DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Army would like to invite interested entities to participate in the xTech Small Business Innovation Research Autonomy competition, an opportunity for eligible small businesses to engage and pitch their novel technology solutions directly to the Department of Defense, earn prize money and potentially receive a Phase I SBIR award of up to $250,000 each.

The Army recognizes that the DoD must enhance engagements with eligible small businesses, by: (1) understanding the spectrum of ‘world-class’ technologies being developed commercially that may benefit the DoD in the autonomy space; (2) integrating the sector of non-traditional innovators into the DoD Science and Technology (S&T) ecosystem; and (3) providing expertise and feedback to accelerate, mature, and transition technologies of interest to the DoD.

The xTechSBIR Autonomy competition will consist of four-rounds:

• Call for concept white papers;
• Final Technology Pitch event;
• Request for Phase I SBIR Proposal Submission; and
• Request for Phase II SBIR Demonstration

The competition will be awarding up to $500,000 in cash prizes to select eligible entities throughout the competition. Up to 20 winners will be selected from the technology pitch event round and will be invited to submit an application for a potential Phase I SBIR Proposal worth up to $250,000. Up to 20 companies will be selected to receive a Phase I SBIR award and then will be invited back six months after the award to conduct a live demonstration to a key panel of DoD experts. Details on the prize structure and phases, are listed in this announcement below.

In addition to non-dilutive cash prizes, participants will have the opportunity to engage with U.S. DoD, and winners from the Part 1: Concept White Paper round will be invited to conduct an in-person pitch at the Robotics Research Collaboration Campus at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) Grace’s Quarters facility in Maryland.

The efforts described in this notice are being pursued under the authorities of 10 U.S.C. § 4025 (formerly 2374a, Prizes for Advanced Technology Achievements) to award cash prizes as described in this announcement and potential SBIR contracts (15 U.S. Code §638) to only those eligible and selected entities as described in this announcement. In addition, 10 U.S.C. § 4003 (Prototype Projects) can be utilized to award additional follow-on contracts for additional proof-of-concept or prototype development. While the authority of this program is 10 U.S.C. § 4025, the xTechSBIR Autonomy competition may generate interest by another U.S. Army, DoD, or USG organization for a funding opportunity outside of this event. The interested organization may contact the participant to provide additional information which may or may not result in partnership opportunities.

Finalists of the prize competition may be invited to submit a proposal for further development of their proposed technology innovation based on the Army’s needs. The Army may use a contract mechanism of their choice and will notify the participants accordingly. The efforts described in this Notice are being pursued under the authorities of 10 USC 2374a.

All xTechSBIR Autonomy competition submissions are treated as privileged information and contents are disclosed to Government employees or designated support contractors only for the purpose of evaluation and program support.

SCHEDULE AND PRIZES

PHASE 1: Part 1: Concept White Paper Submission

May 25, 2023 - Jun 29, 2023

Up to 40 Winners

$5K/each

PHASE 2: Part 2: Final Technology Pitches

Sep 25, 2023 - Sep 29, 2023

Up to 20 Winners

$15K/each

PHASE 3: Request for Phase I SBIR Proposal

Oct 17, 2023 - Oct 31, 2023

Up to 20 Winners

$250K/each

PHASE 4: Phase II SBIR Proposal Demos

Apr 1, 2024 - May 31, 2024

Up to 4 Winners

$1.9M/each

ELIGIBILITY

Small independent, U.S. businesses. Restrictions exist about (1) the type of firm, (2) its ownership structure, and (3) the firm’s size in terms of the number of employees, as follows:

1. Type of Firm: an eligible firm must be organized as a for‐profit concern and meet all the other requirements for a “business concern” in 13 C.F.R. § 3 121.105. Non‐profit entities are not eligible.
2. Ownership and Control: A majority (more than 50%) of an eligible firms’ equity (e.g., stock) must be directly owned and controlled by one of the following:
   1. One or more individuals who are citizens or permanent resident aliens of the US.
   2. Other for‐profit small business concerns (each of which is directly owned and controlled by individuals who are citizens or permanent resident aliens of the US).
   3. A combination of (a) and (b) above.

Note: If an Employee Stock Ownership Plan owns all or part of the concern, each stock trustee and plan member is considered an owner.  If a trust owns all or part of the concern, each trustee and trust beneficiary is considered an owner.

3. Size: An eligible firm, together with the affiliates, must not have more than 500 employees.