Detailed Analysis

Agency and Opportunity Overview

The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), Emerging Technology (EM) Directorate, has issued a Request for Information (RFI). The RFI aims to gather information related to enhancing Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO) through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). There is no stated NAICS code in the document.

Objectives and Requirements

The primary objective of this RFI is to explore the potential of applying commercial AI/ML models, tools, services, and best practices to augment and enhance DISA's current DCO capabilities and methods. DISA's critical mission is to conduct DCO, protecting DoD data, networks, and systems.

Key technical requirements include:

• Identifying AI-powered solutions to analyze vast amounts of cyber data, including log, sensor, alert, and telemetry data, to identify anomalous and potentially malicious activity.
• Proactively detecting unknown cyber threats from cyber sensor data and real-time threat intelligence.
• Generating actionable, prioritized leads for cyber DCO analysts.
• A complete AI/ML platform that includes a data acquisition and processing solution, a model development pipeline, and an operations and sustainment strategy. The platform can be on-premises, in the cloud, or a hybrid approach ("DISA desires a complete AI/ML platform to include a data acquisition and processing solution, a model development pipeline, and an operations and sustainment strategy.").

The RFI requests information in the following areas:

• Experience in applying AI/ML to DCO (Section 4.1).
• DCO AI/ML models that can be provided to DISA (Section 4.2).
• DCO AI/ML tools and services that can be provided to DISA (Section 4.3).
• Corporate Information (Section 4.4).

Submission Guidelines and Timeline

Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a white paper.

Submission guidelines include:

• The white paper cannot exceed 10 pages (excluding diagrams or illustrations).
• The white paper should be single-spaced, 12-point type with at least one-inch margins on 8 1/2” X 11” page size.
• The response should not exceed a 25 MB e-mail limit.
• Responses must specifically describe the contractor’s capability to meet the requirements outlined in this RFI.
• Oral communications are not permissible.

The deadline for submitting responses is April 30, 2024, at 16:00 PM EDT. Submissions should be sent via email to [email protected] and [email protected]. Questions regarding the RFI should be submitted in writing via e-mail to the same addresses by April 12, 2024, by 1600 PM EDT.

Evaluation and Acquisition Strategy

This is a Request for Information (RFI) only, and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals, nor will any award be made as a result of this RFI. The Government does not intend to pay for information received in response to this RFI. The RFI does state that " DISA representatives may choose to meet with potential offerors and hold one-on-one discussions. Such discussions would only be intended to obtain further clarification of potential capability to meet the requirements, including any development and certification risks."