SYNOPSIS: Technology Demonstration and Experimentation Collaboration
A. INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this request for information (RFI) is to solicit technologies from private industry, government research and development (R&D) organizations, and academia for inclusion in a future capability demonstration and experimentation event focused on improving Battlespace Management in Contested Environments. Specific technologies areas of interest to add capacity and capability at all levels of the Department of Defense (DoD) include, but are not strictly limited to, Electromagnetic Spectrum Situational Awareness, Information Operations, Free Space Optical Communications (FSOC), and Spectrum Maneuverability solutions. Technologies beyond the scope of the primary topic areas will be considered on a case-by-case basis and potentially admitted to Thunderstorm 22-2 based on the strength of application and relevance to the overall mission area. The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD (R&E)) defense Modernization & Prototyping program sponsors this effort. The intent is to accelerate the delivery of innovative capabilities and technologies by demonstrating and experimenting with the capability in an operationally relevant environment. The results of this effort will be used to inform decision-makers of emerging and available technology solutions that enhance or improve operational capabilities.
Interested parties are welcome to submit their applications to participate in the demonstration and experimentation events. Technologies demonstrations will take place at the unclassified level; as such, proposals must be submitted at the unclassified level. Please respond with an unclassified proposal for technologies with features or applications at higher classification levels. If the technology is chosen for the Thunderstorm 22-2 demonstration, arrangements can then be made for subsequent discussions at the appropriate level. This RFI is for Thunderstorm 22-2, with demonstrations and experiments planned for CY22/Q3 at a yet-to-be-finalized location.
The application deadline is 5:00 PM EDT on 1 June 2022.
This RFI is NOT a solicitation for procurement or other acquisition proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for the information solicited.
B. BACKGROUND
Thunderstorm provides an opportunity for technology developers to demonstrate and experiment with new and evolving technological capabilities in an operationally relevant environment, as well as to obtain insight into federal technology gaps and emerging needs. The demonstration and experimentation environment enables a collaborative working relationship between government organizations, academia, and industry. This promotes the identification of emerging needs and an assessment of maturing technologies with the primary goal of accelerating the delivery of technology discoveries to the Department of Defense and interagency partners. Thunderstorm provides a realistic demonstration environment for technology developers to interact with operational personnel. Technologies brought to the event should be at a technology readiness level (TRL) of 4 or greater (http://www.acqnotes.com/acqnote/tasks/technology-readiness-level) although lower TRL capability will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The Thunderstorm technology demonstration and experimentation event(s) involves individual or multiple technologies and is conducted with interagency partners. The technology developer provides the capability for demonstration and experimentation and personnel for installation and integration into the overall event. The technology developer operates the system during the event and uninstalls the system upon completion. The Thunderstorm staff plans, coordinates, and assists with the associated logistics of the technology demonstration and experimentation, and provides limited assistance for the installation and integration efforts. The Thunderstorm staff will not assist with engineering changes to the demonstrated technology or system.
Industry, academia, and other government organizations are invited to submit demonstration and experimentation applications addressing innovative technologies, potentially leading to follow-on government/industry collaboration and further development of emerging capabilities or fielding of mature capabilities.
C. DESCRIPTION
The Thunderstorm 22-2 demonstration and experimentation event will focus on increasing the capability and/or capacity of elements of the DoD. This will be accomplished through technologies that enhance warfighter capability and/or capacity through Electromagnetic Spectrum Situational Awareness, Information Operations, Free Space Optical Communications, and Spectrum Maneuverability solutions. The event will support both developmental and mature technologies and is planned to be conducted over a two-week timeframe planned for CY22/Q3 at a yet to be finalized location. Participation for each vendor will be focused during a single week. Under the direction of the Defense Modernization & Prototyping, the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) will lead the 22-2 demonstration and experimentation event, with support and participation from the Applied Research Laboratory at Pennsylvania State University (ARL/PSU) and other DoD and government partners.
The focus of this demonstration event will be to identify technologies that, at maturity, can be deployed to enable rapid capability enhancement. Respondents are invited to submit technology demonstration and experimentation applications.
Primary topic areas of interest include:
- Electromagnetic spectrum solutions that:
- Are low cost, size, weight, and power (C-SWaP), portable, rapidly-deployable, and ruggedized solutions
- Leverage custom RF, microelectronic, and photonic components
- Enable wideband RF operations
- Demonstrate free-space optical communications systems and associated atmospheric mitigation and signal processing techniques
- Support non-line-of slight (NLOS) and/or on-the-move (OTM) operational capability
- Facilitate multi-domain operations (e.g., ground, sea, air, space) and cross-domain capability
- Spectrum Maneuverability Solutions that:
- Provide visualization and signal processing tools
- Quantify provenance and pedigree of signals
- Prioritize competing data inputs
- Optimize situational awareness and communications
- Facilitate Low Probability of Intercept/Detect (LPI/LPD)
- Ensure reliability in Denied, Disrupted, Intermittent, and Limited (DDIL) environments
- Information Operations Solutions that:
- Acquire, process, distribute, and employ data to enhance combat power
- Leverage Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) to inform operations
- Change or maintain observations, perceptions, and other elements to influence desired behaviors of relevant actors
- Inform decision making and/or exploitation of signals through AI/ML
- Logistics Under Attack Solutions that:
- Enhance movement, camouflage, concealment, and physical security of materiel through innovative packaging, storage, and distribution
- Predict requirements and expeditiously identify, mitigate, respond to supply chain disruptions
- Utilize predictive modeling capabilities and/or wargaming solutions
- Augment or conduct urgent resupply/sustainment missions with multi-capable distribution platforms for a disaggregated force
- Reduce reliance on prepared infrastructure, accelerate distribution, and eliminate the need for material-handling equipment
- Improve standoff delivery at range (e.g., airdrop)
Technologies beyond the scope of the primary topic areas will be considered on a case-by-case basis and potentially admitted to Thunderstorm 22-2 based on strength of application and relevance to the mission area (Battlespace Management in Contested Environments).
After a review of the vendor applications, the government may invite candidates to brief their capability to support the selection process and/or invite candidates to demonstrate and experiment with their capability during the Thunderstorm 22-2 demonstration and experimentation event with the intent to accelerate the delivery of innovative capabilities. In addition, vendors may be selected for follow-on events at facility specific locations in support of future acquisition activities. Industry participation in the demonstration and experimentation activities does not suggest or imply that the government will endorse, procure, or purchase equipment.
D. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Submit demonstration applications to the Thunderstorm Demonstration and Experimentation program electronically. Please use the application provided in Appendix I or email thunderstorm@gtri.gatech.edu to request an application template or if you have any questions.
The application submitted under this RFI shall be limited to four pages. The first page must be a standalone summary; three additional pages are allowed for pertinent information. Applications shall be clearly marked with RFI number: DMP-22-2-RFI-01.
The application shall be formatted to print as typewritten on single-sided paper with one-inch margins on all sides and 1.5-spaced text. 12-point font or larger with normal (uncondensed) spacing. All applications shall be submitted in the portable document format (PDF) file format and shall be less than five MB in size. The first page must be an executive summary and as such stand alone for distribution to stakeholders. All applications must be submitted via email to thunderstorm@gtri.gatech.edu and include the following information:
Subject: Thunderstorm 22-2 Application
Company name/business division/address
Capability name
Primary POC: name, email, and phone number
You will receive an email within two business days verifying your application was received. Any application not meeting the criteria outlined above will not be considered.
Each application must address only one technology solution; multiple applications addressing multiple systems may be submitted. Thunderstorm will provide venues, supporting infrastructure, and personnel for assessment (operational and technical), based on availability of resources. Costs specific to running the technology developer's equipment, as well as the technology developer's travel costs will be at the technology developer's expense. Invited technology developers must be prepared to be self-sufficient during the execution of their demonstration and not dependent on venue resources. If you have questions regarding the submittal, please contact: thunderstorm@gtri.gatech.edu.
DO NOT SUBMIT CLASSIFIED INFORMATION in the application. Thunderstorm 22-2 will be held at the unclassified level. Capabilities may be or contain Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and may be subject to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) restrictions. It is incumbent on the demonstrators to ensure that these restrictions are outlined in their application and adhered to during the demonstration event.
DO NOT SUBMIT ACQUISITION PROPOSALS. Submit demonstration applications and white papers only. Thunderstorm technology demonstration and experimentation applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 PM EDT on 1 June 2022. No contracts will be awarded based solely on this announcement. Submission of an application does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the demonstration and experimentation event.
E. BASIS FOR SELECTION TO PARTICIPATE
Submissions will be reviewed by DM&P and appropriate supporting government organizations and support contractors. The DM&P will determine whether a submission will be accepted for invitation at the demonstration.
Selection of respondents to participate shall be based on the extent to which the technology represents a particular class or level of capability that can be provided to interested commands or interagency partners. Other considerations include:
- Relevance to event focus area
- Completeness of application and supporting information
- Technical maturity
- Relevance of or adaptability to Department of Defense or interagency partner operations/missions
- Relevance to current operational needs
F. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Technology developers shall assure that all proprietary information, documentation, and equipment are appropriately and clearly marked. Be advised that lessons learned from these demonstrations may be broadly disseminated through official channels within the Federal government and partner government agencies associated with the Thunderstorm program. If selected for participation, technology developers may be requested to provide additional information that will be used in preparation for the event.
G. USE OF INFORMATION
The purpose of this notice is to gain information for potential future use and/or collaboration for development of technology capabilities. All proprietary information contained in the response shall be clearly marked. Any proprietary information contained in response to this request will be properly protected from any unauthorized disclosure. The government will not use proprietary information submitted from any one firm to establish future capability requirements.
H. SPECIAL NOTICE
University affiliated research centers (UARCs), federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), and/or contractor consultant/advisors to the government will review and provide support during evaluation of submittals. When appropriate, non-government advisors may be used to objectively review a particular functional area and provide comments and recommendations to the government. All advisors shall comply with procurement integrity laws and shall sign non-disclosure and rules of conduct/conflict of interest statements. The government shall take into consideration requirements for avoiding conflicts of interest and ensure advisors comply with safeguarding proprietary data. Submission in response to this RFI constitutes approval to release the submittal to government support contractors.
I. FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) 52.215-3
Per FAR 52.215-3 Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997):
1. The government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI notice or to otherwise pay for the information.
2. Although "proposal" and "technology developer" are used in this RFI, your responses will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal.
3. In accordance with FAR Clause 52.209(c), the purpose of this RFI is to solicit technology demonstration candidates from R&D organizations, private industry and academia for inclusion in future Thunderstorm technology demonstration and experimentation events sponsored by Defense Modernization & Prototyping.
NOTE: SEE PDF ATTACHMENT FOR APPENDIX
