Link: https://www.fbo.gov/spg/ODA/USSOCOM/SOAL-KB/H9240319RFINEVADARANGE/listing.html
Solicitation Number: H92403-19-USSOCOM SOF Range Day
Notice Type: Special Notice
TYPE: A–Research and Development
NAICS: 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences)
Publish Date: 09 August 2019
Response Date: 09 September 2019
Synopsis:
A. INTRODUCTION: USSOCOM SOF Range Event
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 USSOCOM event, technology
experiment nominations will be submitted via email to SOFRangeEvent2020@socom.mil. Respondents should pay
particular attention to the instructions in paragraph C (attached).
Technical experimentation will be to observe participant capabilities and their performance of each system. The purpose
of these experimentations is to explore emerging technologies, technical applications, and their potential to provide
solutions for future SOF capabilities.
• Date: 18/19 January 2020 – Vendors who receive an invitation to attend, further details will be provided on which
day and time.
• Themes:
o Target Engagement to include: Light assault and medium machine guns, suppression and personal defense
weapons
o Visual Augmentation Systems (VAS): Sensor technologies being developed include image intensification
thermal imaging, short wave infrared, multi-spectral, fusion, and other sensor types. Developments will
decrease weight, increase range, increase situational awareness, provide data, image processing, image,
filtering, determine wind speed, observe bullet trace, and sensor fusion to be able to detect, identify, classify
and engage targets at greater ranges. Capabilities Include technologies that utilize Virtual Reality (VR) and /
or Augment Reality (AR) information solely, together, or in combination with actual reality (R), to improve
SOF operational mission effectiveness. Man portable system, that can process georeferenced imagery on a
laptop (or desktop) computer, or other mission suitable, portable computational device, to create a three
dimensional (3D) virtual rendering of a potential objective area in an austere environment. The virtual
rendering can then be used to conduct a virtual walk through of the objective area for mission planning and
rehearsal purposes. This virtual environment is also capable of allowing an Operator to assign and place
mission critical points of interest that can be translated into the Operator’s Tactical Assault Kit (TAK).
o Demolitions and Breaching to include, improved grenades, stand-off breaching, and firing devices.
Location: Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR), NV
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 35 calendar days from the date of RFI posting. After review of the
nomination submissions, the Government may invite select candidates to demonstrate their technologies at the
USSOCOM SOF Range Event. Experiments will be conducted on 18/19 January 2020, 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 7 and 9. There is no intention on the part of USSOCOM to
purchase or procure equipment based solely on participation in the event.