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CLASS ACT - Investors enabling the countering of unmanned systems in maritime environments
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Project Description
The Bridge Program at the Department of War Innovation Unit (DIU) invites submissions to this topic area under the Classified Access to Address Critical Technology (CLASS ACT) Solicitation HQ084526SC002, which should be referenced prior to submitting to this topic area. Please note that this is a pilot effort and not a traditional DIU CSO opportunity, to increase the numbers of cleared vendors that can support this topic area. This effort is raising the probability of commercial technology adoption by helping to ensure that nontraditional defense contractors are able to meet critical operational needs that require clearances.
DIU is interested in submission from private capital firms with investment experience in technologies related to countering unmanned systems in maritime environments. When private capital providers understand the Department’s most pressing challenges, capital can be deployed to enable technologists to develop, mature, and commercialize capabilities important to DoW. At the same time, the Department can make appropriate project and capability development decisions based on market dynamics captured and shared with DoW by investors.
This topic area seeks proposals from investors that provide capital to founders that counter unmanned systems in maritime environments.
Topic Area Description
Due to budgeting cycles, it can take 2 years between when the Department decides to buy a capability and when it actually initiates the competitive acquisition process. This is lost time that could be used by future awardees to dial-in the technology, set up manufacturing for scale and speed, and mature their commercial side of the business, further derisking future DoW purchases. CLASS ACT seeks to align private capital to DoW's most pressing challenges requiring access to classified information.
DIU seeks private capital firms that possess deep market expertise in the technologies that enable DoW to counter unmanned systems in maritime environments, have had success investing in companies that can address DoW priorities, are ready with capital, and can be a financial bridge, ensuring that the best technologists are set up for success while the Department prepares for future contracts.
Eligibility Requirements
This list is not exhaustive and offerors should refer to the Bridge Program CLASS ACT Solicitation HQ084526SC002 on sam.gov (Do not refer to Defense Innovation Unit Commercial Solutions Opening)
- Must not have a current or previously held facility clearance
- Must qualify as a nontraditional government contractor
- Has demonstrated investment experience in technologies related to countering unmanned systems in maritime environments
- Has available capital to invest of at least $100 million, cannot be from adversarial sources of capital
- Has an average investment size of $5m in companies that enable U. S. national security and a track record of investing in companies that counter unmanned systems in maritime environments
- Key management personnel (as defined by DCSA) must be U.S. Citizens
Awarding Process
DIU
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Potential Follow-On Production Contract for Prototype Other Transaction Agreements
Companies are advised that any Prototype Other Transaction (OT) agreement awarded in response to this solicitation may result in the direct award of a follow-on production contract or agreement without the use of further competitive procedures. Follow-on production activities will result from successful prototype completion.
The follow-on production contract or agreement will be available for use by one or more organizations within the Department of Defense. As a result, the magnitude of the follow-on production contract or agreement could be significantly larger than that of the Prototype OT agreement. All Prototype OT agreements will include the following statement relative to the potential for follow-on production: “In accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 4022(f), and upon a determination that the prototype project for this transaction has successfully been completed, this competitively awarded Prototype OT agreement may result in the award of a follow-on production contract or transaction without the use of competitive procedures.”
Common issues with submissions
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Submission Form
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We Work With You
If we think there’s a good match between your solution and our DoD partners, we’ll invite you to provide us with a full proposal — this is the beginning of negotiating all the terms and conditions of a proposed prototype contract.
After a successful prototype, the relationship can continue and even grow, as your company and any interested DoD entity can easily enter into follow-on contracts.
Our Process
We solicit commercial solutions that address current needs of our DoD partners. (View all open solicitations and challenges.
You send us a short brief about your solution.
We’ll get back to you within 30 days if we’re interested in learning more through a pitch. If we're not interested, we'll strive to let you know ASAP.