AFWERX PRIME INNOVATIVE CAPABILITIES OPENING
ID: FA228024R0007Type: Special Notice
Overview

Buyer

DEPT OF DEFENSEDEPT OF THE AIR FORCEFA2280 AFRL RGKDAYTON, OH, 45402-1320, USA

NAICS

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

PSC

NATIONAL DEFENSE R&D SERVICES; DEFENSE-RELATED ACTIVITIES; APPLIED RESEARCH (AC32)

Original Source

https://sam.gov/opp/051bc317aecd4cbd9942f551b322498f/view
Timeline
    Description

    The AFWERX Prime Innovative Capabilities Opening (ICO) is a special notice issued by the U.S. Air Force, seeking innovative capabilities from U.S.-based firms. This opportunity focuses on enhancing autonomy technologies for small unmanned aircraft navigation, specifically aiming to reduce reliance on Global Positioning Systems (GPS).

    The ICO consists of "Calls," which define specific areas of interest and provide guidelines for submissions. The first Call, "Prime AuP AG Flyoff," invites applicants to develop robust navigation solutions and participate in a competition-style Fly-Off. The Air Force seeks to integrate the most promising solutions into its autonomous aircraft programs. Offerings should employ innovative techniques such as visual references, inertial methods, or solar/astronomical approaches.

    The scope of work for this Call requires applicants to demonstrate their system's effectiveness, with an emphasis on accuracy, system compatibility, cost-efficiency, and ease of integration. Selected participants will be asked to integrate their solutions into a testbed aircraft for flight demonstrations.

    Applicants should possess a strong track record in developing navigation solutions and must showcase their ability to meet the Air Force's objectives, primarily focusing on the proposed solution's technical merits and its alignment with the government's autonomy goals.

    This contract will be awarded through an Other Transaction for Prototype agreement. Companies interested in applying must register on SAM.gov and ensure compliance with procurement integrity regulations. The Air Force aims to expedite the adoption of cutting-edge autonomy technologies, encouraging applications from nontraditional defense contractors.

    The submission process opened on January 31, 2024, and will close on August 1, 2024. All application information and guidelines are available in the attached PDFs. Interested parties may direct questions to prime.ico@afwerx.af.mil.

    Key evaluation criteria include the technical feasibility of the proposed solution, the company's viability, and the alignment of the proposal with the Air Force's autonomy interests.

    Contact James Helmick at james.helmick@afwerx.af.mil or TIMOTHY PALEN at TIMOTHY.PALEN@US.AF.MIL with any questions.

    Point(s) of Contact
    James Helmick
    james.helmick@afwerx.af.mil
    TIMOTHY PALEN
    TIMOTHY.PALEN@US.AF.MIL
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    AFWERX Prime ICO Call 0001 - Prime AuP AG Flyoff Final - 20240206.pdf
    AFWERX is launching the Autonomy Proving Ground Fly-Offs as part of the ICO Number FA228024R0007. The fly-offs aim to assess and accelerate emerging autonomy technologies in partnership with industry, with a focus on alternate navigation solutions for small unmanned aircraft. The navigation systems will be evaluated based on metrics such as accuracy, system requirements, cost, and modularity/ease of integration.
    AFWERX Prime ICO Call 0001 Prime AuP AG Flyoff Update 20240801.pdf
    The AFWERX Prime Innovative Capabilities Opening (ICO) aims to assess and accelerate emerging autonomy technologies for small unmanned aircraft navigation. The focus is on developing robust solutions to mitigate dependence on Global Positioning Systems (GPS). The ICO seeks innovative capabilities from US-based firms to participate in a competition-style Fly-Off, demonstrating their navigation solutions in a low-cost, low-effort environment. These solutions may employ techniques like visual reference, inertial, timing propagation via signals, magnetic, or solar/astronomical methods. The procurement objective is to find effective alternate navigation systems, with a low barrier to entry for potential offerors. The Air Force seeks to integrate these solutions into its autonomous aircraft programs. The Fly-Off will evaluate systems based on accuracy, system requirements, cost, and ease of integration. Select participants will integrate their solutions onto a testbed aircraft for flight demonstrations. Important dates include the solicitation's opening date of January 31, 2024, and the closing date of August 1, 2024. Pitch Deck submissions are limited to 10 slides and must showcase the offeror's ability to meet technical objectives. The government plans to award contracts through Other Transactions for Prototype agreements. Offerors should demonstrate their companies' viability and ability to meet the Air Force's needs, with selections based on the importance of their proposals to the government's autonomy interests. This RFP allows the Air Force to accelerate the adoption of promising autonomy technologies while engaging with nontraditional defense contractors.
    AFWERX Prime ICO Final.pdf
    AFWERX Prime is conducting an Innovative Capabilities Opening (ICO) with Calls. The ICO will remain open until AFWERX Prime no longer requires new solutions or capabilities. Pitch Decks and Proposals can only be submitted in response to specific Calls.
    AFWERX Prime ICO Final Update 20240801.pdf
    The AFWERX Prime Innovative Capabilities Opening (ICO) solicitation aims to foster technological advancements within the Air Force. This open-ended ICO functions as a framework for future "Calls," which will define specific areas of interest and instructions for submitting solutions. The focus is on acquiring prototypes under the authority of 10 U.S.C. § 4022, with the potential for follow-on production contracts. The two-step selection process begins with a Pitch Deck Submission, followed by a Request for Proposal for selectable candidates. Submissions are evaluated based on eligibility, technical feasibility, and importance to the government. The Air Force seeks to accelerate the adoption of new technologies by incorporating military use cases, with the option to provide funding and access to resources such as test infrastructure. Companies must register in SAM.gov and comply with procurement integrity requirements. This ICO enables the Air Force to solicit and award contracts rapidly, driving innovation and ensuring the Air Force's technological primacy.
    Lifecycle
    Title
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    AFWERX PRIME INNOVATIVE CAPABILITIES OPENING
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