The Department of Defense (DOD) has released a new Open Announcement through the Defense Industrial Base Consortium Other Transaction Authority (DIBC OTA) that will accept unsolicited White Papers to be considered for Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III and Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) funding. DIBC membership is free and is open to U.S. organizations as well as international partners from the United Kingdom (UK), Australia, and Canada. The FY24 National Defense Authorization Act designated the UK and Australia as domestic sources for DPA funds; Canada has been a domestic source since 1992.
"This Open Announcement will solicit new ideas for research or prototype project solutions that will benefit our industrial base," said Dr. Laura Taylor-Kale, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy (ASD(IBP)). "Expanding sources of supply is a key element of the vision articulated in the National Defense Industrial Strategy to help build resilient supply chains."
The Open Announcement will significantly accelerate the timeline to project award, which will bring critical capabilities to the industrial base faster. This effort also supports the critical Supply Chain Resiliency Focus Areas identified as part of President Biden's Executive Order 14017, On America's Supply Chains.
"The new OA demonstrates the Department's continued commitment to ensuring the integrity of our supply chains and providing our warfighters with the materials and technologies they need," said Mr. Anthony Di Stasio, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Resilience.
The critical sectors sought under this Open Announcement include:
- Kinetic Capabilities
- Energy Storage and Batteries
- Castings and Forgings
- Strategic and Critical Materials
- Microelectronics
- Workforce Development
The Open Announcement is currently accepting White Papers and will remain open until September 30, 2024. Learn more at the DIBC OTA website here.
