SHAKING THE TREE
CATALYZING INNOVATION Te PM SL team’s journey toward revitalizing the PGS program started with an initial meeting with the xTech team on April 19, 2023. On June 14, 2023, xTech officially announced the PGS competition. Proposals were due by July 12, 2023. To dissemi- nate the competition announcements, the xTech team adopted both traditional and nontraditional methods. In addition to the conventional announcements on
SAM.gov, xTech leveraged the power of social media platforms like Facebook, custom YouTube videos and LinkedIn.
Te results were nothing short of extraordinary. Te competi- tion announcement resonated with industry stakeholders, as 15 vendors enthusiastically responded to the call. Te team quickly selected the first five winners, each receiving $15,000, on Aug. 14, 2023. One of the most remarkable aspects of the xTech approach was its ability to minimize entry barriers, making it a welcoming environment for vendors unfamiliar with government business intricacies. Unlike traditional processes with volumi- nous solicitations, complex evaluation criteria and numerous FAR and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) requirements, the xTech process was expedited through the guidance and resources it provided. A diverse and efficient evaluation team boasting multidisciplinary backgrounds (engi- neers for weapons, fire control, ammunition and representatives from the requirements community) determined and announced the awardees in just 33 days. In contrast, a traditional approach would have taken an estimated eight months or longer, involving a significant amount of paperwork, reviews and approvals from legal and management experts.
Furthermore, the xTech competition process did not necessitate contract vehicles for awarding prize money. Awardees needed an active commercial and government entity code and a valid check- ing account. Upon submitting their invoices for the prize money, funds were directly deposited into their accounts immediately obligating and dispersing funds, facilitating a seamless progres- sion in the competition.
PROGRESSING IN PHASES Te initial five awardees accepted the invitation to participate in Phase 2 of the competition. Phase 2 required vendors to verbally present their proposed PGS solutions, showcasing how they intended to develop their systems. On Aug. 29-30, 2023, the five companies presented their PGS solutions. Once again, xTech’s expertise and tools played a pivotal role as the panel of judges efficiently evaluated the presentations, enabling them to select
LESSONS LEARNED
As the partnership between PM SL and xTech continues to evolve, several critical lessons have emerged:
• Swift competition: The xTech competition process is markedly quicker than tradi- tional acquisition methods, enabling rapid progress through phases.
• Level playing field: The xTech approach creates a level playing field, permit- ting small vendors to compete on equal footing alongside larger vendors for the prize money.
• Vendor investment: It’s important to note that vendors must allocate resources to participate in the competition and develop prototypes for the final demonstration. The prize money, while a significant incentive, only covers some of the asso- ciated costs.
• Disadvantaged small vendors: Small vendors, often constrained by limited internal funding, may require additional support to fully unleash their innovation potential.
• Prize authority: The 10 U.S.C. § 4025 prize authority, in collaboration with xTech, has emerged as a powerful tool for promoting innovation and collabora- tion within DOD.
• Utilizing nontraditional methods: XTech’s innovative use of social media and other nontraditional platforms has proven effective in reaching a more comprehen- sive array of vendors and attracting their attention.
• Objective evaluation: XTech’s proprietary software has demonstrated its value by removing biases and normalizing results, providing an objective assessment process that expedites decision-making.
94
Army AL&T Magazine
Spring 2024
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