MARSOC: Automated Armory Collaboration Event (CE)

MARSOC: Automated Armory Collaboration Event (CE) Request to Attend NLT 16 August 2026 11:59 PM ET U.S. Persons Only/U.S. Industry Only Purpose SOFWERX, in collaboration with USSOCOM Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC), will host a series of events to identify innovative technologies and technical approaches that modernize serialized ground ordnance accountability. The events will focus on reducing manual administrative processes through secure digital inventory management, automated documentation, and integrated identification/scanning capabilities while improving accountability, audit readiness, and operational efficiency. Background/Synopsis MARSOC armories maintain thousands of serialized weapons, optics, lasers, night vision devices, communications equipment, and other controlled assets that routinely transfer custody among operators, maintenance activities, and storage locations. Current accountability processes rely heavily on manual inventories, handwritten forms, repetitive data entry, and multiple independent records. These processes are labor intensive, susceptible to human error, and consume significant man-hours while increasing accountability risk. MARSOC seeks commercially available technologies or innovative solutions capable of digitizing armory operations while remaining compatible with existing accountability requirements. Desired capabilities include secure Common Access Card (CAC-enabled user) authentication, automated equipment issue and recovery, inventory tracking, documentation, audit logging, equipment location management, and integrated scanning technologies that reduce administrative burden without compromising accountability. Objective The purpose of this collaboration event is to partner with industry innovators to design a secure, zero-signature automated armory that relies exclusively on optical recognition and computer vision. To maintain strict operational security and eliminate detectable RF signals, this initiative prohibits the use of RFID, active Bluetooth, or radiating digital transmitters. Instead, this event challenges industry partners to develop a passive, image-based inventory system where weapons, gear, and serial numbers are automatically tracked, verified, and logged simply by taking a digital photo or scanning an optical image as items enter or exit the facility. This approach will eliminate slow, legacy paper-based workflows and human-error bottlenecks while guaranteeing absolute property accountability without exposing our facilities to electronic detection. 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 MARSOC 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 5.204. Event Timeline Phase 1 - 17 September 2026 Collaboration Event (CE): SOFWERX will host the Collaboration Event (CE) with Industry, Academic, and Laboratory partners focused on automated armory needs. During this event, Warfighters will interact with potential solution offerors and further communicate operational needs and desirements. Participation in this event is not mandatory, however, it is designed to provide insights to ensure potential offerors understand the problem set(s) fully and to increase the likelihood of matching their technologies with Warfighter needs. This CE is also an opportunity for attendees to meet and form partnerships that may provide a more comprehensive solution. If you do not wish to participate in the CE, you are free to submit your technology on/around 20 October for the AE. Request to attend the CE...