NAVAIR executes tens of thousands of procurement actions annually. While currently leveraging sophisticated tokenization and embedding models for Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), there is a critical need to evolve beyond simple document retrieval to unlock the analytical power of data cluster analysis by grouping procurement documents based on their content. The purpose of this competition is to build a recommender system that can analyze sources sought notices documents and open-source information (such as Congressional testimony) and return a candidate list of contract vehicles for consolidation.

Problem Statement

The challenge aims to develop a fully documented, validated algorithmic methodology capable of evaluating, identifying, and recommending common requirements from sources sought notices documents as well as open-source information such as Congressional Testimony (GFI list will be provided to approved participants). The algorithm will automatically produce candidate identification and recommendations for strategic vehicles. This includes consolidating similar requirements into larger vehicles or identifying new strategic contracting vehicles based on future capabilities.

Strategic Contract Vehicles are enterprise scale contracts that allows a large amount of requirement owners to procure items/commodities under the same base contract using streamlined procedures. While strategic vehicles can encompass vast requirements, they must maintain the ability to levy consistent and performance scope requirements to vendors. The benefits of this approach include reduced duplication of effort, improved buying power, maximize contract ceilings, and improve speed of acquisition.

Today’s DoD systems contain sparse databases of information with no systematic way to determine common requirements at scale. For example, if VX-XX has a requirement for engineering services on the flight line, the requirement owner has to establish their own contract. This is one of many locations that needs to buy the same service. A better approach would be to identify similar contracting vehicles that can be utilized to fulfill this requirement. In the current ecosystem, the process relies on an individual with knowledge of existing systems, requirements, and contracting vehicles. In order to streamline acquisition processes, there is a need to automatically identify contracts suitable to be used as strategic vehicles.

Benefits:
The primary benefits include increased buying power, reduction of duplication significant process efficiencies, speed of acquisition, and cost savings that directly support DoD acquisition reform efforts.

Critical Technical Criteria:
Deployment Environment: The solution must be designed for deployment within a U.S. Government-owned and operated Cloud environment, accredited for Impact Level 4 (IL4) data.

System Architecture: The core analysis and identification methodology must ensure repeatable results (produces same top 5 results 95% of the time). The final summarization component must consist of visualizations to articulate the solution. Database schema and ETL process must be provided if database is used.  

Visualization: Must include a visual representation of the analysis method utilized and results. 

Summary Metrics: Candidates must provide a summary metric for how they evaluated algorithm performance. 

Dependencies: Deliverables must be packaged in a Docker container with all external dependencies and cannot access external services outside of USN-approved models or microservices within an IL4 environment (i.e., no external industry-hosted custom models).

Prizes/Awards

Cash Prizes: $150K Prize Challenge pool.

1st Place Prize: $100,000

2nd Place prize: $50,000

• 7/30/26: Prize Challenge Release and Pre-Screening application portal open on USA.gov and the Tech Grove Website.
• 9/30/26: Live Virtual Information Session - View Recording
• 11/13/26 11:59PM ET: Deadline for submission of solution package by 11:59 pm Eastern Time. Submissions must meet the requirements outlined in the Initial Submission Requirements.
• 1/11/27: Finalists will submit all deliverables for Demo Day by 11:59 pm Eastern Time per instructions provided via email, meeting the Finals Submission Requirements.
• 1/21/27: Final Demo Day at the Central Florida Tech Grove. Finalists will present in person.

in total cash prizes

$100,000 awarded to the top finalist; $50,000 awarded to the second place finalist

Additional Considerations-

• Exposure to leaders across Team Orlando and other branches of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) responsible for the development and deployment of training and operational solutions.
• Opportunities to learn from and collaborate with industry, government, and academic leaders and partners in the autonomous systems and wildfire response space.
• Potential for follow-on opportunities such as Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs), Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), and others.

Three-Phase Challenge Process

The Advanced Acquisition Documentation Analysis Prize Challenge will be conducted in three phases. Participation in Phase 1 (Pre-Screening) does not automatically qualify a participant to receive Government Furnished Information or submit a solution during Phase 2. 

Participants must be reviewed and approved before advancing.

Phase 1: Pre-Screening Questionnaire

Interested participants must complete the official Pre-Screening Questionnaire by the published deadline.

The questionnaire will be used to evaluate and verify:

• Participant eligibility
• Organization and team information
• Cybersecurity and Government Furnished Information access requirements

Submit Pre-Screening Questionnaire >

Participants selected to advance will receive access to the Government Furnished Information (GFI) and the official solution submission portal. Completion of the questionnaire does not guarantee advancement.

Phase 2: GFI and Solution Submission

Approved participants will receive access to the Government Furnished Information (GFI) and the official solution submission portal.

The Phase 2 submission must include an initial technical package containing:

• Algorithm documentation
• Complete codebase
• Docker container
• Image file (.tar)
• SHA-256 fingerprint for the .tar
• Code Packages and deployment instructions
• Database schema, if a database is used
• ETL process documentation, if applicable
• Visual representation of the analysis method
• Visual representation of the results
• Algorithm performance summary metrics
• Description of validation methodology
• Documentation of external dependencies
• Required technical and supporting documentation

Code must be fully reproducible, utilize Docker, and be capable of operating in an IL4 environment.

The submission must not consist solely of a link to a website.

Government technical evaluators will assess the submitted solutions using the published judging criteria. Semifinalists will be selected to advance to Phase 3.

Government Furnished Information (GFI)

GFI will be provided only to participants approved to advance beyond the Pre-Screening Questionnaire.

Phase 3: Final Demo Day

Up to seven semifinalists will be invited to participate in the final Demo Day.

Semifinalists must provide final presentation materials in accordance with the instructions and deadline provided by Tech Grove.

Final presentation materials must include:

• A PowerPoint presentation available to the judges
• A live demonstration of the solution
• Supporting technical materials requested by the Government
• Any updated documentation required for validation

During Demo Day, each semifinalist will receive a validation dataset similar to the test dataset. The solution will be evaluated based on its ability to identify the manually identified candidates contained within the validation set

Eligibility Requirements

Participants may be individuals or teams from industry, academia, state/local government, or non-profit entities. Eligibility is subject to verification during each Phase and before award of any prize. To be eligible to win, all individual participants or members of a participating team must meet the following eligibility requirements:

1. Participants must have complied with all requirements set forth in the prize challenge.
2. All individuals must be at least 18 years of age and a citizen of the United States.

3. Except for employees appointed under the STEM Student Employment Program or other student employment programs, Federal employees and support service contractors are not eligible to participate.

4. Participants may not use Federal funds to support participation.

Rules:

NAVAIR/NAWCAD reserves the right to cancel, suspend, and/or modify the Challenge, or any part of it, for any reason, at their sole discretion.

Terms and Conditions

Representations:
Upon submission, the Participant hereby represents and warrants that: 

1. It is the sole author and copyright owner of the submission; that the submission is an original work of the Participant and that the Participant has sufficient rights to use and to authorize others, including Tech Grove and, to use the submission, as specified throughout the Official Rules; that the submission does not infringe upon any copyright or upon any other third party rights of which the Participant is aware; and that the submission is free of malware;

2. The submission, and any use thereof by the Central Florida Tech Grove and is not defamatory or libelous in any manner; does not constitute or result in any misappropriation or other violation of the publicity rights or right of privacy of any person or entity, or infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate any intellectual property rights, privacy rights or any other rights of any person or entity;

3. It is free to enter into this challenge without the consent of any third party;

4. There is no suit, proceeding, or any other claim pending or threatened against the Participant, nor does any circumstance exist, to its knowledge, which may be the basis of any such suit, proceeding, or other claim, that could limit or impair the Participant’s performance of its obligations pursuant the Terms and Conditions; 

5. It will not infringe, violate, or interfere with the intellectual property, publicity, privacy, contract or other right of any third party in the course of performance of this agreement or cause to do any of the same;

6. It will comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations in performing under these Terms and
Conditions; and

7. It otherwise meets the eligibility requirements set forth by the prize challenge.

Data Rights and Marking

1. All data submitted under the Prize Challenge will be made available to the Central Florida Tech Grove, and parties authorized to act on behalf of . By accepting these Terms and Conditions, the Participant consents to the use of all data submitted by a participant to.

2. The use of protective markings such as “Do Not Publicly Release – Trade Secret” or “Do Not Publicly Release – Confidential Proprietary Business Information,” or similar restrictive markings are authorized. Submission is strongly encouraged where appropriate. However, Participants should be aware that the use of protective markings is not dispositive as to whether information will be released publicly pursuant to a request for records under the Freedom of Information Act, (FOIA) 5 U.S.C. §552, et. seq., as amended by the OPEN Government Act of 2007, Pub. L. No. 110-175. Any information received from the Participant is considered to be a federal agency record, and as such, subject to public release under FOIA. Decisions to disclose or withhold information received from a Participant are based on the applicability of one or more of the nine FOIA exemptions, not on the existence or nonexistence of protective markings. The agency’s designated FOIA Officer will determine if information sought under a FOIA request will be withheld pursuant to one or more of the nine FOIA exemptions. All FOIA requests received are processed in accordance with 32 C.F.R. Part 286. Participants will be notified of any FOIA requests for their submissions in accordance with 32 C.F.R. § 286.10. Following notification by a FOIA processor, participants will be provided the opportunity to review their materials that were requested under FOIA and provide the FOIA processor with comments regarding whether the Participant believes any or all of the materials are exempt from release.

Relationship of the Parties
Nothing contained in these Terms and Conditions is intended to create or constitute a relationship between Tech Grove, and a Participant. Participation in the Prize Challenge does not imply any form of sanction, endorsement or support of the Participant by Tech Grove or, nor does it grant either party any authority to act as agent, nor assume or create any obligation, on behalf of the other party. A Participant may not use a Tech Grove, or Department of Defense logo or official seal in their submission.

Participant Liability and Insurance

1. All Participants agree to assume and, thereby, have assumed any and all risks of injury or loss in connection with or in way arising from participation in this challenge, or development of any submission. Upon registration, except in the case of willful misconduct, all Participants agree to and, thereby waive and release any and all claims or causes of action against the Federal Government and its officers, employees and agents for any and all injury or damage of any nature whatsoever (whether existing or thereafter arising, whether direct, indirect, or consequential and whether foreseeable or not), arising from their participation in the challenge, whether the claim or cause of action arises under contract or tort.

2. Based on the subject matter of the prize challenge, the type of work that it will require, as well as the unlikeliness of claims for death, bodily injury, property damage, or loss potentially arising from or related to participation in the prize challenge, no individual or entity participating in the prize challenge is required to obtain liability insurance or demonstrate financial responsibility in order to participate in this prize challenge.

Disputes

Participation constitutes each Participant's full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Terms and Conditions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the challenge. The final scores and determinations are final and binding on all Participants. The final scores of the Judging Panel and the final determination of all Winners may not be challenged by the Participants.

Background Information

Follow-On Activities

This 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. If a prototype OTA is awarded and considered successfully completed, follow-on production may be pursued in accordance with 10 USC 4022(f). The public open call announcement made at https://www.challenge.gov/ 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). Any FAR-based actions will follow announcement procedures per FAR 5.201(b) accordingly.

Intellectual Property Considerations

By participating in this competition and submitting materials in any round, participants grant the U.S. Government and its Partners access to submitted prototypes, documents, and materials for evaluation purposes during the Prize Challenge. Participants retain intellectual ownership and publishing rights to all submitted materials.

Prize Challenge winners grant the U.S. Government and its Partners permanent access to the provided prototypes, documents, and materials, with the provision that the US Government and its Partners may store and copy the documents in perpetuity. Non-winning submissions shall not be retained or used by the Government beyond Prize Challenge evaluation and archival requirements.

Excluding any material considered to be co-produced with the US Government, the US Government and its Partners agree not to share submissions with other entities, including files and tradecraft concepts.

About the Central Florida Tech Grove 

The Central Florida Tech Grove is a Department of Defense innovation hub established in 2020 under a Partnership Intermediary Agreement between the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division and the University of Central Florida Research Foundation. The Tech Grove was founded as a multi-service innovation hub with funding from the Navy, Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps training commands as well as the Office of Naval Research and the Office of the Secretary of Defense. With a three-pronged mission to (1) grow the defense industry base, (2) facilitate technology transfer and transition, and (3) solve problems, the Tech Grove executes a wide range of initiatives that bring together entrepreneurs, industry, academia, and government from across the United States and internationally to develop innovative solutions for military human performance. www.centralfloridatechgrove.org

Satisfying Competition Requirements: Other Transaction Authority

This public announcement is an open call to small businesses and non-traditional defense contractors seeking innovative, commercial technologies proposed to create new DoW 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 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.

This 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. If a prototype OTA is awarded and considered successfully completed, follow-on production may be pursued in accordance with 10 USC 4022(f). The public open call announcement made at Challenge.gov 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). Any FAR-based actions will follow announcement procedures per FAR 5.201(b) accordingly actions will follow announcement procedures per FAR 5.201(b) accordingly.

Virtual Information Session

Virtual Information Session Recording

Solution Output Schema

Solution Output Schema

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Submission Requirements and Intellectual Property

   2. Program Scope, Licensing, and Pain Points

   3. Prediction Target, Outputs, and Scoring

   4. Data, Labels, and Government Furnished Information

   5. Compute Resources, Workload, Timing, Replication, and Repeatability

   6. Models, Container Architecture, IL4 Execution, and Connectivity

   7. Contract Relationships, Vehicle Availability, Consolidation, and Future Capabilities

   8. Live Demonstration

   9. Information Session Distribution