Thunderstorm 24-3: Robotic Partners & Human-Machine Interfaces

A. INTRODUCTION The purpose of this request for information (RFI) is to identify technologies from private industry, Government Research and Development (R&D) organizations, and academia for inclusion in Thunderstorm 24-3. Thunderstorm 24-3 is an invitation-only field technology showcase taking place in an operationally relevant environment, with a collaborative atmosphere in which Government-end users discover innovative technologies through hands-on engagement. The Department of Defense (DoD) and U.S. interagency partners use Thunderstorm to discover new technologies, enhance collaboration, and provide developers with immediate feedback to accelerate maturation of innovative capabilities. Thunderstorm 24-3 focuses on innovative solutions for robotic partners and human-machine interfaces (HMI). Robotics and HMI solutions are critical in DoD operations because they enhance warfighter capabilities in challenging environments and across multiple mission spaces. Robotics solutions

potentially mitigate risks to humans, while HMI capabilities enable warfighters to integrate autonomous or semi-autonomous technologies to increase mission effectiveness while reducing operator workload. Applicable across all domains, robotics and HMI technologies provide a technological advantage in unpredictable operational conditions. The Innovation & Modernization (I&M) office within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD (R&E)) sponsors and coordinates the Thunderstorm series of events with stakeholders from across the DoD. Thunderstorm 24-3 is conducted in close cooperation with the U.S. Army to advance their Human-Machine Integrated Formations (HMIF) initiative, as well as with the Special Operations Command and the U.S. Air Force. Thunderstorm 24-3 will take place 16-20 September 2024, Near College Station, Texas. Interested parties are welcome to submit their application(s) addressing their proposed technologies for Thunderstorm 24-3 by following the instructions and guidance provided in the following sections. The application deadline is 5:00 PM EST on 15 May 2024. This RFI is NOT a solicitation for procurement or other acquisition proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for the information solicited. B. BACKGROUND The I&M Innovation Discovery program coordinates the Thunderstorm series with the goal of fostering engagement between Government stakeholders and technology developers. Thunderstorm provides opportunities for developers to showcase their solutions in an operationally realistic environment in order for the Government attendees to discover potential new capabilities. The technology discovery environment facilitates opportunities for end-user observations and feedback to be interjected early in the prototyping process, with the goal of informing and accelerating delivery of future capabilities needed by the DoD and U.S. interagency partners. Participation and attendance at Thunderstorm 24-3 is by invitation only. Thunderstorm 24-3 will take place at the Unclassified level. There will be attendance from subject matter experts and decision makers across the DoD to observe the technologies at this joint venue. Participating in Innovation Discovery events like Thunderstorm may lead to follow-on collaboration, support for further development, experimentation opportunities, and/or fielding of mature robotic and HMI capabilities. Industry, academia, and Government R&D organizations are encouraged to submit applications addressing their innovative technologies for consideration to participate at Thunderstorm 24-3. C. DESCRIPTION Thunderstorm 24-3 is planned for 16-20 September 2024 near College Station, Texas. The event structure provides technology developers an opportunity to showcase their prototypes’ performance in a realistic operational environment. This showcase will focus on discovering emerging robotic partners and HMI technologies to augment critical functions and reduce operator cognitive load, as well as resilient approaches for navigation, command, and control of robotic platforms. Intelligent robotic operations leverage autonomy to inform mission activities, adjust execution to optimize performance, and enable mission success through collaborative actions. Discovering and implementing next-generation capabilities, in which one human controls multiple machines, enhances warfighter execution of complex mission activities in challenging environments. Technology developers are encouraged to submit their prototype solution if, upon maturation, it will meet one or more of the listed capabilities: Intelligent Robotic Operations: Robotic platforms should be adaptable to modular payloads and various missions while performing critical operations in adverse environments. HMI solutions will empower DoD operators with either informed AI/ML inputs or robotic partners to successfully execute autonomous/semi-autonomous activities. Support from AI/ML should reduce the cognitive burden on the human operator, such as autonomously distributing taskings and orders to robotic platforms. Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR): Systems should be able to handle modular payloads and/or enable multi-modal sensor suites with onboard processing and fusion capability to detect, identify, and generate early-warning alerts. Robotic platforms capable of traversing an unknown area with varying environments (e.g., air, ground, confined space) to enable real-time surface or subterranean 3D mapping and automated change detection. Self-reliant robotic platforms that can be left unattended to work in various environments (e.g., air, ground, subsurface) and provide persistent operations with low probability of detection/low probability of interception (e.g., emplacing sensors). Operator-borne and/or operator-launched robotic partners (e.g., nano-UAS) to inform personnel response to relevant changes in their immediate surroundings. HMI solutions that enable the human to understand and respond to complex situations, including automated tasking of robotic partners and/or develop courses of action to reduce decision timelines by personnel. Hazardous Environment Operations: Autonomous robotic/remote solutions to collect data and enact key functions (e.g., monitoring, screening, and obscuring areas of interest) in challenging situations (e.g. breaching, hazardous material operations). Ruggedized robotic systems to operate in challenging environments including extreme heat/cold, diverse terrains, precipitation, high winds, confined space, contaminated areas, and while traversing heavy debris. Attritable robotic solutions, suitable for scalability and modularity, with an emphasis on low-cost production over individual system survivability. Operator-load reduction robotic platforms that use self-navigation or following capabilities under battlefield conditions (e.g., varied terrain and environmental conditions). HMI capabilities that enable a human operator to maintain awareness and control of assigned robotic platforms, while maintaining awareness of their immediate physical surroundings. Robotic platform and HMI capabilities should be developed with sufficient resilience to meet expected environmental, electromagnetic spectrum, and cyber security interference, while still meeting mission objectives. Resupply & Logistics Support: Autonomous or semi-autonomous robotics to complement or replace warfighter logistic capabilities (e.g., pallet building, cargo loading/unloading, and refueling). AI-enabled robotic and HMI systems to autonomously or semi-autonomously emplace and retrieve assets from confined areas (e.g., CONEX within a shipping yard) and deliver to point of need. Resilient Navigation & Command and Control (C2): Innovative solutions for directing and maintaining control of one or more robotic systems, especially where traditional infrastructure is unavailable or compromised. Leverage Signals of Opportunity (e.g., TV, radio, or cellular networks) to reduce the probability of detection. Small, cost-effective, low-powered celestial navigation solutions that can fit on unmanned vehicles to enable semi-autonomous/autonomous navigation. Assist vehicle/robot partner operation and navigation with on-board or off-board sensors and computer vision that reduces cognitive load of the operator. HMI solutions for tracking multiple friendly assets on a Common Pane of Glass and ability to autonomous command individual and multiple unmanned systems to perform coordinated activities. Maintain communications and tracking in subterranean or signal degraded environments. Resilient C2 capabilities to ensure consistent and trusted robotic operations. Options for Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) C2 of multiple robotic platforms and their respective sensor payloads. Technologies beyond the scope of the primary topic areas described above will be considered on a case-by-case basis and potentially admitted based on strength of application and relevance to the mission area. Technologies brought to the event should be at a technology readiness level (TRL) of 4 or greater (https://api.army.mil/e2/c/downloads/404585.pdf) although lower TRL capability will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Under the direction of the I&M Office, the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) will lead Thunderstorm 24-3, with support and participation from the Applied Research Laboratory at Pennsylvania State University (APL/PSU). These organizations may also support the Government in the review of technology submissions (See Section H: Special Notice). After reviewing developer applications, the Government may contact candidates to invite them to Thunderstorm 24-3 or request additional details of their prototype technology to support the selection process. The Government may contact technology developers to participate in additional discussions or events with the Government beyond Thunderstorm 24-3 to support future development and DoD acquisition activities. Industry participation in Thunderstorm 24-3, and communications with the Government or its contractors associated with Thunderstorm, does not suggest or imply that the Government will endorse, procure, or purchase selected technology solutions. D. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS Submit showcase applications to the Thunderstorm program electronically. Please use the application provided in Appendix I or email thunderstorm@gtri.gatech.edu to request an application template or if you have any questions. Thunderstorm technology applications must be submitted No Later Than 5:00 PM EST on 15 May, 2024. All applications must be submitted via email to thunderstorm@gtri.gatech.edu and include the following information: Subject: Thunderstorm 24-3 Application Company name/business division/address/website Capability name Primary POC: name, email & phone number Applications shall be clearly marked with RFI number: I&M-24-3-RFI-01. You will receive an email within two business days verifying your application was received. Any application not meeting the criteria outlined above will not be considered. The application submitted under this RFI shall be limited to five pages. The first page must be a Stand-Alone Executive Summary and include a photo or diagram of the technology. Four additional pages are allowed for pertinent information. The application shall be formatted to print as typewritten on single-sided paper with one-inch margins on all sides and 1.5-spaced text. 12-point font or larger with normal (uncondensed) spacing. All applications shall be submitted MS Word file format. The first page must be an executive summary and as such stand alone for distribution to stakeholders. Each application must address only one technology solution; multiple applications addressing multiple systems may be submitted. If selected, technology developers must provide the capability for showcasing their technology. This includes delivery of their prototype to the venue showcase and personnel for installation and integration into the overall event. The technology developer operates the system during the event and uninstalls the system upon completion. GTRI and ARL/PSU staff plans, coordinates, and assists with the associated logistics of the technology showcase, and provides limited assistance for the installation and integration efforts based on available resources. The team will not assist with engineering changes to the showcased technology or system. The Thunderstorm team will provide venues, supporting infrastructure and operational and technical personnel, based on availability of resources. Costs specific to running the technology developer’s equipment, as well as the technology developer’s travel costs will be at the technology developer’s expense. Invited technology developers must be prepared to be self-sufficient during the execution of their showcase and not dependent on venue resources. If you have questions regarding the submittal, please contact: thunderstorm@gtri.gatech.edu. DO NOT SUBMIT CLASSIFIED INFORMATION in the application. Thunderstorm 24-3 will be held at the Unclassified level. Capabilities may contain Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and may be subject to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or Export Administration Regulations (EAR) restrictions. It is incumbent on the participants to ensure that these restrictions are outlined in their application and adhered to during the event. DO NOT SUBMIT ACQUISITION PROPOSALS. Submit applications and white papers only. No contracts will be awarded based solely on this announcement. Submission of an application does not guarantee an invitation to participate in Thunderstorm 24-3 or any other DoD event. E. BASIS FOR SELECTION TO PARTICIPATE Submissions will be reviewed by Innovation & Modernization and appropriate supporting Government organizations and support contractors. Innovation & Modernization will determine whether a submission will be accepted for invitation to the field technology showcase. Selection of respondents to participate shall be based on the extent to which the technology represents a particular class or level of capability that can be provided to interested DoD organizations and/or interagency partners. Other considerations include: Relevance to event focus area Completeness of application and supporting information Technical maturity Relevance of or adaptability to DoD or interagency partner operations/missions Relevance to current or future operational needs F. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Technology developers shall ensure that all proprietary information, documentation, and equipment are appropriately and clearly marked. Be advised that lessons learned from these showcases may be broadly disseminated through official channels within the Federal government and partner Government agencies associated with the Thunderstorm program. If selected for participation, technology developers may be requested to provide additional information that will be used in preparation for the event. G. USE OF INFORMATION The purpose of this notice is to gain information for potential use at Thunderstorm 24-3 and/or future collaboration for development of technology capabilities. All proprietary information contained in the response shall be clearly marked. Any proprietary information contained in response to this request will be properly protected from any unauthorized disclosure. The Government will not use proprietary information submitted from any one firm to establish future capability requirements. Participants shall agree to confer and consult with the Thunderstorm team prior to the publication of any press release directly or indirectly related to Thunderstorm. The Thunderstorm team shall confer and consult with any participants prior to the publication of any press release that directly includes a written or visual reference to the name of their organization, employees, or technology. Participants will not use the name, logo, or images of any U.S. Government organization, employee, or contractor without prior approval from the relevant organization. H. SPECIAL NOTICE University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), and/or contractor consultant/advisors to the Government will review and provide support during evaluation of submittals. When appropriate, non-government advisors may be used to objectively review a particular functional area and provide comments and recommendations to the government. All advisors shall comply with procurement integrity laws and shall sign non-disclosure and rules of conduct/conflict of interest statements. The Government shall take into consideration requirements for avoiding conflicts of interest and ensure advisors comply with safeguarding proprietary data. Submission in response to this RFI constitutes approval to release the submittal to government support contractors. I. FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) 52.215-3 Per FAR 52.215-3 Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997): 1. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI notice or to otherwise pay for the information. 2. Although "proposal" and "technology developer" are used in this RFI, your responses will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. 3. In accordance with FAR Clause 15.209(c), the purpose of this RFI is to solicit technology candidates from R&D organizations, private industry and academia for inclusion in future Thunderstorm technology discovery events sponsored by OUSD(R&E) Innovation and Modernization.