Executive Summary
NGA wants prototype edge computer vision for unclassified small drones that detects, tracks and re-identifies objects without cloud reach-back. It suits AI, computer vision and edge hardware teams. Responses are due November 19, 2026, 3:00 PM CST, through the GoColosseum marketplace.
The listing emphasizes adaptation at the point of need. NGA wants models that run on size, weight and power (SWaP)-constrained hardware, adapt to new conditions with minimal labeled data and minimal coding, and plug into GEOINT formats and the TAK ecosystem, so proposals should show measured performance and a path to operational use.
Solicitation at a Glance
- Agency: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), Rapid Capabilities Office (QX), in coordination with ONI and ACC-RI
- Opportunity: Tactical ISR Processing, Exploitation and Dissemination (PED): Adaptive AI and Autonomy at the Tactical Edge
- Where it is posted: One Nation Innovation challenge on the GoColosseum marketplace
- Award Vehicle: Prototype under an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) vehicle
- Funding: No amount posted on the public listing
- Technology Maturity: Prototype, test and validate, followed by operational evaluation
- Window: October 22, 2026, 1:24 PM CDT to November 19, 2026, 3:00 PM CST
Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the November 19 deadline.
What Is Tactical ISR PED?
Tactical ISR PED is an NGA prototype challenge, run through its Rapid Capabilities Office (QX) with ONI and ACC-RI, to enable sustained tactical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) at the edge through AI-enabled computer vision. It targets edge-deployable capabilities for unclassified small unmanned aerial systems operating in low-connectivity environments, and is posted as a One Nation Innovation challenge on GoColosseum.
What Problem Is NGA Trying to Solve?
Tactical sensors increasingly hand off custody of objects of interest to computer vision tracking. Current models degrade when they meet new environmental conditions and need reach-back to enterprise cloud infrastructure for retraining. In contested and austere communications environments, that reach-back is not possible, yet warfighters depend on continuous custody of objects of interest for mission success and national security decisions.
Priority Capability Areas: What NGA Is Looking For
- Detection, tracking and re-identification: object detection, tracking and re-identification in mission-relevant data environments, including custody across multiple simultaneous detections and re-identification after loss of custody.
- Low-shot learning: approaches that let operators and analysts deploy and adapt capabilities at the point of need with minimal labeled data and minimal coding expertise.
- Edge operation: performance on SWaP-constrained edge hardware with no cloud dependency.
- Measured performance: validation against defined F1, precision and recall thresholds.
- Integration: standard GEOINT data formats, ontology standards, tactical data dissemination systems including the TAK ecosystem, REST API architectures and operator display environments.
Funding and Award Terms
- Amount: not posted on the public listing.
- Vehicle: Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype.
- Number of awards: not stated on the public listing.
- Transition intent: the prototype will undergo operational evaluation, with documented outcomes meant to support follow-on production integration and scaling.
Eligibility and Participation
- Marketplace account: you must join the GoColosseum marketplace to apply.
- Eligibility rules: the public listing does not show eligibility requirements. Check for eligibility requirements after joining the marketplace.
- Platform scope: the listing focuses on unclassified small unmanned aerial systems.
How to Apply
- Join the GoColosseum marketplace and open the Tactical ISR PED challenge.
- Review the challenge details and any response instructions shown after joining.
- Show how your solution meets the edge, low-shot learning, performance and integration requirements.
- Submit before November 19, 2026, 3:00 PM CST.
What Happens After You Submit?
- Evaluation: the public listing does not give an evaluation schedule or criteria.
- Prototype work: selected teams would develop, test and validate the capability, followed by operational evaluation to inform future development and transition decisions.
Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?
It fits companies with computer vision models that already run on embedded or edge hardware, experience with tracking and re-identification from aerial imagery, and a way for non-experts to retrain or adapt models in the field. Experience with GEOINT formats or TAK integration is a plus. A cloud-dependent analytics product, or a model that needs large labeled datasets to adapt, is a weaker fit.
How BW&CO Can Help
BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For NGA prototype OTA challenges like Tactical ISR PED, we help you:
- Assess fit: compare your product against the edge and low-shot learning requirements.
- Find partners: team up to cover drone hardware, TAK and GEOINT integration.
- Write the response: a clear plan with measurable F1, precision and recall targets.
- Navigate the marketplace: account setup and submission.
- Plan the follow-on: position for production integration after the prototype.
Plan Your Tactical ISR PED Submission
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is running this challenge?
NGA's Rapid Capabilities Office (QX), in coordination with ONI and ACC-RI, through a One Nation Innovation challenge on GoColosseum.
When is it due?
November 19, 2026, 3:00 PM CST.
How much funding is available?
The public listing does not show a dollar amount or the number of awards.
What contract vehicle will be used?
The listing says prototype solutions are solicited under an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) vehicle.
What platforms does it target?
Unclassified small unmanned aerial systems operating in low-connectivity environments, running on SWaP-constrained edge hardware.
Can the solution rely on cloud retraining?
No. NGA wants capabilities that operate without cloud dependency and adapt at the point of need with minimal labeled data and minimal coding expertise.
How will performance be measured?
Against defined F1, precision and recall thresholds, including custody across multiple simultaneous detections and re-identification after loss of custody.
What integrations are required?
Standard GEOINT data formats, ontology standards, tactical data dissemination systems including the TAK ecosystem, REST API architectures and operator display environments.
Can BW&CO help with a Tactical ISR PED submission?
Yes. BW&CO helps teams assess fit, line up partners and write a response with clear performance targets. Book a call with our team.
Source: GoColosseum: Tactical ISR Processing, Exploitation and Dissemination (PED)