• Response Date:
  • 2 February 2024 for 2nd Tranche consideration

Synopsis:

1. EVENT: The Program Manager-SOF Lethality, in cooperation with the USMC Program Manager- Infantry Weapons and the Joint Services Small Arms Program (JSSAP), will conduct the International Special Operations Forces (ISOF) Range 2024, 9-10 April 2024 at the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR), NV. In addition, the the United States Marine Corps (USMC) will be hosting a Handheld Observation Targeting Night Sight (HOtNS) Rodeo on 7 April 2024 for appropriate technologies.
   1. This Request for Information (RFI) is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this RFI is to invite technology demonstration candidates from private industry, government Research and Development (R&D) organizations/labs, academia, and individuals (hereinafter “respondents”) to apply with a nomination packet (hereinafter “packet[s]”) addressing innovative lethality technologies to exhibit at ISOF Range 2024. U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) will provide Special Operations Forces (SOF) users, SOF component combat developers, government technical engineers, contracting officers, the USSOCOM program management office, twenty-nine invited international SOF units, federal law enforcement special units, inter-agency special units, federal RDT&E agencies, and guests from the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard combat development offices (hereinafter “attendees”) as the audience for ISOF Range 2024. The attendees will use ISOF Range 2024 to conduct “hands-on” market research of technology to address lethality gaps and inform future requirements. Reciprocally, the attendees will provide selected respondents with written feedback on their demonstrated technologies. For the ISOF Range 2024 event, nomination packets will be submitted to Phoenix Defence website: https://isoflethalityweek.phoenixdefence.com (see section C).
   2. Themes for ISOF Range 2024:
      • Weapons: Signature management solutions; material and methods to increase lifecycle and reduce malfunctions; weight reduction concepts; weapons & suppressor coatings & attachments; pistol modification/enhancement solutions; lightweight machine gun (assault/squad) solutions; extreme long range (+2km) sniper rifles; modifiable assault rifles chambered in 6.5CM; machine gun flash and ground disturbance elimination devices; machine gun tracer solutions; .338 machine gun suppressors and gun mounts/tripods.
      • Visual Augmentation Systems: Technologies that currently are or could be incorporated into a packaged size and weight fit for helmet-mounted, weapon-mounted, or handheld limits. Technologies associated with the following spectrums: visible, near infrared (NIR), short-wave infrared (SWIR), mid-wave infrared (MWIR), and long-wave infrared (LWIR).
      • Handheld Observation Targeting Night Sight (HOtNS): The USMC Program Manager Infantry Weapons (PM-IW) and Combat Development and Integration (CD&I) Division will be conducting targeted market research for the HOtNS device in full cooperation with PM-SOF Lethality. PM-IW/CD&I is interested in technologies associated with the following spectrums: visible, near infrared (NIR), short-wave infrared (SWIR), mid-wave infrared (MWIR), and long-wave infrared (LWIR). The system’s primary function is to act as an observation device (replacing the AN/PAS-22 and AN/PAS-28 systems) and have an add-on capability to support targeting for organic fires assets (e.g. mortars). Demonstrate technologies that currently are or could be incorporated into a packaged size and weight fit for a modular handheld observation system ≤6 lbs.
      • Demolitions/Breaching: Small arms breaching, stand-off breaching, initiators and firing devices, primarily remote.
      • Ammunition: Alternate material cartridge cases for small arms (primarily in 6.5mm Creedmoor and .338 Norma Magnum), signature on target projectiles.
      • Shoulder Launched Munitions: Single Shot or re-loadable systems for various terminal effects focusing on reduced overall system weight.
      • Precision Strike Systems: Releasable energetic payloads systems for delivery by ground or air-based platforms.
      • Other Relevant Disruptive Technologies (whether directly or indirectly “lethality” oriented): This is an opportunity for respondents to capitalize on the all-inclusive SOF audience by displaying interesting and emerging technologies that support USSOCOM’s ability to achieve lethal overmatch in a future contested environment.
2. DETAILS:
   1. Event: The range event will consist of an exhibitor range (approx. 70 x spaces) to display live fire technologies and an exhibitor alley (approx. 40 x spaces) to display non-live fire and potentially lower “Technology Readiness Level” demonstrations and/or briefings.
   2. Tentative event schedule for ISOF Range 2024:
      • 7 April 2024 (Sunday):
        • Afternoon: HOtNS Rodeo
        • Evening: HOtNS Rodeo
      • 8 April 2024 (Monday):
        • Afternoon: Exhibitor briefing, set-up, and test-fire
      • 9 April 2024 (Tuesday):
        • Morning: Suppressor and laser-only open shoot
        • Afternoon: Open Shoot and 1-Off demo #1
        • Evening: Night open shoot with lasers
      • 10 April 2024 (Wednesday):
        • Morning: Open shoot
        • Afternoon: Open shoot and 1-Off demo #2
        • Evening: Potential second night open shoot with lasers
   3. Technology Readiness Level (TRL): Technology submissions for Weapons, Visual Augmentation Systems, Handheld Observation Targeting Night Sight, Demolitions/Breaching, Ammunition, Shoulder Launched Munitions, and Precision Strike Systems should be TRL 7 or higher. Technology submissions for “Other Relevant Disruptive Technologies” can be at a lower TRL level.
   4. Notification Dates:
      • 3 November 2023: If nomination packets are submitted by 20 October 2023 for the 1 st tranche of voting, then respondents will receive a notification to attend with a survey, attend without a survey, not-attend, or placed on the stand-by list.
      • 9 February 2024: If nomination packets are submitted after 20 October 2023 and before 2 February 2024 for the 2nd tranche of voting, then respondents who had new nominations or were placed on “stand-by” will be given final notification on attending or not-attending. No more invitations will go out after this date.
      • Potentially immediately: If a respondent has a compelling reason for an early decision, e.g., import lead times or an exceptionally compelling technology, then an immediate invitation to attend may be rendered.
   5. Event Post-Notification Coordination: USSOCOM has entered into an agreement with Phoenix Defence, which will be organizing respondents’ participation in ISOF Range 2024. If a respondent receives an invitation from USSOCOM to attend, then that “respondent” becomes an “exhibitor” and coordinating instructions with Phoenix Defence will be provided after the invitation. Exhibitors will conduct all future correspondence, coordination, and information request with Phoenix Defence under their terms and conditions, this includes fees for shipping and attendance.
   6. Technology areas to explore during the event include the following:
      1. Weapons
         1. Rifle and Machine Gun Suppressors in the following calibers: 5.56mm, .300 BLK (Super/Subsonic), 7.62mm, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .338 Norma Magnum, and MK-48. Suppressors should prioritize reducing ground disturbance, flash, and sound.
         2. Signature management/reduction technologies (i.e., Suppression, coatings, attachments, covers, etc.)
         3. Novel materials/solutions to extend lifecycle of all weapon parts and predictive maintenance solutions to increase lifecycle and reduce malfunctions.
         4. New and novel weapon accessories that provide significant operational improvement to SOF operators from legacy weapon accessories.
         5. Weight reduction/ saving, to include weapon modifications and ergonomic carrying, solutions for weapons, ammunition, and weapon’s accessories.
         6. Pistol modification/enhancement solutions for existing USG issued pistols.
         7. .338 Norma Magnum Machine Gun enabling technologies.
         8. Extreme long-range, suppressed, magazine-fed rifles, capable of 1 MOA with max effective ranges up to 2000+M.
      2. Visual Augmentation Systems
         1. Low-light, reflective band sensor technologies with objective lens diameters in the range of 12mm to 80mm as a guideline.
         2. Emissive band sensor technologies with objective lens diameters in the range of 12mm to 125mm as a guideline.
         3. Single-sensor technologies for imaging in both reflective and emissive bands.
         4. Novel sensor and imaging technologies.
         5. Passive range measurement technologies.
         6. Novel display technologies to reduce size and weight of VAS devices.
         7. Direct-view and Clip-on Machine Gun Optics
         8. Crew-Served - This area includes imagers as well as fire control systems. Clip-on imager capability for beyond 0-2000m target recognition for rapid-fire long-range machine guns including Heavy Machine Guns (HMGs), Advanced Lightweight Grenade Launchers (ALGL’s), Grenade Machine Guns (GMGs), intermediate caliber Lightweight Medium Machine Gun (LMMG), and other crew-served platforms. This category also includes fire control devices. Must be capable of target identification at ranges commensurate with the host weapon and must be compatible with material solutions being delivered to SOF Operators. The system-of- systems approach integrates laser range-finding and augmented reality functions to achieve “smart-sensor” and “day-night” battlefield awareness objectives along with calculated aim points for timely and precise fire solutions to achieve higher probability of hit to the effective range of the weapon and munition in all day-night and extreme environmental conditions.
         9. Medium Range and Long-Range VAS for weapon-mounted applications to increase lethality at night. There is interest in single sensor, multi-sensor, fused, or image intensified solutions.
         10. Laser markers used for target handoff and laser designators used for terminal guidance.
         11. Displays suitable for providing digital information to users wearing analog night vision goggles. There is interest in both external displays as well as displays capable of being incorporated into the housing of the night vision goggle in-line with the image intensifier.
         12. Next generation night vision goggle concepts. Integration of digital solutions to enhance analog imaging, integrated inertial sensors
         13. Small form factor, low-cost SWIR cameras for detection of common laser rangefinders and laser markers and designators.
         14. Handheld multi-sensor imaging and multi-domain sensing of the user’s environment with a focus on increasing lethality.
         15. Color night vision technologies.
         16. Low SWaP-C laser see-spot technologies.
         17. Laser detection/warning technologies.
         18. Anti-bloom image intensifier devices.
      3. Handheld Observation Targeting Night Sight (HOtNS)
         1. The minimum acceptable performance specification is to be able to recognize a vehicle at 4KM in all lighting conditions. Multiple fields of view are anticipated to be required to allow the user to transition between target search/detection and recognition tasks.
         2. The system must incorporate a Modular Open System Architecture (MOSA).
         3. Low-light, reflective band sensor technologies for low-power, instant-on, night operations.
         4. Emissive band sensor technologies for operation under extreme darkness and adverse weather conditions.
         5. Color visible light sensors for low-power, instant-on, daytime operation and to add target identification and/or contrast context to monochrome imagery from other sensors.
         6. Single-sensor technologies for imaging in both reflective and emissive bands.
         7. Novel sensor and imaging technologies including non-line of sight, non-optical, sensors for target detection through obstructed terrain, and technologies to defeat threat camouflage, concealment, and deception capabilities.
         8. Active and Passive range measurement technologies that match the system’s other performance capabilities.
         9. Novel display technologies to reduce size and weight of VAS devices.
         10. There is interest in single sensor, multi-sensor, fused, or blended image solutions.
         11. Modular Laser markers used for target handoff and laser designators used for terminal guidance.
         12. Small form factor, low-cost SWIR cameras for detection of common laser rangefinders and laser markers and designators.
         13. Image stabilization.
         14. Handheld multi-sensor imaging and multi-domain sensing of the user’s environment with a focus on increasing lethality.
      4. Demolition/Breaching
         1. Remote Firing Devices. Improved secure Remote Firing Device (RFD) that is capable to function with all currently issued demolitions DODICs Devices. Should be capable of Line of Sight (LOS) and/or Non-Line of Sight (NLOS) Command Detonation for both Short Range (<200m) and Long Range (>1km). Emplacement of devices (intiator and/or repeaters, if applicable) by hand and/or unmanned systems (UxS).
         2. Time Delay Firing Devices. Lightweight Time Delay Firing Device (TDFD) that has fixed time delay settings from 6sec to < 1hr and is compatible with all currently issued explosive devices. Removable battery is preferred. Device should be constructed to be non-attributable and/or consumed during use.
         3. Firing Device. Device should be single hand operated and non-electric initiating. Device should be dual initiating but also capable of single initiation. Device should be a mechanically functioning dual initiator that is single hand operated, safe, simple to use, light weight and interoperable with currently issued munitions. The mechanism shall be able to re-set/re-cocked one handed and be able to initiate dual or single systems. The design shall be streamlined to reduce snag protrusions.
         4. Stand Off Breaching. 40mm Low Velocity Grenade that provides the ability to breach multiple standard door types (wood, metal, in/out opening, etc.) from stand-off ranges. Grenades must be compatible with currently fielded M320 Low Velocity Grenade Launcher module (mounted and standalone).
      5. Ammunition
         1. Alternate Case Material Cartridges. Small arms cartridges utilizing alternative case materials (polymer, stainless steel, multi-piece hybrid cases, etc.), especially in 6.5mm Creedmoor and .338 Norma Magnum. Benefit of the alternate material configuration shall focus on improving performance over standard cartridges, such as increased velocity, improved muzzle velocity standard deviation, etc.
         2. Signature on Target. Small arms ammunition providing signature on target effects while matching ballistic trajectory of existing cartridges as closely as possible.
      6. Shoulder Launched Munitions
         1. Shoulder Launched Munition systems (reloadable and/or one shot “disposable”) that can provide anti- structural, anti-personnel, bunker / light-armor defeat and/or programmable air-burst counter-defilade capabilities configured with or without fire-from-enclosure (confined-space) firing capability with a focus on reduced overall system weight.
      7. Precision Strike Systems:
         1. Payloads should be platform agnostic and self-contained to include all required subsystems for power and command of arming, releasing, and detonating functions independently from the platform itself. Delivery platform must be able to release payload and return undamaged. Payload controller should have unique pairing to the payload with visual safe indicators that indicate “safe” and “armed” status. The interface between payload and mobility device may incorporate familiar rails or other established mounting standards.
         2. Exhibitor is expected to provide the mobility platform, the payload system, and operators for the demonstration. A test plan, communications plan, and safety data package will be required for review prior to the event.
      8. Other Relevant Disruptive Technologies (whether directly or indirectly “lethality” oriented)
         1. This is a “catch-all” category available to respondents whose technology would not otherwise fit into a category above but may be interesting to the attendees.
         2. For this category, the technology may be lower than TRL 7 and will be able to be displayed in the “exhibitor alley” if needed or applicable.
         3. Some examples for this category are medical equipment, targetry, personal protective equipment, shooting analytic tools, etc.
   7. Security/Classification Requirements: Respondents will only submit unclassified information in the Nomination website. Classified Nominations will not be accepted.
   8. All respondents’ submission costs, travel costs, technology demonstrations, event attendance, and associated costs will be at the respondents’ expense. The event venue will only provide basic access to ranges and infrastructure to conduct the technology demonstrations. Invited respondents/Exhibitors must be prepared to be self-sufficient during the execution of their technology demonstrations and not dependent on venue resources without prior coordination with Phoenix Defence.
   9. Time and space will be made available for respondents to conduct real-time modifications and updates to their technology demonstrations. Respondents are advised to bring all tools and equipment necessary to present/operate their technology at the event.
   10. Other Special Requirements: DO NOT SUBMIT PROPOSALS. SUBMIT NOMINATION PACKETS ONLY. NOMINATION PACKETS FOR THIS RFI WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED UNTIL THE FINAL CLOSING DATE OF 2 February 2024, 1700 EST. No contracts will be awarded based solely on this announcement or any subsequent supplemental RFI announcements. There is no intention on the part of USSOCOM to purchase or procure equipment based solely on participation in the event.
3. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:
   1. Respondents will apply to exhibit their technology by completing a nomination packet at this website: https://isoflethalityweek.phoenixdefence.com. Respondents will fill in Nomination Packet and, only if applicable, the Laser Information Worksheet and/or the Unmanned Aerial Systems/Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UAS/UGV) Worksheets by 20 October 2023 to be considered during the first and main tranche of voting or by 2 February 2024 for the second and final tranche of voting.
   2. If your technology is or has any type of laser/emitter (or you plan to use a laser of any kind to enable your technology demonstration), it must be declared, have a Laser Information Worksheet, and subsequently be approved to energize on the range. To assist filling out the Laser Information Worksheet, a copy of MIL-STD-1425A “Safety Design Requirements for Military Lasers” can be found at https://isoflethalityweek.phoenixdefence.com in the nomination packet resources section. If your laser/emitter gets approved to energize at the range, you will further be required to submit an FDA Compliance Form, which will be sent by Phoenix Defence.
      • This includes all lasers, regardless of FDA or IEC hazard classification (e.g., Classes I, 1, 1M, II, IIa, 2, 2M, IIIa, 3R, IIIb, 3B, IV, or 4)
      • This includes a laser that is described as “eye-safe”
      • This includes a laser that you do not plan to energize during your demonstration (we still need to know it is there)
      • This includes a laser that is available commercially
   3. If your technology is or has any UAS/UGV component, it must be declared and have a UAS/UGV Worksheet, and subsequently be approved to operate on the range. If your UAS/UGV technology is not approved to operate on the range, you may still be able to bring the technology for a static display only.
   4. If your technology meets the Handheld Observation Targeting Night Sight (HOtNS) requirements outlined in paragraph 6.3 then you may be invited to attend the USMC-led HOtNS rodeo on Sunday, 7 April 2024, in addition to ISOF Range 2024. The rodeo is for users to experience the current state of technology for a very specific requirement under very specific conditions. There will be no additional expense to attend this event in addition to ISOF Range. Please select “HOtNS” under the “technology tab” when applying for the range to be considered for the rodeo.
   5. Frequency Requirements: If your demonstration will be radiating on a given frequency or frequency band, you must annotate this in the nomination packet. If you are invited to attend, further instructions will be sent from Phoenix Defence.
4. Safety Requirements: The ISOF Range will be conducted, managed, and controlled in accordance with the Military- Standard 882E, “Standard Practice: System Safety.” All respondents are expected to conduct themselves in a safe manner on the range and follow all instructions from the Range Safety Officers (RSOs). Failure to follow safety protocols or obey the RSOs may result in being removed from the range. If a respondent is invited to participate in the range with a unique or unfamiliar technology, then a follow-on Deliberate Risk Assessment Worksheet (Department of Defense Form 2977) will be requested to assess and mitigate risk. All respondents are suggested to review Military Standard 882E before attending the range. For your convenience, a copy of MIL-STD 882E is posted at https://isoflethalityweek.phoenixdefence.com in the nomination packet resources section. Respondents wishing to conduct demonstrations of a kinetic or energetic nature are responsible for ammunition and/or explosives shipments to include an Interim Hazard Classification (IHC) or Final Hazard Classification (FHC) and coordination for receipt and storage with Phoenix Defence.
5. BASIS FOR SELECTION TO PARTICIPATE:

   Selection of respondents to participate (for all but the HOtNS category) shall be based on the extent to which the nominated technology to be demonstrated addresses lethality gaps and/or informs future lethality requirements as evaluated by the USSOCOM component lethality subject matter experts (SMEs).

   Respondents for the HOtNS category shall be based on the extent to which the nominated technology to be demonstrated addresses meets the USMC requirements listed in paragraph 6.3 above as evaluated by USMC SMEs.

6. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
   1. All proprietary information contained in the nomination and technology experimentation shall be appropriately marked. All efforts shall be made to protect proprietary information that is clearly marked. Lessons learned by USSOCOM from these demonstrations may be broadly disseminated, but only within the Government. If selected for participation in the event, respondents may be requested to provide additional information that will be used in preparation for the demonstration.
   2. The respondent’s attention is directed to the fact that Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and Government Support Contractor (GSC) personnel will provide support during the review of nomination packets. The FFRDC and GSC personnel will have access to respondent nomination packets and will be utilized to objectively review a submission in a particular functional area and provide comments and recommendations to the Government’s decision makers. They will not establish final assessments of risk, rate, or rank of respondent nomination packets. All advisors have complied with Procurement Integrity Laws and have signed Non-Disclosure and Rules of Conduct/Conflict of Interest statements. The Government has taken into consideration requirements for avoiding conflicts of interest and ensure advisors comply with safeguarding source selection and proprietary data. Submission of nomination packets in response to the RFI constitutes approval to release the nomination packets to FFRDC and GSCs.
   3. Respondents are required to identify demonstrations that are subject to export controls since foreign participants will attend the event. Participants may include foreign government, military and industry or U.S. industry foreign national personnel. Respondents are ultimately responsible for complying with Export Control regulations for concepts, equipment, systems, or technology associated with the US Munitions List (USML) or Commerce Control List (CCL). Visit the U.S. Department of State Directorate of Defense Trade Controls website (https://www.pmddtc.state.gov/ddtc_public) for more information on USML International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security website (https://www.bis.doc.gov) for more information on CCL Export Administration Regulations (EAR). If necessary, USSOCOM event organizers will restrict access to export-controlled technology demonstrations.
   4. Per Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.215-3, Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997):
      1. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI notice or to otherwise pay for the information.
      2. Although the term “respondent” is used in this RFI, your responses will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal.
      3. In accordance with FAR 15.209(c), the purpose of this RFI is to solicit technology demonstration candidates from private industry, government Research and Development (R&D) organizations/labs, academia, and individuals to submit technology demonstration nominations addressing innovative lethality technologies.
   5. Points of Contact:
      1. Contracting Office Address:
         SOF AT&L KR
         7701 Tampa Point Blvd
         MacDill AFB, Florida 33621-5323
      2. Individuals:
         • Mr. Greg Metty: gregory.metty@socom.mil