at Scale (100s of Autonomous Capabilities Simultaneously) Advanced Means to Control Erosion and Prevent Degradation of Near and Far Side Terrain State-of-the-art Means to Defeat Targeting and Delivery Capabilities of Precision Munitions (Including Loitering Munitions & UAS) Innovative Ways to Conduct Multi-Domain Obscuration and Maneuver in an - Unblinking Environment Emerging Means to Protect Forces from Threat Electro-Magnetic Warfare Capabilities Army Modernization Priorities: Long Range Precision Fires Next Generation Combat Vehicles Future Vertical Lift Network Air and Missile Defense Soldier Lethality C. Submission Guidelines: Prospective companies are required to submit a whitepaper and technology overview chart via the submission portal noted below. Whitepapers should focus on describing details of the proposed concept or technology, including how it is innovative, how it could substantially increase the state of the art, its Army relevance, and its potential impact at a general Army and Joint concept level. Whitepaper submissions are due no later than 2400 ET on 28 April 2023. Submission content is summarized below; however, all submission material must be submitted through the Industry Portal for Technology Gateway 2023: https://vulcan-sof.com/login/ng2/submission?collectionUuid=94f6c85c-1ff3-4a5a-81e5-d73b08dbdec3 Applicable Army Modernization Priority(s): selectable list in submission portal Applicable Warfighting Function/s, Army and Joint: selectable list in submission portal Technology Readiness Level: selectable list in submission portal Executive Summary (50 words max): Provide a brief summary of the proposed technology or concept and its contribution to the Army's mission. Technical Content (700 words max):Other Government Engagement: Briefly list previous or current work or engagement with specific DEVCOM Centers/Lab, Army Futures Command suborganizations, or with other U.S. Government agencies. Technology Description: Provide a brief description of the technology or concept. What are the capabilities and technical characteristics of the technology or concept? How does it relate to similar technology? Military Problem Statement: Describe how the technology or concept will contribute to the Army's mission and how this contribution would be demonstrated in general and specifically at an exercise event like Technology Gateway. Transition Plan: Briefly describe the estimated timeline, key milestones, and ROM cost (internal/funded program and external/unfunded requirements) to field a minimum viable product with operational capability for the target user community. This description should focus on the overall technology or program transition plan outside of potential Technology Gateway participation. Separate ROM cost should also be included in this section for travel cost associated with TG23 participation to be considered if selected and subject to availability of funds. Learning Objectives: Briefly describe what you would like to demonstrate and learn from the Technology Gateway 2023 experiment. 6. Other Government Engagement: Briefly list previous or current work or engagement with specific DEVCOM Centers/Lab, Army Futures Command suborganizations, or with other U.S. Government agencies. 7. Qualifications and Viability (as applicable): Briefly list key personnel relevant qualifications/experience, and overall business viability (e.g., is business sufficiently sound in near and long term; any previous use / delivery of the proposed technology or similar level projects). 8. Cost: Provide a rough order of magnitude (ROM) breakdown for labor, travel, and other direct costs (ODCs) expected for travel and onsite participation at Technology Gateway 2023 (CONUS-based test site, TBD). D. Evaluation and Notification for Technology Gateway Participation: Submissions will go through a two phased evaluation process: Phase 1 - Technical Merit Reviews (TMR) conducted by Subject Matter Experts (SME) across the Army enterprise will provide an initial down select. TMR evaluation criteria will focus on: ALIGNMENT (specific to call): How well is the proposed technology solution aligned with Army Modernization Priorities and challenge areas as outlined in this call? TECHNICAL/SCIENTIFIC MERIT: How does the overall scientific or technical merit of the proposed technology solution compare to or exceed the current state-of-the-art? VIABILITY (transition/scalability): Is there clear evidence for scalability and a well-articulated plan for market transition. Is a clear understanding of target user community presented? ARMY IMPACT (overall): Will the proposed solution provide a substantial improvement to existing Army and Joint capabilities? Does it provide a novel or innovative solution to existing or future capability gaps? QUALIFICATIONS (team/organization): Does the proposal team and organization evidence clear experience, availability, and core funding/viability? Is there evidence (team and/or organization) of past accomplishments and/or ability to achieve the proposed technical objectives. Phase 2 - Operational Merit Reviews (OMR) will be conducted via Technical Exchange Meetings between the Government team and select proposal teams to discuss Technology Gateway planning and operations and determine feasibility to participate. Example discussion topics may include but are not limited to the following: How do you expect your tech to be used during TG23? What do you see as the best method of demonstrating your tech? What additional assets do you require from us to effectively demonstrate your tech? Official notification of acceptance for participation in Technology Gateway will be sent by the Contracting Officer via email to the primary POC listed for the submission approximately one month after the submission deadline closes. If notified of acceptance, submission teams will be expected to participate in additional virtual TEMs for planning purposes leading up to the event and teams will be expected to travel and participate at the Technology Gateway 2023 onsite event (CONUS-based test site, TBD). E. Industry Day: A public Industry Day (virtual via MS TEAMS) will be held on 15 MARCH 2023, 1100-1200 GMT-5/EDT to provide interested proposers an opportunity to ask questions. The Government team will elaborate on the TG23 planning and execution processes and touch on potential path forward opportunities. A recording of the Industry Day and any additional Q&A's received by the Government team will also be posted under this Special Notice on SAM.gov. Register for the Industry Day at: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=CV-BUM36Yka01QTRH5XQlvo8Ub5syEVMjmLJmNg6f4tUM0pTTEVXMUY4MVY1NUlFRFBDUldYUVcwVC4u F. Demonstration and Follow-on Opportunities: Subject to the availability of funding, the selected companies who meet the evaluation criteria may be invited to provide a demonstration of their selected product. Range personnel will operate the target and test environment while companies operate their own equipment. Depending upon availability of funds, the Government may provide each selected Offeror with funding to partially offset the cost of transportation to and from the CONUS-based test site (TBD). Selected Offerors will be responsible for all remaining costs associated with bringing their system to the CONUS-based test site (TBD). See tentative location and timeline above for estimates. The Government will not be liable for any damages caused during the demonstrations, including but not limited to death, bodily injury, and property damage. Selected companies are responsible for submitting all safety related range approvals, including DD1494/JF12 documentation. Demonstrations shall be evaluated on the following factors: 1. UNIQUENESS: Rate the investment in this tech/company and determine competitive funding or sole source funding outlets Unique, novel, forward thinking approach Unique parts of whole; if adopted, could provide unique approach to existing system of systems Unique to company; parts of tech are unique Not unique, similar tech already in play Other - please explain 2. TECHNICAL EFFECTIVITY: All encompassing new capability Combines capabilities from multiple, existing platforms Combines capabilities from multiple areas; requires additional coordination efforts Stand alone; requires extra capabilities under development Other - please explain 3. ADVANCEMENT PACE/POTENTIAL: Rate potential tech advancement based on how tech performed during Technology Gateway Exceeded expectations; stretch goals attempted/reached Kept up with other government/Industry capabilities Minimum capability exercised Bloated expectations/development timeline Other - please explain 4. TECH MATURITY: Rate readiness of tech for integration based on live demonstration Tech is ready for transition to PM Tech needs minimal refinement, but needs limited funds for follow-on S&T development Tech requires refinement; needs to stay within S&T for limited time Tech is immature and requires additional development assistance in S&T Other - please explain 5. REQUIREMENTS: Existing requirement for tech Requirement exists; minimal updates needed Requirement exists; complete update required No requirement exists for tech Other - please explain 6. Assessment of Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and Integration Readiness Level (IRL) with respect to the attached chart. Rated on the scale of 1 to 9 for TRL and IRL Individual demonstrations will be evaluated against the evaluation criteria. Upon completion of evaluations, the Government will notify companies if they have been selected for possible award and request the submission of a full proposal; or if their proposed concept / technology / solution is not selectable or eligible to be selected later. Full proposals are by invitation only. Those companies whose whitepaper and / or demonstration are evaluated to be of merit and are selected for potential award may, subject to the availability of funding, be invited to submit a full written proposal as well as negotiate appropriate terms and conditions governing an award. If a full proposal is requested, alternate submission instructions will be provided in accordance with Government processes. Upon favorable evaluation and available funds, the Government may choose to make an award or multiple awards. Awards will be made to the companies whose offer is determined to provide the overall best value to the Government based on the criteria/preferences and availability of funds, this may not necessarily be the proposal offering the lowest cost or receiving the highest evaluated rating. The Contracting Officer or Agreements Officer will negotiate directly with the company on the terms and conditions of the award, including payments, and will execute the award on behalf of the Government. Receipt of a Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Prototype Proposal (RFPP) does not guarantee that a company will receive an award and the Government reserves the right, at any point prior to award, to cancel the RFP or RFPP. Please be advised, only a Contracting Officer or Agreements Officer has the authority to enter into, or modify, a binding agreement on behalf of the Government. G. Questions: For general submission questions, please contact: contact@example.gov