(RPP): Validation Of Emerging Defense & Detection Equipment for Readiness (VEDDER) Prototype Accelerator

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Broad Other Transaction Authority Announcement (BOTAA) supports Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements for prototype development efforts for the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND) – Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD). JPEO-CBRND seeks to award funding for prototype and follow-on production projects within its Areas of Interest, focusing on enabling technologies that accelerate advanced development.

Proposals are sought for prototype projects directly relevant to enhancing the mission effectiveness of military personnel and supporting platforms, systems, components, or materials. Areas of Interest include CBRNE counter-proliferation, installation and force protection, C4ISR systems for WMD detection and response, technologies supporting the F3EAD process, improvised threat mitigation, nuclear deterrence, manned/unmanned platforms for CWMD operations, and software/AI for CBRN Defense integration. Specific modernization focus areas include threat agnostic detection, threat characterization, AI/ML, wearable sensors, CBRN information integration, unobtrusive protection, biothreat containment, and decontamination.

Awards will be made through Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements, which are generally not required to comply with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Awards are dependent upon the availability of funds.

Offerors may submit preproposals at any time. Preproposals (max 11 pages) should include relevant technology description, scope, WBS, qualifications, TRL/MRL level, and anticipated cost. If a preproposal is of interest, the Government may issue a Request for Full Proposal (RFFP). Full proposals have specific page limits for Cover Page, Technical Section (20 pages), Project Management Section (20 pages), Past Performance (10 pages), and Budget. Evaluation factors include Technical Merit, Military and Program Relevance, TRL/MRL, Project Objectives, Support of other DoD requirements, Key Personnel Qualifications, Facilities, Budget/Cost, Best Value, and Past Performance.

To receive an award, at least one of the following must be met: a nontraditional defense contractor or nonprofit research institution participates significantly; all significant participants other than the Government are small businesses or nontraditional defense contractors; at least one-third of the total cost is from non-Federal sources; or exceptional circumstances justify the arrangement.

Prospective contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM). All communications should be directed to usarmy.apg.acc.mbx.jpeo-cbrnd-botaa@army.mil. Attachment 0001 provides the Manufacturing Readiness Level Deskbook V2.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Request for Project Proposal (RPP) seeks qualified 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations to establish and operate a technology accelerator for the VEDDER Prototype Accelerator (PA) under an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement. The VEDDER PA aims to accelerate biotechnology innovation, bridging the private sector, national resources, and the U.S. Government to support the development of near-term use cases and demonstration of Artificial Intelligence toward Biotechnology Applications for National Security.

• The selected Prototype Accelerator Partner (PAP) will execute rapid, commercial-style Business-to-Business (B2B) sub-agreements with Portfolio Prototyping Companies (PPCs).

• PAPs will be responsible for scouting, vetting, and issuing B2B sub-agreements, ensuring fairness, transparency, and objectivity.

• PAPs must foster innovation ecosystems in areas such as legal, cybersecurity, biotechnology, commercialization, financial, and HPC integration.

• Data rights will be negotiated, with the Government expecting unlimited rights for PAP non-B2B deliverables.

• Foreground IP (the prototype) will grant the Government Government Purpose Rights (GPR).

• The OTA agreement will have a base award of up to $8 million.

• The ceiling for individual PAP OT agreements is $95 million over a potential five-year period.

• A follow-on production award is possible upon successful completion of the prototype project.

• Preproposal Due Date: 24 June 2026, 1300 EST.

• Preproposal Submission: Via email to usarmy.apg.acc.mbx.jpeo-cbrnd-botaa@army.mil, Mr. Aaron Skinner, and Mr. Lionel Love.

• Evaluation Areas: Technical Approach, Portfolio and NFP Experience, Price, and Draft VEDDER OCI Mitigation Plan.

• Selection Process: Preproposals will be evaluated, and selected Offerors may be invited to a VEDDER Pitch Meeting before a final determination for a Request for Full Proposal (RFFP).

• Key Deadlines:

  • Questions and Answers to RPP Due: June 16th, 1300 EST 2026
  • Tentative Invited In-Person Pitches: July 8th-9th, 2026
  • Tentative Request for Full Proposal (RFFP): July 14th, 1300 EST 2026
  • Tentative RFFP Proposals Due: July 30th, 1300 EST 2026
  • Tentative Award Date: September 4th, 2026

• Seeking qualified 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations.

• Proposal costs are not reimbursed.

• Offerors must be registered in SAM.gov.

• A Draft VEDDER OCI Mitigation Plan is mandatory and will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis.