(RFI): Validation of Emerging Defense & Detection Equipment for Readiness (VEDDER) Prototype Accelerator

Statement of Work (SOW)

This Statement of Work (SOW) outlines a rough draft for the "Validation of Emerging Defense & Detection Equipment for Readiness (VEDDER) Prototype Accelerator." The primary objective is to establish a public-private partnership, facilitated by a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, to accelerate the prototyping of new technologies, specifically medical countermeasures (MCMs), by connecting the private sector, high-performance computing (HPC) resources, and the Government. This initiative aims to counter strategic competitors by leveraging the dynamic free-market ecosystem.

The Awardee Partner will function as a continuous innovation hub, actively scouting, vetting, and engaging new commercial companies. They will structure rapid prototyping efforts using commercial-style Business-to-Business (B2B) agreements, integrating multiple industry and academic partners into a "system of systems" framework. Key tasks include:

• Establishing and managing the innovation hub.
• Conducting continuous market research and vetting of emerging dual-use technologies in biotechnology, AI-driven drug discovery, and bioinformatics.
• Performing rigorous foreign influence, security vetting, and risk-based security reviews for all potential partners, adhering to directives like NSPM-33 and DoDI 5000.83.
• Negotiating and executing B2B agreements for rapid prototyping.
• Coordinating the integration of advanced in-silico testing and AI training using Government HPC resources (e.g., LLNL) or equivalent.
• Providing and maintaining a Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) cloud-based program management platform (e.g., Jira, Monday.com) with specific IL5 compliance requirements and continuous Government access.
• Ensuring downstream vendors comply with cybersecurity and supply chain security mandates for any developed software, including SSDF, RMF, and STIG compliance if interfacing with Government networks.

Success will be measured by Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) focused on speed, commercial leverage, and technical throughput. These include:

• Speed of Execution: Time-to-Contract (B2B) within 10-15 days; Idea-to-In-Silico Time accelerated by >60%.
• Capital & Ecosystem Leverage: Private Capital Multiplier (10%-50%+); >70% of B2B agreements with non-traditional defense contractors.
• Technical Throughput: FAIR Compliance Rate (>95%); Speed of data pooling (<48 hours for routine runs); Federated Query Success Rate (>99%); IP-sanitized ingestion rate (100%).
• Strategic Security: 100% compliance on Domestic Manufacturing clauses; IP Gridlock Avoidance (<30 days); >80% Standardized Clause Adoption.

Not explicitly defined in this SOW draft, but work involves unclassified activities with Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) handled under DoD Impact Level 5 (IL5) protocols. All COTS platform infrastructure must be within the Continental United States (CONUS).

• Security: All work unclassified; CUI handled per IL5 protocols. No PII or PHI processing. Downstream software must meet DoD cybersecurity mandates (EO 14028, NIST SP 800-218, DoDI 8510.01, NIST SP 800-53, DISA STIGs).
• COTS Platform: Must have DoW/DoD IL5 PA or equivalence, U.S.-based infrastructure and support, CAC/MFA authentication, FIPS 140-validated crypto, and strict network boundary controls.
• Intellectual Property: Standardized IP templates for B2B agreements, demarcating Background vs. Foreground IP. Government receives Government Purpose Rights (GPR) for Foreground IP. Binding Domestic Manufacturing clauses and March-In Rights for Government-funded prototypes.
• Funding: Milestone-based, disbursed upon successful achievement of KPIs. Government reserves the right to withhold funds for non-performance.
• "Fail Fast" Authority: Awardee must rapidly terminate underperforming B2B agreements and redeploy funds to new partners, subject to a Government veto period.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI seeks information from qualified 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations capable of establishing and operating a technology accelerator under an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement. The VEDDER program aims to accelerate the prototyping of new biotechnology capabilities and innovations for national security, particularly Medical Countermeasures (MCMs), by creating a continuous innovation hub. This hub will bridge the private sector, High-Performance Computing (HPC) resources, and the US Government.

• The selected 501(c)(3) will act as an active, continuous innovation accelerator, not a static consortium.

• Core responsibilities include:

  • Tech Scouting & Vetting: Identifying and validating emerging biotechnology startups, AI data models, and non-traditional vendors.
  • B2B Execution: Executing commercial sub-agreements for "work programs" to shield startups from burdensome accounting standards.
  • HPC Utilization: Facilitating in silico testing and vetting by integrating vendors with Government or commercial HPC infrastructure.
  • Project Management: Managing an IDIQ-like structure for individual prototyping projects.
  • Flowdown Compliance: Ensuring appropriate clauses in B2B agreements to protect USG interests.

• Interested 501(c)(3) organizations are invited to submit a 2-3 page response detailing general capability areas.

• Respondents are also requested to provide comments and changes on the rough DRAFT SOW.

• Submission Deadline: May 27, 2026, no later than 1:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

• Submissions must be in a single Adobe PDF or Microsoft Word document, 2-3 pages (excluding cover/summary), standard 8.5x11 inches, 1-inch margins, 12-point Times New Roman font.

• The Government intends to release a Request for Project Proposal (RPP) on or about May 29, 2026.

• The RFI specifically targets qualified 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations.

• This RFI is for informational and planning purposes only and does not constitute a promise to issue a solicitation.

• No funding will be provided for responses.

• The Government requests an expedited response due to immediate mission requirements.

• Key points of contact for questions are Aaron Skinner and Lionel Love.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI seeks information from qualified 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations capable of establishing and operating a technology accelerator under an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement. The VEDDER program aims to create a continuous innovation hub to accelerate the prototyping of new biotechnology capabilities and innovations, specifically Medical Countermeasures (MCMs), for national security purposes. The government may award up to three Prototype Accelerator Partner (PAP) agreements.

• The selected 501(c)(3) will function as an active, continuous innovation accelerator.

• Core responsibilities include: Tech Scouting & Vetting (identifying and validating emerging biotechnology startups, AI data models, and non-traditional vendors), B2B Execution (executing commercial sub-agreements with startups), HPC Utilization (facilitating in silico testing), Project Management (managing an IDIQ-like structure), and Flowdown Compliance (ensuring appropriate clauses in B2B agreements).

• The effort will leverage 10 U.S.C. § 4022, allowing divergence from rigid Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) processes.

• The government intends to award Prototype Accelerator Partner (PAP) agreements.

• Interested 501(c)(3) organizations are invited to submit a 2-3 page capability statement by 27 May 2026.

• Respondents are also requested to provide comments and track changes on a rough DRAFT SOW by the same deadline.

• Submissions must be electronic via email to the Primary Points of Contact.

• Formatting constraints include: Single Adobe PDF or Microsoft Word document, 2-3 pages (excluding cover/executive summary), Standard 8.5 x 11 inches, 1-inch margins, 12-point Times New Roman font (10-point for tables/graphics).

• The government intends to release a Request for Project Proposal (RPP) on or about 29 May 2026.

• The RFI specifically targets qualified 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations.

• This RFI is for informational and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation.

• No funding will be provided for responses.

• The government is requesting an expedited response due to immediate mission requirements.

• Points of Contact for questions are Aaron Skinner and Lionel Love.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This Statement of Work (SOW) outlines a draft for the "Validation of Emerging Defense & Detection Equipment for Readiness (VEDDER) Prototype Accelerator." The primary goal is to establish a public-private partnership to accelerate the prototyping of medical countermeasures (MCMs) and other defense technologies, leveraging commercial innovation and high-performance computing (HPC) to counter strategic competitors.

• Accelerator Hub Operation: The Awardee will establish and manage a continuous innovation hub, acting as an intermediary between private capital, commercial biotech/AI companies, and government stakeholders.
• Technology Scouting & Vetting: Continuous market research to identify emerging, dual-use technologies in biotechnology and AI. Rigorous vetting of potential partners for technical feasibility, commercial viability, and alignment with government requirements, including a joint Government-Awardee Risk-Based Security Review Board (RBSRB) to mitigate foreign influence and IP theft.
• B2B Prototyping: Negotiation and execution of commercial-style Business-to-Business (B2B) agreements with selected private sector entities to rapidly combine capabilities into cohesive platforms.
• HPC Integration: Coordination of advanced in-silico testing and AI training using government HPC resources (e.g., Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory) or equivalent commercial facilities.
• Program Management: Provision and maintenance of a cloud-based program management platform (COTS) with real-time, role-based government access, adhering to Department of War (DoW) Impact Level 5 (IL5) security requirements.
• Secure Development: Ensuring downstream vendors comply with cybersecurity mandates (EO 14028, NIST SP 800-218, DoD RMF, STIGs) for any developed software, including providing Software Bills of Materials (SBOMs).

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) focus on:

• Speed of Execution: Time-to-Contract (B2B) within 10-15 days; Idea-to-In-Silico Time accelerated by >60%.
• Capital & Ecosystem Leverage: Private Capital Multiplier (10%-50%+); >70% of B2B agreements with non-traditional defense contractors or small businesses.
• Technical Throughput: High FAIR compliance rates (>95%); rapid data pooling (<48 hours); IP-sanitized ingestion rate (100%).
• Strategic Security: 100% compliance on domestic manufacturing clauses; IP Gridlock Avoidance (<30 days); standardized clause adoption (>80%).

Not explicitly defined in this SOW draft, but work involves leveraging US-based HPC and ensuring domestic manufacturing.

• Security: All work unclassified; Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) handled per DoD IL5 protocols. No PII or PHI processing.
• Vetting: Strict adherence to NSPM-33, DoDI 5000.83, and related policies for foreign influence and research security.
• COTS Platform: Must meet DoW IL5 requirements, including US-based infrastructure, CAC/PKI authentication, FIPS 140-validated crypto, and strict network boundary controls.
• Intellectual Property: Clear demarcation of Background vs. Foreground IP; Government Purpose Rights (GPR) for Foreground IP; Domestic Manufacturing clauses; March-In Rights for strategic competitor sales or offshoring.
• "Fail Fast" Authority: Awardee must rapidly terminate underperforming B2B agreements and reallocate funds, subject to a government veto period.