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Inergy TACFI

AFWERX · AFWERX TACFI · AFWERX

AI-Readiness Score
14/25
Pathway Speed
4/5
Timeline Realism
3/5
Problem Framing
3/5
AI / ML Fit
1/5
Award + Transition
3/5

Award

$1,839,413
Award ceiling
INERGY HOLDINGS, LLC
Awardee
Posted July 3, 2024

Description

The DAF lacks a comprehensive and integrated approach to improving energy usage and management in deployed and garrison environments. In addition, the DAF is facing challenges with energy security and resilience, negatively impacting mission readiness and effectiveness. The Secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations, and Environment emphasized the importance for increased energy resilience across the enterprise in a memorandum providing guidance for DAF’s Energy Resilience and Conservation Program stating: “The Air Force must assure that energy resources will be available when and where our essential missions and tasked critical mission assets require. To provide this energy assurance we must have the capability to avoid, prepare for, minimize, adapt to, and rapidly recover from anticipated and unanticipated energy disruptions. These energy resilience capabilities will better equip our warfighters, expand our operational effectiveness in air, space, and cyberspace, and provide mission assurance. The Air Force will target strategic investments for energy resiliency and identify existing and emerging energy issues, innovations, and technologies affecting the Air Force.” The Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) introduced the Mission Sustainment Teams (MST) construct as part of its strategic reorganization in September 2022. These deployable MST units are designed to provide crucial combat service and support to Air Force Special Operations Forces (AFSOF) in remote or unestablished environments. An MST can provide sustainment for 15-30 days independently, or up to 180 days with logistics support. The development of purpose-built renewable and portable energy power generation and storage solutions is crucial for MSTs to ensure sustained operations in remote and austere environments without reliance on traditional supply chains. These energy solutions will enhance the MSTs' mobility, endurance, and self-sufficiency, enabling them to operate effectively for extended periods. Sustainable energy sources reduce the logistical footprint and vulnerability, ensuring mission success in diverse global scenarios. By the end of the 24 month period of performance, Inergy will supply 10 x Renewable Energy Powered Systems, Inergy’s Flex Tactical adapted to meet defined MIL-STD requirements and the unique requirements identified by AFSOC’s 1st Special Operations Wing’s Mission Sustainment Teams (1st SOMST). The final deliverable will include a fully MIL-STD Flex Tactical system with all formal certifications and testing results as well as a firm US manufacturing plan and timeline. The contractor will also present a transition strategy to further integrate best-in-breed renewable energy technology within AFSOC’s ACE response units and facilitate the objectives outlined in the Air Force Science & Technology Strategy, the Air Force Climate Campaign Action Plan, AFDN 1-21 Agile Combat Employment, and AFSOC’s 2023 Strategic Guidance.

Score Rationale

The TACFI instrument is a modern fast-track pathway (high score), but the core deliverable is hardware — MIL-STD certified portable renewable energy systems — not AI or ML, making this essentially a defense hardware manufacturing and certification contract with AI playing no meaningful role (lowest score). The problem framing is reasonably specific with a named end-user (1st SOMST), defined quantities, and a 24-month period of performance, but the award ceiling of ~$1.84M and a transition strategy requirement without a named follow-on vehicle keeps award/transition at mid-range.

Source

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