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 the Cross-Domain Solution (CDS).
Problem Statement: Within the digital framework, Fire Supporters End-User Device (EUD) operates on the “Fires Net,” which is classified Secret. The Maneuver, which the Fire Supporter is supporting and co-located with, also has an EUD, but theirs are Secure But Unclassified (SBU). Due to the different classification levels, a CDS is required. Currently, due to SWaP limitations, there are limited CDSs echelons above the forward-located Maneuver and Fire Support assets. Digital information must travel from an Infantry Soldier, up the Maneuver digital chain until it reaches a CDS, then back down the Fires digital chain until it gets to the Forward Observer. This process results in stale information and requires additional time to clear and process digital Fires.
The challenge competition consists of four (4) phases that participants can progress through, which include the following:
- 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 and 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 p.m. EST on 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.