OUSD (R&E) critical technology area(s): Human-Machine Interfaces
Objective: Develop a prototype software application, based on language models, to learn the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) facility and personnel clearance process, and use this to guide applicants through these processes. The prototype should provide appropriate prompts to applicants, autofill all necessary forms, provide insight into submission deadlines and timelines, and be able to answer basic questions about the process.
Description: The Department of Defense (DoD) aims to increase small business participation within the industrial base and has boosted its involvement in providing goods, services, and research and technology to support national defense. However, significant obstacles persist that dissuade non-traditional vendors from entering the defense ecosystem of contracting and acquisition. Prominent among them is the complex industrial facility security clearance (FCL) process. The FCL process is instrumental in vetting businesses for their capability to handle classified information and bid on classified contracts. However, this process can be daunting for small businesses and non-traditional vendors due to fragmented information, heavy reliance on “government speak," and the significant time and resources required to complete the process.
DARPA’s Bringing classified Innovation to Defense and Government Systems (BRIDGES) has sought to connect innovation from small and nontraditional companies to classified Department of Defense (DoD) research and development (R&D) efforts, specifically by sponsoring innovative companies for facility clearances so that they can directly interact with DoD customers at classified levels. During execution of the BRIDGES program, DARPA observed firsthand the challenges that these small companies faced while going through the FCL process, most notably:
- Misunderstanding what information was required on the required forms
- Filling out forms incorrectly
- Not fully understanding submission timelines
This resulted in additional workload on DARPA security to answer questions and provide guidance, delays in processing for FCLs, and some FCL packages being rejected by DCSA.
To address these challenges, DARPA is looking to develop a software application, leveraging recent advancements in language model technology, that can assist small and nontraditional companies apply for their FCLs, as well as their associated personnel clearances (PCLs). Information on the FCL and PCL processes, while disaggregated, is publicly available. A targeted language model can be trained on the processes, forms, and other related information, and distill this information into more easily understandable wording. Then, just like the popular and commercially available TurboTax software, this model can provide appropriate prompts to users to gather the required information, and then autocomplete the required forms. Additionally, it could provide insights into the deadlines and timelines, and provide a “chat bot” feature to answer questions about the processes.
In this SBIR, the proposer will develop a prototype system ready to be tested by representatives from the target audience (small businesses and nontraditional contractors who are not familiar with the FCL and/or PCL processes) during the base effort. If successful, they will then oversee test and evaluation of the prototype by end users, ideally performers on DARPA’s BRIDGES program. During this test and evaluation period, the proposer will verify both the inputs and outputs of the application, collect feedback from users, and incorporate appropriate updates. The end goal will be a system that removes errors from FCL packages, improves processing timelines by removing delays/extension requests, while also improving the user experience and reducing the time and effort required by the end user.
Phase I
Previous Phase I qualified efforts should have demonstrated the ability to apply language models to DoD applications, specifically regarding process improvement and/or security related matters. They should also have demonstrated knowledge of the facility clearance and personnel clearance processes. Specifically, the proposer should be able to provide:
- Proof of development and application of language models to a DoD application with regards to process improvement and/or security related matters, to include contract number and contract deliverables.
- Proof of experience navigating the facility and personnel clearance processes, to include any assistance provided to small businesses or nontraditional contractors to assist them in these processes.
Phase II
The Phase II effort consists of a base of 8 months and an option of 12 months.
Phase II (base) fixed payable milestones for this program should include, but are not limited to:
- Month 1: Kickoff to introduce key personnel, review approach to accomplishing tasks and milestones
- Month 4: Midterm report documenting final design of prototype system
- Month 8: Final report documenting prototype architecture, to include demonstration of functionality.
Phase II (option) payable milestones for this program should include, but are not limited to:
- Month 4: For initial FCL packages, inputs and outputs of the prototype system have been verified, and appropriate updates to the system have been implemented.
- Month 8: For initial Key Management Personnel (KMP) Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (eQIP), inputs and outputs of the prototype system have been verified, and appropriate updates to the system have been implemented.
- Month 10: Any questions on or issues with FCL packages from DCSA for test teams have been reviewed with regards to system functionality. Any appropriate updates to the system have been implemented.
- Month 12: Feedback from testers/users with regards to user experience and functionality have been captured and implemented. Final report documenting final prototype design, updates made during option period, and lessons learnd.
PHASE III dual use applications
If successful, this technology could be used by all companies sponsored by the DoD for facility clearances to assist them in developing and submitting their FCL packages. Specifically, this application would initially be used by performers on DARPA’s BRIDGES program before expanding to be used by other DARPA performers, and then across the DoD.
References
[2] https://www.ibm.com/topics/large-language-models
[3] https://www.darpa.mil/work-with-us/bringing-classified-innovation-to-defense-and-government-systems
Keywords
Classified Innovation, Information Security, Vetting, Facility Clearances
TPOC-1
DARPA BAA Help Desk
Opportunity
HR0011SB20254-04
Publication: Dec. 4, 2024
Deadline: Feb. 5, 2025