Explainable Reinforcement Learning (XRL) for Command and Control (C2)
ID: AF241-D004Type: BOTH
Overview

Topic

Explainable Reinforcement Learning (XRL) for Command and Control (C2)

Agency

Department of DefenseN/A

Program

Type: SBIRPhase: BOTHYear: 2024
Timeline
    Description

    The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the topic of "Explainable Reinforcement Learning (XRL) for Command and Control (C2)" in their SBIR 24.1 BAA solicitation. The objective of this topic is to develop a prototype that enables practical applications of Reinforcement Learning (RL) to be explained for interpretability, trust, performance-explanation trade-off, accountability, safety, and human-AI collaboration. The technology is restricted under export control laws. The proposal should demonstrate feasibility and prior experience in XRL. Phase II of the project will focus on developing explainable AI/ML solutions using reinforcement learning for command and control applications. Phase III will involve transitioning the technology to a commercial or warfighter solution. The offeror will be responsible for seeking funding opportunities for Phase III.

    Files
    No associated files provided.
    Similar Opportunities
    DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - xTechScalable AI
    Active
    Department of Defense
    The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the topic of "xTechScalable AI" as part of the SBIR program. The Army branch is specifically interested in novel and disruptive concepts and technology solutions that can address the vulnerabilities of current machine learning pipelines and models. The goal is to develop comprehensive security models that can defend against universal AI threat vectors and are scalable to rapidly evolving threats. The Army is particularly interested in proposals that focus on systematic testing and evaluation methods, trusted and secure validation and verification strategies, continuous monitoring capabilities, improved transparency and assurance of code and data, and improved telemetry capabilities. The Army will prioritize submissions from winners of the xTechScalable AI prize competition. The project will involve a Direct to Phase II submission, followed by the production of prototype solutions that are easy to operate by soldiers. Phase III will focus on maturing the technology to TRL 6/7 and producing prototypes for further development and commercialization. The deadline for proposal submission is March 31, 2025. For more information and to submit a proposal, visit the solicitation agency's website at [solicitationagencyurl].
    DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - Open Topic for Persistent Experimentation
    Active
    Department of Defense
    The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for an open topic on persistent experimentation. The U.S. Army, under the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD (R&E)), is specifically interested in novel, disruptive concepts and technology solutions with dual-use capabilities. The goal is to address the Army's current needs and future concepts by experimenting, refining, and advancing technology solutions in operationally relevant environments. The Army encourages participation in its persistent experimentation events to mature and test the technology. Proposals should align with specific experimentation events and demonstrate potential for commercial applications. The phase I of the project will only accept Direct to Phase II (DP2) proposals, which should provide documentation of scientific and technical merit, feasibility, and potential commercial applications. DP2 awardees are expected to produce a prototype solution ready for field demonstration and deliver a technology transition and commercialization plan. Phase III focuses on the maturation of the technology to TRL 6/7 and further development and commercialization. The keywords for this solicitation include Human-Machine Integration (HMI), autonomy, artificial intelligence (AI), logistics, ground systems, air systems, robotics, sensors, and electromagnetic warfare (EW). The solicitation is open until March 31, 2025. For more information, visit the solicitation link.
    DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - xTechScalable AI 2
    Active
    Department of Defense
    The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the xTechScalable AI 2 topic. This solicitation focuses on two main areas: Scalable Tools for Automated AI Risk Management and Algorithmic Analysis: The Army is looking for automated tools to evaluate and mitigate risk against an AI Risk Management Framework (RMF) to ensure trusted and validated AI models. The tools should be able to evaluate multiple dimensions of AI risk, classify and quantify AI risk, and propose mitigation options. The Army is particularly interested in tools that can accept risk-related inputs from multiple data sources and modalities and have standardized evaluation methods and mitigation strategies. Scalable Techniques for Robust Testing and Evaluation (T&E) of AI Operations Pipelines: The Army needs a robust and automated T&E approach for AI Operations Pipelines. This includes evaluating data integrity, data labeling methodologies, and model training. The Army is interested in tools that can identify and evaluate data integrity, assess the quality and accuracy of labels applied to training datasets, and evaluate model performance in terms of resource consumption, robustness, scalability, and privacy and security. The Phase I proposals can receive up to $250,000 for a 6-month period, while Direct to Phase II proposals can receive up to $2,000,000 for an 18-month period. Phase II involves producing prototype solutions that will be evaluated by soldiers, and Phase III focuses on maturing the technology and producing prototypes for further development and commercialization. The xTechScalable AI 2 prize competition will be used to identify small businesses eligible to submit proposals under this topic. The full solicitation can be found at this link.
    DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - xTechScalable AI 2
    Active
    Department of Defense
    The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the xTechScalable AI 2 topic. This solicitation focuses on two main areas: Scalable Tools for Automated AI Risk Management and Algorithmic Analysis: The Army is looking for automated tools to evaluate and mitigate risk against an AI Risk Management Framework (RMF). The tools should be able to evaluate multiple dimensions of AI risk, classify and quantify AI risk, and propose mitigation options. The Army is particularly interested in tools that can accept risk-related inputs from multiple data sources and modalities and have standardized evaluation methods and mitigation strategies. Scalable Techniques for Robust Testing and Evaluation (T&E) of AI Operations Pipelines: The Army needs a robust and automated T&E approach for AI Operations Pipelines. This includes evaluating data integrity, data labeling, and model training. The Army is interested in tools that can identify and evaluate data integrity, assess the quality and accuracy of data labels, and evaluate model performance in terms of resource consumption, robustness, scalability, and privacy and security. The Phase I proposals can receive up to $250,000 for a 6-month period, while Direct to Phase II proposals can receive up to $2,000,000 for an 18-month period. Phase II involves producing prototype solutions that will be evaluated by soldiers, and Phase III focuses on maturing the technology and producing prototypes for further development and commercialization. The xTechScalable AI 2 prize competition will be used to identify small businesses eligible to submit proposals under this topic. The full solicitation can be found at the following link: [solicitationagencyurl].
    DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - Open Topic for Persistent Experimentation
    Active
    Department of Defense
    The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for an open topic on Persistent Experimentation. The U.S. Army, under the Army Futures Command (AFC), is looking for novel and disruptive concepts and technology solutions with dual-use capabilities that can address current and future Army needs. The goal is to identify, experiment, and rapidly evolve transformative technology solutions to meet urgent and emerging threats. The Army is inviting eligible small businesses to submit innovative technology solutions that can be refined and advanced through a Persistent Experimentation (PE) approach. Selected proposals will have the opportunity to participate in Army experimentation events to mature and test the technology. Collaboration with technology integrators and commercial entities is encouraged. The solicitation is currently open, and Direct to Phase II (DP2) proposals will be accepted. DP2 awards are expected to produce a prototype solution ready for field demonstration and operation. Phase III will focus on the maturation of the technology and its commercialization. The technology areas of interest include Human-Machine Integration (HMI), autonomy, artificial intelligence, logistics, ground systems, air systems, robotics, sensors, and more. The solicitation can be found on grants.gov or the DOD SBIR/STTR website.
    DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - xTech Search 8 SBIR Finalist Open Topic Competition
    Active
    Department of Defense
    The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the xTech Search 8 SBIR Finalist Open Topic Competition. The objective of this solicitation is to find novel and disruptive concepts and technology solutions with dual-use capabilities that can address the Army's current needs and apply to current Army concepts. The technology areas of interest include Electronics, Human Systems, and Sensors. The Army is particularly interested in technologies related to Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Advanced Materials, Advanced Manufacturing, Autonomy, Cyber, Human Performance, Immersive, Network Technologies, Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT), Power, Software Modernization, and Sensors. The Phase I of the project requires a feasibility study and concept plans, while Phase II involves producing prototype solutions that can be easily operated by soldiers. Phase III focuses on the maturation of the technology and its transition to TRL 6/7, as well as further development and commercialization. The solicitation is open until March 31, 2025. For more information, visit the solicitation agency website.
    DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - xTech Search 8 SBIR Finalist Open Topic Competition
    Active
    Department of Defense
    The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the xTech Search 8 SBIR Finalist Open Topic Competition. The objective of this solicitation is to find novel and disruptive concepts and technology solutions with dual-use capabilities that can address the Army's current needs and apply to current Army concepts. The technology areas of interest include Electronics, Human Systems, and Sensors. The Army is particularly interested in technologies related to Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Advanced Materials, Advanced Manufacturing, Autonomy, Cyber, Human Performance, Immersive, Network Technologies, Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT), Power, Software Modernization, and Sensors. The Phase I of the project requires a feasibility study and concept plans, while Phase II involves producing prototype solutions for evaluation by soldiers. Phase III focuses on the maturation of the technology and commercialization. The solicitation is open until March 31, 2025. For more information, visit the solicitation agency website.
    DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) Data Mesh Reference Design (REFDES)
    Active
    Department of Defense
    The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) Data Mesh Reference Design (REFDES). The objective is to make all data across the Department of Defense seamlessly interoperable while retaining federated control, hosting, and ownership. The DOD aims to establish a set of software services that allow data users to discover, access, and consume DoD data products via self-service API. The data access must support attribute-based access control (ABAC) and operate in a zero-trust environment. The program consists of three phases: Phase I involves creating a formal REFDES, Phase II focuses on building a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) version of the design, and Phase III involves delivering a full production capability. The REFDES must address key concepts such as VAULTIS compliance, services communication model and framework, data templating, dynamic attribution association, automated notification services, cybersecurity, and zero trust support. The resulting data mesh will support interoperability for applications in both battlefield and boardroom settings. The solicitation is open until March 31, 2025. For more information, visit the SBIR topic link or the solicitation agency website.
    DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - A/I Enabled ARP, Select, and Monitor
    Active
    Department of Defense
    The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the topic "A/I Enabled ARP, Select, and Monitor" as part of its SBIR program. The objective of this solicitation is to develop and deliver an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled system to modernize and automate the Army's acquisition process, starting with the development of an Acquisition Requirements Package (ARP). The proposed system aims to alleviate current problems in the Army acquisition community, such as inconsistent results, lengthy and inefficient ARP development, and limited tools available to the workforce. The technology will use AI/ML to assist program managers in building ARP, conducting source selection activities, and monitoring contracts post-award. The Phase I of this project is only accepting Direct to Phase II (DP2) proposals with a cost of up to $2,000,000 for a 24-month period of performance. The Phase II effort is expected to deliver a basic AI capability to guide ARP development, with potential for expansion to other types of acquisitions. The Phase III dual-use applications include the use of Contract Management Software (CMS) technologies in various sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, retail, IT and telecom, transportation and logistics, government, and financial services. The deadline for proposal submission is March 31, 2025. For more information, visit the solicitation agency's website here.
    DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) Data Mesh Reference Design (REFDES)
    Active
    Department of Defense
    The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) Data Mesh Reference Design (REFDES). The objective is to establish a set of software services that enable seamless interoperability of data across the Department of Defense (DoD) enterprise while retaining federated control, hosting, and ownership. The DoD aims to break the data out of stovepipes and create a data mesh that allows data users to discover, access, and consume DoD data products via self-service API. The data access must support attribute-based access control (ABAC) and operate in a zero-trust environment. The program consists of three phases, starting with the development of a formal REFDES in Phase I, followed by the creation of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) in Phase II, and concluding with the delivery of a full production capability in Phase III. The REFDES must address key concepts such as VAULTIS compliance, services communication model and framework, data templating, dynamic attribution association, automated notification services, and cybersecurity and zero trust support. The resulting data mesh will support interoperability for applications in both battlefield and boardroom settings. The proposal submission deadline is March 31, 2025. For more information, visit the solicitation link.