Submit NLT 01 July 2026 11:59 PM ET

U.S. Citizens Only

Key Interest Areas with the focus of Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV), and Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) mountable single payloads that process and geolocate ELINT in complex maritime environments. 

• Payloads optimized for small Unmanned Vessels  
• Payloads that are low size, weight and power operating across austere conditions
• Payloads shall operate in GPS denied, low bandwidth comms, counter-detection/ signature management, mission autonomy, etc.
• Payloads and antennas shall operate in a maritime environment across various emitter types and polarization
• Payloads that are USSOCOM modular payload standard compliant/aligned are desirable but not required
• Payloads that can process information and/or reprogrammable with target emitters at the tactical edge  

Background/Synopsis
USSOCOM operates in rapidly evolving threat environments and market research helps the command stay aware of emerging payload technologies that could provide near-term tactical advantage on unmanned platforms. Because SOF missions demand low-SWaP, high-performance, and versatile solutions, capability demonstrations allow USSOCOM to identify industry offerings that can meet operational requirements under realistic conditions. These activities ensure USSOCOM invests in technologies that are mature, relevant, and ready for accelerated transition reducing risk while expanding the range of payload options available to SOF teams across air, ground, and maritime UxVs. 

Objective
The objective is to discover solutions and facilitate a capabilities demonstration to identify small-form-factor payloads that align with real-world CONOPs, threat environments, and platform constraints. This effort is designed to map the competitive and technological landscape, revealing where industry solutions already exist, where innovation is needed, and how to differentiate capabilities in a crowded UxV ecosystem.

Capabilities will be evaluated against the following criteria:

• Detect, classify and localize the target emitter in a dense maritime environment at extended ranges or stand-off distances
• The system’s localization accuracy
• The system classification accuracy of target emitter
• The system to conduct the detection, classification and localization with minimal human intervention
• The system sensor size, weight and power
• The system antenna size, weight and power and ruggedization to maritime environment
• The system data bandwidth requirement from UxS to operator
• System usability by warfighters
• System Frequency Range
• System maintainability by warfighters
• Ability to reprogram targets on the sensor at tactical edge
• System will have volatile memory on board the sensor
• Unit cost

Why You Should Participate
USSOCOM seeks to enter into non-FAR or FAR-based agreements with Industry, Academic, and National Lab partners whose solutions are favorably evaluated by PEO-TIS Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). As such, the follow-on Assessment Event (AE) is considered competitive and solutions will be evaluated independently of one another primarily for technical merit. This serves dually as notification of the intent to research the feasibility of an agreement under 10 U.S. Code, Section 4022 and/or Section 4022(f), and as notice of pre-solicitation activities IAW FAR 5.204.

Event Timeline

Phase 1 - 09 June 2026 to 01 July 2026 Submissions to the Assessment Event (AE) Open: Interested respondents who could potentially provide solutions that meet the needs of USSOCOM are encouraged to submit their capability for USSOCOM review. To submit your technology for potential Phase 3 attendance, please review the assessment criteria and follow the submission instructions at the bottom of this webpage.

Phase 1a - 17 June 2026 Q&A Telecon: Interested offerors may participate in a virtual Q&A session to better understand the PM's specific technology objectives. The telecon will take place on 17 June from 1:00–2:00 PM ET. RSVP at the bottom of this webpage.

Phase 2 - 02 July 2026 to 15 July 2026 Downselect: USSOCOM will downselect those respondents/submissions they feel have the highest potential to satisfy their technology needs. Favorably evaluated submissions will receive an invitation to attend the AE on/around 16 July.

Phase 3 - 03 August 2026 to 07 August 2026 Assessment Event (AE): During the AE, selected participants will be allotted a one-on-one session with the USSOCOM evaluation panel to pitch, demonstrate, and/or discuss their solutions. The forum will include a Q&A portion and discussions may continue outside of the event. Solution brief presentation guidelines will be outlined in the event invitation and solutions will be assessed according to the criteria in the link provided below. If the USSOCOM evaluation panel favorably evaluates a solution brief, negotiations for Phase 4 may immediately begin.

This event will be held in person at Naval Underwater Warfare Center, RI

Phase 4 - Path Forward: Successfully negotiated awards may fall under any combination of these categories:

• Business to business research and development agreement as a sub-award through the SOFWERX Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) (15 U.S. Code Section 3715)
• OTA for research or prototype projects (10 U.S. Code Sections 4021, 4022)
• An award under 10 U. S. Code, Section 4022 may result in the further award of a follow-on production agreement without additional competition based on successful prototype completion. The Government may make this follow-on production award based upon successful prototype criteria, which will be determined for each prototype project.
• Procurement for experimental purposes (10 U.S. Code Section 4023)
• Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (15 U.S. Code Section 3710a)
• Prizes for advanced technology achievements (10 U. S. Code Section 4025) and/or prize competitions (15 U.S. Code 3719)
• FAR-based procurement contract 

NOTE: Awardees may need to be compliant with NIST SP 800-171, Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in Non-Federal Systems and Organizations

How You Can Participate
Government, Industry, Academia, National Labs, and Non-Traditional Attendees

1. RSVP to the 17 June Virtual Q&A Telecon: Click Here to RSVP (NLT 16 June 11:59 PM ET)
2. Review Assessment Criteria: Click Here to Review
3. Download the White Paper Template: Click Here to Review
4. Complete the Submission Form: Click Here to Submit (NLT 01 July 11:59 PM ET)

Questions?

For event-related questions, please contact Sarah Marks