Missile Defense Agency - Opportunity for Collaboration

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has published a Special Notice announcing an Opportunity for Collaboration through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) mechanism under 15 U.S.C. 3710a. This notice invites potential partners to collaborate with the Missile Defense Research Lab (MDRL) in developing and demonstrating multi-mission focused technologies with applications across the MDA enterprise. The announcement is not a procurement contract solicitation, Request for Proposal, or indication of future Federal Acquisition Regulation solicitations, but rather an invitation to establish cooperative research partnerships. The notice was posted on December 30, 2025, and represents the MDA's intent to leverage external expertise and resources through collaborative research and development initiatives. This mechanism allows for the sharing of knowledge, expertise, facilities, equipment, and other resources between the government and non-federal partners to advance missile defense capabilities.

The CRADA opportunity focuses on eight strategic technology areas: Hypersonic and Kinetic Defense, Command and Control Battle Management, Integrated Non-Kinetic and Electronic Warfare, Disruptive Technologies, Space-based Sensors/Interceptors/Effectors, Digital Revolution, Radiation Effects, and International Missile Defense System Cooperation. Prospective partners must submit white papers not exceeding eight pages by the February 16, 2026 deadline through the DoD SAFE submission portal, adhering to specified formatting guidelines. Eligible participants include federal agencies, state and local governments, industrial organizations, universities, and other entities capable of contributing resources toward collaborative research. Under CRADA arrangements, the MDA provides personnel, services, facilities, equipment, or intellectual property without monetary compensation, while non-federal partners contribute their own resources to support the collaborative research aligned with MDA's missile defense mission. Anticipated CRADA agreements are structured for approximately one-year durations, with flexibility for tailored timelines based on mutual agreement between parties.