DLA Emergent IV Research and Development Program
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) has issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for its Emergent IV Research and Development Program, seeking scientific study and experimentation to advance the state-of-the-art in various areas. This BAA has a ceiling of $125 million and remains open until June 12, 2027. Interested parties submit White Papers, which, if of sufficient interest, may lead to requests for technical and cost proposals.
Purpose & Scope
This BAA addresses DLA's need for R&D in areas not covered by its annual R&D planning. It aims to foster innovation and increase knowledge in critical technological and logistical domains. The BAA is open for five years, and Attachment B, detailing Areas of Interest (AOIs), will be amended as needed.
Areas of Interest (AOIs)
The BAA covers a wide range of R&D topics, with recent amendments adding or revising several key areas:
- Medical Logistics (AOI A): Solutions for medical logistics challenges, including data analytics, pricing, and clinical standardization.
- Advanced Manufacturing (AOI C): Innovative ideas in additive manufacturing (AM) for the DLA supply chain.
- Emerging Technologies (AOI D): Enhancing part, component, and logistical product data granularity, availability, and interoperability.
- Energy Research Program (AOI G): Operational Energy Integration, focusing on improvements to DoD Class III Bulk Fuel POL supply systems.
- Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Applications (AOI H): Includes a new subtopic on Generative Artificial Intelligence for content generation, data manipulation, and content assistance.
- Human-Machine Teaming (AOI O): Focuses on DLA operational organizations, though specific detailed requirements have been recently deleted.
- Critical Emerging Technologies Transition and Adoption (AOI P): Identifying, testing, piloting, and prototyping emerging technologies and building collaborative partnerships.
- Troop Support Construction and Equipment - Class IV (AOI Q): New research areas include construction and barrier procurement studies, shelf life/pre-hydration of CSA cement, and self-consolidating cementitious systems for ballistic-damaged airfields.
- Novel High-Performance Graphite and Graphite-Oxide based Firefighting Foams (AOI R): A newly added area for critical military applications.
DLA J6 Hackathon
A specific initiative under this BAA, the DLA J6 Hackathon, focuses on AI/ML applications (AOI H). Key dates for the Hackathon include:
- White Paper Submission Deadline: April 26, 2024
- In-person Demonstrations: June 24, 2024
- Contracting Officer Notification of Award: September 20, 2024
Contract Details & Eligibility
Awards are primarily contemplated as cost-type contracts (cost, cost-sharing, or cost-plus-fixed-fee), with fixed-price contracts also possible. Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) language has been incorporated. Eligibility now includes consideration of contractor/subcontractor foreign affiliations. The BAA incorporates numerous FAR and DFARS clauses related to intellectual property, data rights, telecommunications equipment, and NIST SP 800-171 DoD Assessment Requirements.
Submission & Evaluation
Interested parties must submit a White Paper via email to RANDD.DCSO@dla.mil. White Papers are reviewed against the topic for technical feasibility and viability. If selected, DLA will request full technical and cost proposals. Evaluation considers technical importance, cost realism, and reasonableness. Large businesses and non-profits with awards exceeding $750,000 require subcontracting plans.
Contact Information
For questions, contact Sara Cepeda at sara.cepeda@dla.mil or 215-737-5498, or the R&D Mailbox at RandD.DCSO@dla.mil. Questions should be labeled "Emergent IV BAA Questions."