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The War Department seeks proposed architectures that support classified data, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and multi-partner access controls, aiming to integrate various data sources for continuously updated threat information.
The Department of War, through a solicitation by the Defense Innovation Unit, is actively looking for advanced artificial intelligence-based software tools. These tools are required to process and integrate diverse data inputs, including live video feeds, high-resolution satellite imagery, radar data, various sensor outputs, geospatial information, and sensitive classified intelligence reports. Key desired capabilities for these AI tools encompass computer vision for analyzing visual data, predictive analytics to forecast potential threats, semantic technologies for understanding context and meaning in data, and knowledge graphs to represent complex relationships within the information. The primary objective is to continuously update information on space and missile threats, supporting critical, time-sensitive operational decisions. A stringent performance requirement is set for data delivery: tools must be able to provide processed data within a five-second threshold, with an ambitious objective of achieving a two-second delivery time. Furthermore, the systems need to efficiently manage normal data flows, estimated at 20 to 30 MB per minute, and adeptly handle bursts of data up to approximately 5 GB per minute. A crucial function of these tools is their ability to accurately detect, classify, and attribute specific threats, and to issue high-confidence notifications, even when data quality is degraded or when dealing with closely spaced or co-located objects.
For these AI capabilities, robust security measures are paramount. The systems must be designed to effectively support and protect classified data, ensuring its integrity and confidentiality. They must also manage Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) according to strict guidelines. Furthermore, the architecture needs to incorporate sophisticated access controls to facilitate secure multi-partner operations, allowing various authorized entities to collaborate without compromising sensitive data. Proposed solutions are expected to adhere to modern, secure IT practices, specifically by being containerized and cloud-native, which promotes portability, scalability, and resilience. Compliance with NIST SP 800-171 standards is a mandatory requirement, underlining the emphasis on robust information security. Beyond real-time processing, the tools must possess the capability to store and efficiently retrieve multiple years of historical data. This extensive data retention is critical for comprehensive historical analysis, real-time monitoring, and thorough post-event investigations. Vendors aiming to participate in this initiative must demonstrate their ability to obtain and continuously maintain a Facility Security Clearance throughout the duration of the agreement. Additionally, all personnel assigned to the project must possess and maintain Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearances, reflecting the highly sensitive nature of the work.
The solicitation process is open to a broad range of participants, allowing both U.S. and international vendors to submit their proposals. These submissions can be made either individually as a single entity or through collaborative teaming arrangements, encouraging diverse expertise. Vendors who are successfully selected to advance to Phase 2 of the process will be provided with additional, more detailed information to refine their pitches. During this stage, they will also be required to furnish a rough order of magnitude (ROM) cost breakdown, offering a preliminary estimation of the project's financial aspects. A key phase involves companies demonstrating their proposed capabilities within an unclassified test environment. This allows the Department of War to assess the functionality and effectiveness of the AI tools in a controlled setting. The commercial solutions opening (CSO) process has a structured progression; if the prototype project is successfully completed and meets the department's requirements, it may directly lead to a follow-on production agreement or contract. This means that successful prototype development could bypass further competitive procedures for the full-scale implementation. All interested vendors must submit their responses by the specified deadline of September 24.