The U.S. Army is now accepting concept white paper submissions for its newest prize competition, the xTech Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) Army Strategic Rapid Acquisition (AStRA) competition with the opportunity to earn prize money and potential to submit for a follow-on contract or Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement with a total budget of $25M.
The xTechRCCTO AStRA, sponsored by RCCTO in collaboration with the Assistant Secretary of the Army, Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT)), the Program Executive Office for Intelligence Electronic Warfare & Sensors (PEO IEW&S) and PEO Soldier aims to incentivize businesses and academic institutions to propose innovative, viable technology concepts to the Army to accelerate military technology and fill critical technology and operational gaps that fit within Tactical Edge Processing.
Problem Statement: Problem Statement: Robotics and Autonomous Systems are changing the character of warfare at an astonishing pace. Small Units are increasingly left behind as advances in computing, sensors and algorithms become burdensome for the dismounted Soldier. The Army is looking for aided target recognition solutions that can operate on edge processors that can identify targets of potential interest including personnel, vehicles, common weapons, and ground hazards. Solutions that can process both electro-optical and infrared imagery (VGA class) and ideally exploit both simultaneously to operate over more operational conditions are most appealing.
The challenge competition consists of four (4) phases that participant’s can progress through which include:
- Part 1: Concept White Paper – Eligible entities will submit a 5-page technical white paper outlining their technology solution with an optional 3-4 minute video.
- Part 2: Technology Pitches – Winners from Part 1 will have an opportunity to conduct an oral proposal/technology pitch between June 29-30, 2021. Participants will be awarded $5,000 when they complete their presentations.
- Part 3: Request for Project Proposal – Winners selected from Part 2 will be provided with an opportunity to submit a Request for Project Proposal (RFPP) for a potential Contract/OTA.
- Part 4: Basis for Award – Upon qualitative and quantitative evaluation of all phases and all submissions the United States Government (USG) may choose to make an award or multiple awards.
Concept White Paper submissions must be received by 5:00 PM EST May 25, 2021. If you are interested in participating in the xTechRCCTO AStRA competition and want to learn more about the topics, please visit the Army xTech website at www.xtechsearch.army.mil  for further details and share with your colleagues.