The subject line of the email must indicate TSOA19-2 Submission. This RFI is effective through 10 January 2019.

B. OBJECTIVE

(1) Background: The TSOA conducts field experiments/assessments funded by RRTO to support the vulnerability identification and system limitation in contested environments for emerging capabilities in an operationally relevant venue. These assessments are conducted with representatives from Government Research and Development (R&D) organizations, academia, and industry. TSOA events provide an opportunity for technology developers to interact with operational personnel and determine how their efforts might support military capability gaps and high priority mission deficiencies. The environment facilitates a collaborative working relationship between academia, Government, and industry and supports identification, assessment, and dissemination of emerging and mature technology information and the acceleration of delivering capabilities to the Warfighters and those they support. The assessment results are reported back to the program director.

(2) Assessment Focus and Submission Timeline: TSOA 19-2 assessment will be conducted: 25 Feb to 1 March 2019 at Marine Corps Base Quantico. 

TSOA Field Assessments

TSOA 19-2
Execution: February/March 2019
Focus (not limited to): Augmented and Virtual Reality technologies reduce training burden, increase mission capability/effectiveness and other technologies that can increase lethality and survivability.    
Location: Unites States Marine Corps Base, Quantico
Environment: Urban Environment (Containers), some SUB-T, restricted airspace, large wooded maneuver space

RFI Submission Deadline: 4 January 2019

Focus Details: The TSOA 19-2 experiment will evaluate challenges presented by the Close Combat Lethality Working Group (CCLWG). TSOA 19-2 will focus on technologies to increase training effectiveness, mission planning and rehearsal such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Rapid identification and red teaming of AR and VR technologies that will enhance navigational skills and increase overall combat effectiveness of the connected warfighter.

(3) Field Experiment/Assessment Focus: The following technical areas are of particular interest:

Other TSOA focus areas (considered after primary focus technologies selected)

a. Timely Mission Command and Tactical Intelligence:
Common Operating Picture
Battle Space Owner (relevant)
Realtime Situational Awareness
Hyper Spectral Imagery Enhancement
Standoff Measurement
3D Mapping on the move (standoff and/or man-packable)
Object Recognition
Data Compression and Transfer
Data Standard / Common Operational Environment
Communications
Sensor & Data Fusion
Autonomy
Data Dissemination
Secure Communications
Data Handling & Storage

b. Reduce Warfighter Overburden:
Weight & Volume
Forward Edge Computing/Processing
Set Up
User Interface
Electronic Burden
Trouble Shooting
Training
Ergonomics
Integrated Capabilities
Transport
Multi-Functional Capabilities
Logistics supportability
Availability
Sustainable
Scalable Functionality
Adaptability/Flexibility
Customizable

c. Enhance Lethality and/or Capability to Temporarily Incapacitate Threats:
Detecting
Locating
Targeting
Hardware/Software leveraging for Internet of Things (IoT) devices and other Electronics
Unattended Ground Sensors (UGS)
BDA
Marking
Identifying
Target Discrimination
Reduce collateral damage
Reduced TLE / CAS
HUMINT
SIGINT
MASINT
STANO Devices
Extended Ranges

d. Increase Force Protection (Soldier/Vehicle/Base):
Active Defense
Identify Management/Threat Mitigation
Concealable Antennas
Counter Multi-Threats
Cover from Direct /Indirect Fire
Enhance Troop Movement
Perimeter Security
Entry Control Points
Expeditionary Power
Long Range Surveillance
Sense and Warn
360° Hemispherical Protection
Subsurface Protection
Obscuration
Active Defense
Detect/ID/Mitigate CBRNE
Detect/ID/ Mitigate Explosive Hazards
Autonomous Systems
Warn & Alert
Area Denial
Establish, Expand, Protect, and Close Bases
Shape Terrain
Perform Infrastructure Reconnaissance
Access, Establish, Secure, Expand Ports of Debarkation (POD)

(4) Security Requirements: The submittal process under this RFI is intended to be as streamlined as possible in order to allow the Government to leverage technology solutions capable of meeting urgent warfighter needs. Respondents should not submit classified information in the technology assessment papers and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) restrictions should be clearly listed.

(5) Other Special Requirements: DO NOT SUBMIT PROPOSALS. SUBMIT TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT PAPERS ONLY. Instructions and templates can be found at www.uniquemissioncell.org No contracts will be awarded based on this announcement.

C. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Responses shall be addressed to:

usarmy.belvoir.rdecom-cerdec.mbx.nvesd-TSOA-tsoa-submissions@mail.mil

(1) General Information: Technology White papers shall not exceed two (2) pages using a PDF format and no less than 10-point font. The Respondent shall prepare an additional unclassified, non-proprietary title and summary page at the beginning of the document, which does not count toward the page limit. Technology assessment papers in excess of two (2) pages may not be evaluated. Multiple concept papers addressing different technology assessments may be submitted by each respondent. Papers will be reviewed by TSOA personnel. Each technology assessment paper must address one technology only. If you are submitting a technology that has previously been assessed at a TSOA event, you are highly encouraged to explain what has changed from the previous assessment. Selected Respondents will be invited to participate in TSOA field experiment 19-2. TSOA will provide venues, supporting infrastructure, and assessment (operational and technical) personnel at no cost to the selected respondent. The respondent's travel and shipping will be at the respondent's expense.

(2) Submission Format:

Section A: Respondent Name, Point of Contact, Title, Date, E-Mail Address, Phone #, Fax #, Organization/Office Symbol, and Address.

Section B: Capability Description--What is the capability you are proposing for the assessment? What is the intended purpose of this technology? How will the capability enhance mission effectiveness? Describe limits of environment in which this solution can operate.

Section C: Technology Assessment--How do you envision execution of the technology assessment? What is the proposed assessment methodology?

Section D: Support Components--What additional support is required for the assessment including hardware, software, data, facilities, and training?

Section E: Please note related federal contracts to include point of contact and current telephone number and address.

D. BASIS FOR SELECTION TO PARTICIPATE: Selection of Respondents to participate will be based on the extent to which the technology represents a particular class or level of capability that can be provided to the forces. Other considerations include:

Relevance of or adaptability to military operations/missions
Relevance to current operational needs
Breadth of application
Technical maturity
Available time
Government funding
Integration into a Common Operating Picture

Selected Respondents will be notified in writing prior to event execution for the selected Technology Assessment events specified in paragraph B.(2).

E. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: All Respondents shall clearly identify and mark in writing all proprietary information provided on all documents. Technical lessons learned by TSOA assessments may be broadly disseminated within the Government and Government support contractors. Respondents must provide information that clearly asserts rights in technical data if developed exclusively or partially at private expense in order to claim any restrictions. Developed exclusively at private expense means development was accomplished entirely with costs charged to indirect cost pools, cost not allocated to a government contract, or any combination thereof. Identification of the data or software must have enough specificity to support the respondent's assertion is important for the parties to avoid misunderstanding during the information gathering assessment activities.

F. USE OF INFORMATION: The purpose of this notice is to gain information on possible Government/Industry collaboration for development of TSOA technologies and capabilities, and to accelerate the delivery of these capabilities to the warfighter. All proprietary information contained in the response shall be separately identified and marked. Any proprietary information contained in response to this request will be properly protected from any unauthorized disclosure.

G. The Government does NOT intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI Notice or to otherwise pay for the information solicited.

H. POINTS OF CONTACT: Questions on the objectives or preparation of technical assessment papers should be addressed to: usarmy.belvoir.rdecom-cerdec.mbx.nvesd-TSOA-tsoa-submissions@mail.mil, and the Subject Line must be titled: QUESTION(s) for TSOA 19-2.

Contracting Office Address:

800 Park Office Drive
Frontier Building
RTP Durham, North Carolina 27709-3048
United States

Primary Point of Contact:

John Klopfenstein