The Defense Innovation Unit is working with technology companies to develop a secure digital platform for matching private sector capabilities with defense opportunities.
Using advanced artificial intelligence and large language model technologies, the Digital OnRamp platform is envisioned to enhance the process of pairing tech products and services with business opportunities in the defense sector, the Department of Defense said Thursday. The tool will allow users to discover commercial and academic capabilities that meet their mission requirements in a single digital location.
Finding Tech for DOD Mission Problems
The DOD Digital OnRamp will provide a pathway for tech companies to find an opportunity and for DOD employees to find technologies for mission problems, according to Cheryl Ingstad, deputy director of digital platforms and developer ecosystem at DIU. “Imagine the speed and scale of innovation that can be achieved when an AI-enabled platform connects countless companies, professors and students to billions of dollars of DOD opportunities,” she said.
Simplifying DOD Solicitations
The AI-powered system will make commercial and academic offerings visible to agency personnel looking to solve a mission problem. The DOD noted that the Digital OnRamp will simplify solicitations, enable the private sector to discover defense opportunities and accelerate the adoption of commercial technologies.
Currently, DIU is evaluating user experience surveys and technical data from a technology demonstration of the platform in December 2024 to develop requirements for the next stage. The agency is targeting to deliver the minimum viable product in late 2025.
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