National Security Innovation Capital (NSIC) - Commercial Acceleration Opportunity (CAO)
Special Notice Posted
- Solicitation number
- HQ0845-24-S-N001
- Agency
-
Office of the Secretary of Defense
Department of Defense
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- PSC
- 9999 Miscellaneous Items
- Place of performance
- United States
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The National Security Innovation Capital (NSIC) Commercial Acceleration Opportunity (CAO) is a continuously open competitive solicitation published by the Office of the Secretary of Defense seeking proposals from early-stage technology startups developing dual-use hardware products and materials. NSIC's mission focuses on strengthening the national security innovation base by addressing the shortfall of private investment from trusted sources in technology startups whose products have both commercial and defense applications. The solicitation operates under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 4022 and seeks to award Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) to technology startups at various stages of prototype development with Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 or higher. The announcement remains continuously open throughout the year, allowing companies to submit Pitch Decks at any time for evaluation against general CAO requirements. Awards are subject to funding availability and must align with Topics of Interest published on the NSIC website.
The primary objective of this CAO is to provide funding that enables hardware startups to further develop their products, reduce future technical risk, accelerate time to market, and increase prospects for private investment across seven technology domains including Artificial Intelligence, Autonomy, Emerging Technology, Energy, Human Systems, Space, and Cyber & Telecommunications. Eligible contractors must be U.S.-based, angel or seed-stage startups with little to no professional venture capital investment, demonstrated technical differentiation, and alignment with Defense Innovation Unit portfolio topics. The evaluation process consists of three stages: portfolio nomination, Pitch Deck submission and Pitch Sessions for selected companies, and proposal negotiations leading to potential OTA awards for the most promising candidates. Companies may submit Pitch Decks on a rolling basis with no specific deadlines, as evaluations are conducted continuously based on available funding. Successful prototype projects may be eligible for follow-on production contracts or agreements without further competition, ultimately enhancing military mission effectiveness through commercially-derived technological solutions.
Notice text
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
NSIC’s mission is to strengthen the national security innovation base by addressing the shortfall of private investment from trusted sources in early-stage technology startups developing dual-use hardware products - technologies which have both commercial and national security applications. NSIC funding will enable companies to further develop their products, reducing future technical risk and time to market and increasing prospects for private investment. NSIC provides funds to hardware startups which have achieved Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 or higher.
Under the authority of 10 U.S.C. § 4022 (2022) (previously 10 U.S.C 2371b), NSIC seeks to award Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) to early-stage technology startups at various stages of prototype development. The products which eventually result from awarded agreements will be valuable in commercial markets as well as in defense applications, enhancing the future mission effectiveness of military personnel and the supporting platforms, systems, components, or materials proposed to be acquired or developed by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
The current Topics of Interest are found at the NSIC website: https://www.nsic.mil/
This announcement is continuously open; Pitch Decks may be submitted and will be evaluated for the general requirements of the Commercial Acceleration Opportunity (CAO) at any time throughout the year. The availability of funds may limit the ability of the U.S. Government to make awards in specific areas. Pitch Decks are sought under Topic of Interest referenced on the NSIC website. This CAO is intended to ensure that to the maximum extent practicable, competitive procedures are used when entering into agreements to carry out these prototype projects. This announcement satisfies the competition requirements in 10 U.S.C. § 4022 (b)(2).
Update #1 ·
NSIC’s mission is to strengthen the national security innovation base by addressing the shortfall of private investment from trusted sources in technology startups developing dual-use hardware products and materials - technologies which have both commercial and national security applications. NSIC funding will enable companies to further develop their products, reducing future technical risk and time to market and increasing prospects for private investment. NSIC provides funds to hardware startups which have achieved Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 or higher.
Under the authority of 10 U.S.C. § 4022 (2022) (previously 10 U.S.C 2371b), NSIC seeks to award Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) to technology startups at various stages of prototype development. The products which eventually result from awarded agreements will be valuable in commercial markets as well as in defense applications, enhancing the future mission effectiveness of military personnel and the supporting platforms, systems, components, or materials proposed to be acquired or developed by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
The current Topics of Interest are found at the NSIC website: https://www.nsic.mil/
This announcement is continuously open; Pitch Decks may be submitted and will be evaluated for the general requirements of the Commercial Acceleration Opportunity (CAO) at any time throughout the year. The availability of funds may limit the ability of the U.S. Government to make awards in specific areas. Pitch Decks are sought under Topic of Interest referenced on the NSIC website. This CAO is intended to ensure that to the maximum extent practicable, competitive procedures are used when entering into agreements to carry out these prototype projects. This announcement satisfies the competition requirements in 10 U.S.C. § 4022 (b)(2).
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| HQ084524SN001_CAO_amend_0004.pdf | ||
| HQ084524SN001_CAO_amend_0003.pdf | ||
| HQ084524SN001 CAO amend 0002.pdf | ||
| HQ084524SN001 CAO amend 0001 .pdf | ||
| HQ084524SN001 CAO.pdf |
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