National Security Innovation Capital (NSIC) - Commercial Acceleration Opportunity (CAO)

Background
The National Security Innovation Capital (NSIC) aims 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. NSIC funding enables companies to further develop their products, reducing future technical risk and time to market and increasing prospects for private investment. Under the authority of 10 U.S.C. § 4022, NSIC seeks to award Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) to technology startups at various stages of prototype development. The products resulting 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).

Work Details
The proposal submitted shall consist of two sections: Technical Proposal and Price Proposal. The Technical Proposal should describe the background and objectives of the proposed work, the approach, deliverables, resources needed to execute it, nature and extent of anticipated results, ancillary and operational issues such as certifications, algorithms, engineering/software development and test methodologies to be used, a Statement of Work (SOW) identifying the work to be performed, key milestones and deliverables for each milestone, a detailed project schedule outlining various phases of work within the proposed period of performance.
The Price Proposal should propose a firm fixed price to complete the prototype project and provide any other necessary supporting information for determining a fair and reasonable price.

Period of Performance
The announcement states that this opportunity is continuously open; Pitch Decks may be submitted and 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.

Place of Performance
The National Security Innovation Capital (NSIC) - Commercial Acceleration Opportunity (CAO) is intended to ensure competitive procedures are used when entering into agreements to carry out prototype projects.