The objective is to fabricate, assemble, and install non-electrical, mechanical and pneumatic subsystems into a watercraft (less than 50 feet in length) to facilitate the transportation of mission vehicles. The subsystems include a topside cover, L&R system, and a pneumatic system. A three dimensional computer-aided design of the subsystems and watercraft will be provided as government furnished information.

The topside cover subsystem includes inflatable panels that traverse the length of the topside opening on a track attached to the hull topside. The track is fitted with cross members on rollers to enable the panels to be retracted when the cover is required to be open. 

The L&R subsystem includes longitudinal bunks attached to the craft structure to support the mission vehicles. Side bumpers and a forward bump stop are utilized for vehicle alignment. 

The purpose of the pneumatic subsystem is to enable the craft to change draft for vehicle L&R operations. The pneumatic subsystem consists of inflatable panels (along the hull sides and bottom), hoses, a control panel, and other hardware required for the inflation/deflation of panels.   

A hollow watercraft hull, made of both aluminum and fiberglass construction, will be provided as government furnished equipment to the awardee to complete the installations of all the subsystems. The final deliverable will be a completed watercraft with all subsystems installed.

Phase 1– 10 March 2023 to 11 April 2023 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 that will be near the bottom of this webpage on/around 10 March.

Phase 1a – 30 March 2023 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 30 March from 1:00-2:00 PM ET. Click Here to RSVP (NLT 29 March)

Phase 2 – 12 April 2023 to 21 April 2023 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 24 April.

Phase 3 – 16 May 2023 to 18 May 2023 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 virtually.

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 even if all successful prototype criteria are not fully met during the 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
  

Government, Industry, Academia, National Labs, and Non-Traditional Attendees

1. RSVP to Attend the 30 March Q&A Telecon:?Click Here to RSVP?(NLT 29 March)? 
2. Review Assessment Criteria: Click Here to Review
3. Download the White Paper Template: Click Here to Download
4. Complete the Submission Form: Click Here to Submit (NLT 11 April)

Questions?? 
For event-related questions, please contact Lindsay Horst, lindsay.horst@sofwerx.org