Tactical Zero Trust (TZT) Call for White Paper June 2025

This document outlines a federal request for proposals (RFP) related to a research and development project under a C5ISR contract. It addresses various technical and procedural inquiries from potential contractors regarding project expectations, evaluation metrics, and operational environments. Key points include: - Contractors are expected to outline relevant use cases and demonstrate compliance with specified performance and operational metrics. - A specific inquiry about using Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) hardware was clarified, noting that it may be acceptable along with government-furnished equipment (GFE), but details must be provided. - The project anticipates a single award, although multiple awards could occur based on received proposals. - Foreign nationals are not permitted to participate in this contract, and any research conducted by universities must avoid Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). - The government emphasized flexibility in proposal structure and welcomes innovative solutions to meet Army needs, particularly in tactical environments. - Publications resulting from the project are allowed but require government approval. The document provides clarity on collaborating with contractors and aligns expectations for executing the project successfully within defined parameters and guidelines.

The U.S. Army C5ISR Center has issued a White Paper Call (W56KGU-22-0ESI) focusing on Tactical Data in Use Security, aimed at enhancing data-centric security in tactical environments. This request seeks innovative solutions to protect data during active processing, especially in Denied, Degraded, Intermittent, and Limited (DDIL) settings, which pose unique security challenges. Respondents must provide methodologies that secure critical data while addressing operational constraints related to size, weight, power, and cost. The submission of white papers is encouraged from those with expertise in Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs) or other innovative methods that can effectively operate under tactical conditions. Proposals should aim for technology readiness levels (TRL) between 3 and 6, with solutions capable of integration within existing Army systems. Key logistical details include a deadline for white paper submissions by June 30, 2025, and anticipated award announcements in February 2026. The call emphasizes that no reimbursement is available for submitted proposals, and it allows for multiple awards based on proposal evaluations. Overall, this initiative reflects the Army’s commitment to modernizing its information security measures in tactical operations while ensuring data confidentiality, integrity, and availability under challenging conditions.