HR001123S0009.pdf

HR001123S0009

Broad Agency Announcement

Artificial Intelligence Reinforcements (AIR)

DARPA TACTICAL TECHNOLOGY OFFICE

21 November 2022

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I: OVERVIEW INFORMATION

PART II: FULL TEXT OF ANNOUNCEMENT

I. Funding Opportunity Description II. Award Information

A. Requesting Security Classification Guide, DD254, and Classified Addendum III. Eligibility Information

A. Evaluation Criteria IV. Agency Contacts V. Other Information

VI. APPENDIX 1: CLASSIFIED ADDENDUM PACKAGE REQUEST FORM

PART I: OVERVIEW INFORMATION

Federal Agency Name – Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Tactical Technology Office (TTO) Funding Opportunity Title – Artificial Intelligence Reinforcements (AIR) Announcement Type – Initial Announcement Funding Opportunity Number – HR001123S0009 Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers (CFDA) – Not Applicable Dates o Posting Date: 21 November 2022 o Deadline to Request Classified Addendum Package: 1600 Eastern Time (ET), 01

December 2022 o Abstract Due Date and Time: 1500 ET, 12 December 2022

Abstract feedback will be sent back to proposers no earlier than 02 January 2023 o Questions Due Date and Time: 1500 ET, 13 January 2023 o Proposal Due Date and Time: 1500 ET, 03 March 2023

Concise description of the funding opportunity – DARPA seeks innovative proposals for the development of dominant tactical autonomy for multi-ship, beyond visual range air combat missions. Autonomy solutions will initially be developed and demonstrated on human-on-the-loop F-16 testbeds and then transferred to an uncrewed combat aerial vehicle. The Artificial Intelligence Reinforcements (AIR) program will create a dominant Artificial Intelligence (AI) air combat capability compatible with existing sensors, electronic warfare, and weapons within dynamic and operationally representative environments. AIR will also develop the processes needed to rapidly design, test, and deliver future iterations of AIR software products.

Anticipated individual awards – Multiple awards are anticipated for each Technical Area (TA) totaling approximately six (6) performers in Phase 1, and up to four (4) performers in Phase 2.

Total amount anticipated to be awarded – $30M Phase 1, $40M Phase 2 (inclusive of both TAs)

Types of instruments that may be awarded – Procurement contract or Other Transaction for Prototype

Agency Contact o The BAA Coordinator for this effort can be reached at:

HR001123S0009@darpa.mil

DARPA/TTO

ATTN: HR001123S0009

675 North Randolph Street Arlington, VA 22203-2114 mailto:HR001123S0009@darpa.mil

PART II: FULL TEXT OF ANNOUNCEMENT

I. Funding Opportunity Description

This publication constitutes a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) as contemplated in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.102(d)(2) and 35.016 and 2 CFR § 200.203. Any resultant award negotiations will follow all pertinent law and regulation, and any negotiations and/or awards for procurement contracts will use procedures under FAR 15.4, Contract Pricing, as specified in the BAA.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative solutions that will advance tactical air combat autonomy by developing advanced Modeling and Simulation (M&S) approaches and dominant Artificial Intelligence (AI) agents for live, multi-ship, beyond visual range (BVR) offensive and defensive counterair missions. The outcome of this program will be a robust AI air combat capability that works with sensors, electronic warfare, and weapons in dynamic, operationally representative environments. Equally important, AIR will establish a development process and test assets required to rapidly mature and continuously evolve autonomous air-combat mission capabilities.

DARPA anticipates that successful performer teams will have recent, relevant, and significant experience and expertise in aerial AI system design and development with a proven record in algorithmic design, aircraft sensors, electronic warfare, and tactical combat operations. Successful performers must also have the ability to work in classified environments up to the TS//SAR level.

AIR is planned as a two-phase, four-year effort. This solicitation is for a Phase 1 Base Period and a Phase 2 Option, for the design, development, and test of the AIR system within the following Technical Areas (TAs):

TA1: Model Development (18-month Phase 1, 30-month Phase 2) TA2: Multi-Agent AI Agent Training (18-month Phase 1, 30-month Phase 2)

Proposed research should investigate innovative approaches that enable revolutionary advances in science, devices, and/or systems. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice.

DARPA plans to award approximately six (6) Phase 1 Base efforts across two technical areas, with up to four (4) Phase 2 Options that may be exercised at the end of Phase 1, based on concept viability and program execution. The activity defined in this BAA spans the full duration of the program. Proposers are expected to submit fully priced proposals for both a Phase 1 Base period and a Phase 2 Option. Performer teams may propose to a single TA, both TAs independently (2 separate proposals), or both TAs jointly within the same proposal in order to produce a fully integrated solution. This BAA also requests abstracts for all proposals to allow the opportunity for Government feedback. Proposals will be awarded pending funding availability and selection criteria.

II. Award Information

A. Requesting Security Classification Guide, DD254, and Classified Addendum

This announcement with its classified addendum, any attachments, and any references to external websites herein constitute the total solicitation. If proposers cannot access the referenced material posted in the announcement found at https://sam.gov/ or www.darpa.mil, contact the administrative contact listed herein.

The effort being solicited by this BAA is classified SECRET or otherwise involves access to or generation of classified information. A formal request for the addendum may be submitted by filling out the HR001123S0009 REQUEST FORM (found at the end of this notice) and emailing the Request Form to HR001123S0009@darpa.mil with subject line titled "Request

DARPA-BAA-HR001123S0009".

The classified document package in support of this BAA can be requested via e-mail to HR001123S0009@darpa.mil and received through either of the following methods:

Electronically via appropriate computer system. Senders should coordinate by sending an UNCLASSIFIED e-mail request to HR001123S0009@darpa.mil. Once appropriate access to Classified IT system is verified, the classified document package will be sent.

OR

In hardcopy via mail. Senders should coordinate by sending an UNCLASSIFIED e-mail request to HR001123S0009@darpa.mil.

Proposers are required to submit this request no later than December 1, 2022, by 4:00 p.m.

Eastern Time to allow for adequate time for delivery of the material. Requests submitted after this date will be disregarded. The HR001123S0009 Request Form is the only method of request that will be accepted. All requestors will receive a confirmation email with either a delivery tracking number or email confirmation depending on delivery method. Prior to receipt of any information, proof of facility clearance level must be validated by the Program Security point of contact before any classified documentation on the BAA is sent to the proposer.

DARPA will provide the SCG and DD 254 via encrypted e-mail or DoD Secure Access File Exchange (SAFE) (https://safe.apps.mil), a secure on-line document sharing service approved for Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), or by classified email via the DSWAN or SAVANNAH networks.

The BAA Classified Addendum will be sent via express mail, DSWAN or SAVANNAH.

Requestors should identify which method of delivery they are requesting. For those requesting electronically, DARPA will not mail a physical copy UNLESS they specifically ask for it.

DARPA will verify the facility clearance and the clearance of the recipient before mailing the classified material. If the classified mailing address is not authorized for express mail, this should be indicated in the request and the addendum package will be sent via registered mail. Further handling instructions will accompany the classified addendum.

Proposers should allow at least five (5) business days for processing requests for the classified addendum plus time for delivery.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Evaluation Criteria Proposals will be evaluated using the evaluation criteria for selecting proposals, their relative importance, and the method of evaluation contained in the BAA Addendum.

IV. Agency Contacts

For information concerning agency level protests see http://www.darpa.mil/work-with-us/additional-baa#NPRPAC.

Administrative, technical, or contractual questions should be sent via e-mail to HR001123S0009@darpa.mil. All requests must include the name, e-mail address, and phone number of a point of contact.

The BAA Coordinator may be reached at:

HR001123S0009@darpa.mil

DARPA/TTO

ATTN: HR001123S0009

675 North Randolph Street Arlington, VA 22203-2114

V. Other Information

Not Applicable.

http://www.darpa.mil/work-with-us/additional-baa#NPRPAC http://www.darpa.mil/work-with-us/additional-baa#NPRPAC

VI. APPENDIX 1: CLASSIFIED ADDENDUM PACKAGE REQUEST

FORM

APPENDIX 1: HR001123S0009 CLASSIFIED ADDENDUM PACKAGE REQUEST FORM

Please send requests to HR001123S0009@darpa.mil

This inquiry requests the following documents unless otherwise stated: AIR ADDENDUM, AIR SCG, AIR Proposer’s Day presentations.

Date Company Name Company Address (unclassified) Company Address (classified) Unclassified Fax Point of Contact (POC) Name POC Phone Number POC Fax Number POC Email (unclassified & classified) Company CAGE/NCAGE Code Security or FSO Name Security or FSO Fax Number Security or FSO Phone Number Security or FSO Email (unclassified & classified) Company Secure Fax Number Statement of facility clearance and safeguarding capability Receive Addendum digital or hard copy?

Additional Information (as required)