GREYMATTER.IO INC. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: X224-OCSO1

Description

A significant driver in IT Modernization and Data Strategy are event-driven architectures and data streaming. Modern systems demand real-time data feeds, whether it's capturing a new sensor feed or an update from a legacy system. Event-driven systems provide this capability along with the ability to curate, cleanse, or filter that data-in-flight so you see what you need, right when it happens, and in a meaningful context. For the Air Force, it is the heart of real-time situation awareness AND all-source data fusion. However, for the agency today, there is neither an enterprise data streaming service, nor a standardized and accredited configuration to be easily integrated into existing, in development, and planned systems. Throughout the DoD Intelligent Information System (DoDIIS) there are dozens of instantiations of Apache Kafka developed, deployed, maintained, and supported on an ad hoc basis by numerous contractors and government engineers. There are inconsistent versions, implementation patterns, and no means to look for data streaming efficiency across programs or organizations. These parallel and sometimes duplicated efforts and lack of coordination expose the AF to burdensome costs, frequently buried deep in O&M charges, and security risks. The greymatter.io platform will ensure the DAF can meet the backlog and increasing demand for real-time data and insights while reducing system costs and complexity. It will also bring data streaming into the ZTA compliance across DoDIIS by building on foundational integration and governance already in production.