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Joint Sustainment Decision Tool (JSDT)


Responses Due By

2025-08-14 23:59:59 US/Eastern Time

Problem Statement


The ability to effectively project and sustain forces across vast contested distances, regardless of time or place, is a cornerstone of U.S. military power. For decades, the Department of Defense (DoD) has been able to accomplish widespread sustainment through a complex, globally-postured network of logistics providers, enablers, and locations. This network of organizations, units, and agencies, often called the Joint Logistics Enterprise (JLEnt), forms the basis of DoD’s ability to protect its interests at home and abroad. 


However, the return to an era of strategic competition and Large-Scale Combat Operations (LSCO) fundamentally challenges the current structure of the JLEnt, and demands that the Joint Force make decisions at speed and in challenging circumstances. To maintain operational tempo and freedom of action in contested environments, the JLEnt must shift from reactive processes to a predictive and proactive posture, leveraging advanced capabilities to anticipate requirements and strategically manage distribution weeks in advance.


Current logistics information technology tools available to the Department of Defense do not possess the speed, scale, and intelligence required to plan, coordinate, and harmonize sustainment in multi-domain, large-scale, high operational tempo conflicts. 


Consequently, the DoD seeks a logistics support tool that can generate realistic courses of action (CoA) options for commanders in dynamic, contested, and degraded environments, preferably utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) and/or machine learning (ML). The ideal solution will enable commanders to visualize, direct, and synchronize sustainment operations by providing a holistic understanding of the operational environment–with an emphasis on sustainment networks and logistics activities–while also identifying risks and recommending adaptive solutions to prevent disruptions or logistics shortfalls. The tool should leverage agentic workflows to reason and adapt to real-time data, ensure AI-generated content aligns with commander’s intent, and allow human planners to effectively direct the system. Finally, the tool should be intuitive, and supported by algorithms that are mathematically/academically rigorous and verifiable.


Focus Areas:


The DoD is looking for a decision support solution to drive logistics planning and execution, rather than a Common Operating Picture (COP). Preference will be given to submissions that can demonstrate AI-enabled planning tools that support the storage, tracking, and distribution of at least the following:


  • Munitions (Class V) and associated handling requirements
  • Bulk Fuel (Class III(B)) and fueling enablers (e.g., air tankers, trucks, etc.)
  • Movement of casualties and patients through theater evacuation, as well as the resources required for execution (evacuation platforms, patient movement items, etc.)
  • Chain of custody visibility and staging of medical materiel (Class VIII) 
  • Sourcing of critical spare parts (Class IX)


Eligibility Requirements

Desired Solution Attributes:


Note that this project has an aggressive timeline, with initial deliverables due no later than 90 days after award, immediately followed by further development to mature and operationalize the prototypes.


The following outlines the desired scope of a comprehensive solution. While proposals should address these capabilities to the greatest extent possible, the DoD understands that a single solution may not fulfill every attribute listed. Submissions should clearly identify the attributes that their proposed solution addresses. 


  1. Comprehensive Data Ingestion and Processing:
    1. Rapidly ingest and process large volumes of logistics and sustainment-relevant information from disparate sources and data formats (e.g., non-catalogued spreadsheets; slides; chat; and formatted data from DoD programs/systems of record such as the Global Command Control System - Joint (GCCS-J), the Joint Operational Planning and Execution System (JOPES), Munitions Readiness Report (MRI), Bulk Petroleum Contingency Report (REPOL), or Single Mobility System (SMS)) 
    2. Notify users about data inconsistencies, conflicts, or anomalies
    3. Ingest any metering, monitoring, sensor, and/or other supply analytics, in any format, to support realistic end-to-end planning from home station to expeditionary locations
  2. Adaptive Operational Environment Modeling:
    1. Fuse structured and unstructured logistics data into an interactive and customizable model of the operational environment
    2. Solution should be open architecture, allowing users to visualize friendly vs. enemy locations and disposition, weather, and relevant events to identify possible friction points and recommend solutions
    3. Tool should permit the user to consider availability and predicted consumption of operational energy resources, as well as provide enterprise-wide energy visibility of energy sources and distribution in the modeling environment
    4. Model should also allow users to generate custom iconography and user-defined exclusionary zones
  3. Human Language Problem-Solving:
    1. Intuitive, chat-like conversational functionality to facilitate interaction with both the platform itself and other users
    2. Generate organization and command-level relationship insights through regular human-AI interaction that adapts over time; AI agents should interact with users as true collaborators and not simply automated technology assistants
  4. Sustainment Plan Development:
    1. Generate, visualize, and compare distribution options across different modalities (i.e., air, sea, etc.) based on real-world conditions
    2. Continuously monitor developed plans, flag discrepancies or inoperable assets (e.g., airframe down for maintenance, loss of a vessel, etc.), and recommend adjustments based on pre-established priorities, including considerations for operational energy requirements
  5. Course of Action Development and What-If Analysis:
    1. Rapidly and iteratively generate multiple viable COAs based on mission parameters and user-defined constraints
    2. Identify risks, opportunities, decision points, and potential remediations or alternatives for each COA
    3. Permit users to revert to previous historical states to introduce new information or concepts while preserving baseline plans (i.e., branch planning)
    4. Support sensitivity and/or what-if analysis, illuminating key outcome drivers and uncertainty contributors

Companies should have experience deploying on classified networks, the ability to perform work in these environments, and cleared personnel who can work up to Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (teaming arrangements will satisfy this requirement). Preference will be given to companies whose solutions have been deployed on IL6 or higher, or have an equivalent Authority to Operate (ATO). Companies will be expected to demonstrate capabilities with mission partners within 90 days after award.


Companies are welcome to apply individually or in partnership. Companies should clarify which partner within proposed partnerships maintains facility security clearances (FCLs) and which aspects of the solution, if any, have received an ATO.


Proposals should identify whether the submitter will employ subcontractors and, if so, clarify which companies will contribute which capabilities.


Companies are expected to demonstrate their solution in an unclassified environment as part of the proposal review process.


Responsible AI (RAI)


All projects will be expected to comply with DIU's Responsible AI Guidelines and other DoD AI

frameworks. Companies are encouraged to read the guidelines and develop a plan for

implementation, which may be presented as part of the submission. Particularly relevant issues for this project include:


  • Transparency and explainability of AI-generated content and recommendations
  • Mitigation of potential biases in training data or model outputs
  • Approaches for human oversight and ability to override AI systems
  • Security and privacy protections for sensitive planning information
  • Ethical considerations around AI's role in consequential military decision-making

The Statement of Work will require that the guidelines are followed in order to be eligible for a letter of completion and transition.


Awarding Instrument


This Area of Interest solicitation will be awarded in accordance with the Commercial Solutions

Opening (CSO) process detailed within HQ0845-20-S-C001 (DIU CSO), posted to SAM.gov on 23 March 2020. This document can be found at:

https://sam.gov/opp/e74c907a9220429d9ea995a4e9a2ede6/view


The Government requires cross functional collaboration/integration of technical outputs to ensure mission success. The Government intends to utilize this AOI in singularity, as well as a component of a more complex program, for which other AOI’s may be issued. Therefore, all solutions submitted in response to this AOI may be used to support other prototyping efforts advertised by DIU. All AOIs will be governed by Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) HQ0845-20-S-C001 dated 23 March 2020.

Project G.I.


Responses Due By

2025-12-31 23:59:59 US/Eastern Time

Project G.I. (Prize Challenge) 


Background


Modern peer and near-peer threats are accelerating the development and deployment of advanced uncrewed systems (UxS) across all domains of warfare. These technologies are reshaping the character of war, specifically by democratizing the ability for persistent surveillance, precision targeting, electronic disruption, and low-cost mass effects at scale. As adversaries adopt UxS capabilities with increasing speed and sophistication, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) must identify, assess, and integrate next-generation UxS solutions at a faster pace to maintain tactical and strategic overmatch.


Furthermore, traditional requirement and acquisition timelines do not support the needs of our warfighters, the Services, or Combatant Commands. The Department of Defense requires a more agile and effective mechanism to evaluate emerging capabilities, embed end-users early in the product development cycle, and accelerate the prototyping and fielding of transformative technologies that can deliver operational advantage at speed.


Problem


DIU and its DoD partners seek “ready-now” uncrewed systems (UxS) solutions to enhance the speed and lethality for small, dispersed targeting-strike cells operating under Denied, Disrupted, Intermittent, and Low-Bandwidth (DDIL) conditions. Solutions should fundamentally improve how tactical formations sense, decide, and strike, independent of consistent communication or extensive logistical support.


UxS solutions interest include uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), electronic warfare (EW), and uncrewed ground vehicles (UGV). Companies are welcome to collaborate and submit joint proposals.


Attributes


Proposed challenge solutions must enhance a tactical formation’s lethality, survivability, or overall mission effectiveness within the specified Design Reference Mission (DRM). Submissions should feature mature, mission-ready—ideally mission-proven—capabilities that can participate in live evaluations within three months of this solicitation’s release. Companies should only submit when their solution meets this mission-ready standard. Future iterations will support related but separate DRMs, focused on expanded environments, units, or tactical missions. Submissions will be evaluated for overall utility to the broad interest areas and for specific applicability to the unique use cases for each specific DRM. The FAQ section provides additional details for specific DRM’s.


Solicitation, Competitive Process, and Iteration Overview


This challenge will allow for flexibility and scalability for DIU’s Project G.I. effort and will serve the needs of a variety of DoD customers. DIU intends to execute successive evaluations based on this AoI, with each “iteration” focusing on a specified DRM–with specific mission context, operational constraints, and desired attributes.


Each iteration will follow a three-phase competitive process:

  • Phase 1 - Proposal evaluation and down selection. Eligible for up to $50K per company selected for Phase 2. 
  • Phase 2 - Live demonstration event oriented on a specific DRM. Based on user feedback and evaluation during the demonstration event, vendors will receive notification of selection to Phase 3. Eligible for up to $500k per company selected for Phase 3.
  • Phase 3 - Based on performance in Phase 2, end-user feedback, capability maturity, and available funding, the Government may pursue one or more of the following actions:
    • Provide cash prizes under 10 USC 4025 Prize Challenge authority to incentivize further maturation. Eligible for up to $3M per company for successful Phase 3 increments. 
    • Procure and deliver selected systems to partner units for extended testing, assessment, and training.
    • The Government may issue a Request for Prototype Proposal (RPP) and award a Prototype Other Transaction (OT) agreement for further prototyping.


Below are the current planned iterations, associated DRMs, and timelines. Submissions received after the deadlines listed below will be evaluated for other potential partner use cases.


DRM 1: FPV Effects

Description: Tactical employment of kinetic effects in denied environments 

Timeline: Submissions must be received by 2359 EST on 10 July to be evaluated. Notifications received NLT 10 Aug.  

Phase 2: 20 Aug - 30 Sept 2025.


DRM 2: Kill Chain

Description: Accelerate the kill chain for small, expeditious units in denied environments.

Timeline: Submissions must be received by 2359 EST on 08 Aug to be evaluated. Notifications received NLT 08 Sept. 

Phase 2: 06 – 09 Oct. 


DRM 3: Emerging Problem Set

Description: To be published.

Timeline: Submissions must be received by 2359 EST on 15 Nov to be evaluated. Notifications received NLT 20 Dec.  

Phase 2: 20 Jan 2026 – 10 Feb 2026.  


Evaluation Criteria

Phase 1 –Proposal Evaluation

  • Technical Viability and Alignment: Demonstrates technical feasibility and clear alignment with identified technical capability areas (listed below).
  • Team & Company Viability: Demonstrated ability and expertise of the team/company to successfully develop, deliver, and sustain the proposed solution.
  • Cost & Scalability: Cost, time, and other requirements or considerations needed to scale the capability.
  • Quality of Proposal: A clear and thorough explanation of how the solution improves Soldier effectiveness in design reference mission.

Phase 2 – Live Demonstration and Pitch Evaluation (Phase 1 evaluation criteria plus the below)

  • Operational Effectiveness: Demonstrated effectiveness of the solution under realistic operational conditions.
  • End-User Feedback: Direct feedback and assessments from end users based on hands-on testing, observation, and interaction during live demonstrations.
  • Quality of the Pitch: Effectively communicates the solution’s value to the mission and alignment with end-user needs; clearly addresses additional technical and business-related questions and details requested by the government.

Phase 3 - Award and User-Driven Iteration

  • Unit-focused field assessments: Deliver selected systems to operational units for extended evaluation, training, and user-driven feedback. These efforts will support real-world assessment of the capability’s effectiveness, usability, and integration potential in representative mission environments. This Phase will require delivery of substantial numbers of systems shortly after completing Phase 2. Prizes awarded in Phase 3 will take into account the direct user feedback of operational units as they train and test systems and capabilities provided by vendors. 

Note: Additional evaluation criteria may be applied during Phases 2 and any follow on Phases in response to changing operational end user needs.


Technical Capabilities List:

To maximize relevance and competitiveness, proposed solutions should align as closely as possible with the following system preferences and evaluation priorities:


Architecture: Phase 1 and beyond criteria

  • Standardization
  • Interoperability / modularity / openness

Cybersecurity & Compliance: Phase 1 and beyond criteria

Platform Characteristics (as applicable): Phase 1 and beyond criteria

  • Flight / operational performance
  • Electromagnetic interference (EMI) resilience / radio(s) used / means of communication and Command and Control in an EMI environment
  • Flight range and endurance
  • Cargo capacity
  • Modularity
  • Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) resilience and alternative navigation capabilities
  • Payloads (cargo and sensors the platform can host / platforms the payload can be hosted by / ability of software to work with multiple platforms)
  • Weatherproofing (ingress protection, or IP rating)
  • Setup / deployment time and effort
  • Available Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) for additional Payloads (or SWAP required if “partial” solution or enabling payload) 
  • Relevance to geographic and climactic environments
  • Ability to supply at least 3 prototypes by the dates listed in the FAQ’s. Some capabilities will not need to have 3 prototypes due to their design or employment. If that is relevant to your submission, please note it. 

End user integration

  • Describe your procedures to collaborate with end users and integrate their feedback. 

Business & Market Analysis: Phase 1 and beyond criteria

  • Current production rate
  • Cost (provide a range of pricing to accommodate different volumes, payloads, training, and warranty options)
  • Ability to provide at least 3 fully operational examples by Day 1 of the DRM window your submission is for and 2 trained operators
  • Lifetime delivered sales of the proposed solution

Operator Feedback: Phase 2 and Phase 3

  • Ease of use
  • Learning curve
  • Ability to address current capability gaps
  • Impact on unit Tactics, Techniques, Procedures (TTPs)

Demonstrations at the event will occur in all relevant conditions and all submissions will be tested and operated by a designated team of DoD end users to the maximum extent possible. As with any test event, the possibility of damage or destruction exists. Companies understand that DoD and participants are not liable for accidents and will be required to sign a waiver to participate. 

To maximize participation, DIU will acquire a blanket exception to policy waiver for all participating submissions that require one.


Pitch Deck Submission Requirements:


Teams will submit a pitch deck outlining their solution that addresses the features above. Pitch decks should meet the following format requirements:

  • Sized 16:9 (1920x1080 pixels)
  • Horizontal presentation
  • PDF file
  • Maximum 8 slides plus 1 slide for each of the specific DRM’s you are applying to
  • Link to a recorded video of your solution in real life operation and using the functionality proposed.

If selected to attend the event, companies shall provide training documentation and materials ahead of time to allow at least three DoD operators to complete the recommended training before the event. 

There is no guarantee that submissions will be selected. If invited, companies may incur costs not covered by the Prize Award and should be willing and able to do so. 


Feedback to Phase 2 selectees will be provided at the conclusion of each Phase 2 DRM. 


NDAA compliance and cybersecurity will be verified if selected as a winner of the Prize Challenge before any sort of prototype contract will be issued. 


FAQ’s and additional details on the Design Reference Missions for demonstrations can be viewed in the FAQ’s. 


Background Information:


Information about DIU and the DIU Blue UAS List and Blue UAS Framework can be found here https://www.diu.mil/blue-uas


An example of cybersecurity evaluation that may be conducted on winning submissions can be found here: https://dronewolf.darkwolf.io/intro 


About the Defense Innovation Unit


The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) strengthens national security by accelerating the adoption of commercial technology in the Department of Defense and bolstering our allied and national security innovation bases. DIU partners with organizations across the DoD to rapidly prototype and field dual-use capabilities that solve operational challenges at speed and scale. With offices in Silicon Valley, Boston, Austin, Chicago and Washington, DC, DIU is the Department’s gateway to leading technology companies across the country.


Intellectual Property Considerations:


Applicants retain ownership of existing Intellectual Property (IP) submitted under this Challenge and agree that their submissions are their original work. Applicants are presumed to have sufficient rights to submit the submission. For any submission made to the Challenge, you grant DIU a limited license to use this IP for testing and evaluation for efforts specifically related to the Challenge. DIU will negotiate with individual competitors in the event additional usage, integration, or development is contemplated.


Other Transaction Authority:


This DIU Challenge public announcement is an open call to small businesses and non-traditional defense contractors seeking innovative, commercial technologies proposed to create new DoD solutions or potential new capabilities fulfilling requirements, closing capability gaps, or providing potential technological advancements, technologies fueled by commercial or strategic investment, but also concept demonstrations, pilots, and agile development activities improving commercial technologies, existing Government-owned capabilities, or concepts for broad Defense application(s). As such, the Government reserves the right to award a contract or an Other Transaction agreement for any purpose, to include a prototype or research, under this public announcement. The Federal Government is not responsible for any monies expended by the applicant before award and is under no obligation to pursue such Other Transactions.


Satisfying Competition Requirements:


This DIU Challenge Open Call Announcement is considered to have potential for further efforts that may be accomplished via FAR-based contracting instruments, Other Transaction Authority (OTA) for Prototype Projects 10 USC 4022 and Research 10 USC 4021, Prizes for advanced technology achievements 10 USC 4025, and/or Prize Competitions 15 USC 3719. The public open call announcement made on the DIU website is considered to satisfy the reasonable effort to obtain competition in accordance with 10 USC 4025(b), 15 USC 3719 (e) and 10 USC 4022 (b)(2). Accordingly, FAR-based actions will follow announcement procedures per FAR 5.201(b).


DIU reserves the right to cancel, suspend, and/or modify the Challenge, or any part of it, for any reason, at DIU’s sole discretion.

FAQs

FAQ section:


  1. Why did the submission date for DRM 2 submissions shift left a week?
    1. Project G.I. responds to end users needs. Our partner needed to accelerate the timeline so we adjusted the submission deadline and demonstration event timelines to meet their needs.
  2. What does winning look like? 
    1. A total prize budget of $20M will be awarded across the three Design Reference Missions (DRM’s) outlined below. 
  3. Where can I submit additional questions not answered in this FAQ? 
    1. Questions can be submitted to project-gi@diu.mil. If relevant, answers will be posted to this FAQ. The issue preventing emails from going through was fixed on 17 June.
  4. I see that DRM 3 isn’t defined yet? What does that mean? 
    1. In an effort to be maximally responsible for emerging problem sets and capability gaps, we have built in the planned date of an event while providing flexibility to partner units to update their most pressing capability gaps over the next several months. 
  5. I have additional questions and want to talk to someone. 
    1. While Project G.I. remains open, no meetings with individuals or specific companies will be held on this topic in order to maintain a fair and competitive process. 
  6. Who will operate capabilities selected for Phases 2 and 3? 
    1. There will be a training period by companies for DoD operators beginning several days prior to the week of the demonstration events. To the maximum extent possible, military members will operate platforms. 
  7. Will there be follow on contracts?
    1. Being designated as a winner of a prize challenge under US Code 4025 makes your solution eligible for follow-on Prototype OTs. 
    2. There is no guarantee that any follow-on awards or contracts will be awarded. 
  8. What happens at the end of Phase 2? 
    1. Companies may be selected to continue to Phase 3 where they will provide capabilities and support to the partner unit over a period of 6-9 months for feedback and iterative product development. Additional prize funding will be awarded if selected for Phase 3. 
  9. If I’m already on the Blue UAS List, do I need to compete? 
    1. Yes. 
  10. Can I team up with a partner?
    1. The DoD understands vendors may not address all attributes in this solicitation fully; teaming proposals are welcome. Due to the preference to demonstrate within three months of this solicitation, preference will be given to individual or team solutions with demonstrated performance to date.
  11. Will proprietary solutions be accepted? 
    1. While a modicum of integration is always required, solutions that are walled off or require extensive time, labor, and expense to integrate additional third party options will not be considered. 
  12. What should I put in my proposal? 
    1. The criteria outlined in the AOI should be addressed. Key details should include size, weight, power, cost (SWaP-C), performance, ruggedness (e.g., IP rating), and ease of setup. Vendors should also outline delivery timelines, training plans, and their ability to scale production.
  13. If I submit during the first DRM period, will I be considered for all 3 DRM’s if I note that on my submission? 
    1. Yes. 
  14. If I submit during the second DRM period, will I be considered for DRM’s 2 and 3 if I note that on my submission? 
    1. Yes. 
  15. I have a great idea but it’s not called out as needed in this solicitation. Should I submit it? 
    1. No. 
  16. Will I get feedback on my submission? 
    1. Individual feedback will be provided for submissions selected for Phases 2 and 3. 
    2. Industry wide feedback will be provided for common trends for success and failure of submissions selected / non-selected during Phase 1.
  17. Can I submit components to Project G.I.? 
    1. Yes, if they are relevant to the DRM’s described.
  18. Do I need to submit a full platform, or can individual components be submitted?
    1. Yes, at this point we anticipate adding components to the Blue UAS Framework and individual components can be submitted.
  19. When do the 3 fully operational examples need to be ready?
    1. They must be ready by the first day listed for Phase 2 for each of the DRM's you submit to.
  20. Is the production rate, costs and Lifetime delivered sales expected for the specific DRM product / solution? Or for all company offerings?
    1. This question refers to the specific DRM product / solution.
  21. What documents need to be submitted?
    1. You should submit a pitch deck, pdf format, with a maximum of 8 slides plus 1 slide for each specific DRM you are applying to and include a link to a video of your solution in real life operation using the functionality proposed.
  22. Will there be another Ask Me Anything (AMA)?
    1. DIU will host another AMA for Project G.I. in the late summer. We recommend following the DIU LinkedIn account for awareness of when the AMA is scheduled.
  23. What are the specific weight / range / payload / endurance / etc. requirements you want?
    1. We are seeking solutions that address the problem sets as described. Solutions can encompass a wide range of variations on tangible metrics. The intent is to have commercial industry propose solutions in order to allow a competitive market place generate the most optimal solutions for end users rather than having the government dictate solution characteristics.
  24. Is there a preferred video submission solution?
    1. Evaluators from across the DoD will have to view the files over the period that the Prize Challenge remains open. Links must remain accessible throughout the entire period that your submission may be judged. For example, if you submit on 01 July for DRM's 1, 2, and 3, the video must remain accessible through 19 Dec (the day before no later than notification of decision for DRM 3). Files also need to be accessible on DoD networks. If required, DIU can download video and provide access to DoD evaluators.
  25. Can non US firms participate?
    1. Yes, as long as they are not from a covered country.
  26. How were the DRM's chosen?
    1. They were developed by the partner units to deal with pressing and emerging problems they need to be capable of dealing with.
  27. Can portions of a submission occur across multiple submissions? For example, can an individual component be used across multiple platforms?
    1. Yes.
  28. You want solutions now, but you also say you "want companies to successfully develop, deliver, and sustain". What does that mean?
    1. Submissions need to be mission ready, but companies are also expected to make their solutions better over time. Iteration of capabilities in response to user feedback and a changing battlefield is what develop means-capabilities need to be thought of as a continuous journey, not a single static one time deliverable.
  29. Where can I view the recent AMA?
    1. https://www.diu.mil/latest/usd20m-diu-project-g-i-challenge-targets-next-generation-uas-solutions
  30. What time do submissions have to be submitted by for consideration?
    1. Submissions must be received by DIU no later than 2359 EST for the date listed for each DRM. Submissions not received in DIU's system by those times will only be considered for future DRM's.
  31. I want to submit a classified proposal. Is that ok?
    1. No. We will not accept classified submissions.
  32. How long can our presentation be?
    1. 8 slides, plus one additional slide for each DRM your proposal is relevant for. The counting of slides starts with the beginning of your presentation.
  33. Should I register with SAM.gov if my company is not already registered?
    1. Yes. In order to move on from Phase 2, SAM.gov registration is required.





Design Reference Mission #1 - Contested Spectrum Kinetic Employment

Problem


Operations against a near-peer must expect a fully-contested electromagnetic spectrum. Targeting, ISR, BDA, and kinetic capabilities must be able to be employed at the tactical level. Options available to DoD today are susceptible to existing countermeasures and defenses in the electromagnetic spectrum. 

Desired Solution Attributes

Examples of desired solutions include those able to guarantee two-way communication between the platform and operator under Denied, Disrupted, Intermittent, and Low-bandwidth (DDIL) environments to enable the delivery of kinetic effects on a variety of targets. 


Recent examples, provided as illustrative examples only, of capabilities with operational success in combat include but are not limited to, directional antennas, mesh networks, and fiber optics. 


Solutions should be able to operate at ranges up to and ideally beyond 20 kilometers. Proposals should offer technically sound, mission-relevant and proven solutions at a price range that is effective on a cost per effect basis.






Design Reference Mission #2 - Expeditious Targeting Operations

Problem

The Department of Defense (DoD) relies on small “target-strike” teams to identify, engage, and defeat adversaries using kinetic and non-kinetic systems. In a conflict with any near-peer adversary, these small teams will need to rapidly emplace, engage effectively, and displace while challenged with denied, degraded, intermittent, or limited (DDIL) connectivity with higher headquarters and adjacent units. Current systems are slow to deploy, bandwidth-dependent, and often come with high electromagnetic signatures.

Desired Solution Attributes

The DoD seeks commercial solutions to enhance the targeting-cycle speed for small, dispersed target-strike teams operating under DDIL conditions. Solutions should enable these units to independently detect, identify, and engage high-value targets with minimal reliance on external data links.

Proposed solutions may include—but are not limited to—technologies or approaches that:

Extend the effective range, accuracy, precision, or overall efficacy of low-cost kinetic and non-kinetic defeat effectors employable by 1-2 soldiers.

Reduce the time from initial target identification to effective target defeat or neutralization.

Expedite the intelligence collection, fusion, and processing of data and information to enable rapid decision-making and targeting at the tactical edge without reliable connectivity to higher headquarters.

Proposals should offer technically sound, mission-relevant and proven solutions that can integrate easily with a range of DoD systems and adhere to Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) principles and policies. 

The DoD will value solutions that are proven, modular, and adaptable for use by light infantry, special operations forces, and other small units.