By Daniel Smoot, Office of Army Prize Competitions and Army Applied SBIR Program

WASHINGTON – Effectively synchronizing Soldier operations, logistics and communications are pivotal components of the U.S. Army’s newest automated data platform solicitation – an investment to improve the speed and quality of Soldier decision-making using artificial intelligence.

Starting July 27, the Army Applied Small Business Innovation Research Program requests innovative small businesses to submit proposals to develop solutions for the Knowledge-Level Distributed Active Data Platforms for Ops-Log Synchronization contract opportunity. This effort will bolster the Army’s ability to collect, understand and distribute relevant battlefield data across operations. With AI-driven analytical reasoning, this technology will also guide the coordination and execution of tactical decisions.

“The solicitation supports the Army’s ongoing modernization and autonomy efforts and could serve thousands of nodes across the active, reserve and National Guard components via increased data on missions and existing constraints,” said Blaise Zandoli, AI/Machine Learning and Climate and Clean Tech Portfolio Manager for the Army SBIR Program. “At the same time, an automated data platform has incredible commercial potential, with the ability to track financial data, human-resource information and customer insights.”

To select a qualified small business for this solicitation, the Army will evaluate the proposed technology’s ability to integrate with current tactical data platforms. The proposed data platform must also provide advanced AI reasoning, decision-making and ops-log synchronization for the small business to receive an award.

$1.9 million in Direct to Phase II funding

One business that submits a proposal can receive an Army Small Business Innovation Research Direct to Phase II contract award. The Army will fund up to $1.9 million in the effort, giving the business an opportunity to coordinate with Army subject matter experts for technical feedback and prototyping over a 24-month performance period.

The solicitation enters pre-release on July 18 and ends August 2. Qualified small businesses can submit proposals between July 27 and September 5, noon Eastern time. Applicants must submit proposal packages through the Defense SBIR|STTR Innovation Portal.

The Army SBIR Program awards Phase I contracts to small businesses and nontraditional vendors whose solutions offer technical merit, feasibility and commercial potential. The program awards Phase II and Direct to Phase II contracts to companies that can address Army needs by providing increased federal support to mature their technologies ready for demonstration.

Small business selectees gain access to technical, acquisition and operational subject matter experts. These specialists offer information on the Army’s technological needs and guidance from the Army research and development ecosystem. Companies capitalize on this by collaborating with technical points of contact who serve as a resource for businesses while they mature their technologies for eventual insertion into Army acquisition programs.

The Army SBIR Program releases contract opportunities ad hoc to respond to current and anticipated warfighting technology needs. For eligibility information and a list of open topics, please visit the Army SBIR|STTR website.

The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology leverages technologies and capabilities to provide U.S. 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.  Small business awardees gain access to technical, acquisition and operational subject matter experts. These specialists offer information on the Army’s technological needs and guidance from the Army research and development ecosystem. Companies capitalize on this by collaborating with technical points of contact who serve as a resource for businesses while they mature their technologies for eventual insertion into Army acquisition programs.

The Army Applied SBIR Program releases contract opportunities ad hoc to respond to current and anticipated warfighting technology needs. For eligibility information and a list of open topics, please visit the Army SBIR|STTR website.

The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology leverages technologies and capabilities to provide U.S. 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.