Transformative Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning High-Performance Computing Commercial Solutions Openings (CSO)

The Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) is issuing a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) pursuant to DFARS Subpart 212.70. Under a CSO, the ERDC may competitively award proposals received in response to a general solicitation, similar to a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), to acquire innovative commercial products, technologies, or services based on a review of solutions by scientific, technological, or other subject matter expert peers within the ERDC. “Innovative,” for CSO purposes, means any new technology, process, or method, including research and development (R&D), or any new application of an existing technology, process, or method. Under this CSO, all products, technologies, and services shall be treated as commercial items; products, technologies, and services do not have to be “commercially available” to be submitted in response to this solicitation. If the solution meets the requirements of the regulation, the solution is treated as commercial whereby the Contracting Officer will utilize commercial procedures to develop and execute the resultant award. 

The High Performance Modernization Computing Program (HPCMP) is seeking innovative commercial solutions to advance the state of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) for the Department of Defense (DoD). This initiative aims to support the development, prototyping, and demonstration of cutting-edge AI/ML capabilities tailored for modern, high-performance computing environments to be located at the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) DoD Supercomputing Resource Center (DSRC).

The primary objective is to identify and validate transformative technologies and solutions capable of delivering secure, scalable, and real-time AI/ML computations in complex and operationally relevant military scenarios. These solutions should address the unique challenges of DoD applications, including the need for robust security, adaptability to dynamic environments, and the ability to operate effectively in distributed and edge computing architectures.

Proposed solutions should align with critical DoD modernization priorities, including AI enablement, autonomous systems, and supporting distributed edge computing. The goal is to enhance the DoD’s ability to leverage AI/ML technologies to improve decision-making, operational efficiency, and mission effectiveness in support of national defense objectives.

Go to https://www.erdcwerx.org/transformative-ai-ml-high-performance-computing/  for all of the CSO details and submission requirements. All solutions must be submitted through the ERDCWERX platform. 

All resultant contracts will be firm-fixed price. All items, technologies, and services (including research and development) procured via this CSO are treated as commercial. Applicants from universities and/or non-profit organizations should be aware that commercial clauses will be integrated into the award and should coordinate proposals with associated legal counsel prior to submission.