DIU and NSIN Announce Blue UAS Refresh Challenge

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN) will run a prize challenge to identify platforms, components, and capabilities for Blue UAS. The challenge will consider First Person View (FPV), Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3 platforms, as well as components, capabilities, and software for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).

Submissions of individual components, capabilities, and software are welcome. Submissions in the categories mentioned above that are governed by the 2020 and 2023 National Defense Authorization Acts (NDAA’s) and the 2024 American Security Drone Act are eligible for evaluation. More information about the Blue UAS List, the Blue UAS Framework, and the relevant policies can be found here. 

Companies may submit multiple products in separate entries and are welcome to team with other companies as needed for specific proposals. 

A team of subject matter experts will evaluate applicants and select companies as finalists to participate in the demonstration event that will take place on 4-6  November, 2024 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC), 29 Palms, CA. 

Benefits of Participating:

Once winners are selected, a verification process will occur to ensure all items covered by the 2020 NDAA, the 2023 NDAA, the 2024 American Security Drone Act, and any other relevant law at the time of the event are in compliance with the law. A cybersecurity analysis will also occur. Successful completion of those inspections will make the submission potentially eligible for inclusion on either the DIU Blue UAS List or the DIU Blue UAS Framework List.

Potential for follow-on opportunities such as Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs), Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), and others.

Eligibility:

Companies or entities, including foreign companies, that are not domiciled in a covered foreign country or subject to unmitigated foreign ownership, control, or influence by a covered foreign country, as determined by the Secretary of Defense in accordance with the National Industrial Security Program (or any successor to such program).

Eligible companies include non-traditional defense contractors as defined in the 2023 DoD Other Transactions Guide and in 10 U.S. Code § 3014 – Nontraditional defense contractor, small businesses as defined in the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632), and traditional defense contractors.

The ability to demonstrate the solution’s capabilities by November 4, 2024.