Q: What is the deadline for entries for the 2013 challenge?
A: Midnight December 10th, 2012
Q: Why would someone enter their idea into the challenge, especially in the case of interface entries?
A: The reason folks may be interested in submitting is that million dollar ideas are only million dollar ideas if you get the attention of the folks who hold the money. We are interested in exploring the state of the technology, and providing a link between potential providers and consumers. The challenge functions as free advertising for the submitters and another way to do market research for the government. Quite often we find the real innovators are folks who we in the government don’t necessarily have a means of reaching. Many great developers do not know about resources such as Federal Business Opportunity (FEDBIZOPS) or how to use it to develop a working relationship with the Government. The challenge functions as another avenue to reach the government community.
We’ve been clear that intellectual property of all entries belongs to the submitter. We do not need original source code to evaluate entries. The best strategy is to share executables and even put a limit on how long they can be used. We will NOT hack into your work. We simply want to reproduce your functionality in our lab so that evaluators have a basis for their evalutation. The users may decide that it scratches an itch and they may ultimately want to negotiate with the submitter to purchase intellectual property. That would lead to a follow-on contract. Many of the winners of the challenge have found exactly these types of opportunities.
We appreciate your concern and would be happy to work with you to establish ways to protect your intellectual property as you consider submitting to the challenge.
Q: Is the description and webpage all that is needed for an entry?
A: No! The goal is to have a demonstration of functionality in a virtual environment in the case of the Critical Thinking/Adaptability focus area and a demonstration of the interface in the navigation focus area. The entry must be something evaluators can experience. A white-paper or concept would not be applicable.
Q: Does the application need to incorporate an element of military usefulness?
A: It is not necessary for there to be a direct military learning application.
Q: Do entries have to involve both focuses, or will one suffice?
A: Entries do *not* need to include both focus areas. They are unique and separate.
Q: Am I correct in understanding that entries do not have to be limited to Science, Math and Technology?
A: Entries are not limited to STEM!
Q: Can I submit multiple entries?
A: Absolutely!
Q: I do not own land in SL and would be interested in learning how to reserve a space for building in the event that I’m unable to locate a spot. How large can a build be and how many prims are permitted.
A: You have quite a few options with regards to where you place your entry. You can use whatever virtual environment you’d like or you can place your entry in one of our virtual environments. We have an open sim platform called MOSES (www.brokentablet.arl.army.mil) as well as two Second Life islands (VADER and VADER II). We would need an idea of how large a space is needed and how many prims you believe you need for your build to set aside space. This is a first-come-first-served process. So to set aside space, go to the MOSES site and read about it. Decide if you’d prefer to build in MOSES or Second Life. Then email fvwc.sttc@us.army.mil to coordinate.
Q: Does the entry have to be in Second Life?
A: No. It can be in any virtual environment. Just ensure you provide clear instructions on how to access it on your web page.
Q: What prizes or incentives (other than a trip to Orlando) does this challenge offer?
A: Winners will be showcased at the Defense Users’ Game Tech Conference in Orlando, Florida. The top three winners in each non-Government category will receive airfare, rental car and hotel accommodations to attend the event (not to exceed $18,400). First place winners will receive $10,000, second place will receive $5,000 and third will receive $3,000.
Q: What’s the scoop on intellectual property of demonstrated projects or builds that are submitted?
A: We absolutely will NOT request Intellectual Property as part of this challenge. If the Government is interested in a entry for future development, a follow on contract can be developed with that provider to transfer Intellectual Property to the agreement of all parties.
Q: Can anyone build on the sandbox? Will you be autoreturning objects?
A: Anyone can build in the VADER sandbox area in Second Life. Submitters need to notify us (via e-mail at fvwc.sttc@us.army.mil or via instant message in Second Life to Tami Nightfire), how much space they need and we will leave their work area undisturbed. Space is also available in the MOSES Opensim area (www.brokentablet.arl.army.mil).
Q: What about “mature” content in the sandbox area?
A: If someone displays something offensive in the sandbox (by our judgment) it will be removed. If it is sufficiently offensive we will ban the builder from the region.
Q: Will finalists be notified of their status prior the awards at GameTech in March?
A: Yes. Finalists will receive notification no later than one month prior to GameTech on the status of their entry.
Q: Where can I find the parental consent form and how do I submit it?
A: A parental consent form is required for entries submitted by anyone under the age of 18. To access the form, e-mail fvwc.sttc@us.army.mil and request form, send form back to the fvwc.sttc@us.army.mil e-mail address.
Q: Will group vs. individual entries be judged the same?
A: Yes.
Q: I work for a state college, does this disqualify our organization from being able to receive awards from the challenge?
A: No.
Q: Can Government organizations, employees, or Government Contractors enter the FVWC competition?
A: Yes.
Q:What type of recognition will winners receive?
A: All winning submitters will have their name and entry information on the website, they will also be invited to the GameTech conference in Orlando in March to discuss their entry. Information on their entry will also be shared in a promotional video and a report to congress.
Q:What other ways might Government organizations, employees or Government Contractors participate in this challenge?
A: Government employees are encouraged to participate as evaluators. If interested please contact fvwc.sttc@us.army.mil.
Q: Are winners required to attend the GameTech conference?
A: No, but it does provide an excellent means of socializing their capabilities to the Government (otherwise known as free advertising).
Q: What is the travel cost limit that the winners will be reimbursed to attend Gametech?
A: Travel funded will not exceed $18,000.