Request For Information (RFI): Intelligence Horizon Scanning Capability

The University of Arizona Applied Research Corporation (UA-ARC), in cooperation with Headquarters, Department of the Army, Military Intelligence, and U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Army Reserach Laboratory is conducting a market survey to identify a single tool or platform capable of providing forward-looking comprehensive market analysis and technological information applicable to Army Intelligence applications. The Army is seeking a solution that can proactively track, analyze, and forecast advancements in technologies relevant to Army Intelligence operations, including emerging innovations, key industry players, competitive landscapes, and market trends. Army Intelligence requires access to cutting-edge technology intelligence to maintain operational superiority and ensure informed decision-making. The desired platform should provide actionable insights into emerging technologies, key industry players, competitive landscapes, and innovation trends. It should also support the identification of technology readiness levels (TRLs), patent activity, and funding trends for technologies relevant to defense and intelligence.

This RFI is intended to survey industry capabilities and gather information on existing tools or platforms that meet the outlined requirements. Responses will inform future acquisition strategies and potential partnerships. This RFI is open to both traditional and non-traditional large and small business concerns, government agencies, as well as academic and nonprofit entities to submit their technical feedback and capabilities that may meet the Army’s needs and objectives.

Disclaimer:
THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request For Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This RFI does not commit the U.S. Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Army is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Respondents are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. Please note, the information received from this RFI is used to help the Government refine the requirement and help identify areas of ambiguity so that, if released, the RFP is well defined. Any feedback/questions as a result of this RFI may/may not be responded to directly and will be addressed in the final RFP if the Government deems it necessary.

General Capabilities and Technology Focus Areas:
1. Integrate data from multiple sources (e.g., patents, funding databases, market reports).
2. Offer actionable insights and display via intuitive dashboards and visualizations for trend analysis, decision-making and strategic planning.
3. Track, collate and forecast emerging technologies, trends and markets relevant to Army Intelligence operations and provide insights into technology readiness levels (TRLs) and innovation maturity.
4. Identify key industry players, startups, and organizations leading in relevant technology domains and analyze competitive landscapes and market trends.
5. Track and collate patent activity and intellectual property developments related to defense technologies and provide technology mapping and innovation tracking.
6. Monitor venture capital, private equity, and government funding trends for relevant technologies and identify companies receiving significant investments in defense-related innovations.
7. Provide detailed analysis of technologies tailored for military applications.
8. Include the ability for secure collaboration, data sharing and reporting among intelligence teams and stakeholders.
9. Ensure compliance with government security standards and protocols, provide secure access controls and data encryption.

In response, provide answers to the following questions:
1. What is your background or experience in providing software for the Department of War?
2. How does your software satisfy the general capabilities described above? Include a detailed description, with graphics, of the tool or platform, describing its capabilities and features and examples of use cases or case studies demonstrating its effectiveness.
3. Overview of technical architecture, data sources, and integration capabilities.
4. What is the status of the software or platform’s TRL, security assessment and cyber readiness as it pertains to FedRAMP and DoW Cloud impact levels?
5. What are the software cost structure and licensing options? Do you offer trial periods?
6. Are you ready and willing to demonstrate this software to government contractors performing this market research? Provide POC information to coordinate.

Demonstration Scenario:
Provide a detailed demonstration scenario showing how your platform would track and analyze a hypothetical disruptive sensor technology. The demonstration should highlight the platform's ability to integrate data from multiple sources, provide actionable insights, and support decision-making for Army Intelligence. The scenario should include:
• Identification of key players and organizations working on the hypothetical technology.
• Analysis of patent activity and intellectual property trends related to the technology.
• Insights into funding and investment activity supporting the technology's development.
• Forecasting of market trends and potential applications for the technology.
• Visualization of data and insights using dashboards or reports.

Response Instructions:
The response is limited to 10 pages or 10 slides. Relevant marketing materials, pictures, and product manuals may be included as attachments with your submission and do not count against the 10-page limit. The response should not exceed a 10 MB email limit for all items associated with the RFI response. Responses must specifically address the requested information and willingness to demonstrate the software virtually with UA-ARC government contractors.

Late responses will not be accepted. All responses must be UNCLASSIFIED. If Controlled Unclassified Information is available, provide a statement of relevance to help advisors determine if it should be requested using authorized methods. Do not send classified information.

Email submissions should be sent to the POCs below and be clearly marked as “Notice ID_Organization Name” in the subject line and on attachments. The Notice ID is displayed on the SAM.GOV notice.

The Government will utilize cleared, U.S. citizen, non-government personnel to review and manage responses to this RFI and advise on specific technical, management, and price matters and shall not, under any circumstances, be used as voting evaluators. However, the Government may consider the advice provided in its evaluation process. Non-government personnel will receive and assess email responses based on Government-approved criteria and operate under a non-disclosure agreement. All responses will be sent to the University of Arizona Applied Research Corporation (UA-ARC) points of contact, acting as a Partner Intermediary under 15 USC 3715.

Proprietary Information:
The respondent must clearly state at the beginning of the response if a Proprietary Information Agreement (PIA), Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), or equivalent is required prior to non-government personnel reviewing the submissions. Should a PIA/NDA be required, the respondent must obtain the PIA/NDA from the UA-ARC POC below and provide the signed PIA/NDA with their RFI submittal.

Respondents are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or competition sensitive information contained in their response. The front page of your response package should state "PROPRIETARY INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN", if applicable. All RFI submissions are treated as company proprietary information and the content will be disclosed to U.S. Government employees, military, or designated support contractors only for the purpose of this market research activity.

Contact Information:
Primary Point of Contact:
Philippe Bergeron
pbergeron@ua-arc.org
520-626-3013

Alternate:
Stephen Aldred
saldred@ua-arc.org
520-621-4394