Date: Jan 01, 2012 Source: ARMY SBIR Success Story (
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OptTek Systems collaborated with the Military Strength Analysis and Forecasting Branch at the Department of the Army G-1 to develop a tool, OptForce, that supports personnel recruitment, accession, and retention decision making processes for the entire Army team. This task is critical to the human resources readiness of the Total Army across the full spectrum of operations. OptForce is a web-deployed force structure modeling system that provides a simulation enhancement capability to reliably model the force structure and enable the optimization of retention and balanced force goals. It can recommend manpower policies such as U.S. Army Research Laboratory promotions, bonuses, and incentives.
OptForce simulates inventory movement to display the effects the manning system has on readiness, force alignment, and other important human capital characteristics. The software was built on the existing foundation of a commercial metaheuristic-based optimization engine and overcomes weaknesses typically found in the use of agent based modeling including the difficulty in solving the model for optimality.
The G-1 initially employed OptForce to support mission critical force-shaping goals, using it to analyze the "surge" and "draw-down" strength requirements in the Temporary End-Strength Increase planning effort. The Temporary End-Strength Increase enables the deployment of units at minimum 90 percent strength while allowing reset forces to properly man, equip, and train future deploying units. The accuracy of these forecasts is not only crucial for force balance, but the estimate is that for every 10,000 excess soldiers, approximately one billion dollars is required over budget.
Technology Transition:
OptTek and G-1 are working together to refine the tool. Once fully operational in G1 force shaping activities, the plan is toexpand its use to other requirements including the National Guard, Army Reserve, and the human Resources Command. Army G-1 has provided $1M Phase III resources matched by $1.2M additional SBIR Phase II Enhancement funding, and plans more resources in the future to fully transition this technology.
OptTek has also sold a commercial license to Ch2Mhill, generating revenues of approximately $200K to integrate OptForce into their business strategic planning process. OptTek also has developed pilot implementations at the Catholic health Initiatives and the US Navy's OPNAV/N14.
