USSOCOM Solicitation

1118-EX-ST-2018 Text Documents

Elbit Systems of America

2018-06-20ELS_211604

Solicitation Number: USSOCOM RFI TE 18-3_Technical Experimentation Event:
Command, Control, Communications and Computers (C4), Intelligence Surveillance
Reconnaissance (ISR), Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS), and Mobility.
Notice Type: Special Notice
TYPE: A–Research and Development
NAICS: 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life
Sciences)
Publish Date: 04 April 2018
Response Date: 03 May 2018, 12:00 Noon Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
Synopsis:
A. INTRODUCTION: Technical Experimentation (TE)
This Request for Information (RFI) is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal
abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this RFI is to solicit technology
experimentation candidates from Research and Development (R&D) organizations,
private industry, and academia for inclusion in future experimentation events
coordinated by the U. S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). USSOCOM
invites industry, academia, individuals, and Government labs to submit technology
experimentation nominations addressing innovative technologies leading to possible
Government/Industry collaboration for development of USSOCOM technology
capabilities. The intent is to provide participants with the opportunity to gain Special
Operations Forces (SOF) insight/perspective on participant technologies. For this TE
event, technology experiment nominations will be submitted via the Vulcan
platform"(see Attachment 2). Respondents should pay particular attention to the
instructions in paragraph C below.
Technical experimentation will explore emerging technologies, technical applications,
and their potential to provide solutions for future SOF capabilities.
This RFI is for TE 18-3:
 Date: 16 through 20 July 2018
 Themes: Command, Control, Communications and Computers (C4), Intelligence
Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR), Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS),
and Mobility.
 Location: Fort A.P. Hill, VA
B. OBJECTIVE:
1. Technology experimentation events provide an opportunity for technology
developers to interact with operational personnel to determine how their technology
development efforts and ideas may support or enhance SOF capability needs. The
environment facilitates a collaborative relationship between Government, academia,
and industry to promote the identification and assessment of emerging technologies.
2. The deadline for nomination package(s) is 03 May, 2018 at 12:00 Noon EDT.
After review of the TE nomination submissions, the Government may invite select

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candidates to demonstrate their technologies at the USSOCOM sponsored TE event.
Experiments will be conducted from 16-20 July 2018, at Fort A.P. Hill, VA, and will
explore emerging technology solutions and revolutionary improvements in relevant
technologies. Materiel solutions brought to the event should be between a Technology
Readiness Level (TRL) of 3 and 6. Proposed experiments may be between a half day
and two days in duration and may be conducted in unimproved expeditionary-like
conditions. At the discretion of USSOCOM, respondents may be asked to complete a
vendor loan agreement (RFI Notice Attachment 5). There is no intention on the part of
USSOCOM to purchase or procure equipment based solely on participation in the TE.
3. Experimentation Focus: The primary intent of this event is to highlight
technologies that support C4, ISR, SUAS, and mobility.
4. Technology areas to explore during the event include the following:
4.1 C4. Areas of particular interest include contested and/or congested
communications systems from tactical radio to satellite systems, high throughput
satellite services, next generation medium and heavy terminals, and 5G architectures
and technologies.

4.1.1 Tactical communications supporting Anti-Jam (AJ), low probability of
intercept (LPI), low probability of detection (LPD) to a wide variety of unknown future
missions. The capability gap includes operating from tactical radios to satellite systems
in heavily contested and congested Radio Frequency (RF) environments. The contested
environments include jamming and or offensive threat propagation, while the congested
environment includes multiple systems, commercial and military, operating in like
frequency ranges at equal or higher power levels competing with each other. The
SATCOM architectures should assume that all satellites in use are operating as bent
pipes (i.e. minimal to no waveform signal processing on board) and only perform
frequency translation. Interest includes capabilities in the following areas:
4.1.1.1 Satellite/Terminal antenna beam forming
4.1.1.2 Robust waveforms/terminals
4.1.1.3 TRANSEC (i.e. Frequency Hopping, Direct Sequence Spread
Spectrum, etc.)
4.1.1.4 Low Probability of Intercept/ Low Probability of Detection
(LPI/LPD)
4.1.1.5 User management, automatic resource re-utilization
4.1.1.6 Interference cancellation

4.1.2 High Throughput Satellite (HTS) services and next generation terminal
systems to supplement traditional military X and Ka-bands with commercial HTS
constellations & services. USSOCOM is looking for global coverage and data rate
capabilities greater than 25 Mbps. Interest includes characteristics in the following
areas:
4.1.2.1 Multiple regional teleports for worldwide connectivity

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4.1.2.2 Commercial Internet IP Backhaul and/or direct circuit connections
to customer sites.
4.1.2.3 Best practices security architecture and services
4.1.2.4 Assumed >25 Mbps throughput for service
4.1.2.5 Lowest latency possible
4.1.2.6 Spot beam service characteristics/options, i.e. movement

The next generation ground terminals should be capable of operating on existing
HTS constellations and/or plans for operation on any emerging constellations: 1.0 - 1.3
meter aperture and 2.0 - 2.4 meter aperture. Interests include technologies with
capabilities in the following areas:
4.1.2.7 Auto acquire/track/maintain
4.1.2.8 Team transportable
4.1.2.9 Minimal to no tools necessary to assemble/setup/teardown
4.1.2.10 Modular to operate on multiple commercial and/or military service
providers
USSOCOM is interested in SATCOM on the Move (SOTM) systems capable of
operating on ground vehicular and maritime platforms, using traditional military
SATCOM and/or HTS services.

4.1.3 USSOCOM is interested in 5G architectures and technologies, ideas and
solutions which advance communications capability in the following key interest areas:

4.1.3.1 Advanced Heterogeneous Networks (HETNET) architecture and
systems (3G, 4G, 5G, WiFi combined).
4.1.3.2 802.11 ax infrastructure and end points
4.1.3.3 802.11 ad infrastructure and end points
4.1.3.4 Millimeter Wave technology
4.1.3.5 Citizen Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) architectures and
systems.
4.1.3.6 Advanced antenna solutions for efficient connectivity at high
wireless bandwidth (>800Mbps) with benefits in RF congested or contested
environments.
4.1.3.7 Next generation end user devices planned, developed, or available
with 5G connectivity.
4.1.3.8 Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC) and application development
with a 5G architecture focus, i.e. Body worn computers, swarm.
4.1.3.9 Network, baseband, radio access virtualization focused in network
densification.
4.1.3.10 Network slicing architectures and systems focused on 5G
bandwidths and scale.
4.1.3.11 Vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) architectures and systems

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4.2 ISR
4.2.1 Sensors
4.2.1.1 Low Size Weight and Power (SWaP) sensor able to decode
multiple signals of interest that also must be Joint Interface Control Document (JICD)
4.2 compliant.
4.2.1.2 Attended or unattended ground sensors with onboard processing
capabilities. Goal is to reduce the cognitive burden on the consumer of the sensor
information.
4.2.1.3 Processing capabilities that reduce false positive and false
negative rates.
4.2.1.4 Trigger alerts send Cursor on Target messages.
4.2.1.5 Alert information can be stored on the sensor or a sensor network
control node.
4.2.1.6 Wired and wireless interfacing without the need for user-device
connectivity.
4.2.2 Direction Finding (DF) and omnidirectional antenna in a single
concealable package with low SWaP. Antenna interface should be non-proprietary,
consistent with industry standards and clearly documented.
4.2.3 Mobility as it applies to ISR. Technologies of interest in this area include:
4.2.3.1 Geospatial to the edge: Interoperability. Applications consuming
Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) data on mobile devices are becoming more widely
employed to provide battlespace situational awareness. SOF warfighters require
detailed tactical GEOINT during mission planning and execution in Denied,
Disconnected, Intermittent and Limited (DDIL) network environments. The Open
Geospatial Consortium (OGC) has advanced GeoPackage, an open and extensible
standard data format designed for tactical mobile users in DDIL environments.
Standards-based interoperability and extending OGC GeoPackage to meet C4ISR and
mobility requirements are active areas of interest to SOF. Desired characteristics of
applications consuming GeoPackages include:
4.2.3.1.1 Capability to display National System for Geospatial
Intelligence (NSG) standard profiles. Profiles provide strict implementation guidance to
ensure interoperability of geospatial systems in highly specialized and demanding
environments.
4.2.3.1.2 NSG GeoPackage 2.1, raster and vector data (OGC
GeoPackage 1.1)
4.2.3.1.3 NSG Web Map Service 1.0 raster data (OGC WMS 1.3)
4.2.3.1.4 NSG Web Map Tile Service 1.1 raster data (OGC WMTS 1.0)
4.2.3.1.5 NSG Web Feature Service 1.0 rastor data (OGC WFS 2.0)
4.2.3.2 Capability to display GEOINT data meeting NSG profiles above
and emerging OGC GeoPackage extensions to meet SOF requirements for:
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4.2.3.2.1 Visualizing elevation data
4.2.3.2.2 Styling and symbology
4.2.3.2.3 Georeferenced media attachments (photos, video,
documents).
4.2.3.2.4 3D geospatial data such as building height
4.2.3.3 Next generation GeoPackage capabilities to include:
4.2.3.3.1 3D geospatial data fused with human geography data such as
landmarks, buildings, businesses, roads, telecommunications infrastructure, and other
urban features.
4.2.3.3.2 Site and building survey data in a single package with both
building interior data and surrounding urban terrain including elevation.
4.2.3.3.3 Augmented reality data combined with complex urban 3D
terrain data.
4.2.3.3.4 Intelligence data such as georeferenced attack and location
information.
4.2.3.4 OGC-standards based game engine for virtual mission rehearsal
with geospecific 3D data on mobile devices in a DDIL environment.
4.3 Mobility. The SOF portfolio of vehicles includes the Lightweight Tactical All-
Terrain Vehicle (LTATV-currently the Polaris MRZR), Non-Standard Commercial
Vehicles (NCSV – Toyota/Ford), Ground Mobility Vehicle 1.1 (GMV 1.1-General
Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems-Flyer 72), GMV 1.0 (modified High Mobility
Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle-HMMWV), and Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected All-
Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV).
4.3.1 Signature Reduction Technology

4.3.1.1 Acoustic technology
4.3.1.1.1 Vehicle or vehicle modifications that reduce the acoustic
signature of SOF mobility assets while on the move for all or a portion of a mission.

4.3.1.1.2 Vehicle or vehicle modifications that enable a stationary
vehicle to power auxiliary systems in a quiet or low noise condition.

4.3.1.2 Visual Technology. Technology to reduce or manipulate the
visual signature of SOF vehicle assets to reduce the likelihood of detection or
identification.
4.3.1.3 Thermal Technology. Technology to reduce or manipulate the
thermal signature of a SOF vehicular asset to reduce the likelihood of detection or
identification.

4.3.2 Suspension Technology
4.3.2.1 Suspension upgrades/replacements to increase performance,
durability and reliability.

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4.4.1.3 Consideration must be taken to minimize shock to blood
payload for any proposed delivery concept.
4.4.1.4 System must have an operational range of 100 or more miles.
Command and control of the aircraft must be maintained at all times.
4.4.2 Nano VTOL UAS
4.4.2.1 Extremely small, lightweight Nano VTOL UAS with a takeoff
weight of 75 grams or below are desired with the following characteristics.
4.4.2.2 Day and night imaging capability
4.4.2.3 Autonomous flight modes
4.4.2.4 Indoor flight capability with augmented collision avoidance,
operator in the loop control.
4.4.3 Micro VTOL UAS
4.4.3.1 Small, lightweight micro VTOL UAS with a takeoff weight of 750
grams or below are desired with the following characteristics.
4.4.3.2 Day and night imaging capability
4.4.3.3 All-weather capability
4.4.3.4 Autonomous flight modes
4.4.3.5 Autonomous indoor flight capability with collision avoidance
4.4.4 Small Fixed Wing UAS
4.4.4.1 Hand launchable or VTOL fixed wing UAS with no launch or
recovery equipment (bungee, net, etc.) is desired with the following characteristics.
4.4.4.2 VTOL configurations not to exceed 3.5 kg takeoff weight
4.4.4.3 All-weather capability
4.4.4.4 Day and night imaging capability
4.4.4.5 Autonomous flight modes with Global Positioning System
denied capability
4.4.4.6 Minimum of 90 minutes endurance at sea level
5. Security/Classification Requirements: Technology developers shall not submit
classified information in the technology experimentation nominations.
6. Safety Requirements: All respondents shall review TE Safety Guide (RFI Notice
Attachment 3). Those respondents who are invited to demonstrate their technologies
must complete a Deliberate Risk Assessment Worksheet (Department of Defense Form
2977) (RFI Notice Attachment 4) in accordance with MIL-STD-882E and the
Department of the Army Techniques Publication No. 5-19 (ATP 5-19). Risk
assessments shall be emailed directly to the tech_exp@socom.mil by 22 June 2018.
Respondents should include instructions that describe the safe operation of the device
nominated for the experiment. Respondents wishing to conduct experiments of a

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kinetic or energetic nature are responsible for ammunition and/or explosives shipments
to include an Interim Hazard Classification (IHC) or Final Hazard Classification (FHC)
and coordination for receipt and storage at Fort A.P. Hill, VA. A point of contact for
coordination will be provided with the invitation to participate in the technical
experimentation event.
7. Frequency Requirements: If your experiment will be radiating on a given
frequency or frequency band, you must have prior approval to transmit on that
frequency. Prior approval may include compliance with Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Title 47, Part 15, a Special Temporary Authority (STA), or Part 5
experimental license from the FCC. You must have National Telecommunications
and Information Administration (NTIA) frequency approval if your experiment includes
Government-owned equipment and you will be operating within a Federal Band.
Respondents are advised to not wait for confirmation of selection/invitation to the
event before requesting a STA or experimental license from the FCC. Your
authority to radiate must be emailed directly to tech_exp@socom.mil by 1 June 2018.
All frequency questions shall be directed to the USSOCOM Technical Experimentation
team at the email above. Respondents shall not contact the Virginia Frequency
Manager directly.
8. Human Subjects. It is not anticipated that activities being conducted in this TE
event will require the use of research or experimentation involving human subjects.
Technology experiment submissions will be reviewed for potential research or
experimentation involving human subjects. Any submission that is determined to
potentially include research or experimentation involving human subjects will be
required to adhere to DoD Instruction 3216.02 “Protection of Human Subjects and
Adherence to Ethical Standards in DoD Supported Research” and ensure appropriate
Institutional Review Board and DoD Human Research Protections Office approvals prior
to conducting those activities.
9. Other Special Requirements: DO NOT SUBMIT PROPOSALS OR MARKETING
DEMONSTRATIONS. SUBMIT TECHNOLOGY EXPERIMENTATION NOMINATIONS
ONLY. EXPERIMENTATION NOMINATION SUBMITTALS FOR THIS RFI WILL ONLY
BE ACCEPTED UNTIL THE CLOSING DATE OF 03 May 2018, 12:00 Noon EDT, for
the requirements stated above. No contracts will be awarded based solely on this
announcement or any subsequent supplemental RFI announcements.
C. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:
Technology experimentation nominations shall be submitted electronically via the
Vulcan platform. Instructions for the submitting via the Vulcan platform are in
Attachment 2. Associated technology experiments with distinctly different uses or
applications should have a separate nomination submitted by each respondent.
USSOCOM personnel will review submissions to determine whether an experiment
submission will be accepted for invitation to attend the TE event.
A complete submission consists of:

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 Completing a Vulcan Scout Card (Go to Vulcan Scout Card). Allow the page to
load. Once completed, add the information in Attachment 2 to this RFI and attach
a White Paper describing your technology.
o Devices with radio frequency emissions must state the intended frequency or
frequencies used by the device(s).
 Instructions on how to safely use the technology (as needed).
 An FCC STA, FCC experimental license, or NTIA document (for developmental
radio frequency emitting devices). If neither is available at the time of
submission, provide status of your FCC/NTIA request.
 Experiment plan.
 If applicable, a picture of the device with a short description of the size (shows
the dimensions or places the device next to a ruler, currency, or man-sized object
for comparison).

Selected respondents will be invited to participate in USSOCOM experiments.
USSOCOM shall provide venues, supporting infrastructure, and assessment
(operational and technical, based on availability of resources and written request as
discussed above) personnel at no cost to invited respondent(s). All respondents’
submission costs, travel costs, technology experiments, and experimentation
associated costs will be at the respondents’ expense. The TE venue will only
provide basic access to training areas or ranges (if approved and applicable) to conduct
experiments, a facility to connect to the internet, basic venue infrastructure including
frequency coordination/deconfliction, and shore power. Invited respondents must be
prepared to be self-sufficient during the execution of their experiments and not
dependent on venue resources. On a case-by-case basis and at the discretion of
USSOCOM, respondents invited to the event may be asked to complete a Vendor Loan
Agreement (VLA) (RFI Notice Attachment 5). Do not submit the VLA form unless
instructed by USSOCOM to do so.
Time and space will be made available for technology developers to conduct real-time
modifications and updates to technologies. Technology developers are advised to bring
all tools and equipment necessary to present/operate their technology at the event.

D. BASIS FOR SELECTION TO PARTICIPATE:
Selection of respondents to participate shall be based on the extent to which the
technology represents a potential capability increase to Special Operations Forces.
Other considerations include:
 Technical maturity
 Relevance of or adaptability to military operations/missions
 Relevance to current operational needs
 Relevance to event focus areas

E. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: All efforts shall be made to protect proprietary
information that is clearly marked in writing. Lessons learned by USSOCOM from these
experiments may be broadly disseminated, but only within the Government. If selected

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Contracting Office Address:
7701 Tampa Point Blvd
MacDill AFB, Florida 33621-5323

Primary Point of Contact:
tech_exp@socom.mil
(813) 826-4646

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Document Created: 2018-06-20 10:44:43
Document Modified: 2018-06-20 10:44:43

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