1.   STEM Kits:  The Government envisions the pilot will start with development and distribution of STEM kits to Minority Institutions. The Government is interested in aerial unmanned, ground unmanned, and data or digital STEM kits, but are open to any type of STEM kit that can meet the pilot objectives.

2.   STEM kits feeding Government data analysis platform: How can we connect student outputs leveraging the STEM kits to a Government data analysis platform? The Government has partnered with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), which for the last two years has leveraged the DoD’s Project MAVIN capabilities and expanded it to become the Rapid Analytics for Disaster Response (RADR). What solutions would enable students to submit imagery data to PNNL, which will be connected to a University, for student to connect to the data analysis platform?

a.   Possible Use Case: Connect graduate level research to junior research areas creating a lab that utilizes undergraduate or pre-collegiate developed drones, attaches collegiate research on analytics and predictions of disasters or analysis post, and advanced 3D printing capabilities to fortify or rebuild areas.

3.   Fostering Innovation: How can we put DoD standards in the hands of student to build capabilities DoD maybe hasn’t thought of? What solutions would enable use of the Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK) allows for applications to be built on STEM kits (see objective (b) below)

a.   Possible Use Case: Leverage existing research in 3D printing and tie to DSCA, first response, or military operations.

b.  Possible Use Case: Assess structural damage:  Using machine learning algorithms, map structural and functional damage to reveal the magnitude of an event, identify areas of concentrated damage, and enable assessment of follow-on actions.

c.  Possible Use Case: detect various types of man-made and natural disturbances using machine learning/deep-learning algorithms leveraging algorithms trained with geospatial and open-source information collected prior to and during an event of interest.

a)  Making an Impact: Student created applications for DSCA and Humanitarian and Assistance Disaster Response (HADR) and Emergency Management/First Responders may be used by DoD, researchers, first responders and military personnel to address emergency preparedness and emergency response problems. Additionally, what solutions would enable competition among undergraduates and Pre-collegiate students for STEM kit capabilities?

1.     ROUND 1 – Discovery (SUBMISSION COLLECTIONS THROUGH 8 AUGUST 2022): Interested respondents who could potentially provide solutions that address any of the technical capability areas are encouraged to submit a brief discovery paper for review.

2.     ROUND 2 – “Tell Me More” Selection (9 AUGUST 2022): CDAO will select those solutions they feel have the highest potential to solving the problem. Favorably evaluated submissions will receive an invitation to attend the Phase 3 activity.

3.     ROUND 3 – “Tell Me More” Activity (ANTICIPATED DATES: 16-17 AUGUST 2022): Selected participants will be invited to one of the following activities: informal one-on-one session with a Government panel, demonstration of a solution, or more detailed solution delivery proposal or pitch. The Government will determine the next best activity during Phase 2 and provide instruction related to the “Tell Me More” Activity with the Phase 3 invitation. Conversations may continue outside of the Phase 3 activity if additional information is needed to better understand solution offerings.

Phase 3 assessments are considered to be competitive and analogous to BAA or CSO submissions in that regard. “Tell Me More” guidance (to include assessment rubric and logistical instruction) will be outlined in the event invitation. If the CDAO assessment evaluation panel favorably evaluates a solution offering during Phase 3, negotiations for Phase 4 may immediately begin.

4.     ROUND 4 – Award: The Government may make multiple awards based on the Phase 3 results. Successfully negotiated awards are intended to be Other Transaction Agreements under 10 U.S. Code, Section 4022 (formerly 2371). An award under 10 U. S. Code, Section 4022 may result in the further award of a follow-on production agreement without additional competition based on successful prototype completion.