National Security Innovation Capital (NSIC) - Commercial Acceleration Opportunity (CAO)
Key Dates
Due Date
-
Posted Date
-
Agency & Value
Agency
DEFENSE INNOVATION UNIT
Contract Value
Not provided
Codes & Classification
Solicitation Number
HQ0845-24-S-N001
NAICS
541715 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Classification Code
9999
Additional Details
Documents1
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), a federal office, has issued a Special Notice for the National Security Innovation Capital (NSIC) Commercial Acceleration Opportunity (CAO), under procurement identifier HQ0845-24-S-N001. This initiative is designed to bolster the national security innovation base by supporting early-stage technology startups that are developing dual-use hardware products—technologies with both commercial and national security applications. The overarching goal is to address the gap in private investment from trusted sources for these startups, enabling them to advance their products, mitigate technical risks, accelerate time to market, and enhance their prospects for future private investment.
NSIC funding is specifically targeted at hardware startups that have reached Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 or higher, signifying a certain maturity in prototype development. Through the authority granted by 10 U.S.C. § 4022 (2022), NSIC intends to award Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) to eligible companies. The products developed under these agreements are expected to have significant value in both commercial markets and defense applications, ultimately contributing to the mission effectiveness of military personnel and the platforms, systems, components, or materials acquired or developed by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
The scope of this opportunity is broad, encompassing various stages of prototype development for dual-use hardware technologies. The specific Topics of Interest are regularly updated and can be found on the NSIC website (https://www.nsic.mil/). The CAO is a continuously open announcement, allowing interested startups to submit Pitch Decks at any time throughout the year. Submissions are evaluated against the general requirements of the CAO, with awards contingent upon the availability of government funding in specific areas. The process is designed to maximize competition, in accordance with statutory requirements, ensuring that agreements for prototype projects are awarded through competitive procedures.
Key requirements for participation include the development of hardware products with dual-use potential, achievement of at least TRL 3, and alignment with the current Topics of Interest as outlined by NSIC. Expected deliverables center on the further development and maturation of these technologies, with the aim of reducing technical risk and enhancing market readiness.
The procurement is classified under NAICS Code 541715, which covers Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology), and uses Product Service Code 9999. The place of performance is within the United States.
For further information or to submit inquiries, interested parties may contact Norman Bonano at [email protected] or reach out to the DIU general contact at [email protected]. The opportunity remains active and is posted on SAM.gov (Opportunity ID: dba88354e1af4614b531b38b925ec2a2), where additional details and attachments may be available.
This notice represents a significant opportunity for early-stage hardware startups seeking to accelerate the development of dual-use technologies with both commercial and defense applications, leveraging government support to bridge the investment gap and bring innovative solutions to market.