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Air Force wants AI in its air-ops command-and-control system
Kessel Run is managing the nascent effort to improve the Air Operations Center Weapon System used by COCOMs.
The Air Force is in the early stages of improving its command-and-control system for regional air, space, and cyber forces.
The Next-Generation Air Operations Center Weapon System effort aims to upgrade the Air Operations Center (AOC) Weapon System to bring AI-powered tools to planners and operators at combatant commands. Since February, the Air Force has released a request for information and two sets of Q&As.
The contract is managed by the Air Operations Center Program Office of Kessel Run, the Air Force software factory now housed under the service's Portfolio Acquisition Executive for command, control, communications and battle management. Postings on Sam.gov indicate that the service wants a fast, flexible acquisition plan, perhaps through the use of other transaction agreements.
The RFI calls for a prime contractor to work as a systems integrator. Several of the documents, such as the statement of need, have not been publicly disclosed.
Some technical requirements include: IL6 or higher for cloud, Secret or higher for edge computing, and a continuity of operations/disconnected state requirement.
The solicitation will include a requirement for a top-secret facility clearance. The Air Force expects to release a bidder’s library with the draft solicitation.
The documents ask industry to suggest ways to meet program objectives. They also ask about agreement structures, including an OTA.
In Q&A documents released Tuesday, the Air Force again said it was considering all acquisition strategies.
An OTA with follow-on production is one approach that could bring the speed and flexibility the Air Force is looking for. But a traditional procurement will likely be used for sustainment, according to the Q&A.
No procurement timeline has been given, but the Air Force has signaled it wants a competitive field. Industry is already pressing the program office on that point.
One question submitted by a prospective offeror asked how the government would ensure a level playing field and avoid "carve outs and pay-to-play relationships with a small group of vendors."
The Air Force response was brief: "The government is engaging with industry as part of market research and seeks to maximize competition for this requirement."