DON26BX05-NP003 TITLE: NAVSEA Open Topic for Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) Acceleration via Artificial Intelligence or Machine Learning Data Ingestion

OUSW (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Applied Artificial Intelligence (AAI)

COMPONENT TECHNOLOGY PRIORITY AREA(S): Integrated Sensing and Cyber

PROJECTED CMMC LEVEL REQUIREMENT: Level 2 (Self)

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.

OBJECTIVE: Develop an Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) capability to rapidly transition legacy programs to model-based systems engineering (MBSE).

DESCRIPTION: The Navy’s AEGIS Combat System was initially developed in the late 1970s and continues in use today, with updates and changes to the core 1970s design. As a result of this multi-year development, much of its system design documentation is only available on paper or in disparate legacy digital formats that are not easily converted to models. Given the continuous development nature of weapons systems, a shift in program focus to modeling would necessarily divert funding away from capability development, critical to meet warfighter needs. As a result, the AEGIS program requires the ability to rapidly and affordably ingest and develop highly accurate system models in disparate formats. The use of model-based systems engineering (MBSE) will enhance the program’s ability to provide functional kinetic capabilities and fewer errors to combat emerging cyber and kinetic threats. A model that can use AI/ML to ingest multiple forms of technical documentation (e.g., digital files, images, Adobe files, written documents, installation and interface configurations, software and hardware bills of material, cable run sheets, IP addresses, ports protocols and services, etc.) and auto generate Systems Modeling Language (SYSML) models sufficient to support a system will be beneficial to all types of Navy systems. There is nothing commercially available that does this.

The solution will be capable of supporting system design, capability development, cyber assessment and authorization, interface design and verification, functional testing, configuration management, reliability calculation and tracking, problem tracking and program certification functions. These solution models shall be sufficient to support cyber assessments and digital engineering capabilities needed for rapidly developing and automated security assessment with minimal investment in manual labor for model validation and verification. It will use AI/ML to digitize, integrate, and ingest system technical documentation and automate development of models with no human input and a high degree of accuracy. The solution must provide for direct conversion to MBSE Models in the CAMEO Magic Draw SYSML modeling environment. Solutions should incorporate how data will be converted and integrated into SYSML models. Finished models may require some human modification to accurately represent system design and functionality but should work seamlessly with Cameo system modeler Magic Draw in SYSML.

Work produced in Phase II may become classified. Note: The prospective contractor(s) must be U.S. owned and operated with no foreign influence as defined by 32 U.S.C. § 2004.20 et seq., National Industrial Security Program Executive Agent and Operating Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures can and have been implemented and approved by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) formerly Defense Security Service (DSS). The selected contractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances. This will allow contractor personnel to perform on advanced phases of this project as set forth by DCSA and NAVSEA in order to gain access to classified information pertaining to the national defense of the United States and its allies; this will be an inherent requirement. The selected company will be required to safeguard classified material during the advanced phases of this contract IAW the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), which can be found at Title 32, Part 2004.20 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

PHASE I: Develop a concept for development tools to rapidly transition legacy programs to MBSE and demonstrate they meet the parameters of the Description. Assess feasibility and estimate initial performance to support the test and operational environments. Feasibility will be established through analysis and modelling. The Phase I Option, if exercised, will include initial design and interface specifications necessary to build and demonstrate the prototype in Phase II.

PHASE II: Develop and deliver a prototype that rapidly transitions legacy programs to MBSE based on the results of Phase I. Demonstrate functionality and performance for ingesting disparate data and providing for rapid conversion to MBSE Models. The application will be implemented in a provided Government-approved modeling and simulation environment such as the Navy’s Integrated Modeling Environment, to validate performance. It will be evaluated by Government subject matter experts for validation.

It is probable that the work under this effort will be classified under Phase II (see Description section for details).

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Support the Navy in transitioning the prototype MBSE development tools to allow for further experimentation and refinement. The prototype application will be incorporated using AEGIS program data. This will consist of integration into a baseline definition, incorporation of the baselines existing and new threat capabilities, validation testing, and combat system certification. Scale and operationalize the use of tools to develop models for other shipboard systems across the PEO IWS, combat system, and C4I elements. Provide opportunities to develop and operationalize model functionality to support programmatic functions such as configuration management, reliability, sustainment, etc. and demonstrate efficiencies in these areas.

The developed technology should be broadly applicable to all types of technical data from installation drawings, cable run sheets, hardware lists, software lists, ACAS scans, technical manuals, digital e-mass records, configuration reports, Dynamic Object-Oriented Requirements System (DOORS), reliability reports, and data used in design and sustainment. Dual use applications are numerous; almost any analyst seeking to combine/utilize MBSE for design or sustainment could use this technology.

REFERENCES:

1. McDermott, Tom; DeLaurentis, Dan; Beling, Peter; Blackburn, Mark andBone, Mary. "AI4SE and SE4AI: A Research Roadmap." Insight 23(1), March 2020, pp.8-14. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340649785_AI4SE_and_SE4AI_A_Research_Roadmap

2. Evans, Dr. Eric D., Chair Defense Science Board. "Digital Engineering Capability to Automate Testing and Evaluation: Final Report May 2024." Office of the Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. https://dsb.cto.mil/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/DSB_DE_Final-Report_050124_Stamped.pdf

3. National Industrial Security Program Executive Agent and Operating Manual (NISP), 32 U.S.C. § 2004.20 et seq. (1993). https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-32/subtitle-B/chapter-XX/part-2004

KEYWORDS: Model-based systems engineering; MBSE; data conversion; data scanning; automated intelligence; machine learning for documentation conversion; model integration, cyber assessment, and system design

TPOC 1 : Judah Nyden
(202) 781-5326
judah.s.nyden.civ@us.navy.mil

TPOC 2 : Shannon McClelland
(540) 633-0157
shannon.l.mcclelland.civ@us.navy.mil