DIU: Collaborative Autonomy for Networked Aircraft

Category	Opportunity
DoD Communities of Interest	Autonomy
Subject	Collaborative Autonomy for Networked Aircraft
Due Date	6 June 2021
Government Organization	Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
Description WORK WITH US - COMMERCIAL COMPANIES - SUBMIT SOLUTION Collaborative Autonomy for Networked Aircraft Project Description The Department of Defense (DoD) seeks commercial solutions to develop artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for networked collaborative autonomous (NCA) air platforms in a digital engineering environment. Solutions must be capable of coordinating and prioritizing actions in complex and contested environments. Submitters should clearly explain how their proposed algorithms and approach are consistent with the DoD Ethical AI Principles and DoD 3000.09 guidelines. While these algorithms extend to a variety of use cases, this specific prototype evaluation will be focused on coordinating long-range, high-speed, fixed-wing aerial platforms operating in contested environments. The program will be structured as a series of prototype events where selected performers will deploy their algorithms in an unclassified, live-virtual-constructive development environment based upon the Advanced Framework for Simulation, Integration, and Modeling (AFSIM). The environment will include a clearly defined state and action space, and scenarios will include mission objectives, potential threats, and evaluation criteria. The program structure will include approximately three intermediate events and a final prototype competition. Performers’ algorithms will compete against both each other and increasingly sophisticated government reference algorithms in a variety of scenarios to evaluate their effectiveness. Solutions will provide autonomous path planning in three dimensions -- to include collaborative formations for increasing survivability and threat avoidance as well as dynamic task allocation in an objective area. Input data (objective and threat locations, environmental uncertainties, etc.) will be provided in a structured manner before and during mission execution, and a vehicle control interface will be defined by the Government. Therefore, this solicitation is not seeking computer vision, perception algorithms, or control algorithms but is focused on collaborative autonomy behaviors that adapt to changes in the world state in order to achieve increased survivability and effectiveness. Examples include path or route planning, formation control, and healing, and synchronized arrival. Performers will be provided a baseline Government Reference Architecture with mapping for specific functional modules to be described in Phase Two of this solicitation. Performers can select to modify one, multiple, or all modules or to modify the architecture as a whole. Preference will be given to vendors, or teams of vendors, that show a capability for generating an end-to-end solution. Vendors who propose solutions using a teaming and/or prime subcontractor arrangement, which combine multiple solutions into one, are highly encouraged to submit such solutions individually and together. Initial Task Components and Guidelines: - Performers will be provided an initial version of the Government Reference Architecture and Interface Standards but are encouraged to make modifications to increase mission effectiveness. - Performers will deliver their modular algorithms or complete agent to the Government team for evaluation in the simulation environment. - Algorithms and frameworks will be portable to a variety of platforms. - Performers will interact with government-provided operators throughout the period of performance to collaborate on solution design and demonstrate the incorporation of debriefing data and feedback. - Where possible, use open standards for data ingest, storage, and exchange, as well as for the training, deployment, and transfer of AI algorithms. - Vendors will require the ability to handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)/Distribution D material during the prototype phase. Eligibility Requirements - Company and development team must be U.S.-owned/based. - Include demonstrations and/or descriptions of previous experience with similar collaborative autonomy projects. - Vendors will be assessed on their ability to obtain and maintain a secret-level facility clearance for follow on efforts/production (though this effort will remain unclassified). - Demonstrate the ability to develop either end-to-end modular autonomy or individual autonomy modules (either classical or modern) in a short period of time (weeks, not months) and iterate with user feedback. - Demonstrate an ability to transition to production and sustainment of algorithms. - Demonstrate a foundational understanding of air domain tactics and dynamics. - Describe the size and experience of the development team. - Demonstrate a mature software development process with experience integrating into existing infrastructure. - Preference will be given to submissions demonstrating algorithmic approaches that fit within a modular, open-systems architecture. - Demonstrate the ability to bridge from sim to real in live flight testing. Considerations can include the size of the program/executable; software architecture design and compatibility with flight hardware; software integrity; software control and execution rates; and the ability to function on low size, weight, and power platforms. Before You Submit Companies are advised that any Prototype Other Transaction (OT) agreement awarded in response to this solicitation may result in the direct award of a follow-on production contract or agreement without the use of further competitive procedures. Follow-on production activities will result from successful prototype completion. The follow-on production contract or agreement will be available for use by one or more organizations within the Department of Defense. As a result, the magnitude of the follow-on production contract or agreement could be significantly larger than that of the Prototype OT agreement. All Prototype OT agreements will include the following statement relative to the potential for follow-on production: “In accordance with §10 U.S.C. 2371b(f), and upon a determination that the prototype project for this transaction has successfully been completed, this competitively awarded Prototype OT agreement may result in the award of a follow-on production contract or transaction without the use of competitive procedures.”
Website	https://www.diu.mil/work-with-us/submit-solution/PROJ00339