The National Security Innovation Network (NSIN) and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) are launching a prize challenge to identify innovative solutions from across the commercial and academic communities to forecast maritime vessel traffic involved in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The ability to forecast IUU fishing will inform U.S. and partner nations’ responses to IUU fishing.

The challenge will proceed in two phases: (1) a “Proposal Round,” to identify up to ten finalists from eligible participant entities (see “Eligibility” below); and (2) a “Pitch Round,” to identify the top three winners.

This Challenge is not a FAR based acquisition. This NSIN-NGA challenge public announcement is an open call to small businesses and non-traditional defense contractors applying innovative, commercial technologies proposed to create new DoD solutions or potential new capabilities fulfilling requirements, closing capability gaps, or providing potential technological advancements, technologies fueled by commercial or strategic investment, but also concept demonstrations, pilots, and agile development activities improving commercial technologies, existing Government-owned capabilities, or concepts for broad Defense application(s). As such, the Government reserves the right to award a contract or OTA for any purpose, to include a prototype or research, under this public announcement. The Federal Government is not responsible for any monies expended by the applicant before award and is under no obligation to pursue an OTA.

Satisfying Competition Requirements

This NSIN-NGA challenge open call announcement is considered to have potential for further efforts that may be accomplished via FAR-based contracting instruments, Authority for prototype projects, 10 USC § 4022, and Research other transactions,10 USC § 4021; Prizes for advanced technology achievements, 10 USC § 4025; and/or Prize competitions, 15 USC § 3719. The public open call announcement made on the NSIN website is considered to satisfy the reasonable effort to obtain competition in accordance with 10 USC § 4025(b), 15 USC § 3719(e) and 10 USC § 4022(b)(2). Accordingly, FAR-based actions will follow announcement procedures per FAR 5.201(b).

For additional information please go to the NSIN & NGA Present: Global Fishing Forecast Grand Challenge at:

https://www.nsin.mil/events/2023-12-29-illegal-fishing/

or

https://www.challenge.gov