ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND NEXT GENERATION DISTRIBUTED COMMAND AND CONTROL

Quick Summary

The Department of the Air Force (DAF), through AFRL - Rome Research Site, has issued an Open, Two-Step Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), FA8750-23-S-7006, seeking research and development in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Next Generation Distributed Command and Control (C2). This BAA aims to transform DAF and Joint Force C2 capabilities by advancing AI concepts for strategic decision advantage. White papers are accepted until August 30, 2028.

Purpose & Scope

This BAA explores new and advanced AI and distributed C2 concepts to achieve a strategic decision advantage for the DAF. Key areas of interest include:

• Command & Control of AI Systems (TA1): Managing AI behavior during missions, adapting models, and deploying updates. Government Furnished Software (GFS) may be provided.
• Federated, Composable Autonomy & AI Toolbox (TA2): Developing tools for federated deployment and lifecycle management of AI capabilities with common standards.
• Interactive Learning for C4I (TA4): Data-efficient machine learning using human-in-the-loop for C4I problems.
• C2 Complexity Dominance (TA5): Researching techniques to impose complexity on adversary forces.
• Generative AI C4I (TA6): Investigating generative AI for C4I applications like data aggregation and reasoning.
• Software Defined Distributed C2 (TA7): Optimizing and orchestrating distributed C2 nodes for agile operations.
• Tactical AI (TA8): Developing scalable C2 protocols for distributed signal detection and geolocation.
• Mission Planning for Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP) (TA9): Developing an Autonomous Aerial Mission Manager (A2M2) for dynamic re-tasking of ACPs.
• AI Decision Support for Battle Management Command and Control (BMC2) (TA10): Seeking AI-enabled decision support for managing complex Long-Range Kill Chains (LRKCs).
• Note: Technical Area 3 (Advanced Wargaming Agents) has been removed and is no longer accepting white papers.

Contract Details

• BAA Number: FA8750-23-S-7006
• NAICS Code: 541715 (National Defense R&D Services)
• Estimated Funding: Approximately $99M total.
• Individual Awards: Typically range from $200K to $20M, not normally exceeding 48 months. Awards can be made up to the BAA ceiling.
• Anticipated Awards: Multiple awards are anticipated.
• Award Instruments: FAR-based Procurement contracts, DODGARS-based grants/cooperative agreements, or Other Transactions (OT). Successful prototype OTs may lead to follow-on production contracts.

Submission & Evaluation

This is a two-step BAA. Only white papers (3 pages, double-spaced, 12-point font) are accepted as initial submissions; formal proposals are by invitation only.

• Final White Paper Deadline: August 30, 2028, 4:00 PM EST.
• Suggested Submission Dates (for funding alignment):
  • FY24: September 13, 2023
  • FY25: March 15, 2024
  • FY26 (General, including TA10): March 15, 2025
  • FY26 (TA9 specific): September 4, 2025
  • FY27: March 15, 2026
  • FY28: March 15, 2027
• Evaluation Criteria: Scientific and Technical Merit, Related Experience, Openness/Maturity/Assurance of Solution, Reasonableness/Realism of Costs.
• Financial Resources: Proposals for FAR-based awards must include information on financial resources and significant ratios as per DFARS 232.072-2(b).

Eligibility & Important Notes

• Eligibility: Open to all qualified offerors.
• Set-Aside: None specified.
• Foreign Participation: Closed to foreign participation (ownership and nationals), with exceptions for unclassified fundamental research. Specific requirements apply for foreign nationals and FOCI companies.
• S&T Protection: A Security Risk Review will be conducted prior to award. Offerors must submit required forms (SF 424, Security Program Questionnaire, Privacy Act Statement) for "Covered Individuals" (Senior/Key Personnel). Failure to comply may lead to award declination.
• Contact: Technical questions to Gennady Staskevich (gennady.staskevich@us.af.mil, 315-330-4889). Contractual questions to Amber Buckley (Amber.Buckley@us.af.mil, 315-330-3605). Dialogue is encouraged but does not commit the Government.