AE Release (industry) - AI Effects at the Edge (AI for MMP) - 2026-06-09 thru 06-11 (SAM.GOV).docx

Notice ID AI Effects at the Edge Assessment Event Related Notice Department/Ind. Agency

DEPT OF DEFENSE

Sub-tier Department of the Army Office Army Contracting Command General Information

• Contract Opportunity Type: Special Notice (Original)

• All Dates/Times are: (UTC-05:00) EASTERN STANDARD TIME, NEW YORK, USA

• Original Published Date: April 06, 2026 1:00 pm EDT

• Original Response Date: May 27, 2026 11:59 pm EDT

• Inactive Policy: 1 day after the response date

• Original Inactive Date: May 28, 2026

• Initiative:

Classification

• Original Set Aside: N/A

• Classification Code: D -- Information Technology services, including telecommunications services NAICS Code: 541 -- Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services/541330 -- Engineering Services

• Place of Performance: Augusta, GA USA

AI Effects at the Edge (AI Capabilities for Modular Mission Payload) Assessment Event

09 JUN 2026 - 11 JUN 2026

Submit NLT 27 MAY 2026 at or before 11:59 PM ET for consideration

U.S. Citizens Only Purpose The Cyber Fusion Innovation Center (CFIC), in collaboration with Army Cyber Command (ARCYBER) Technology and Innovation Center (ArCTIC) is in search of industry expertise for the development of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) / Machine Learning (ML) model embedded on a commercial platform. This platform will enable advanced capabilities for modular mission payload (MMP) development and seamless integration with connected sensors. This release documents ArCTIC’s methodology for pursuing, selecting, and assessing such solutions.

Background/Synopsis In Fiscal Year 2025, Army Cyber Command (ARCYBER) identified a critical need to collaborate with qualified industry partners to develop and deliver an advanced AI-driven capabilities tool. Current systems are unable to autonomously create and deploy Modular Mission Payloads (MMPs) using AI/ML models, relying instead on manual processes that are both time-consuming and inefficient. This limitation has created operational challenges in integrating mission payloads with connected sensors and achieving real-time adaptability in dynamic environments.

ARCYBER envisions a commercial platform embedded with an AI/ML model that will transform the way mission payloads are developed and deployed. The platform must be capable of pulling techniques from supported data repositories to enhance payload development while also pushing data to repositories to ensure seamless integration and operational readiness. Additionally, the solution must autonomously develop low-sophistication MMPs, reducing the need for manual intervention and accelerating deployment timelines. Finally, the platform must enable the porting of AI-developed payloads to connected sensors, ensuring operational forces can leverage these capabilities effectively.

Requirements and Focus Areas Functional Requirements

· Data Repository Integration: The platform must support pulling and pushing data to/from supported repositories

· Modular Mission Payload Development: AI/ML model must autonomously develop low-sophistication MMPs

· Sensor Integration: The platform must port AI-developed MMPs to connected sensors Technical Requirements

· AI/ML Model: Embedded AI/ML model capable of autonomous payload development

· Platform Compatibility: Commercial platform must support integration with connected sensors

· Scalability: Platform must scale to support enterprise-wide operations Initial Focus Areas

· Phase 1 (Prototype) - Demonstrate AI/ML model capabilities for pulling/pushing data and developing MMPs

· Phase 2 (Expansion) - Expand platform capabilities to integrate with a broader range of sensors Technical Approach and Architecture Proposed Architecture (Offeror Shall Address) Offerors shall propose a technical architecture that addresses:

· AI/ML Model Design: Methodology for embedding AI/ML models on the platform

· Data Repository Integration: Approach for pulling/pushing data to/from repositories

· MMP Development: Algorithms for autonomous payload development

· Sensor Integration: Mechanisms for porting MMPs to connected sensors DevSecOps & ATO Compliance Offerors shall demonstrate how their solution will:

· Comply with ARCYBER's DevSecOps standards

· Achieve Authority to Operate (ATO) through automated security scanning and compliance validation

· Implement Containerized Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) for reproducible deployments Deliverables Phase 1: Solution Development

· Platform: Commercial platform embedded with AI/ML model

· Documentation: Architecture, design, and operational guides

· Demonstration Environment: Functional prototype showcasing MMP development and sensor integration Phase 2: Expansion - Enhanced Capabilities: Expanded platform capabilities for broader sensor integration Why Should You Participate?

ARCYBER seeks to enter into non-FAR-based agreements with Industry, Academic, and National Lab partners whose solutions are favorably evaluated by ARCYBER Subject Matter Experts. As such, these events are considered competitive in the same manner as a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) or Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO), and solutions will be evaluated independently of one another primarily for technical merit.

What happens after whitepaper submissions?

(About grading and downselection for a Virtual Demonstration Assessment Event) The Stakeholder will assign Assessors to an Assessment Team to review, grade, and potentially provide anonymous constructive feedback on whitepapers received by the deadline noted above. This Assessment Team will suggest subsequent down select companies whose white paper solutions have the highest value and feasibility. Then, those companies will be invited to present and/or demonstrate their capability in a private, virtual pitch / demo session hosted through an online platform with Stakeholders and Assessors on a specific date.

Thereafter, prospective solutions will be evaluated through a multi-phased process with the intent to competitively award one or multiple contracts through: CFIC’s B2B Contracting Mechanism through its Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) with the Government, Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs), or other non-Far based agreements for prototype projects in accordance with 10 U.S. Code §2371b, if deemed appropriate and in the Government’s best interest.

Timeline Phase I: 06 APR 2026 - 27 MAY 2026 – Submission Window Industry, academia, and government partners MUST submit a 6-page submission response whitepaper document through this link – CLICK HERE. Submissions will not be accepted via email. Submit NLT (No Later Than) 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday, 27 MAY 2026.

For more details on submissions, please review the information (including whitepaper submission instructions and template) under the paragraph below titled “How You Can Participate”.

Phase II: 29 APR 2026 - 13 MAY 2026 – Submissions Reviewed for Downselect Submitted documents will be placed in review based on rubric parameters identified through the requirements and criteria included in this document. Submissions will be reviewed by the Assessment Team and subsequently graded for potential down selection. The Assessment Team will conduct internal meetings to review graded whitepaper documents for down-selects of those respondents / submissions they feel have the highest potential to satisfy their needs. Favorably evaluated submissions will receive an invitation on or about 19 MAY 2026 to virtually present a demonstration of their solution during Phase III.

Phase III: 09 JUN 2026 - 11 JUN 2026 – Virtual Demonstration Assessment Event Virtual Demonstration presentations will be held virtually through MS Teams. During the 1-hour time allotted, each presenting entity will demo their solution and capabilities that should satisfy, to the best of their ability, the requirements and criteria noted in this release.

Each group will be notified of their presentation date and time by CFIC staff.

For additional information on the process after the presentations, please see the paragraph below titled “What happens after whitepaper submissions?”.

Phase IV: Follow-On The Government has several acquisition/contract vehicles (i.e., various IDIQ contracts, purchase orders, etc.) to potentially purchase the final solution if operationally viable. The Government may elect to award to all, some, and/or none of the solutions from Phase II. It is anticipated that notification of final selection will be sent out via email from CFIC on or about 15 JUN 2026.

How You Can Participate Companies seeking to submit a whitepaper must have an account in Vulcan that is finalized for use NLT 48 hours prior to the submission deadline.

· For technical issues with the Vulcan platform, email support@vulcan-sof.com.

Unless Vulcan has a significant and unavoidable outage on the submission deadline date, there will not be any deadline extensions provided.

· Submissions will only be accepted through the Vulcan platform – CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT.

· Use the whitepaper submission instruction sheet and template – CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE & DOWNLOAD.

· Vulcan submission instruction sheet – DOWNLOAD THE PDF.

To learn more about how to use Vulcan, please refer to this information on the CFIC website - https://www.cyberfic.org/joinvulcan.

Questions?

For submission-related questions, please contact Brandon Sizemore at bsizemore@cyberfic.org and Amanda Green at agreen@cyberfic.org.

DISCLAIMERS:

An award resulting from this Assessment Event may result in the award of follow-on contracts, transactions, or agreements, subject to the availability of funds. Upon determination that the competitively awarded prototype project(s) has been successfully completed, and subject to the availability of funds, the prototype project(s) may result in the award of a follow-on production contract or transaction without the use of competitive procedures. Such awards may include multiple phases.

Non‐Government advisors may be used in the evaluation of submissions and will have signed Non‐Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) with the Government. The Government understands the information provided in this announcement is presented in confidence and may contain trade secret or commercial or financial information and agrees to protect such information from unauthorized disclosure to the maximum extent permitted and as required by law. An organization's participation in any part of the selection process under this announcement indicates concurrence with the aforementioned use of contractor support personnel.