Artificial Intelligence for American Competitiveness and Economic Security (AI-ACES) in South Asia

The Artificial Intelligence for American Competitiveness and Economic Security (AI-ACES) in South Asia initiative, solicited under DFOP0018586, aims to deploy secure American AI technologies within strategic economic sectors and critical infrastructure of U.S. partner nations in South Asia. The program will focus on collaboration with host country governments and the State Department to identify priority sectors—including government institutions, utilities, and private enterprises—based on geopolitical and economic considerations unique to each country. Performance is expected to occur both within the United States and abroad, with a contract duration of up to 36 months, beginning September 30, 2026, and concluding September 30, 2029. The estimated total project cost is $349,005, covering direct and indirect expenses encompassing equipment, personnel, subrecipient support, and operational supplies. Award selection will be based on a 100-point merit-based evaluation emphasizing the quality and feasibility of the proposed program, organizational capacity, planning effectiveness, monitoring and evaluation rigor, budget reasonableness, and long-term sustainability. The process follows a trade-off approach, not lowest price technically acceptable, with tie-breaking guided by lower indirect cost rates per Executive Order 14332. Applicants must demonstrate compliance with federal regulations under 2 CFR Part 200, including financial stability, management systems, and procurement integrity, and are subject to restrictions prohibiting engagement with foreign adversaries, particularly regarding unmanned aircraft systems and adversarial entities. Proposals must include a structured narrative, detailed budget with justifications, SF-424 forms, letters of support, and adherence to strict formatting rules including a 15-page limit using 14-point Times New Roman font. Submission is required via Grants.gov or MyGrants by August 2, 2026, and all applicants must maintain an active Unique Entity ID in SAM.gov. The Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs will administer the award through the HHS Payment Management System using SF-270 forms, with no provision for electronic invoicing platforms like WAWF. Key personnel must be disclosed with their time commitments and require prior approval for changes, while termination for convenience remains a unilateral right of the Department of State. All program activities must acknowledge U.S. government funding through appropriate branding and visibility standards, and compliance with anti-discrimination laws is mandatory regardless of performance location.