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Army xTechSBIR |
Army xTechSBIR |
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Winners of the Army xTech | SBIR Technology event will be invited to submit a Direct to Phase II Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) proposal to prototype their proposed technology innovations. |
Department of Defense - U.S. Army |
$864,000 |
|
09/16/2020 5:00 PM |
10/10/2020 02:59 AM |
FY20, FY21 |
Agency specific prize authority |
Zeke Topolosky |
The U.S. Army would like to invite interested companies to participate in the xTech Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Direct to Phase II (D2PhII) Technology Briefs, being tentatively held 9-13 November 2020. The xTech SBIR D2PhII Technology event will provide a forum for small businesses to collaborate with the Army, earn prize money, and engage with other non-traditional Army partners. Winners of the xTech SBIR D2PhII Technology event will be invited to submit a D2PhII SBIR proposal to prototype their proposed technology innovations. Prize money will be awarded to selected projects through the Army xTech program and D2PhII SBIR awards will be available through the Army SBIR program.
The purpose of the xTech SBIR D2PhII pilot is to accelerate technology prototypes for crucial Army capability gaps into military platform. Submissions will be open to technology solutions that may considerably improve Army platforms, Army weapons systems, or Army support systems in one of the six (6) topic areas listed below.
The prize challenge will be used to identify small business concerns that meet the criteria for award of a D2PhII contract under 15 U.S.C. §638. Winners of the prize competition will be the only firms eligible to submit a D2PhII SBIR proposal under the topics listed in this announcement. A separate SBIR D2PhII announcement will be issued concurrent with this prize competition announcement.
The proposed schedule for this challenge is:
Submissions that do not address the problem statements below will not be considered for this effort. The efforts described in this Notice are being pursued under the authorities of 10 USC 2374a, 10 USC 2371b, and 15 USC 638. All participants must qualify as a US-based small business concern as defined by 13 C.F.R §§ 701-705 and certify to this upon technology proposal submission. Participants must meet eligibility requirements for Small Business Ownership and Control (see 13 CFR § 121.702). Submissions that do not address the problem statements below or submitted from non U.S.-based companies or organizations will not be considered for the prize competition.
(For full problem descriptions, please visit the application page or download the “xTech SBIR Topics” document below)
**Topic A:** Combat Vehicle Modernization – Advanced hybrid networks and cable management strategies
Problem Statement A: This topic seeks novel concepts for reducing cabling requirements within ground combat vehicles, while minimizing the electronic signature footprint, maintaining or improving data throughput rates/capacities, and improving physical characteristics, such as size and weight. Potential solutions may include one or more transmission mediums.
**Topic B:** Autonomous Navigation Sensor Technologies
Problem Statement B: Demonstrate the ability to employ effective passive sensor technologies and associated algorithms and techniques to augment semi-(operator assist capabilities) and fully-autonomous off-road navigation systems for Army Ground Combat Vehicles in Degraded Visual Environments (DVE). The focus of this topic is to augment existing and planned Army autonomous navigation investments and infrastructure (e.g. sensors, data collection, simulation, etc.) leading to improved navigational performance, new capabilities, or SWAP-C (size, weight, power, and cost) reductions.
**Topic C:** Advanced Real Time Global High-Resolution Environmental Information to Support Multi-Domain Operations
Problem Statement C: Advanced Real Time Global High-Resolution Environmental Information to Support Multi-Domain Operations for the development and demonstration of a capability that addresses requirements crossing multiple program executive office and program management. The desired end product of Phase II is to have one or more technically feasible technologies operating as functional prototype(s) during DoD-sanctioned exercises in order to provide operational testing and data collection on the cyber security, usability and effectiveness of prototype(s).
**Topic D**: Ultra Narrow-band Emergency Radio
Problem Statement D: The Army seeks a radio capability that will enable large numbers of vehicles and soldiers to communicate at extremely low data rates, and with low probability of being detected or geolocated by adversaries. The Army of the future requires mission assured communications that will provide anti-jam “Interference Tolerant Wireless Communications” - addressing C3I capability and advanced expeditionary electronic countermeasures (ECM). The communications must deliver a unique undetectable communication channel which overcomes the difficulties in managing interference. The solution must deliver a frequency-agile communication technology that is effective when operating in harsh radio environments containing significant amounts of interference.
**Topic E**: Non-Lethal Vehicle Defense System
Problem Statement E: Army manned and unmanned vehicles must be able to perform their missions in scenarios where they must operate among local populations. The local populations can pose a potential threat to operations, but lethal response measures may not be appropriate. The Army seeks non-lethal solutions that will inhibit or discourage civilians and bystanders from interfering with operations of manned and unmanned platforms.
**Topic F**: Condition-Based Maintenance for Combat Vehicles
Problem Statement F: Demonstrate the ability to employ technologies and associated algorithms and techniques via new or existing sensors and telematics to create advanced prognostics and diagnostics methodologies for future and current Army vehicles. The focus of this topic is to anticipate component failures and reduce the amount of unplanned maintenance resulting is increased readiness of the fleet. |
#### Total Cash Prize Pool
$864,000
Prizes will be offered under 10 USC 2374A (prize competitions). The total prize award pool is $864,000. The Direct to Phase II SBIR awards will be offered under 15 USC 638 and can be up to $1,670,000 per award.
#### Prize Breakdown
|
The prize challenge will be used to identify small business concerns that meet the criteria for award of a D2PhII contract under 15 U.S.C. §638. Winners of the prize competition will be the only firms eligible to submit a D2PhII SBIR proposal under the topics listed in this announcement. A separate SBIR D2PhII announcement will be issued concurrent with this prize competition announcement.
All participants must qualify as a US-based small business concern as defined by 13 C.F.R §§ 701-705 and certify to this upon technology proposal submission. Participants must meet eligibility requirements for Small Business Ownership and Control (see 13 CFR § 121.702). Submissions that do not address the problem statements below or submitted from non U.S.-based companies or organizations will not be considered for the prize competition.
**Terms and Conditions**
*Disclaimers:* Registered participants shall be required to assume any and all risks and waive claims against the Federal Government and its related projects, except in the case of willful misconduct, for any injury, death, damage, or loss of property, revenue, or profits, whether direct, indirect, or consequential, arising from their participation in this competition, whether the injury, death, damage, or loss arises through negligence or otherwise.
Participants shall be required to obtain liability insurance or demonstrate financial responsibility, in amounts determined by the Army, for claims by—
* Third parties for death, bodily injury, or property damage, or loss resulting from an activity carried out in connection with participation in this prize competition, with the Federal Government named as an additional insured under the registered participant’s insurance policy and registered participants agreeing to indemnify the Federal Government against third party claims for damages arising from or related to prize competition activities; and
* Federal Government for damage or loss to Government property resulting from such an activity.
*Intellectual Property*: The Army is a strong proponent of deliberate intellectual property (IP) rights and management by the private sector and the Department of Defense.
For the xTech|SBIR D2PhII Pilot:
* The Federal Government may not gain an interest in IP developed by a participant without the written consent of the participant;
* Nothing in this competition shall diminish the Government’s rights in patents, technical data, technical information, computer software, computer databases, and computer software documentation that the Government had prior to this effort, or is entitled to, under any other Government Agreement or contract, or is otherwise entitled to under law; and
* The Federal Government may negotiate a license for the use of IP developed by a registered participant in the prize competition.
For the SBIR D2PhII Awards:
* All SBIR data and IP rights apply;
*Notes*: The Government will not reimburse participants for any costs associated with preparing or submitting a response to this prize competition. Participation in the xTech|SBIR D2PhII Pilot is voluntary. This notice/competition and/or the information presented herein will not obligate the Government in any manner. The posted information is provided for planning purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal. |
#### Judging Panel
The quad chart and optional video submissions will be evaluated by a team of Army subject matter experts, including technical, acquisition and user experts. Feedback shall be provided to all projects at the end of each Stage. The purpose of providing feedback is to help the participants to understand potential use cases or applications for the technology within the Army, suggestions for product improvement for Army use, and recommended next steps for development. The Government will not respond to questions or inquiries regarding the provided feedback.
#### Judging Criteria
The Government anticipates quad chart submissions will be evaluated and ranked using the following scoring criteria (further details on each scoring dimension can be found on the xTech SBIR D2PhII registration page):
* Technical Feasibility– 50%
* Commercialization Potential – 20%
* Team Abilities – 20%
* Submission Quality – 10% |
The process of this competition will consist of the following three (3) Stages:
* Stage A – Request for Quad Chart
* Stage B –Presentations at xTech SBIR D2PhII Technology Event
* Stage C – Request for SBIR D2PhII Proposals from the Stage B winners
In Stage A, the Government will release a prize competition announcement, evaluate all submissions and select up to 12 projects per topic area to receive a prize award of $2,000 each. The companies that are selected for the prize award will be invited to attend and participate in the xTech | SBIR D2PhII Technology Day.
All interested companies shall submit a quad chart and optional 3 minute video outlining their technology feasibility and Army impact, commercialization potential, and team abilities. The quad chart and optional video submissions will be evaluated by a team of Army subject matter experts, including technical, acquisition and user experts. The review will evaluate the extent, insofar as possible, that the scientific and technical merit and feasibility of ideas presented appear to provide utility in meeting the identified topic challenge and to the extent practical identify commercial potential.
Quad chart submissions must adhere to the following requirements:
* All quad charts must be submitted using the template found on the registration page. Any white papers submitted in a format other than that provided by the template will not be reviewed.
* Submissions that do not address one (1) of the problem statements will not be considered for this notice.
* All quad chart submissions must be received by 11:59 PM PST on 9 October 2020. Submissions received after the deadline will not be considered.
Up to 12 projects per technical topic with the highest ranking quad chart submissions will receive a prize of $2,000 and those companies will be invited to attend the xTech|SBIR D2PhII Technology Day, being tentatively held 9-13 November 2020.
In Stage B, the up to twelve (12) companies per topic area will present their technology solution live to a panel of Army subject matter experts (SME), which will include a questions and answers session.
Details regarding presentation requirements, including format, content, and evaluation criteria will be provided to all Stage A winners. Upon conclusion of the technology briefs, the Government will select up to four (4) winners per technical topic area. The up to four (4) projects per topic area will receive a prize of $30,000 and will be invited to submit an Army SBIR Direct to Phase II proposal, which will be announced separately through the DoD SBIR portal.
**Submission URL**: <https://www.xtechsearch.army.mil/> |
The U.S. Army would like to invite interested companies to participate in the xTech Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Direct to Phase II (D2PhII) Technology Briefs, being tentatively held 9-13 November 2020. The xTech SBIR D2PhII Technology event will provide a forum for small businesses to collaborate with the Army, earn prize money, and engage with other non-traditional Army partners. Winners of the xTech SBIR D2PhII Technology event will be invited to submit a D2PhII SBIR proposal to prototype their proposed technology innovations. Prize money will be awarded to selected projects through the Army xTech program and D2PhII SBIR awards will be available through the Army SBIR program.
The purpose of the xTech SBIR D2PhII pilot is to accelerate technology prototypes for crucial Army capability gaps into military platform. Submissions will be open to technology solutions that may considerably improve Army platforms, Army weapons systems, or Army support systems in one of the six (6) topic areas listed below.
The prize challenge will be used to identify small business concerns that meet the criteria for award of a D2PhII contract under 15 U.S.C. §638. Winners of the prize competition will be the only firms eligible to submit a D2PhII SBIR proposal under the topics listed in this announcement. A separate SBIR D2PhII announcement will be issued concurrent with this prize competition announcement.
The proposed schedule for this challenge is:
Submissions that do not address the problem statements below will not be considered for this effort. The efforts described in this Notice are being pursued under the authorities of 10 USC 2374a, 10 USC 2371b, and 15 USC 638. All participants must qualify as a US-based small business concern as defined by 13 C.F.R §§ 701-705 and certify to this upon technology proposal submission. Participants must meet eligibility requirements for Small Business Ownership and Control (see 13 CFR § 121.702). Submissions that do not address the problem statements below or submitted from non U.S.-based companies or organizations will not be considered for the prize competition.
(For full problem descriptions, please visit the application page or download the “xTech SBIR Topics” document below)
Topic A: Combat Vehicle Modernization – Advanced hybrid networks and cable management strategies
Problem Statement A: This topic seeks novel concepts for reducing cabling requirements within ground combat vehicles, while minimizing the electronic signature footprint, maintaining or improving data throughput rates/capacities, and improving physical characteristics, such as size and weight. Potential solutions may include one or more transmission mediums.
Topic B: Autonomous Navigation Sensor Technologies
Problem Statement B: Demonstrate the ability to employ effective passive sensor technologies and associated algorithms and techniques to augment semi-(operator assist capabilities) and fully-autonomous off-road navigation systems for Army Ground Combat Vehicles in Degraded Visual Environments (DVE). The focus of this topic is to augment existing and planned Army autonomous navigation investments and infrastructure (e.g. sensors, data collection, simulation, etc.) leading to improved navigational performance, new capabilities, or SWAP-C (size, weight, power, and cost) reductions.
Topic C: Advanced Real Time Global High-Resolution Environmental Information to Support Multi-Domain Operations
Problem Statement C: Advanced Real Time Global High-Resolution Environmental Information to Support Multi-Domain Operations for the development and demonstration of a capability that addresses requirements crossing multiple program executive office and program management. The desired end product of Phase II is to have one or more technically feasible technologies operating as functional prototype(s) during DoD-sanctioned exercises in order to provide operational testing and data collection on the cyber security, usability and effectiveness of prototype(s).
Topic D: Ultra Narrow-band Emergency Radio
Problem Statement D: The Army seeks a radio capability that will enable large numbers of vehicles and soldiers to communicate at extremely low data rates, and with low probability of being detected or geolocated by adversaries. The Army of the future requires mission assured communications that will provide anti-jam “Interference Tolerant Wireless Communications” - addressing C3I capability and advanced expeditionary electronic countermeasures (ECM). The communications must deliver a unique undetectable communication channel which overcomes the difficulties in managing interference. The solution must deliver a frequency-agile communication technology that is effective when operating in harsh radio environments containing significant amounts of interference.
Topic E: Non-Lethal Vehicle Defense System
Problem Statement E: Army manned and unmanned vehicles must be able to perform their missions in scenarios where they must operate among local populations. The local populations can pose a potential threat to operations, but lethal response measures may not be appropriate. The Army seeks non-lethal solutions that will inhibit or discourage civilians and bystanders from interfering with operations of manned and unmanned platforms.
Topic F: Condition-Based Maintenance for Combat Vehicles
Problem Statement F: Demonstrate the ability to employ technologies and associated algorithms and techniques via new or existing sensors and telematics to create advanced prognostics and diagnostics methodologies for future and current Army vehicles. The focus of this topic is to anticipate component failures and reduce the amount of unplanned maintenance resulting is increased readiness of the fleet.
$864,000
Prizes will be offered under 10 USC 2374A (prize competitions). The total prize award pool is $864,000. The Direct to Phase II SBIR awards will be offered under 15 USC 638 and can be up to $1,670,000 per award.
The prize challenge will be used to identify small business concerns that meet the criteria for award of a D2PhII contract under 15 U.S.C. §638. Winners of the prize competition will be the only firms eligible to submit a D2PhII SBIR proposal under the topics listed in this announcement. A separate SBIR D2PhII announcement will be issued concurrent with this prize competition announcement.
All participants must qualify as a US-based small business concern as defined by 13 C.F.R §§ 701-705 and certify to this upon technology proposal submission. Participants must meet eligibility requirements for Small Business Ownership and Control (see 13 CFR § 121.702). Submissions that do not address the problem statements below or submitted from non U.S.-based companies or organizations will not be considered for the prize competition.
Terms and Conditions
Disclaimers: Registered participants shall be required to assume any and all risks and waive claims against the Federal Government and its related projects, except in the case of willful misconduct, for any injury, death, damage, or loss of property, revenue, or profits, whether direct, indirect, or consequential, arising from their participation in this competition, whether the injury, death, damage, or loss arises through negligence or otherwise.
Participants shall be required to obtain liability insurance or demonstrate financial responsibility, in amounts determined by the Army, for claims by—
- Third parties for death, bodily injury, or property damage, or loss resulting from an activity carried out in connection with participation in this prize competition, with the Federal Government named as an additional insured under the registered participant’s insurance policy and registered participants agreeing to indemnify the Federal Government against third party claims for damages arising from or related to prize competition activities; and
- Federal Government for damage or loss to Government property resulting from such an activity.
Intellectual Property: The Army is a strong proponent of deliberate intellectual property (IP) rights and management by the private sector and the Department of Defense.
For the xTech|SBIR D2PhII Pilot:
- The Federal Government may not gain an interest in IP developed by a participant without the written consent of the participant;
- Nothing in this competition shall diminish the Government’s rights in patents, technical data, technical information, computer software, computer databases, and computer software documentation that the Government had prior to this effort, or is entitled to, under any other Government Agreement or contract, or is otherwise entitled to under law; and
- The Federal Government may negotiate a license for the use of IP developed by a registered participant in the prize competition.
For the SBIR D2PhII Awards:
- All SBIR data and IP rights apply;
Notes: The Government will not reimburse participants for any costs associated with preparing or submitting a response to this prize competition. Participation in the xTech|SBIR D2PhII Pilot is voluntary. This notice/competition and/or the information presented herein will not obligate the Government in any manner. The posted information is provided for planning purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal.
The quad chart and optional video submissions will be evaluated by a team of Army subject matter experts, including technical, acquisition and user experts. Feedback shall be provided to all projects at the end of each Stage. The purpose of providing feedback is to help the participants to understand potential use cases or applications for the technology within the Army, suggestions for product improvement for Army use, and recommended next steps for development. The Government will not respond to questions or inquiries regarding the provided feedback.
The Government anticipates quad chart submissions will be evaluated and ranked using the following scoring criteria (further details on each scoring dimension can be found on the xTech SBIR D2PhII registration page):
- Technical Feasibility– 50%
- Commercialization Potential – 20%
- Team Abilities – 20%
- Submission Quality – 10%
The process of this competition will consist of the following three (3) Stages:
- Stage A – Request for Quad Chart
- Stage B –Presentations at xTech SBIR D2PhII Technology Event
- Stage C – Request for SBIR D2PhII Proposals from the Stage B winners
In Stage A, the Government will release a prize competition announcement, evaluate all submissions and select up to 12 projects per topic area to receive a prize award of $2,000 each. The companies that are selected for the prize award will be invited to attend and participate in the xTech SBIR D2PhII Technology Day.
All interested companies shall submit a quad chart and optional 3 minute video outlining their technology feasibility and Army impact, commercialization potential, and team abilities. The quad chart and optional video submissions will be evaluated by a team of Army subject matter experts, including technical, acquisition and user experts. The review will evaluate the extent, insofar as possible, that the scientific and technical merit and feasibility of ideas presented appear to provide utility in meeting the identified topic challenge and to the extent practical identify commercial potential.
Quad chart submissions must adhere to the following requirements:
- All quad charts must be submitted using the template found on the registration page. Any white papers submitted in a format other than that provided by the template will not be reviewed.
- Submissions that do not address one (1) of the problem statements will not be considered for this notice.
- All quad chart submissions must be received by 11:59 PM PST on 9 October 2020. Submissions received after the deadline will not be considered.
Up to 12 projects per technical topic with the highest ranking quad chart submissions will receive a prize of $2,000 and those companies will be invited to attend the xTech SBIR D2PhII Technology Day, being tentatively held 9-13 November 2020.
In Stage B, the up to twelve (12) companies per topic area will present their technology solution live to a panel of Army subject matter experts (SME), which will include a questions and answers session.
Details regarding presentation requirements, including format, content, and evaluation criteria will be provided to all Stage A winners. Upon conclusion of the technology briefs, the Government will select up to four (4) winners per technical topic area. The up to four (4) projects per topic area will receive a prize of $30,000 and will be invited to submit an Army SBIR Direct to Phase II proposal, which will be announced separately through the DoD SBIR portal.
Submission URL: https://www.xtechsearch.army.mil/