PEO-SW: Distributed Micro Sensors Assessment Event (AE)

PEO-SW: Distributed Micro Sensors Assessment Event (AE)

Submit NLT 28 August 2026 11:59 PM ET U.S. Persons Only

Purpose 
SOFWERX, in collaboration with USSOCOM Program Executive Office (PEO) SOF Warrior (SW), will host a series of events to address the challenges faced by operating forces in detecting diverse threats in forward conflict zones.

Background/Synopsis
Operating forces face a range of complex threats on the modern battlefield from toxic environmental hazards to chemical, biological, and radiological hazards. These threats can be persistent, and in some scenarios, the result of inadvertent collateral contamination, as well as deliberate adversary contamination or terrain-denial efforts. Enhancing the extended sensory perception of a ground maneuver force is essential to realizing the ‘Avoid Being Hit’ and the ‘Survive if Hit’ components of a ‘Formation-based Layered Protection’ (FbLP) strategy. The ArmyFbLP strategy encompasses a converged system of sensors and AI-driven command, along with the effects of weapons, across warfighting formations to make those formations harder to find and kill. It emphasizes the development of a network of active and/or passive defense layers that detect, track, and engage threats at machine speed.  

Objective
This event aims to identify suites of low-cost, disposable, threat-agnostic micro-sensors capable of targeting seismic, toxic, and signal hazards, which can be quickly deployed to potentially form wireless mesh networks. Advancing these solutions will enable timely, informed tactical decisions and enhance operational effectiveness and survivability on the battlefield.

Other Areas of Interest
- Power supply for extended duration (up to 30 days)
- Acoustic sensing 
- Communications and waveform propagation 
- Novel employment/deployment strategies and techniques 
- Novel sensor degradation (drop and forget, self-destroying) 
- Automation for sensor triggering 

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 Special Operations Forces Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (SOF AT&L), PEO-SW. 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
COMPLETED-Phase 1 - 24 June 2026 Collaboration Event (CE): SOFWERX will host the Collaboration Event (CE) with Industry, Academic, and Laboratory partners focused on Distributed Micro Sensors needs. During this event, Warfighters will interact with potential solution offerors and further communicate operational needs. Participation in this event is not mandatory, however, it is designed to provide insights to ensure potential offerors fully understand the problem set(s) 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 27 July for the AE. 

Tentative Agenda
All times listed are in ET
8:00 – 9:00: Participants arrive at SOFWERX
9:00 – 9:05: SOFWERX Welcome
9:05 – 10:30: Stakeholder Overview & Problem Set
10:30 – 10:45: Break
10:45 – 11:25: Current Limitations Breakout
11:25 – 12:25: Ways to Overcome Limitations Breakout
12:25 – 1:25: Lunch (on your own)
1:25 – 3:25: Problem Statement Development
3:25 – 3:40: Break
3:40 – 4:40: Problem Statement Briefs
4:40 – 4:50: Voting
4:50 – 5:00: Path Forward

Note: Agenda is subject to change

This event will be held in person at SOFWERX and will have a virtual component. 

Phase 2 - 07 August 2026 to 28 August 2026 Submissions to the Event 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 at the bottom of this webpage.

Phase 2a - 19 August 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 19 August from 1:00–2:00 PM ET. RSVP at the bottom of this webpage. 

Phase 3 - 31 August 2026 to 15 September 2026 Downselect: USSOCOM will downselect those respondents/submissions they feel have the highest potential to satisfy their technology needs. Depending on the number and maturity of capabilities submitted, the Government Stakeholder team will determine whether a Phase 4 will be conducted as an Assessment Event (AE) or a Prize Challenge (PC). Favorably evaluated submissions will receive an invitation to attend the AE or PC on/around 16 September. 

Phase 4 - 13 October 2026 to 15 October 2026 Assessment Event (AE) - OR- Prize Challenge (PC):

Assessment Event (AE): Selected participants will be invited to a one-on-one session with the USSOCOM evaluation panel to pitch, demonstrate, and/or discuss their solutions. Sessions will include a Q&A, and discussions may continue after the event. If the evaluation panel favorably assesses a solution, Phase 5 negotiations may begin immediately.

Prize Challenge (PC): Selected participants will participate in a similar one-on-one session to pitch, demonstrate, and/or discuss their solutions. The Government Stakeholder will evaluate demonstrations and select winners to receive cash prizes, which may be awarded on the event day or within the following weeks. A Prize Challenge may or may not lead to Phase 5. Challenge duration, demonstration phases, and award amounts may vary.
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. RSVP to the 19 August Virtual Q&A Telecon: Click Here to RSVP(NLT 18 August)  
2. Review Assessment Criteria: Click Here to Review  
3. Download the White Paper Template:Click Here to Review  
4. Download the Quad Chart Template: Click Here to Review  
5. Complete the Submission Form: Click Here to Submit(NLT 28 August)

Questions?

For event-related questions, please contact Olivia Larounis