MODERNIZATION AND ENTERPRISE COLLABORATION


Valid Eval tool for the second iteration, xTechSearch 2, which required more than 130 expert judges to review more than 150 applicants. Over the past three years, the xTech Program has grown to 500 judges for xTechSearch 5, which launched in February 2020 and announced the grand- prize winner in September 2021.


“We’ve made efforts to make this easy and intuitive,” Rentschler said. “Judges are having fun with the process—that helps a great deal.”


This technique arms evaluators and decision-makers with the knowledge to demonstrate mission alignment with the Army and other potential clients. Under- standing and meeting government needs are critical components of a business’s success, and providing an easy path to do so propels these businesses to the front of the line when it comes to awarding cash prizes and funding.


“We want to be able to start solicitations as needs emerge from Army senior leaders, and get decisions made on a rapid cycle, rather than the traditional process that can take 12, 18 or 24 months,” said Dr. Matt Willis, director of Army Applied Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Army Prize Competitions in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research and Technology (DASA (R&T)).


With Valid Eval, the biggest advantage is the elimination of lag time. Instead of manually scoring and tallying results, then filtering them through to each competitor, automation helps to select the best tech- nologies to support Army research and development and acquisitions programs. The sooner new technology can be introduced to Soldiers, the better their performance and reliability, which can ultimately be lifesaving on the front lines.


TOOLING AROUND


Maj. Billy Thomas, left, and Maj. Ryan Fillis use the Valid Eval tool in the xTechSearch 4 competition to evaluate, score and deliberate on science and technology innovations in January 2020. (Photo by xTechSearch)


To date, xTech has used Valid Eval as the judging and scoring mechanism in more than 15 competitions and counting. Valid Eval will continue to be a major player in making these research and development and acquisitions decisions better and faster, as well as highlighting a mean- ingful small-business approach to Army problems.


ANOTHER ARMY DOOR OPENS Valid Eval is helping the Army make the right technology acquisition deci- sions faster while meeting critical DOD needs through a partnership with the Army Applied Small Business Innova- tion Research (SBIR) Program started in April 2021. Te Army Applied SBIR


Program sponsors research and devel- opment for small businesses to provide innovative solutions to meet urgent Army modernization needs. Te program also connects Soldiers and other subject matter experts with small businesses to provide insight and mentorship through the Army research and development ecosystem.


To capitalize on small business innova- tion and respond to the most urgent Army capability needs, the Army Applied SBIR Program issues contract opportunities on an ad hoc, rolling basis to address needs as they emerge—a switch from the legacy SBIR process of releasing topics via pre- determined announcements issued at the DOD level. Valid Eval supports this effort by helping Army Applied SBIR make fast,


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