Bringing Classified Innovation to Defense and Government Systems (BRIDGES)
ID: DARPA-RS-23-02Type: Presolicitation
Overview

Buyer

DEPT OF DEFENSEDEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY (DARPA)DEF ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGCYARLINGTON, VA, 222032114, USA

PSC

NATIONAL DEFENSE R&D SERVICES; DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE - MILITARY; EXPERIMENTAL DEVELOPMENT (AC13)

Original Source

https://sam.gov/opp/24d2752fc72a4c808b89dc812b476dc9/view
Timeline
    Description

    Presolicitation DEPT OF DEFENSE is seeking small business concerns and/or nontraditional defense contractors to perform classified work for the Department of Defense (DoD). The BRIDGES initiative aims to assist small companies with disruptive ideas in gaining facility clearances to bring innovation to the DoD and solve classified technical challenges. A virtual Q&A session will be held on October 24, 2022, for interested parties. Please see the attached document for more details.

    Point(s) of Contact
    BAA Coordinator
    BRIDGES@darpa.mil
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    BRIDGES_Website_FAQ_Revision_01.pdf
    The BRIDGES FAQ outlines the process and requirements for obtaining a facility clearance (FCL) necessary for contractors handling classified information. Eligible companies must be U.S.-based, adhere to specific security and integrity standards, and can apply to join the consortium by submitting a proposal for one or more topic areas. Membership allows access to classified workspaces and the opportunity to innovate and compete for classified contracts, while the consortium operates under an Other Transaction (OT) for Research agreement.
    DARPA-RS-23-02-Amendment-01.pdf
    The Amendment 1 to the DARPA Research Solicitation outlines updates to various sections, including revisions on classified areas, proposal instructions, and facility clearance information for the BRIDGES initiative aimed at enabling small businesses and nontraditional defense contractors to participate in classified DoD R&D efforts. The BRIDGES initiative provides funding and support for these companies to obtain facility clearances, facilitating direct interaction with the DoD on classified challenges. The program will operate for 30 months, awarding $50,000 to members who submit successful proposals against posted topic areas and is managed in collaboration with MITRE for logistical support.
    Research Solicitation 20221003.pdf
    The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has launched the Bringing Classified Innovation to Defense and Government Systems (BRIDGES) initiative to connect small businesses and nontraditional defense contractors with classified Department of Defense (DoD) R&D efforts, facilitating access to facility clearances for innovative firms. The program, which will run for 30 months and offer $50,000 in annual funding matched by participating companies, aims to overcome existing barriers for companies wishing to engage in classified work by creating a consortium that allows for direct government interaction and problem-solving. Proposal submissions will respond to specific topic areas that DARPA periodically publishes, and qualifying companies must demonstrate their capabilities through rigorous evaluation criteria.
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