Request to Attend NLT 24 June 2026 11:59 PM ET
U.S. Persons Only

Background/Synopsis
To meet the changing character of war, USSOCOM establishes a proving ground that will enable the integration, testing, and employment of all-domain unmanned systems. In the US Drone Dominance Memo, USSOCOM was specifically called upon to path find and shepherd the development of technologies that will not only ensure US military advantage but also confirm our allies and partners are able to learn together. NSSC and the surrounding region offer the physical environment to test operational concepts from seabed to low earth orbit. We need to shape the EMS and Digital Environments needed to develop these Joint Concepts.

Objective
Intent is to establish the proving ground at NSSC, MS by improving existing facilities and range space, tying together nearby ranges and experimentation facilities, and integrating industry and academia into a modern UxS laboratory. Key to success is the establishment of by-domain labs, technical integration facility, range development, IT infrastructure for either modeling on prem or rapidly move data to Live Virtual Constructed High Performance Computing Environments, and identify a proof of concept for teaching Network-UxS integration at a school house. The objective is a multi-phase process consisting of the logical steps necessary to enhance available facilities and terrain at NSSC from current state to a full operational capability (FOC). Current state includes a large, shared facility in need of repair with minimal manning to enable SOF units to utilize the range space. Initial operational capability (IOC) may include facilities renovations and additions, establishment of laboratory and classified spaces, improved maritime range access, increased range capabilities across permissions, multi-domain connectivity/ access and capabilities such as electromagnetic warfare systems and sensors, and implementation of initial policies and processes necessary to execute the IOC vision. FOC expands upon IOC to add necessary manning, training courses and classroom instruction (to be determined).

Why You Should Participate
USSOCOM seeks to enter into non-FAR or FAR-based agreements with Industry, Academic, and National Lab partners whose solutions are favorably evaluated by Joint Acquisition Task Force (JATF) Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). As such, the follow-on Assessment Event (AE) is considered competitive and solutions will be evaluated independently of one another primarily for technical merit. This serves dually as notification of the intent to research the feasibility of an agreement under 10 U.S. Code, Section 4022 and/or Section 4022(f), and as notice of pre-solicitation activities IAW FAR 5.204.

Event Timeline

Phase 1 - 15 July 2026 Collaboration Event (CE): SOFWERX will host a Collaboration Event (CE) with Industry, Academic, and Laboratory partners focused on Autonomous Warfare Proving Ground needs. During this event, Warfighters will interact with potential solution offerors and further communicate operational needs and desirements. Participation in this event is not mandatory, however, it is designed to provide insights to ensure potential offerors understand the problem set(s) fully and to increase the likelihood of matching their technologies with Warfighter needs. This CE is also an opportunity for attendees to meet and form partnerships that may provide a more comprehensive solution. If you do not wish to participate in the CE, you are free to submit your technology on/around 18 August for the AE. Request to attend the CE below, NLT 24 June. Favorably evaluated requests will receive an invitation to attend the event on/around 29 June.  

Tentative Agenda
All times listed are in ET
9:00-9:30: Attendees Check-In
9:45-9:50: SOFWERX Welcome Remarks
9:50-10:00: Stakeholder Remarks
10:00-10:15: Break
10:15 - 10:45 Topic 1: Enhance Multidomain Ranges for a Realistic Proving Ground
10:45-10:50 Transition
10:50-11:20 Topic 2: Facility Improvements and/or Additions to Operate an Autonomous Warfare Proving Ground
11:20-11:25 Transition
11:25-11:55 Topic 3: Establish a State-of-the-Art Unmanned Systems Laboratory
12:00-1:30: Lunch (On Your Own)
1:30-2:00: Large Group Q&A
2:00-2:30: Networking
2:30-2:45: Technologies, Techniques, and POCs Submissions
2:45-3:00: Wrap-Up and Follow-On Event Schedules/Q&A
3:00: Optional SOFWERX 101 & Tour

This event will be held in person at SOFWERX. 

Phase 2 - 18 August 2026 to 18 September 2026 Submissions to the Assessment Event (AE) Open: Interested respondents who could potentially provide solutions that meet the needs of USSOCOM are encouraged to submit their capability for USSOCOM review. To submit your technology for potential Phase 4 attendance, please review the assessment criteria and follow the submission instructions that will be near the bottom of this webpage on/around 18 August.

Phase 2a - 02 September 2026 Q&A Telecon: Interested offerors may participate in a virtual Q&A session to better understand the PM's specific technology objectives. The telecon will take place on 02 September from 1:00-2:00 PM ET. RSVP form will be available on/around 18 August.

Phase 3 - 21 September 2026 to 30 September 2026 Downselect: USSOCOM will downselect those respondents/submissions they feel have the highest potential to satisfy their technology needs. Favorably evaluated submissions will receive an invitation to attend the AE on/around 02 October.

Phase 4 - 20 October 2026 to 22 October 2026 Assessment Event (AE): During the AE, selected participants will be allotted a one-on-one session with the USSOCOM evaluation panel to pitch, demonstrate, and/or discuss their solutions. The forum will include a Q&A portion and discussions may continue outside of the event. Solution brief presentation guidelines will be outlined in the event invitation and solutions will be assessed according to the criteria in the link provided below. If the USSOCOM evaluation panel favorably evaluates a solution brief, negotiations for Phase 5 may immediately begin.

This event will be held in person at SOFWERX. 

Phase 5 - Path Forward: Successfully negotiated awards may fall under any combination of these categories:

• Business to business research and development agreement as a sub-award through the SOFWERX Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) (15 U.S. Code Section 3715)
• OTA for research or prototype projects (10 U.S. Code Sections 4021, 4022)
• An award under 10 U. S. Code, Section 4022 may result in the further award of a follow-on production agreement without additional competition based on successful prototype completion. The Government may make this follow-on production award based upon successful prototype criteria, which will be determined for each prototype project.
• Procurement for experimental purposes (10 U.S. Code Section 4023)
• Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (15 U.S. Code Section 3710a)
• Prizes for advanced technology achievements (10 U. S. Code Section 4025) and/or prize competitions (15 U.S. Code 3719)
• FAR-based procurement contract 

NOTE: Awardees may need to be compliant with NIST SP 800-171, Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in Non-Federal Systems and Organizations

How You Can Participate
Government, Industry, Academia, National Labs, and Non-Traditional Attendees

1. Request to attend the 15 July 2026 Collaboration Event: Click Here to Request to Attend (NLT 24 June)

Questions?

For event-related questions, please contact Sarah Marks