Overview
The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) invites proposals for the development and demonstration of a smart installation and community dashboard pilot system at Fort Benning, Georgia. Once operational, this will be a tool for the installation commander and the installation operations center.
The system should include the following aspects as a minimum:
- Transportation
- Weather
- Energy
- Environment
- Public Safety
The smart installation and community dashboard system demonstration should accomplish the following:
- Integrate with the existing priorities and smart system initiatives at Fort Benning and the surrounding area
- Deploy and integrate additional smart sensors on the installation and in the community to prove functionality of the pilot system
- Establish a wireless communications network capable of enabling real-time data analytics and dashboard functionality at Fort Benning, GA
- Propose technology transition way forward
Proposed solutions can be new or build on existing technology. All potential options will be considered.
Estimated Government Funding Profile
$3,750,000 total (RDT&E funds) for a total solution
Estimated Period of Performance
To be completed within 24 months from the date of award
Project Manager
Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL), U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)
Project Security Classification
☒ UNCLASSIFIED
☐ SECRET
☐ TS/SCI
Background and Problem Statement
The Army requires the ability to develop a community-wide operating picture with a smart installation and community dashboard to inform decisions. Future smart installations must collect, integrate, and analyze data that will ensure safe, secure, and connected data-driven decisions for reducing costs and improving the environment, quality of life, security, modernization, and mission readiness.
The 2020 Army Installation Strategy (AIS) identifies a key feature of the operational environment (OE) as the accelerating rate of technological change. Future Soldiers will expect installations to modernize at pace with civilian sector smart cities initiatives, but installations are often lagging behind or disconnected from emerging innovations. Opportunities that leverage technology through creation of data-informed, smart installations will allow the Army to pivot from an industrial-age paradigm, characterized by rigidity and purpose-built specialization, to a data-rich, reconfigurable, and technology-enhanced information-age construct.
The AIS end state envisions modern, resilient, sustainable installations, enhancing strategic readiness in a contested battlespace, while providing quality facilities, services, and support to our Soldiers, families, and civilians. These Soldiers, families, and civilians who are part of the installation community live within and are connected to the broader region that comprises the OE, thus fully informed decisions must account for the community and region. To meet the AIS end state, a tool is required to provide community-wide situational awareness to the installation.
A current gap exists in the ability of a military installation to leverage automated system technologies that integrate with smart installations, smart cities, the “internet of things” (IOT), and connected infrastructure to inform decision making. This research will develop a pilot system to address gap requirements outlined in the AIS and the March 2020 report to Congress by ASA IE&E, “Army Report on Creating an Army Installations Test and Demonstration Program Using Commercial Technologies”.
The primary agency requiring this is the U.S. Army Materiel Command, the U.S. Army Installation Management Command, and Army Garrison Commands. This technology addresses Army priorities related to improved quality of life, modernization, readiness, and sustainability.
Desired End State
The expected outcome of this research project is the development and demonstration of a smart installation and community dashboard pilot system for Fort Benning, Georgia. This project will incorporate smart and automated technologies coupled with data analytics, data fusion, and artificial intelligence to provide faster awareness and decision options for Fort Benning with a framework that can be scalable to other installations. Expected benefits include enhanced resiliency, sustainability, and operational efficiency of the installation and improved quality of life for service members, civilians, and their families.
Evaluation Criteria
Submissions will be evaluated based on the criteria described in ERDC’s CSO Solicitation document. Evaluations will be conducted by a project team comprised of nationally-recognized government experts.
Submissions for this project may be shared with other ERDC teams when there appears to be a fit with other projects being undertaken or planned by ERDC researchers.
Notional Project Schedule
Proposed project milestones include:
04 Aug 2021 Project Announced, Submissions Open
24 Aug 2021 Submissions Close
03 Sep 2021 ERDC Completes Evaluation of Submissions
07 Sep 2021 Virtual Pitch Hosted by ERDCWERX (optional)*
09 Sep 2021 ERDC Selects Final Candidates, ERDC Initiates Negotiation with Selected Parties
*If needed; dates may vary to accommodate project team and participant availability.
How to Participate
Qualified parties may submit by completing a submission form and uploading required documentation as defined in the CSO Solicitation document.
1. Develop proposal in solution brief format (download solution brief template)
2. Review FAQ
3. Complete the submission form; attach solution brief and pitch deck PDF(s)
Questions:
Interested parties may submit questions using this form until 17 August 2021.
Submission Instructions: This solicitation is issued consistent with the authority granted to the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) through the establishment of its Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) with a focus on “Installations of the Future” solutions. Submissions must follow the requirements as detailed in the CSO Solicitation document.