The Government is interested in piloting creation of STEM Minority Institution focused pipelines that recruit talent for the DoD and improve relationships between the Department and academic institutions. The following areas are currently disconnected and the Government is looking for solutions that ultimately connections between each element for the purpose of improving civilian interest in STEM and DoD acquisition professional occupations.

1.       National Security Testing and Evaluation:  The Government envisions the pilot will start with connections between the academic institution and Test and Evaluation centers such as White Sands Missile Range, Yuma Proving Ground, Electronic Proving Ground and Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center.

2.       Defense Civilian Training Corps: Section 860 of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act directed the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) to establish and maintain a Defense Civilian Training Corps (DCTC) program, organized into one or more units, at any accredited civilian educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees. The purpose of the program is to establish a civilian training corps to prepare selected students for public service in DoD occupations relating to acquisition, science, engineering, or other civilian occupations determined by the Secretary of Defense, and to target critical skill.  This pilot will explore options for the Defense Civilian Training Corps, identifying potential Government positions of interest, hiring constraints, diversity interests, and regional alignments.

3.       Digital and Artificial Intelligence: How can we introduce students to unique national security problems that may be approached through emerging technologies and research in data sciences, artificial intelligence, or related fields?

4.       National Security Research areas: How can the Defense Department provide areas of research for academic students and what deliverables can be received as a part of the program that may help the Department solve unique problems or better understand the art of the possible?

1.  ROUND 1 – Discovery (SUBMISSION COLLECTIONS THROUGH 8 AUGUST 2022): Interested respondents who could potentially provide solutions that address any of the technical capability areas are encouraged to submit a brief discovery paper for review.

2.   ROUND 2 – “Tell Me More” Selection (9 AUGUST 2022): CDAO will select those solutions they feel have the highest potential to solving the problem. Favorably evaluated submissions will receive an invitation to attend the Phase 3 activity.

3.   ROUND 3 – “Tell Me More” Activity (ANTICIPATED DATES: 16-17 AUGUST 2022): Selected participants will be invited to one of the following activities: informal one-on-one session with a Government panel, demonstration of a solution, or more detailed solution delivery proposal or pitch. The Government will determine the next best activity during Phase 2 and provide instruction related to the “Tell Me More” Activity with the Phase 3 invitation. Conversations may continue outside of the Phase 3 activity if additional information is needed to better understand solution offerings.

Phase 3 assessments are considered to be competitive and analogous to BAA or CSO submissions in that regard. “Tell Me More” guidance (to include assessment rubric and logistical instruction) will be outlined in the event invitation. If the CDAO assessment evaluation panel favorably evaluates a solution offering during Phase 3, negotiations for Phase 4 may immediately begin.

4.   ROUND 4 – Award: The Government may make multiple awards based on the Phase 3 results. Successfully negotiated awards are intended to be Other Transaction Agreements under 10 U.S. Code, Section 4022 (formerly 2371). An award under 10 U. S. Code, Section 4022 may result in the further award of a follow-on production agreement without additional competition based on successful prototype completion.