Advanced Technology Support Program V (ATSP5)

• Agency: Department of Defense (DoD), Office of Secretary of Defense, Defense Microelectronics Activity
• Status: Ongoing
• Solicitation Dates: some text
  • Sources Sought: January 10, 2024
  • Draft RFP: July 2026 (estimated)
  • Final RFP: February 2026 (estimated)
• Period of Performance: 5-year base period plus five 1-year option periods (total 10 years) 
• Award Date: January 2028 (estimated)
• Competition Type: The Government has yet to determine if there will be multiple solicitations for small business set aside and unrestricted/full and open 
• NAICS: 541330, $25.5M size standard
• Subcontracting Goals: TBD
• Number of Awards: TBD
• Contract Value: $800M
• Proposal Due Date: TBD; however, a 60-day window is anticipated

ATSP5 supports a broad range of technology development and prototyping activities, including but not limited to advanced materials, sensors, electronics, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and other cutting-edge technologies.

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Primary Technical Areas:

• Advanced Technology: Covers electronics hardware and software applications, rapid prototyping, development of integrated toolsets, process and manufacturing development, and limited production of hardware and software.
•  Advanced Hardware and Software Systems: Involves the design, development, testing, integration, and evaluation of stand-alone, integrated, and embedded systems, including network-enabled and cyber warfare systems.
• Advanced Electronics Manufacturing Technologies: Encompasses manufacturing systems, procedures, and materials for producing both current and advanced technology electronics, including micromechanical technologies and microelectromechanical systems.

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Secondary Technical Support:

• Direct Engineering Activities: These include studies, analysis, design, simulation, prototyping, integration, testing, limited production, logistics support, training, and warranties related to products developed under the ATSP5 contract.
• Limited Production: Ordered only when advantageous; applies only to DMEA-developed products. Used as an interim measure before follow-on production or when cost- or time-effective.
• Logistics Support: This may include support during development or as a follow-on, such as contractor support, testing, maintenance, repairs, training, and data correction.
• Training: Provides instruction on operating and maintaining developed items, systems, methods, or processes. Includes vendor training and orientation.
• Warranties: These may be required for items and systems developed under the contract, specified per task order.
• Active Documents: Acquisition and delivery of active specifications, standards, and documents needed to define electronic component characteristics.
• Inactive Documents: Acquisition and delivery of out-of-date or superseded documents required to define characteristics of electronic components.
• Enhancement and Support for DMEA Engineering Environment (DE3S): Involves enhancing and supporting DMEA laboratory systems, leveraging advanced technologies, and extending the life of weapon systems. This includes technical interchange to improve the government's understanding of contractor activities.
• Indirect Technical, Functional, and Management Activities: Support direct engineering tasks and include systems engineering, program management, configuration management, quality assurance, system test and evaluation, qualification testing, developmental and operational testing, certification, logistics support, training, warranties, data management, site activation, and development of specialized support equipment.
• ‍Program Management Reviews (PMRs): Contractors must conduct PMRs for DMEA oversight, creating and submitting accurate PMR charts and presentations as specified in the relevant documentation.

Based on the ATSP4 contract and typical DoD procurement practices, the proposal requirements for ATSP5 are likely to include the following key elements:

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1. Technical Approach: A detailed description of the contractor’s approach to meeting the technical requirements outlined in the Performance Work Statement (PWS). This will likely include plans for research, development, prototyping, testing, and integration of advanced technologies.
2. Management Approach: A comprehensive plan for managing the contract, including program management, risk management, quality assurance, configuration management, and how the contractor will handle indirect technical and functional activities. This may also involve outlining the management of subcontracts, especially with small businesses.
3. Past Performance: Documentation of the contractor’s relevant past performance on similar contracts, including examples of successfully completed projects that demonstrate technical capability, timeliness, and the ability to manage complex tasks effectively.
4. Staffing Plan: A detailed staffing plan outlining the qualifications, experience, and roles of key personnel. This may include resumes of key team members, as well as a strategy for recruiting, retaining, and managing staff to meet the contract’s needs.
5. Cost Proposal: A comprehensive cost proposal that includes detailed cost breakdowns for all aspects of the work, including direct labor, indirect costs, materials, and any other relevant expenses.
6. Small Business Participation Plan: For larger businesses, a small business subcontracting plan may be required, detailing how the contractor will engage small businesses, including disadvantaged, women-owned, veteran-owned, and HUBZone small businesses.
7. Security and Compliance: Proposals will likely need to address compliance with DoD security requirements, including handling of classified information, cybersecurity measures, and adherence to relevant regulations such as the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS).
8. Technical Data Rights and Deliverables: A plan for delivering technical data, including reprocurement data, and ensuring the government’s rights to use and distribute the data as necessary.

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The RFP may include requirements for oral presentations or demonstrations of proposed solutions, especially for complex technical capabilities or innovative approaches.

To be awarded a position on the task order based IDIQ, companies must be flexible, yet able to cover the requirements. The Government anticipates a team-based approach with strong subcontractor inclusion in order to meet the broad and unknown needs in the future. 

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The exact weighting and specific evaluation criteria will be detailed in the ATSP5 RFP when it is released. Our key takeaways from the simplified PWS and Sources Sought notice include:

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• The team must demonstrate the capability to scale operations to address evolving technology demands.
• Proficiency in identifying, procuring, and supporting emerging products across varying scales is essential.
• A forward-looking approach to forecasting future needs and emerging technologies, along with the ability to strategically align these advancements to support the warfighter, will be critical.

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ATSP5 awardees will need to be well-equipped to meet the complex and evolving needs of the defense community. Based on ATSP4 and similar DoD contracts, we expect the evaluation criteria to include the following key factors:

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• Technical Merit
• Management Approach
• Past Performance
• Staffing and Key Personnel
• Cost/Price
• Small Business Participation
• Risk Management
• Compliance with Security Requirements
• Technical Data Rights and Deliverables
• Innovation and Flexibility