DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Army would like to invite interested entities to participate in the xTech Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Pacific competition, a forum for eligible small businesses in the U.S. Pacific region to engage with the Army, earn prize money, participate in the accelerator program, and submit for a Phase I SBIR or Direct to Phase II award. xTechSBIR Pacific offers an opportunity for eligible participants to pitch novel technology solutions directly to the Army addressing tyranny of distance challenges faced by the U.S. Pacific region.

The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM)-Pacific, U.S. Army Pacific (USAPAC), and Hawaii Technology Development Corporation (HTDC) in partnership with the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology) (ASA(ALT)), recognizes that the Army must enhance engagements with eligible small businesses by: (1) understanding the spectrum of ‘world-class’ technologies being developed commercially that may benefit the Army; (2) integrating the sector of commercial innovators into the Army’s Science and Technology (S&T) ecosystem; and (3) providing mentorship and expertise to accelerate, mature, and transition technologies of interest to the Army.

The xTechSBIR Pacific competition will consist of three-rounds: (1) Call for concept white papers (2) Virtual Technology Pitch event and (3) Final Pitch event, awarding up to $800,000 in cash prizes to select eligible entities throughout the competition. Ultimately, up to 20 finalists will be selected from the virtual technology pitch event and will receive a cash prize of $20,000 each and an invitation to demonstrate their innovative technology solutions to Army challenges during the final pitch event. Up to 10 participants will be selected as the final winners of the competition upon conclusion of the finals pitch event and will receive an additional cash prize of $25,000 each and the opportunity to submit for a Phase I SBIR award of up to $250,000 each or a Direct to Phase II worth up to $1.9M each. Details on the prize structure are listed in this announcement. In addition to non-dilutive cash prizes, participants will have the opportunity to engage with Army partners through information sharing and networking opportunities. Finalists will be entered into the xTech Accelerator to receive intensive mentorship and access to networking events to help grow their companies for Army and commercial users.

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) and 15 U.S.C. § 638 and 10 U.S.C. § 4003 (Prototype Projects) to award cash prizes and SBIR awards to only those eligible entities as described in this announcement. While the authority of this program is 10 U.S.C. § 4025, the xTechSBIR Pacific 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.

Topics and Problem Statements

It has been noted that when it comes to conflict, America is often the “away team.” The U.S. is often fighting wars in areas thousands of miles from U.S. shores. This fact creates a “tyranny of distance,” meaning that, distance lessens military strength and increases the cost of conflicts. The impact of long distances can affect overall strategy, tactics, and logistics. Even with unrivaled capabilities, the ability to collect and understand intelligence can decay over distance. The supply chain is also heavily impacted, as distance increases, the time to provide supplies increases, supply routes can be contested, and even when supplies arrive safely, upkeep and maintenance are still a concern. These are just a few of the ways that distance impacts the effectiveness of our military overseas.

The U.S. Army is interested in enabling technologies that could help overcome the “tyranny of distance”. Examples of technologies that address this issue include but are not limited to the following domains:

• Logistics/Supply Chain: To ensure rapid resupply of material and aid.
• Sustainment and Climate: To limit the need for resupply across geographically dispersed troops.
• Communications: To ensure secured communication in degraded environments over extraordinary distances.
• Internet of Things (IoT)/Sensing: To increase force control and introduce autonomous capabilities in Theater.
• Information Advantage: To increase real-time situational awareness through information operations and a commons intelligence picture.

These examples have been identified by U.S. Army experts as being challenge areas of interest, but submissions are not limited to the list of provided domains.

SCHEDULE AND PRIZES

PHASE 1: Concept White Paper

Mar 9, 2023 - Apr 20, 2023

Up to 50 Semifinalists

$5K/each

PHASE 2: Technology Pitches

Jul 10, 2023 - Jul 21, 2023

Up to 20 Finalists

$15K/each

PHASE 3: Finals

Sep 11, 2023 - Sep 15, 2023

Up to 10 Winners

$25K/each

PHASE 4: Request for Phase I or Direct to Phase II SBIR Proposal

Sep 12, 2023 - Sep 26, 2023

Up to 10 Winners

$250K/each or $1.9M/each

ELIGIBILITY

The xTechSBIR Pacific competition is voluntary and open to U.S.-based sole proprietors and small businesses within Alaska, Hawaii or Washington.

The U.S.-based entities allowed to participate in this competition include:

• Sole proprietors (someone who owns an unincorporated business by themselves);
• Small businesses in accordance with Small Business Administration guidance under 13 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 121.201; or
• Any entity willing and able to be registered as a small business, meeting the requirements of 13 CFR §121.201, if selected to participate in this competition.

Each eligible entity:

• Shall be incorporated in, and maintain, a primary place of business in Alaska, Hawaii, or Washington;
• Must be less than 500 employees and at least 50% owned or operated by U.S. citizens or permanent residents;
• May not be a federal entity or employ a federal employee acting within the scope of their employment; and
• Is required to register in System for Award Management (SAM) and have or obtain an active CAGE code and DUNS number. Instructions on how to obtain a CAGE code can be found on the registration page.