DESCRIPTION

​​The U.S. Army is seeking information from eligible small businesses across the U.S. to identify and advance commercialization pathways for a curated portfolio of high-potential Army Intellectual Property (IP) sets through the xTech|Inversion competition. This platform offers participants the opportunity to engage with the Department of War (DoW), earn prize money, and submit a Phase I Army Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) proposal.  

​The Army FUZE xTech Program is partnering with the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of the Army (DUSA) and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research and Technology (DASA R&T) to deliver the xTech|Inversion competition. The Army recognizes the DoW must enhance engagements with U.S. small businesses by (1) understanding the spectrum of world-class technologies being developed commercially that may benefit the DoW; (2) integrating the sector of non-traditional innovators into DoW Science and Technology (S&T) ecosystem; and (3) providing expertise and feedback to accelerate, mature, and transition technologies of interest in the DoW. 

​The xTech|Inversion competition will consist of three parts:  

1. ​Call for concept white papers; 
2. ​Finals pitch event; and 
3. ​Opportunity to submit a Phase I Army SBIR proposal.

​The competition will award up to $1,000,000 in cash prizes throughout the competition to selected participants. Up 12 finalists will receive a cash prize of $20,000 each and an opportunity to pitch their innovative technology solutions to a panel of Army and DoW experts in August 2026 at Fed Supernova in Austin, TX. The Army intends to select up five final winners to receive an additional cash prize of $152,000 each. Final winners may submit a Phase I Army SBIR proposal worth up to $300,000. Phase I Army SBIR proposals will be considered under the topics within the competition Request for Proposal (RFP) for proof-of-concept demonstrations that are not to exceed six months in duration. Additional details on prize structure can be found in Section VII of the competition RFI.  

​The xTech|Inversion 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.  Any subsequent Army SBIR opportunity will be conducted separately under 15 U.S.C. § 638 and applicable Army SBIR procedures. All final winners will be eligible to submit for a Phase I Army SBIR proposal under the provisions and requirements of 15 U.S.C. § 638.  

​While the DoW authority of this program is 10 U.S.C. § 4025, the xTech|Inversion 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. Finalists 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.  No license to any U.S. Government-owned IP is granted by virtue of participation in or winning the prize competition.  

​All xTech|Inversion competition submissions are treated as privileged information, and contents may be disclosed to employees of the U.S. government, governments of allied nations, designated support contractors at the U.S. government’s discretion for the purpose of evaluation, program support, potential inclusion in Army or DoW marketplaces, and potential follow-on opportunities.  

​The 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 is not required to respond to questions or inquiries regarding this feedback. 

​Problem Statement 

​The xTech|Inversion competition seeks white paper submissions from eligible U.S. small businesses proposing commercialization strategies, technical feasibility approaches, and transition pathway for Army intellectual property aligned to one of the 16 available IP sets: 

• ​IP Set 1: Fibers Loaded with a Zirconium (IV) Hydroxide to Capture/Degrade Toxic Chemicals 
• ​IP Set 2: MXene Catalyst for Chemical Detox 
• ​IP Set 3: Hazardous Chemical Detoxification Using MOF beads 
• ​IP Set 4: Advanced Sealing Interface Surveillance Technology 
• ​IP Set 5: Spatial Calibration for Accurate Long-Distance Measurement Using Infrared Cameras 
• ​IP Set 6: Precise Wide Area Ionosphere Correction Solution for Multi-Spectrum Alternative Sources of Space-Based PNT Signals 
• ​IP Set 7: Pleated Filtration Apparatus Having a Filter Membrane 
• ​IP Set 8: Non-Contact Power Meter Independent of Placement of Field Sensors Around the Cable 
• ​IP Set 9: Production of High Energy-Dense Liquid Hydrocarbon from Low Energy-Dense Aqueous Solutions of Oxygen Containing Organic Compound(s) 
• ​IP Set 10: Deformable Array of Semiconductor Devices 
• ​IP Set 11: Dual Coil Inductive Energy Generator 
• ​IP Set 12: Voltage Step-Up Converter Circuits for Low Input Voltages 
• ​IP Set 13: Autonomous UV and Brush Apparatus for Well Fouling Prevention (Wellbot) 
• ​IP Set 14: Photocatalytic Water Treatment 
• ​IP Set 15: High-Performance Cold Mix Asphalt System 
• ​IP Set 16: Rapidly Deployable Over Decking Systems

​Detailed descriptions for each IP set are available in Appendix A of the competition RFI. 

​Only one submission per IP set, per eligible entity is permitted; if submitting an application to more than one IP set, the technology solution must be different.

SCHEDULE AND PRIZES

ELIGIBILITY

​​Small, for-profit, independent U.S. businesses. Restrictions exist about (1) the type of firm; (2) its ownership structure; (3) the firm’s size in terms of the number of employees; and (4) prior, current, or pending support of similar proposals or awards, as follows:

(1) Type of Firm: An eligible firm must be organized as a for‐profit concern and meet all the other small business requirements in 13 C.F.R. § 121.702. Non‐profit entities are not eligible. 

​(2) Ownership and Control: A majority (more than 50%) of an eligible firm’s equity (e.g., stock) must be directly owned and controlled by one of the following:  

(a) One (1) or more individuals who are citizens or permanent resident aliens of the U.S.; 

​(b) Other for‐profit small business concerns (SBCs) (each of which is directly owned and controlled by individuals who are citizens or permanent resident aliens of the U.S.); or   

(c) ​A combination of (a) and (b) above.

​​Note: If an employee stock ownership plan owns all or part of the concern, each stock trustee and plan member is considered an owner. If a trust owns all or part of the concern, each trustee and trust beneficiary is considered an owner.  

​(3) Size: An eligible firm, together with the affiliates, must not have more than 500 employees.

​(4) Prior, Current, or Pending Support with Similar Technology: Proposals submitted in response to this prize competition must not be substantially the same as another proposal that was funded, is now being funded, or is pending contract award with another federal agency or for any non-funded agreements. Small businesses with any question(s) concerning prior, current, or pending support of similar proposals or awards must disclose those as early as possible to the Army FUZE xTech Program Office.