DOD reveals first draft of $15B artificial intelligence contract

The Defense Department has given industry a first glimpse at how it plans to compete a potential $15 billion program whose mission is in the name -- Advancing Artificial Intelligence Multiple Award Contract.

A draft solicitation released Wednesday outlines what DOD is looking for in this contract that supports Advana, a multi-domain analytics and AI platform run by the Pentagon’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office.

Advana is in the midst of an overhaul, which DOD is undertaking to ensure the platform can further scale out across the department.

In June, our Defense One colleagues reported that CDAO is looking at data mesh principles as a way to simplify the authorization of what resides in Advana and make information sharing easier.

The platform’s original intent was to help the Pentagon’s comptroller work with financial, program management and logistics data for approximately 100,000 users.

Booz Allen Hamilton is the incumbent for Advana under a potential three-year, $3.2 billion task order awarded in 2021. DOD has obligated approximately 28% of the ceiling to-date against the order that expires on Aug. 15, according to GovTribe data.

Given Advana’s origin, AAMAC essentially represents DOD’s push to open up the platform to multiple companies of all shapes and sizes. DOD’s intent is also to stay in keeping with the new goal of onboarding more users.

DOD is structuring AAMAC as a potential 10-year contract that would run to July 31, 2035 if all options are exercised. The department’s current intent is for between 50 and 70 awards on the new contract.

Responses to the draft request for proposals are due no later than 12 p.m. Eastern time on Dec. 20.