Rugged Hardware nodes for Synchronized Data Distribution, Dissemination, and Visualization Command and Control System

Close Date: February 26, 2024

Application Portal: DIU Submission - FrontierNode (Tactical Compute Kits)

Project Description

FrontierNode (Tactical Compute Kits)

Problem:

The Department of Defense (DoD) must disseminate and coordinate data across large, austere, and geographically diverse areas. Established #DoD capabilities can be improved through the rapid integration of commercial technologies that enable a data transport-agnostic, partner and joint-ready, next-generation coordinated battlespace visualization network. Specifically, the DoD seeks commercial solutions that can deliver operationally-ready, ruggedized hardware nodes with appropriate compute, storage, and network readiness to operate in distributed environments.

In addition, data will need to be synchronized across these remote hardware nodes and a government #cloud environment with minimal latency. Store and compute must be sufficient at remote locations to enable command/control and enclaved operations under degraded backhaul conditions.

Desired Solution:

Proposed system components should be composed of innovative and advanced solutions which possess interoperable, open-interface commercial technologies that furnish a hardware solution optimized for configurability to enable deployment of Government furnished software solutions. This solution should support the following functionality:

(a) Administrative tools to manage and troubleshoot hardware solution;

(b) Leverage secure communication at various classification levels, up to Top Secret.

Be accessible to specific software receiving specific communications; this could be accomplished by, for instance, miniaturization and ruggedization or cloud-based, browser-enabled VDI (virtual desktop infrastructure) solutions accessible through dedicated SDWAN (software-defined wide area network) data transport via commercial and military links. Preference will be given to vendors whose proposed solutions meet the following minimum requirements:

Tactical extension networking hardware:

• Recommending minimum hardware configurations based on the following, with preference for miniaturization of complete end product.- Compute: 256 vCPUs; 2TB RAM to support virtualization environment and apps- Storage: 120TB storage, with the ability to scale storage locally or to the cloud- Network interfaces: must be network/cloud agnostic, preferably already accredited at the TS level- Form factor must be able to support Echelon 4 forward deployable scenarios
• Visibility of #network activity and compatible with remote management.
• Unclassified delivery, with the ability to elevate or decrease device classification (e.g., via removable?storage and cryptographic Keys).
• Modular open standards for rapid addition of capabilities from other vendors.
• Ability to operate in #austere environments with limited power and cooling capability.
• Compatible with screen, keyboard, and mouse/pad.
• Previously issued Authority to Operate (ATO) to ensure a rapid path to accreditation.
• Connect directly to radios, antennas, sensors, or data sources.
• Ability for the #network to operate in a disconnected, denied, intermittent and/or with limited bandwidth (DDIL) environment.

Finally, integration services to build, load, and ship hardware to its end destination through approved material handling procedures commensurate with accreditation levels.

Vendor solutions shall demonstrate utility of the prototyped solution to achieve Successful Completion.

Vendors are invited to submit complete or partial solutions. If a vendor chooses to provide partial solutions, vendors may be encouraged to partner.

Awarding Process

DIU

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Potential Follow-On Production Contract for Prototype Other Transaction Agreements

Companies are advised that any Prototype Other Transaction (OT) agreement awarded in response to this solicitation may result in the direct award of a follow-on production contract or agreement without the use of further competitive procedures. Follow-on production activities will result from successful prototype completion.

The follow-on production contract or agreement will be available for use by one or more organizations within the Department of Defense. As a result, the magnitude of the follow-on production contract or agreement could be significantly larger than that of the Prototype OT agreement. All Prototype OT agreements will include the following statement relative to the potential for follow-on production: “In accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 4022(f), and upon a determination that the prototype project for this transaction has successfully been completed, this competitively awarded Prototype OT agreement may result in the award of a follow-on production contract or transaction without the use of competitive procedures.”

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