WASHINGTON – The U.S. Army xTech Program unveiled the 10 winners of xTechPacific, an open-topic prize competition focused on supporting the U.S. military’s long-distance capabilities across the Indo-Pacific region.
Sponsored by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, and in collaboration with the U.S. Army Small Business Innovation Research Program, the competition sought innovative small-business solutions prioritizing climate and sustainment, communications, the Internet of Things, sensing and intelligence, and supply-chain logistics.
“While the U.S. Army continues to develop its Indo-Pacific capabilities across its operations, it’s important we engage with industry to advance key technologies capable of improving Soldier effectiveness overseas,” said Dr. Matt Willis, director of Army Prize Competitions and the Army Applied SBIR Program. “Each of these winners proved their ability to address this challenge and will help diversify the Army’s approach to research and development.”
During the competition’s rounds, businesses received $5,000, $15,000 and $25,000 in cash prizes following several capability pitches to a panel of Army technologists, scientists, engineers and acquisition experts. With the conclusion of the xTechPacific competition, the 10 winners, alongside other U.S.-based small businesses, can now apply for a Phase I Army SBIR contract worth up to $250,000 or a Direct to Phase II contract valued at up to $1.9 million.
Throughout the two anticipated performance periods, selected businesses will gain invaluable access to Soldier touchpoints for developmental and evaluation-based feedback on solutions in practical settings. During this time, businesses will utilize the support system to further develop their concepts and potentially produce prototypes ready for demonstration.
xTechPacific competition winners
· AIM Intelligent Machines; Monroe, Wash.
· Hi-Spectral, LLC; Kula, Hawaii
· Industria Imperium, LLC; Fairbanks, Alaska
· Makai Ocean Engineering, Inc.; Waimanalo, Hawaii
· Oceanit; Honolulu, Hawaii
· Oceanit Laboratories; Honolulu, Hawaii
· Pacific Impact Zone Solutions, Inc.; Kailua, Hawaii
· PacMar Technologies; Honolulu, Hawaii
· Wave Motion Launch Corporation; Everett, Wash.
· Zepher Flight Laboratories, Inc.; Bingen, Wash.
Established in 2018, the Army xTech Program strives to integrate small and nontraditional businesses into the Army’s science and technology ecosystem. It provides opportunities for direct exposure to laboratories, program executive offices and program managers across the Army.
Participants receive detailed feedback from Army and DoD stakeholders and have access to training, mentorship and other support infrastructure. This feedback and support guides businesses through the competition and determines where their solutions best align within the Army.
The xTech Program holds several competitions per year. These include open-topic competitions such as xTechSearch, as well as technology-specific competitions that target key Army challenges. For additional xTech information, please visit the Army xTech website.
The Army SBIR Program awards Phase I contracts to small businesses and nontraditional vendors whose solutions offer technical merit, feasibility and commercial potential. The program awards Phase II and Direct to Phase II contracts to companies that can address Army needs so they can gain increased federal support to mature their technologies for demonstration. For eligibility information and a list of open topics, please visit the Army SBIR|STTR website.
The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, which manages the SBIR Program, offers the American Soldier a decisive advantage in any mission by developing, acquiring, fielding and sustaining the world’s finest equipment and services. It also leverages its technologies and capabilities to meet current and future Soldier needs. To learn more, you can visit the ASA(ALT) website.
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