MARSOC: Automated Armory Collaboration Event (CE)
Request to Attend NLT 16 August 2026 11:59 PM ET U.S. Persons Only/U.S. Industry Only
Purpose
SOFWERX, in collaboration with USSOCOM Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC), will host a series of events to identify innovative technologies and technical approaches that modernize serialized ground ordnance accountability. The events will focus on reducing manual administrative processes through secure digital inventory management, automated documentation, and integrated identification/scanning capabilities while improving accountability, audit readiness, and operational efficiency.
Background/Synopsis
MARSOC armories maintain thousands of serialized weapons, optics, lasers, night vision devices, communications equipment, and other controlled assets that routinely transfer custody among operators, maintenance activities, and storage locations. Current accountability processes rely heavily on manual inventories, handwritten forms, repetitive data entry, and multiple independent records. These processes are labor intensive, susceptible to human error, and consume significant man-hours while increasing accountability risk.
MARSOC seeks commercially available technologies or innovative solutions capable of digitizing armory operations while remaining compatible with existing accountability requirements. Desired capabilities include secure Common Access Card (CAC-enabled user) authentication, automated equipment issue and recovery, inventory tracking, documentation, audit logging, equipment location management, and integrated scanning technologies that reduce administrative burden without compromising accountability.
Objective
The purpose of this collaboration event is to partner with industry innovators to design a secure, zero-signature automated armory that relies exclusively on optical recognition and computer vision. To maintain strict operational security and eliminate detectable RF signals, this initiative prohibits the use of RFID, active Bluetooth, or radiating digital transmitters. Instead, this event challenges industry partners to develop a passive, image-based inventory system where weapons, gear, and serial numbers are automatically tracked, verified, and logged simply by taking a digital photo or scanning an optical image as items enter or exit the facility. This approach will eliminate slow, legacy paper-based workflows and human-error bottlenecks while guaranteeing absolute property accountability without exposing our facilities to electronic detection.
Why You Should Participate
USSOCOM seeks to enter into non-FAR or FAR-based agreements with Industry, Academic, and National Lab partners whose solutions are favorably evaluated by MARSOC Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). As such, the follow-on Assessment Event (AE) is considered competitive and solutions will be evaluated independently of one another primarily for technical merit. This serves dually as notification of the intent to research the feasibility of an agreement under 10 U.S. Code, Section 4022 and/or Section 4022(f), and as notice of pre-solicitation activities IAW FAR 5.204.
Event Timeline
Phase 1 - 17 September 2026 Collaboration Event (CE): SOFWERX will host the Collaboration Event (CE) with Industry, Academic, and Laboratory partners focused on automated armory needs. During this event, Warfighters will interact with potential solution offerors and further communicate operational needs and desirements. Participation in this event is not mandatory, however, it is designed to provide insights to ensure potential offerors understand the problem set(s) fully and to increase the likelihood of matching their technologies with Warfighter needs. This CE is also an opportunity for attendees to meet and form partnerships that may provide a more comprehensive solution. If you do not wish to participate in the CE, you are free to submit your technology on/around 20 October for the AE. Request to attend the CE below, NLT 16 August. Confirmed requestors will receive an invitation to attend the event on/around 27 August.
Tentative Agenda
All times listed are in ET
8:00 8:20: Participants arrive at SOFWERX
8:20 8:25: SOFWERX Welcome
8:25 8:45: Stakeholder Overview & Problem Set
8:45 9:45: Current Limitations Breakout
9:45 10:00: Break
10:00 11:00: Ways to Overcome Limitations Breakout
11:00 12:00: Lunch (on your own)
12:00 2:30: Problem Statement Development
2:30 2:45: Break
2:45 3:45: Problem Statement Briefs
3:45 4:30: Prioritization
4:30 5:00: Path Forward
Note: Agenda is subject to change
This event will be held in person at SOFWERX.
Phase 2 - 20 October 2026 to 13 November 2026 Submissions to the Assessment Event (AE) Open: Interested respondents who could potentially provide solutions that meet the needs of USSOCOM are encouraged to submit their capability for USSOCOM review. To submit your technology for potential Phase 4 attendance, please review the assessment criteria and follow the submission instructions that will be near the bottom of this webpage on/around 20 October.
Phase 2a - 03 November 2026 Q&A Telecon: Interested offerors may participate in a virtual Q&A session to better understand the PM's specific technology objectives. The telecon will take place on 03 November from 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET. RSVP form will be available on/around 20 October.
Phase 3 - 16 November 2026 to 01 December 2026 Downselect: USSOCOM will downselect those respondents/submissions they feel have the highest potential to satisfy their technology needs. Favorably evaluated submissions will receive an invitation to attend the AE on/around 02 December.
Phase 4 - 15 December 2026 to 17 December 2026 Assessment Event (AE): During the AE, selected participants will be allotted a one-on-one session with the USSOCOM evaluation panel to pitch, demonstrate, and/or discuss their solutions. The forum will include a Q&A portion and discussions may continue outside of the event. Solution brief presentation guidelines will be outlined in the event invitation and solutions will be assessed according to the criteria in the link provided below. If the USSOCOM evaluation panel favorably evaluates a solution brief, negotiations for Phase 5 may immediately begin.
This event will be held in person at SOFWERX.
Phase 5 - Path Forward: Successfully negotiated awards may fall under any combination of these categories:
- Business to business research and development agreement as a sub-award through the SOFWERX Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) (15 U.S. Code Section 3715)
- OTA for research or prototype projects (10 U.S. Code Sections 4021, 4022)
- An award under 10 U. S. Code, Section 4022 may result in the further award of a follow-on production agreement without additional competition based on successful prototype completion. The Government may make this follow-on production award based upon successful prototype criteria, which will be determined for each prototype project.
- Procurement for experimental purposes (10 U.S. Code Section 4023)
- Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (15 U.S. Code Section 3710a)
- Prizes for advanced technology achievements (10 U. S. Code Section 4025) and/or prize competitions (15 U.S. Code 3719)
- FAR-based procurement contract
NOTE: Awardees may need to be compliant with NIST SP 800-171, Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in Non-Federal Systems and Organizations
How You Can Participate
Government, Industry, Academia, National Labs, and Non-Traditional Attendees
- Request to attend the 17 September Collaboration Event: Click Here to Request to Attend (NLT 16 August
Questions?
For event-related questions, please contact Alana Hymel
