SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- Request for Information for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Techniques, Algorithms, and Capabilities for U.S. Army Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance and Electronic Warefare Applications
- Notice Date
- 5/15/2018
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541715
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Army, Army Contracting Command, ACC - APG (W56KGU) Division A, 6565 Surveillance Loop, Building 6001, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, 21005-1846, United States
- ZIP Code
- 21005-1846
- Solicitation Number
- W56KGU-18-X-A515
- Archive Date
- 6/7/2018
- Point of Contact
- Maurice P. Hinkson, Phone: 4438614682, Nicolas A. Martin, Phone: 4438614681
- E-Mail Address
-
maurice.p.hinkson.civ@mail.mil, nicolas.a.martin2.civ@mail.mil
(maurice.p.hinkson.civ@mail.mil, nicolas.a.martin2.civ@mail.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Techniques, Algorithms, and Capabilities for U.S. Army Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) and Electronic Warfare (EW) Applications Request for Information (RFI) 23 April 2018 Contact: usarmy.apg.rdecom-cerdec.mbx.i2wd-machine-learning-rfi@mail.mil U.S. Army Intelligence and Information Warfare Directorate (I2WD), Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC), Research, Development & Engineering Command (RDECOM) Email: usarmy.apg.rdecom-cerdec.mbx.i2wd-machine-learning-rfi@mail.mil Synopsis: THIS IS AN RFI. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION ANNOUNCEMENT. The purpose of this notice is for the Government to obtain market research information and gain an understanding of the marketplace. I2WD is seeking information from academia, industry and other Government agencies regarding both internally-funded Independent Research & Development (IR&D) efforts and externally funded (contract or grant) efforts on artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), cognitive computing (CC) and data analytics (DA) techniques, algorithms, and capabilities that have application to R&D areas at I2WD: electronic warfare (EW); intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) / reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition (RSTA); offensive cyber operations (OCO); signals intelligence (SIGINT); and processing, exploitation & dissemination (PED) / big data analytics. Background: The U.S. Army CERDEC I2WD established a CC/ML Tiger Team in March 2017 to help identify AI technologies that have the potential to enhance operational effectiveness and efficiencies within I2WD functional mission areas, across U.S. Army operations, and for Joint U.S. and coalition force operations. AI/ML/CC/DA are all topics of interest to engineers and scientists within several divisions at I2WD; the Tiger Team's goal is to act as the focal point of all AI related activities and expertise within each Division at I2WD. I2WD is interested in gaining greater insight into the state of the art in AI techniques, algorithms and capabilities. This will help to determine the areas of AI research that have Technology Readiness Levels suitable for investment and eventual integration into the next generation of Army SIGINT/Cyber/EW/ISR systems. Mature AI systems, tools and/or capabilities that can be applied to current I2WD or PM managed programs to increase performance are also of interest. The I2WD ML/CC Tiger Team has identified several research & development areas within I2WD that may benefit from the implementation of AI/ML/CC/DA: • Electronic Warfare (EW) o Survivability EW and Offensive EW  Electronic Support, Reconnaissance and Surveillance (Detect, Identify, Direction Finding, Geolocation), Electronic Attack (Deny, Degrade, Disrupt, Deceive, Manipulate, Destroy (D5M)), and Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) • Offensive Cyber Operations (OCO) o Cyber Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA) Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR), CEMA Situational Understanding (SU), CEM Operational Preparation of the Environment (OPE), Access, Deny, Degrade, Disrupt, Deceive, Manipulated, Destroy (D5M), and Battle Damage Assessment • Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) o Detect, Identify, Exploit, Direction Finding and Geolocation • RADAR o Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) o Reconnaissance, Surveillance & Target Acquisition (RSTA) o Counter-Fire Target Acquisition • Sensor Data Processing, Exploitation & Dissemination (PED) • Augmented Humans / Analyst Assistance / Digital Teammate: A digital teammate for the intelligence analyst is foundationally fully user centric, i.e. serving the warfighter across various missions, personnel, and functions. It also fully supports military systems by providing a Standard User Profile and standards-based application programming interface (API) for systems to interface to the human-digital team. It integrates disparate data of interest to the analyst or warfighter by mapping and transforming data to a common model, which enables analytics and other apps to make use of any integrated data via a single API. It also provides a foundation for Human-AI capabilities such as AI-augmented learning, natural language processing (NLP) (based on unique interest models), and networking with other Human-AI teams. This RFI is especially interested in advances in a fully user-centric approach (i.e. not tied to a specific system). This RFI is also interested in innovative strategies for fielding a secure minimum viable product that can be incrementally improved based on user feedback. • Big Data AI Frameworks • Autonomous/semi-autonomous decision making for manned/unmanned operations • "Foundational" Tools, Techniques, Algorithms & Capabilities: This research area applies across the board to all of the "functional research areas" above; one of our principal areas of interest is to identify accessible data sources & repositories, and whether these data sources contain labeled or unlabeled data or both; a second area of interest is the availability of tools and techniques that can be applied to the "functional research areas" above; the third area of interest pertains to research dealing with the four "V's" of Big Data: Volume, Velocity, Variety and Veracity; a fourth area of interest is multi-spectral processing. • Cross Cutting Techniques, Algorithms & Capabilities: The goal of this research area is to accelerate the timeline to convert data information understanding decision action. This research area supports the multi-domain battle and joint, multi-national, and multi-echelon operations, and includes topics such as: ability to understand and operate in contested / congested imperfect information environments; automated decision making and autonomous processes; cognitive modeling of the opposing force to determine the adversary commander's intent; and Synchronous distributed systems operating in concert together for precision EW, Cyber Operations, SIGINT, or ISR/RSTA. Objective of the RFI: This RFI seeks information on proposed applications of AI/ML/CC/DA techniques, systems, algorithms and capabilities that pertain to these areas of interest. Ongoing or proposed research efforts that improve the accuracy, efficiency, and data/signal processing capabilities of current and next generation U.S. Army C4ISR/EW capabilities are of interest to the Government. I2WD's primary focus is Applied Research (6.2) and Advanced Technology Development (6.3) RDT&E efforts. As such, the I2WD ML/CC Tiger Team is interested in AI research that will help the U.S. Army meet a recognized applied research objective (6.2) or the development and integration of technology to improve C4ISR/EW system performance that can be measured during field experiments and assessments (6.3). Basic research in AI that leads to a better understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena without specific applications toward processes or products (6.1) is not the focus of this RFI. The knowledge of AI development efforts currently underway within industry, other services, academia and other Government agencies that have the potential to improve U.S. Army C4ISR/EW capability performance against current and emerging threats will help the I2WD ML/CC Tiger Team to identify capability gaps and opportunities for investment. The ML/CC Tiger Team is interested in collaboration and intends to share any material submitted in response to this RFI with other Government organizations engaged in AI research who express interest. Disclaimer: This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. In accordance with FAR 15.202 (e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. This is a pre-solicitation RFI and the I2WD CC/ML Tiger Team is currently conducting market research only. No award is intended as a result of this synopsis. The Government will not reimburse the respondents for any costs incurred in the preparation of responses to this RFI, or for participating in information exchange regarding details of the RFI. Due Date: 15 business days from date of this announcement in the FBO. Pending a review of the responses, the quality of submissions and the level of specificity of the information provided, Government may conduct follow up discussions (if needed) with respondents. Please note, however, that the Government is under no obligation to conduct these follow-up Q&A sessions. I2WD Mission: The mission of the U.S. Army CERDEC I2WD is to research, develop and evaluate ISR, EW and Cyber technologies to provide effective, intelligence situational understanding, tracking, targeting and survivability solutions that transition into operationally relevant capabilities for Soldiers. In order to ensure that the I2WD executes research efforts that provide a maximum return on investment, it is imperative to have situational awareness of ongoing efforts within industry, academia, DOD, and other Government agencies. Requested Information: The I2WD CC/ML Tiger Team requests specific information regarding research and development efforts that pertain to the research areas mentioned above and will only review the following information: • Section 1. Brief description of company or academic institution and expertise as pertaining to AI (one paragraph maximum). • Section 2. This section shall contain a brief description of each completed, ongoing or proposed AI research development and/or capability effort, along with an explanation as to how it maps to one or more of the AI research areas. The combined length of the description of all AI research efforts (including the aforementioned description of the offeror's company or institution) and all other material submitted in response to this RFI should not exceed 10 pages total (single spaced, 10 pitch font minimum). • Section 3. The respondent may submit up to five quad charts for AI technology research and/or development efforts that address one or more of the research areas. o Quad charts should follow the format provided as Appendix A. o Proposed technology development efforts must be related to one or more of the research areas o The total estimated funding requirements for each research effort proposed in the quad charts should not exceed $500K. Development and demonstration efforts proposed in the quad charts should not exceed $2.0M. Proposed efforts in excess of these amounts are unlikely to receive further consideration from I2WD. o All assumptions, including any related to government support of the proposed research effort(s), shall be clearly identified. Submission Requirements: Submission of proprietary and other sensitive information shall be marked and identified with disposition instructions (material submitted in response to this RFI will not be returned). All submissions shall contain section headings and provide the information requested under each section in order to be evaluated. The respondent may include data on one or more of the research areas of interest to I2WD. All emailed questions and RFI responses shall contain the subject line: Artificial Intelligence Techniques, Algorithms, and Capabilities for U.S. Army C4ISR/EW Applications RFI The respondent may submit an unclassified or a classified response to this RFI. Regardless of classification, the response should be submitted in MS Office or Adobe.pdf format. A Table of Contents and List of Figures are not desired. If the respondent elects to submit a classified response and does not have SIPRNet or JWICS access, the response shall be marked and appropriately wrapped, delivered in hard copy (one each) and magnetic media (one each) in MS Office or Adobe pdf format. RFI Responses Submitted via NIPRNet (I2WD Sensitive But Unclassified Network): RFI responses submitted via NIPRNet shall be emailed to the following address: usarmy.apg.rdecom-cerdec.mbx.i2wd-machine-learning-rfi@mail.mil RFI Responses Submitted via SIPRNet (I2WD Secret Network): RFI responses submitted via SIPRNet shall be emailed to the following address: usarmy.apg.cerdec.mbx.i2wd-machine-learning-rfi@mail.smil.mil RFI Responses Submitted via US Postal Service (USPS), United Parcel Service (UPS) or FedEx: Responses that contain U.S. classified military information generated in conjunction with a DOD program should be classified in accordance with the applicable Security Classification Guide (SCG). The I2WD SCG for EW technology is "Intelligence and Information Warfare Technologies, dated 11 Jun 13" and is available by email request to usarmy.apg.rdecom-cerdec.mbx.i2wd-machine-learning-rfi@mail.mil. If the respondent uses an SCG other than the I2WD SCG to classify the RFI response, a copy of the SCG should be included with the submission. U.S. citizens and "Five Eyes" nation organizations are authorized to respond to this RFI. All classified responses must include a tracer document - DA Form 3964 (http://www.apd.army.mil/pub/eforms/pdf/a3964.pdf). All classified responses at the SECRET level must be double wrapped and shipped via Express Mail, Priority Mail, Registered Mail, UPS or FedEx: Inner Wrapping Address: US Army CERDEC I2WD ATTN: RDER-IWI 6605 Surveillance Loop APG, MD 21005 Outer Wrapping Address: US Army CERDEC I2WD ATTN: Security (Rm A2118) 6605 Surveillance Loop APG, MD 21005 If you need to send material of a classification higher than SECRET, contact the I2WD security office at (443) 861-0482 for additional guidance. Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) Support: I2WD intends to use SETA contractors as part of our pool of subject matter experts. To ensure timely processing of documents relevant to their roles in this RFI, we request you provide us your Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) template should one be required in addition to the existing NDAs that these contractors have executed with the Government. Unclassified questions or requests for clarification concerning material in this RFI should be submitted in writing to: usarmy.apg.rdecom-cerdec.mbx.i2wd-machine-learning-rfi@mail.mil no later than five business days from date of this announcement. Questions and requests for clarification must be submitted only to the email address specified above. Any other forms of request for additional information will not be honored. Clarification provided by the Government may be in the form of Distribution D: Distribution authorized to DOD and U.S. DOD contractors only or as SECRET information. This controlled information will not be disseminated without appropriate proof of the respondent's ability to access such materials. APPENDIX A - QUAD CHART FORMAT PROJECT TITLE SECTION I: YOUR CONCEPT PICTURE/DRAWING HERE SECTION II: DESCRIPTION SECTION III: FUNDING REQUIRED ($K), PROPOSER POINTS OF CONTACT - ORGANIZATION, NAME, ADDRESS, EMAIL, PHONE SECTION IV: KEY EVENTS/MILESTONES
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/notices/3d789a5bc86b9657d683cec6119d28e2)
- Place of Performance
- Address: 6565 Surveillance Loop, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, 21005, United States
- Zip Code: 21005
- Zip Code: 21005
- Record
- SN04922621-W 20180517/180515230538-3d789a5bc86b9657d683cec6119d28e2 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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