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
  1. 1
    Release Nov 29, 2023 12:00 AM
  2. 2
    Open Jan 3, 2024 12:00 AM
  3. 3
    Next Submission Due Feb 21, 2024 12:00 AM
  4. 4
    Close Feb 21, 2024 12:00 AM
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 [solicitation_agency_url].
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](https://www.sbir.gov/node/2603059).
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: 1. 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. 2. 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](https://www.defensesbirsttr.mil/SBIR-STTR/Opportunities/).
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: 1. 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. 2. 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: [solicitation_agency_url].
DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning (AI/ML) Focused Open Topic
Active
Department of Defense
The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for an Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) Focused Open Topic. The purpose of this open topic is to bring potentially valuable small business innovations to the Army and expand the relevance of the Army SBIR program to firms who do not normally compete for SBIR awards. The topic accepts both Phase I and Direct to Phase II submissions. Phase I proposals are accepted for a cost up to $250,000 for a 6-month period of performance, while Direct to Phase II proposals are accepted for a cost up to $2,000,000 for a 24-month period of performance. The research areas of focus include synthetic data generation, data validation and verification, AI risk mitigation, large language models, retrieval augmented generation, and collaborative AI technologies. Phase I submissions require a 5-page technical volume, an 8-slide commercialization plan, and a statement of work outlining deliverables. Phase II submissions require a 10-page technical volume, a 5-page feasibility documentation, an 8-slide commercialization plan, and a statement of work. During Phase II, firms must produce prototype solutions that are practical and feasible to operate in edge and austere environments. Phase III focuses on the maturation of the technology to TRL 6/7 and the production of prototypes to support further development and commercialization. The Army will evaluate each product in a realistic field environment and provide solutions to stakeholders for further evaluation. The submission deadline is March 31, 2025. For more information, visit the [solicitation link](https://www.sbir.gov/node/2651299).