Description:
OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Trusted AI and Autonomy; Integrated Network Systems-of-Systems
OBJECTIVE: Develop an automated sourcing supply solution that is compatible with DoD information systems and other developmental technology to bridge current Air Force maintenance operations and logistic systems. The system needs to automatically predict and automatically order a broad range of supply and inventory for end users.
DESCRIPTION: Parts/supply requisition in the USAF is painful for end-users. Currently, Enhanced Technical Management System (ETIMS) - a system that houses Technical Orders (T.O.) and the Integrated Logistics Supply-System (ILS-S) - the main United States Air Force (USAF) logistics management system - do not share data. Not all maintenance functions have access to ILS-S and rely on third parties to inquire about part availability. Currently, all maintenance orders are requested via indirect means - verbally or sent via email - to supply personnel. An order may take up to 120 hours to process the various middle entities and this is only for order placement. The automated sourcing supply system must bridge the end user with the supply system. The solution needs to allow end users to order parts from where the work takes place and anticipate supplies needed for future work in a user-friendly way. The solution must be able to maintain up-to-date part/supply ordering information and unload entries no longer available in the supply system. It must be able to indicate parts available on station or Air Force-wide from T.O. data. The solution must be capable of notifying the appropriate Source of Supply (SoS) and T.O. manager. Information sent to the appropriate parties in advance will give either the SoS time to acquire the parts in the T.O. or to see if the T.O. needs to be updated to better reflect the current supply. Solution must grant the end user easy intuitive visibility over supply availability. Visualized trend analysis must be part of the solution and an option to integrate with 3rd party information display software such as Tableau or Microsoft Power BI. The solution would need two-way read/write with 3rd party Air Force-approved software.
PHASE I: A feasibility study that encompasses the following at a minimum: Problem, Solution, Market, Competition, Team/Stakeholders, Financials, Milestones, Additional Information Address at least the following: 1) Annual costs for supplies in the military overall broken down by military branch and shown as percent of total military/branch 2) Identify current technology solutions capable of meeting the topic objective 3) Identify if the current technology can retire/replace a current process or technology 4) Identify ways where human conducted supply ordering may go wrong 5) Identify security concerns and mitigations 6) Cost overview for both initial purchase, sustainment 7) Warrantee and service information 8) Solution impacts to cost, quality or speed versus the current method | Return on investment 9) Overview of the technological components to make the solution work 10) Procedural changes needed to make solution work 11) Include a visual of potential solutions complete with descriptors 12) Policy changes needed to make solution work, if any 13) Any discretionary information that may be valuable when choosing a solution proposal
PHASE II: Develop, integrate, install, test, and demonstrate a prototype system determined to be the most feasible solution during the Phase I feasibility study. Provide material and knowledge assistance with stakeholder buy-in Develop application program integration (API) with existing systems of record used to track inventory and logistics Capabilities/issues identified but not address in previous phase can be resolved, added or remove as needed
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The contractor will pursue commercialization of the software developed in Phase II for transitioning expanded mission capability to a broad range of potential government and civilian users and alternate mission applications. Direct access with end users and government customers will be provided with opportunities to receive Phase III awards for providing the government additional research & development, or direct procurement of products and services developed in coordination with the program. Capabilities/issues identified but not address in previous phase can be resolved, added or remove as needed. Additionally, fully operational capability requires seamless integration onto the Air Force Information Networks (AFIN) for network transport and Air Forces Network (AFNET) for software utilization. The system will utilize these networks for software application usage (both, security practices and procedures, and data transport requirements. Prior to inclusion on Air Force Installation Base Enclaves, all hardware components must comply with DoD Unified Capabilities Requirements (UCR), and be listed on the Department of Defense Information Network (DoDIN) Approved Products List (APL). All software components must adhere to UCR and be certified per the Air Force Evaluated Products List (EPL). In the event components are not currently authorized, authorization will be completed with support of government sponsorship prior to capability delivery to enable immediate operational usage. Request use of DISA APL common criteria certified components when/where available. Request solution use current DISA APL common criteria certified components when/where possible.
REFERENCES:
1. AFH23-123V2PT1 - AFH23-123V2PT4(INTEGRATED LOGISTICS SYSTEM-SUPPLY (ILS-S) MATERIEL MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS)
KEYWORDS: Logistics, Visibility; Supply Chain; Software
