Army Opens US-Wide Competition for Small Tech Businesses

The U.S. Army is seeking technology concepts from small businesses and start-ups that can receive from $1,000 to $200,000 for proof of concept demonstrations.

The Expeditionary Technology Search will include four phases and several rounds that will culminate with the capstone demonstration for officials of the Army Department, industry partners and the academia in April 2019 in Washington, D.C., the service branch said Tuesday.

Bruce Jette, Army assistant secretary for acquisition, logistics and technology, said the service branch needs to stay prepared for deployment to deter or engage adversaries in any conflict environment.

The initial round of the xTechSearch requires technology concepts aligned with the Army’s six modernization priorities of air and missile defense, long-range precision fires, next-generation combat vehicles, future vertical lift and a tactical network.

Proposals will be accepted until July 11, 2018, and the selected participants will be allowed to present the concepts at facilities of the Army Research Laboratory.

The contest is meant to facilitate collaborations with traditional businesses in the non-defense sector and provide access to opportunities to small businesses.

XTechSearch will include up to 25 finalists.