DIU OnRamp Hub FAQ Response July 2026.docx.pdf

DIU OnRamp Hub FAQ Response

This list represents a consolidation of the questions that were asked to minimize repeats and duplicates. If you feel that your question has not been addressed, please email onramp@theari.us.

Question 1: Is it possible that there could be multiple hubs in a state; or could one hub represent multiple states? Would a multi-state response be considered?

Answer: Current structure/goal is that a state would have a single OnRamp Hub/location within a state.

Nothing prohibits a multi-state concept being provided as a response. The response would still need to be considered and address the criteria for location selection that was previously published.

Question 2: Can you share why Washington State is listed in Question 8?

Answer: The RFP will be nationwide and not limited to Washington State. The questionnaire has been updated on SAM.GOV to remove Washington State from the question.

Question 3: If we have capability to access Military Commands, Ranges, Universities, and rapid advanced manufacturing capability beyond 100 miles but within the state can we include them? (i.e., is this 100-mile radius a “hard rule”)

Answer: To consistently assess locations, identified capabilities must be within a 100-mile radius of the proposed location metro.

Question 4: Can an OnRamp Hub support technology adoption beyond its home state by facilitating engagement with mission partners, adjacent commands, or other OnRamp Hubs when a capability addresses common operational requirements across regions or Services?

Answer: Yes, OnRamp Hubs do support technology adoption beyond its state boundaries.

Question 5: How does DIU define “Headquartered” in relation to entity location?

Answer: Headquartered is defined as a company having its primary business address in the state which they intend to support. However, companies can provide alternate concepts of how they meet the criteria to be headquartered in the state of the proposed location without being incorporated in the state.

The response would have to clearly articulate and demonstrate how the organization has an existing dedicated and substantial local presence to meet its mission. Past successes on the program have demonstrated the need for direct and existing ties and connections to the local community.

Question 6: If an entity is headquartered in one state, but administers an innovation program/center in another state, can we use the non-HQ state for our application?

Answer: Please see response to Question #5.

Question 7: How does existing DIU office/corporate presence impact location/entity selection? Would a DIU hub application be weakened or strengthened if it is in proximity to an original DIU site?

Answer: The location of a DIU office will not impact the Government’s consideration of a concept.

Question 8: Given the location selection criteria, is the DC/MD/VA area off the table because DIU already has a (corporate) presence in this area?

Answer: No.

Question 9: What type of entities are allowed to apply to this RFP

Answer: Any entity that is eligible to receive an award under 2 CFR 200 and can do so in accordance with the requirements of 2 CFR 200.

Question 10: Is DIU looking to establish entirely new organizations, or is there a preference for organizations that can leverage existing innovation ecosystems, facilities, and partnerships to become operational more quickly?

Answer: DIU is looking for organizations that can operationalize rapidly and be mission-ready in a short period of time. A new organization would need to provide strong evidence that key personnel and/or the ecosystem have this capability.

Question 11: Can we offer up a teaming/partnership structure - let's say a non-profit and university as an example working together?

Answer: Yes.

Question 12: Can an organization answer the RFI with the intent that they play a part of the Hub (via sub) but not be the prime?

Answer: While we welcome innovative concepts, organizations that individually do not meet all of the criteria may not be considered.

Question 13: Are there any restrictions, or concerns with partnering with large primes or OEM's?

Answer: All submissions meeting advertised criteria will be considered as part of this process.

Question 14: The spreadsheet mentions using appendices. How should these be formatted/organized?

Answer: Please follow instructions on the questionnaire.

Question 15: To be clear -- 10 sentences per question is not the same as 10 sentences per cell. Two of the questions have two parts (two cells) - for those two questions, are 20 sentences allowed?

Answer: 10 sentences per cell.

Question 16: What kind of response are you expecting to Attachment 2?

Answer: Attachment 2 is provided as information only. We are only expecting entities to return the provided Excel spreadsheet template per the RFI instructions.

Question 17: What is expected/required for response submission; PDF, word file, excel, etc..

Answer: We are only expecting entities to return the provided Excel spreadsheet template per instructions provided in the announcement.

Question 18: After we submit responses to questionnaire, will there be some kind of RFP? What is the timeline?

Answer: The purpose of the sources sought is to identify potential Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub locations and qualified organizations to establish and operate OnRamp Hubs as a sub-awardee under a cooperative agreement under 2 CFR 200.

Question 19: Are we allowed to submit additional materials with the questionnaire or should responses be limited to the form alone? Are letters of support allowed/encouraged? Can we include website links within the excel responses?

Answer: Additional materials will not be considered unless specifically requested in the Excel template.

Question 20: Can organizations submit multiple responses, one submission (ten sentences) per proposed location?

Answer: No. Organizations should put forward their one best submission.

Question 21: Can respondents satisfy portions of the required capabilities through formal partnerships with universities, nonprofits, industry, and state organizations, or is DIU expecting all capabilities to reside within the applicant organization?

Answer: Entities can provide alternative concepts in their response. However, alternative concepts need to meet the distinct, defined requirements of the RFI (e.g. facility requirements).

Question 22: Do we need to have a CAGE code to respond to the RFI?

Answer: A CAGE code is not required to respond to the RFI, however, an organization will need to have a CAGE code prior to any subaward, if the Government chooses to proceed with one.

Question 23: Could Section 9 enhancements include hub-operated secure collaboration capabilities, such as reservable classified workspaces or secure collaboration environments, to support technical discovery, workflow demonstrations, and deployment planning by appropriately cleared participants?

Answer: Enhancements are not being requested at this time. In execution, enhancements are selected based on how they advance the goals of DIU and DOW.

Question 24: For the required staffing, is DIU evaluating current staffing levels, or is a phased staffing plan acceptable if selected?

Answer: If the government chooses to proceed with a subaward, any subawardee would incorporate the proposed staffing plan; staffing would be required in a manner to support Initial Operating Capability (IOC) and Full Operational Capability (FOC) as negotiated.

Question 25: How should responses align to the items listed in the "Criteria and Consideration" document with the Excel questions? What kind of response are you looking for to the Criteria and Consideration for Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub Locations?

Answer: Questions 1-4 of the questionnaire align to the criteria and considerations document

Question 26: If you don't submit to the RFI, can you still submit to the RFP when / if one is issued?

Answer: It is strongly recommended that prospective sub-awardees submit a questionnaire.

Question 27: What score are we utilizing on the index? There are multiple index scores, is it the Innovation Intelligence Index?

Answer: EDA Innovation Intelligence Index. Please refer to the criteria and consideration for OnRamp Hub locations posted on SAM.GOV and link provided within questionnaire. Link here:

https://www.statsamerica.org/innovation/ii3.aspx

Question 28: How many DIU sites will be selected?

Answer: Unknown at this time.

Question 29: What should we expect the total award amount to be? This has specific implications for the cost-share amounts and the sources sought for non-federal funds.

Answer: Unknown at this time.

Question 30: What is the DIU Hub Organizational structure and operational relationship to DIU? Is this a new award or will it be a subaward managed by ARI?

Answer: The OnRamp Hub program is a program of DIU with the execution supported by ARI. Any award to execute an OnRamp Hub would be a subaward to ARI on its Cooperative Agreement.

Question 31: Will this be a CRADA?

Answer: No. OnRamp Hubs are subawardees to ARI on its Cooperative Agreement.

Question 32: Will you flow down a DD254 to the hub?

Answer: If necessary to facilitate Hub operations.

Question 33: In reference to vendor question 10, at what stage in the process must sources of non-federal funding be formally documented or committed? How detailed do you need it to be at the RFI stage, compared to a proposal submission, or after award?

Answer: If the government chooses to move forward with a subaward, this would be needed at the time of budget submission.

Question 34: The SOW requires cost share of "at least ten percent of the total award amount," but no award amount appears anywhere. What is the anticipated annual funding level per hub and the expected period of performance, so we can scope our cost-share commitment and staffing plan?

Answer: The purpose of this question is to establish that an organization (1) understands allowable, allocable, and reasonable cost share, and (2) has a top-level plan on how to obtain it. Exact amounts are unknown at this time.

Question 35: What is allowable as a match? Is this a consortium or individual opportunity?

Answer: Respondents should refer to the Cost Sharing and Match guidelines outlined in 2 CFR 200.306.

Question 36: What influence or input will ARI have on who is selected?

Answer: None.

Question 37: Do some questions/responses weigh heavier than others?

Answer: No.

Question 38: If there is an existing presence of DoW acquisition and RDT&E support in a region, does that work against or for a proposal? Put another way: Are you prioritizing complimentary capabilities or geographic reach into locations where DoW does not have a strong presence within?

Answer: Potential locations will be considered based on the published criteria, and their ability to further the goals of the OnRamp Hub program, and the priorities of DIU and the DoW.

Question 39: Is there an anticipated timeline for an RFP release once you've analyzed the market research? Are there FY27 funds available for new hubs? When Is the decision going to be finalized?

Answer: The purpose of the sources sought is to identify potential Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub locations and qualified organizations to establish and operate OnRamp Hubs as a sub-awardee under a cooperative agreement under 2 CFR 200

Question 40: What metrics will you use to assess Workforce and talent pool availability?

Answer: This is included in the EDA Innovation Intelligence Index. Please refer to the criteria and consideration for OnRamp Hub locations posted on SAM.GOV for additional information.

Question 41: Does the event space have to be within the dedicated space or can we leverage other nearby space for large events?

Answer: Event space must be within the dedicated OnRamp Hub space.

Question 42: What is the ideal amount of square footage that your typical onramps have?

Answer: Square footage varies; the space must be able to accommodate events of at least 100 people and meet the space requirements identified in the SOW.

Question 43: When you say self-sustainment in five years is the preference in the criteria/considerations, what does the end-state look like to a Hub that operates with zero DIU funding, or one that reduces reliance on federal funding over time or something else?

Answer: The purpose of this question is to establish that an organization (1) understands allowable, allocable, and reasonable cost share, and (2) has a top-level plan on how to obtain it.

Question 44: Are there any CMMC requirements applicable to the host organization?

Answer: Organizations may need to implement CMMC and should plan for that requirement.

Question 45: Are there specific mission sets within the Department of War that are of higher interest to DIU? Will a single Hub be expected to encompass a wide range of defense technology needs and commercial technology offerings, or will they be specific to certain technologies (biotech, electronics, opto., etc.) be specific to certain technologies.

Answer: As the local front door to the Department of War, OnRamp Hubs are expected to support all types of technologies within their ecosystem OnRamp Hubs, being a DIU program, are also expected to be responsive to enterprise guidance and prioritization

Question 46: Does DIU anticipate any OCI risks to the selected company or institution for solutions identified and developed throughout the OnRamp process with the ability to support other development efforts across the DoW?

Answer: No OCI risks are anticipated. However, Conflict of Interest provisions will flow down to all subawardees and subawardees will be expected to meet the Conflict-of-Interest provisions of 2 CFR 200.

Question 47: The IV&V "Test Capability Access" service described in Section 2.6.1 references access to government-affiliated test infrastructure. Could this include classified development, integration, or test environments for technologies intended to operate on government networks? Are hubs going to be required to handle classified material, secure networks. Would this be viewed as an enhancement if there was proximity to said resources?

Answer: OnRamp Hub sites can leverage a wide variety of capabilities extant in their respective ecosystems. This would depend on what the capability entails, and if it has the potential to move the program, DIU and DOW’s objectives forward.

Question 48: When you say "Stand up Operational capability relatively quickly" to include Hires...what specifically does "relatively quickly" mean. Days, Months, year???

Answer: At time of subagreement award OnRamp Hubs execute based on Initial Operating and Full Operating Capability milestones that are negotiated prior to award. However, DIU wishes to operate this program on an aggressive timeline.

Question 49: For non-traditional companies developing technologies that operate on DoW networks, does DIU envision OnRamp Hubs supporting recurring government engagement throughout deployment and sustainment, or primarily during time bound IV&V and transition activities?

Answer: OnRamp Hubs regularly engage within their ecosystem as part of their regular operations in addition to supporting time bound IV&V and transition activities

Question 50: For companies already supporting one government organization, can an OnRamp Hub help accelerate adoption by additional commands or mission partners through documenting operational outcomes, sharing best practices, and facilitating connections with prospective government users?

Answer: Potentially

Question 51: For academic partners that may be awarded a hub, is it correct, based on the response that "hubs would be the local front door for the DOW, and that anyone who walks in the door must be supported", that the academic-centered hub would need to support the development of lethal force/weapons? Wouldn't hubs have a choice for the scope of the technologies and government needs they support through the hub, based on their regional expertise?

Answer: The OnRamp Hub program is a network of front doors to quickly identify and evaluate commercial technologies for warfighter needs. Given the differences across regions, the way that each individual OnRamp Hub could support the mission could vary, but ultimately, it must help move the Department of War’s mission forward

Question 52: Do all employees need to be hired or would a hiring plan suffice for 1-2 of them? Can there be overlap with key team personnel who are already on staff that will work on this or could be transferred over?

Answer: The required positions outlined in the SOW must be hired by date annotated in the agreement for Full Operating capability