The Hatch Report: DoD Opportunities (Issue #30)
This week’s issue covers 14 new RFIs/RFPs—from a classified CRM for DoD's "Anomaly Resolution" office to Phase II of SOCOM’s “Drones in a Box” effort
1) Drone in a Box (DIB) Assessment Event // USSOCOM Special Notice
Seeking ready-to-produce, modular ISR platforms that combine small uncrewed aerial systems (Group 1 & 2 UAS) and small uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) into a single, reconfigurable “Drone in a Box” solution
Solutions must allow rapid mission-specific reconfiguration using standardized components—modular frames, propulsion, power, sensors (EO/IR, SIGINT), comms, and control systems
Intended for flexible ISR operations across complex environments (urban, rural, austere), with the ability to adapt quickly to changing tactical needs
Event may lead to follow-on awards via OTA, SOFWERX Partnership Intermediary Agreements, FAR-based contracts, or other mechanisms; successful prototypes may be eligible for direct production awards under 10 U.S.C. 4022
Multi-phase assessment process led by SOFWERX and PEO-TIS
Phase 1 (Completed): April 2025 Collaboration Event with Warfighter engagement and operational needs framing
Phase 2: Submissions open through June 10; virtual Q&A session on May 28
Phase 3: Downselect period from June 11–20; invitations issued by June 23
Phase 4: In-person and virtual Assessment Event at SOFWERX (July 16–18), featuring one-on-one pitch/demo sessions and technical Q&A
Phase 5: Potential awards via OTA, PIA sub-awards, FAR-based contracts, or follow-on production under 10 U.S.C. 4022 without further competition
Response Deadline: June 10
2) Case Management Software Development Support // All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) Sources Saught
Development and sustainment of a secure, JWICS-based case management system for AARO, with capabilities for case intake, structured metadata tagging, workflow automation, and Tableau-based analytics
System must support real-time tracking, automated triage, secure collaboration, and integration with AARO’s existing and planned data architecture
Requires Top Secret/SCI-cleared facility and personnel at time of proposal; includes full-time onsite Program Manager (1 FTE) at the Mark Center in Alexandria, VA throughout the contract term
Time & Materials contract anticipated with a 12-month base period and four 12-month option periods; contract award and start expected in September 2025
Response Deadline: June 9
3) Assessment of Sensing-Autonomy Sensor Exploitation Technologies (ASSET) // AFRL Solicitation
Seeks modeling and analysis tools to assess multi-domain sensor performance and enable autonomous ISR, strike, and EW decision-making.
Focus is on fusing data from any source, reasoning over dynamic environments, and forecasting mission-level outcomes across air, ground, space, and cyber domains.
Solicited as a 1-Step Call for Proposals under the broader ADAM MAA, indicating alignment with a larger AFRL autonomy and decision sciences initiative.
Response Deadline: July 3
4) Modern Unmanned-Warfare Systems Environment (MUSE) // AFRL RFI
Market research to inform a potential 6–7 year CPFF LOE/IDIQ contract supporting the MUSE initiative—an enterprise effort to advance U.S. dominance in unmanned warfare through rapid R&D, integration, and fielding
MUSE scope includes multi-domain unmanned system capabilities (air, ground, maritime), advanced autonomy, resilient and distributed C2, real-time data exploitation, electronic warfare support, cyber protection, and modular mission payloads
Government anticipates ~4M labor hours across diverse technical areas, with surge capacity needs and initial workforce requiring 20% TS/SCI clearance; contract will span RDT&E, Procurement, and O&M funding
Industry Day scheduled for 17 June 2025 at Griffiss Institute in Rome NY; firms submitting capability packages eligible for 1:1 sessions; Sources Sought to follow in Q4 FY25
Response Deadline: June 3
5) Digital ISR Agile Software Capabilities CSO // PEO SOF Digital Applications Special Notice
Seeks deployable, sustainable intelligence mission software using agile development, AI, DevSecOps, and human-centered design for SOF digital ISR across classification levels
Must integrate USG-acquired commercial and publicly available info (CAI/PAI) with classified data on multi-domain networks
Responses begin with 6-page white paper; downselect process includes Go/No-Go screening, demos, and potential follow-on production worth up to $100M via FAR or OTA
AOI conducted under existing CSO H9241525X0001; emphasis on leveraging commercial innovation to accelerate fielding
Response Deadline: June 6
6) Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) // PEO C3N CSO
Soliciting white papers for scalable, modular prototype architectures aligned to a notional NGC2 data-centric design—must support third-party integration, DevSecOps workflows, and deployment across cloud, edge, and degraded environments
Solutions must demonstrate layered open architecture (e.g., data, platform, transport) with container-native components, microservices compatibility, and orchestration logic for adaptive routing and resource allocation
Government seeks unlimited rights to the emergent reference architecture; vendors must identify all IP restrictions and propose reprocurement paths if rights are limited
OTA prototyping may span three phases: team and architecture validation (3 months), application and AI/ML integration (9 months), and tactical network integration (up to 16 months total); the solution must be designed from the outset to scale to the division level, and Phase 3 may test and demonstrate aspects of that scalability.
Response Deadline: June 2
7) Hardware-in-the-loop of Advanced Navigation & Guidance Sensors (HANGS) // 782d TS GWEF Solicitation
Seeking prototype technologies to improve hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) simulation for weapon systems—enabling more realistic lab-based testing of sensors, datalinks, and guidance components
Covers four tech areas: generating multispectral imagery, simulating GPS and navigation environments, emulating radio/datalink communications, and running ultra high-speed flight simulations
Uses Other Transaction Authority (OTA) for flexible awards, with the option for direct follow-on production if the prototype succeeds
Open to full or partial solutions (at least two tech areas); expected 3-year timeline; strong interest in solutions that can scale and integrate with Air Force test infrastructure
Response Deadline: August 18
8) National Defense Stockpile Research // DLA Solicitation
Seeks R&D proposals across the full spectrum—from fundamental research to applied solutions—focused on critical material supply chain risks and resilience
Supports DLA's mandate under the National Defense Stockpile (NDS) Annual Materials Plan to assess and stabilize supply chains essential to national defense and civilian industry
White papers required for all submissions; no award expected to exceed $250,000, and the Government may fund only a portion of proposed costs
Funded through the National Defense Stockpile Transaction Fund; responsive to emerging needs from OSD, Military Services, and Congress
Seeks analysis of internal and external bottlenecks, evaluation of substitute materials, recycling feasibility for rare earth magnets, and assessments of industrial capabilities
Response Deadline: White papers accepted through September 1, 2025; full proposals by invitation only.
9) Simulation Environment for Technology Research and Assessments (SENTRA) // AFRL Presolicitation
Presolicitation for a $32M single-award IDIQ supporting design, development, and evaluation of multi-domain EW technologies, including RF simulation and sensor performance measurement
Effort expected to be released via a Call under the TEMPEST ARA; not a direct solicitation—target release window is June–July 2025
Industry day/site visit on 28 May 2025 at WPAFB; secret clearance required; access limited to U.S. citizens and two reps per firm
Focused on advancing high-fidelity models and simulation environments for C2 algorithms, threat sensors, and communications—supports maturation and transition of EW capabilities
Response Deadline: RSVP for site visit due by May 21, 2025; full solicitation not yet released
10) Theater Air Planning System of Systems Dynamic Mission Replanning // USAF Sources Sought
Seeks automated tools to replan air missions mid-operation, replacing slow, manual coordination processes.
Capabilities should include AI-driven Course of Action (CoA) generation and real-time updates to system architecture.
Solutions must integrate across a complex system-of-systems supporting joint and coalition air operations.
Early-stage R&D effort under NAICS 541715; work anticipated at Hanscom AFB.
Response Deadline: June 30
11) Rads to Watts Future Program // DARPA Special Notice
Seeking new ways to turn nuclear radiation directly into usable electricity—not just tiny trickles, but enough to power real systems.
The goal is to build power sources that can run for a long time without needing fuel or maintenance, even in places where it’s hard or impossible to send supplies (like deep space or remote battlefields).
Current tech breaks down under intense radiation, so DARPA is looking for tougher materials and better designs that can handle more energy without wearing out.
Response Deadline: August 1
12) Methodological Advancements for Generalizable Insights into Complex Systems (MAGICS) // DARPA Webinar Announcement
MAGICS is focused on improving how we model and predict group behavior in complex, real-world systems
Seeks new approaches that go beyond current AI and data tools, drawing from psychology, behavioral science, and other disciplines
Today’s tools can’t reliably explain or predict how large groups of people behave in changing, real-world conditions
DARPA welcomes participation from first-time government contractors, academic researchers, and small businesses
Attendance is optional, but may help potential proposers better understand the opportunity; webinar held May 29.
Response Deadline: May 28
13) U.S. Naval Community College Digital Integration Services // NAVSUP Presolicitation
The U.S. Naval Community College provides enlisted Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen with access to accredited, career-relevant associate degrees through online programs in partnership with civilian universities
Seeking a qualified systems integrator to implement, customize, and maintain a scalable eLearning IT ecosystem—including a Student Information System (SIS), Learning Management System (LMS), articulation tools (TES, ADB), MuleSoft APIs, data warehouse, CRM/CMS-based student portal, and reporting tools
Contractor must also build and sustain secure interfaces with DoD/DoN systems (e.g., DMDC, DISA GFUD, JST) and align digital tools with Navy education programs and university partners
Single-award IDIQ contract using Firm-Fixed Price task orders; 1-year base (starting Sept 2025) with 4 option years and a 6-month extension under FAR Parts 12 and 15
Response Deadline: Solicitation expected to post on or around May 20, 2025 (proposal deadline will be set in official RFP)
14) Environmental Analysis for Propellant Facility at LMTF // Hill AFB RFQ
Proposed PLF would support energetics handling and testing at LMTF; preliminary concept involves facility construction starting as early as FY26, pending EA results and funding availability
Seeking a firm-fixed-price contractor to develop a legally and technically sufficient Environmental Assessment (EA) for a proposed Propellant Loading Facility (PLF) at the Little Mountain Test Facility (LMTF), Hill AFB
EA must comply with NEPA (as amended by the 2023 Fiscal Responsibility Act), 32 CFR 989, and updated USAF EA/EIS formatting and deliverables guidance
Total small business set-aside under NAICS 541620 (Environmental Consulting); Period of Performance is 12 months after award
Response Deadline: May 22
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