FAQs / Event Process​ ​

• What is Technical Experimentation?
• Technical Experimentation (TE) is:
• A unique opportunity for developers to demonstrate their technology and gain insight/perspective in a collaborative environment
• An event to identify potential technology solutions, impacts, limitations, and utilities to meet SOF technical objectives
• TE is NOT:
• A marketing or trade show event
• An acquistion event
• Able to create a new contractual obligation
• If you would simply like to market your technology, please submit a white paper to the USSOCOM eSOF (formerly TILO) office via the
  USSOCOM webpage at:  https://www.engagesof.com/submit  "Submit Your Idea"
• Obligations
  
• Invitation and participation do not constitute obligation on behalf of the US Government
• TE is not an acquisition event, and should not be looked at as such
• TE does not have the authority to create new contractual obligations, nor has the authority to alter existing contracts
  
• Venue Locations
• TE is held at various locations around the United States
• Most locations are austere, remote, and can be quite cold, hot, dry, or very wet depending on the season
• Make sure to bring
• Sunscreen
• Water
• Hat
  
• Sunglasses
  
• Rain Gear
  
• Make sure to notify TE staff of any medical conditions you might have prior to going into the field
  
• What Should I Wear?
• TE is held in an outdoor environment under various weather and environmental conditions
• Things to be mindful of:
• Rain / Humidity
• Excessive Heat / Dry
• Snakes / Spiders / Ticks / Etc.
• Do NOT Wear (Unless at a Maritime Event):
• Shorts
  
• Flip Flops/Sandals
• Do Wear:
• Jeans/Cargo Pants
• Tennis Shoes/Boots
• Light Weight Clothing in hot environments
  
• Coats/Sweaters in cold environments
  
• TE is a casual event and you will be on your feet, so please dress comfortably
  
• Technical Experimentation Contact Information
• Email: Tech_Exp@socom.mil
• Phone Number: (813) 826-4646                                                                                                                                                                                                     Back to Top

• Review RFI on https://sam.gov/
• Keyword / Solicitation "USSOCOM" or "Technical Experimentation" with a Federal Organizations Code of: 97ZS
• If you have not already done so, register and establish a Vulcan account at https://vulcan-sof.com
• Submit a Scout Card on Vulcan for each technology you would like to demonstrate.  Follow ALL instructions in the Request for
  Information (RFI)
• Ensure you attach your Scout Card with ALL required information to the specific event you would like to attend, i.e., "TE21-1"
• Participants will be notified of their approval ~8-10 weeks before the event
• Once approved, all participants must register for the event at the link provided by the TE Team
• A schedule will be released ~ 2 weeks before the event.
• Cost and Special Operations Equipment Access/Availability
• USSOCOM Will Provide:
• Venue
• Infrastructure, Tables, Chairs, Wifi
• Technical and Operational Assessments
• Participants are responsible for:
• Travel Costs
• Shipping
• Any additional costs to run their experiment
• USSOCOM cannot guarantee access or availability of equipment or systems that are currently in the special operator's kit. If you would like operator equipment, you may request it in your nomination with no guarantee of availability.
• If special equipment is required, you MUST provide it.

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   Experimentation Nomination Submission Process

• Establish a Vulcan account
• Complete your Scout Card for each seperate technology and attach it to the specific event you would like to attend (i.e., TE21-3)
• Complete ALL forms attached to the RFI (Supplemental Information Sheet, Photography Release, Risk Assessment, etc.)
• For the Supplementation Information Sheet, all fields marked with an "*" are required.
• Please be specific with regard to UAS platforms (Make/Model)
• Radio Frequencies you will be transmitting (provide nomenclature of the device and each frequency you would like to transmit)
• Laser devices need to list the category of Laser and provide documentation of a LSRB
• Not Completing the fields on the Supplemental Information Sheet may result in a non-submission
• The Supplemental Information Sheet should describe:
• New Capability
• Impact to the Special Operations Force (SOF) warrior
• Experiment Plan
• "How will you conduct your demonstration?"
• How you plan to use the information to improve upon the technology
• Resources needed:
• Day and/or night (or darkened) operations
• Network requirements
• Access to SOF equipment, not guaranteed to be provided
• Power sources (TE Team is limited on extension cords, so please plan to bring your own)
• Range or laser requirements
• Nominations are reviewed by USSOCOM personnel (including support contractors) to determine:
• Technical Maturity
• Relevance of or adaptability to military operations/missions
• Relevance to current operational needs
• Relevance to Event Focus Area
• Participation is by invitation only, failure to comply with the set rules will result in vendor removal of the event:
• Zero tolerance for violations of operational and safety protocols
• Trade show style booths/displays are not recommended
• Sales activities are not permitted
• Be mindful and respectful of other developer's proprietary information

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• Registration      
• All attendees must register in order to gain gate access to the event
• It is very important to register as soon as possible in order to receive timely notifications of updates and/or changes to the event!
  
• Register for TE at Technical Experimentation (socom.mil)
• After submission, you will receive a notification of receipt
• Please check your junk folder if you do not see the email
• Contact us if you did not receive an email
  
• You will receive a response (approved or disapproved) to your registration submission approximately three (3) weeks prior to the event
• Please contact us if you have not received a response by that time at Tech_Exp@socom.mil
  
• Foreign Nationals
• Must have approval from the Security Manager
• Approval can take up to 30 days to obtain, so please submit your request early
• Email Tech_Exp@socom.mil with questions
  
• Publishing the Schedule
• The schedule of events will be drafted, published, and distributed approximately two (2) weeks prior to the event.
  
• Reading the Schedule
• Read the list of experiments FIRST and find your experiment and the corresponding experiment number
• Find your experiment number and company name on the schedule
• Note your time slot(s)
  
• On the right is the color key for your experiment location at the event
• Do not relocate without first coordinating with the TE Staff
  
• Your Scheduled Time Slot(s)
• Each experiment is given dedicated times to perform their experiment, but are invited to stay all week
• SOF operators will be stopping by over the course of the week, giving them ample opportunity to see your experiment
• If done with your experiment early, please use the extra time to collaborate with other vendors
• If you need additional time, please contact TE staff to coordinate

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• Timing
  
• Event/Safety briefings will be conducted at the start of the TE event and will take place every morning at 0800 sharp!
  
• Ensure you are in place on time!
  
• NOTE:  The first day opening briefing is MANDATORY for ALL registered attendees.  Subsequent morning briefings and hot washes
  may be represented by just one member of each team/organization
  
• Hot wash/After Action Review will be conducted at 1600 every afternoon
  
• International Traffic in Arms Regulations / Export Administration Regulations (ITAR/EARS)
  
• Participants are responsible for:
  
• Complying with any and all ITAR/EAR requirements associated with their equipment
  
• Protection of their own intellectual property
  
• The TE Team will make every effort to distance ITAR/EAR experiments and readily identify them with appropriate signage
  
• Safety
  
• All participation is at the participant's own risk
  
• By attending you agree that you will hold harmless the United States Government and the host TE installation for any and all liabilities
  
• Photography
  
• Photography is permitted of your own experiment so long as no active duty military members are photographed
  

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