USSOCOM Tactical Forensics Event 2025

1. General: This Request for Information (RFI) is not a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, quotations, or obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services, but for planning purposes only. This RFI is to gain knowledge of potential qualified sources and to explore industry capabilities. Your response to this RFI will be treated as information only. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission to this announcement or the Government use of such information. The information provided may be used by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) in development of its acquisition strategy, statement of work/statement of objectives, and performance specifications. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marked proprietary or competition sensitive information contained in their response. The Government does not intend to award a contract based on this request for information or to otherwise pay for the information submitted in response to this RFI. 2. Purpose: a. USSOCOM, Special Operations Forces-Acquisition Technology and Logistics (SOF AT&L), Program Executive Office-Tactical Information Systems (PEO-TIS), Program Management Office-Identity Intelligence and Exploitation (PMO-I2E) seeks information on specific technology areas to gain knowledge of, explore, and identify potential methodologies and available capabilities in the examination of Uncrewed Systems (UxS) Exploitation, Vehicle Forensics, Document and Media Exploitation (DOMEX), and Borescope Camera solutions. b. Specific areas of interest: (1) UxS Exploitation Capabilities: Solutions capable of conducting physical and logical extractions from UxS platforms to support exploitation operations. These tools must enable the acquisition of various types of data including but not limited to flight paths, mission logs, payload and sensor data, command-and-control communications, firmware and software, artifacts, encryption keys, system configurations, and metadata. The solution should provide broad compatibility with diverse UxS platforms, including ariel, ground, and maritime systems, regardless of manufacturer or proprietary architecture. Tools must ensure the integrity of the extracted data while being capable of rapid deployment in disrupted, disconnected, intermittent, and low bandwidth (DDIL) environments. (2) Vehicle Forensics Exploitation Capabilities: Tools should enable the extraction and analysis of data from infotainment and telematics systems, key fobs, location & navigation services, connected devices, vehicle diagnostics, and Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) to support operational exploitation of modern and legacy vehicle systems. Capabilities should also include remote access solutions, JTAG interfaces, CPU architecture support, and ECU debugging tools for deep system analysis. The ability to exploit diverse vehicle platforms including passenger, commercial, and military vehicles is critical. Solutions must preserve the integrity of the data and operate in austere environments. (3) Document and Media Exploitation (DOMEX) Capabilities: Tools, equipment, and software to conduct non-destructive Cellular Exploitation (CELLEX) and Media Exploitation (MEDEX) in support of but not limited to the extraction, compilation, translation, and analysis of contextual information that is stored into DoD recognized formats for the purpose of aggregation and comparison against other data locally and through authoritative databases. These technologies include, but are not limited to, all forms of digital storage media capable of being exploited. At a minimum, the ability to create a digital copy of encrypted and non-encrypted storage media is desired. Cellular Exploitation or CELLEX (Mobile Forensics): Conduct non-destructive exploitation, basic analysis, and forensic imaging of a wide variety of devices to include iOS, Android, smartphones, feature phones, and foreign chipsets including powered off, pre-boot, powered-on, authenticated with credentials, locked, and unlocked devices using logical and/or physical extraction types. Media Exploitation or MEDEX (Computer Forensics): Conduct non-destructive exploitation and basic analysis of media devices in all-states to include powered off, pre-boot, powered on, and authenticated with credentials. Additional capability areas desired are RAM capture, specific targeted triage, and forensic imaging. (4) Borescope Camera Capabilities: Commercially available or developmental waterproof borescope cameras capable of capturing high-resolution 4K imagery and video in a variety of operational environments. The system should feature a minimum 5-foot flexible or semi-rigid scope to enable detailed inspections in confined or hard-to-reach areas. It must include adjustable, controllable lighting to enhance visibility in low-light conditions and the ability to capture both still images and video with minimal latency. The camera should be ruggedized for durability in austere environments and include a removable, rechargeable battery to support extended operational use. Compatibility with existing USSOCOM data transmission and storage systems is highly desirable. c. All hardware/equipment submitted for the evaluation shall be production models and capable of performing specific core mission sets conducted by Identity Intelligence and Exploitation (I2E) SOF Operators either on the objective or on a forward operating base-like environment. d. While un-released commercial devices that meet most of the capabilities are allowed, the expectation is that all devices will be final product versions and meet the capabilities detailed in the scenarios that align with approved mission profiles and establish statistical confidence in the results. e. Mission profile evaluation may consist of two independently conducted events: (1) Technical Evaluation (TE) to confirm the quality and accuracy of device performance and output. (2) Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) to evaluate training, determine usability and suitability for SOF operators in a realistic environment. f. Responses to this RFI may be used by USSOCOM, SOF AT&L, PEO-TIS, and PMO-I2E to identify potential hardware and equipment solutions for participation in the further evaluation of market information and/or ascertain potential market capacity to provide services consistent in scope and scale with those described in this notice. 3. Timeline: The Tactical Forensics Event-2025 (TFE-25) is scheduled from February 2025 thru August 2025 in the greater Tampa, Florida area. The preliminary schedule of events (subject to change) is as follows: a. NLT 14 February 2025 – RFI Response. Responses must be submitted directly through the USSOCOM VULCAN platform by accessing this link >. If you do not yet have a Vulcan account, please click “Join the Ecosystem” to create one. Once securely inside of the Vulcan ecosystem you can navigate to the open call titled USSOCOM Tactical Forensics Event 2025 (TFE 25) to review the full instructions and submit your solution(s). All submissions must be UNCLASSIFIED . For any TFE 25 process and/or programmatic questions, reach out to the SOCOM Engagement team at [email protected]. For technical questions about how to use the Vulcan platform, please reach out to [email protected]. b. 05 & 06 March 2025 – Vendor Presentations. Manufacturers/Vendors present their proposed white papers, equipment and demonstrate the equipment’s capabilities of interest. eSOF presentations will be conducted at 1925 East 2nd Avenue, Suite 102, Tampa, Florida 33605. Specific coordination information will be provided by eSOF when briefing dates and times are scheduled. Proceeding to the next portion is based solely upon best agency need and requirements. Subject to change based upon agency need. c. 21 March 2025 – TE Invitations. Invitations will be sent to select Manufacturers/Vendors to participate in the TE event. While the I2E Program will provide feedback to all Manufacturers/Vendors who participated in the eSOF presentations, only those devices that the I2E-PMO judges to have the best potential to meet the mission profile evaluation will be invited to participate in the TE event. All Manufacturers/Vendors will be provided a Vendor Loan Agreement (VLA) as the I2E will request a minimum of five (5) complete systems for the duration of the events with a designated device delivery date. Subject to change based upon agency need. d. 28 March 2025 – Manufacturers/Vendors Accept Invitations. Deadline for Manufacturers/Vendors to notify USSOCOM SOF AT&L, PEO-TIS, PMO-SSE of their intent to participate in the TE and return the completed VLA’s for their devices and any associated items. Subject to change based upon agency need. e. 11 April 2025 – Device Delivery to USSOCOM. Manufacturers/Vendors deliver (on-loan) fully functional devices and associated items for technical assessment. Manufacturers/Vendors also provide necessary technical information to support USSOCOM’s safety review process. Subject to change based upon agency need. f. 14 thru 18 April 2025 – TE Training. Manufacturers/Vendors train USSOCOM testers and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) on the use of their device(s) to support TE of their device(s). Training will be limited to eight hours per device and must include proper use of the device and troubleshooting. Vendors will be expected to train the USSOCOM evaluators and SMEs to the point where the evaluators and SME can confirm expected levels of performance. Manufacturers/Vendors will be offered the opportunity to conduct the same training for operators participating in the OT&E portion of TFE-25. Subject to change based upon agency need. g. 21 April thru 02 May 2025 – TE Event. USSOCOM Evaluators will conduct a TE of the Manufacturers/Vendors devices to ensure they perform to the standards and levels as presented. Manufacturers/Vendors may be asked to provide reach back support during TE. Proceeding to the next portion is based solely upon best agency need and requirements. Subject to change based upon agency need. h. 21 July thru 01 August 2025 – OT&E Event. USSOCOM evaluators and SMEs conduct the OT&E with the participation of SOF operational personnel. Vendors will be asked to conduct training of their devices during the first week but will not participate in the actual operator driven events conducted jointly by USSOCOM and the Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC). Subject to change based upon agency need. i. NLT 29 August 2025 – Device Return. All Manufacturers/Vendors equipment returned. Subject to change based upon agency need. 4. Disclaimers: THERE IS NO SOLICITATION PLANNED AT THIS TIME. This request for information does not constitute a request for proposals; submission of any information in response to this market research is purely voluntary; the Government assumes no financial responsibility for any costs incurred; and the Government will not provide responses to any questions. 5. Points of Contact: Any questions under this RFI may be emailed to [email protected].