Not-for-profit MITRE Corp. is seeking proof of concept ideas for “innovation brokering” with a federal government markets, in the initial form of a perpetual trade show.

The objective is to enable the private sector to overcome barriers to doing business with the federal government, and contribute innovative ideas, according to Mitre officials. Responses are due July 31 for the ideas and will be evaluated using MITRE’s Prediction Market. MITRE manages federally funded research and development centers, so it’s efforts are likely to attract more than casual interest.

Initially MITRE is asking for feedback from vendors and other participants on what it would take for them to work with the federal government – how the government can improve its research and acquisition process – before reviewing contest submissions.

The perpetual trade show will combine both virtual and physical elements. MITRE’s Brainstorm site, a virtual trade show, is dedicated to bringing together participants, including customers, end users, systems engineers, potential partners and vendors to collaborate on addressing government needs.

Brainstorm will be supplemented with face-to-face meetings to build trust and reputation. The face-to-face aspect may include a perpetual physical trade show, a brainstorming facility, training and neutral labs for testing ideas. Avenues for information sharing will include both public and private forums to protect intellectual property.

Neutral intermediaries – “information brokers” – will work with vendors to help them better present their ideas to government markets and improve their understanding of government needs. The information brokers will also test ideas and potential solutions as well as identify potential funding sources.

A panel will review ideas and individuals will be allowed to vote on their favorite projects via MITRE’s Prediction Market. The panel and crowd-sourced votes will each have a weight of 50 percent to select the best ideas and top performers (contributions to winning ideas).

To enter the contest or participate in the discussion email John Arthur Mitchison at mitchison@mitre.org. MITRE provides systems engineering, research and development, and information technology support to the government.