DESCRIPTION

​​The U.S. Army is seeking innovative solutions from eligible entities, including but not limited to students, independent developers, startups, engineers, large technology companies and academic researchers across the globe addressing identified capability gaps in alignment with the objectives of the xTech National Security Hackathon. This platform offers opportunities to engage directly with Department of War (DoW) stakeholders, gain insights into Army and DoW problem sets and rapidly develop novel concepts aligned with Army and DoW priorities. Participants will have the opportunity to compete for prize awards and may have opportunities to pursue further development of their solutions for potential transition into Army applications following the event.

​The Army FUZE xTech Program is partnering with U.S. Navy, U.S. Space Force, Cerebral Valley and Shield Capital to deliver the xTech Hackathon. Additional partners for this effort may include: OpenAI, Scale AI, In-Q-Tel, DCVC, Armada AI, Deloitte, TENEX, Palantir and Skyrun. Unlike traditional solicitations, this initiative is structured as a time-bound innovation event in which participants will ideate, design and prototype solutions during the hackathon itself, rather than submitting fully developed technologies in advance. 

​The xTech Hackathon competition will consist of one round with two parts:  

1. ​Registration application; and  
2. ​Hackathon Event 

​The U.S. Army intends to award up to $50,000 in cash prizes for the hackathon to selected participants. Up to 700 applicants will be invited to participate in the hackathon event. The U.S. Army intends to select up five (5) winners at the conclusion of the hackathon event. Prize awards may be distributed as follows: first place may receive $20,000; second place may receive $12,000; third place may receive $8,000; fourth place may receive $6,000; and fifth place may receive $4,000. Additional details on prize structure can be found in Section VII of the RFI.  

​Registration 

​All eligible entities must apply using the Cerebral Valley Registration Form. The application requires completion of a short questionnaire, which includes the following items: 

1. ​LinkedIn profile  
2. ​GitHub profile  
3. ​Twitter/X handle (if applicable)  
4. ​Description of the project you intend to develop at the hackathon  
5. ​A defense-related project you are most proud of building  
6. ​Home nationality and U.S. citizenship status (required for all applicants)  

​Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, and applicants may be notified of their selection as submissions are received. Selection for the hackathon is at the sole discretion of the U.S. Army and participating partner organizations.  

​Up to 700 applicants will be selected and invited to participate in the two-day hackathon event, May 2-3, 2026, where they may collaborate as individuals or in teams to develop innovative solutions addressing the capability areas outlined in this RFI. During the event, participants will design, build, and demonstrate working prototypes or concepts, emphasizing technical quality, operational relevance to the U.S. Military, and creative problem-solving. Participants will also present and pitch their solutions to a panel of subject matter experts, highlighting both the functionality and the potential impact of their work. 

​The registration information and submission upload must be received by 9:00 AM PT on May 2, 2026. Submissions received after the deadline will not be considered. 

​The xTech Hackathon is conducted in accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 4025, which authorizes the use of prize competitions to stimulate innovation and identify promising technologies for national security applications. Requirements for competition under 10 U.S.C. § 3201 are satisfied upon completion of the challenge and use of prize authority. As such, this competition serves as a competitive down select mechanism that enables government organizations to engage with finalists and winners through a variety of follow-on acquisition pathways, including but not limited to: 

• ​10 U.S.C. § 4114 – Selection of contractors for prototype projects 
• ​10 U.S.C. § 4022 – Prototype projects 
• ​10 U.S.C. § 4023 – Procurement for experimental purposes 
• ​10 U.S.C. § 4001 – Research and development 
• ​10 U.S.C. § 4021 – Other Transaction Authority (OTA) 
• ​10 U.S.C. § 3458 – Authority to acquire innovative commercial products and commercial services using general solicitation competitive procedures 
• ​15 U.S.C. § 3703 – Technology innovation partnerships 
• ​15 U.S.C. § 638 – Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs 

​Government organizations are encouraged to consider leveraging these statutory authorities to pursue follow-on awards with companies identified through the xTech competition process. This approach supports rapid technology maturation, accelerates the transition of innovative capabilities to the field, and promotes collaboration with non-traditional and small business performers. 

​ While the authority of this program is 10 U.S.C. § 4025, the xTech Hackathon may generate interest by other U.S. Army, DoW or USG organizations for a funding opportunity outside of this event. The interested organization may contact the participant to provide additional information or ask for a request for proposal in a separate solicitation. Finalists of the prize competition may have opportunities to submit a separate proposal for further development of their proposed technology solution based on the needs of the Army. The Army may use a contract mechanism of their choice and will notify the participants accordingly.  

​The xTech Program intends to provide feedback from evaluators to participants during the hackathon competition event. The purpose of providing this feedback is to help accelerate the transition of the technology to a U.S. Army end-user by providing insight into the best applications for the technology, suggestions for product improvement for U.S. Army use and recommended next steps for development. However, the Government will not respond to inquiries regarding this feedback. 

​Problem Statement 

​The Army is interested in concepts that are adaptable to resource-constrained environments, support distributed operations, and can be developed and transitioned in alignment with DoW priorities and applicable requirements. Collaboration with a broad range of participants, including commercial industry, academia, and independent developers, is encouraged to accelerate the development of relevant capabilities. 

​The Army intends to evaluate proposed solutions across the following capability areas: 

• ​Capability 1: Sensor Analysis and Integration  
• ​Capability 2: Edge Deployments and Drone Operation  
• ​Capability 3: Mission Command and Control  
• ​Capability 4: Digital Defense and Cybersecurity  
• ​Capability 5: General National Security 

​Topic descriptions can be found in Appendix A of the RFI.​ 

SCHEDULE AND PRIZES

ELIGIBILITY

ligible participants include, but are not limited to, students, independent developers, startups, engineers, large technology companies, and academic researchers across the globe. Both U.S.-based and international individuals and entities may participate, subject to the conditions below. 

​Each eligible entity:  

• ​Shall not be a U.S. Federal government entity or employ a U.S. Federal Employee acting within the scope of their employment; 
• ​Shall not be currently under contract, agreement or other providing similar capabilities to the Government for work described in the problem statement; 
• ​For businesses, startups and sole proprietors, must be able to obtain a CAGE code (U.S. businesses) and/or NCAGE code (international businesses) to process payments (CAGE codes are not required during registration);  
• ​Applicants must be 18 years or older by the registration deadlines of May 2, 2026; 
• ​Must not be based in a foreign country of concern (FCOC), directly funded by an FCOC-government or FCOC-government-subsidized guidance fund or be under the influence of an FCOC-based government in any way. Failure to meet these requirements will result in ineligibility for award; 
• ​For all other eligible participants (including, but not limited to, independent developers, engineers, academic researchers, and large organizations): must be legally authorized to participate in the competition, and receive payments or awards in accordance with applicable laws and regulations; 
• ​Shall be at the sole discretion of the Government; and 
• ​Participants will be required to pass a Due Diligence check performed by the U.S. Army. 

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