RFI Industry Questions And Answers_25AUG2025.xlsx
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- Request for Information - AI-Enabled Airspace Management Solutions to Reduce Commander Cognitive Burden
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This document is a Request for Information (RFI) for AI-Enabled Airspace Management Solutions from the United States Army, specifically involving Program Executive Office Intelligence Electronic Warfare & Sensors (PEO IEW&S) and Program Manager Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2). The RFI seeks innovative AI and machine learning technologies to reduce commander cognitive burden during complex airspace operations, with a focus on the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC) Exercise 26-01 scheduled for 02-18 November 2023. The Army is interested in solutions that can provide real-time airspace awareness, integrate various data feeds (tactical radars, blue force tracking, ISR, C2 systems), and support UAS operations across multi-domain environments.
Key technical requirements include AI/ML capabilities for predicting drone threats, operating on GPU-enabled laptops, integrating with existing Army systems, and adhering to strict cybersecurity standards like DoD Risk Management Framework and Zero Trust Architecture. The RFI welcomes responses from both individual vendors and teams, with a preference for solutions that can infer airspace awareness from diverse data sources. Participants are requested to submit a one-page white paper outlining a minimum viable product for AI-enabled airspace management. There are no set-asides for this opportunity, and while no immediate contract is guaranteed, the government aims to use the RFI responses to guide future procurement efforts for airspace management technologies.
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| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| RFI Industry Questions And Answers_27AUG2025.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| Airspace AIML RFI_30JUL2025.pdf |
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Sheet1
| Question | Answer | ||
| 1 | Would you kindly confirm if this is an entirely new effort or is there an incumbent currently providing these services? If so, would you please provide the incumbent contract details? | This is an entirely new Request for Information (RFI). It is not related to any current procurement efforts with the government. | |
| 2 | What will be the contract value for this opportunity? | This is an RFI looking for possible AI based solutions for Airspace Management from industry; it is not connected to a contract. However, the demonstration opportunity if selected may be funded by the Government. | |
| 3 | Are there any set-aside considerations for this opportunity? | No | |
| 4 | Specifically, are you interested in capabilities that use AI/ML for predicting enemy movements involving small explosive-carrying or kamikaze drones? This could inform “smart bets” on deploying counter-drone technologies or avoiding high-risk areas likely to be occupied by such threats, integrating seamlessly into airspace management without additional hardware burdens. | Yes, this would fit into overall airspace management and both integration of UAS, loitering munitions, and autonomous platforms into Army airspace and predictive analytics for mission planning and execution. | |
| 5 | I’d value any clarification on how these predictive analytics for drone threats fit within the RFI’s scope, especially for multi-domain operations and UAS integration. | Predictive analytics for drone threats and the ability to provide that information contextually for the soldier is within the scope of the information requested for this RFI and also aligns with solutions for multi-domain and UAS integration. | |
| 6 | Could you provide information on the potential timelines for contract awards following this RFI? | There are no specific contract awards associated with this RFI. However, the information obtained from industry responses will help guide the development of future request for proposals related the AI enabled airspace management. | |
| 7 | How rapidly can contracts be awarded for promising solutions, particularly for the MVP demonstration opportunity at JPMRC? | The purpose of this RFI is for market research. There is no guaranteed contract award at the end date of this RFI. | |
| 8 | Are mechanisms like Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs), the Tradewinds OT, performance-based contracting, or other fast-track initiatives being considered to accelerate prototyping and fielding, in line with recent DoD directives on reducing bureaucracy and speeding up modernization? | The government has many contract vehicle types that can be used to for rapid prototyping and fielding if required. However, there is no contract associated with this RFI. | |
| 9 | How many users on the NGC2 network the Airspace Management solution may have utilizing its capabilities? | For the purposes of JPMRC 26-01 we are assuming there will be 5-10 users | |
| 10 | Which specific operational data feeds (e.g., tactical radars, Blue Force Tracking, fires coordination systems) will be made available for model training and real time use, and in what formats? | For the purposes of this RFI it can be assumed that any data feeds available at the Brigade command post or higher echelons will be accessible to the system. These can include tactical radars, blue force Tracking, fires, ISR, airspace management, C2, weather, tactical messaging, geospatial ...etc. However, we welcome solutions that can infer real time airspace awareness from nontraditional sources like video and others. | |
| 11 | What compute, size, and latency constraints should we design for at the edge? | For the purposes of this RFI it can be assumed that a GPU enabled laptop or greater will be available. | |
| 12 | How will the Army objectively measure “reduced commander cognitive burden” during the JPMRC exercise? Are there defined metrics? | The government is seeking solutions that reduce the amount of manual input required to create airspace awareness and reduce the cognitive load needed to process the information and threats visually and contextually within the airspace. | |
| 13 | 1. | Can you provide a JPMRC Planning Update Brief or CONOP for 25th Infantry Division’s JPMRC exercise answering the following: | |
| a. | What are the dates of the exercise? | ||
| b. | Which 25th ID units are participating in JPMRC 26-01? | ||
| c. | What unit is the core training audience for airspace management? | ||
| d. | What unit is the core training audience for UAS operations? | ||
| e. | What is the operational framework? | ||
| i. | What is the area of operation boundaries or location of the exercise? | ||
| ii. | Where are airspace management command posts planned within the area of operation? | ||
| iii. | Where are UAS launch/recovery and operational locations planned? | ||
| f. | What aircraft (manned and unmanned) are expected to be employed during the exercise? | ||
| i. | Manned | ||
| 1. | What platform? | ||
| 2. | How many? | ||
| ii. | Unmanned | ||
| 1. | What platform and type (Group)? | ||
| 2. | How many? | ||
| iii. | Autonomous | ||
| 1. | What platform and type? | ||
| 2. | How many? | ||
| g. | What kinetic and non-kinetic effectors are planned into the exercise? | ||
| i. | Manned Aircraft | ||
| 1. | Where is there templated air to ground or air engagements from manned aircraft? | ||
| 2. | Where is there templated air to ground or air non-kinetic effects from manned aircraft? | ||
| ii. | Unmanned Aircraft | ||
| 1. | Where is there templated air to ground or air engagements from unmanned aircraft? | ||
| 2. | Where is there templated air to ground or air non-kinetic effects from unmanned aircraft? | ||
| iii. | Autonomous Aircraft | ||
| 1. | Where is there templated air to ground or air engagements from autonomous aircraft? | ||
| 2. | Where is there templated air to ground or air non-kinetic effects from autonomous aircraft? | ||
| iv. | Ground Fires | ||
| 1. | What ground firing platforms (by type) are participating in the exercise? | ||
| v. | Ground Effects | ||
| 1. | What ground non-kinetic effects (by type) are participating in the exercise? | ||
| 2. | What is the communication architecture PACE plan between command posts for the exercise? | ||
| a. | Digital Data | ||
| i. | Primary - | ||
| ii. | Alternate – | ||
| iii. | Contingent – | ||
| iv. | Emergency – | ||
| b. | Digital Voice | ||
| i. | Primary – | ||
| ii. | Alternate – | ||
| iii. | Contingent – | ||
| iv. | Emergency – | ||
| c. | RF Data | ||
| i. | Primary – | ||
| ii. | Alternate – | ||
| iii. | Contingent – | ||
| iv. | Emergency – | ||
| d. | RF Voice | ||
| i. | Primary | ||
| ii. | Alternate – | ||
| iii. | Contingent – | ||
| iv. | Emergency – | ||
| 3. | Are any JPMRC 26-01 planning (POAM) events remaining? | ||
| 4. | When/where is the Rehearsal of Concept (ROC) Drill for JPMRC 26-01? | ||
| 5. | What are the dates for pre-exercise communication rehearsals? | Thank you for your interest in the demonstration opportunity for the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC) Exercise 26-01. The exercise is tentatively scheduled to take place from 02-18 November 2023. |
To participate, please submit a one-page white paper outlining a minimum viable product that provides an AI-enabled airspace management solution designed to enhance UAS operations during the JPMRC Exercise 26-01. Kindly ensure that your submission adheres to all instructions outlined in the RFI.
Companies selected to support the JPMRC 26-01 exercise will receive detailed information regarding the exercise and its requirements.
Thank you again for your interest, and we look forward to reviewing your submission.
| 14 | What specific data types (e.g., radar formats, SIGINT outputs, ADS-B messages) are provided by existing Army airspace management systems (e.g., TAIS, IMPACT) for integration with AI/ML solutions? Are there standardized data schemas or formats available for these systems? | For the purposes of this RFI it can be assumed that any data feeds available at the Brigade command post or higher echelons will be accessible to the system. These can include tactical radars, blue force tracking, fires, ISR, airspace management, C2, weather, tactical messaging, geospatial ...etc. However, we welcome solutions that can infer real time airspace awareness from nontraditional sources like video and others. |
| 15 | What communication protocols (e.g., Link 16, JADC2 interfaces, MIL-STD-6016) are used by current Army and joint systems for real-time data exchange in airspace operations? Are there specific messaging standards or APIs required for integration? | For the purposes of this RFI it can be assumed that published standards like Link 16, USMTF, VMF, ADATP3, ASCA, KML, and Geopackage, will be used. |
| 16 | What cybersecurity standards (e.g., Risk Management Framework, Zero Trust Architecture) must AI/ML solutions comply with to integrate with Army systems? Are there specific encryption or authentication protocols required for secure data handling in contested environments? | Incorporating AI into Army systems requires adherence to cybersecurity standards to ensure security, reliability, and resilience. Key frameworks include the DoD Risk Management Framework (RMF), governed by DoD Instruction 8510.01, and the Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA), outlined in the DoD Zero Trust Strategy. NIST guidelines, such as NIST SP 800-53(Security and Privacy Controls for Federal Information Systems) and the NIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF), provide detailed requirements for securing AI systems. AI systems must integrate DevSecOps principles, as described in the DoD DevSecOps Reference Design, alongside secure coding practices and Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM), outlined in DoD Instruction 5200.44. Data protection measures, including encryption standards like FIPS 140-3, and defenses against adversarial AI attacks. Compliance with privacy regulations such as the Privacy Act of 1974 and the DoD Ethical Principles for AI. Systems hosted in cloud environments must meet the DoD Cloud Computing Security Requirements Guide (SRG). Continuous monitoring and incident response plans that align with NIST SP 800-37 and NIST SP 800-61. Contractors must also comply with the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) and the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) to meet Army cybersecurity readiness. These standards collectively safeguard AI systems and enable their secure integration into Army operations. |
| 17 | For the JPMRC Exercise 26-01 (November 2025), what is the physical setup of the demonstration environment, including available sensors (e.g., radar types, EO/IR), communication infrastructure, and testing facilities? Will the Army provide a detailed site configuration for vendors? | Companies selected to support the JPMRC 26-01 exercise demonstration will receive detailed information regarding the exercise and its requirements. |
| 18 | What ground-based systems (e.g., air defense platforms, C2 nodes) will be available for integration during the JPMRC demonstration? Are there specific interfaces or hardware constraints vendors should account for when planning AI/ML integration? | Companies selected to support the JPMRC 26-01 exercise demonstration will receive detailed information regarding the exercise and its requirements. |
| 19 | Will the Army provide access to representative data sets (e.g., simulated radar, SIGINT, or UAS telemetry) for developing and testing the minimum viable product (MVP) prior to the JPMRC exercise? If so, what is the process and timeline for accessing these data sets? | Companies selected to support the JPMRC 26-01 exercise demonstration will receive detailed information regarding the exercise and its requirements. |
| 20 | I would like to inquire about any recent developments to this effort. Is this being planned for solicitation? If so, can you provide a release timeframe? Any information you could provide regarding the status of this effort is much appreciated. | Thank you for your interest in the RFI for AI-Enabled Airspace Management. At this time, there is no solicitation associated with this RFI. Its primary purpose is to gather industry feedback and gain a deeper understanding of the current AI technological landscape as it pertains to airspace management. |
The insights obtained through this RFI will play a key role in shaping future requests for proposals related to Airspace Management. We appreciate your engagement and look forward to your participation in this effort.
| 21 | Would UK-based companies be allowed to participate? | We look forward to feedback from all interested industry partners especially FVEY. If selected for the demonstration opportunity more information will be available in the future. | |
| 22 | Can you elaborate on Project Linchpin and it's intended purpose? | Project Linchpin (PL) is a project under PM Intelligence Systems and Analytics(IS&A). PL supports the integration of artificial intelligence into the army intelligence portfolio. | |
| 23 | Do you accept RFI responses from teams or single entities only? | The government will accept responses from both teams (multiple vendors) and individual vendors. | |
| 24 | For a potential MVP deliverable, are you looking for fully baked systems in production, or can a team deliver separate systems that are meant to be brought together to solve for the challenge you outlined in the RFI? | ||
| In response to "critical data sources" in question 1a. can you elaborate on what specific data sources are in use today? | The MVPs can provide solutions for part, or all the challenges laid out in the RFI. Multi system, multi-vendor solutions for the demonstration opportunity will be acceptable. 1. For the purposes of this RFI it can be assumed that any data feeds available at the Brigade command post or higher echelons will be accessible to the system. These can include tactical radars, blue force tracking, fires, ISR, airspace management, C2, weather, tactical messaging, geospatial ...etc. However, we welcome solutions that can infer real time airspace awareness from nontraditional sources like video and others. |
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