Abstract The Science and Technology Group (STG) within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) is committed to ensuring that promising science and technology (S&T) development opportunities and investment portfolios align with Intelligence Community (IC) capability needs. To support this goal, ODNI has published the FY2022 – 2026 ODNI S&T Investment Landscape to identify and project IC-wide needs. This latest version of the Landscape builds on the successes of ODNI’s FY2015–2019 IC S&T Landscape , which served to identify and champion IC-wide needs and, in conjunction with ODNI’s Intelligence Science and Technology Partnership (In-STeP) program, provided an opportunity for IC leaders and stakeholders, such as the National Intelligence Managers, to directly affect the allocation of the IC’s and industry’s research and development (R&D) resources. In this RFI, STG requests ideas on emerging technologies and novel approaches to meet these needs. Additionally, comments on the Landscape as well as descriptions of approaches and investment strategies for meeting IC needs beyond those listed in the Landscape will be considered. These comments, approaches, and concepts will be reviewed, compiled, and made available to the Director of National Intelligence Science and Technology Committee (NISTC)—the standing body for the coordination and communication of S&T priorities and R&D investments across the IC. NISTC members include the principal science advisors of the IC elements. Further, these inputs will be used to support and inform the ODNI’s S&T Investment Planning Guidance processes, affording an opportunity for respondents to help shape the future trajectory of IC capabilities. Background A critical consideration in crafting the FY2022 – 2026 ODNI S&T Investment Landscape was to identify and aggregate as many intelligence needs from across the IC as possible. To accomplish this objective, STG staff sought to identify intelligence needs from a variety of sources with differing perspectives including Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), Program Management, Specialized Customers, and Field End-Users. Pursuing the technologies needed to achieve success in the IC’s mission is a key responsibility of the IC S&T enterprise. Future operators, analysts, and decision makers will face a complex and interconnected web of challenges for which today’s technical capabilities may prove inadequate. Accordingly, STG is particularly interested in obtaining U.S. industry SMEs’ views on technologies and approaches that could meet the IC needs outlined in the FY2022 – 2026 ODNI S&T Investment Landscape . Scope This RFI is intended to obtain U.S. industry’s views on those technologies and techniques which may address IC needs to guide IC S&T investment opportunities through FY26 and beyond. This RFI allows for sufficient flexibility to capture industry’s views in three ways: 1. Descriptions of technologies and projects applicable to the needs listed in the Landscape document. 2. Descriptions of technologies and projects applicable to the IC S&T mission that are outside the scope of the needs captured in the Landscape . 3. General comments and feedback on the Landscape document and its approach to aggregating IC-wide needs. An UNCLASSIFIED version of the FY2022 – 2026 ODNI S&T Investment Landscape is attached to this RFI Posting for review and comment from February 28, 2022 through Aug 29, 2023. Preparation Instructions to Respondents STG is looking for new and innovative ideas related to this topic for use by the Government. STG requests that submittals briefly and clearly describe the potential approach or concept and its benefits, outline critical technical issues/obstacles, describe how the approach may address those issues/obstacles, and comment on the expected performance and robustness of the proposed approach. If appropriate, respondents may also choose to provide a non-proprietary rough order of magnitude regarding what such approaches might require in terms of funding and other resources for one or more years. This announcement and attached documents contain all of the information required to submit a response. No additional forms, kits, or other materials are needed. STG appreciates responses from all capable and qualified sources from within the U.S. Responses from teams with complementary areas of expertise are encouraged. Please use the available Excel template or new Excel file with the following columns: Applicable Need number(s), numbers found in the Landscape document Company/Organization Name Company/Organization Headquarters Location Optional self-identification of Company/Organization Affiliations (use codes from Table I). Respondent’s point(s) of contact (POC(s)) Technology/Project Name Non-proprietary description of the technology/project (up to 500 words) Optional proprietary description of the technology/project (up to 500 words) Non-proprietary description of how the technology/project relates to the applicable Need number(s) (up to 100 words) Code for current, applicable IC technology capability estimate (see Table II) Current sponsor(s) (internal, IRAD or external) Codes for Technology Domain(s) relevant to the technology/project(see Table III) Additionally, comments and feedback on the Landscape document as well as descriptions of R&D efforts outside of the scope of the Needs that are broadly applicable to the IC S&T mission that participating entities would like to highlight will be accepted. These submissions shall have the following formatting requirements: 1. A one-page cover sheet that clearly identifies the title, organization(s), respondent’s technical and administrative POCs—including names, addresses, phone and fax numbers, and email addresses of all co-authors—and clearly indicates its association with ICSPE-RFI-22-01; 2. A substantive, focused, executive summary (limited to one-half page in minimum 12-point Times New Roman font, appropriate for single-sided, single-spaced 8.5 by 11 inch paper, with 1-inch margins) 3. A description (limited to 1 page in minimum 12-point Times New Roman font, appropriate for single-sided, single-spaced 8.5 by 11 inch paper, with 1-inch margins) of the technical challenges, suggested approach(es), and a statement of how the IC would benefit; 4. A list of citations (any significant claims or reports of success must be accompanied by citations, and reference material MUST be attached); 5. Optionally, a single overview briefing chart graphically depicting the key ideas. Submission Instructions to Respondents Responses to this RFI are due no later than 4:00pm Eastern Daylight Time on Aug 29, 2023. All submissions must be electronically submitted in the formats described above. No telephone inquiries will be accepted. Submissions must be sent to S&
[email protected]. DISCLAIMERS AND IMPORTANT NOTES This RFI is issued solely for information and potential IC investment planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. Respondents are advised that the ODNI is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted under this RFI. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. It is the respondents' responsibility to ensure that the submitted material has been approved for release to the U.S. Government by the organization that funded whatever research is referred to in their response. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for the information solicited, nor is the Government obligated to issue a solicitation based on responses received. Proprietary concepts and information—should they be included in the submittal—must be marked accordingly and will be protected appropriately. Input on technical aspects of the responses may be solicited by ODNI from non-Government consultants/experts who are bound by appropriate non-disclosure requirements. Requesting Office Address: Science and Technology Group Policy and Capabilities Directorate Office of the Director of National Intelligence Washington, District of Columbia 20511, United States Primary Point of Contact: Dr. David M. Isaacson, Deputy Director of Science and Technology, Office of the Director of National intelligence, S&
[email protected] (unclassified submissions only) Secondary Point of Contact: Brian Bogucki, Contracting Officer, Technology Transformation Services,
[email protected] RFI Attachments FY2022 - 2026 ODNI S&T Investment Landscape RFI Tables I, II, and III FY2022 - 2026 ODNI S&T Investment Landscape (Unclassified) ICSPE-RFI-22-01 Response Template form