The A254-022 grant is part of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program, focusing on the development of an AI-enabled solution for the Army's contract proposal evaluation process. The primary goal is to automate and standardize the evaluation and source selection processes for government procurement, addressing several key challenges in the current process, such as inefficiencies, inconsistency in evaluation, and the risk of errors due to evaluator fatigue and inexperience. The envisioned solution aims to expedite the procurement process, reduce the occurrence of protests, and improve the overall contract outcomes by utilizing AI to perform many functions traditionally handled by human staff, such as reviewing large amounts of evaluation data.

This initiative falls under the technology area of Information Systems and aligns with the Army's modernization priorities, particularly Trusted AI and Autonomy. The grant seeks a comprehensive software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution to improve the efficiency of source selection, enhancing the experience for evaluators by reducing human error, standardizing evaluations, and increasing the speed of the entire process. The solution must integrate AI tools capable of reviewing and analyzing large datasets in a fraction of the time required by human evaluators.

The grant is structured into two phases: Phase I is accepting Direct to Phase II (D2P2) proposals, with funding up to $2 million for an 18-month period of performance. Proposers must demonstrate that they have already met the scientific and technical merit typically covered in Phase I. Documentation required for the proposal should include data, reports, or success criteria of any prototypes or relevant work done to meet these conditions. Phase II involves developing a well-defined AI prototype to automate and streamline the source selection process, with an expectation for rapid delivery of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) within 30 days after the award. This MVP will serve as an initial demonstration of the solution's feasibility and maturity.

For those submitting proposals, there is an important distinction regarding eligibility. Only small businesses selected through the xTechIgnite prize competition will be eligible to submit a proposal under this topic. The xTechIgnite competition serves as a precursor to the SBIR application process, meaning that only firms selected from this competition can apply for the funding.

Phase III focuses on the potential for dual-use applications of the AI-enabled solution, with commercial sector solutions deemed unsuitable for government processes due to the unique nature of federal regulations and budgeting. The solution's development could have broader applications in other highly regulated industries such as finance and healthcare. The development and integration of the AI-enabled tool must align with stringent federal regulations to meet the needs of federal acquisition processes.

For further information or clarification on the process, interested parties can contact the Topic Point of Contact (TPOC) for this grant, Andi Fehl, via email at andrea.m.fehl.civ@army.mil.