G
Technical Support and Operational Analysis (TSOA) 19-3 RFI
A. INTRODUCTION
This is a Request for Information (RFI). This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this RFI is to gain information leading to Government/Industry partnering at TSOA 19-3 to accelerate the development of technologies that will enable the Warfighter to be more effective, efficient and lethal.
The Technical Support and Operational Analysis (TSOA) invites industry, academia, individuals, and laboratories to submit technology white papers addressing innovative technologies and capabilities that can be used in challenging environments:
Physical (Terrain -Natural & Urban)
Electronic (Frequency Congestion & Overload)
Contested (Electronic Interference, Cyber Attacks, & CBRNE)
Low Visibility (Tactical Effects without the Overt Tactical Signature)
TSOA 19-3 vulnerability analysis event is sponsored by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, Research and Engineering (USD (R&E)), Rapid Reaction Technology Office (RRTO) to improve operational security, force protection and survivability. The TSOA team identifies potential vulnerabilities in emerging technologies including performance degradation in contested environments, interoperability, adaptability and training/ease of use through live experiment venues. 19-3 will focus on challenges by the Intelligence Community (IC) and other deployed Military organizations based on the internet of things revolution and persistent video devices.
After reviewing the technology submissions, the Government may invite select candidates to participate in a TSOA field experiment/assessment venue in which we evaluate the capability as applied to the Warfighter, its technical limitations and vulnerabilities through an enemy perspective.
These assessments will provide the submitter an opportunity to interact with the Warfighter, the DoD Science and Technology community, academia, Combatant Commands (COCOMS), Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs) and other federal agencies for the purpose of assessing potential impact of emerging technology solutions on missions and capabilities.
Technology White papers shall be submitted electronically to email address: usarmy.belvoir.rdecom-cerdec.mbx.nvesd-art-tsoa-submissions@mail.mil
The subject line of the email must indicate TSOA19-3 Submission. This RFI is effective through 30 April 2019.
B. OBJECTIVE
(1) Background: The Army's C5ISR Center Unique Mission Cell (UMC) 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 19-3 assessment will be conducted: 10-14 June 2019 at Fort A.P. Hill, VA.
TSOA 19-3 Ubiquitous Sensor experiment
Execution: June 2019
Focus: Ubiquitous Sensor experiment will evaluate challenges presented by the OCONUS personnel that include:
•· Increase forensics/biometrics collection capability
•· Counter forensic/biometrics collections capabilities
•· Video surveillance detection/disruption
Location: Asymmetric Warfare Training Center (AWTC) and Night Vision and Electronics Sensors Directorate (NVESD) Drop Zone (DZ) sites, Fort A.P. Hill, VA
Environment: Urban Environment (hotel, mosque, embassy, train station etc), and limited SUB-T
RFI Submission Deadline: 1 April 2019 - All respondents will be notified of Government decision NLT 19 April 2019.
Focus Details: The TSOA 19-3 experiment will evaluate challenges presented by the IC and deployed Service Members (SM). TSOA 19-3 will focus on technologies to increase awareness of video surveillance, forensics and biometrics collection and technologies to counter or disrupt surveillance and forensics. The internet of things revolution has increased the risks to operational security, force protection and security. These technologies will provide the SM with an additional set of tools to assist in planning, execution and overall mission risk reduction.
(3) Field Experiment/Assessment Focus: The following technical areas are of particular interest:
TSOA focus areas (considered after primary focus technologies selected)
a. Timely Mission Command and Tactical Intelligence:
b. Reduce Warfighter Overburden:
c. Enhance Lethality and/or Capability to Temporarily Incapacitate Threats
d. Increase Force Protection (Soldier/Vehicle/Base)
(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 service member 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-art-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 separately by 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 19-3. 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 #, 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-art-tsoa-submissions@mail.mil, and the Subject Line must be titled: QUESTION(s) for TSOA 19-3.
Contracting Office Address:
800 Park Office Drive
Frontier Building
RTP Durham, North Carolina 27709-3048
United States
Primary Point of Contact:
Lisa Gregory-Robinson