Ombra’s “Face 1st” to Enhance Biometric Facial Recognition Technology for the Department of the Air Force
TAMPA, FL – Ombra LLC announces it has been selected by AFWERX for a SBIR Phase II contract in the amount of $1.25 M focused on Biometric Technologies to address the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF). The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process by accelerating the small business experience through faster proposal to award timelines, changing the pool of potential applicants by expanding opportunities to small business and eliminating bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution.
The DAF began offering the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018 which expanded the range of innovations the DAF funded and in June 2024, Ombra continued to Phase II of its journeys on the Face 1st Contract to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America. Ombra is working this effort with counsel from U.S. Central Command’s Requirements & Technology Division’s Technology Chief, William Swift to deliver new up to date biometric technology for the DAF.
“Ombra is excited to partner with Clarkson University, coupling our commitment to advancing defense technology. Face1st epitomizes Ombra’s dedication to pioneering AI solutions that bolster security measures against evolving threats.” – Michael Fieldson, Founder and President of Ombra.”
About Ombra LLC
Ombra is a well-versed Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) that has extensive contracting, legal, and finance experience based on its Founder’s previous role as USSOCOM’s Source Selection Advisory Committee Lead. Ombra’s focus areas include biometrics, space technologies, artificial intelligence, machine learning, power and energy, & undersea technologies. For more information, visit ombra.us.
About AFRL
The Air Force Research Laboratory is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace force. With a workforce of more than 12,500 across nine technology areas and 40 other operations across the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit afresearchlab.com.
About AFWERX
As the innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFWERX brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. AFWERX employs approximately 325 military, civilian and contractor personnel at six hubs and sites executing an annual $1.4 billion budget. Since 2019, AFWERX has executed 4,697 contracts worth more than $2.6 billion to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit: afwerx.com.
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Company Press Contact:
Michael Fieldson
Company President
Email: [email protected]/
Office: (844) 662-7241
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.
