USSOCOM RCA 17 Event
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
USSOCOM and the CIA, in collaboration with SOFWERX and ICWERX, are hosting the Rapid Capability Assessment 17 (RCA17) event in Chantilly, VA. This special notice invites experts to participate in an in-person event focused on "Field-Forward Operations – Future Challenges for SOF and the IC in Data Dense Environments" for the 2035 timeframe. Participants will develop and assess capabilities, informing future technology roadmaps.
Purpose and Background
RCA17 is the second phase of USSOCOM S&T's Innovation Cycle, building upon the idea generation from Innovation Foundry 17 (IF17). The event aims to bring together experts from industry, academia, and national laboratories with Special Operations Forces (SOF) and CIA personnel to systematically decompose IF17 outputs using systems engineering frameworks.
Problem Statement
The core challenge addresses field-forward operations, which involve real-time intelligence collection, processing, analysis, and dissemination. While advanced technologies offer significant advantages, they introduce vulnerabilities (e.g., data reliability, cybersecurity, processing speed, energy efficiency). SOF and the CIA need to develop a vision for future data-dense operations, identify risks, enable operational advantage, and train personnel for interagency field environments.
Focus Areas
Participants will be assigned to teams addressing one of five focus areas:
- Advanced Analytics: Exploring AGI-like systems and Mixture of Experts models for intelligence analysis.
- Mapping Building Infrastructure: Investigating integration with intelligent building systems.
- Novel Energy Sources: Focusing on efficient power generation, storage, and management in low-profile installations.
- Data Communications/Exfiltration: Addressing globally dispersed, low-power edge sensors and secure, high-throughput, low-signature data transmission.
- Edge Device Optimization: Maximizing processing efficiency of globally dispersed, low-power edge sensors.
Participant Tasks and Outputs
Selected participants will decompose IF17 concepts through systems engineering and functional analysis. Outputs will include:
- Subsystem-level architectural breakdowns.
- Identified risks, constraints, policies, and regulations.
- Analysis of capability achievement methods.
- Initial market research of potential technology performers.
- A technology development roadmap.
Who Should Participate
Experts in areas such as Advanced Energy Systems, AI/Machine Learning, Communications Technologies, Data Science, Edge Computing, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, IoT, IT, Material Science, Red Teaming, Robotics, Sensors, Smart Buildings, SOF/CIA Operations, Subterranean Environments, Surveillance, and Wearable Technologies are encouraged to apply.
Event Timeline & How to Participate
- Phase 1 (Submissions Open): February 6, 2026, to February 26, 2026. Submit a CV for consideration.
- Phase 2 (SME Review and Downselection): February 27, 2026, to March 20, 2026. Applicants will be notified around March 20, 2026.
- Phase 3 (RCA17 Event): April 20, 2026, to April 24, 2026, in Chantilly, VA.
Path Forward and Potential Awards
Successful concepts from RCA17 may progress to Technology Sprints and Evaluation (TSE). This may lead to various award types, including Business to Business R&D agreements (PIA sub-awards), Other Transaction Authority (OTA) for research or prototypes (potentially leading to follow-on production without further competition), procurement for experimental purposes, CRADAs, prizes, or FAR-based procurement contracts. Awardees may need to be compliant with NIST SP 800-171.
Important Notes
This event does not guarantee a Request for Proposal (RFP) or contract award. Participants should be aware that outputs and proceedings, including any intellectual property provided, will be accessible and usable by the Government sponsors. No set-aside is specified for this special notice.
Contact Information
For event-related questions, contact the RCA17 Team. For contracting inquiries, contact Ronald Reed (ronald.e.reed.civ@socom.mil).