SAM #PEO_FW_A2E_AE

USSOCOM assessment of autonomy behaviors for integration into the FANTOM software ecosystem

USSOCOM is inviting industry to demonstrate autonomy solutions that can work with its FANTOM software ecosystem. - Agency and event: U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), through its Program Executive Office for Fixed Wing (PEO-FW), is collaborating with SOFWERX on a virtual competitive assessment event. - What is sought: New or existing autonomy behaviors and extensions for Group 2–3 Adaptive Airborne Enterprise (A2E) unmanned systems, integrated using the government-owned FANTOM Core Software Development Kit (SDK). - Areas of interest: Mission adaptation, swarm coordination, sensing, navigation, task allocation, distributed decision-making, targeting, and tracking. - Integration and validation: Approaches may cover behavior packaging and versioning, simulation-based evaluation, behavior maturation, validation, and readiness for flight integration. - Participation and potential follow-on: Participation is limited to U.S. citizens. Potential awardees may need to comply with NIST SP 800-171. The event is not itself an award, but results may inform follow-on development agreements, prototype or research arrangements, prizes, or FAR-based procurement. - Commercial details: The notice names no commercial OEMs or vendors and specifies no quantities, product part numbers, contract value, or period of performance.

Description

PEO-FW FANTOM Behavior Integration (A2E) Assessment Event (AE)

Submit NLT 05 November 2026 11:59 PM ET U.S. Citizens Only

Purpose SOFWERX, in collaboration with USSOCOM Program Executive Office Fixed Wing (PEO-FW), will host an Assessment Event to identify potential vendors to integrate existing or propose new autonomy behaviors into the government‑owned Framework of Autonomous Networked Tactical Open Modules (FANTOM) Autonomy Software using the provided FANTOM Core Software Development Kit (SDK). This event aims to accelerate capability insertion for multi‑platform, multi‑payload uncrewed systems operating within the Adaptive Airborne Enterprise (A2E) ecosystem. 

Background/Synopsis  A2E is an interoperable system-of-systems designed to enable robust Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities through expendable, autonomous Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) platforms, resilient data paths, and a common control architecture. 

FANTOM is the complete autonomy software stack deployed across the A2E System-of-Systems. FANTOM Extensions are mature (high TRL) vendor add-ons integrated using the SDK. Insertion of specialized/new modular, SDK-driven autonomy behaviors is required to extend, mature, and rapidly integrate into the FANTOM ecosystem.

Objective  USSOCOM is soliciting industry solutions to support FANTOM’s scalable autonomy architecture enabling distributed, collaborative behaviors across Group 2-3 A2E Unmanned Systems (UxS) platforms. 

As operational demands expand, the program requires continual innovation in:

Novel autonomy behaviors (e.g., mission objective/adaptation, swarm coordination, sensing, navigation, task allocation, distributed decision-making, targeting, tracking) Behavior maturation and validation Integration pathways and approaches via the FANTOM SDK (e.g., behavior packaging and versioning, simulation-based evaluation, flight integration readiness)

This event will help USSOCOM identify technology providers capable of contributing leverageable behaviors and strengthening SDK integration for persistent autonomy evolution. Desired outcomes include:

Catalog of proposed new behaviors and behavior extensions Assessment of vendor capabilities to integrate with the SDK Recommendations for vendors suitable for next-phase development Industry feedback to refine SDK documentation, tooling, and pipelines

Why You Should Participate  USSOCOM seeks to enter into non-FAR or FAR-based agreements with Industry, Academic, and National Lab partners whose solutions are favorably evaluated by PEO-Fixed Wing Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). As such, the follow-on Assessment Event (AE) is considered competitive, and solutions will be evaluated independently of one another primarily for technical merit. This serves dually as notification of the intent to research the feasibility of an agreement under 10 U.S. Code, Section 4022 and/or Section 4022(f), and as notice of pre-solicitation activities IAW FAR 5.101.

Event Timeline

Phase 1 - 05October 2026 to 05 November 2026: Submissions to the Assessment Event (AE) Open: Interested respondents who could potentially provide solutions that meet the needs of USSOCOM are encouraged to submit their capability for USSOCOM review. To submit your technology for potential Phase3 attendance, please review the assessment criteria and follow the submission instructions at the bottom of this webpage.

Phase 1a - 20 October 2026 Q&A Telecon: Interested offerors may participate in a virtual Q&A session to better understand the Program Manager's (PM's) specific technology objectives. The telecon will take place on 20 October from 11:00–12:00 PM ET. RSVP at the bottom of this webpage.

Phase 2 - 06 November 2026 to 20 November 2026 Downselect:USSOCOM will downselect respondents/submissions it believes have the highest potential to satisfy its technology needs. Favorably evaluated submissions will receive an invitation to attend the AE on/around 23 November.

Phase 3 - 15 December 2026 to 17 December 2026 Assessment Event (AE): During the AE, selected participants will be allotted a one-on-one session with the USSOCOM evaluation panel to pitch, demonstrate, and/or discuss their solutions. The forum will include a Q&A portion, and discussions may continue outside of the event. Solution brief presentation guidelines will be outlined in the event invitation, and solutions will be assessed according to the criteria in the link provided below. If the USSOCOM evaluation panel favorably evaluates a solution brief, negotiations for Phase 4 may immediately begin.

This event will be held virtually. 

Phase 4 - Path Forward: Successfully negotiated awards may fall under any combination of these categories:

Business-to-business research and development agreement as a sub-award through the SOFWERX Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) (15 U.S. Code Section 3715) OTA for research or prototype projects (10 U.S. Code Sections 4021, 4022)

<ul>
    <li>
    <p>An award under&nbsp;<u>10 U. S. Code, Section 4022</u>&nbsp;may result in the further award of a follow-on production agreement without additional competition based on successful prototype completion. The Government may make this follow-on production award based upon successful prototype criteria, which will be determined for each prototype project.</p>
    </li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
<p>Procurement for experimental purposes (<u>10 U.S. Code Section 4023</u>)</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (<u>15 U.S. Code Section 3710a</u>)</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Prizes for advanced technology achievements (<u>10 U. S. Code Section 4025</u>) and/or prize competitions (<u>15 U.S. Code 3719</u>)</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>FAR-based procurement contract&nbsp;</p>
</li>

NOTE: Awardees may need to be compliant with NIST SP 800-171, Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in Non-Federal Systems and Organizations

How You Can Participate  Government, Industry, Academia, National Labs, and Non-Traditional Attendees

1. RSVP to the 20 October 2026 Virtual Q&A Telecon: Click Here to RSVP (NLT 19 October)

2. Review Assessment Criteria: Click Here to Review

3. Download the White Paper Template: Click Here to Review

4. Complete the Submission Form: Click Here to Submit (NLT 05 November)

Questions?

For event-related questions, please contact Sarah Marks Additional Links:PEO-FW FANTOM Behavior Integration (A2E) Assessment Event (AE)

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