REQUEST FOR INFORMATION – MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY INNOVATION ECOSYSTEMS

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI (RFI-HC-26-01-MBMIE) is issued by the U.S. Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground-Research Triangle Park (ACC-APG-RTP) Division for informational and planning purposes. The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Army Research Laboratory (ARL) is exploring options to support its mission by establishing collaborative, multidisciplinary innovation ecosystems. These ecosystems would involve partnerships between world-class U.S. universities, their co-located technological sectors, and the Army to drive fundamental research and innovation.

ARL seeks insights on:

• Theories or frameworks for forming innovation ecosystems involving the Army, academia, and industry.

• Critical scientific gaps and opportunities for collaborative basic research.

• Potential scientific concepts to "anticipate, manage, influence, and lead innovation."

• Identifying, assessing, and adapting the optimal composition of an innovation tech sector.

• Scientifically exploring dynamic interactions and interdependencies within these ecosystems.

• The relationship between the market and innovation ecosystems, especially for dual-use research.

• Rapidly integrating scientific and technological innovations.

• Defining and assessing success metrics for innovation ecosystems.

• Best practices for academic institutions to support Army personnel and engage with the tech sector.

• Organizational characteristics indicating an academic institution's capability for use-inspired research in defense.

• Format: Cover sheet (1 page), response to questions and additional capabilities (max 5 pages), citations (max 2 pages), and an appendix of critical reference papers (max 3).

• Formatting: Minimum 12-point Arial font, 1-inch margins, single-spaced.

• Submission Method: Email to MBMIS-RFI@army.mil.

• Deadline: 5:00 PM ET, March 17, 2026.

• This is an RFI, not a Request for Proposal (RFP). No contract will be awarded based on this RFI, and no feedback will be provided on submissions.

• Responding to this RFI does not preclude future participation in any potential RFPs.

• Potential offerors are responsible for monitoring SAM.GOV and GRANTS.GOV for future information.

• All submitted data marked as proprietary will be protected.

• ARL is interested in multidisciplinary approaches including organizational sciences, business, social sciences, and systems theory.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is issued by the U.S. Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground-Research Triangle Park (ACC-APG-RTP) Division, on behalf of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Army Research Laboratory (ARL). The purpose is to elicit insights and gauge interest regarding a new program supporting collaborative, multidisciplinary research on innovation ecosystems. This RFI is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP).

The Army is exploring ways to establish collaborative partnerships with U.S. universities and their co-located technological sectors to form mutually beneficial, interdisciplinary innovation ecosystems. This initiative aims to advance science and produce evidence-based recommendations for anticipating, managing, influencing, and leading innovation to support the Army's capabilities, addressing challenges related to the pace of technological change and the Army's ability to adapt and integrate disruptive technologies.

Responses should address questions related to:

• Theories and frameworks for forming innovation ecosystems.

• Potential scientific concepts for anticipating, managing, and leading innovation.

• Identifying, assessing, and adapting innovation tech sectors.

• Exploring dynamic interactions within ecosystems.

• Understanding the relationship between the market and innovation ecosystems.

• Rapidly integrating scientific and technological innovations.

• Defining successful innovation ecosystems and assessment markers.

• Best practices for academic institutions supporting Army personnel in research.

• Organizational characteristics indicating capability for use-inspired research.

• Submittals should be brief, clear, and directly address the RFI questions.

• Responses are welcomed from all capable and qualified sources within the United States.

• No additional forms, kits, or materials are needed.

• Formatting requirements include a one-page cover sheet, a response limited to 5 pages (12-point Arial font, single-spaced), a list of citations, and an appendix of critical reference papers (no more than 3).

• The deadline for responses is 5:00 PM ET on February 15, 2026.

• All responses must be submitted via email to MBMIS-RFI@army.mil.

Responses are welcomed from all capable and qualified sources from within the United States. No specific set-aside is mentioned.

• Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in future RFPs.
• Potential offerors are responsible for monitoring SAM.GOV and GRANTS.GOV for additional information.
• Data received will be protected as corporate or proprietary if marked as such.