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Technical Support and Operational Analysis (TSOA) Defense-in-Depth Experiment (DiDEX) 23 Request for Information (RFI) Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft System (C-sUAS) Assessment A. INTRODUCTION The Te... Technical Support and Operational Analysis (TSOA) Defense-in-Depth Experiment (DiDEX) 23 Request for Information (RFI) Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft System (C-sUAS) Assessment A. INTRODUCTION The Technical Support and Operational Analysis (TSOA) Defense-in-Depth Experiment (DiDEX) 23 is sponsored by the Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft System (C-sUAS) Office (JCO) and executed by the Army Futures Command (AFC) Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Command, Control, Computers, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center's Unique Mission Cell (UMC). This is a Request for Information (RFI). This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this RFI is to gain information leading to Government/industry collaboration at Technical Support and Operational Analysis (TSOA) DiDEX 23 to accelerate the development of technologies that will enable the Warfighter to be more effective, efficient, and lethal when countering sUAS (i.e., Groups 1, 2 and 3) and UxS threats. The JCO and UMC invite industry, academia, individuals, and laboratories to submit technology white papers addressing innovative technologies and capabilities that can be used in challenging, dense urban environments. The TSOA DiDEX 23 event is executed to identify opportunities for improvement in operational security, force protection, and survivability. The TSOA team identifies potential vulnerabilities in emerging technologies including performance degradation in contested environments, interoperability, adaptability, and training/ease of use through live experiment venues. The TSOA DiDEX 23 will focus on challenges presented by (1) detecting, identifying, tracking, and defeating sUxS in a dense urban environment and (2) integrating C-sUxS systems into a single common operating picture (COP). After reviewing the technology submissions, the Government may invite select candidates to participate in a TSOA field experiment/assessment venue in which it evaluates the capability, its technical limitations, and vulnerabilities through an enemy perspective. These assessments will provide the submitter an opportunity to interact with the Warfighter, the DoD Science and Technology community, academia, Combatant Commands (COCOMs), Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs), and/or other Federal agencies for the purpose of assessing the potential impact of emerging technology solutions on missions and capabilities. Submissions and Verification of Submission will be made through Vulcan. B. OBJECTIVE – Support the JCO Mission: The JCO has been established to lead, synchronize, and direct C-sUAS activities. The JCO leads and performs oversight of C-sUAS doctrine, requirements, materiel, training standards, and capabilities to establish joint solutions with a common architecture to address current and future emerging sUAS threats. It coordinates development of joint operational concepts and joint doctrine for C-sUAS. It leads coordination among the stakeholders to avoid duplication of effort and maximize efficiencies and effectiveness of program activities and developmental efforts, accepting environmental and operational differences each service and agency faces. The JCO leads development and coordination of common C-sUAS requirements, core training objectives, and policy. (1) Background: The Army’s C5ISR Center’s UMC conducts field experiments/assessments to support vulnerability identification and system limitation in contested environments for emerging capabilities in an operationally relevant venue. These assessments are conducted with representatives from operational/user representatives, Government Research and Development (R&D) organizations, academia, and industry. TSOA events provide an opportunity for technology developers to interact with operational personnel and determine how their efforts might support military capability gaps and high-priority mission deficiencies. The environment facilitates a collaborative working relationship between academia, government, and industry—supporting identification, assessment, and dissemination of technology information. Ultimately, these events aim to accelerate the delivery of capabilities to the Warfighters and those they support. The assessment results are reported back to the program director. (2) Assessment Focus and Submission Timeline: TSOA DiDEX 23 will be conducted 17-21 July 2023 in New Orleans, LA. TSOA DiDEX 23 Objectives Achieve single system integration with a tactical COP (Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) primary) Provide bi-directional (Operations Center & Tactical Units) situational awareness from a single COP and utilize artificial intelligence (AI) / machine learning (ML) technologies to aid in decision making Realize layered multi-system integration with a tactical COP for data dissemination and layer AI/ML whenever possible to increase situational awareness and aid in decision making Operate Layered Integrated Operations (LIO) with semi-autonomous target handoff—i.e., systems of systems fully integrated into a tactical COP utilizing ML algorithms for data fusion and alert prioritization Conduct electronic warfare (EW) and kinetic defeat Conduct counter swarm and counter unmanned systems (UxS) Location: Training areas include a dense urban environment with access to local buildings, parking garages, other areas of interest in and around downtown New Orleans and the Port of New Orleans. RFI Submission Deadline: 14 April 2023 – All respondents will be notified of Government decision NLT 25 April 2023 Objective Definitions: Single System Integration: provide real-time capability technologies to detect, identify, characterize, locate, and warn against all known or validated sUAS threats, in addition to other asymmetric threats. The LIO concept requires a solution that reduces the operational risk to maneuver forces by delivering effects across the operating area and providing commanders with information in a more proactive manner. Ideally, with systems layered across the operating environment, this information allows commanders at multiple echelons to make decisions wherever they are on the battlefield, with the definitive goal of providing the maximum amount of decision space to enable operations. Detection and Identification: the ability to recognize sUAS threats in a contested environment. Utilizing specific and non-specific C-sUAS capabilities for recognition. Characterize, Deter, and Defeat: the ability to assist in the positive identification (PID) of the sUAS and utilize appropriate action against it. Integrate system data: the ability to deliver alerts to friendly forces near the estimated point-of-contact and provide near-real time understanding of the contested environment is essential to expanding our sources of information beyond traditional means. Integrating system data into a tactical COP enables proactive risk-based decision making at multiple echelons. Layered Multi-System Integration: environment in which systems can defend with depth and integrate with each other to provide commanders in the Operations Center and elements on the ground near-real time information on a tactical COP. LIOs: utilizing an integrated system of systems approach, incorporating several nodes spread throughout an operating environment (OE), and allowing friendly forces freedom of movement throughout that OE. Inherently, the concept relies on both static and mobile based systems layered throughout the OE in order to be most effective and provide deep security and awareness. Utilize ML algorithms to prioritize data received from the system of systems data. (3) Field Experiment/Assessment Focus: The following technical areas are of particular interest: TSOA DiDEX 23 additional focus areas (considered after primary focus technologies selected): a. Timely Mission Command and Tactical Intelligence b. Reduce Warfighter Overburden c. Enhance Lethality and/or Capability to Temporarily Incapacitate Threats d. Increase Force Protection (Soldier/Vehicle/Base) (4) Security Requirements: the submittal process under this RFI is intended to be as streamlined as possible in order to allow the Government to leverage technology solutions capable of meeting urgent Warfighter needs. Respondents should not submit classified information in the technology assessment papers and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) restrictions should be clearly listed. (5) Other Special Requirements: DO NOT SUBMIT PROPOSALS. SUBMIT TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT PAPERS ONLY. Instructions and templates can be found at the Vulcan submission page (link below). No contracts will be awarded based on this announcement. C. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS RFI Submission Deadline: 14 April 2023 If you wish to submit a technology for consideration for TSOA DiDEX 23, Respondent must be registered with the Vulcan website (https://www.vulcan-sof.com). A complete submission includes a Scout Card, Quad Chart, and Planning Input Form for each technology. Respondents are required to submit all information prior to the submission deadline to be considered for the event. Should Respondent wish to submit multiple technologies for consideration, separate submissions are required for each technology. General Event Information: https://vulcan-sof.com/event/event/0a47339a-0403-43ba-b46c-1e1393567f42 Required Documents Vulcan Scout Card Quad Chart (template provided on Vulcan submission page) DiDEX 23 Planning Input Form (PIF) (template provided on Vulcan submission page) Vulcan Registration Instructions: please give yourself enough time to create and be verified for a Vulcan account before creating your Scout Card. Visit https://www.vulcan-sof.com and click Request Access Follow the on-screen instructions Vulcan access questions, please email contact@vulcan-sof.com TSOA DiDEX 23 Submission Instructions (Scout card can be created on the submissions) a.Navigate to the TSOA DiDEX 23 Submission Page: https://vulcan-sof.com/login/ng2/submission?collectionUuid=aa955f71-7720-471f-94d4-08574c8a444c For new Scout Cards: Fill in all areas of the card and include as much detail as possible. At the bottom of the page, select Tab 3 (Submit a New Card). Follow the instructions to include watching the video to complete your Scout Card submission. The aforementioned Quad Chart should be attached to the last page of the Scout Card submission. For existing Scout Cards: At the bottom of the page, select Tab 2 (Submit Existing Card). You will see a list of your organizations previously submitted Scout Cards for inclusion in this submission. The aforementioned Quad Chart should be attached to the last page of the Scout Card submission. For already submitted Scout Cards: At the bottom of the page, select Tab 1 (Already Submitted) to see a list of Scout Cards your organization has previously submitted to this call. If you experience issues with the Vulcan website, contact the Vulcan Help Desk at contact@vulcan-sof.com. You will receive on screen confirmation of a successful submission Quick Tips: • If your organization has already submitted to this RFI, you will be able to see it under "Submitted". • If your technology already has a Scout Card in Vulcan but has not yet submitted to TSOA DiDEX 23, you may click "Select Existing" to quickly add it. • If you are submitting a new technology into Vulcan, then click "Create New Scout Card". Please watch the tutorial video and proceed. D. BASIS FOR SELECTION TO PARTICIPATE: Selection of Respondents to participate will be based on the extent to which the technology represents a particular class or level of capability that can be provided to the forces. Other considerations include: Adaptability to military operations/missions Relevance to current operational needs Breadth of application Technical maturity Logistics requirements Government funding Integration into a COP Selected Respondents will be notified in writing prior to event execution for the selected Technology Assessment events specified in paragraph B.(2). E. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: All Respondents shall clearly identify and mark in writing all proprietary information provided on all documents. Technical lessons learned by TSOA assessments may be broadly disseminated within the Government and Government support contractors. Respondents must provide information that clearly asserts rights in technical data if developed exclusively or partially at private expense in order to claim any restrictions. Developed exclusively at private expense means development was accomplished entirely with costs charged to indirect cost pools, cost not allocated to a Government contract, or any combination thereof. Identification of the data or software must have enough specificity to support the respondent's assertion is important for the parties to avoid misunderstanding during the information gathering assessment activities. F. USE OF INFORMATION: The purpose of this notice is to gain information on possible Government/industry collaboration for development of TSOA technologies and capabilities, and to accelerate the delivery of these capabilities to the Warfighter. All proprietary information contained in the response shall be separately identified and marked. Any proprietary information contained in response to this request will be properly protected from any unauthorized disclosure. G. DATA OWNERSHIP: All data transmitted, received, and stored during the conduct of TSOA DiDEX 23 is the property of the US Government. All press releases and public announcements based on TSOA attendance are not permitted unless permission is obtained in writing. H. INTENT: The Government does NOT intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI Notice or to otherwise pay for the information solicited. I. POINTS OF CONTACT: Questions on the objectives or preparation of technical documents should be addressed to: todd.j.fruehauf.civ@amry.mil, and the Subject Line must be titled: QUESTION(s) for TSOA DiDEX 23. Contracting Office Address: 800 Park Office Drive Frontier Building RTP Durham, North Carolina 27709-3048 United States