DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Army is seeking innovative power generation and storage solutions from eligible small and large businesses across the U.S. and allied foreign countries attending the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting & Exposition in Washington, D.C., from October 12-14, 2026, to assist with critical Army priorities through the xTech|Disrupt Endurance competition. This platform offers participants the opportunity to engage with the U.S. Department of War (DoW), earn prize money and potentially receive a contract award or agreement. 

The U.S. Army FUZE xTech Program, managed under the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT)), is delivering the xTech|Disrupt Endurance competition. Recognizing the need to reach beyond traditional defense partners, the U.S. Army is actively expanding its engagement with the commercial sector through dynamic platforms such as live pitch competitions – creating new opportunities for industry to directly shape the future of national security. This initiative aims to (1) understand the spectrum of ‘world-class’ technologies being developed commercially with potential U.S. DoW applications; (2) actively integrate the sector of non-traditional innovators into the U.S. DoW Science and Technology (S&T) ecosystem; and (3) provide expertise and feedback to accelerate, mature, and transition technologies of interest to the U.S. DoW. 

The xTech|Disrupt Endurance competition will consist of one round with additional opportunities: 

1. On-site registration for a 1-minute elevator pitch on a first-come, first-serve basis; and 
2. Live pitch event. 

The competition will award up to $500,000 in cash prizes to selected participants. Up to 18 applicants will be selected on-site at the 2026 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting & Exposition to present their technology concepts to a live panel of U.S. Army and DoW subject matter experts (SMEs) on October 12-13, 2026. The U.S. Army intends to select up to five (5) winners to receive a cash prize of $100,000 each. Additional details on prize structure can be found in Section VII of the RFI. 

Registration will take place on-site at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Exhibit Hall A in the U.S. Army FUZE xTech Program booth # 1617 on October 12, 2026, from 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM ET and October 13, 2026, from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM ET on a first come, first serve basis (dates and locations are subject to change without notice). 

All eligible entities will be required to complete a registration form and deliver a 60-second elevator pitch that clearly outlines their technology concept and how it aligns with the identified problem statement. This is required to ensure alignment with the U.S. Army’s operational needs and priorities. Additional details on the registration process can be found in Section IV of the RFI.  

All presentations will be conducted in front of a public audience. 

In addition to non-dilutive cash prizes, participants may have the opportunity to engage with U.S. Army and DoW experts attending the 2026 AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition, receiving valuable feedback on their innovations.  

The xTech|Disrupt Endurance competition is conducted in accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 4025, which authorizes the use of prize competitions to stimulate innovation and identify promising technologies for national security applications. Requirements for competition under 10 U.S.C. § 3201 are satisfied upon completion of the challenge and use of prize authority. As such, this competition serves as a competitive down select mechanism that enables government organizations to engage with finalists and winners through a variety of follow-on acquisition pathways, including but not limited to: 

• 10 U.S.C. § 4114 – Selection of contractors for prototype projects 
• 10 U.S.C. § 4022 – Prototype projects 
• 10 U.S.C. § 4023 – Procurement for experimental purposes 
• 10 U.S.C. § 4001 – Research and development 
• 10 U.S.C. § 4021 – Other Transaction Authority (OTA) 
• 10 U.S.C. § 3458 – Authority to acquire innovative commercial products and commercial services using general solicitation competitive procedures 
• 15 U.S.C. § 3703 – Technology innovation partnerships 
• 15 U.S.C. § 638 – SBIR and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs 

Government organizations may consider leveraging these statutory authorities to pursue follow-on awards with companies identified through the xTech competition process. This approach supports rapid technology maturation, accelerates the transition of innovative capabilities to the field, and promotes collaboration with non-traditional and small business performers. 

While the authority of this program is 10 U.S.C. § 4025, the xTech|Disrupt Endurance competition may generate interest by another U.S. Army, DoW or United States Government (USG) organization for a funding opportunity outside of this program (e.g., submission of a proposal under a Broad Agency Announcement). The interested organization may contact the participant to provide additional information or ask for a request for proposal in a separate solicitation. Winners of the prize competition may be invited to submit a separate proposal for further development of their proposed technology solution based on the needs of the Army. The Army may use a contract mechanism of their choice and will notify the participants accordingly.    

The U.S. Army FUZE xTech Program intends to provide feedback from evaluators to participants during each part of the competition. The purpose of providing this feedback is to help accelerate the transition of the technology to an Army end-user by providing insight into the best applications for the technology, suggestions for product improvement for Army use and recommended next steps for development. However, the Government may not respond to questions or inquiries regarding this feedback.   

Problem Statement 

The U.S. Army seeks innovative, interoperable power generation and storage solutions. In large-scale combat operations, dispersed formations depend on continuous and reliable power to sustain mission command systems, sensors, and uncrewed platforms while operating in contested areas with constrained fuel distribution. Current commanders lack interoperable, self-reporting systems and the visibility of their power assets to enable energy situational awareness or course of action development for energy informed decision making. The Army requires tactical platforms and autonomous systems with low-signature power generation, storage, and distribution capabilities with open standard electrical, mechanical, and data interfaces to support energy planning and optimization during extended, distributed operations in an environment that limits resupply frequency and logistical footprints. 

For detailed topic description, see Appendix A of the RFI, for detailed judging rubric see Appendix B of the RFI. 

SCHEDULE AND PRIZES

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for this competition, entities must be a small to large business attending the 2026 AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition in Washington, D.C.  

Each eligible entity:   

• Must be able to obtain a CAGE code (U.S. businesses) and/or NCAGE code (international businesses) to process payments (CAGE codes are not required during registration);   
• Shall be incorporated in, and maintain, a primary place of business in the U.S. or a foreign country;    
• May not be a U.S. federal or foreign government entity or employ a U.S. federal employee acting within the scope of their employment;    
• May not be a company or person controlled by, funded by, or under the jurisdiction or direction of foreign adversaries; and   
• Must not be based in a foreign country of concern (FCOC), directly funded by an FCOC-government or FCOC-government-subsidized guidance fund or be under the influence of an FCOC-based government in any way. Failure to meet these requirements will result in ineligibility for award.   

The U.S. Army FUZE xTech Program will not provide travel or registration funding for eligible entities to attend the 2026 AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition.     

Failure to meet any of the above requirements will result in ineligibility for award. The USG reserves the right to verify eligibility and make all final determinations at its sole discretion.