New DoD initiative to engage with small and emerging industrial companies

A new consortium is tasked with helping to stimulate the growth the defense industrial base with “non-traditional contractors.”

Marines board a Navy air-cushioned landing craft in preparation for a ship-to-shore movement from the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer. (Image: U.S. Department of Defense)

The U.S. Department of Defense has selected Advanced Technology International (ATI) to establish and manage the Defense Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC) under a 10-year contract. 

The DIBC’s goal is to diversify and expand the defense industrial base and enable smaller, non-traditional businesses to work with the government and access research and prototyping teaming opportunities.

“The Defense Industrial Base Consortium Other Transaction Agreement will not only help stimulate the growth of the defense industrial base, but it will also enable more rapid execution of Defense Production Act funding,” said Dr. Laura Taylor-Kale, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy. “Additionally, this helps us execute the National Defense Industrial Strategy, address defense supply chain pain points, develop the industrial workforce, sustain critical production, and allow for complementary investments from other federal agencies to build a robust, resilient, and modernized defense industrial ecosystem.”

The DIBC will support the Manufacturing, Capability Expansion, and Investment Prioritization Directorate (MCEIP) by enabling rapid research, access to commercial solutions for defense requirements, and innovations from industry, academia, and non-traditional contractors.

“We are honored to be part of this new consortium that is tackling important national challenges such as the defense supply chain, workforce development, and the scaling and production of emerging technologies,” said Chris Van Metre, ATI President and CEO.

The DIBC will build a robust, resilient defense industrial base by enabling large and small companies and academia to access federally funded research and business opportunities. A particular focus will be engaging with small and emerging companies that have not traditionally worked with the government in the past.

DIBC members will focus on identifying, developing and testing cutting-edge capabilities and research to confront the nation’s toughest challenges.

ATI will manage the DIBC through an Other Transaction (OT) Agreement issued by the Department of Defense. The consortium will execute prototypes under the authority of 10 U.S.C. § 4022, research projects under 10 U.S.C. 4021, and production OTs under 10 U.S.C. § 4022(f). The OTA will have a ten-year period of performance, no funding ceiling, be overseen by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment and be administered by the Washington Headquarters Services Acquisition Directorate.