Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: AF173-010

Description

To address the Air Force need to improve the acquisition lifecycle cost estimation process, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new software tool: Enterprise Cost Estimation through Lifecycle Simulations (ELIS). ELIS uses lifecycle simulations to compute financial implications on cost centers ranging from higher echelons of the DoD to system program offices. The cost trade-offs and detailed cost breakdowns computed by ELIS are based on aggregated components cost obtained by considering various architectural/engineering issues, testing scenarios, operational CONOPS, and mission configurations. The innovative ELIS design captures intricate mutually recursive dependency relationships among various stakeholders, cost centers, and cost elements, yielding accurate cost estimates for various what-if scenarios. ELIS design can use data, models, or a combination thereof to adapt to various stages of the acquisition lifecycle, data availability/granularity/modalities. ELIS offers dramatic advances in the current cost estimation methodology by improving acquisition cost estimations and predictions, directly addressing the requirements. In Phase I, ELIS feasibility will be demonstrated by integrating diverse digital engineering ecosystem elements (such as workforce, facilities, data storage cost, licensing cost, and inventory) into a tailored cost model reaching TRL-3. In Phase II, POC plans to improve ELIS and reach TRL-5 by implementing a full-scale prototype.