R 251520Z JUL 18
MARADMIN 416/18
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC CDI//
SUBJ/4TH QTR FY18 COMMANDANT'S INNOVATION CHALLENGE//
POC/CHRIS FELDER/MAJ/CDI, CDD, FPID/TEL: 703-432-8035/EMAIL: CHRISTIAN.FELDER@USMC.MIL//
POC/MIKE HIXSON/CIV/CDI, CDD, FPID/TEL: 703-432-8576/EMAIL: MICHAEL.HIXSON@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  This message serves as an announcement for the 4th Quarter FY18 Commandant’s Innovation Challenge, sponsored by Force Protection Integration Division (FPID), Counter Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) Branch.  The purpose of the challenge is to solicit innovative ideas from Marines, Sailors, and government civilians from across the Marine Corps.  This innovation challenge envisions operating in environments defined in the following concepts: Marine Corps Operating Concept, Littoral Operations in a Contested Environment, Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations, and Multi-Domain-Battle: Combined Arms for the 21st Century.  These concepts are available online at:  https:(slant)(slant)marinecorpsconceptsandprograms.com/concepts.
2.  Background: Marine Corps Operating Concept states that technology proliferation is one of the key drivers of change in the future security environment.  Numerous non-state adversaries and individuals will gain access to engineering knowledge that may enable some capability at the tactical level to employ commercially available unmanned systems, new intelligent explosive devices, and chemical and biological weapons against the MAGTF.  The Marine Corps needs to be ready to not only operate in, but excel in this environment of smart mines and sophisticated improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in order to enable maneuver, enhance protection, and increase the commander’s decision-making time and space in support of operations.
3.  Challenge: Identify tactics and technologies that enable mounted and dismounted Marine formations to overcome explosive threats to the MAGTF in all environments at standoff distance (outside serious injury zone) and at the speed of maneuver.
4.  Evaluation criteria:  Submissions will be evaluated based upon four criteria.
4.A.  Did the submission meet the challenge parameters?
4.B.  How original/innovative is the submission?
4.C.  Is the submission’s solution suitable, feasible, and complete?
4.D.  What is the submission’s evaluated impact on the Marine Corps?
4.E.  Additional consideration will be given to submissions that are collaborative, either before submission or through the challenge website.
5.  Beginning 20 July 2018, Marines (active and reserve), Sailors, and government civilians from across the Marine Corps will have the opportunity to participate in this innovation challenge.  Ideas can be submitted until 31 August 2018 at:  http:(slant)(slant)www.marines.mil/innovate.  FPID will carefully review submitted ideas to determine the winners and identify noteworthy submissions.  Challenge winners will be announced via MARADMIN, the website, and e-mail beginning 21 September 2018.
6.  Individuals are encouraged to work and submit as teams.  Everyone is encouraged to comment on ideas throughout the submission period to continue the idea’s development.  A submission is not required prior to commenting on the site.  Individuals are allowed to submit more than one idea.
7.  Release authorized by Lieutenant General Robert S. Walsh, Deputy Commandant, Combat Development and Integration.//