DEMONSTRATION/DISCUSSIONS
MINIATURE AIMING SYSTEM - NIGHT SHORT (MAS-N) PROGRAM
OTHER TRANSACTION AUTHORITY (OTA) AGREEMENT
FOR A PROTOTYPE PROJECT
1. OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION: The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), Directorate of Procurement, on behalf of USSOCOM Program Executive Office-SOF Warrior-Lethality, is considering the award of an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) Agreement for a Prototype Project for the Miniature Aiming System-Night Short Squad (MAS-N) program. This effort will provide Special Operations Forces (SOF) a compact, lightweight thermal clip-on sight that allows the operator to detect threats and engage targets at the effective range in all SOF environments.
2. BACKGROUND/REQUIREMENTS: SOCOM intends to carry out this prototype project under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 4022[1]. This prototype project initiative will require demonstration of a prototype system evaluated against well-defined criteria for a MAS-N program. Prospective performers must satisfy one of the conditions at 10 U.S.C. 4022(d)(1) to be eligible for an OTA agreement for a prototype project. In accordance with 10 U.S.C. 4022(f), the OTA Agreement will include a provision for a potential follow-on production contract, to be awarded without additional competition. Basic eligibility to receive a follow-on production contract will require the successful completion of the prototype project. A successful prototype project does not obligate the Government to issue a follow on production contract. The follow-on production effort is expected to be: (1) an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract under the authorities set forth in Part V of Subtitle A of Title 10, U.S.C., and 48 C.F.R. Chapters 1 and 2; or (2) a similarly structured OTA agreement under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 4022(a). Regardless, either form of contract/transaction shall have a 5-year ordering/sustainment period. The Government estimates an acquisition of up to 10,000 units with associated sustainment support over the life of the acquisition.
3. The USSOCOM MAS-N S Other Transaction (OT) for Prototype effort will consist of five phases. Advancing from one phase to the next will require the demonstration of a prototype system evaluated against well-defined criteria to determine whether the prototype project meets the requirements of the Government. The Government may down-select at the end of any phases.
a. Phase 1 - Request for White Papers and Demonstration Day: This phase has two components: (1) Submission of white papers, outlining in detail the potential performer's proposed solution, including (i) technical approach, (ii) technical maturity, (iii) schedule for prototype completion, and (iv) risk associated with the proposed solution with respect to cost, schedule, and performance; and (2) mandatory Demonstration Day attendance (date, time, and location provided below). Participation at the Demonstration Day, during which potential performers will be provided one-on-one sessions with the Government evaluation team to discuss their proposed solutions, whether in person or virtual, is required to advance to Phase 2. USSOCOM can host up to 2 representatives in-person from each vendor. Additional team members are welcome to attend virtually. Respondents who wish to attend exclusively virtually will need to e-mail the below POCs for call in information. DO NOT CONTACT SOFWERX DIRECTLY. Participation will be at no cost or obligation to the Government. Demonstrations will be evaluated for technical feasibility and risk. If the USSOCOM evaluation team favorably evaluates an offeror during this phase, they will be issued a Request for Prototype Proposal in Phase 2.
The event was held 23 through 24 May 2022 in the SOFWERXS Facility at
1925 E 2nd Ave, Suite 102
Tampa, FL 33605
*Vendors seeing this announcement for the first time will need to respond to this posting to receive the Objective Statement and will have until 1200 hrs. on Friday, 3 June 2022 to submit a white paper and arrange to brief their prototype to the evaluation team .
Interested vendors who have already submitted white papers will have until 1200 hrs. on Friday, 3 June 2022 to revise and re-submit their papers if they so choose.
b. Phase 2 - Request for Prototype Proposal (RFPP). RFPPs will be evaluated on how they address the required Performance Characteristics, schedule and cost. If the USSOCOM evaluation team favorably evaluates a performer during this phase, the performer may be awarded an OTA to deliver 7 prototypes.
c. Phase 3 - Assessment Once prototypes are developed and delivered, the prototypes will be subject to an assessment to ensure they have met the performance characteristics and be subject to a Limited Safety Release. Any prototype not passing the assessment or release will not be considered for a potential follow-on production contract or transaction.
d. Phase 4 - Military Utility Assessment (MUA): All remaining prototypes will undergo an MUA by the Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC, Crane) and qualified Special Operations small arms experts. The test plan will be made available to the performers. A Prototype(s) assessed at the MUA as Highly Desirable will proceed to Phase 5.
e. Phase 5 - Developmental and Operational Testing (DT/OT):
Developmental Testing The purpose of DT&E is to provide the Program Manager and decision-makers with information to measure a project's progress, identify problems, examine how a system is going to satisfy key requirements, and manage and reduce risk.
Operational Testing & Evaluation- OT&E is a fielded test, under realistic combat conditions, of any item or component of a weapons system, equipment, or munitions for the purposes of determining its operational effectiveness and operational suitability for combat.
4. Prototypes will be evaluated for successful completion in Phases 3 5, described above. For a successful completion determination, a prototype must meet all Performance Characteristics and pass DT/OT. A successful prototype designation does not mean a follow-on production contract is assured.
[1] Chapter 137 of this title, referred to in subsec. (f)(5) of 10 U.S.C. 4022, was repealed by Pub. L. 116 283, div. A, title XVIII, 1881(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4293, effective Jan. 1, 2022, in conjunction with the transfer and reorganization of acquisition provisions in this title by Pub. L. 116 283, div. A, title XVIII, Jan. 1, 2022, 134 Stat. 4149.
