A10 20240225--RFI Description of Services OSC CMT PSS FINAL.docx

Description of Services: DoD Office of Strategic Capital, Capital Markets Team Professional Support Services

Investment Advisory Services

Department of Defense Office of Strategic Capital (DoD OSC) seeks one or more full-time-equivalent (FTE) Investment Advisors to support its team. Under the direction of DoD OSC leadership, the FTE(s) will provide key support to DoD OSC efforts to attract and scale private capital into statutorily defined Critical Technology Categories (CTCs) through utilization of commercial financial products, including licensing of investment funds and operation of a Federal Credit Program. The FTE(s) must have comprehensive senior/Executive-level expertise spanning capital markets and critical technologies to support the execution of DoD OSC’s investment strategy. The FTEs must also possess the technical skills and capabilities necessary to support rapid scaling of DoD OSC infrastructure and financial products.

The FTE(s) will provide key contributions and subject matter expertise to implementation activities in support of the DoD OSC investment strategy and ongoing efforts to attract and scale private capital investment for critical technologies in support of national security. The FTE(s) will support the intake, evaluation, and due diligence of investment funds (seed, venture, growth, private equity, credit, special situations, and fund of funds) interested in DoD OSC’s partnered critical technologies initiative. Working within DoD OSC and with interagency partners, the FTE(s) will assist with all aspects of the programmatic activity at DoD OSC which includes, but is not limited to, marketing and engagements activities, information technology (IT) system design and implementation, underwriting and performing due diligence for applicants and potential applicants, portfolio management of licensed and approved funds, and completion of advanced financial modeling and valuations both at the fund and the portfolio company level. The FTE(s) will also complete research, analysis, reporting on industry and market trends, and will iteratively engage with stakeholders across the investor ecosystem and the interagency participating in the investment ecosystem.

The Investments Advisor FTE(s) may perform the following duties:

· Supporting DoD OSC work with interagency partners by contributing and being an integral part of the team performing review, due diligence and portfolio management of investment funds participating in DoD OSC programs.

· Supporting data management and workflow refinement including reports to Congress and DOD regarding DoD OSC programs and initiatives.

· Providing mentorship and knowledge transfer to junior team members; serving as a key catalyst to successful investment outcomes.

· Leading the research for additional DoD OSC programs, including comprehensive financial analysis, market research, site visits, and document review with interagency partners and other subject matter experts.

· Reviewing investment strategies, portfolio company business plans and new/proposed program scope and goals to ensure mission alignment including a review of how each will make an impact in CTCs, as well as national and economic security.

· Conducting advanced financial modeling, sensitivity analysis and valuations related to investment fund cash flow models and their respective portfolio investments.

· Formulating independent and informed perspectives about the attractiveness of investment opportunities and presenting those opportunities to those charged with decision making at DoD OSC.

· Supporting pipeline review meetings by ensuring that the funnel of prospective applicants is clearly documented, captured in reporting, and discussed during prospective applicant funnel review sessions.

· Constructing compelling arguments around opinions and efficiently communicating them verbally and in concise and persuasive written materials.

· Drafting sophisticated and detailed investment memorandums and presentations related to investment opportunities.

· Drafting policies, procedures, and workflows in support of DoD OSC activities.

· Architecting a customer relationship manager (CRM) and data management platform to support DoD OSC activities.

· Providing graphic design support for marketing materials and other presentations.

· Providing website development and design support to drive search engine optimization (SEO) and engagements in up-to Impact Level (IL) 5 environments potentially including a secure portal for communicating with external stakeholders.

· Event planning support from inception to support during conferences and roundtable events both in person and virtual.

· Data mining and data science including big data, artificial intelligence/machine learning and other tools to support mission of DoD OSC.

· Development of compliance and self-audit framework(s) for the investments process including, but not limited to, automated tools to assist with compliance functions.

· Experience in user interface and user experience development for DoD OSC website and investment fund portal.

· Overseeing portfolio monitoring, examinations, and audits; including advanced financial analysis and reporting.

· Clearly communicating with fund managers and other external stakeholders, including providing clear communication regarding whether they appear to meet the criteria for CTCs.

· Supporting investment analysts throughout the fund licensing process, evaluating new information that arises and ensuring that funds continue to meet the criteria for CTCs.

· Supporting oversight of portfolio monitoring and management duties, including advanced financial analysis and reporting for existing investments.

· Providing strategic guidance and support to the leadership of DoD OSC.

The Investments Advisor FTE(s) should optimally possess the following qualifications:

· Ten or more years of combined experience in alternative investment transactions and/or the defense innovation ecosystem.

· Thorough understanding of capital strategies, alternative investments, budgetary methods, practices, procedures, regulations, policies, and processes.

· Possess a working understanding of CTCs, their associated markets, and the applications both to the commercial markets and the DoD.

· Graphic design and marketing experience

· Website development expertise and experience.

· Event planning expertise and experience.

· CRM / Application Programing Interface configuration, implementation, and other IT platform skills.

· Past performance in development of IL5, government-approved infrastructures.

· Background in compliance training and auditing.

· A proficient understanding of the defense innovation ecosystem including relationships with other agencies and programs adjacent to and synergistic with the programs at DoD OSC.

· Demonstrated track record of professional success, showcasing senior-level responsibilities and achievements in and around the types of responsibilities described above.

· Exceptional leadership abilities and a proven track record of driving successful investment outcomes.

· Strong work ethic, ownership mindset, and ability to inspire and mentor junior team members.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to provide exemplary representation of DoD OSC.

· Advanced analytical capabilities, including extensive experience in quantitative modeling and risk assessment.

· Strong critical thinking skills, with an ability to challenge the status quo and offer process improvements.

· Ability to nurture relationships across organizations and leverage strong communication skills to support inter-agency liaison activities.

· Deep investment judgment and a comprehensive understanding of risk/reward profiles.

· Proven ability to collaborate effectively with interagency working groups.

· Ability to obtain a TS SCI security clearance.

Investment and Capital Market Analysis Services

DoD OSC seeks one or more FTE Senior Level Investment and Capital Market Analysts to support its team. Under the direction of DoD OSC leadership, the FTE(s) will support management of the intake, evaluation, and due diligence of funds interested in the DoD OSC partnered critical technology initiative. Working across both DoD OSC and interagency partners, the FTE(s) will support oversight of the sourcing of new private investment funds, management of existing portfolio relationships, the conduct of advanced portfolio modeling and projections, and engagement with private capital organizations.

The FTE(s) will provide key contributions and subject matter expertise to implementation of activities in support of the DoD OSC investment strategy and ongoing efforts to attract and scale private capital investment for critical technologies in support of national security. The FTE(s) will support the intake, evaluation, and due diligence of investments funds (seed, venture, growth, private equity, credit, special situations, and fund of funds) interested in DoD OSC’s partnered critical technologies initiative. Working within DoD OSC and with interagency partners, the FTE(s) will assist with all aspects of the programmatic activity at DoD OSC which includes, but is not limited to, marketing and engagements activities, information technology (IT) system design and implementation, underwriting and performing due diligence for applicants and potential applicants, portfolio management of licensed and approved funds, and completion of advanced financial modeling and valuations both at the fund and the portfolio company level. The FTE(s) will also complete research, analysis, reporting on industry and market trends, and will iteratively engage with stakeholders across the investor ecosystem and the interagency participating in the investment ecosystem.

The Senior Level Investment and Capital Market Analysts FTE(s) may perform the following duties:

· Supporting DoD OSC work with interagency partners by understanding and streamlining DoD OSC intake and diligence processes for fund licensing and portfolio support.

· Supporting pipeline review meetings by ensuring that the funnel of prospective applicants is clearly documented, captured in reporting, and discussed during prospective applicant funnel review sessions.

· Providing mentorship and knowledge transfer to junior team members; serving as a key catalyst to successful investment outcomes.

· Leading the research for prospective fund partnerships, including comprehensive financial analysis, market research, site visits, and document review. This also includes a detailed strategy on how prospective funds will make an impact in CT sectors.

· Conducting advanced financial modeling and sensitivity analysis related to fund investment opportunities.

· Guiding and participating in meetings with managers, conducting thorough due diligence, and leveraging outreach and marketing strategies to find ventures aligned with CT priorities.

· Formulating independent and informed perspectives about the attractiveness of investment opportunities and topic areas.

· Constructing compelling arguments around opinions and efficiently communicating them verbally and in concise and persuasive written materials.

· Drafting sophisticated investment memorandums and presentations related to broad capital strategy initiatives.

· Clearly communicating with fund managers and other external stakeholders, including providing clear communication regarding whether they appear to meet the criteria for CT sectors.

· Supporting investment analysts throughout the fund licensing process, evaluating new information that arises and ensuring that funds continue to meet the criteria for CT sectors.

· Overseeing portfolio monitoring and management duties, including advanced financial analysis, and reporting for existing investments.

· Providing strategic guidance and support to private capital entities throughout the licensing and fundraising process.

The Senior Level Investment and Capital Market Analysts FTE(s) should optimally possess the following qualifications:

· Ten or more years of combined experience in venture capital, private equity/credit fund, direct investing, or development and deployment of CT.

· Thorough understanding of capital strategies, venture capital, budgetary methods, practices, procedures, regulations, policies, and processes.

· An understanding of the CTCs & their associated markets.

· Demonstrated track record of professional success, showcasing senior-level responsibilities and achievements.

· Exceptional leadership abilities and a proven track record of driving successful investment outcomes.

· Strong work ethic, ownership mindset, and ability to inspire and mentor junior team members.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to credibly represent the organization(s).

· Advanced analytical capabilities, including extensive experience in quantitative modeling and risk assessment.

· Strong critical thinking skills, with an ability to challenge the status quo and offer process improvements.

· Ability to nurture relationships across organizations and leverage strong communication skills to serve as an inter-agency liaison.

· Deep investment judgment and a comprehensive understanding of risk/reward profiles.

The Journey-Level Investment and Capital Market Analysts FTE(s) may perform the following duties:

· Understanding and streamlining processes for interagency partnered programs and portfolio support.

· Participating in the due diligence process for prospective fund partnerships, including financial analysis, market research, and document review.

· Performing financial modeling and sensitivity analysis related to fund investment opportunities.

· Preparing for and participating in meetings with managers, conducting ongoing due diligence, and scouting technologies and ventures related to strategic priorities.

· Forming an independent opinion about the attractiveness of a sector or investment opportunity.

· Constructing an argument around an opinion and efficiently communicating that argument both verbally and in written materials.

· Drafting investment memorandums and presentations related to broad capital strategy initiatives.

· Assisting with portfolio monitoring and management duties, including financial analysis and reporting for existing investments.

The Journey-Level Investment and Capital Market Analysts FTE(s) should optimally possess the following qualifications:

· Four or more years of combined experience in venture capital, private equity/credit fund, direct investing, or development and deployment of CT.

· Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Accounting, or Engineering.

· Strong work ethic and takes pride in ownership.

· Ability to represent DoD OSC credibly in written and interpersonal communications.

· Demonstrable analytical capabilities, including strong quantitative/modeling skills.

· High proficiency in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

· Strong verbal and written communication skills, able to quickly distill the key points of a conversation.

· Developing investment judgment and a general understanding of risk/reward trade-offs.

· Knowledge of commonly used capital strategies, venture capital, budgetary methods, practices, procedures, regulations, policies, and processes.