a. The New England Chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) will host a Natick Soldier Systems Center (NSSC) Soldier Innovation Day on 12 June, 2015 from 07:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. EST. This industry day will be located at the University of Massachusetts Lowell's Inn & Conference Center, 50 Warren St, Lowell, MA 01852. b. The U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command (RDECOM), the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center (NSRDEC), and the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM) will give presentations about NSSC's Science & Technology (S&T) challenge areas, focus areas, and future solicitations. The presentations will be provided by the Deputy Commanding General of RDECOM / Senior Mission Commander of NSSC, the Technical Director of NSRDEC, and a Division Chief of USARIEM. Additional speakers will include a Director from the NDIA Board of Directors and UMass Lowell's Chancellor. c. The industry day is open to and promotes collaboration between attending Army and other U.S. government, academic, and industry representatives. The day is an opportunity to listen, interact, and exchange information with NSSC's senior leaders and Business Development Team on how industry and academia might partner with NSSC to address Research & Development (R&D) challenge areas centered on maximizing the Warfighters survivability, sustainability, mobility, combat effectiveness, and quality of life by treating the Soldier as a System. This enhanced understanding will allow potential partners to make more informed judgments on whether or how they can partner with NSRDEC to address Soldier R&D needs in the near, mid, and far future. Examples of NSRDEC's S&T challenges are: Develop and integrate improved materials and processes for ballistic protection of the head, eyes, and face; Define, develop, and validate operationally relevant human performance metrics (cognitive, physical, emotional, and social) that consider all aspects of the system level Soldier and Squad; Develop and evolve Soldier as a System models and analytical tools; Enable aerial delivery on-demand tactical resupply to small units on the move; Develop a high accuracy, low cost aerial delivery system; Advance designs and materials for multi-functional tactical habitats in diverse geographical climates and locations; Identify rapidly deployable base camp habitat and organizational equipment systems that enhance expeditionary maneuverability while reducing base camp sustainment needs; Advance expeditionary waste to energy systems and shelter integrated alternative energy systems; Improve physical and cognitive performance optimization through operational rations and field feeding; Identify regional food safety threats and evaluate technologies to enable rapid detection and identification of contaminants; Develop novel and innovative food processing and packaging methods for preservation and stabilization of shelf stable foods; Exploit energy efficient technologies to improve refrigeration systems, fuel fired appliances, and other field feeding equipment; and Develop next generation textiles for clothing and fabric shelters - reduced weight, nonwovens, targeted antimicrobial, and flame resistance. d. The venue will also provide information and assistance on doing business with NSSC via Broad Agency Announcements (BAA), Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR), and Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA). e. This announcement is not a formal solicitation and is not a request for proposals. f. Federal Acquisition Regulation Section 35.004 requires agencies to continually search for and develop information on a broad base of the best contractor sources from the scientific and industrial community, (including small business concerns) competent to perform R&D work. The proposed event is one part of NSSC's total effort to meet this requirement. g. Organizations interested in attending NSSC's industry day should register by 5:00 p.m. (1700) EST, 5 June, 2015 via the following WEB Link: http://bit.ly/ndianssc612. A confirmation e-mail will be sent once registration is complete. Please contact Maggie Schoening with the NDIA New England Chapter at
[email protected] if additional information is needed. h. Federal government employees interested in attending NSSC's industry day should contact Benjamin Hall with NSRDEC at
[email protected] to register. i. There is a registration fee for attendees not from the federal government and no costs associated to attend the event for federal government employees. Non-federal government attendees include those from state and local governments, public and private educational institutions, not-for-profits, and commercial businesses in MA, New England, and other USA locations. j. There will be no official travel for Army employees for purposes of attending the event. k. There is on-site parking located at the University of Massachusetts Lowell's Inn & Conference Center, 50 Warren St, Lowell, MA 01852. No-cost parking is available on a first-come first-served basis and parking with fees associated will be available. l. Registration badges can be picked up at a table outside of the presentation room. It is recommended that attendees arrive between 07:15 and 08:00 a.m. EST to secure their badge and seat in the ballroom. m. Dress code for the industry day will be business attire. n. The NSSC Soldier Innovation Day event is S&T mission related and presentations are directly linked to NSSC's regulatory responsibility to identify, encourage and develop the best available sources of S&T capabilities. In that context, it is a mission essential event that enhances and complements NSSC's operational capabilities and business processes. o. This announcement is for informational planning purposes, does not constitute a formal solicitation or request for proposal and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. Attendance at the industry day and any discussion/release of information is strictly voluntary. The Government reserves the right to cancel this requirement at any time. The Government will not be responsible for any associated costs as a result of prospective offerer's interest and/or response to this notice or future solicitations.