Challenge to focus on three key missions and their related specific operational constraints as identified by operators.

Overview

Modern peer and near-peer threats are accelerating the development and deployment of advanced uncrewed systems (UxS) across all domains of warfare. These technologies are reshaping the character of war, specifically by democratizing the ability for persistent surveillance, precision targeting, electronic disruption, and low-cost mass effects at scale. As adversaries adopt UxS capabilities with increasing speed and sophistication, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) must identify, assess, and integrate next-generation UxS solutions at a faster pace to maintain tactical and strategic overmatch.

Furthermore, traditional requirement and acquisition timelines do not support the needs of our warfighters, the Services, or Combatant Commands. The Department of Defense requires a more agile and effective mechanism to evaluate emerging capabilities, embed end-users early in the product development cycle, and accelerate the prototyping and fielding of transformative technologies that can deliver operational advantage at speed.

This challenge will be run like a DIU solicitation to allow for flexibility and scalability for DIU’s Project G.I. effort and to serve the needs of a variety of DoD customers. DIU intends to execute successive competitions based on this challenge, with each “iteration” of the competition focusing on a specified DRM–with specific mission context, operational constraints, and desired attributes.

View the DIU Site to submit here.

Problem Statements

  • Design Reference Mission #1 - Contested Spectrum Kinetic Employment
    • Problem
      • Operations against a near-peer must expect a fully-contested electromagnetic spectrum. Targeting, ISR, BDA, and kinetic capabilities must be able to be employed at the tactical level. Options available to DoD today are susceptible to existing countermeasures and defenses in the electromagnetic spectrum.
    • Desired Solution Attributes
      • Examples of desired solutions include those able to guarantee two-way communication between the platform and operator under Denied, Disrupted, Intermittent, and Low-bandwidth (DDIL) environments to enable the delivery of kinetic effects on a variety of targets.
      • Recent examples, provided as illustrative examples only, of capabilities with operational success in combat include but are not limited to, directional antennas, mesh networks, and fiber optics.
      • Solutions should be able to operate at ranges up to and ideally beyond 20 kilometers. Proposals should offer technically sound, mission-relevant and proven solutions at a price range that is effective on a cost per effect basis.
  • Design Reference Mission #2 - Expeditious Targeting Operations
    • Problem
      • The Department of Defense (DoD) relies on small “target-strike” teams to identify, engage, and defeat adversaries using kinetic and non-kinetic systems. In a conflict with any near-peer adversary, these small teams will need to rapidly emplace, engage effectively, and displace while challenged with denied, degraded, intermittent, or limited (DDIL) connectivity with higher headquarters and adjacent units. Current systems are slow to deploy, bandwidth-dependent, and often come with high electromagnetic signatures.
    • Desired Solution Attributes
      • The DoD seeks commercial solutions to enhance the targeting-cycle speed for small, dispersed target-strike teams operating under DDIL conditions. Solutions should enable these units to independently detect, identify, and engage high-value targets with minimal reliance on external data links.
      • Proposed solutions may include—but are not limited to—technologies or approaches that:
        • Extend the effective range, accuracy, precision, or overall efficacy of low-cost kinetic and non-kinetic defeat effectors employable by 1-2 soldiers.
        • Reduce the time from initial target identification to effective target defeat or neutralization.
        • Expedite the intelligence collection, fusion, and processing of data and information to enable rapid decision-making and targeting at the tactical edge without reliable connectivity to higher headquarters.
      • Proposals should offer technically sound, mission-relevant and proven solutions that can integrate easily with a range of DoD systems and adhere to Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) principles and policies.
      • The DoD will value solutions that are proven, modular, and adaptable for use by light infantry, special operations forces, and other small units.
  • Design Reference Mission 3: Arctic and Polar Operations
    • Problem
      • The Department of Defense (DoD) must operate in a wide range of geographies and climates. In order to successfully operate in Arctic and polar conditions, uncrewed systems must be capable of sustained operations in that environment, to allow for ISR, Targeting, and C-UAS capabilities. These systems will likely face denied, degraded, intermittent, or limited (DDIL) connectivity with higher headquarters and adjacent units, placing both force and the mission at increased risk.
    • Desired Solution Attributes
      • The DoD seeks commercial solutions able to enhance the lethality and survivability of Soldiers operating in extreme cold weather and Arctic conditions. Solutions must address operating time in -40C temperature, how sensing will occur during the Arctic night and user friendly interface abilities for Arctic gear (mittens, gloves, etc.). Solutions should address ISR and targeting needs and fundamentally improve how tactical formations sense, decide, and strike, independent of consistent communication or extensive logistical support under DDIL conditions.
      • Proposed solutions may include—but are not limited to—technologies or approaches for:
        • Lethality
          • Technologies or capabilities that extend the effective range, accuracy, precision, or overall efficacy of low-cost kinetic and non-kinetic defeat effectors employed by 1-2 soldiers.
          • Technologies that enhance the operational reach, endurance, and effectiveness of forces operating in Arctic and extreme cold weather environments.
        • Targeting Cycle Efficiency
          • Capabilities that significantly reduce the time from initial target identification to effective target defeat or neutralization.
          • Decentralized intelligence collection, fusion, and processing methods enabling rapid decision-making and targeting at the tactical edge without reliable connectivity to higher headquarters.

Key Dates

1: FPV Effects Tactical employment of kinetic effects in denied environments

  • Phase 1: Submissions must be received by July 10, 2025 to be evaluated. Notifications received NLT Aug. 10, 2025.
  • Phase 2: (T) Aug. 20 - Sept. 30, 2025.

2: Kill Chain Accelerate the kill chain for small, expeditious units in contested and denied environments

  • Phase 1: Submissions received by Aug. 15, 2025. Notifications received NLT Sept. 15, 2025.
  • Phase 2: (T) Oct. 15 - Nov. 15, 2025.

3: Emerging Problem Set User defined

  • Phase 1: Submissions received by Nov. 15, 2025. Notifications received NLT Dec. 20, 2025.
  • Phase 2: (T) Jan. 20 - Feb. 10, 2026.

Benefits of Participating

Each iteration of the challenge will follow a three-phase competitive process:

  • Phase 1 - Proposal evaluation and down selection. Eligible for up to $50K per company selected for Phase 2.
  • Phase 2 - Live demonstration event oriented on a specific DRM. Based on user feedback and evaluation during the demonstration event, vendors will receive notification of selection to Phase 3. Eligible for up to $500K per company selected for Phase 3.
  • Phase 3 - Based on performance in Phase 2, end-user feedback, capability maturity, and available funding, the Government may pursue one or more of the following actions:
    • Provide cash prizes under Prize Challenge authority to incentivize further maturation. Eligible for up to $3M per company for successful Phase 3 increments.
    • Procure and deliver selected systems to partner units for extended testing, assessment, and training.
    • The Government may issue a Request for Prototype Proposal (RPP) and award a Prototype Other Transaction (OT) for further development and testing.

Eligibility

  • Any U.S. or international participant will be subject to a security screen before acceptance to the initial demonstration event
  • Active or eligible to establish a registration in Sam.gov before the initial demonstration event

Judging Criteria

Proposed challenge solutions must enhance a tactical formation’s lethality, survivability, or overall mission effectiveness within the specified Design Reference Mission (DRM). Submissions should feature mature, mission-ready—ideally mission-proven—capabilities that can participate in live evaluations within three months of this solicitation’s release. Companies should only submit when their solution meets this mission-ready standard. Future iterations will support related but separate DRMs, focused on expanded environments, units, or tactical missions. Submissions will be evaluated for overall utility to the broad interest areas and for specific applicability to the unique use cases for each specific DRM. The FAQ section will provide additional details for specific DRM’s.

Technical Capabilities List:

To maximize relevance and competitiveness, proposed solutions should align as closely as possible with the following system preferences and evaluation priorities:

Architecture: Phase 1 and beyond criteria

  • Standardization
  • Interoperability / modularity / openness

Cybersecurity & Compliance: Phase 1 and beyond criteria

Platform Characteristics (as applicable): Phase 1 and beyond criteria

  • Flight / operational performance
  • Electromagnetic interference (EMI) resilience / radio(s) used / means of communication and Command and Control in an EMI environment
  • Flight range and endurance
  • Cargo capacity
  • Modularity
  • Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) resilience and alternative navigation capabilities
  • Payloads (cargo and sensors the platform can host / platforms the payload can be hosted by / ability of software to work with multiple platforms)
  • Weatherproofing (ingress protection, or IP rating)
  • Setup / deployment time and effort
  • Available Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) for additional Payloads (or SWAP required if “partial” solution or enabling payload)
  • Relevance to geographic and climactic environments
  • Ability to supply at least 3 prototypes by the dates listed in the FAQ’s. Some platforms will not need to have 3 prototypes due to their design or employment. If that is relevant to your submission, please note it.

End user integration

  • Describe your procedures to collaborate with end users and integrate their feedback.

Business & Market Analysis: Phase 1 and beyond criteria

  • Current production rate
  • Cost (provide a range of pricing to accommodate different volumes, payloads, training, and warranty options)
  • Ability to provide at least 3 fully operational examples by Day 1 of the DRM window your submission is for and 2 trained operators
  • Lifetime delivered sales of the proposed solution

Operator Feedback: Phase 2 and Phase 3

  • Ease of use
  • Learning curve
  • Ability to address current capability gaps
  • Impact on unit Tactics, Techniques, Procedures (TTPs)

Demonstrations at the event will occur in all relevant conditions and all submissions will be tested and operated by a designated team of DoD end users to the maximum extent possible. As with any test event, the possibility of damage or destruction exists. Companies understand that DoD and participants are not liable for accidents and will be required to sign a waiver to participate.

To maximize participation, DIU will acquire a blanket exception to policy waiver for all participating submissions that require one.

Evaluation Criteria

Phase 1 –Proposal Evaluation

  • Technical Viability and Alignment: Demonstrates technical feasibility and clear alignment with identified technical capability areas (listed below).
  • Team & Company Viability: Demonstrated ability and expertise of the team/company to successfully develop, deliver, and sustain the proposed solution.
  • Cost & Scalability: Cost, time, and other requirements or considerations needed to scale the capability.
  • Quality of Proposal: A clear and thorough explanation of how the solution improves Soldier effectiveness in design reference mission.

Phase 2 – Live Demonstration and Pitch Evaluation (Phase 1 evaluation criteria plus the below)

  • Operational Effectiveness: Demonstrated effectiveness of the solution under realistic operational conditions.
  • End-User Feedback: Direct feedback and assessments from end users based on hands-on testing, observation, and interaction during live demonstrations.
  • Quality of the Pitch: Effectively communicates the solution’s value to the mission and alignment with end-user needs; clearly addresses additional technical and business-related questions and details requested by the government.

Phase 3 - Award and User-Driven Iteration

  • Unit-focused field assessments: Deliver selected systems to operational units for extended evaluation, training, and user-driven feedback. These efforts will support real-world assessment of the capability’s effectiveness, usability, and integration potential in representative mission environments.This Phase will require delivery of substantial numbers of systems shortly after completing Phase 2. Prizes awarded in Phase 3 will take into account the direct user feedback of operational units as they train and test systems and capabilities provided by vendors.

Note: Additional evaluation criteria may be applied during Phases 2 and any follow on Phases in response to changing operational end user needs.

Ask Me Anything Session:

Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions regarding the challenge during the AMA session on June 17, 2025. This interaction will provide clarity on technical requirements, eligibility, criteria, challenge mechanics, and administrative processes. Engaging in the AMA fosters a deeper understanding of the challenge’s objectives, allowing participants to tailor their submissions effectively.

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You can also submit questions at any time to project-gi@diu.mil.

Pitch Deck Submission Requirements:

Teams will submit a pitch deck outlining their solution that addresses the features above. Pitch decks should meet the following format requirements:

  • Sized 16:9 (1920x1080 pixels)
  • Horizontal presentation
  • PDF file
  • Maximum 8 slides plus 1 slide for each of the specific DRM’s you are applying to
  • Link to a recorded video of your solution in real life operation and using the functionality proposed.

If selected to attend the event, companies shall provide training documentation and materials ahead of time to allow at least three DoD operators to complete the recommended training before the event.

There is no guarantee that submissions will be selected. If invited, companies may incur costs not covered by the Prize Award and should be willing and able to do so.

Feedback to Phase 2 selectees will be provided at the conclusion of each Phase 2 DRM.

NDAA and cybersecurity will be verified if selected as a winner of the Prize Challenge before any sort of prototype contract will be issued.

FAQ’s and additional details on the Design Reference Missions for demonstrations can be viewed here.

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Questions

Please direct your questions to project-gi@diu.mil.

About the Defense Innovation Unit

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) strengthens national security by accelerating the adoption of commercial technology in the Department of Defense and bolstering our allied and national security innovation bases. DIU partners with organizations across the DoD to rapidly prototype and field dual-use capabilities that solve operational challenges at speed and scale. With offices in Silicon Valley, Boston, Austin, Chicago and Washington, DC, DIU is the Department’s gateway to leading technology companies across the country.

Applicants retain ownership of existing Intellectual Property (IP) submitted under this Challenge and agree that their submissions are their original work. Applicants are presumed to have sufficient rights to submit the submission. For any submission made to the Challenge, you grant DIU a limited license to use this IP for testing and evaluation for efforts specifically related to the Challenge. DIU will negotiate with individual competitors in the event additional usage, integration, or development is contemplated.


Other Transaction Authority:This DIU Challenge public announcement is an open call to small businesses and non-traditional defense contractors seeking innovative, commercial technologies proposed to create new DoD solutions or potential new capabilities fulfilling requirements, closing capability gaps, or providing potential technological advancements, technologies fueled by commercial or strategic investment, but also concept demonstrations, pilots, and agile development activities improving commercial technologies, existing Government-owned capabilities, or concepts for broad Defense application(s). As such, the Government reserves the right to award a contract or an Other Transaction agreement for any purpose, to include a prototype or research, under this public announcement. The Federal Government is not responsible for any monies expended by the applicant before award and is under no obligation to pursue such Other Transactions.


Satisfying Competition Requirements:This DIU Challenge Open Call Announcement is considered to have potential for further efforts that may be accomplished via FAR-based contracting instruments, Other Transaction Authority (OTA) for Prototype Projects 10 USC 4022 and Research 10 USC 4021, Prizes for advanced technology achievements 10 USC 4025, and/or Prize Competitions 15 USC 3719. The public open call announcement made on the DIU website is considered to satisfy the reasonable effort to obtain competition in accordance with 10 USC 4025(b), 15 USC 3719 (e) and 10 USC 4022 (b)(2). Accordingly, FAR-based actions will follow announcement procedures per FAR 5.201(b).


DIU reserves the right to cancel, suspend, and/or modify the Challenge, or any part of it, for any reason, at DIU’s sole discretion.