Documentary Needs Requirement updated 071426.docx

Introduction This is a Request for Information (RFI) issued for market research purposes only. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is conducting market research to identify qualified and capable sources to provide strategic, feature-length documentary production and, critically, an established mass-distribution network. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP) and does not commit the Government to award a contract.

Background The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) executes a critical, global mission to counter and deter weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and improvised threat networks. The complexity, sensitivity, and success of this mission are often, by design, not visible to the American public, Congress, foreign partners, or potential recruits. To enhance strategic communication, foster public trust, build partner capacity, and support recruitment goals, there is a requirement to produce a feature-length, cinematic-quality documentary that translates DTRA’s mission into a compelling narrative for a broader audience.

Statement of Need A strategic production partner is required to produce a documentary that can successfully navigate the complexities of DTRA’s secure operations and deliver a high-impact, authentic story to a mass audience. The required partner must possess a rare combination of capabilities:

An established reputation and documented trust within the highest levels of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and its partners.

A proven ability to gain access to and film within highly secure and classified environments.

A massive, pre-existing distribution network with a track record of reaching millions of viewers in the target demographic.

A unique storytelling approach that makes complex defense topics accessible and compelling to a general audience, including both the public and key policymakers.

Capability Gap While DTRA’s in-house Visual Information (VI) department and its existing contract support are proficient at producing content for internal, archival, and traditional government communication channels, they are not positioned to meet the unique requirements of this strategic initiative. DTRA has identified a gap in reaching a massive, engaged public audience with authentic, journalistic-style storytelling.

DTRA is seeking an industry partner capable of navigating the complexities of secure operations while simultaneously providing an existing platform to deliver the story to millions of viewers.

Required Capabilities Interested vendors must demonstrate the ability to meet the following specialized requirements:

· Integrated Security & Access: A proven, documented history of operating safely and securely "inside the wire" alongside military Public Affairs and operational security teams. Vendors must demonstrate experience filming within highly secure, restricted, or classified DoD/partner-nation environments (e.g., embedded operations with specialized units, aviation platforms, or sensitive facilities) without disrupting mission operations.

· Established Mass Distribution Network: The vendor must possess a pre-existing, organic distribution network or platform with massive reach. Vendors must demonstrate an established audience base (e.g., platforms with over 1 million active subscribers/followers) and a track record of individual content releases generating multi-million view counts among the target demographic (general public, recruiting-age civilians, and policymakers).

· Authentic, Earned Storytelling: A unique production capability that eschews standard "promotional" video styles in favor of authentic, cinematic, and journalistic documentary storytelling. The vendor must demonstrate an ability to translate complex defense, scientific, or strategic topics into plain language that resonates with a highly skeptical civilian audience.

· DoD & Interagency Trust: An established reputation for handling sensitive defense topics with accuracy and operational security, backed by a portfolio of similar high-level engagements with the U.S. Department of Defense, its Combatant Commands, or allied partners (e.g., NATO).

Submission Instructions Responses shall be limited to four (4) 8x11 pages and shall:

Responses must be submitted by email to the identified point of contact (POC) and address all requested information. The POC is Ms. Carrie Lucas at carrie.a.lucas3.civ@mail.mil. All responses must be received no later than 12:00 PM (local Fort Belvoir, VA time), 17 July 2026.

This announcement is for planning purposes only and shall not be considered as an obligation by the Government to acquire any products or services. The Government reserves the right to issue a solicitation or not issue a solicitation, including terminating this announcement, without any other notice, at any time.

Disclaimer and Important Notes:

This is a Request for Information. There is no solicitation available at this time. Requests for Solicitation and inquiries related to same will not receive a response. THIS NOTICE IS PUBLISHED FOR MARKET RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY, AND IN NO WAY OBLIGATES THE GOVERNMENT TO ISSUE A SOLICITATION OR OTHERWISE MAKE A CONTRACT AWARD. Any and all information submitted in response to this synopsis is strictly voluntary. The Government will not pay for any information submitted in response to this notice and shall become the property of DTRA. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, DTRA may issue a pre-solicitation synopsis and an RFP. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation which may be published in the future.

Confidentiality:

No classified or confidential information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s). Any proprietary information should be clearly marked.