2nd Annual Tech Challenge

ASTRO-InSPIRE Challenge: Distortion Prediction & Compensation in PBF-LB

Request for Proposals

On behalf of the the nation’s leading aerospace and defense manufacturers (e.g. AM Forward’s Boeing, GE Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, RTX, and Siemens Energy), ASTRO America is seeking to designate the most commercially viable and technically sound solution(s) which predict distortion of complex components and enable direct or indirect generation of distortion-compensated geometries.

Key Dates

    • Public RFP Issued February 4, 2026
    • Proposal Due: March 13, 2026
    • Selection Notice: On or around March 13, 2026
    • Demonstration Period: March 16, 2026 through June 30, 2026
    • Distortion Prediction and Compensation Showcase: TBD (July/August 2026) (Destin-Fort Walton Beach, FL)

Proposal Requirements

Two submissions are required and one is optional:

  • (Required) Responses to questions detailed in electronic form on https://astroa.org/2026-tech-challenge/
  • (Required) A one-slide quad chart, submitted as a pdf file and not exceeding 10 MB file size.
  • (Optional) Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement – Completing this multiparty NDA will ensure appropriate business and proprietary business protections.

RFP Submission Portal

*Submission deadline: March 13, 2026

Available Below
Download RFP Document
Download Quad Chart PPT

FAQs

Our solution requires trained users along with a calibration build. Will you be able to support this?

Yes, ASTRO scientists and engineers have significant experience in the use of simulation tools. Scientists and engineers will engage with each solution provide to ensure proper use and evaluation of each solution. Additionally, a calibration or tunning build will be supported.

Can we present results from prior work?

Yes, If selected to participate, you may present data, analysis, and results from prior work.

How will our data be protected?

ASTRO will administer agreements, including Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) terms, for all awardees participating in the competition. ASTRO is committed to protecting all information clearly marked as proprietary and confidential. Such information will only be shared with parties who have an active NDA with ASTRO.

What criteria will be used to judge awardees?

Please see the full RFP. Awardees will be judged based on the following criteria:

  • Functionality & Ease of Use
  • Accuracy & Repeatability
  • Calibration Methods & Applicable Standards
  • Business Strategy & Target Market
  • Value vs Cost of Ownership

What is the event schedule?

More details to follow.

The challenge text mentions a potential investment for selected participants. How large might this investment be? If we are not interested in an investment, what is the benefit of participating?

ASTRO cannot guarantee that attending fund managers will make investments, nor can we specify a potential investment size range. However, individuals and organizations interested in targeted investments related to additive and advanced manufacturing will be present. As context, one recent public investment, by one anticipated attending fund, involved $10M for a small business producing additively manufactured products. For mature organizations not seeking investments, the value of participation extends beyond investment. We anticipate purchase of at least one license of the best software solution and continued engagement.

All commercial entities, with certain exceptions based on U.S. laws, are eligible to participate.* Near-commercial entities (e.g., academic start-ups) may also participate. Software must be made available to the ASTRO team for a trial period of no less than 30 days. Participants in countries that are subject to U.S. sanctions or restrictions are not eligible.

RFP Submission Portal

RFP Updated: February 16, 2025

Please complete all fields below. Challenge questions have a maximum word count of 250 words per field. Complete all challenge questions and upload a PowerPoint slide based on the provided Quad Chart Template. Acceptable formats are PDF or PPT. Maximum file size is 10mb per document. Upload your final Quad Chart below with your ORGANIZATION NAME in the following title format:

ORG NAME_Quad-Chart.ppt

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Describe your solution. Describe what problem you are solving, how your solution solves this problem, and if/how it is used and validated within a production aerospace or defense environment. If applicable, note the modeling approach, the input data requirements, prediction output and analysis features, performance metrics, and integration with laser-based powder bed fusion additive workflows. Include speed of analysis, feature resolution, and available visualization tools.

Describe how the solution’s distortion prediction and compensation accuracy and repeatability are measured. Provide the typical accuracy and repeatability along with any benchmarks or supporting studies.

Describe any applicable calibration methods or standards. Also detail any provisions for data security and traceability.

Describe your business strategy, including your go-to-market plan, production and support capacity, and growth targets. Indicate required resources and development costs necessary to achieve growth projections.

Describe the value of your solution relative to its direct and indirect cost of ownership. The costs considered should include licensing and subscription fees, implementation costs, computing costs, required and optional add-ons and plugins, along with required user training and level of expertise.

Provide type, value and source of any relevant in-kind contributions used for this effort.

Technical references or articles related to your technology.

No Files ChosenAccepted file types: pdf, pptx. Max. file size: 10 MB

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