SATPC0041440 TAB 10 SOW PRINTED.pdf

This is a Statement of Work for a NASA project titled "Assurance on Autonomous System," scheduled to run from August 1, 2026 through November 30, 2026. The project addresses challenges in integrating artificial intelligence into NASA's safety-critical operations, including mission control and flight software, where conventional verification and validation methodologies are insufficient. The contractor must develop practical guidance customized to NASA's software assurance framework, with recommendations validated through collaboration with pilot flight projects to confirm real-world applicability and operational effectiveness.

The contractor shall execute seven primary work tasks: (1) conduct an in-depth examination of state-of-the-art AI verification and validation methodologies applicable to AI-enabled systems across varying autonomy levels; (2) evaluate applicable government standards and frameworks from the Department of Defense and National Institute of Standards and Technology; (3) research and analyze publicly available industry best practices for implementing AI in safety-critical applications; (4) engage with NASA project teams to capture specific operational requirements and existing workflows; (5) select two open-source AI testing tools, apply them to the ASTRA framework or comparable AI models, and document capabilities, limitations, and identified gaps; (6) consolidate research findings into a comprehensive report with actionable recommendations customized for NASA's software assurance practices; and (7) develop a basic software prototype demonstrating key findings and ensuring compatibility with the ASTRA framework. Deliverables include demonstrations of both testing tools by months 2 and 3, weekly progress and strategic meetings throughout performance, a final report with recommendations by month 4, and the software prototype by month 4. Work shall be performed at the contractor's facility.