TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Info Systems
OBJECTIVE: This is an AF Special Topic, please see the above AF Special Topic instructions for further details. A Phase I award will be completed over 3 months with a maximum award of $50K and a Phase II may be awarded for a maximum period of 15 month and $750K.
The objective of this topic is to explore Innovative Defense-Related Dual-Purpose Technologies that may not be covered by any other specific SBIR topic and thus to explore options for solutions that may fall outside the Air Force’s current fields of focus but that may be useful to the US Air Force. This topic will reach companies that can complete a feasibility study and prototype validated concepts in accelerated Phase I and II schedules.
DESCRIPTION: The Air Force is a large and complex organizations that consists of many functions that have similar counterparts in the commercial sector. We are interested in exploring technological areas and solutions that have proven their value in the commercial sector to see if they have applications for an Air Force problem (i.e. Dual-Purpose Technologies/Solutions). We recognize that it is impossible to cover every technological area with the SBIR topics, thus this topic is intended to be a call for open ideas and technologies that cover topics that may not be currently listed (i.e. the unknown-unknown). It is important that any potential solutions have a high probability of keeping pace with the technological change and thus should be close tied to commercial technologies and solutions that will help support the development of the solution.
PHASE I: Conduct a feasibility study to determine the effectiveness of existing (i.e. commercial) and upcoming (i.e. products expected to be released soon) solution(s) for one or multiple of the Air Force problems. This feasibility study should directly address:
1. Which problem area(s) are being addressed by the solutions
2. How they will apply to the US Government’s needs
3. The breadth of applicability of the solution(s) to the US government
4. Give examples of which government customers would likely be able to utilize the solution(s)
5. The solution(s) should also be evaluated for cost and feasibility of being integrated with current and future complementary solutions
6. How the solution(s) will be able to address potential future changes in logistics/supply chain technologies and challenges
7. The potential to keep pace with technological change due to things such as other non-DoD applications and customer bases for the solution(s).
The funds obligated on the resulting Phase I SBIR contracts are to be used for the sole purpose of conducting a thorough feasibility study using scientific experiments, laboratory studies, commercial research and interviews. Functional prototypes may be developed with SBIR funds during Phase I studies to better address the risks and potential payoffs in innovative technologies.
PHASE II: Develop, install, integrate and demonstrate a prototype system determined to be the most feasible solution during the Phase I feasibility study. This demonstration should focus specifically on:
1. A clear and specific government customer that can immediately utilize the solution
2. How the solution differs from a commercial offering to solve the DoD need (i.e. how has it been modified)
3. How the solution can integrate with other current and potential future solutions
4. How the solution can be sustainable (i.e. supportability)
5. How the demonstration can be used by other DoD customers
PHASE III: The contractor will pursue commercialization of the various
technologies developed in Phase II for transitioning expanded mission capability to a broad range of potential government and civilian users and alternate mission applications.
REFERENCES: 1: USA. DoD. GAO. Stronger Practices Needed to Improve DOD Technology Transition Processes. N.p., 14 Sep. 200 Web. GAO-06-8832: USA. DoD. GAO. Adopting Best Practices Can Improve Innovation Investments and Management. N.p., 29 Jun. 201 Web. GAO-17-4993: USA. DoD. GAO. Progress on Many High-Risk Areas, While Substantial Efforts Needed on Others. N.p., 15 Feb. 201 Web. GAO-17-317KEYWORDS: Future Space, Future Cyber, Future Air, Next Generation, Disruptive Technologies, Dual-purpose /dual-use, New/future Technology Trends
CONTACT(S):
Christopher Benson
(801) 586-5761
christopher.benson.7@us.af.mil
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