Simulators Division looking for new technology

  • Published
  • By Reyanna Sheets
  • Air Force Life Cycle Management Center's Simulators Division

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The Air Force Lifecycle Management Center Simulators Division is looking for the next set of innovative and revolutionary technologies to award AFWERX Phase II contracts at the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) in Orlando in December 2020.  

The Simulators Division, in partnership with AFWERX, is seeking Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) proposals for innovative concepts and technologies that address challenges in the simulator and operational training enterprise for aircrew across Air Mobility Command, Air Combat Command, Air Force Global Strike Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, United States Air Forces Europe, Pacific Air Forces, Air Education and Training Command, Air Force Materiel Command, Air National Guard, and the Navy.

Specifically, the Simulators Division is interested in innovative technologies that apply to flight simulators, and simulation and training concepts that span the aircrew and maintainer spectrums.

Simulators focus areas consist of virtual and augmented reality, gaming technologies, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics; high-fidelity and visual effects, cloud computing, secure remote training and instruction, multi-player/aircraft/role networks, advanced synthetic entities, cybersecurity-approved processes for securing hardware and software, data analytics for aircraft simulator development from alternate sources. 

Key foundational concepts that will be considered include modular open systems architecture, DevSecOps concepts, and flexibility with commercial upgrade cycles. A detailed comprehensive focus area list can be found on the 20.2 SBIR CSO solicitation. 

The Simulators Division encourages submissions of other technologies that enhance simulators and training capabilities that are not captured in the focus areas.

“This is a great opportunity for small businesses to be a part of evolving the Air Force’s aircrew simulation and training enterprise,” said Col. John Kurian, Senior Materiel Leader of the Simulators Division. “The companies that are awarded at Simulator’s Pitch Day 2020 will help evolve what the $3 billion Simulators Division needs to be in the future.”

The Simulators Division manages more than 60 simulation and training programs valued at approximately $3 billion in active-year funding that provides support to over 2,300 devices worldwide.  

Last year, the Simulators Division awarded six SBIR Pitch Day contracts for $1 million each, at I/ITSEC.  

To be eligible to bid on SBIR projects, companies must be classified as a small business.

The 20.2 AFWERX SBIR Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) solicitation pre-release will be announced May 6  with the proposal applications process opening  June 3 and closing on  July 2 .  

Please follow the link for the 20.2 solicitation:  https://www.afwerx.af.mil/sbir.html.  

Proposals that were submitted in earlier Phase I calls that are applicable to Simulators Division focus areas, will also be considered and may receive a request to propose for the Simulators Pitch Day 2020 at I/ITSEC.

Companies who are selected for a Phase I award from the 20.2 SBIR CSO or an earlier open topic call, will receive an invite from the Simulators Division in September 2020 to propose for a Phase II award.  Those that submit a successful Phase II proposal will receive a second invitation to brief their proposals live in front of a panel at the Simulators Pitch Day held at I/ITSEC on 2 December 2020.  Award selections, contracts, and funding will take place that same day.  Companies will follow the SBIR Phase I process for initial evaluations.  Pre-event initial evaluations will ensure all companies briefing at the Air Force Simulators Pitch Day meet the minimum requirements.  

For questions or additional information please contact the Simulators Division at AFLCMC.WNS.Sims_Innovate@us.af.mil.