Cybersecurity for Advanced Computing and Software Modernization

Overview

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) Information Technology Laboratory (ITL), High Performance Computing Modernization Program (HPCMP) in collaboration with the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), is seeking commercial solutions that advance the state of cybersecurity for emerging and future computing paradigms to transition forward-leaning cybersecurity technologies into operationally relevant prototypes that enhance the resilience, trustworthiness, and survivability of Department of Defense (DoD) digital infrastructure.

DoD operational environments are rapidly evolving through the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), edge computing, distributed cloud-native systems, and autonomous technologies. These capabilities enable real-time decision-making and dynamic operations across multiple domains. However, traditional cybersecurity frameworks are inadequate to address the threat landscape, which includes sophisticated adversarial cyber operations, supply chain vulnerabilities, AI system manipulation, and quantum-era decryption risks.

The Department faces an urgent challenge in safeguarding the rapidly evolving landscape of advanced computing and software-defined capabilities. Traditional cybersecurity models were not designed for the distributed, dynamic, and AI-driven systems now central to mission success. As the DoD integrates cloud-native architectures, edge computing, autonomous systems, and real-time data processing at scale, existing security frameworks reveal significant gaps in adaptability, visibility, and resilience. This expanding attack surface — compounded by adversarial threats, software supply chain risks, and the onset of quantum-era cryptographic vulnerabilities — demands a fundamental rethinking of how cybersecurity is engineered, deployed, and sustained. To ensure mission assurance in contested digital environments, the DoD must accelerate the adoption of groundbreaking cybersecurity solutions. 

Background

As the DoD accelerates its adoption of next-generation computing architectures and software ecosystems, cybersecurity must evolve in lockstep. Legacy security frameworks are no longer sufficient to meet the demands of modern digital infrastructure that includes edge computing, distributed systems, artificial intelligence, and cloud-native architectures. There is a pressing need for innovative, scalable, and adaptive cybersecurity capabilities that safeguard the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of critical DoD systems. 

Project Manager

Information Technology Laboratory (ITL), U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)

Requirements

ERDC ITL invites pre-proposals that introduce groundbreaking cybersecurity advancements in emerging and future computing paradigms. Offerors shall propose solutions that address one or more of the following objectives:

• Develop secure-by-design software frameworks for mission-critical applications.
• Implement secure orchestration for containerized and microservice-based architectures.
• Operationalize Zero Trust principles in edge, AI-enabled, and disconnected environments.
• Deliver post-quantum cryptographic protections suitable for real-time systems.
• Design autonomous cyber defense systems using machine learning or intelligent agents.
• Provide supply chain transparency and threat intelligence via SBOM analytics.
• Create decentralized identity and access control mechanisms for multi-domain operations.
• Enable real-time behavioral monitoring, threat detection, and adversarial resilience.

Proposed solutions should articulate a clear technical architecture, maturity level (e.g., TRL), expected outcomes, and alignment to defense modernization priorities. Emphasis should be placed on interoperability, scalability, and ease of integration with existing DoD environments.

Constraints and Considerations:

• Solutions must be designed to operate in resource-constrained and contested conditions.
• Solutions should not rely on persistent cloud access or centralized infrastructure.
• Submissions must avoid inclusion of proprietary or classified data.
• Offerors should be prepared to deliver technical documentation, operational test results, and participate in live or virtual demonstrations.

Applicants must be registered on SAM.gov. The Purpose of Registration on SAM.gov should reflect all awards.

Note: Submissions should NOT include confidential or proprietary details. Submissions may be shared with other ERDC teams if there is an apparent fit with other ERDC projects. 

Estimated Government Funding Profile 

Funding for the initial effort is available and estimated at $1 million to $3 million. Funding availability may change based on fiscal year and/or solution capability. The Government may elect to issue multiple awards.

Estimated Period of Performance

12 months after award date for single year awards; 24 months or longer for multi-year awards

Desired End State

The anticipated outcome of this effort is the fielding of transformative cybersecurity capabilities that enhance the protection, assurance, and integrity of advanced computing systems. Solutions must demonstrate not only technical innovation, but also practical deployability in real-world mission environments.

Successful technologies will offer measurable improvements in threat detection, response speed, autonomy of defense actions, and resilience to adversarial activity. Furthermore, they should support integration with joint and allied architectures, minimize dependence on fragile centralized infrastructures, and enable mission-critical functions to persist in a contested environment.

Evaluation Criteria

Submissions will be evaluated based on the criteria described in the CSO Solicitation document. Additional criteria specific to this project are listed below:

• Technical requirements will assess how innovative the solution is (as defined in this announcement) and the feasibility of the solution solving the agency’s challenges.
• Importance to agency programs will assess the solution’s potential to enhance the mission effectiveness of the agency.
• Funds availability will assess the availability of funding to procure the solution.

All resultant contracts will be firm-fixed price. All items, technologies, and services (including research and development) procured via this CSO are treated as commercial. Applicants from universities and/or non-profit organizations should be aware that commercial clauses will be integrated into the award and should coordinate proposals with associated legal counsel prior to submission.

Notional Project Schedule

Proposed project milestones include:

August 13, 2025	Submissions Open
August 29, 2025	Question Period Ends
September 8, 2025	Submissions Close

*If needed; dates may vary to accommodate project team and participant availability.

Project Security Classification

Unclassified