ADVANCED RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT (ARA) TITLE: ADVANCED TRACKING ARCHITECTURE USING AI (ATA-AI)

Amendment / Modification

This amendment updates the solicitation by modifying specific sections related to Science and Technology (S&T) Protection and the S&T review process.

• Section III, Paragraph 5 (S&T Protection): Updates the language concerning S&T Protection requirements.

• Section V, Paragraph 2.e (S&T Review): Updates the language regarding the S&T review process.

• Section III: S&T Protection

• Section V: Review and Selection Process

• The amendment clarifies requirements for proposal submissions, specifically regarding documentation for S&T protection. Applicants/Recipients must submit forms such as the "Research and Related Senior and Key Person Profile (Expanded)" and the "Security Program Questionnaire" for grant/cooperative agreement proposals, or the "Research and Related Senior and Key Person Profile Worksheet" and "Security Program Questionnaire" for contract/OTA proposals. A "Privacy Act Statement" consent form for each Covered Individual is also required.

• The amendment reiterates that failure to report fully and completely all sources of project support and outside positions may be considered a material statement and a violation of Federal law.

• The S&T review process is integrated into the proposal evaluation. If a security risk is identified that exceeds the acceptable threshold, the Offeror will be notified of the declination of award.

• No changes to proposal deadlines or evaluation factors are explicitly stated, but the S&T review is now a confirmed part of the parallel review process.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) seeks research to design, develop, test, evaluate, and deliver innovative technologies and techniques for Next Generation Target Tracking architectures. The focus is on leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Machine Inferencing (MI) algorithms within a High Performance Computing (HPC) enabled framework. The ARA is open until July 12, 2029, with suggested submission dates aligned with fiscal years.

Research areas include:

• 3D pixel, vector, and point cloud processing and accelerations.

• AI/ML methods for identification, classification, and pattern learning using multiple data modalities (OSINT, SIGINT, Imagery, GEOINT).

• Ingestion and processing of GPS, non-GPS, INS, RFID, and telematic data into traffic tracks.

• Processing of cellphone GPS and non-GPS data for GIS display to assist first responders.

• Approximately $99M in total funding is anticipated.

• Individual awards will typically range from $1M to $10M and not exceed 48 months.

• Multiple awards are anticipated.

• Award instruments may include FAR-based procurement contracts or Other Transactions (OTs) under 10 USC 4021, 4022, and 4023.

• Potential for follow-on production contracts or transactions exists for successful prototype projects.

• This is a two-step ARA. Only white papers will be accepted as initial submissions.

• Formal proposals will be accepted by invitation only.

• Suggested white paper submission dates for FY25-FY29 are by November 30th of the preceding year.

• White papers will be accepted until 5 PM EST on July 12, 2029.

• White papers should be 3-5 pages and follow a specific format (Title, Period of Performance, Cost, Company Info, POCs; Task Objective; Technical Summary & Deliverables).

• Evaluation criteria for white papers include Scientific and Technical Merit, Related Experience, Openness/Maturity/Assurance of Solution, and Reasonableness/Realism of Costs.

• Generally open to all qualified offerors.

• Closed to foreign participation (ownership and nationals), with exceptions for fundamental research and FOCI mitigation.

• Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and Government entities have specific eligibility requirements.

• Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) disclosures and mitigation plans are required.

• Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).

• Specific requirements apply to research involving human subjects and S&T protection.

• DD Form 2345 (Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement) is required for export control compliance.