2021 INSCOM Technology RFI

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR THE SUBMISSION OF WHITE PAPERS (WP) ONLY. This is a request for information (RFI) seeking White Papers only for innovative technologies that accelerate attainment of critical technologies. In this context, innovative means any new technology, process, or business practice, or any new application of an existing technology, process, or business practice that contributes to enhancing of INSCOM's military effectiveness and sustaining global peace and U.S. national security. Responses to this notice will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. This notice is for planning purposes only, and does not constitute an Invitation for Bid, Request for Proposal, Solicitation, and Request for Quote, or an indication that the Government will contract for the items contained in this notice. This request is not to be construed as a commitment on the part of the Government to award a contract, nor does the Government intend to pay for any information submitted as a result of this request. The Government will not reimburse respondents for any cost associated with submission of the information being requested or reimburse expenses incurred to interested parties for responses to this notice or any follow-up information requests. No telephone calls will be accepted requesting a bid package or solicitation. There is no bid package or solicitation. Stakeholders will determine if a future solicitation will be issued based on responses to the RFI, funding, and the needs of the agency. All interested sources must respond to any future solicitation announcements separately from responses to this request for the submission of White Papers.

Mission Overview

INSCOM executes mission command of operational intelligence and security forces; conducts, synchronizes, and integrates worldwide multi-discipline and all-source intelligence and security operations; and delivers linguist support and intelligence related advanced skills training, acquisition support, logistics, communications and other specialized capabilities in support of Army, Joint, and Coalition commands and the U.S. Intelligence Community. To meet these challenges, INSCOM utilizes Other Transaction Authority (OTA) to partner with nontraditional and traditional defense contractors and non-profit research institutions to carry out prototype projects that are directly relevant to enhancing mission effectiveness of military personnel and the supporting platforms, systems, components, or materials use by INSCOM. To the maximum extent practicable, competitive procedures are used when entering into agreements to carry out these prototype projects.

1. Focus Areas and Requirements:

INSCOM has identified areas for which we are requesting White Papers from Industry on mature Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) solutions relevant to the following Focus Areas and requirements:

***** FULL BREAKOUT OF CHALLENGES FOR THE FOCUS AREAS ARE IN VULCAN*****

0001: Cloud Computing

0002: Analytics

0003: Sensors / Processing, Exploitation and Dissemination (PED).

0004: Mission Command

0005: Training

0006: Communications

2. Use of Vulcan for INSCOM White Paper Submissions

Vulcan is a web interface and automated tech scouting tool to streamline efforts across the enterprise to discover and enable the sharing of vendor technologies within the Special Operations Forces (SOF)/DoD enterprise. INSCOM will use Vulcan to support this event.

Please ensure that you are using the Vulcan interface for your submittal. To do so, sign up and/or log into Vulcan at https://vulcan-SOF.com You must use your official organizational email when registering. It is recommended that you watch the Creating a Scout Card in Vulcan video in the Vulcan TV area of the site for useful tips on submitting a strong technology profile. Follow the below instructions for submitting a response. Please ensure that all responses are at the Unclassified level.

a. Once logged in to Vulcan, navigate to Calls in the top menu.

b. Vendors desiring to submit White Papers in response to the INSCOM Capability Needs listed in Paragraph 1 above MUST click on the call titled: 2021 INSCOM Technology RFI in Vulcan.

The submission page for the RFI will allow you to either submit a technology that your organization has already uploaded to Vulcan or a new product/technology that you can upload as a Vulcan Scout Card . However, note that you MUST upload your associated White Paper to any scout card that you submit. If you are submitting a new scout card, you will be asked to:

1) Enter the title of the solution described in your White Paper.

2) Provide the contact information of the person(s) who represent your solution.

3) Tag your scout card with one or more areas of interest (type into the Vulcan Tags field to select from a list).

4) Be direct and concise in describing your technology and what sets it apart (differentiators).

5) Indicate your TRL (and other readiness levels if applicable).

6) Provide optional Specifications and User information.

7) Upload pictures (JPEG, PNG, GIF) file size not to exceed 5MB) and [if available] a public video link (YouTube or Vimeo).

8) Upload your White Paper (no more than 10 pages in length; file size not to exceed 5MB) and follow the requirement instructions in the document section of the form. You may upload additional supporting documents if available.

d. Note that the link may be used to upload multiple submissions (different technology products) if you elect to submit more than one White Paper (i.e., you will create a Vulcan Scout Card for each and attach a different White Paper to each Vulcan Scout Card that you submit). You should NOT create duplicates of the technology scout cards that may already have been created in the system by your organization. In this case, just update the existing scout card and attach the requisite White Paper as you submit to the RFI.

e. If you experience any problems with the Vulcan SOF site or have any issues uploading your inputs as prescribed above, contact the Vulcan Help desk at contact@vulcan sof.com.

f. Note that you can continuously edit your technology scout cards at any point up until the RFI deadline. Do NOT wait until the deadline to sign up for a Vulcan account and manage your input. It is highly recommended you register and become familiar with Vulcan well in advance of the RFI close date.

3. White Paper Submission Guidelines

a. Submitted White Papers are discouraged from being marketing in nature or previously submitted ideas. INSCOM is looking for true innovative, out of the box thinking, conceptual approaches, and ideas with respect to the focus areas listed. White Papers must be in the following format:

1) All White Paper submissions must be UNCLASSIFIED.

2) No more than 10 pages in length, single spaced in Microsoft Word or .pdf compatible format including graphs, pictures, and analyses. Documents longer than 10 pages will not be considered in their entirety. White Paper Data Sheet, Cover page and table of contents, if included, will not be included in the page count.

3) Page size shall be 8.5x 11 inches; Margins one inch, font size shall be 12 point, legible for tables and figures.

4) The White Paper Data Sheet (Appendix A) must be filled out and attached clearly outlining which INSCOM Capability Need(s) the white paper pertains to. This ensures adequate and timely consideration.

b. Include the following information at minimum:

1) Clearly identify the functional and/or cost reduction benefits of your product or concept.

2) Identify the technical and programmatic risks you foresee in completing (or adapting) your design and include your program plan, timeline, testing, and current design level effort.

3) We are looking for mature technologies that would be available for operational environment testing or qualification (i.e., TRL 7 9). Empirical, laboratory, or field test data to support the maturity of the proposed technology should be included.

4) If available, please include a schedule and cost estimate in your white paper.

NOTE: 1) Do not send .ZIP files; 2) Do not send password protected files.

4. White Paper Due Date, Information and POCs:

All White Papers must be submitted through Vulcan ( https://vulcan-sof.com ) no later than the RFI close date below. Exceptions for missing the submission date due to issues with Vulcan will not be granted.

The initial response will undergo a technical assessment that may be followed by requests for clarifications or an invitation for oral presentations/demonstration, with a desired end state of vendor participation in Government conducted technology assessments. This is in no manner an opportunity to submit a proposal for research and development funding.

Responses in Vulcan will be reviewed by both Government and Contractor personnel. Contractor personnel provide Engineering Technical Assistance (ETA) support, and are under a Non Disclosure Agreement.

All submissions will be acknowledged as received by INSCOM, and then staffed to requiring activities with corresponding capability gaps.

Submissions are due on 15 September 2021 by 11:59 pm Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Early submissions are highly encouraged. The Vulcan URL is: https://vulcan-sof.com

Points of Contact:

Technical Points of Contact(s): Samantha Bird, Email: usarmy.belvoir.inscom.mbx.g7-techassess@mail.mil

Contract Officer: Miles Beaudoin, Email: miles.a.beaudoin.civ@mail.mil

Contracting Specialist: Jeremey McVicar, Email: jeremy.d.mcvicar.civ@mail.mil

Contracting Office Address: Army Contracting Command-INSCOM, 8825 Beulah Street, Fort Belvoir, Virginia 22060 5246, United States

_______________ NOTE_______________

INTERESTED VENDORS: Must utilize the VULCAN process to see more about this RFI and it's requirements. SAM.GOV DOES NOT PROVIDE THE ABILITY (SPACE) TO POST ALL THE REQUIREMENT HERE.