Inactive

OUSD(R&E) Fire Support Next Request for Information (RFI) The Assistant Director for Autonomy (AD, Autonomy) in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSDR&E) and ... OUSD(R&E) Fire Support Next Request for Information (RFI) The Assistant Director for Autonomy (AD, Autonomy) in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSDR&E) and his team is seeking input from industry about advanced autonomous systems modernization aligned with the 2018 National Defense Strategy (NDS). The overarching objective of the NDS is to modernize future warfighting capabilities based on transformational technologies and systems. The AD, Autonomy wants to leverage industry in a dialogue to explore a heterogeneous mix of low-cost autonomous manned and unmanned platforms operating in concert, where the unmanned platforms may provide weapons, sensors, C2, or any combination of capabilities. Fire Support Next seeks to exploit these technologies to improve the speed, lethality, and optimization of fire support operations. The AD, Autonomy seeks technologies in the following areas that utilize or enable the application of autonomy and artificial intelligence (AI) / machine learning to enable manned/unmanned teaming to improve the speed of decision making in the area of fire support: Human Machine Teaming Calibrated trust and transparency Common understanding and shared perception Interactive learning Distributed, self-forming, self-coordinating systems Enable more effective human behavior Autonomous Systems Autonomous Maneuver Multi-modal sensing & effects Modular System Architectures AI/ML, Algorithmic approaches to sensor to shooter paring (Weaponeering) Decision Agents Evidence based design and implementation Formation Behaviors (e.g. Swarming) Requirements development Methods Metrics Tools Behavior prediction Autonomous positioning and navigation (non GPS) Autonomous airspace deconfliction/management Risk Management Dynamic Situational Awareness (e.g. Common Operating Picture) Rapid Assessment for Cognitive, Predictive task allocation Decision making at the edge Monitoring Missions, Threat Environments and Intrusion Responses User/System baselining, profiling and analysis for scenario planning Command & Control Systems Self-configuration Autonomous Management Distributed Architecture On-demand Situational Awareness with Big Data Mapping Wired/Wireless Networks, Systems, Activities and Detecting Changes Autonomous sensor-to-shooter pairing algorithms THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Respondents are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in responding to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitation, if one is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Government point of entry beta.Sam.gov. It is the responsibility of the potential offeror to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this requirement. Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI no later than noon Eastern Time, 10 February 2020. Industry responses should be in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) or searchable Adobe (.pdf) format and be no longer than two (2) single-spaced pages. The Government may ask for additional or more in-depth input based on individual responses, if needed. Please ensure your response answers the following questions: What work are you doing in a technological area, to include in-house research, current/prior Government contracts or subcontracts, Cooperative Research and Development Agreements, or partnerships? Include your Technical Readiness Level (TRL) for each. Is there any additional information the Government should consider in developing an acquisition strategy for this technology? For planning purposes, what business/legal concerns should the Government take into consideration, such as intellectual property, commercial licenses, accounting practices, cybersecurity requirements, and/or inexperience with Government contracts? Please indicate the clearance level at which your company is able to hold further discussions. Also indicate whether or not you are a nontraditional defense contractor as defined in 10 USC §?2302 Definitions. Unclassified responses should be sent to: Meghan Meyers, Agreements Specialist, at whs.mc-alex.ad.mbx.rpab@mail.mil. Please reference the title Fires Support Next in the subject of your email. If the response includes classified information, prospective vendors must email whs.mc-alex.ad.mbx.rpab@mail.mil requesting a separate address. Do not send classified information directly to the email referenced herein. Industry responses will determine the acquisition strategy, including selection for FAR-based contracts or Other Transaction agreements that may lead to follow-on work or production. The acquisition strategy may also include multiple solicitations as on-ramps throughout the life of the program. Therefore, the Government encourages potential industry partners to respond to this RFI by the due date. Responses received after the due date may be accepted for on-going market research purposes. The Government intends to host an industry day in the Q2 FY20 time frame in the Washington, DC area. The security level(s) for the meeting will be determined by responses to Question 3 of this RFI. Although Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is not yet mandatory, the Government encourages all vendors to review the CMMC website at https://www.acq.osd.mil/cmmc/ for awareness in order to avoid future delays.