What You Need to Know to Secure a Piece of the $2B Pie

The U.S. Army is launching a major procurement initiative called the D3I2 (Data, Development, Deployment, and Integration) program. The program aims to develop and deploy advanced technologies for data integration and exploitation, with a focus on improving situational awareness and decision-making capabilities for the Army’s warfighters. The program is expected to be a multi-billion-dollar effort, with a timeline spanning several years. In this article, I will provide an overview of the D3I2 program, its objectives, requirements, milestones, and opportunities for contractors and vendors.

What is the D3I2 program?

The D3I2 program is a follow-on to the previous D3I program, which was awarded in 2017 and had a ceiling value of $1.6 billion. The D3I2 program will expand the scope and scale of the previous program, covering more domains and technologies. The D3I2 program will be utilized to conduct research for the development of hardware components and software solutions for space, high altitude, missile defense, information integration and data exploitation, and enhanced warfighter capabilities. The program requirements will include component testing, and integration of prototypes into systems and subsystems, which can be tested in a laboratory or relevant environment. Limited testing will be conducted in an operational environment for transition/integration into an operational system. The program also includes providing anticipated solutions to include design, development, demonstration, and integration of future capability gap architectures, technologies, test and evaluation, integration and operations requirements. The efforts defined follow an evolutionary development of systems architecture focused on a “Concept to Combat” philosophy.

The D3I2 program will be used to implement programs including, but not limited to, Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrations (ACTDs), Advanced Technology Demonstrations (ATDs), and the Missile Defense Central Test and Evaluation Investment Program (CTEIP). The contract will support organizations to include but not limited to: USASMDC/ARSTRAT, USSTRATCOM, Other Combatant Commanders, Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO), Department of the Army (DA), PEO Missiles and Space, Missile Defense Agency (MDA), and U.S. Air Force (USAF).

What are the objectives of the D3I2 program?

The main objective of the D3I2 program is to improve the Army’s data integration and exploitation capabilities. Data integration refers to the process of combining data from different sources and formats into a unified view that can be accessed and analyzed by users. Data exploitation refers to the process of extracting actionable insights from data using various methods such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics. The D3I2 program aims to develop and deploy technologies that can enable data integration and exploitation across multiple domains such as space, high altitude, missile defense, information operations, cyber operations, electronic warfare, intelligence analysis, targeting, fire control, command and control, communications, navigation, and surveillance.

The D3I2 program also aims to enhance the situational awareness and decision-making capabilities of the Army’s warfighters. Situational awareness refers to the ability to perceive and understand the current state of the environment and its dynamics. Decision-making refers to the ability to select the best course of action based on available information and objectives. The D3I2 program aims to develop and deploy technologies that can provide timely, accurate, relevant, and comprehensive information to the warfighters in various operational scenarios. The D3I2 program also aims to enable rapid adaptation and innovation in response to changing threats and opportunities.

What are the milestones of the D3I2 program?

The D3I2 program is expected to have several procurement milestones over the next few years. According to the latest estimates, the following are some of the key milestones:

  • Draft release: October 2023
  • Solicitation release: December 2023
  • Questions/comments period: August 22 – September 15 2023
  • Industry day/site visit/conference: August 15 2023
  • Registration deadline: August 8 2023
  • Award date: June 2025

The industry day/site visit/conference is scheduled for August 15 2023 at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville Alabama. The registration deadline is August 8 2023.

What are the opportunities for contractors and vendors?

The D3I2 program is expected to create significant opportunities for contractors and vendors who can offer innovative solutions for data integration and exploitation. The program’s multi-billion-dollar budget and long timeline make it an attractive opportunity for companies looking to secure long-term contracts with the Army. The program’s focus on advanced technologies also means that companies with expertise in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, cloud computing, edge computing, big data, cyber security, and blockchain are likely to be in high demand.

The D3I2 program will be awarded as a multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. This means that the Army will select multiple contractors who will compete for task orders under the contract. The contract will have a base period of five years and an option period of five years, with a total ceiling value of $2 billion. The contract will be open to both large and small businesses, with a 30% set-aside for small businesses. The contract will also have a 10% set-aside for historically underutilized business zones (HUBZones), service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs), and women-owned small businesses (WOSBs).

The D3I2 program will have four domains: space and high altitude, missile defense, information integration and data exploitation, and enhanced warfighter capabilities. Each domain will have its own technical requirements and evaluation criteria. Contractors and vendors can bid for one or more domains, depending on their capabilities and interests. The Army will evaluate the proposals based on the following factors:

  • Technical approach
  • Management approach
  • Past performance
  • Cost/price

The Army will also consider the following subfactors:

  • Innovation
  • Risk mitigation
  • Transition plan
  • Key personnel
  • Small business participation

How to prepare for the D3I2 program?

The D3I2 program is a highly competitive and complex procurement opportunity that requires careful preparation and planning. Contractors and vendors who are interested in bidding for the D3I2 program should take the following steps:

  • Review the draft solicitation and provide feedback to the Army by September 15 2023. The draft solicitation contains detailed information on the program’s scope, objectives, requirements, evaluation criteria, and instructions for proposal submission.
  • Attend the industry day/site visit/conference on August 15 2023. The industry day/site visit/conference is an opportunity to learn more about the program’s vision, goals, challenges, and expectations. It is also an opportunity to network with potential partners, subcontractors, and customers.
  • Conduct market research and competitive analysis. Contractors and vendors should conduct thorough market research and competitive analysis to identify their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in relation to the D3I2 program. They should also identify their unique value proposition and differentiators that can set them apart from other bidders.
  • Develop a winning strategy and proposal. Contractors and vendors should develop a winning strategy and proposal that aligns with the program’s objectives, requirements, and evaluation criteria. They should also demonstrate their technical expertise, management capability, past performance, innovation potential, risk mitigation plan, transition plan, key personnel qualifications, and small business participation plan. They should also ensure that their proposal is clear, concise, compliant, and compelling.

Conclusion

The D3I2 program is a major procurement initiative by the U.S. Army aimed at developing and deploying advanced technologies for data integration and exploitation. The program’s focus on situational awareness and decision-making is critical for the Army’s success in modern warfare, and the program is expected to create significant opportunities for contractors and vendors. The program’s focus on advanced technologies also means that companies with expertise in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, cloud computing, edge computing, big data, cyber security, and blockchain are likely to be in high demand.

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