WASHINGTON -- Dr. Bruce Jette, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, announced today the start of the fifth iteration of the popular Army Expeditionary Technology Search competition, also known as xTechSearch.
The xTechSearch competition seeks novel, disruptive concepts and technologies to support the Army's top modernization priorities, medical technologies, military-engineering technologies and other critical technology focus areas that can provide technology advancement or enable cost savings throughout the Army systems' life cycle.
"xTechSearch is an opportunity for innovative small businesses to pitch novel technology solutions -- new applications for existing technology, or an entirely new technology concept -- to the Army," said Zeke Topolosky, Army xTechSearch program manager.
CASH PRIZES FOR DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGY
The Army xTechSearch program provides cash prizes to selected small businesses to proceed through four phases of the technology competition. Ultimately, ten small-business finalists will receive awards of $120,000 each and will be invited to demonstrate proofs of concept of their dual-use technologies to a panel of Army judges.
Final demonstrations will take place at the 2021 Association of the United States Army's Global Force Symposium and Exhibition in March 2021 in Huntsville, Alabama. A grand-prize winner will be selected and awarded an additional $250,000 prize.
HOW TO ENTER XTECHSEARCH 5
Entries require a concept white paper outlining the technology, the potential impact on the Army, the scientific viability of the approach, and the dual-use technology applications for both the commercial and defense sectors.
Each concept white paper will be reviewed by an Army panel from the Army Science and Technology ecosystem, which includes Soldiers, acquisition specialists, and research-and-development subject matter experts.
Up to 60 applicants with the highest-ranking white papers will receive a prize of $5,000 and will advance to Phase II: the technology pitches.
"What makes xTechSearch unique and valuable is that every small-business idea submitted will receive detailed operational and technical feedback from Army stakeholders," said Topolosky.
"Participating companies will have access to training, mentorship and other support infrastructure as they progress through the contest to determine how best to align their technology solutions with real users and buyers within the Army."
Finalists will be entered into the xTech Accelerator to receive intensive mentorship and access to networking events to help grow their companies for Army and commercial users.
Details on the prize structure, contest rules and submission pathway can be found at https://www.xtechsearch.army.mil.
The authority of this program is 15 United States Code (USC) 3719.
For more information, please contact usarmy.pentagon.hqda-asa-alt.mbx.xtechsearch@mail.mil
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