CELERIS AWARDED PRIME SBIR CONTRACT FOR IDSK AUTOMATION
ANAHEIM, CA., May 15, 2024 - Celeris has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I Prime contract to enhance the functionality of its digital engineering platform, "iRIS," by automating the Integrated Digital Support Key (IDSK). According to DoD Instruction 5000.89, the IDSK “identifies Developmental Test (DT), Operational Test (OT), and Live Fire (LF) data requirements needed to inform critical acquisition and engineering decisions (e.g., milestone decisions, key integration points, and technical readiness decisions).” To accomplish IDSK automation, Celeris will create a robust digital thread between the DoD’s two most critical acquisition management tools that form the foundation for AF systems acquisition, the Developmental Evaluation Framework (DEF) and Operational Evaluation Framework (OEF). The absence of automation between these frameworks often results in outdated information for program decision-making and causes significant delays (often over 12 months) for $100M+ acquisitions, impacting the agile delivery of new weapon systems for the warfighter.
The current implementation of the IDSK is complex and highly manual, lacking essential integration and automation features between the DEF and the OEF. Celeris aims to simplify IDSK creation and maintenance by leveraging iRIS’ patented event-based data platform to link these two frameworks together. This transition will enable the Department of Defense (DoD) to move from a labor-intensive and error-prone approach to an agile system that provides accurate, real-time evaluation data to decision-makers.
In this Phase I, Celeris will partner with Ohio Wesleyan University to perform a feasibility study to adapt, integrate, and enhance the iRIS platform to create a digital thread between the DEF and OEF. In doing so, Celeris will work with OUSD R&E DTE&A (as customer) and Space Systems Command program offices (as end-users) to develop the proof-of-concept and determine the degree of adaptation required for a successful Phase II.
Since 2011, major DoD Space programs have continually advanced their operations through the utilization of iRIS for managing testing and requirements verification across enterprise programs. With seamless integration to other digital engineering tools for requirements and architecture data, and its approval to run in the Air Force's Cloud One, iRIS is well-positioned to digitize the IDSK.
Disclaimer: “The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.”
About Celeris Systems, Inc.
Headquartered in Anaheim, CA, Celeris Systems, Inc. is a provider of engineering services and digital innovation for the world's largest aerospace and defense companies as well as Government agencies.
Company Press Contact:
Name: Brian Wiig
Title: Director, Media Relations
Email: brian.wiig@celeris-systems.com
About AFRL
The Air Force Research Laboratory is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace force. With a workforce of more than 12,500 across nine technology areas and 40 other operations across the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit afresearchlab.com.
About AFWERX
As the innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFWERX brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. AFWERX employs approximately 325 military, civilian and contractor personnel at six hubs and sites executing an annual $1.4 billion budget. Since 2019, AFWERX has executed 4,697 new contracts worth more than $2.6 billion to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit: afwerx.com.