INSIGHTS

Alexandria, VA, September 3, 2020 – AFWERX, the catalyst for fostering innovation within the U.S. Air Force, announced National Security Solutions (NSS), an IDEMIA Company, as one of the top 92 participating teams selected from across the globe competing to build the Base of the Future Challenge.

The AFWERX Challenge is centered around six topics - Base Security, Installation Resilience, Leveraging Technology for Operational Effectiveness, Reverse Engineering, Culture of Innovation, and Airman and Family Wellbeing. The proposals selected to advance represent innovative solutions ranging from new base security technology and VR training modules to virtual assistants and apps designed for wellness and leadership development.

Located in Alexandria, VA, NSS is competing in the Base Security & Defense Challenge alongside a diverse group of teams - originating from the vast regions of North America, Europe, Australia and other allied countries – that represent entrepreneurial startups, small businesses, large enterprises, academic institutions and research labs all vying to build the Base of the Future and modernize the Department of Defense.

“The AFWERX Base of the Future Challenge is critical to our mission of increasing collaboration between large businesses and entrepreneurs to accelerate solutions for the Air Force,” stated Mark Rowland of AFWERX. “On behalf of AFWERX and the Department of Defense, we congratulate the teams advancing to the next phase. Their contributions are invaluable and have the potential to create game-changing results across the Air Force enterprise.”

The Base Security & Defense Challenge focuses on ways the U.S. Air Force utilizes the building and restoration of new installations to examine and improve the existing security and defense systems that protect the people and critical resources on them. Air Force bases have large perimeters that require safeguarding from active shooters, explosives, cyber risks, and many other potential threats. To improve and modernize installation security and defense, this Challenge called for solutions to help the Department of Defense construct an agile, swift and responsive Base of the Future.

NSS provides a comprehensive, biometrically-enabled, facility security solution that enables the U.S. Air Force Base of the Future (BOTF) initiative to become a reality. Their identification, analysis, and vetting solutions work with partner detection devices and communication platforms to deliver end-to-end facility security and access control. Their proven solution includes visitor management and vetting, fast employee access, and intelligent surveillance throughout the base.

“NSS is committed to enabling and protecting the next generation of smart bases and installations.  Identity solutions provide a critical building block that secures these facilities and also enables them to be smarter and more efficient.  From contactless fast lanes at entrance gates to streamlined visitor management and continuous vetting that mitigates insider threats, these identity solutions enable facilities to deploy resources more effectively which ultimately saves money and strengthens mission readiness,” stated Mr. Scott Swann, CEO and President of NSS. “Our AI/Machine Learning team is constantly developing new algorithms to improve the value of biometric terminals and intelligent video streams, which will provide our military and public security professionals with unceasing situational awareness.”

The AFWERX Fusion 2020 Showcase recently featured 370 of the participating teams selected from a record breaking 1,500+ submissions received for the Base of the Future Challenge. Throughout the event teams pitched their solutions to a panel of subject matter experts from the relevant sectors of the Air Force. The top 92 selections were identified and invited to further engage with the Air Force during the week of August 31 with the hope of obtaining contracts. For a complete list of participating teams visit fusion.afwerxshowcase.com/.

The Base of the Future theme was inspired by Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, which was decimated by Hurricane Michael, a Category 5 storm that occurred in 2018. For decades, Tyndall had been home to many generations of Airmen and their families. In the storm's aftermath, nearly 500 buildings were destroyed or damaged beyond repair. Fortunately, Congress approved a $3 billion military construction rebuild program, sparking hope that Tyndall would re-emerge stronger than ever before. The aspirational initiative seeks to create a robust installation that will become a universal symbol of innovation and excellence that can scale across the U.S. Air Force. To learn more about the Base of the Future Challenges, click here.

ABOUT National Security Solutions, an IDEMIA Company

National Security Solutions (NSS) is the Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) mitigated IDEMIA affiliate, supporting the national security interests of the United States of America through cutting-edge identity intelligence offerings. Their best-in-class identity solutions are top rated by NIST for speed, accuracy, and reliability. For over 60 years, their extensive hardware, software, and services portfolio has driven consistent results enabling America’s defense, intelligence, and homeland security posture.

 ABOUT AFWERX

Established in 2017, AFWERX is a product of the U.S. Air Force, directly envisioned by former Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson. Her vision of AFWERX — to solve some of the toughest challenges that the Air Force faces through innovation and collaboration amongst our nation’s top subject matter experts. AFWERX serves as a catalyst to unleash new approaches for the warfighter through a growing ecosystem of innovators. AFWERX and the U.S. Air Force are committed to exploring viable solutions and partnerships to further strengthen the Air Force, which could lead to additional prototyping, R&D, and follow-on production contracts.

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Media Contacts:

Meredith Brown
mbrown@idemia-nss.com

Tony Brown
tbrown@idemia-nss.com

AFWERX:

AFWERX@kirvindoak.com

Marketing@afwerx.af.mil