Generative Unwanted Activity Recognition and Defense (GUARD) (TReX II-24-02-066) W900KK-26-9-A009

On 08 January 2026, in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 4022, the Army Contracting Command Orlando has awarded an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) via the Training and Readiness Accelerator II (TReX II) for the Generative Unwanted Activity Recognition and Defense (GUARD) Prototype Project. The prototype project was awarded to Advanced Technology International, Inc. (ATI) as the managing prime to Battelle Memorial Institute located in Columbus, Ohio. The total value of this prototype project, if all milestones are exercised, is $ $6,314,531.75. This prototype project, directed by the Asymmetric Warfare Division (AWD), will identify and analyze unpredictable behaviors in Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems, ultimately ensuring that these next generation autonomous capabilities are trustworthy and effective for future military operations. The Performer will be responsible for developing the GUARD software to evaluate AI-enable autonomous systems (AIAS) and their models, creating comprehensive risk profiles. GUARD detects emergent behavior in AIAS, aiding the DoD in transitioning to next generation AIAS capabilities. Further, GUARD uses advancements in neural network explainability, AI cognitive research, and game AI development to create Behavior-Event Graph data structures. These translate policies and behaviors into a network of inputs, actions, and events allowing analysis of potential emergent behavior before, during, and after field tests. Other prototype activity will include, but not be limited to: custom launchers and mobile containers for ground launched capabilities, warhead solutions and customization, component fabrication, and prototypes for other parts such as housing interfaces to tune lethality, impulse, and fragmentation signatures while improving manufacturability. Upon successful completion of this prototype effort, the Government anticipates that a follow-on production effort may be awarded via either contract or transaction, without the use of competitive procedures if the participants in this transaction successfully complete the prototype project as awarded. Successful completion will occur when the prototypes have been validated and are accepted by the Government. Further, the government reserves the right to determine part, or all of the prototype project is successfully completed if the vendor shows a particularly favorable or unexpected result justifying the transition to production. Note: Should the selected vendor fail to demonstrate progress or be unsuccessful in the accomplishment of the goals of this prototyping effort, the Government reserves the right to return to the results of this competition and award additional Other Transaction Agreements to one or more of the vendors that responded to the initial Request for Solutions, as appropriate within the scope and evaluated results of the competition.