Military Unique Sustainment Technology III (MUSTIII) Research and Development SP4701- 26-B-0001

Amendment / Modification

• The deadline for pre-proposal questions has been revised. The new deadline is December 15, 2025, changing from the previous date of December 12, 2026.

• Item 14, "DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION", details the change to the pre-proposal question deadline.

• The amendment does not explicitly state if proposal deadlines or other submission requirements have been modified, but it does note that all other terms and conditions in the BAA remain unchanged.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for the Military Unique Sustainment Technology III (MUST-III) program seeks research and development (R&D) efforts to improve Class II acquisition lifecycle operations for the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). The program aims to leverage advancements in digital manufacturing, data interoperability, and domestic industrial base resilience, focusing on the commercial clothing and textile industry. The DLA is sponsoring this Manufacturing Technology Program.

The BAA focuses on three Technical Areas of Interest:

• Digital as an authoritative source: Establishing a single, trusted digital version of specifications, manufacturing data, and sourcing details for clothing and individual equipment to improve efficiency and automation.

• Supply chain resilience in clothing and individual equipment: Developing adaptive manufacturing capabilities and buffer strategies to address surge requirements, conflicts, or disruptions.

• Innovation in clothing and individual equipment: Research and development in novel materials, garment designs, and production methods to enhance performance, comfort, and scalability.

• The BAA will be open for five years.

• Initial proposals for Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts for Short Term Projects (STPs) are due within 45 days of posting.

• IDIQ contracts will have a one-year base period and four one-year option periods.

• The total planned Government investment is not to exceed $50 million over five years (FY2026-2030).

• Contract types will primarily be cost-type working group IDIQ contracts, with potential for cost-type definitive contracts for non-IDIQ awardees.

• Process:

  1. Submission of a White Paper (instructions in Section 5 and Attachment A).
  2. Submission of a technical proposal, if requested by the Contracting Officer.
  3. Submission of a cost proposal, if requested.

• Initial Proposals (for IDIQ consideration): Full cost & technical proposals are required within the initial 45-day response period. These should describe a potential STP aligned with the BAA's Technical Areas of Interest.

• White Papers: Accepted after the initial BAA period reopens. These are abbreviated documents (max 6 pages) describing an R&D concept. Successful White Papers may lead to a request for full proposals.

• Evaluation Criteria: Proposals will be evaluated based on Feasibility (Scientific and Technical Merit), Viability, Desirability, Past Performance, Capabilities, and Related Experience, and Cost and Price. Technical factors are weighted more heavily than price.

• Deadlines: Initial closing date for STPs is 45 days after posting. Offerors should check SAM.gov for updates.

• This is an unrestricted acquisition. All responsible sources are considered.

• DLA encourages small businesses (including SDBs, WOSBs, HUBZone, VOSBs, SDVOSBs), historically black colleges and universities, and minority institutions to submit White Papers.

• No portion of this BAA will be set-aside due to the impracticality of reserving discrete research areas.

• Small business size standard is 1000 employees.

• NAICS Code: 541715 (R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences).

• Offerors must meet minimum standards for contractor responsibility (see FAR Part 9).

• Other than small business concerns must submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan if proposal cost exceeds $900,000.00.

• Contact Points (POCs) for inquiries are listed, with email preferred.

• Proposals must remain valid for 180 days.

• The document includes detailed instructions on proposal format, content, CUI markings, and specific clauses related to intellectual property, data rights, government property, and cybersecurity.

• Attachment A provides the mandatory White Paper Template.