DCSA MPP Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)

Quick Summary

The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) has issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for its Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP), seeking partnerships between large prime contractors (Mentors) and small businesses (Protégés). The program aims to enhance Protégé capabilities in DCSA's critical mission areas, strengthening the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). This is a two-phase submission, starting with a white paper. White papers are due 30 days after the announcement date (April 1, 2026), with quarterly evaluations for one year.

Program Overview

The DCSA MPP incentivizes Mentors to provide developmental assistance to Protégés, fostering competitiveness and expanding their presence in the DIB. The DCSA Office of Small Business Programs & Industry Engagement (OSBP&IE) manages the BAA, with agreement administration handled by Move America, Inc. through the DOW OSBP MPP Intermediary (MPP-I) Cooperative Agreement.

Technical Focus Areas

DCSA's core technical priorities include:

• Modernizing IT Infrastructure and Cloud Optimization: Accelerating NBIS delivery, cloud migration (e.g., DISS), and system modernization using Modular Open Systems Architecture (MOSA).
• Data Integration and Advanced Analytics: Enhancing data-driven decision-making, implementing AI/ML for risk analysis, and automating data ingestion.
• Cyber and Industrial Security: Protecting cleared facilities and IT systems, enhancing Behavioral Threat Analysis Capability (BTAC), and implementing Zero Trust Architecture.
• Digital Workforce and Governance: Developing digital skills and establishing enterprise-wide IT, data, and cybersecurity governance.

Allowable Developmental Assistance

Mentors can provide assistance in areas such as technical/engineering support, business development, federal contract language training, Facility Clearance (FCL) sponsorship, personnel security training, cybersecurity compliance (DFARS/NIST/CMMC), insider threat program setup, DCAA-compliant accounting, proposal development, FOCI mitigation, and IT systems enhancement. Engineering and Technical Assistance must comprise 50% or more of overall proposed costs.

Eligibility Requirements

• Protégé Firms: Must be small businesses eligible for federal contracts, meet SBA size standards, and qualify as HUBZone, Women-Owned, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, Native American/Hawaiian controlled, socially/economically disadvantaged, employing severely disabled individuals, nontraditional defense contractors, or contributing to national security priorities.
• Mentor Firms: Must be prime contractors with $25M+ in DOW contracts in the last fiscal year, have an active DOW subcontracting plan, be financially sound, and approved by DOW OSBP. Active SAM.gov registration is mandatory for all participants.

Submission Process & Evaluation

This is a two-phase process:

• Phase 1 (White Paper): Submit a white paper (max 15 pages) including technical and cost information, a needs assessment, and letters of endorsement. Submissions are due by 5 p.m. ET, 30 calendar days from the announcement date (April 1, 2026), and will be accepted for one year with quarterly evaluations. Email submissions to dcsa.quantico.hq.mbx.dcsa-mpp@mail.mil and mpp-src-i_contracts@moveamerica.org.
• Phase 2 (Final Proposal): Only selected white paper submitters will receive an RFP and must submit a full proposal within 30 days of notification.

Evaluation criteria for both phases include alignment with national security/DOW/DCSA priorities, technical approach, cost reasonableness, CEO Letters of Endorsement (Pass/Fail), FOCI Questionnaire (Pass/Fail), eligibility, and involvement of HBCU/MSI/APEX/SBDC/WBC/MEP (Pass/Fail).

Contract & Key Dates

• Opportunity Type: Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Reimbursable Mentor-Protégé Agreements (MPAs).
• Period of Performance: Capped at three (3) years/36 months (typically 12-month base + two 12-month options).
• White Paper Due: April 1, 2026, 5 p.m. ET (30 days from announcement date).
• Quarterly Evaluation Deadlines: June 30, 2026; September 30, 2026; December 31, 2026; March 31, 2027.
• Protégé Pilot Initiative (PPI): Protégés can propose projects (up to 25% of annual budget) supporting the War Fighter, due with the final proposal.

Attachments

1. White Paper Template
2. Detailed Cost Estimate Template
3. PPI Application Template