Help AFRICOM Innovate—Submit New Ideas and Technology
Innovate with AFRICOM on Vulcan is the digital front door to U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) for tech developers across industry and academia. As part of the Vulcan ecosystem, you’ll have continuous access to a broad network of forces and interagency partners across the national security enterprise.
Innovate with AFRICOM on Vulcan is the digital front door to U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) for tech developers across industry and academia. As part of the Vulcan ecosystem, you’ll have continuous access to a broad network of forces and interagency partners across the national security enterprise.
Submitting through Vulcan is simple, open, and readily accessible. Whether you’re a startup, established company, or research institution, you can present your technology or solution directly to USAFRICOM — with no barriers to entry.
All submissions go through a deliberate review process designed to:
- Identify technologies or solutions relevant to mission needs and assess their potential for further action.
- Efficiently vet capabilities and refer promising solutions to the appropriate Directorates or Components.
- Provide meaningful feedback to technology developers to help improve and align solutions with mission priorities.
- Enable ongoing engagement across Vulcan’s connected ecosystem, including interagency and international partners, to strengthen collaboration and accelerate impact for the warfighter.
Join the Vulcan ecosystem and consider submitting to Innovate with AFRICOM if you have a solution that addresses mission needs or interests.
Assessment
AFRICOM uses a tiered process to assess all submissions for relevance.
- If your capability is deemed relevant, it may move on to further assessment or experimentation.
- If it is not relevant, it will not proceed.
- All submissions will receive feedback.
Submission Process
- Prepare: Review AFRICOM's areas of interest and gather your unclassified technical information.
- Register: Create an account on the Vulcan platform.
- Submit: Log in to Vulcan and complete a 'Scout Card' with the following details:
- Capability description and what makes it unique
- Technology Readiness Level (TRL)
- Technical specifications
- Points of contact
- Answer: Respond concisely to a series of questions designed to assess your capability's relevance.
Submission Content
Do Submit:
- Visual illustrations
- Video links
- Attachments specified in the form
Do NOT Submit:
- Marketing materials
- Company background
- Organization charts or staff biographies
- Materials with AFRICOM branding
Innovate with AFRICOM Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who sees my submission?
Submissions are reviewed by authorized USAFRICOM personnel primarily at Headquarters in Kelley Barracks, Germany. Support contractors may assist but are not authorized to disseminate your information.
What is the preferred capability paper format?
There is no preferred format, however specific instructions will be provided for each call in Vulcan. Focus on technical substance rather than company history or organizational detail and avoid exceeding page counts or submitting more documents, etc than requested.
Will I be contacted?
Status and feedback are provided via the submission link. Email contact may occur when necessary.
Does this process guarantee a meeting or contract?
No. Information is for market research purposes only and is not a request for proposals or a solicitation of offers. It does not constitute a commitment by the government to issue a solicitation and does not constitute or imply any USG commitment for future contract awards or other financial obligations.
Is funding associated with Innovate with AFRICOM?
No funding is associated with this process.
What is the best way to contact Innovate with AFRICOM?
africom.stuttgart.acj80.mesg.j804-sci-tech-innovation-branch-mba@mail.mil
Is there an open submission period?
Submissions are accepted daily with no open or closed periods.
How is proprietary information protected?
Documents are safeguarded according to dissemination control markings and applicable legal guidance. If appropriately marked, your documents are treated as protected proprietary information and not released without coordination from the AFRICOM legal team. Government support contractors involved in reviewing supporting documentation are prohibited from sharing any of your appropriately marked proprietary information with others either within or outside their parent company without your expressed written consent.