Department of the Navy Rapid Innovation Fund

This BAA is primarily for the validation and transition through the Rapid Innovation Fund (RIF) of technologies developed by small businesses (less than 500 employees) including those developed under Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II awards and under DoD reimbursed Independent Research and Development (IR&D) that directly support Department of Navy (DoN) needs and programs.

RIF intends to fund projects that have already been through the early stages of R&D (primarily through SBIR or IR&D funding). The proposed RIF effort must advance the technology by validating and demonstrating the capability in a realistic environment (Technology Readiness levels 6 and 7, respectively). The R&D efforts to be funded under this BAA will consist of Advanced Component Development and Prototypes, and the funds available to support awards are Budget Activity 4.

"Independent Research and Development" is defined as R&D initiated and conducted by defense contractors independent of DoD control and without direct DoD funding. IR&D includes: (1) basic research, (2) applied research, (3) development, and (4) systems and other concept formulation studies. IR&D does not include R&D performed under grant or contract from the Government or third parties and does not include technical effort specifically to support bid or proposal activities. (IR&D is defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 31.205-18(a).)

Those selected for award may receive up to $3M in RIF funding; developmental efforts should be completed within 24 months, with fielding scheduled for not more than 36 months after contract award. Funds available for awards are $24 million, contingent upon acceptable proposals. The Government may provide additional funds, but there is no commitment by the Government that the total amount of awards will exceed $24 million.

The goals of the DoN Rapid Innovation Fund (RIF) are to enhance and accelerate delivery of military capability, reduce the cost of weapons systems either fielded or under development, or improve the quality of life for service personnel, by meeting urgent operational needs or other critical national security needs. Technologies of interest will be able to clearly identify and define how they satisfy a Joint Urgent Operational Need (JUON), Navy Urgent Operational Need (UON), Marine Corps Urgent Universal Need (UUN), critical National Security Need as cited in a Presidential Executive Order or equivalent document, and/or support rapid insertion into a Department of Navy (DoN) Program of Record (PoR) or other acquisition program. In order to be considered, technologies proposed must show a clear transition path into a DoN PoR or as a fielded DoN prototype system.

White Papers are required prior to submitting a Full Proposal.