Stalwart is a task order that is part of the larger AWARE effort, a $150 million, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract focused on researching novel and innovative anti-fragility concepts and integrating proven anti-fragility tools, techniques and processes into operational and emerging cyber platforms. AWARE is focused on delivering systems characterized by greater cyber resiliency and fewer vulnerabilities throughout the development life cycle, thereby reducing risk to mission systems and ensuring mission demands are met under an array of conditions.

“Stalwart is an exciting effort because it provides AIS the opportunity to continue its anti-fragility research, but now with a focus on cyber embedded systems,” said Salvatore Paladino, Director of Cyber Operations Research and Development at AIS. “Embedded systems are those that comprise the Internet of Things (IoT) and include devices from routers, to drones, to wearable sensors. There are profound opportunities to leverage these complex, interconnected systems to achieve military objectives, improve communications and operations and better connect military and civilian systems with the physical environment to improve quality of life, automation and safety on military facilities both at home and abroad.”

Work will be performed in Rome, New York, and is expected to be completed by July 19, 2029. The Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate in Rome, New York, is the contracting activity.

AIS has been awarded a $28 million contract modification for Full-Spectrum Cyber Capabilities, bringing the overall value of the contract to $74.8 million. The initial objective of this effort, which was awarded in 2019, was to provide the United States Air Force (USAF) with tools and technologies to enable rapid cyber operations.

“We are very pleased to have been awarded this contract modification to Full-Spectrum Cyber Capabilities,” said Salvatore Paladino, Director of Cyber Operations R&D at AIS. “It will allow us to expand the focus of the effort to analyzing and securing cyber embedded systems and devices that comprise the Internet of Things (IoT). We believe this will help achieve USAF objectives and better connect military and civilian systems to improve quality of life, automation and safety on military facilities both at home and abroad.”

“After years of providing Full-Spectrum Cyber Capabilities to the United States Air Force, AIS has demonstrated that its state-of-the-art tools and technologies for rapid cyber operations are critical to our nation’s cybersecurity infrastructure,” said Senator Schumer. “The Air Force made the right choice when they first awarded this contract to AIS back in 2019, and they are making the right choice again by awarding this $28 million modification to AIS now. This work will strengthen our national security, provide a major boost to the upstate economy and support the Mohawk Valley’s world-class cybersecurity workforce by securing 20 jobs in Rome for years to come. I am proud to support innovative local companies like AIS, and I will never stop fighting to ensure that federal work and jobs are flowing to the Mohawk Valley defense ecosystem.”

AIS has been awarded Artificial Intelligence-Based Endpoint Defense (ABED), a $98.5 million, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract focused on researching novel and innovative artificial intelligence (AI)-based techniques for enhancing the effectiveness and increasing the autonomy of cyber capabilities being developed by the Air Force and its partnering combatant commands. ABED will result in the delivery of cyber capabilities characterized by greater flexibility, wider applicability, increased precision, and better security. 

“ABED is an opportunity for AIS to integrate and transition unprecedented defenses against the primary attack vectors employed by our adversaries – most notably, embedding sophisticated attack code and data in digital files,” said Salvatore Paladino, Director of Cyber Operations Research and Development at AIS. “This work will leverage AI and machine learning (ML) techniques to reduce the amount of manpower and expertise required to operate cyber tools effectively, at scale, and at the pace of cyber. The solutions developed in ABED will provide a revolutionary advantage for the Air Force, its DoD partners, and commercial entities.” 

ABED is a SBIR (Small Business Innovative Research) Phase III award. According to SBIR.gov, the SBIR program is highly competitive and encourages domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research and Development aimed at commercializing solutions. A Phase III SBIR effort focuses on work that derives from, extends, or completes capabilities developed under prior SBIR agreements and is funded by sources other than the SBIR program itself. This is the third SBIR Phase III AIS has been awarded, and the second in the last 3 years. 

Work will be performed in Rome, New York, and is expected to be completed by September 30, 2028. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), also in Rome, is the contracting authority for the award. 

“This critical federal investment puts Central New York at the center of the transition into the new AI age right here in Rome, by investing in artificial intelligence to advance U.S. cyber capabilities and integrate new and unprecedented defenses against American adversaries. The contract will also bolster cyber jobs in the region, creating up to 10 jobs at AIS and securing 50 existing jobs for the next 5 years,” said Senator Schumer. “This major $98.5 million investment will not only strengthen our national security by harnessing the power of AI innovation – something I’ve been focusing on a lot recently in my new SAFE Innovation framework – but it will also provide a significant boost to the Upstate economy and channel the talents of Central NY’s world-class workforce for years to come.” 

AIS has been awarded the Agile Cyber Technology 3 (ACT 3) contract, a $950 million indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract for technical documentation, technical reports, software and hardware. AIS is one of five companies that has received this award from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) located at the Griffiss Business and Technology Park in Rome, New York.

The IDIQ contract provides a mechanism for any federal government department or agency to award a contract to AIS in a simple, expedited manner, with a ceiling totaling $950 million.

“The ACT program has been transformational for AIS, AFRL and the warfighters who are benefiting from the technologies it has yielded,” said Salvatore Paladino, Director of Account Management at AIS. “AIS has had tremendous opportunities to transition its cyber capabilities into operational use under previous ACT awards. The ACT 3 award is very exciting and puts us in a position to continue delivering exceptional solutions and to further strengthen partnerships with AFRL and its partnering combatant commands.”

This contract will contribute to the Air Force and partner organizations’ cyber missions through the development and integration of exceedingly innovative cyber solutions. Work for this competitive acquisition will be performed in Rome, New York. AFRL is the contracting activity.

“This exciting partnership between the Air Force and AIS to conduct important work in cybersecurity will enhance both our national defense and the regional economy,” said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. “Together, the workforces at AIS and Rome Lab will blend their expertise to deliver real results in developing our nation’s cybersecurity infrastructure. I will continue to do all I can to bring more federal work – and more jobs – to the Mohawk Valley through partnerships like these.”

“This is a well-deserved award for AIS and I know it will capitalize on this opportunity to provide AFRL with innovative cyber solutions,” said Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. “Oneida County continues to thrive as a hub for world-class technology companies that are securing our nation.”

“AIS has been a leader in cybersecurity since its inception,” said Rome Mayor Jacqueline M. Izzo. “The success of this locally grown company is further exemplified with the award of the ACT 3 contract, and it strengthens the company’s strategic position to deliver technical reports, hardware and software as only one of five companies to receive this designation. With a contract ceiling of $950 million it will allow AIS to provide cyber and information technology solutions to the Air Force. We are proud that the Griffiss Business and Technology Park is the headquarters for this innovative company.”

AIS has been awarded AWARE, a $95 million Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract focused on researching novel and innovative anti-fragility concepts and integrating proven anti-fragility tools, techniques and processes into operational and emerging cyber platforms. AWARE will result in the delivery of systems characterized by greater cyber resiliency and fewer vulnerabilities throughout the development life cycle, thereby reducing risk to mission systems and ensuring mission demands are met under an array of conditions.

“AWARE is an effort that provides AIS the opportunity to integrate and transition proven anti-fragility tools that make systems more secure, reliable and robust when subjected to attacks, failures and faults,” said Salvatore Paladino, Director of Account Management at AIS. “This work will substantially improve software quality and reduce the resources required for incident response and recovery for the Air Force, its DoD partners and the commercial marketplace.”

AWARE is a SBIR (Small Business Innovative Research) Phase III award. According to SBIR.gov, the SBIR program is highly competitive and encourages domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research and Development aimed at commercializing solutions. A Phase III SBIR effort focuses on work that derives from, extends or completes capabilities developed under prior SBIR agreements and is funded by sources other than the SBIR program itself.

Work will be performed in Rome, New York, and is expected to be completed by September 30, 2026. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), also in Rome, is the contracting authority for the award.

“In an era of constant hacking and cyberattacks, AIS and Rome Lab have proven time and time again that its partnership can deliver superior solutions to protect our nation’s cyber-defense networks,” said U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer. “I will continue to work side-by-side with AIS and Rome Lab to bring more federal work – and more jobs – to the Mohawk Valley.”

“The Dauntless effort presents an exciting opportunity to continue our partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and its partnering combatant commands to provide innovative research, produce robust capabilities and address real challenges in the mission space of the 16th Air Force,” said Salvatore Paladino, Director of Account Management at AIS. “This work will have a measurable and powerful impact by giving our nation a revolutionary advantage in cyberspace.” 

This award is the result of a competitive acquisition with two offers received. Work will be performed in Rome, New York, and is expected to be completed by March 11, 2024. AFRL, also in Rome, is the contracting authority for the award. 

“The AIS-Rome Lab partnership has proven time and time again that it can produce superior services and products for the Department of Defense, so it’s no surprise that the Air Force once again chose them for this important work,” said U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer. “I will continue to work with AIS to bring more federal work — and more jobs — to the Mohawk Valley through partnerships like these.”