www.islinc.com
ISL was selected as a winner in the first round of the Army’s xTechSearch7 (
https://www.arl.army.mil/xtechsearch/competitions/xtechsearch7.html ). We proposed a novel Unmanned Air System (UAS) that leverages neuromorphic computing to autonomously search and track particular ground vehicles using minimal RF communications.
ISL joined our EAP in January 2022. ISL already has a toe in the DoD door, with the USAF project from January 2022 which is being developed by ISL for USAF based on Akida.
https://brainchip.com/information-systems-labs-early-access-program/
Information Systems Labs Joins BrainChip Early Access Program
Laguna Hills, Calif. – January 9, 2022 –
BrainChip Holdings Ltd (ASX: BRN, OTCQX: BRCHF, ADR: BCHPY), a leading provider of ultra-low power, high performance artificial intelligence technology and the world’s first commercial producer of neuromorphic AI chips and IP, today announced that
Information Systems Laboratories, Inc. (ISL) is developing an AI-based radar research solution for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) based on its Akida™ neural networking processor.
So now ISL is a winner (1 of 20) of the US army's xTech contest, the ultimate prize of which is eligibility to make a SBIR submission. I expect that they would be familiar with Akida 2 and will use it in the ongoing stages of the SBIR, for which submissions are due on or after June 2023, and, under normal circumstances, the hardware will only be required for Stage 2 or Stage 3.
I
SL was selected as a winner in the first round of the Army’s xTechSearch7 (https://www.arl.army.mil/xtechsearch/competitions/xtechsearch7.html ). We proposed a novel Unmanned Air System (UAS) that leverages neuromorphic computing to autonomously search and track particular ground vehicles using minimal RF communications. In the Army CONOPS, this UAS can also be used to autonomously detect and track military vehicles employing Concealment, Camouflage, Deception (CCD). The associated commercial UAS system is intended for first responders for a variety of applications including wide area search in an Amber Alert scenario.
https://www.arl.army.mil/xtechsearch/competitions/xtechsearch7.html
TECHNOLOGY PITCHES ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN FEBRUARY 2023.
Total Money Offered: Prize Money: Up to $800K; Phase I SBIR Award: Up to $2.5M
Challenge Topic: Open-Topic; Army Modernization
Partner Agency: The Office of the United States Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology) (ASA(ALT)
Submission Dates: September 27, 2022 — November 6, 2022
Winner Announced: June 30, 2023
Who Can Submit: United States-based sole proprietors and small businesses.
DESCRIPTION
The U.S. Army would like to invite interested entities to participate in the Expeditionary Technology Search competition, a forum for eligible sole proprietors and small businesses across the U.S. to engage with the Department of Defense, earn prize money, participate in the accelerator program and potentially submit for a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award. xTechSearch offers an opportunity for eligible participants to pitch novel technology solutions – a new application for an existing technology or an entirely new technology concept – to the Army.
The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology recognizes that
the Army must enhance engagements with small businesses by (1) understanding the spectrum of ‘world-class’ technologies being developed commercially that may benefit the DOD in the manufacturing space and (2) integrating the sector of commercial innovators into the DOD Science and Technology (S&T) ecosystem.
The xTechSearch 7 competition will provide up to $800,000 in cash prizes to select eligible entities. Ultimately, up to 20 finalists will receive a cash prize of $20,000 each and invitation to demonstrate their innovative technology solutions to Army challenges. Up to 10 participants will be selected as the final winners of the competition to receive an additional cash prize of $25,000 each and the opportunity to submit for a Phase I SBIR award of up to $250,000 each. Details on the prize structure and SBIR structure are listed below in the announcement.
The xTechSearch competition strives to integrate small businesses into the Army’s S&T ecosystem by providing research opportunities with Army labs, including authorized access to the Army’s organic intellectual and technical capital. Participants will receive detailed feedback from Army and DOD stakeholders. Participants will have access to training, mentorship, and other support infrastructure as they progress throughout the contest to determine how best to align their technology solutions with real users and buyers within the Army. Finalists will be entered into the xTech Accelerator to receive intensive mentorship and access to networking events to help grow their companies for Army and commercial users.
The efforts described in this notice are being pursued under the authorities of 10 U.S.C. § 4025 (formerly 2374a) and 15 U.S.C. § 638 and 10 U.S.C. § 4022 (Prototype Projects) to award cash prizes and SBIRs to only those eligible entities as described in this announcement. While the authority of this program is 10 U.S.C. § 4025, t
he xTechSearch 7 competition may generate interest by another DOD organization for a funding opportunity outside of this program (e.g., submission of a proposal under a Broad Agency Announcement). The interested DOD organization may contact the participant to provide additional information or ask for a request for proposal in a separate solicitation.
Army Focus Areas:
xTechSearch is seeking novel, disruptive concepts and technology solutions with dual-use capabilities that can assist in tackling the Army’s current needs and apply to current Army concepts. The intent is to provide the Army with transformative technology solutions while enabling cost savings throughout the Army systems’ life cycle. Critical technology focus areas include Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning (AI/ML); Advanced Materials; Advanced Manufacturing; Autonomy; Climate and Clean Technologies; Cyber; Electronics; Human Performance; Immersive; Network Technologies; Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT); Power; Software Modernization; and Sensors. See attached document on the Valid Eval registration page for a list of the top Army Modernization Priorities and other critical Army Focus Areas.
PART 2: TECHNOLOGY PITCHES
February 13-24, 2023
Up to 20 finalists
$15K/each
Selected participants from Part 1 will be invited to conduct a virtual pitch on their technology concept and team ability to a panel of Army and DOD SMEs, tentatively scheduled from February 13-24, 2023 (dates will be finalized with participants) and are subject to change. Each participant will have 15-minutes to pitch, followed by 10-minutes for questions and answers with judging panel.
PART 3: FINALS
April/May 2023
Up to 10 winners
$25K/each
Selected participants from Part 2 will be invited to conduct a final presentation, in-person or virtual, on their technology concept and transition plans to a panel of Army and DOD SMEs, tentatively scheduled to occur in April/May 2023 (date is subject to change). The exact location and dates of the finals event are still to be determined and will be provided to the finalists closer to the event.
PART 4: REQUEST FOR PHASE I SBIR PROPOSAL
June 2023
Up to 10 winners
Up to $250K/each
A separate SBIR announcement will be issued with detailed instructions on how to submit the SBIR proposal materials. Winners selected from Part 3: Finals will be the
only firms eligible to participate and submit a Phase I proposal under this announcement and will receive detailed instructions upon selection. All other submissions will be ineligible.
Participants that are selected and awarded a Phase I SBIR, will have an opportunity to submit a Phase II SBIR proposal at the conclusion of their Phase I contract. Only firms that were awarded a Phase I SBIR under this announcement will be eligible for a Phase II SBIR. Additional instructions and details will be provided to the eligible firms.
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Then I thought perhaps the schmucks over the way (the site that shall not be named) had been up to no good… All is well in the universe again 
