Pax Silica Artificial Intelligence Assistance Project

The Pax Silica Artificial Intelligence Assistance Project, solicited under DFOP0019193 by the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs within the U.S. Department of State, is a landmark initiative funded through foreign assistance from the Pax Fund to establish a trusted digital-physical supply chain corridor known as the Silicon Highway. This project aims to secure global AI supply chains by implementing cryptographic cargo verification, AI-driven risk assessment, and pre-approved expedited processing mechanisms across a network of priority partner countries including Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and others. The initiative seeks to create a provenance platform that ensures the integrity and origin of AI components from production through final delivery, leveraging digital tracking systems and immutable event logs to enhance transparency and compliance. The Department retains rights to all intangible property developed under the project as stipulated by 2 CFR 200.315. Proposals are evaluated on a 100-point scale with emphasis on the quality and feasibility of the project concept (25 points), followed by organizational capacity, project planning, financial strength, monitoring and evaluation plans, sustainability, and cost sharing. The basis of award is a trade-off process, allowing selection of proposals that best align with strategic foreign policy objectives, even if they do not achieve the highest technical score. The performance period is 24 months, extendable to 36 months, with a start date of October 1, 2026, and final reporting due within 120 days after expiration. Applicants must submit a single proposal package via Grants.gov by August 20, 2026, including mandatory forms, a one-page summary, a 15-page project narrative, detailed budget documents in Excel and Word, CVs for key personnel, a NICRA if applicable, past performance statements, and official permissions. All proposers must maintain a UEI from SAM.gov, comply with 2 CFR requirements including trafficking in persons, drug-free workplace, and “Never Contract with the Enemy” provisions, and adhere to Fly America Act and State Department per diem rules. While no specific contract line items or packaging standards are defined, the project operates across a global scope with no single place of performance, requiring implementation in multiple partner economies under close Department of State oversight, including mandatory approval of key personnel and sub-recipients.