83 FR 29764 - Expeditionary Technology Search (xTechSearch) Prize Competition Announcement

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 123 (June 26, 2018)

Under the provisions of applicable laws and regulations, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT)) is announcing the Army Expeditionary Technology Search--xTechSearch Prize Competition--for the Army to enhance engagements with the entrepreneurial funded community, small businesses, and other non-traditional defense partners. The xTechSearch program will provide an opportunity for businesses to pitch novel technology solutions, either a new application for an existing technology or an entirely new technology concept, to the Army.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 123 (Tuesday, June 26, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29764-29765]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-13669]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Expeditionary Technology Search (xTechSearch) Prize Competition 
Announcement

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Announcement of competition.

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SUMMARY: Under the provisions of applicable laws and regulations, the 
Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and 
Technology (ASA(ALT)) is announcing the Army Expeditionary Technology 
Search--xTechSearch Prize Competition--for the Army to enhance 
engagements with the entrepreneurial funded community, small 
businesses, and other non-traditional defense partners. The xTechSearch 
program will provide an opportunity for businesses to pitch novel 
technology solutions, either a new application for an existing 
technology or an entirely new technology concept, to the Army.

DATES: 
    1. July 11, 2018. Deadline for submission of White Paper with 
xTechSearch Cover Letter registration form.
    2. July 30-August 31, 2018. Semifinalists--Up to 125 participants 
brief xTechSearch panels.
    3. October 8-10, 2018. Up to 25 finalists featured at the 
Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting and Exposition in 
Washington, DC.
    4. April 2019. Capstone Demonstration with Senior Army Leadership.

ADDRESSES: Proposal submissions should be emailed to 
[email protected] no later than 11 
July 2018. Detailed information can be found at Challenge.gov: https://www.challenge.gov/challenge/army-expeditionary-technology-search-xtechsearch/

[[Page 29765]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Jennifer Smith, Deputy Director 
for Laboratory Management ASA(ALT) Office of the Deputy Assistant 
Secretary of the Army, Research and Technology, (703) 697-0685.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Eligibility: The entities allowed to 
participate in this competition are small businesses as defined in 13 
CFR part 121. To qualify, the participating entity must fall within the 
size standard by North American Industry Classification System code 
541713, 541714, and 541715.
    There may be only one submission per business. In addition, each 
entity:
     Shall provide registration information in the xTechSearch 
Cover Letter registration form;
     Shall be incorporated in and maintain a primary place of 
business in the United States;
     Shall perform the work in the United States.
     May not be a Federal entity or Federal employee acting 
within the scope of their employment.
    Registered participants shall be required to agree to assume any 
and all risks and waive claims against the Federal Government and its 
related entities, except in the case of willful misconduct, for any 
injury, death, damage, or loss of property, revenue, or profits, 
whether direct, indirect, or consequential, arising from their 
participation in a prize competition, whether the injury, death, 
damage, or loss arises through negligence or otherwise.
    Participants shall be required to obtain liability insurance or 
demonstrate financial responsibility, in amounts determined by the 
Army, for claims by--
     Third parties for death, bodily injury, or property 
damage, or loss resulting from an activity carried out in connection 
with participation in a prize competition, with the Federal Government 
named as an additional insured under the registered participant's 
insurance policy and registered participants agreeing to indemnify the 
Federal Government against third party claims for damages arising from 
or related to prize competition activities; and
     Federal Government for damage or loss to Government 
property resulting from such an activity.
    Prizes will be offered under 15 U.S.C. Section 3719 (Prize 
competitions).
     The total prize pool is $1.95M.

Evaluation Criteria and Process

Phase I: Concept White Paper Contest

     All interested eligible contestants will submit a 
xTechSearch Cover Letter registration form with a White Paper, of no 
greater than 1000 words, describing the novel technology concept, 
innovative application concept, and integration with the Army's 
modernization priorities and outlining their knowledge, skills, 
capabilities, and approach for this challenge. Contestants' concept 
papers will be reviewed by a panel of subject matter experts and judges 
who will select semifinalists who will be awarded a prize of $1000 and 
be invited to the Phase II xTechSearch Technology Pitch Forums.
     Concept White Papers will be ranked based on the novelty 
of the proposed technology to revolutionizing and modernizing the Army. 
Each white paper must include the following:

    [cir] Proposed Army Modernization Priority alignment,
    [cir] Proposed concept and current technology maturity,

     Concept White Paper Scoring Criteria:

    [cir] Potential for Impact/Revolutionizing the Army--50%
    [cir] Scientific and Engineering Viability--30%
    [cir] Team Experience and Abilities--20%

Phase II: xTechSearch Technology Pitches

     Up to one hundred twenty five (125) selected contestant 
semi-finalists will be invited to complete an in-person Technology 
pitch to a panel of Army and Department of Defense subject matter 
experts and judges at one of five selected locations across the United 
States.
     xTechSearch Technology Pitches will be ranked based on the 
novelty of the proposed technology to revolutionizing and modernizing 
the Army. Finalists will be selected based on the propensity of the 
technology to revolutionize Army missions, solve an Army capability 
gap, and catalyze with Army assets. Each technology pitch must include 
a proposal to demonstrate proof-of-concept for the technologies within 
6 months.
     Up to twenty-five (25) finalists selected by the judge 
panel will receive a prize of $5000 and be invited to display an 
exhibit and make a formal public oral presentation of their proposal at 
the 2018 AUSA Annual Meeting Innovators' Corner in Washington, DC.
     Scoring Criteria:

    [cir] Potential for Impact/Revolutionizing the Army--50%
    [cir] Scientific and Engineering Viability; Proof-of-Concept 
Demonstration Plan--30%
    [cir] Team Experience and Abilities--20%

Phase III: AUSA Innovators' Corner

     Up to twenty-five (25) xTechSearch finalists will be 
featured at Innovators' Corner at the 2018 AUSA Annual Meeting and 
Exposition, 8-10 October 2018 in Washington, DC.
     Finalists will provide a display and a presentation on 
their submission in an Army-sponsored exhibit space and engage with 
Department of Defense (DoD) customers, industry partners, and academia.
     Up to twelve (12) Phase III prize winners will be 
announced, four (4) each day. Phase III prize winners will be awarded 
prizes of $125,000 and 6 months to demonstrate proof-of-concept for 
their xTechSearch technology, to be demonstrated at an xTechSearch 
Finale Demonstration.

Phase IV: xTechSearch Finale Demonstration--April 2019

     Each Phase III winner will demonstrate proof-of-concept 
for their technology solution to senior DoD, Government, and industry 
leadership. The winner of the Finale Demonstration will be awarded a 
prize of $200,000.

    Authority:  15 U.S.C. Section 3719; Pub. L. 96-480, Section 24, 
as added Pub. L. 111-358, title I, Section 105a, Jan. 4, 2011 Stat. 
3989

Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-13669 Filed 6-25-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 5001-03-P