How to Seize AAMAC’s $15B AI Innovation Opportunity

The Department of Defense’s (DOD) Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) intends for the Artificial Intelligence Multiple Award Contract (AAMAC) program to enable rapid, sustained access to a broad array of data management, analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. AAMAC will provide digital products and tools that enable data-informed decision-making, drive organizational efficiencies, improve mission outcomes, and provide non-personal technical services to continually enhance DOD’s digital technology practices and its Advana platform. Table 1 lists major AAMAC requirements.

Table 1: List of Major AAMAC Requirements

Analytics Application Development	Enterprise Architecture	Systems Engineering
DevSecOps Solutions and Services	Software Development and Integration	Test, Evaluation, Verification, and Validation
Cybersecurity	Operations and Maintenance	Enterprise Data Engineering and Operations
Governance	Information Technology (IT) Resource Acquisition and Management	Product Management
Business Operations	Program Management	Customer Support and Service Desk
Data Engineering and Data Science Solutions	Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Solutions	Robotic Process Automation

Opportunity at a Glance

AAMAC is valued at $15B. Its period of performance is 5 years base plus 5-year options. The award type is an agency IDIQ, and DOD will make multiple awards. The NAICS code is 541511. Its Deltek GovWin opportunity ID is 246431.

Booz Allen Hamilton is the incumbent contractor. In 2024, DOD spent $385,744,000 on the contract. Table 2 lists the opportunity timeline.

Table 2: AAMAC Timeline

Date	Milestone
09/03/2024	Industry Day
09/04/2024	RFI Released
10/09/2024	Responses Due
11/20/2024	Draft Request for Proposal (DRFP) and Special Notice Released
12/20/2024	Responses Due
01/2025 (estimated)	RFP Release Date
04/2025 (estimated)	Proposals Due
08/2025 (estimated)	Award Date

Draft RFP Overview

DOD released 15 documents in the RFP package, including the AAMC Model Contract with the DRFP, Section L Instructions, Section M Evaluation Criteria, and a self-scoring sheet. Key points from the Model Contract document follow.

• Scope and Purpose: The contract is designed to provide state-of-the-art digital products and tools for data-informed decision-making and to improve mission outcomes. It also includes non-personal technical services to enhance digital technology practices.
• Contract Structure: The contract is structured to support data management, analytics, and AI requirements across various DOD entities, including headquarters, military services, and combatant commands.
• Ordering Authority: Authorized DOD entities can purchase digital products and services within the contract’s scope. Only the DOD CDAO and designated agents can procure services directly supporting the Advana platform.
• On-Ramping and Off-Ramping: The contract includes provisions for adding new contractors (on-ramping) and removing existing ones (off-ramping) based on performance and need.
• Compliance and Reporting: Contractors must comply with various federal regulations, including those related to small business subcontracting plans and safeguarding covered defense information.
• Evaluation and Award: The government awards contracts based on best value after evaluating proposals according to specified criteria. It reserves the right to make multiple awards.

Summary of Instructions

The instructions for responding to the DRFP include several key components:

• Proposal Structure
  • Volume I: Executive Summary
  • Volume II: Technical
  • Volume III: Small Business
  • Volume IV: Contract Documentations
• General Compliance and Clarity: Proposals must comply with all specified requirements and be clear and concise. They should include sufficient detail for evaluation and substantiation of all points claimed.
• Submission Guidelines: Proposals must be submitted electronically through the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE).
• Formatting and Organization: Proposals should follow specific formatting guidelines, including page size, font, and margins. Each volume should be standalone with a detailed table of contents and a glossary of abbreviations and acronyms.
• Technical Volume Requirements: Volume II should include work samples demonstrating technical capability and experience. Offerors must provide a self-scoring matrix to substantiate their technical capabilities.
• Small Business Participation: Volume III should include a Small Business Participation Commitment Document and a Small Business Subcontracting Plan if applicable. These documents demonstrate the offeror’s commitment to using small businesses.
• Contract Documentation: Volume IV must include a signed model contract and other required certifications and amendments. Offerors must ensure compliance with all terms and conditions.

Evaluation Criteria Summary

The evaluation criteria for the Advancing Artificial Intelligence Multiple Award Contract (AAMAC) are summarized below and include the following key components:

• Technical Capability (Factor 1 – Volume II):
  • Offerors must complete the self-scoring matrix (Attachment 8) and document their technical capabilities. The matrix contains 23 questions.
    • Questions 1-9 address a company’s technical experience across a wide range of specialties, including systems management, software lifecycle development, data engineering, analytical solutions, AI/ML Solutions, risk management, managed services, and data analysis support.
    • Questions 10-12 require companies to provide evidence of their technical experience and expertise.
    • Questions 13-14 require companies to provide evidence demonstrating their expertise supporting the NIST Risk Management Framework.
    • Question 15 requires companies to provide their highest facility clearance.
    • Questions 16-19 require companies to provide their CMMI-SVC Level 3, CMMI-DEV Level 3, ISO/IEC 27001, and ISO/IEC 20000 certifications.
    • Questions 20-23 require companies to provide the number of employees supporting contracts with digital products or services, average retention rate, and number of personnel with clearances.
  • Offerors are required to substantiate their self-scores with detailed evidence and documentation. The government will validate and adjust these scores if the claimed points cannot be substantiated.
  • DOD will separate proposals into two pools: Unrestricted (UR) and Small Business (SB).
  • Only those proposals that meet or exceed the Minimum Technical Threshold Rating (MTTR) for each pool will be further evaluated.
  • The government will adjust scores downward if claimed points cannot be substantiated with provided evidence.
  • Ties in scores will result in all tied proposals being considered if they meet the qualifying criteria.

• Small Business Participation (Factor 2 – Volume III):
  • Applies to UR Pool Offerors, who must provide a Small Business Participation Commitment Document (SBPCD). The SBPCD should demonstrate commitment to using small business concerns and meet specific criteria, such as identifying small business partners, types of work, and meeting minimum quantitative requirements.
  • The government will evaluate the SBPCD as acceptable or unacceptable.

• Subcontracting Plan:
  • Other than small business UR Pool, Offerors must provide a Small Business Subcontracting Plan (SBSP) or Commercial Plan. The plan must comply with relevant FAR and DFARS clauses and meet minimum subcontracting percentages. DOD will evaluate the plan as acceptable or unacceptable.

• Evaluation Methodology:
  • The Government is using a Highest Technically Rated Offeror (HTRO) methodology. It will first evaluate proposals for compliance, and then for technical capability and small business participation.
  • Price and cost are not evaluated at the IDIQ contract level but will be considered at the task or delivery order level.

The DRFP emphasizes the importance of substantiating all claimed points with evidence and highlights that the burden of proof lies with the offeror.

Conclusion

The AAMAC bid represents a monumental opportunity for companies poised to drive innovation in defense technology. As the Department of Defense seeks to harness the power of AI and data analytics, the stakes are high for those competing for this transformative contract. With a comprehensive evaluation process emphasizing technical prowess and small business participation, the path to success demands meticulous preparation and a compelling demonstration of capabilities.

The AAMAC program not only promises to advance the Department’s digital and AI capabilities but also sets a precedent for future technological integration within national defense. For those ready to meet the challenge, AAMAC offers a chance to be at the forefront of shaping the future of defense technology, unlocking unprecedented potential for growth and impact.

Relevant Information

• How to Master MAPS and Secure This $50B Bid

• Drive Business Growth Now with GWACS and IDIQs

• Victory Against the Odds: GWAC Survival Tactics

By Brenda Crist, Vice President at Lohfeld Consulting Group, MPA, CPP APMP Fellow

Lohfeld Consulting Group has proven results specializing in helping companies create winning captures and proposals. As the premier capture and proposal services consulting firm focused exclusively on government markets, we provide expert assistance to government contractors in Capture Planning and Strategy, Proposal Management and Writing, Capture and Proposal Process and Infrastructure, and Training. In the last 3 years, we’ve supported over 550 proposals winning more than $170B for our clients—including the Top 10 government contractors. Lohfeld Consulting Group is your “go-to” capture and proposal source! Start winning by contacting us at www.lohfeldconsulting.com and join us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube^(TM).