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Army releases five SBIR contracts for AI and manufacturing solutions

Published: 06/11/2024
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 By Daniel Smoot, Office of Army prize Competitions and Army SBIR Program

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Army Small Business Innovation Research Program released five new contract opportunities in June to prioritize artificial intelligence and machine learning, sensors and advanced manufacturing solutions.

Through the solicitations, the Army requests small businesses to submit proposals tackling key Army priorities. These priorities include High-Power Single Mode Diode Bars, Robust Computer Vision for Better Object Detection with Limited Training Data, AI-Enhanced Tools, Practices and Systems Development and Sustainment, AI-Driven Production of Coarse- and Nano-Nitramines and Laminated Metallic Armor.

The Army requires qualified small businesses to submit proposal packages via the Defense SBIR|STTR Innovation Portal. Small businesses interested in applying can view summaries of the Phase I and Phase II Army SBIR contract opportunities below. For additional information, you can view the solicitation pages linked within the topic headings.

The pre-release date for each of the contract opportunities is June 11. The open submission window is between June 16 and July 30.

High-Power Single Mode Diode Bars

The Army wants to enable power scaling in direct-diode, high-energy lasers while maintaining single-mode operation and high-efficiency performance. The current diode bars are limited to 1W power outputs in single mode. This limitation leads to larger size, weight and power HELs.

Phase: Army SBIR Phase I.

Maximum Performance Period: 6 months.

Contract Award Limit: up to $250,000.

Robust Computer Vision for Better Object Detection with Limited Training Data

With greater availability of digital imagery, including satellite data for electro-optical/infrared, synthetic aperture radar and full-motion video, the Army needs automated methods to efficiently process and analyze vast amounts of multi-modal data.

Phase: Army SBIR Direct to Phase II.

Maximum Performance Period: 18 months.

Contract Award Limit: up to $2 million.

AI-Enhanced TPS Development and Sustainment

This Army SBIR project will develop field-level maintenance and repair of weapon systems electronics that shorten supply chain latency for electronic component repairs. The solution must screen electronic components for no evidence of failure at the source within the tactical unit.

Phase: Army SBIR Phase I.

Maximum Performance Period: 6 months.

Contract Award Limit: up to $250,000.

AI-Driven Production of Coarse- and Nano-Nitramines

Vendors must use artificial intelligence and machine learning to control the production processes for Nano-Nitramines. The Army seeks to produce the most efficient, effective formulations currently known in an agile and flexible manner.

Phase: Army SBIR Direct to Phase II.

Maximum Performance Period: 24 months.

Contract Award Limit: up to $250,000.

Laminated Metallic Armor

The Army seeks low-cost, high-yield domestic production processes for laminated/graded metallic armor plates and high-strength structural components that can readily integrate into vehicle structures using existing welding processes. These types of armor and components would drive a significant reduction in weight while maintaining the same level of force protection.

Phase: Army SBIR Phase I.

Maximum Performance Period: 6 months.

Contract Award Limit: up to $250,000.

About the Army SBIR Program

The Army SBIR Program provides Phase I contract opportunities to small businesses showing commercial viability, feasibility and technical merit. The program offers Phase II and Direct to Phase II contracts to firms with mature technologies that already meet Phase I requirements.

Companies receive access to technical, acquisition and operational Army experts. These specialists give insights on the Army’s critical needs while guiding them from within the Army research and development ecosystem. Contractors capitalize on this by working with technical points of contact that serve as resources as they mature their solutions for insertion into Army acquisition programs.

The Army SBIR Program releases contract opportunities on an ad-hoc basis to respond to current and expected Soldier needs. The program will continue to promote new contract releases via solicitation announcements and email. We encourage you to follow Army SBIR|STTR on FacebookX (Formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn for the latest program announcements, updates and contract opportunities.

ASA(ALT) leverages technologies to provide Soldiers a decisive advantage in any environment by developing, acquiring, fielding and sustaining the world’s finest equipment and services. For more information, visit the ASA(ALT) web page and follow @ArmyASAALT.

Please contact the Army SBIR mailbox if you have any questions.

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Army releases five SBIR contracts for AI and manufacturing solutions

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