SOFWERX, in collaboration with USSOCOM Science and Technology (S&T) Joint Acquisition Task Force (JATF), will host a series of events to identify solutions for optical character recognition text to text translation technology from Industry, Academia, Laboratories, and other interested organizations. The desired end state is to understand the current capabilities and determine if those solutions are compatible with ongoing translation efforts.

USSOCOM S&T JATF would like to enhance the capabilities of their language translation devices. These devices will need to be able to read street signs, advertisements, canopy, marquee, and billboard signs, as well as the traditional scanning of documents, memes, magazines, etc. These devices should be able to operate completely disconnected from the cloud. Ideally, they should be able to be incorporated into different language software that has been developed, and should fit into multiple form factors. Variable optics are acceptable.

USSOCOM seeks to enter into non-FAR or FAR-based agreements with Industry, Academic, and National Lab partners whose solutions are favorably evaluated by USSOCOM S&T JATF Subject Matter Experts. As such, the follow-on Assessment Event (AE) is considered competitive in the same manner as a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) or Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO), 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 2371b and/or Section 2371b(f), and as notice of pre-solicitation activities IAW FAR 5.204.

Completed Phase 1 – 16 March 2022 Collaboration Event (CE): SOFWERX will host the CE with Industry, Academic, and Laboratory partners focused on optical character recognition text to text translation technology needs. During this event, Warfighters will interact with potential solution offerors and further communicate operational needs and desirements. Participation in this event is not mandatory, however, it is designed to provide insights to ensure potential offerors understand the problem set(s) fully and to increase the likelihood of matching their technologies with Warfighter needs. This CE is also an opportunity for attendees to meet and form partnerships that may provide a more comprehensive solution. If you do not wish to participate in the CE, you are free to submit your technology o/a 17 March 2022 for the AE. Click Here to Submit Event Feedback

Phase 2 – 21 March 2022 to 11 April 2022 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 4 attendance, please follow the submission instructions that will be near the bottom of this webpage after 21 March 2022.

Completed Phase 2a – 31 March 2022 Q&A Telecon: Interested offerors may participate in a virtual Q&A session to better understand the intent of the event by USSOCOM. The telecon will take place on 31 March 2022 from 3:00–4:00 PM ET. Click Here to RSVP (NLT 30 March)

Phase 3 – 12 April 2022 to 18 April 2022 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 o/a 19 April 2022.

Phase 4 – 10 May 2022 to 11 May 2022 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. Phase 4 evaluations are considered to be competitive and analogous to BAA or CSO submissions in that regard. Solution brief evaluation criteria will be outlined in the event invitation. If the USSOCOM evaluation panel favorably evaluates a solution brief, negotiations for Phase 5 may immediately begin.

Phase 5 – Path Forward: Successfully negotiated awards may fall under any combination of these categories:

• Other Transaction Agreements under 10 U.S. Code, Section 2371 or 2371b* (prototyping/production follow-on)
• Procurement contract for experimental purposes 10 U. S. Code, Section 2373
  Business to business research and development agreement as a sub-award (15 U.S. Code, Section 3715)
• Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (15 U.S. Code, Section 3710a)
• *An award under 10 U. S. Code, Section 2371b 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 even if all successful prototype criteria are not fully met during the prototype project.

JATF Preliminary Requirements Request for SOFWERX OCR CRA

1. Review Required Documents: Click Here to Review
   
2. Review 04 January Q&A Telecon Transcript: Click Here to Review
3. Review 16 March S&T JATF Briefing: Will be posted o/a 04 April
4. View 16 March S&T JATF Video: Will be posted o/a 04 April
5. Download the White Paper Template: Click Here to Download
6. Complete the Submission Form: Click Here to Submit (NLT 11 April)