FAQ section:

Can problem descriptions and dates change?
1. Yes. We will modify problem descriptions in response to changing end user needs and modify timelines as required to meet end users needs. We encourage you to monitor the website to remain abreast of any changes. Submissions received that do not align to updated problem descriptions or new timelines will not be considered.
Why did the submission date for DRM 2 submissions shift left a week?
1. Project G.I. responds to end users' needs. Our partner needed to accelerate the timeline so we adjusted the submission deadline and demonstration event timelines to meet their needs.
For additional context that discusses many of the underlying intentions behind Project G.I., please read Unleashing U.S. Military Drone Dominance by Kateryna Bondar from CSIS. This report outlines multiple recommendations around requirements, commercial sector R&D, warfighter involvement throughout the entire process, and procuring "good enough" solutions available now rather than technically "perfect" solutions available at some undetermined point in the future.
What does winning look like?
1. A total prize budget of $20M will be awarded across the three Design Reference Missions (DRM’s) outlined below.
Where can I submit additional questions not answered in this FAQ?
1. Questions can be submitted to project-gi@diu.mil. If relevant, answers will be posted to this FAQ. The issue preventing emails from going through was fixed on 17 June.
I see that DRM 3 isn’t defined yet? What does that mean?
1. In an effort to be maximally responsible for emerging problem sets and capability gaps, we have built in the planned date of an event while providing flexibility to partner units to update their most pressing capability gaps over the next several months.
I have additional questions and want to talk to someone.
1. While Project G.I. remains open, no meetings with individuals or specific companies will be held on this topic in order to maintain a fair and competitive process.
Who will operate capabilities selected for Phases 2 and 3?
1. There will be a training period by companies for DoD operators beginning several days prior to the week of the demonstration events. To the maximum extent possible, military members will operate platforms.
Will there be follow on contracts?
1. Being designated as a winner of a prize challenge under US Code 4025 makes your solution eligible for follow-on Prototype OTs.
2. There is no guarantee that any follow-on awards or contracts will be awarded.
What happens at the end of Phase 2?
1. Companies may be selected to continue to Phase 3 where they will provide capabilities and support to the partner unit over a period of 6-9 months for feedback and iterative product development. Additional prize funding will be awarded if selected for Phase 3.
If I’m already on the Blue UAS List, do I need to compete?
1. Yes.
Can I team up with a partner?
1. The DoD understands vendors may not address all attributes in this solicitation fully; teaming proposals are welcome. Due to the preference to demonstrate within three months of this solicitation, preference will be given to individual or team solutions with demonstrated performance to date.
Will proprietary solutions be accepted?
1. While a modicum of integration is always required, solutions that are walled off or require extensive time, labor, and expense to integrate additional third party options will not be considered.
What should I put in my proposal?
1. The criteria outlined in the AOI should be addressed. Key details should include size, weight, power, cost (SWaP-C), performance, ruggedness (e.g., IP rating), and ease of setup. Vendors should also outline delivery timelines, training plans, and their ability to scale production.
If I submit during the first DRM period, will I be considered for all 3 DRM’s if I note that on my submission?
1. Yes.
If I submit during the second DRM period, will I be considered for DRM’s 2 and 3 if I note that on my submission?
1. Yes.
I have a great idea but it’s not called out as needed in this solicitation. Should I submit it?
1. No.
Will I get feedback on my submission?
1. Individual feedback will be provided for submissions selected for Phases 2 and 3.
2. Industry wide feedback will be provided for common trends for success and failure of submissions selected / non-selected during Phase 1.
Can I submit components to Project G.I.?
1. Yes, if they are relevant to the DRM’s described.
Do I need to submit a full platform, or can individual components be submitted?
1. Yes, at this point we anticipate adding components to the Blue UAS Framework and individual components can be submitted.
When do the 3 fully operational examples need to be ready?
1. They must be ready by the first day listed for Phase 2 for each of the DRM's you submit to.
Is the production rate, costs and Lifetime delivered sales expected for the specific DRM product / solution? Or for all company offerings?
1. This question refers to the specific DRM product / solution.
What documents need to be submitted?
1. You should submit a pitch deck, pdf format, with a maximum of 8 slides plus 1 slide for each specific DRM you are applying to and include a link to a video of your solution in real life operation using the functionality proposed.
Will there be another Ask Me Anything (AMA)?
1. DIU will host another AMA for Project G.I. in the late summer. We recommend following the DIU LinkedIn account for awareness of when the AMA is scheduled.
What are the specific weight / range / payload / endurance / etc. requirements you want?
1. We are seeking solutions that address the problem sets as described. Solutions can encompass a wide range of variations on tangible metrics. The intent is to have commercial industry propose solutions in order to allow a competitive marketplace generate the most optimal solutions for end users rather than having the government dictate solution characteristics.
Is there a preferred video submission solution?
1. Evaluators from across the DoD will have to view the files over the period that the Prize Challenge remains open. Links must remain accessible throughout the entire period that your submission may be judged. For example, if you submit on 01 July for DRM's 1, 2, and 3, the video must remain accessible through 19 Dec (the day before no later than notification of decision for DRM 3). Files also need to be accessible on DoD networks. If required, DIU can download video and provide access to DoD evaluators.
Can non US firms participate?
1. Yes, as long as they are not from a covered country.
How were the DRM's chosen?
1. They were developed by the partner units to deal with pressing and emerging problems they need to be capable of dealing with.
Can portions of a submission occur across multiple submissions? For example, can an individual component be used across multiple platforms?
1. Yes.
You want solutions now, but you also say you "want companies to successfully develop, deliver, and sustain". What does that mean?
1. Submissions need to be mission ready, but companies are also expected to make their solutions better over time. Iteration of capabilities in response to user feedback and a changing battlefield is what develop means-capabilities need to be thought of as a continuous journey, not a single static one time deliverable.
Where can I view the recent AMA?
1. https://www.diu.mil/latest/usd20m-diu-project-g-i-challenge-targets-next-generation-uas-solutions
What time do submissions have to be submitted for consideration?
1. Submissions must be received by DIU no later than 2359 EST for the date listed for each DRM. Submissions not received in DIU's system by those times will only be considered for future DRM's.
I want to submit a classified proposal. Is that ok?
1. No. We will not accept classified submissions.
How long can our presentation be?
1. 8 slides, plus one additional slide for each DRM your proposal is relevant for. The counting of slides starts with the beginning of your presentation.
Should I register with SAM.gov if my company is not already registered?
1. Yes. In order to move on from Phase 2, SAM.gov registration is required

Design Reference Mission #1 - Contested Spectrum Kinetic Employment

Problem

Operations against a near-peer must expect a fully-contested electromagnetic spectrum. Targeting, ISR, BDA, and kinetic capabilities must be able to be employed at the tactical level. Options available to DoD today are susceptible to existing countermeasures and defenses in the electromagnetic spectrum.

Desired Solution Attributes

Examples of desired solutions include those able to guarantee two-way communication between the platform and operator under Denied, Disrupted, Intermittent, and Low-bandwidth (DDIL) environments to enable the delivery of kinetic effects on a variety of targets.

Recent examples, provided as illustrative examples only, of capabilities with operational success in combat include but are not limited to, directional antennas, mesh networks, and fiber optics.

Solutions should be able to operate at ranges up to and ideally beyond 20 kilometers. Proposals should offer technically sound, mission-relevant and proven solutions at a price range that is effective on a cost per effect basis.

Design Reference Mission #2 - Expeditious Targeting Operations

Problem

The Department of Defense (DoD) relies on small “target-strike” teams to identify, engage, and defeat adversaries using kinetic and non-kinetic systems. In a conflict with any near-peer adversary, these small teams will need to rapidly emplace, engage effectively, and displace while challenged with denied, degraded, intermittent, or limited (DDIL) connectivity with higher headquarters and adjacent units. Current systems are slow to deploy, bandwidth-dependent, and often come with high electromagnetic signatures.

Desired Solution Attributes

The DoD seeks commercial solutions to enhance the targeting-cycle speed for small, dispersed target-strike teams operating under DDIL conditions. Solutions should enable these units to independently detect, identify, and engage high-value targets with minimal reliance on external data links.

Proposed solutions may include—but are not limited to—technologies or approaches that:

Extend the effective range, accuracy, precision, or overall efficacy of low-cost kinetic and non-kinetic defeat effectors employable by 1-2 soldiers.

Reduce the time from initial target identification to effective target defeat or neutralization.

Expedite the intelligence collection, fusion, and processing of data and information to enable rapid decision-making and targeting at the tactical edge without reliable connectivity to higher headquarters.

Proposals should offer technically sound, mission-relevant and proven solutions that can integrate easily with a range of DoD systems and adhere to Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) principles and policies.

The DoD will value solutions that are proven, modular, and adaptable for use by light infantry, special operations forces, and other small units.

The Problem This Solution Solves

The Solution

Weights and Biases, Inc is one of the many companies we have contracted with in a variety of focus areas.