|
Category |
Opportunity |
|
DoD Communities of Interest |
Artificial Intelligence |
|
Subject |
xTechGlobal Artificial Intelligence (AI) Challenge |
|
Due Date |
12 May 2021 |
|
Government Organization |
Army Futures Command (AFC) |
|
Description Registration: https://usg.valideval.com/teams/xtech_global_ai_2021/signup Total Money Offered: $250,000 Partner Agency: Submission Dates: March 25, 2021 — May 12, 2021 DESCRIPTION The US Army Futures Command (AFC)-DEVCOM Atlantic has partnered with Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology) (ASA(ALT)), the US Air Force’s AFWERX program and the US Navy Office of Naval Research-Global (ONR-G) to deliver this tri-service competition to an international audience for the first time. The services recognize that the US Department of Defense (DoD) must enhance engagements with eligible international small to medium enterprises, by: (1) understanding the spectrum of ‘world-class’ technologies being developed commercially that may benefit the DoD; (2) integrating the sector of small business innovators into the DoD Science and Technology (S&T) ecosystem; and (3) providing mentorship and expertise to accelerate, mature, and transition technologies of interest to the DoD. Problem Statement Challenge: Our world is facing a rapid proliferation of data–with more and more data generated from an ever-growing number of data sources. With all of this data comes the promise of better, faster decision making but only if we can properly collect, process, interpret and present that data to those making decisions. The DoD is seeking robust, AI-enabled capabilities to manage, integrate, and process, and reason on disparate data/information sources for rapid decision making. This is particularly challenging due to severe constraints of resources such as computing power and bandwidth at the point of need. Of particular interest are the following AI/Machine Learning (ML) algorithms and software tools to enable data analytic capabilities in resource-constrained environments: AI-enabled algorithms and services to rapidly assess the availability of data and information sources and match the most relevant sources to end-users based on user needs and available resources. SCHEDULES AND PRIZES PART 2: FINAL TECHNOLOGY PITCHES Second Place: $50,000 Third Place: $30,000 In Part 2, the selected participants will conduct a pitch (live in-person or virtual) to a panel of DoD and international subject matter experts at the pitch event tentatively scheduled for early September 2021 (dates will be finalized with participants). Participants will pitch their technology concept and team ability to a representative DoD and international panel from the AI eco-system representing user, program acquisition, and research and development subject matter experts. Each participant will have 20 minutes to pitch, followed by 10 minutes for questions and answers with the judges’ panel. The option to pitch virtually will be offered to finalists who are not able to travel, either due to personal reasons or country restrictions. Detailed instructions and evaluation criteria will be provided to the finalists. The top three (3) participants will be selected by the panel and awarded an additional prize as described below. The finalists will also receive personal mentoring from the xTech Accelerator program, a US innovation accelerator, to learn how to leverage the DoD defense market for future partnership opportunities. Finalists will receive intensive mentorship and access to networking events to help grow their companies for DoD and commercial users. Detailed feedback from the Technology Pitch panel will be provided to the participants of the technology pitch phase. The purpose of providing this feedback is to help accelerate the transition of the technology to a US military end-user by providing insight on best applications for the technology within the US military, suggestions for product improvement for military use, and recommended next steps for development. However, the Government will not respond to questions or inquiries regarding this feedback. In conjunction with the pitch event, UK DASA will be hosting UK Venture Capitalists (VC) at the venue who are looking to invest in the AI technology area. Finalists will receive DASA support toward an opportunity to discuss their company and technology with the VCs. RULES Each eligible entity: Shall be incorporated in, and maintain, a primary place of business in a country in EMEA. The prize challenge will be used to identify small business concerns that meet the criteria for award of a follow on contract for additional proof-of-concept or prototype development. Finalists of the prize competition may be invited to submit a proposal for further development of their proposed technology innovation. There is potential for award of (1) cooperative agreement (CA) for a follow-on project with Army Research Laboratory to the winners of the competition. The winners of the prize competition will be invited to submit proposals for the CA opportunity. xTechGlobal is not guaranteeing the CA award and will not pay funding for the development of the proposal. The efforts described in this Notice are being pursued under the authorities of 10 USC §2374a. While the authority of this program is 10 USC §2374a, a concept white paper submitted to the xTechGlobal AI Challenge may generate interest by another DoD organization for a funding opportunity outside of this program. The interested DoD organization may contact the participant to provide additional information. JUDGING CRITERIA Summary Chart – 10% HOW TO ENTER All xTechGlobal AI Challenge submissions are treated as privileged information and contents are disclosed to US and International defense civilian and military employees who are part of their host-nation’s Ministry/Department of Defense (MOD/DOD) or designated support contractors only for the purpose of evaluation and program support. All concept white papers and single-slide summary charts must adhere to the following requirements: All concept white papers must be submitted using the template found on the registration page, “xTechGlobal_AI Challenge_WhitePaper_Template.doc”. Any proposals submitted in a format other than that provided by the template will not be reviewed. All quad charts must be submitted using the template found on the registration page, “xTechGlobal_AI Challenge_SummaryChart_Template.ppt”. Any single-slide summary charts submitted in a format other than that provided by the template will not be reviewed. Please list your company name, and proposal title EXACTLY how you would like them to appear on any contest marketing materials. Use clear and concise proposal titles to give readers and potential stakeholders an understanding of how your technology would benefit the Army. DISCLAIMERS CONTACT Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, Research and Technology Email: usarmy.pentagon.hqda-asa-alt.mbx.xtechsearch@mail.mil Website: https://www.xtechsearch.army.mil |
|
|
Website |
https://www.arl.army.mil/xtechsearch/competitions/xtechglobal.html |
|
|
|
xTechGlobal Artificial Intelligence (AI) Challenge
Suspense Date: 12 May 2021 Description: The US Army, in partnership with US Air Force and US Navy, is announcing its first international tri-service competition, xTechGlobal Artificial Intelligence (AI) Challenge. The xTechGlobal AI Challenge aims to engage with eligible international small to medium enterprises in the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Atlantic Area of Responsibility (AOR)