Defense Department Ramps Up Innovation Commitment
Development services expand by $20 billion
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June 23, 2023
The Defense Department has ramped up its commitment to innovation by expanding the contract ceiling for technology research and development services by $20 billion.
This move is part of a broader initiative to open the program to more companies, which will bolster the nation's tech defense capabilities.
The contract vehicle in question, the Information Analysis Center Multiple-Award Contract (IAC-MAC), now stands at an overall ceiling value of $48 billion, maintaining its expiration date of September 2027. This increase comes ahead of the Department's plan to conduct an on-ramp in search of more companies to join the vehicle.
First awarded in 2018, the IAC-MAC operates across three pools of work supporting the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC).
DTIC, a field activity, is accountable for the preservation and distribution of research information pertinent to military technology. It also manages the Information Analysis Center network, which offers technical analysis and data support to the service branches, combatant commands, Department of Defense (DOD) agencies, and senior Pentagon civilian leadership.
This move to expand the contract ceiling comes as the DTIC readies to conduct an on-ramp process for additional companies to potentially join the vehicle. According to a May contracting notice, this on-ramp process is planned to commence within the next three months.
Several companies are currently on the IAC-MAC vehicle, including Adams Communications & Engineering Technology, Agile Innovative Solutions joint venture, Amentum, BAE Systems, Barbaricum, Battelle, Booz Allen Hamilton, CACI International, Data Systems Analysts, and Delta Constellation Group Joint Venture among others.
To date, the DOD agencies have placed approximately $5.5 billion in task order obligations against the vehicle. HII, Booz Allen Hamilton, KBR, and the ManTech TSG-2 joint venture are the top four recipients of this expenditure.
In an era of rapid technological advancement and evolving security challenges, the Pentagon's decision to invest more heavily in research and development symbolizes a strategic move to maintain the nation's competitive edge.
By engaging more companies in the IAC-MAC, the Department of Defense can tap into a wider range of technological expertise, fostering innovation and resilience in the face of potential threats. The ripple effects of this investment will likely be seen across the entire defense industry, as the increased funding fuels research, drives competition, and nurtures the development of next-generation defense technologies.
The Department's decision to bolster its technology research contract ceiling is not just about funding—it's an investment in a safer and more secure future.