Pax Silica Artificial Intelligence Assistance Project

The Department of State Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs is soliciting applications for cooperative agreements to establish an AI-powered supply chain credentialing and provenance platform securing AI supply chains in partner countries, with an application deadline of August 20, 2026 and total available funding of $50 million across 1–3 awards ranging from $1 million to $50 million.

Eligible applicants are U.S. for-profit organizations (including small businesses), U.S.-based nonprofits and NGOs with or without 501(c)(3) status, and U.S.-based private, public, or state institutions of higher education. Cost sharing of at least $25,000 yields five non-scaling evaluation points but is not mandatory.

The project comprises two phases. Phase 1 pilots operations in Panama; Phase 2 expands to other Pax Silica signatories and Department-identified partners among 20 priority countries (Australia, Costa Rica, Finland, Greece, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Norway, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and Vietnam). Applicants must propose multiple Phase 2 target countries with justifications; the Department makes final determinations post-Phase 1. Deliverables include an AI-powered customs data submission system, AI-accelerated preclearance services for physical inspections, end-to-end product pedigree tracking with cryptographic cargo verification, and expedited "Fast Lane" processing for vetted shipments.

The anticipated project start is October 1, 2026, with a preferred 24-month performance period; justified proposals may receive up to 36 months. The cooperative agreement structure provides substantial Department involvement in planning, implementation oversight, stage-by-stage approval, and joint messaging with foreign partners. Sub-awardees need not all be identified at application; those named are approved upon award, and additional sub-awardees may be named post-award subject to Department approval.

Evaluation criteria total 100 points: Quality and Feasibility (25), Organizational Capacity (15), Project Planning (15), Financial Capacity (15), Monitoring and Evaluation (15), Sustainability (10), and Cost Sharing (5). The funding derives from FY 2023/2024/2025 CHIPS and International Technology Security and Innovation appropriations under CFDA 19.322 (Economic Statecraft). For-profit recipients are subject to 2 CFR 200 Subparts A–D with FAR Parts 30 and 31 taking precedence on cost principles. Applicants require a Unique Entity Identifier and active SAM.gov registration and must submit through Grants.gov.