Maintenance Technology Engagement Exercise (MAINTENX)​, sponsored by NAVSEA 05T, will allow industrial maintenance solutions to be demonstrated in a one-on-one setting onboard the Navy’s Self Defense Test Ship (SDTS). Participants will have an opportunity to utilize the SDTS platform both at the port and underway depending on the project. Individual exercise sessions will be scheduled between August 22 – September 2, 2022, at Naval Base Ventura County in Port Hueneme, CA.  Demonstration durations and locations will vary based on capability.  Interested participants must complete the application steps found below.

MAINTENX will consist of a series of technical demonstrations, field experiments, and exercises—both discussion- and operations-based. It will provide an opportunity to assess, grow, and field technology-based solutions to solve fleet expeditionary maintenance and battle-related support requirements.

MAINTENX will be conducted on the ex-US Paul F. Foster, DD 964, the Self Defense Test Ship (SDTS) currently based at Port Hueneme, CA. This will be a low-risk learning environment that allows for direct feedback. Technologies will be tested field forward with on-site learning, adjusting, and repeating when possible.

Ideally, proposed solutions will be mature and ready to field to provide immediate effect for the Navy.  Technology and Manufacturing Readiness levels (TRL/MRL) will be used as a ranking element for participation.  Click the following for helpful TRL guide or MRL Guide.

MAINTENX is sponsored by the NAVSEA Technology Office which champions the timely transition of emerging technologies into ships, submarines, and the communities that design, build and maintain them—resulting in a more affordable and capable fleet.

Gain the unique opportunity to utilize the Self Defense Test Ship platform both at port and underway, depending on project.

Increase insight into warfighter needs.

Collaborate with Naval Warfare Centers and Government Labs.

Interact with fleet and interagency partners.

Receive access to program offices, industry, and academic partners.

Get the chance to “test drive” potential solutions that respond to specific fleet problems, allowing unfiltered exposure and visibility with end-users and warfighters.

Obtain hands-on or over-the-shoulder exposure to developing technical solutions and a voice in the value and suitability of new technologies in a battle damage scenario.

Inform technical development.

Evaluate the current state and potential effectiveness of technology-based solutions—while simultaneously being offered the chance to field, adjust, learn, and repeat.

MAINTENX is being conducted as part of ANTX-Coastal Trident 2022, which currently has over 60 naval, academia and industry participants. ANTX-Coastal Trident is conducted to accelerate identification and implementation of leading-edge capabilities by the US Navy and its interagency partners in port and maritime security. The program is intended to provide technologists with an understanding of the operational challenges faced by the warfighter and, complementing that, the warfighter with an understanding of developing technologies that might meet their needs. These events allow for collaboration between industry, academia, and government research and development organizations and provide a testbed environment in which end users assess the utility of technical innovations before decisions are required on investment priorities.

Coastal Trident is an operational research program established in 2007 to meet the security training and exercise needs of the Port of Hueneme, as well as familiarize law enforcement and emergency response partners with the unique challenges associated with port and maritime operations. Over the last 15 years, Coastal Trident has provided opportunities for operational stakeholders at the federal, state, and local levels of government to train and exercise in relevant and timely scenarios. There may be opportunity for further engagement from 60-plus Coastal Trident participants.

Alignment of ANTX with Coastal Trident provides access to scenario-based, operationally relevant test environments with representative end users not typically accessible to experimenters. Engagement in these venues maximizes feedback on concepts of employment, mission effectiveness, and operational suitability and provides access to interagency partners that expands awareness of technical solutions.

Your solution should address one of the following focus areas.

• Navy assets need dynamic visualization and inspection methods to “see” themselves and the world surrounding them.  For example: ships need to “see” above and below the water line, inside and outside of the hull.​
• Naval Commanders need the ability to make rapid, data-driven decisions for command, control and sustainment.  Integrating data in from various external sources and from aboard and displaying holistic Operational Views (OVs) enables real-time situational assessment and rapid, precise shipboard decision making.​
• The Navy needs an ability to reduce the tyranny of distance for supply chains particularly in contested environments.   Forward manufacturing hubs, including additive manufacturing, enables greater ship readiness in theatre.​
• The Navy needs the ability to perform maintenance operations underway and in forward locations to improve ships materiel condition and build battle damage repair competencies.

NAVSEA 05T

WASP

PSU-ARL

Navy Reserves

NAVAIR

LOGCOM

JHUB (UK)

CTMA/NCMS

OSD

DASN(S)

NSWC Carderock

NUWC Keyport

ONR (Global, E&A)

CNRMC

SWRMC

NSWC Port Hueneme

NSWC Philadelphia

Application Submission Steps

1. Download and complete the application template found here: MAINTENX Proposal Template
   1. View this sample proposal as a guide: MAINTENX Proposal Template SAMPLE
2. Save application template as PDF.
3. Produce a 2-minute video to be viewed by the vetting team.  Video should:
   1. Introduce your offering and team
   2. Provide your “why you want to attend” statement
   3. Demonstrate your offering in operation aligned to one of the “able to support” statements
   4. Be filmed in an environment that is ideally more like a ship or afloat than a lab or digital rendering
   5. Explain the value proposition behind your offering
4. The video should be uploaded to YouTube or other video hosting services.
5. Complete the adjacent submission form including all fields, PDF application, and URL to the video.

NOTE: All submitted and demonstration materials will be considered Distro A

Following submission, the vetting team will review all applications and videos.  You will be contacted if your submission is incomplete or further responses are needed.  Notification of acceptance will be sent on Monday, April 18, 2022.

Proposals will be vetted by the following criteria in consideration: 

• Addresses problem
• Offers an original contribution to the state of the art
• Technology Readiness Level (TRL)
• Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL)
• Affordability
• Capability aboard ship
• Benefit to maintenance
• Feasibility and practicality

Any questions about this event or your application should be sent to eventsupport@ncms.org.

Any technical questions should be directed to Suzie Simms at susan.simms@navy.mil