A. INTRODUCTION The purpose of this request for information (RFI) is to identify technologies from private industry, Government research and development (R&D) organizations, and academia for inclusion in the annual Technology Innovation Discovery Event (TIDE) 2024. TIDE 2024 is invitation-only and structured similarly to a trade show with opportunities for showcasing limited prototype functionality. The DoD and U.S. interagency partners use TIDE to identify and influence the state-of-play of innovative technologies from a broad spectrum of capability areas, which informs decision-making for enhancing future strategic and operational capabilities. TIDE 2024 seeks to discover emerging technologies that may produce surprising impacts . This includes novel technologies, the use of existing commercial technologies that may yield unanticipated military utility, additive technology that enables a capability to function at a previously unrealized scale or speed, or a disruptive countermeasure that neutralizes existing military technologies or capabilities. The Office of Innovation and Modernization (I&M), within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), sponsors and coordinates the Thunderstorm event series, including TIDE. TIDE 2024 will take place on 28 August 2024 in Chantilly, VA Interested parties are welcome to submit their applications for the TIDE 2024 event by following the instructions and guidance provided in the following sections. The application deadline is 5:00 PM EDT on 14 June 2024. This RFI is NOT a solicitation for procurement or other acquisition proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for the information solicited. B. BACKGROUND The I&M Innovation Discovery program provides Government attendees with opportunities to identify new technologies, while providing developers with informative insights and feedback directly from Government end users and subject matter experts. TIDE specifically functions as an exhibition event where developers showcase their solutions and support hands-on access to prototypes for attendees, within the confines of the venue. This collaborative environment of Government organizations, academia, and industry helps accelerate the delivery of solutions to DoD and interagency partners. Participation and attendance at TIDE is by invitation only. TIDE will take place at the Unclassified level. There will be attendance from subject matter experts and decision makers across the DoD to observe the technologies at this joint venue. Participating in Innovation Discovery events like TIDE may lead to follow-on collaboration, support for further development, experimentation opportunities, and/or fielding of matured capabilities. Industry, academia, and Government organizations are encouraged to submit applications addressing their innovative technologies for consideration to participate during TIDE. C. DESCRIPTION TIDE 2024 will take place on 28 August, 2024, in Chantilly, VA . The event structure is similar to a trade show, with opportunities for displaying and showcasing prototypes as appropriate. TIDE 2024 focuses on discovering prototype technologies that, at maturity, help strengthen the U.S. competitive edge by gaining advantages through technological surprise. Developers may submit novel prototypes or modifications to their existing commercial technologies that enable previously unexplored applications and impact. Examples of technological surprise include: Unknown Capability: Technology advances at a difficult pace for anyone to track, introducing novel solutions capable of previously unheard of applications. TIDE 2024 is seeking innovative prototypes that may improve current military capabilities or unlock new approaches that are not feasible with existing technologies. Unanticipated Application: Similar to ‘Unknown Capability’, however focused on leveraging proven existing cost-effective commercially available technologies and applying them asymmetrically to achieve previously unforeseen impacts. This technology may include repurposing algorithms or sensors, modifying autonomous vehicles for new payloads, or using materials and chemistries for novel applications. Unprecedented Scale and Speed: Enabling solutions that allow an existing capability to deploy at a scale or speed that challenges the adversary’s ability to react. Examples include novel materials or manufacturing processes for increasing scale, or advancements in artificial intelligence and autonomy that speed up decision-making and response times. Unexpected Disruption: Innovative technologies that disrupt, neutralize, or otherwise counter existing military solutions and capabilities. Examples include solutions that disrupt sensors and communications and/or neutralize, interdict, or disrupt capabilities across air, land, sea, space, cyberspace, or the electromagnetic spectrum. Technologies beyond the scope of the primary topic areas described above will be considered on a case-by-case basis and potentially admitted to TIDE 2024 based on the strength of application and relevance to the overall mission area. Under the direction of I&M, the Pennsylvania State University Applied Research Laboratory (PSU ARL) will execute TIDE 2024 with support and participation from Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI). These organizations may also support the Government in the review of technology submissions (See Section H: Special Notice). After reviewing developer applications, the Government may contact candidates to invite them to TIDE 2024 or to request additional details of their capability to support the selection process. The Government may contact technology developers to participate in additional discussions and events with the Government beyond TIDE 2024 to support future development and DoD acquisition activities. Industry participation in TIDE 2024, and communications with the Government or its event contractors associated with the TIDE 2024 event, does not suggest or imply that the Government will endorse, procure, or purchase equipment. D. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS Submit an application to
[email protected] using the provided quad chart application template. The application deadline is 5:00 PM EDT on 14 June 2024 . You will receive an email within two business days of submitting your technology application verifying receipt of your application. Each application must address only one technology solution; technology developers may submit multiple applications if they have multiple technologies for consideration. The TIDE team will provide developers accommodations and supporting infrastructure within the venue to showcase their technology based on availability of resources. Costs specific to running the technology developer’s equipment, and the technology developer’s travel costs, will be at the technology developer’s expense. Invited technology developers must be prepared to be self-sufficient during the execution of their technology showcasing and not dependent on venue resources. If you have any questions about how to complete the application submission process, please contact
[email protected] . DO NOT SUBMIT CLASSIFIED INFORMATION in the application. TIDE 2024 will be held at the Unclassified level. It is incumbent upon the developers to ensure that capabilities subject International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or Export Administration Regulations (EAR) restrictions are identified in their application and adhered to during the event. DO NOT SUBMIT ACQUISITION PROPOSALS. The Government does not award contracts based solely on this announcement. Submission of an application does not guarantee an invitation to participate in TIDE 2024 or any other DoD event. E. BASIS FOR SELECTION TO PARTICIPATE I&M, appropriate supporting Government organizations, and support contractors review submissions and determine whether a developer receives an invitation for TIDE 2024 participation. The selection of respondents to participate shall be based on the extent to which the technology represents a particular class or level of capability that can either be provided to interested DoD organizations, interagency partners, or both. Other considerations include: Relevance to event focus areas Completeness of application and supporting information Technical Readiness Level (Technical maturity) Relevance of, or adaptability to, DoD or interagency partner operations/missions Relevance to current or future operational needs F. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Technology developers shall ensure that all proprietary information, documentation, and equipment are marked appropriately and clearly. Be advised that lessons learned from these innovation discovery events may be broadly disseminated through official channels within the Federal Government and partner government agencies associated with the Thunderstorm program. If selected for participation, technology developers may be requested to provide additional information that will be used in preparation for the event. G. USE OF INFORMATION The purpose of this notice is to gain information for potential use at TIDE 2024 or during future collaboration for development of technology capabilities. Developers are responsible for clearly marking all proprietary information contained in their application submission. Any proprietary information contained in responses to this request will be properly protected from unauthorized disclosure. The Government will not use proprietary information submitted from any one submission or developer to establish future capability requirements. Participants shall agree to confer and consult with the Thunderstorm team prior to the publication of any press release directly or indirectly related to Thunderstorm. The Thunderstorm team shall confer and consult with any participants prior to the publication of any press release that directly includes a written or visual reference to the name of their organization, employees, or technology. Participants will not use the name, logo, or images of any U.S. Government organization, employee, or contractor without prior approval from the relevant organization. H. SPECIAL NOTICE Either university-affiliated research centers (UARCs), federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), contractor consultants/advisors to the Government, or any of the aforementioned entities may review and provide support during evaluation of applications. When appropriate, non-government advisors may objectively review a particular functional area and provide comments and recommendations to the Government. All advisors shall comply with procurement integrity laws and shall sign non-disclosure and rules of conduct/conflict of interest statements. The Government shall consider requirements for avoiding conflicts of interest and ensure advisors comply with safeguarding proprietary data. Submission in response to this RFI constitutes approval to release the submittal to Government support contractors. I. FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) 52.215-3 Per FAR 52.215-3 Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997): 1. The government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI notice or to otherwise pay for the information. 2. Although "proposal" and "technology developer" are used in this RFI, your responses will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. 3. In accordance with FAR Clause 15.209(c), the purpose of this RFI is to solicit technology candidates from R&D organizations, private industry, and academia for inclusion in future Thunderstorm innovation technology discovery events sponsored by Innovation and Modernization (I&M).