Booz Allen wins $800M AI defense contract

Contractor will develop artificial intelligence products for the DoD

Published May 19, 2020 by Sydney Lake

Tysons-based federal contractor Booz Allen Hamilton announced Tuesday it has won an $800 million, five-year contract from the U.S. General Services Administration to create artificial intelligence products for warfighting operations supporting the Department of Defense’s Joint Warfighter National Mission Initiative.

Booz Allen will embed AI decision-making and analysis at all tiers of DoD operations. As part of the contract, Booz Allen will handle data labeling, data management, data conditioning, AI product development and transitioning AI products to existing DoD programs.

“The Joint Warfighting mission initiative will provide the Joint Force with AI-enabled solutions vital to improving operational effectiveness in all domains,” Lt. Gen. Jack Shanahan, director of the DoD Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC), said in a statement. “This contract will be an important element as the JAIC increasingly focuses on fielding AI-enabled capabilities that meet the needs of the warfighter and decision-makers at every level.”

The contract aligns with the White House’s Executive Order on AI, which seeks to apply AI solutions to government business challenges. GSA’s Technology Transformation Services (TTS) office and Federal Systems Integration and Management Center work together to bring AI products to the federal government.

“It is important to work closely with our customers to acquire the best in digital adoption to meet their needs,” TTS Director Anil Cheriyan said in a statement.