Military Unique Sustainment Technology III (MUST-III) Research and Development SP4701-26-B-0001
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) has issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for the Military Unique Sustainment Technology III (MUST III) program, seeking Research and Development (R&D) partners. This initiative aims to leverage commercial clothing and textile industry advancements to enhance the Department of Defense's (DoD) Advanced Clothing and Individual Equipment (CIE) capabilities. Initial proposals for Short Term Projects (STPs) are due January 30, 2026.
Purpose & Scope
DLA's MUST III program, a DoD Manufacturing Technology Program, focuses on improving Class II acquisition lifecycle operations. It seeks R&D efforts that align with three equally prioritized technical areas:
- Digital as an authoritative source: Establishing trusted digital specifications and manufacturing data.
- Supply chain resilience: Developing adaptive manufacturing and buffer strategies for clothing and individual equipment.
- Innovation: Advancing materials, garment designs, and production methods for enhanced performance and scalability. Prototypes should be ready for implementation within two years or less.
Contract Details
This BAA will remain open for five years, with a total planned Government investment not to exceed $50 million over FY2026-2030. Contracts will primarily be cost-type working group IDIQ contracts for STPs, with a one-year base and four one-year option periods. Cost-type definitive contracts are possible for non-IDIQ awardees.
Submission & Evaluation
For initial IDIQ consideration, full cost and technical proposals describing a potential STP are required. After the initial closing, White Papers (max 6 pages) will be accepted, potentially leading to requests for full proposals. Proposals will be evaluated on Feasibility, Viability, Desirability, Past Performance, Capabilities, Related Experience, and Cost and Price, with technical factors weighted more heavily.
Eligibility & Set-Aside
This is an unrestricted acquisition, open to all responsible sources. DLA encourages participation from small businesses (including SDBs, WOSBs, HUBZone, VOSBs, SDVOSBs), historically black colleges and universities, and minority institutions. No portion of this BAA is set-aside. The NAICS code is 541715 (R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences), with a small business size standard of 1000 employees. Other than small businesses must submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan if proposals exceed $900,000.
Key Dates & Contacts
- Initial Proposal Due Date (STPs): January 30, 2026
- Questions received by December 15, 2025, have been addressed in Attachment A of Amendment 002.
- All questions should be directed via email to Andrea.Nicolucci@dla.mil and Sara.Cepeda@dla.mil.