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

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Army invested in two small businesses to develop three-dimensional modeling software that can map and assess infrastructure under its Dynamic Enhance Environment Perception – Building Information Models solicitation.

Announced in June, the Army Small Business Innovation Research Program’s solicitation will enhance the Army’s real-time 3D mapping and modeling capabilities. As a result, the solutions developed as part of this effort will improve Soldiers’ situational awareness in remote and underground locations.

“The firms will integrate their technologies into existing equipment utilized by the Army, U.S. Special Operations Command and other mission stakeholders to support subterranean operations,” said Dr. Matt Willis, director of Army Prize Competitions and the Army Applied SBIR Program. “This will not only improve tactical decision making, but also enable the Army to better observe and orient Soldiers in complex operational environments.”

Through the two Army SBIR Direct to Phase II contracts, the selected businesses can each receive nearly $1.9 million in funding. As part of the Army SBIR program’s investment, Army subject matter experts will evaluate the technologies’ ability to generate two- and three-dimensional maps of GPS-denied space, and the integration of sensor and object-identification data.

DEEP-BIM Direct to Phase II contract selectees

• Mach9 Robotics Inc.; Pittsburgh, Pa.
• Toyon Research Corp.; Goleta, Calif.

During the anticipated 24-month performance period, the Army SBIR Direct to Phase II selectees will receive access to Soldier touchpoints that offer developmental and assessment-based feedback on technologies in practical settings. Businesses will utilize this support system to develop demonstration-ready prototypes.

The Army SBIR Program awards Phase I contracts to small and nontraditional businesses with solutions exhibiting technical merit, feasibility and commercial potential. The program awards Phase II and Direct to Phase II contracts to businesses that address Army needs with mature technologies capable of gaining increased federal support.

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 that 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.