04/30/2025 UPDATE: ADDED AOI 6 RESEARCH AND INNOVATIVE PLATFORM SERVICES. UPDATED POC FOR AOI 6. UPDATED CLOSING DATE FOR AOI 6 WHITE PAPER SUBMISSION. UPDATED ULTIMATE CSO OPEN PERIOD DATE EXCLUSIVE OF INDIVIDUAL AOI DATES. 12/20/2024 UPDATE: ADDED AOI 5: TECHNICAL EXPERIMENTATION, UPDATED CLOSING DATE, AND ADDED TECHNICAL POC FOR AOI 5. ENTIRE UPDATE IS CAPTURED IN TEXT BELOW THE TWO BOLDED UPDATE BANNERS. 12/16/2024 UPDATE: REMOVED REFERENCE TO ATTACHMENT. ALL AVAILABLE INFORMATION IN REFERENCE TO THIS POSTING IS INCLUDED IN THE TEXT BELOW. USSOCOM SOFAT&L Science and Technology Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) – Amendment 02 Solution Briefs for AOIs 1-4 accepted through 20 December 2024. Solution Briefs for AOI 5 accepted through 10 January 2025. Solution Briefs for AOI 6 accepted through 14 May 2025. A Future Opportunity There are currently six (6) Areas of Interest (AOIs): 1. Market Research and Creative Development 2. Design Development and Systems Engineering 3. Multi-Domain Test and Evaluation, including Rapid Remodel, Refit and Upgrade of Wargaming and Experimentation Facilities 4. Rapid Prototyping/Low Rate Production 5. Technical Experimentation 6. Research and Innovative Platform Services Note: As new AOIs are identified by government stakeholders, additional AOIs may be added to this announcement. The government may call for subsequent proposals under this notification for a period of twelve (12) months or longer if extended via amendment to this posting. USSOCOM SOF AT&L Futures CSO Guidance 06 DEC 2024 1. INTRODUCTION: 1.1 The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has established a novel business process under the Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate within the Special Operations Forces Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (SOF AT&L) Center to accelerate the development, procurement, and integration of commercial and dual-use‐derived concepts, capabilities and research to address gaps in future domestic and international SOF missions and operating environments. 1.2 The USSOCOM SOF AT&L Science and Technology Directorate seeks to award primarily non‐FAR Contracts and Agreements to nontraditional and traditional defense contractors to carry out prototype projects that are directly relevant to enhancing the mission effectiveness of the SOF Operator and the supporting platforms, systems, components, or material to be acquired or developed by the USSOCOM, or the improvement of platforms, systems, components, or materials in use by USSOCOM. 1.3 This Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) may make awards to proposals for innovative, commercial and dual‐use capabilities through a multi‐phased, competitive process. 1.3.1 Phase I : Initially, solutions will be sought under certain technology areas, or industry sectors, characterized by Areas of Interest (AOI) in accordance with 803 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 (Pub. L. 117-81). Initial submissions against these AOIs will be requested as Solution Briefs (SB) mainly in the form of a White Paper (WP). A team of Government personnel who are subject matter experts for the given AOI will evaluate each submission independently for potential to address capability gaps within the AOIs for advancement to Phase II. These standard evaluation criteria will be presented with each individual AOI. The Government may elect to proceed directly to Phase III after a successful Phase I evaluation. 1.3.2 Phase II : If a Phase II evaluation is necessary, the Government will host Phase II invitees at one of its facilities wherein each offeror will have a standard amount of time to pitch/demonstrate its proposed solution to the Government evaluation panel and hold any discussions necessary for evaluation. Discussions may continue outside of the pitch/demonstration session. Participation in Phase II will be entirely at the offeror’s expense. Favorably evaluated pitches will receive a Request for Prototype Proposal (RPP) that marks the beginning of Phase III. Note, Phase II is optional for this CSO process, and may not always be conducted, or may not be required for every successful Phase I submission. 1.3.3 Phase III : The Government will only advance companies to Phase III if it intends to award a Contract or Agreement for its proposed solution. Companies will collaboratively build Statements of Objectives with the Government team and negotiate Contract/Agreement Terms and Conditions for award. 1.4 There are six (6) AOIs: 1.4.1: AOI I: Market Research/Creative Development: As USSOCOM S&T addresses the USSOCOM Future Operating Environments, missions sets and Capabilities and Planning Guidance, in addition to other strategic documents and partner collaboration products, obtaining innovative methods and new capabilities for market research is critical to understand the state foreign and domestic commercial, academic and government ability to meet SOF concept, capability, and technology gaps. Additionally, creative products are required for more quickly facilitating newcomer onboarding, storytelling, leadership engagement, and better‐informed decision‐making in the dynamic SOF environment. It is anticipated that these will come in the form of videos, computer graphics, storyboards, visual art and other media, or other new innovative commercial methods, technologies, or services. 1.4.2: AOI II: Design Development/Systems Engineering – As USSOCOM S&T agilely and rapidly investigates capabilities to address SOF‐peculiar concepts and missions, disciplined and rigorous engineering and design must be utilized to reduce technical and programmatic risk, as well as improve capacity for eventual transition to Programs Of Record. Submissions should address either innovative commercial items, technologies, or services that aid in design development capabilities (including, but not limited to software development best practices, experimentation, and user experience trials), or systems engineering rigor (interface definition, requirement derivation, system architecture), or both. 1.4.3: AOI III: Multi‐Domain Test and Evaluation, including Rapid Remodel, Refit and Upgrade of Wargaming and Experimentation Facilities ‐ As USSOCOM S&T investigates capabilities and technologies to address SOF‐peculiar concepts and missions, novel and agile methods of multi‐domain test and evaluation will be required. Submissions should address innovative commercial items, technologies, or services that aid in one or multiple domains, including aviation experimentation, cyber/Internet of Things evaluation (to include vulnerability assessments and penetration testing), maritime/undersea evaluation, communications testing and electromagnetic warfare analyses. Additionally, real-world events have shown a need for the ability to rapidly innovate and incorporate required changes to collaboration and decision support spaces, experimentation ranges and wargaming cells based on a much more compressed feedback cycle, novel and agile method incorporation and a reduced scope than normal military construction processes. Submissions are requested for this supporting effort. 1.4.4: AOI IV: Rapid Prototyping/Low Rate Production – Offerors should demonstrate innovative commercial items, technologies, or services that aid in rapidly prototyping or manufacturing small lots (<100) of experimental electronics, chipsets, batteries and other multi‐material experimental prototypes based on task orders from S&T Futures and the Experimentation Force. 1.4.5: AOI V: Technical Experimentation – Offerors should demonstrate innovative commercial capabilities to develop a prototype business process to enhance the technology experimentation process, expand experimentation opportunities for SOF AT&L stakeholders across the Command, and enhance international collaboration, experimentation event after-actions, and synchronization with Command and Component operational exercises. 1.4.6: AOI VI: Research & Innovation Platform Services Provide an innovative platform that facilitates up to Top Secret networks, direct connectivity to USSOCOM Information Technology networks and computer hardware assets. The platform shall provide in house 3D printing, mechanical tooling, and computer processing capabilities to conduct rapid prototyping and laboratory experimentation. The platform shall provide the required engineering support services that include but are not limited to: Principal, Sr. and Journeyman Software/ Hardware/ Electrical/ AI engineers, and Subject Matter Experts. This platform will focus on developing a system and process for rapid prototyping, development, integration, experimentation, and assessment of technology in a wide variety of missions. Provide the ability to rapidly assess current and future capacity deficiencies, identify technologies that can address these deficiencies, and measure the degree of effectiveness of a particular solution through experimentation. Provide technical expertise to assess and validate technical solutions developed or provided by the Government or commercial entities. The platform shall provide a flexible multi-domain environment within which to conduct prototyping related activities designed to better inform USSOCOM on how to understand and approach designated SOF technology challenges and gaps. The desired end state is working, non-ruggedized prototypes which can be integrated, tested, and assessed by SOF users. 2. GUIDELINES FOR SOLUTION BRIEFS, PITCHES, AND PROPOSALS: 2.1 The purpose of the Solution Brief is to identify innovative solutions and narrow focus areas to exclude potential lines of effort on the part of Offerors whose proposed work may not be of interest to the Government. Offerors are encouraged to follow the instructions detailed below. Solution briefs should specifically identify the AOI to which it is responding. The Government aims to provide an evaluation response no later than 10 days after receipt of a Solution Brief. 2.2 Submissions will not be returned. The original of each submission received will be retained by the USSOCOM SOFAT&L S&T team and all other non‐required copies destroyed. 2.3 Guidelines for Solution Brief Submissions: 2.3.1 Costs of preparing and submitting solution briefs are at the Offerors’ expense. 2.3.2 Unnecessarily elaborate brochures or proposals are not desired. 2.3.3 Use of a diagram(s) or figure(s) to depict the proposed solution is strongly encouraged. 2.3.4 Multiple solution briefs addressing different AOIs may be submitted by the same organization; however, each solution brief may only address one concept based on the stated AOIs. 2.3.5 The period of performance for any solution brief or proposal submitted under this CSO should generally be no greater than 60 months. 2.3.6 Technical data with military application may require appropriate approval, authorization, or license for lawful exportation. 2.3.7 All solution briefs shall be unclassified. Solution briefs containing data that is not to be disclosed to the public for any purpose or used by the Government except for evaluation purposes shall include the following notice on the cover page: “ This solution brief includes data that shall not be disclosed outside the Government, except to contractor support services personnel for evaluation purposes, and shall not be duplicated, used, or disclosed ‐‐ in whole or in part ‐‐ for any purpose other than to evaluate this submission. If, however, an agreement is awarded to this Offeror as a result of ‐‐ or in connection with ‐‐ the submission of this data, the Government shall have the right to duplicate, use, or disclose the data to the extent agreed upon by both parties in the resulting agreement. This restriction does not limit the Government's right to use information contained in this data if it is obtained from another source without restriction. The data subject to this restriction are contained in sheets [insert numbers or other identification of sheets]” And each restricted data sheet should be marked as follows: “Use or disclosure of data contained on this sheet is subject to the restriction on the title page of this proposal.” 2.3.8 Foreign‐Owned businesses may submit a proposal alone or through some form of teaming arrangement with one or more United States‐owned businesses. However, the ability to obtain an agreement based upon a submission may depend upon the ability of the Foreign Owned business to obtain necessary export clearances and approvals to obtain AOI or SOI information. 2.3.9 Questions regarding the objectives or preparation of the solution brief for AOIs 1-4 should be addressed to:
[email protected]. Questions regarding objectives or preparation of the solution brief for AOI 5 should be addressed to:
[email protected] . Questions regarding objectives or preparation of the solution brief for AOI 6 should be addressed to
[email protected] . 2.3.10 Submissions must be submitted electronically to the individuals listed below: Mr. Ron Reed –
[email protected] Mr. Brian Sisco (AOIs 1-4) –
[email protected] Mr. Dave Saren (AOI 5 only)
[email protected] Mr. Ben Chitty (AOI 6 only)
[email protected] Mrs. Terry Ann Lewis –
[email protected] Mrs. RJ Bell -
[email protected] 2.4 Solution Brief Preparation and Evaluation: Submitter’s solution brief should not exceed five (5) pages using twelve (12)‐point font. Alternatively, solution briefs may take the form of slides, which should not exceed ten (10) slides. These limits are not requirements, but strong recommendations. 2.4.1 Solution Brief Content: • Title Page (does not count against page limit) – Offeror Name, Title, Date, Point of Contact Name, Email Address, Phone, and Address • Executive Summary (one page) ‐ Provide an executive summary of the capability. Capability Concept: Describe the unique aspects of your capability and the proposed work as it relates to the AOI. Identify whether the effort includes the pilot or demonstration of existing commercial technology (identified as commercially ready and viable technology) or the development of technology for potential commercial or defense application. If development or adaptation is proposed, identify a suggested path to mature the technology. Explain how the technology, process, or method, including research and development, or application is innovative (i.e., new as of the date of proposal submission.) • Previous work with USSOCOM S&T, specifically as part of Futures or the S&T Innovation Cycle • Offeror Viability: Provide a brief overview of the offeror. Provide a summary of current fundraising to date or a summary of the top line (gross sales/revenues). Provide a summary of product commercialization and go‐to‐market strategy. 2.4.2 Solution Brief Basis of Evaluation: Individual solution briefs will be evaluated through peer review without regard to other submissions received under this announcement, with the primary evaluation factors for selecting proposals for award as technical, importance to agency programs, and funding availability. Subfactors for relevant factors are further explained below in the following criteria: • Technical o Merit – the feasibility of the proposed solution to address the AOI o Agility and Rapidity– Documented desire and procedures in place to respond to government task order requests (RFPs, RFIs, etc) within five (5) business days of receipt, or demonstrated ability to rapidly prototype, experiment or successfully complete technical design sprints. o Innovation – degree to which the proposed solution provides an innovative, unique and/or previously under‐utilized approach • Importance to agency programs o Relevance ‐ how the proposed solution relates to the AOI o Past Performance o Business Viability – strength of the offeror and commercial viability of the proposed solution. (The Government may elect to use external market research in the evaluation of an offeror’s viability.) • Affordability o Cost, price, and budgetary considerations 2.4.3 After evaluation of a solution brief, the Government may elect to invite an Offeror to pitch and/or demonstrate their technology in person or request additional information from the Offerors. The Government reserves the right to move to award without prior pitch and/or demonstration. 2.5 Pitch and/or Demonstration Content : The pitch and/or demonstration should provide more details on the technical merit and business viability of the proposed solution submitted in the Solution Brief. Regardless of format, the pitch and/or demonstration must also address: Rough Order of Magnitude price and notional schedule. USSOCOM Utility and how this concept could be tested within a SOF military environment. Operational Impact. Detail who the operational users of the technology are expected to be. Prototype: State how this effort constitutes a prototype Data Rights and Intellectual Property Assertions. The Government may request additional information outside of the pitch/demonstration. 2.6 Pitch and/or Demonstration Basis of Evaluation : Individual pitch and/or demonstration will be evaluated without regard to other presentations under this announcement with the primary evaluation factors for selecting proposals for award as technical, importance to agency programs, and funds availability. on the following factors: • Technical o Technical Merit o Innovation o Data Rights/Intellectual Property o Schedule • Importance to Agency Programs o Past Performance o Business Viability o Relevancy to AOI • Funds Availability o Cost and Price Drivers 2.7 The Government will aim to complete Phase II evaluations and offeror notification within 10 calendar days of the pitch/demonstration and/or receipt of additional requested information. All companies will receive Phase II notification, however, only favorably evaluated solution briefs or pitches/demonstrations will enter Phase III of the CSO process and receive a Request for Prototype Proposal (RPP). 2.8 Proposal Preparation : RPPs will include preparation instructions for Prototype Proposals. During this Phase, companies will collaboratively develop Statements of Work (SOW) with the Government teams for their specific projects and negotiate Terms and Conditions into their Contracts or Agreements. 3. CONTRACT AWARD: 3.1 Only Warranted Contracting Officers and Agreements Officers may obligate the Government and issues awards for Procurement Contracts or Other Transaction Agreements (OTA). 3.2 Awards made under this CSO will be primarily Firm Fixed‐Price contracts or Other Transaction Agreements (OTA) under 10 U.S.C 4022 for Prototypes Projects with potential follow‐on noncompetitive Production Agreements IAW 10 U.S.C 4022(f) , 10 U.S.C. 4023 OTA for experimental purposes, 15 U.S.C. 3715 Partnership Intermediary Agreements, or traditional FAR contracts. Contract type will be determined during Phase III. 3.3 In the event an OTA is awarded under 10 U.S.C 4022 for a Prototype Project, a follow‐on production agreement may be awarded to the Prototype Project recipient in a non‐competitive manner based on completion of success criteria developed in the Prototype Project . The resulting OTA may include more than one prototype project. Non‐completion of one or more prototype project(s) does not limit the possibility of the non‐competitive follow‐on production OTA for successfully completed projects, and the noncompetitive production OTA may also be awarded at the completion of an individual prototype project, before the overall completion of all Prototype Projects contemplated under the OTA. 3.4 To receive an award, Companies must be a registered entity in the System for Award Management (SAM). This system verifies identity and ensures that payment is sent to the right party. The link can be found here: https://sam.gov/SAM/ 3.5 In general, to invoice and receive payment, Companies must register in Wide Area Work Flow (WAWF). The Contracting Officer/Agreements Officer will provide WAWF assistance during Phase III. 3.6 Proposals will be accepted through the date of 14 May 2025. 4. NON‐GOVERNMENT ADVISORS: Non‐Government advisors may be used in the evaluation of solution briefs and proposals and will have signed non‐disclosure agreements (NDAs) with the Government. The Government understands that information provided in response to this CSO is presented in confidence and may contain trade secret or commercial or financial information, and it agrees to protect such information from unauthorized disclosure to the maximum extent permitted and as required by Law. 5. CONTACT INFORMATION: Be advised, only a Contracting Officer/Agreements Officer has the authority to enter into a binding agreement on behalf of the Government and has exclusive authority to change the terms of a contract or agreement. All inquiries need to be sent to
[email protected]. 6. DEFINITIONS: Innovative: “Innovative” is defined as (1) Any technology, process, or method, including research and development, that is new as of the date of submission of a proposal; or (2) Any application that is new as of the date of submission of a proposal of a technology, process, or method existing as of such date. Non‐traditional Defense contractor (NDC ): An entity that is not currently performing and has not performed, for at least the one‐year period preceding the solicitation of sources by DoD for the procurement or transaction, any contract or subcontract for the DoD that is subject to full coverage under the cost accounting standards prescribed pursuant to section 1502 of title 41 and the regulations implementing such section (see 10 U.S.C. 2302(9)). Other Transaction Agreement (OTA): Legally binding instruments not subject to the requirements of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) obligating the Government for a purpose IAW 10 USC 4021 and 4022. Procurement contract. A contract awarded pursuant to the Federal Acquisition Regulation. Prototype Project : prototype project addresses a proof of concept, model, reverse engineering to address obsolescence, pilot, novel application of commercial technologies for defense purposes, agile development activity, creation, design, development, demonstration of technical or operational utility, or combinations of the foregoing. A process, including a business process, may be the subject of a prototype project. Although assistance terms are generally not appropriate in OT agreements, ancillary work efforts that are necessary for completion of the prototype project, such as test site training or limited logistics support, may be included in prototype projects. A prototype may be physical, virtual, or conceptual in nature. A prototype project may be fully funded by DoD, jointly funded by multiple federal agencies, cost‐shared, funded in whole or part by third parties, or involve a mutual commitment of resources other than an exchange of funds.