Army Network Cross Functional Team Technical Industry Forum

Synopsis:Announcement.The U.S. Army Network-Cross Functional Team, with Program Executive Office C3T, will host a tactical network related forum to discuss needs for distributed computing (mission command) solutions, including the potential to deliver Cloud services to tactical formations. This Technical Industry Forum will take place from August 1-2, 2018 in Raleigh, North Carolina at the Marriott Raleigh City Center. All persons who wish to attend this forum must register no later than 5:00p.m. (EST) July 20, 2018. Registration is available at this link:https://armytacticalcloudindustryday.eventbrite.comThe goal of the event is to assist industry partners and interested government organizations in identifying and aligning their efforts with Army tactical network modernization priorities. This event is meant for a technical audience to include Cloud service providers, systems and

software engineers, architecture experts, data analytical experts and integrators. The Army encourages non-defense IT companies to participate in this two day forum, as these companies may have innovative solutions to enable: data analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, block chain, multi-level security, identity and access management and storage and delivery across Army tactical formations operating in a disconnected, intermitted and limited bandwidth (DIL) environment.The first day will provide an introduction to Army hierarchy and decision making structures in order to enable technical audience members to understand the physical and network environments in which the Army operates. Technical panels will then discuss Army network implementation, management, and constraints in four distributed computing (mission command) related areas: 1. Data Logistics; 2. Infrastructure; 3. Enterprise Service Architecture; 4. Mission Partner Environment.The second day will offer an opportunity for conversation and technical exchange between audience members and Army network technical experts and user community representatives. This day will reseat panel members who will be prepared for conversation exchange on each topic area addressed on day one. This will enable vendors, in an open session, to ask questions for clarification, operational understanding (uniformed operators will be present) and technical understanding. Each topical session will have a moderated panel and will field questions from attendees regarding that topic. At the end of the event, for those interested, the Army will host a ‘doing business with the Army' session for those vendors who would like to understand how to respond to Army solicitations, work with Small Business Offices and explore types of Army contracts that might be employed to seek capability. This session is optional. This information is intended to help scope follow-on white papers and demonstrations resulting from this technical forum.Problem Statement:The U.S. Army seeks to leverage Cloud capabilities within the tactical ecosystem. This tactical compute Cloud will be constrained by a variety of factors that fall into the following categories: Data Logistics, Infrastructure, Enterprise Service Architecture, and Mission Partner Environment. Each of these areas is affected by the operational environment including contested and congested environments, low bandwidth, spectrum denied, and many other factors that preclude traditional cloud solutions. The US Army is seeking capability ideas in the above categories that will meet the needs of the operating force.DRAFT AGENDA: Dress code for both days: Military: Duty Uniform; Civilian: business casualDAY 10700-0800: Registration/Breakfast0800-0810: Opening remarks0810-0830: Remarks MG Pete Gallagher                                Director, Network CFT0830-0850: Remarks MG Dave Bassett                                PEO C3T0850-0950: "Army 101": Operational Structure Mr. Erik Hanson                                                                     Mr. John BenderDescription: Overview of the Army's structure, units, and operating methods.0950-1005: Break1005-1100: "Army 201": The Network Mr. Erik HansonDescription: Overview of the Army's networks and how they relate to the Operational Structure, challenges relating to the network, and what cloud related problems we are asking industry to solve.1100-1130: UPDATE: Mission Command Software Development Kit Mr. Krupal Kapadia, Chief Engineer, product manager Tactical Mission Command1130-1230: LUNCH1230-1330: Topic 1 Panel: Data LogisticsDescription: Soldiers & Sensors generate mass quantities of data that must be aggregated for analysis at higher echelons; the outcome of which must be transferred as actionable intelligence to the edge of the battlefield.1330-1430: Topic 2 Panel: InfrastructureDescription: Army Units are not aligned on a single baseline - often requiring units to integrate legacy technology into advantaged environments. Disparity between hardware types and bandwidth at various echelons increases the difficulty of moving data around.1430-1445: Break1445-1545: Topic 3: Enterprise Service ArchitectureDescription: Army wants a service architecture that mimics commercial DevOps including marketplace, cloud service, and edge applications for Warfighting Functions. As well as leveraging machine learning & artificial intelligence at lowest possible echelon within infrastructure constraints to maximize operational effects.1545-1645: Topic 4: Mission Partner EnvironmentDescription: Every Combatant Command (Joint Headquarters) establishes a unique MPE for each mission/partner group. Army Units are expected to operate within these environments sometimes while operating multiple security enclaves. Tactical Edge must interoperate with partner units on ground, sharing only releasable data as defined by Combatant Command (SECREL/SBU/FVEY)1645-1700: Closing Remarks1800: No Host SocialDAY 20800-0900: Breakfast0900-0910: Welcome & Admin Remarks0910-1000: Discussion/Q&A: Data Logistics1000-1050: Discussion/Q&A: Infrastructure1050-1105: Break1110-1200: Discussion/Q&A: Enterprise Service Architecture1220-1300: Lunch1300-1350: Discussion/Q&A: Mission Partner Environment1350-1420: "Expectations: What we need from Industry"1430-1530: OPTIONAL SESSION: "Doing Business with the Government"Andrea Armstrong, Director of the Office of Small Business Programs Aberdeen Proving Ground will be in attendance for the "doing business with the Government" segment. As well as Mathew Connolly, Army Contracting Command, Branch Chief, Division B.NOTE: You must preregister for this session as part of your registration submission at this website: https://armytacticalcloudindustryday.eventbrite.com INDUSTRY TECHNICAL EXCHANGE FORUM BACKGROUND and REGISTRATION INFORMATIONThe Network Cross Functional Team with Army partners will host regularly scheduled industry forums as a means of exploring the art of the possible to meet Army network needs. The intent of the sessions will be to enhance our Government-and-industry communication and enable industry to respond quicker to critical emerging requirements with innovative technology solutions and partnerships. Questions will be permitted during the forum, however, questions in regards to any portfolio system in current source selection will not be allowed. The Army will make every effort to ensure questions answered during the forum will be noted and posted to the Fedbizopps.gov (FBO) government website so all interested parties can view them after the event. Informational slides will be posted to this FBO site two weeks prior to the technical forum.Offerors will be welcome to submit whitepapers up to 5 pages in length following the industry day addressing potential industry solutions to gaps discussed in the forum up to eight weeks after the event. Instructions for submission of the white papers will be provided during the Industry Forum and posted to this website. These white papers are intended for informational purposes only and this notice shall not be considered as an Invitation for Bid, Request for Quotation, Request for Proposal or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. The response to the Technical Industry Forum will be treated as information only. Responses may be used to develop Government documentation and may result in a follow on opportunity for demonstration of capability. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of industry submission of responses to this announcement or the Government use of such information.Registration INFORMATION:Registration and registration fee must be processed through this website (this applies to all industry and government attendees):https://armytacticalcloudindustryday.eventbrite.comBase registration fee is $62.00. NO REFUNDS!!!Registration fee covers: catered breakfast and lunch for both August 1 and August 2.Rates are within federal per diem.Hotel Rooms: A special block of hotel rooms at the Marriott Raleigh City Center has been reserved for this event. All rooms MUST be booked by July 21, 2018.REGULAR GROUP RATE ($169 for industry): https://www.marriott.com/meeting-event-hotels/group-corporate-travel/groupCorp.mi?resLinkData=U.%20S.%20Army%20Tactical%20Cloud%20Industry%20Day%20%5Erdumc%60USTUSTA%60169.00%60USD%60false%604%607/31/18%608/2/18%607/17/18&app=resvlink&stop_mobi=yesGOVERNMENT PER DIEM ($115): https://www.marriott.com/meeting-event-hotels/group-corporate-travel/groupCorp.mi?resLinkData=U.S.%20Army%20Exchange%20Government%20Event%20%5Erdumc%60ATEATEA%60115.00%60USD%60false%604%607/31/18%608/2/18%607/17/18&app=resvlink&stop_mobi=yes%20%3EIf you call to book a room, our block is reserved under "U.S. Army Tactical Cloud Industry Day"Once registration is complete, a confirmation email will be sent. Please bring this confirmation email with you at time of registration. Photo ID is required for entry into the event. You must complete the registration process no later than 5:00 p.m. July 20, 2018. In order to obtain maximum participation from industry, vendors are limited to 7 personnel per company or major subsidiary. It is not required to have participated in a previous Industry Day/Forum or be a current PEO C3T or Army vendor in order to register for this Forum.FINAL NOTEThe US Army will make every effort to hold the TACTICAL NETWORK DISTRIBUTED MISSION COMMAND/CLOUD INDUSTRY FORUM at the times, dates and locations specified. The US Army holds the right to cancel and/or change session event times, dates and locations under certain conditions. These conditions usually include, but are not limited to: inclement weather, event venue cancellation or rescheduling, speaker cancellation or rescheduling, and insufficient number of participants for the event. The US Army holds the right to cancel the event for any reason up to and including the day of the event. In the event that the US Army must cancel the event, the US Army will not be responsible for costs incurred in preparation for either the Industry Forum or the Vendor Feedback Sessions. In the event of predicted inclement weather, a decision will be made by 5pm on the prior day. If the event is cancelled, the notice will be posted on this website and an email will be sent to all registered participants.