State Department’s New RFI Targets GenAI-Driven Acquisition Tools

The State Department is seeking a commercially proven, off-the-shelf AI/ML platform with advanced large language model capabilities—similar to ChatGPT—that can be customized to automate and accelerate the creation of acquisition documents (SOWs, IGCEs, etc.) while ensuring IL6 accreditation and FedRAMP Moderate security. The solution must integrate with existing procurement systems, offer smart templates and analytics to boost consistency and efficiency across contracting teams, and include ongoing support for maintenance and upgrades.

Department of State (DoS) RFI: Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) Contracting Assistant Tool Support Services | Notice ID: 1900
Department/Ind. Agency: STATE, DEPARTMENT OF | Office: ACQUISITIONS – ELSO ANTWERP
Contract Opportunity Type: Sources Sought 
Original Published Date: May 08, 2025 
Original Response Date: May 21, 2025

This RFI is issued as market research to determine industry’s capabilities to provide a proven commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) artificial intelligence / machine learning (AI/ML) solution capable of delivering state-of-the-art large language model (LLM) capabilities similar to existing commercial solutions like ChatGPT. The solution must provide a commercially proven base platform with an integrated suite of robust analytical tools and AI/ML capabilities that may be customized to meet specific Department of State (“DoS”) requirements and use cases. The solution must also provide leading edge capability in large language model (LLM) development to support a range of AI-enhanced workflows able to securely process and analyze government data of various classification levels, meeting federal security requirements such as accreditation at DoD Impact Level 6 (IL6) and having a moderate level or higher FedRamp-authorization for commercial software solution.

Background:
The Department of State’s (DoS) mission is to advance the interests of the American people, their safety, and economic prosperity by leading America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance. The mission of the Bureau of Global Acquisitions (GA) is to provide procurement solutions in support of the Department’s domestic operations and 275 diplomatic missions worldwide.

To meet those needs GA is focused on developing AI powered contract support tools that improve the speed and efficiency of the procurement lifecycle, including but not limited to market research, requirements document writing, federal notice creation, SOW and SOO creation, and IGCE analysis.

The Department recognizes that preparing acquisition documentation is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process and therefore seeks to possibly leverage AI generative tools to facilitate this process. These administrative burdens can delay procurement timelines and strain the acquisition workforce.

To address these challenges, the Government envisions a modern, AI-driven solution that:

• Accelerates the generation of acquisition documents (e.g., SOWs, PWSs, IGCEs).
• Increases efficiency and consistency across contracting teams.
• Reduces administrative overhead in the pre-award phase.
• Provides a user-friendly interface accessible to both novice and experienced contracting personnel.
• Offers recommendations and smart templates for both simple and complex acquisition requirements.
• Integrates (or is capable of integrating) with existing acquisition systems and workflows.

RFI Overview:
DoS is potentially seeking to identify capable and interested partners able to provide the products and/or services required to meet the full range of functional capabilities outlined in this RFI. Industry partners should demonstrate experience deploying solutions and delivering the ongoing support required to maintain, expand, and upgrade the solution over time for an organization of similar size, global scope, and mission complexity as DoS.

Information requested in this RFI includes the following categories:
• Company Information – Identification of interested vendors, socio-economic status, and potential acquisition vehicles to inform DoS potential acquisition strategy options.
• Capability Assessment Against Functional Requirements – Description of vendor’s proposed technical solution and ability to fully meet all stated functional requirements.
• Technical Approach – High-level concept of how your solution would fulfill the product vision described. AI methodologies and technologies that may be applied (e.g., NLP, machine learning, LLMs).
• Integration and Security – Approach to system integration with existing government platforms (e.g., FPDS, SAM.gov, eSRS). Preliminary thoughts on addressing security, data privacy, and FedRAMP compliance.
• Past Experience – Past project example(s) demonstrating vendor’s experience implementing their proposed solution to address the needs of an organization of similar size, global scope, and mission.

Primary Point of Contact
Mikel Alderman | aldermanml@state.gov

Angelica Arreloa | arreolaao@state.gov

Read Response Instructions Here

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