Overview
The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) seeks knowledge and expertise of leading industry representatives in technologies that enable establishing and maintaining gap crossings (e.g., bridging, transportation, novel materials, power and energy solutions, medical sustainment capabilities).
Submissions of interest, based on current capabilities and potential future advancements, may result in an invitation to participate in demonstrations at the ERDC facility in Vicksburg, Mississippi, in March 2025.
Project Objective
The objective of this tech challenge is to identify leading industry representatives with gap crossing capabilities to include establishment and sustainment of critical maneuver corridors. Technology expertise can span a wide range of topics including, but not limited to:
- Bridging
- Innovative engineering of materials and processes
- Transportation (e.g., overbridging, rapid bridge/road repair capabilities, rail, piers)
- Medical sustainment (water, sewage, site contamination)
- Structures (e.g., field hospitals)
- Power and energy solutions
Downselected parties will have an opportunity to provide a technology demonstration at a two-hour in-person event on March 19, 2025, in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The audience will be ERDC government stakeholders from the Department of Defense (DoD) S&T community. The purpose of the event is to inform DoD stakeholders on the current state of the science and begin discussions for integration of existing S&T into the industry production pipeline and pursuit of pathways for S&T integration and technology transition/transfer.
White papers should address the specific experiences and knowledge of the submitting party. Content should explain the effectiveness of design and build processes that have been utilized.
Estimated Period of Performance
From down selection of potential capability to on-site presentation/demonstration. Opportunities for potential follow-on collaboration may follow.
Project Manager
U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)
Expected Result
The integration of industry expertise into DoD stakeholder-led research will inform DoD stakeholders of the current state of science in the area of establishing and sustaining gap crossings. If selected, submitting parties will be invited to a two-hour technology demonstration event, briefing to government stakeholders at an ERDC-hosted workshop to be held on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Current technology, acquisition strategies, partnerships, and the future of these capabilities in DoD acquisition will be discussed. Results of the engagement will inform the future of S&T investments, provide recommendations, and establish potential partnerships between industry and the DoD.
Selected parties will be invited to present presentations that address vision, accomplishments, opportunities, and lessons learned in an exhibit hall format. Prototypes and physical technology demonstrations are requested, rather than conceptual products. Selected parties will be required to supply completed presentation slide decks to ERDC in advance of the demonstration. All presenters must be U.S. citizens and will be required to show proof of U.S. citizenship.
Evaluation Criteria
Submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Technical Merit – Feasibility and applicability of your capability and experience
- Cost/Schedule – Preparedness and appropriateness of processes and approaches utilized
- Business Viability – Organizational capacity, years in operation, relevant specialties, and capabilities
- Prototype/Demo – Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and/or maturity of design/build applications
Submissions must follow the format and order of the white paper template below in the “How to Participate” section.
Note: Submissions should NOT include confidential or proprietary details. The Government reserves the right to share submissions for this project with other ERDC teams when there appears to be a fit with other projects being undertaken or planned by ERDC researchers. The Government has the authority to decline all submitted white papers. The Government does not intend to engage in the debrief process outlined in FAR part 15 but may provide feedback to unsuccessful offerors as appropriate and at its discretion.
Notional Project Schedule
Proposed project milestones include:
| December 6, 2024 | Project Announced, Submissions Open |
| January 6, 2025 | Q&A Period Closes |
| January 13, 2025 | Submissions Close |
| January 29, 2025 | ERDC completes review of submissions/virtual pitches (if needed) |
| February 3, 2025 | ERDCWERX notifies industry of selection for demonstration |
| March 19-20, 2025 | Focused Excursion Demonstration |
| March 20, 2025 | Tour of ERDC facilities |
*If needed; dates may vary to accommodate project team and participant availability.
How to Participate
- Submit specific details by providing a white paper (download template).
- Review FAQs
- Once white paper is ready to submit, complete the submission form.
Questions: Please send all technical and administrative questions using this form. Q&A will be updated periodically. It is the responsibility of the offeror to review Q&A prior to submitting.
Submissions must meet stated requirements and be received no later than 10:00 am CT on Monday, January 13, 2025.
All announcements made at the www.erdcwerx.org website are considered to satisfy the reasonable effort to obtain competition in accordance with 10 USC 4025, 15 USC 3719 (e) and 10 USC 4022. All FAR-based actions will follow announcement procedures per FAR 5.201(b) accordingly. Agreements in accordance with 15 USC 3710 (a) may also be considered.