Module Announcement; Universal PatchinG and Remediation for Autonomous DEfense (UPGRADE)
ID: ARPA-H-MAI-24-01-05Type: Solicitation
Overview

Buyer

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OFNATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTHNIH ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY FOR HEALTH (ARPA-H)Bethesda, MD, 208920004, USA

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715)

PSC

HEALTH R&D SERVICES; HEALTH CARE SERVICES; EXPERIMENTAL DEVELOPMENT (AN13)

Original Source

https://sam.gov/opp/35e5b20a1d324ba6a13ae9267eb7cc54/view
Timeline
    Description

    The Department of Health and Human Services, through the National Institutes of Health's Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), is soliciting proposals for the Universal Patching and Remediation for Autonomous Defense (UPGRADE) program, aimed at enhancing cybersecurity in U.S. hospitals. This initiative seeks to develop an integrated cybersecurity platform that automates vulnerability detection and remediation processes, thereby enabling hospital IT teams to protect critical medical devices from cyber threats without requiring additional personnel. Given the increasing frequency of cyberattacks on healthcare facilities, the UPGRADE program is crucial for ensuring the continuity of patient care and operational resilience in complex hospital environments. Proposals are due by 12:00 PM ET on October 2, 2024, and interested parties should direct inquiries to ARPA-H Solutions via their website.

    Point(s) of Contact
    do_NOT_use_THIS_email_ADDRESS@arpa-h.gov
    do_NOT_use_THIS_email_ADDRESS@arpa-h.gov
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    ARPA-H-MAI-24-01-05_ Appendix A_ Solution Summary template _Amendment 1.zip
    ARPA-H-MAI-24-01-05_Attachment 1 OT Bundle Amendment 1.zip
    ARPA-H-MAI-24-01-05_draft_UPGRADE_final for posting_24MAY24.pdf
    ARPA-H-MAI-24-01-05_UPGRADE_Final for posting_2JUL24.pdf
    The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) has announced the Universal Patching and Remediation for Autonomous Defense (UPGRADE) program, aimed at enhancing cybersecurity within U.S. hospitals. The initiative seeks proposals for developing a platform that will empower hospital IT teams to automatically and efficiently manage cybersecurity risks, particularly concerning vulnerable, internet-connected medical devices. The UPGRADE program consists of four Technical Areas (TAs): Vulnerability Mitigation Platform (VMP), Hospital Equipment Emulation, Automated Vulnerability Detection, and Automated Remediation Development. Each TA will contribute to creating a robust digital twin of hospital environments, facilitating proactive vulnerability identification and remediation without negatively impacting patient care. The significance of this program is underscored by increased cyberattacks on healthcare facilities, which have resulted in costly disruptions and jeopardized patient safety. With participation encouraged from diverse organizations and institutions, the program promotes collaboration to address pressing cybersecurity challenges in healthcare, reflecting ARPA-H's commitment to improving health outcomes through innovative research solutions. Key deadlines include various submissions due between July and September 2024, emphasizing a structured approach for evaluation and development within the next three years.
    ARPA-H-MAI-24-01-05_UPGRADE Amendment 1.pdf
    The UPGRADE program, initiated by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), seeks proposals to develop an integrated cybersecurity platform to protect hospitals from cyber threats. Aimed at enhancing the resilience of critical access hospitals, the program addresses significant vulnerabilities in hospital IT infrastructures, largely stemming from the complexity of interconnected medical devices and a lack of sufficient IT resources. The initiative focuses on four Technical Areas (TAs): 1. Development of Vulnerability Mitigation Platforms (VMPs) that automate cybersecurity measures. 2. Creation of digital twins for critical hospital equipment to facilitate testing and evaluation of vulnerabilities in a safe environment. 3. Automated detection of vulnerabilities utilizing AI/ML methodologies. 4. Automated remediation development to ensure rapid response to identified vulnerabilities. The program emphasizes collaboration among performers and aims for a rapid deployment of remediations to maintain patient care continuity. Metrics will guide the integration and evaluation phases. The ultimate goal is to ensure U.S. hospitals can mitigate risks associated with cyberattacks effectively, enhancing operational security and patient safety through innovative technology solutions.
    ARPA-H-MAI-24-01-05_UPGRADE Amendment 2_Final For Posting_22JUL24.pdf
    The Universal Patching and Remediation for Autonomous Defense (UPGRADE) program, initiated by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), focuses on developing innovative cybersecurity solutions for U.S. hospitals. With a critical need to protect health systems from increasing cyberattacks, UPGRADE seeks proposals for an integrated platform that can automate vulnerability detection and remediation processes while ensuring the continuity of patient care without requiring additional staffing. The program includes four technical areas: 1) a Vulnerability Mitigation Platform (VMP) to enhance the security of hospital equipment; 2) Hospital Equipment Emulation for accurate vulnerability testing; 3) Automated Vulnerability Detection to identify flaws swiftly and efficiently; and 4) Automated Remediation Development to facilitate the secure application of fixes to vulnerabilities detected. Key goals include unifying diverse cybersecurity and healthcare technologies into a user-friendly system, minimizing operational disruptions during updates, and significantly reducing the time hospitals take to address critical vulnerabilities. The program emphasizes collaboration among performers, rigorous verification of progress, and the use of open-source methodologies. The upcoming submission deadlines and expectations for proposals are also outlined to ensure responsiveness to the evolving cybersecurity landscape in healthcare environments.
    ARPA-H-MAI-24-01-05_UPGRADE Amendment 3_FINAL for posting_15AUG24.pdf
    The Universal Patching and Remediation for Autonomous Defense (UPGRADE) program, announced by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), aims to enhance cybersecurity in hospitals through the development of a revolutionary vulnerability mitigation platform. This program responds to significant threats posed to healthcare facilities by cyberattacks, which can disrupt patient care and lead to financial losses. The UPGRADE initiative will fund the creation of tools that enable hospital IT teams to automate vulnerability detection and remediation processes, allowing for swift and effective cybersecurity strategies without increasing labor costs or disrupting operations. The program is broken down into four Technical Areas (TAs): 1) Vulnerability Mitigation Platforms (VMPs), which serve as integrated systems for managing cybersecurity; 2) Hospital Equipment Emulation, focusing on developing digital twins of hospital equipment for testing and vulnerability detection; 3) Automated Vulnerability Detection to proactively identify weaknesses in hospital networks; and 4) Automated Remediation Development for quick and efficient responses to vulnerabilities. Implementing this program will enhance hospitals' capacity to combat cyber threats, protect patient care continuity, and ensure operational resilience, all while navigating the complexities and limitations inherent in hospital IT environments. The proposal due date for this initiative has been extended to October 2, 2024, with various submission guidelines and eligibility criteria outlined for interested parties.
    ARPA-H-MAI-24-01-05_UPGRADE Amendment 4 _final for posting.pdf
    The Universal Patching and Remediation for Autonomous Defense (UPGRADE) program, initiated by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), aims to enhance cybersecurity in U.S. hospitals by developing integrated Vulnerability Mitigation Platforms (VMPs). These platforms are intended to automate vulnerability detection and remediation processes, ultimately safeguarding patient care by addressing vulnerabilities in the vast and complex array of internet-connected medical devices. The program consists of four interconnected Technical Areas (TAs): Vulnerability Mitigation Platform, Hospital Equipment Emulation, Automated Vulnerability Detection, and Automated Remediation Development. Specific goals include enabling hospital IT teams to efficiently manage cyber threats, ensuring continuity of operations with minimal downtime, and utilizing innovative technologies such as digital twins for vulnerability testing. The initiative recognizes the unique challenges faced by healthcare IT environments, including workforce shortages and the presence of legacy equipment. The UPGRADE program emphasizes collaboration among various stakeholders and encourages proposals that align with open-source frameworks, ensuring technology sustainability while promoting coordinated responses to vulnerability disclosures. Overall, UPGRADE seeks to revolutionize healthcare cybersecurity, improving resilience against cyberattacks and ultimately enhancing patient outcomes.
    ARPA-H-MAI-24-01-05 Appendix A_Solution Summary.zip
    ARPA-H-MAI-24-01-05 Attachment 1 OT Bundle.zip
    ARPA-H-MAI-24-01-05 Attachment 1 OT Bundle Amendment 3.zip
    ARPA-H-MAI-24-01-05 Attachment 1 OT Bundle Amendment 4.zip
    ARPA-H-MAI-24-01 Master Announcement Instruction.pdf
    ARPA-H-MAI-24-01 Master Announcement Instruction (MAI) Amendment 1_FINAL.pdf
    The Master Announcement Instructions for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) outline the guidelines for funding opportunities under announcement ARPA-H-MAI-24-01, released on October 20, 2023, with an amendment on June 25, 2024. This funding initiative focuses on groundbreaking research aimed at improving health outcomes across varied areas, particularly in developing resilient systems capable of withstanding disruptions like pandemics and social crises. The announcement encourages proposals from diverse entities, including universities and non-profits, while establishing clear eligibility and conflict of interest criteria. Proposals can be submitted in multiple tiers, based on project value, with various modules differentiated by estimated funding amounts. The evaluation process is comprised of two stages, reviewing technical merit, proposer capabilities, mission relevance, and cost realism as criteria for selection. Furthermore, the document highlights specific compliance requirements including registrations, intellectual property considerations, and any necessary oversight for human and animal subjects. Overall, the announcement reinforces ARPA-H's objective of fostering innovative, non-incremental advancements in health-related research with an emphasis on collaboration, a clear understanding of project objectives, and systematic evaluation protocols.
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