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

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 (Validation of Emerging Defense & Detection Equipment for Readiness) Prototype Accelerator (PA). The goal is to identify innovative prototype processes that accelerate innovation through awards to Portfolio Prototyping Companies (PPCs), fostering collaboration between the private sector, national resources, and the U.S. Government. The VEDDER PA aims to improve platforms, systems, components, and materials for the Armed Forces, particularly in the biotechnology domain, and to prevent the offshoring of critical biotechnologies.

• The selected Prototype Accelerator Partner (PAP) will function as an actively managed innovation ecosystem.

• PAPs will accelerate the development, validation, and fielding of National Biosecurity Capabilities.

• PAPs are encouraged to form innovation ecosystems in areas such as legal, cybersecurity, biotechnology, commercialization, financial, and HPC integration.

• Data rights will be negotiated, with the Government desiring Government Propose Rights (GPR) for data generated with DoW funding. Unlimited data rights are expected for PAP non-B2B deliverables.

• B2B agreements executed by the Awardee must separate Background IP (pre-existing) and Foreground IP (developed).

• The agreement will be an Other Transaction (OT) agreement.

• Individual PAP OT agreements will have a base award of up to $8 million and a ceiling of $95 million over a potential five-year period.

• A follow-on production contract or OT may be awarded without competitive procedures to a participant who successfully completes their prototype project.

• Preproposal Due Date: June 25, 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.

• Pitch Meetings: Selected Offerors will be invited to a formal VEDDER Pitch Meeting.

• Key Deadlines:

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

• Organizations must be qualified 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations.

• Proposal costs are the responsibility of the offeror.

• Information submitted may be subject to FOIA.

• Prospective awardees must be registered in SAM.gov.

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

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to questions submitted by potential offerors regarding the VEDDER opportunity.

• Ecosystem Scope: The Government is not limiting the scope or defining a specific area of focus for preproposals. Offerors are encouraged to propose innovative approaches and define the specific type of accelerator ecosystem required.
• Award Basis: Awards will be made based on overall merit, not domain overlap between competing proposals.
• Cost-Share & Capital Matching: While direct private capital co-investment is considered, broader commercialization pathways (venture engagement, strategic partnerships, licensing, startup formation, translational funding, non-dilutive capital) are also responsive.
• Private Capital Multiplier KPI: Eligibility is strictly limited to direct private capital investments. However, non-cash/in-kind contributions (e.g., HPC time, mentorship) are highly valued and offerors are encouraged to propose separate KPIs to demonstrate their value.
• Non-traditional Defense Contractor: Startups with prior SBIR/STTR awards but no full Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) coverage qualify as non-traditional defense contractors.
• USG Infrastructure Access: The selected PAP is responsible for securing and maintaining access to USG infrastructure (HPC, labs, etc.). Offerors must detail their strategy for facilitating this access.
• Preproposal Deadline: The preproposal deadline has been extended by one day to June 25th.

This Q&A document clarifies several aspects of the solicitation, including the flexibility in ecosystem definition, evaluation criteria, and acceptable forms of capital investment. It also provides an update on the preproposal deadline.

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.