We make defense contracting easier for our DoD customers and the commercial companies delivering national security solutions. Our fast and flexible contracting process and commitment to establishing a clear path to large-volume defense contracts has created a new way for businesses to work with the DoD on commercial terms at commercial speeds.
Why DIU?
We are the only Department of Defense organization focused exclusively on fielding and scaling commercial technology across the U.S. military to help solve critical problems. DIU has lowered barriers to entry into the defense market for commercial companies driving innovation in emerging and foundational technology areas. DIU leverages Other Transaction authority (10 USC 4022) to award prototype agreements in as few as 60-90 days.
Our team works with our Department partners and companies every step of the way. We help our DoD partners translate national security challenges into problem statements that draw in the best potential commercial solutions and guide the companies we work with through the process to a defense contract award. From the first time a potential DoD partner reaches out to us with a challenge to the moment a new technology is fielded, the DIU team is there to facilitate easy collaboration between our DoD partners and commercial vendors and execute prototype projects with speed and agility. Through this approach, we have increased the U.S. military’s access to critical artificial intelligence, machine learning, autonomy, cyber, energy, human systems, and space capabilities that are essential to our defense.
Vendors that execute a prototyping project to the satisfaction of the sponsoring Government customer and their contract commitments are awarded a Success Memo. The Success Memo enables vendors to do business with any Federal Government Agency, including the DoD, without having to go up for a competitive bid. There is no time restriction on the use of the Success Memo.
Read the DIU Commercial Solutions Opening guide
Search solutions that have already been solved that you can leverage for your DoD organization.
Maintainers troubleshoot electrical faults on a C-5 Galaxy. DIU opened the Predictive Maintenance solicitation in July 2017 on behalf of the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and, as of November 2019, the solution prototyped by C3.ai transitioned to a production-OT agreement. (Staff Sgt. Devin Nothstine/U.S. Air Force)
Artificial Intelligence
Applying artificial intelligence and machine learning to accelerate critical decision making and operational impact
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Autonomy
Accelerating the adoption and scaling of trusted commercial autonomy and improving our ability to counter adversarial systems
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Cyber and Telecom
Securing and protecting the DoD's computer networks, warfighting systems, critical infrastructure and information from attacks to enable communications and enhance situational awareness
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Emerging Technology
Advancing initiatives derived from multi-disciplinary, deep-tech offerings from the commercial and non-traditional ecosystems that do not have a clear, well established pathway within the Department of Defense.
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Energy
Leveraging advancements in the commercial sector to strengthen resilience on military installations and enhance operational energy capabilities.
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Human Systems
Optimizing the human system and its enabling platforms through enhanced equipment, innovative training, and novel health applications
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Space
Developing on-demand access to space, persistent satellite capabilities, and broadband space data transfer
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In addition to its core mission of accelerating technology adoption across the U.S. military, DIU offers both leadership and support to several other strategic defense innovation partnerships at home and abroad.
India-U.S. Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X)
In June 2023, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) launched the India-U.S. Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X), guided by a bilateral collaboration agenda. Learn more.
Do you have a solution to a national security challenge?
We currently have 1 Open Solicitations