Prometheus Flame - Request for Information
Closed Special Notice Posted
- Solicitation number
- FA8694-26-S-8888
- Agency
-
Air Force
Department of Defense
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- Place of performance
- Dayton, Ohio, United States
- Points of contact
-
- Joseph Mizzi joseph.mizzi@us.af.mil
- 1st Lt Justin Brogden justin.brogden.1@us.af.mil
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of the Air Force has issued a Request for Information (RFI) regarding the Prometheus Flame Challenge, a draft Request for Solutions currently in the feedback stage. This Special Notice, posted on April 8, 2026, invites organizations to review and provide expert feedback on the draft solicitation to help refine it before final release. The Prometheus Flame Challenge represents a strategic Air Force initiative designed to foster an open, modular, and competitive ecosystem for software development supporting autonomy and mission systems. The RFI is not a request for proposals at this time, but rather an opportunity for industry input on the anticipated program structure. Interested parties should submit their comments by the April 17, 2026 deadline to influence the final solicitation design.
The Prometheus Flame Challenge aims to transition the Air Force from closed, proprietary software systems to government-owned, open-source solutions through a multi-phase competition model. Participants will develop implementations compliant with two Government Reference Architectures—the Agile Mission Suite GRA for modular mission capabilities and the Autonomy GRA for autonomous systems decision-making—with the final solicitation expected around June 2026. The program will utilize flexible 3-6 month competition phases culminating in fly-off demonstrations, with cash prizes awarded and top performers selected for long-term strategic partnerships and recurring funding through Other Transaction Agreements. Eligible contractors must submit open-source implementations with permissive licenses, turn-key example projects, and comprehensive public-facing resources including source code repositories and documentation. Both new ideas and existing prototypes are welcomed, with entry permitted at any phase of the challenge, making this a uniquely accessible pathway for innovative software developers and organizations seeking sustained government partnerships.
Notice text
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
Is your organization a leader in modern software development? Are you looking for opportunities to secure long-term, recurring funding for innovative open-source software solutions? Do you want to help shape the future of software development for the Department of War weapon systems and dual-use technologies?
The Department of the Air Force (DAF) invites you to review and provide feedback on a DRAFT Request for Solutions for a new effort: The Prometheus Flame Challenge.
This is a Request for Information (RFI). No proposals are requested at this time. Your expert feedback is critical to help us refine and improve this solicitation before its final release.
The Vision: An Open, Modular, and Competitive Future
The DAF is transforming how it develops and deploys software for Autonomy and Mission Systems. To break from the constraints of closed, proprietary systems, we are launching the Prometheus Flame Challenge to build a vibrant, open, and competitive ecosystem around Government-owned, open-source software standards.
Around the June 2026 timeframe, the Air Force intends to publicly release two foundational Government Reference Architectures (GRAs) to guide this effort:
- Agile Mission Suite GRA (AMS GRA): For modular mission capabilities (sensors, communications, data fusion).
- Autonomy GRA (A-GRA): For standardized behaviors and teaming for autonomous platforms.
The Opportunity: Prizes and Long-Term Strategic Partnerships
The Prometheus Flame Challenge is more than a prize competition; it is a pathway to long-term strategic partnerships and recurring funding. We are seeking partners to build this new technology ecosystem with us.
Continuous Challenge: The program uses flexible, 3-6 month competition phases, each culminating in a "fly-off" demonstration where top teams earn cash prizes.
Open Entry: Offerors may enter the challenge at any phase. New ideas and existing prototypes are both welcome.
Path to Production: Our primary goal is to identify long-term strategic partners. We intend to award follow-on Prototype and Production Other Transaction (OT) Agreements to teams whose solutions align with our long-term vision, providing a recurring funding stream to mature and proliferate this critical open-source foundation.
Who Should Participate?
We invite participation from the full spectrum of innovators, including:
- Open-source software developers and enthusiasts
- Non-traditional defense contractors and commercial software companies
- Start-ups specializing in autonomy, unmanned systems, and software architecture
- Academic institutions and research labs
- Traditional defense contractors interested in leading in an open-source environment
This competition is open to both industry and academia with U.S. or U.S. ally-based headquarters and ownership.
Your Feedback is Requested
Please review the attached document, “(U) Prometheus Flame Challenge - Request for Solutions Draft.pdf”, for complete details on the proposed structure, goals, and evaluation criteria.
Feedback should be submitted via email no later than 17 April 2026.
The final solicitation is anticipated to be released on or around 1 June 2026.
Update #1 ·
This is a Request for Information. No proposals are requested at this time. Please see attached document.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| (U) Prometheus Flame Challenge - Request for Solutions Draft.pdf |
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