We award scalable contracts to companies offering solutions to national security challenges across a variety of technology areas - from artificial intelligence and machine learning to autonomy, cyber and telecom, energy, human systems, and space.
John Sundberg
CEO, Kinetic Data
Our experience working with DIU has been a game-changer for Kinetic Data. DIU's guidance not only helped us prove our capabilities, but also made us more accessible within the government sector."
Our Acquisition Process
We engage across the Department of Defense to identify and understand critical national security challenges that can be solved with leading edge commercial technology within 12 to 24 months. Through our Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) process, we competitively solicit proposals for innovative solutions that meet the needs of our DoD partners.
DIU leverages Other Transaction authority (10 USC 4022) to award prototype agreements in as few as 60-90 days. More importantly, vendors that execute a prototyping project to the satisfaction of the sponsoring Government customer and their contract commitments are awarded a Success Memo for their technology solution. This Success Memo for the company’s solution that was deemed a “success” enables any Federal Government Agency to leverage this solution without having to recompete. There is no time restriction on the use of the Success Memo.
Enter a $100+ billion market
How We Work with Commercial Companies
We make it easy for companies that have never before done business with the Department of Defense - or the U.S. government - to win contracts based on merit and implement solutions at commercial speeds. DIU has already introduced more than 100 first-time vendors to the DoD. Need help learning how to work with the DOD? We have a guide for that.
DIU delivers revenue through flexible prototype contracts that apply commercial innovations to solve national security challenges. Whether seeking hardware, software, or service solutions, DIU lowers the barriers to entry and makes it faster and easier for companies of any size to do business with the Department of Defense. If you're a company interested in working with us? Start Here.
We solicit commercial solutions on our website that address current needs of our DoD partners.
You send us a short brief about your solution. (View our Solution Brief Guidance).
We’ll reach out if we’re interested in scheduling a pitch. If we're not interested, we'll strive to let you know ASAP.
Access advanced commercial solutions
How We Work with the DoD
At DIU, projects begin with a demand signal from you, our DoD partners. In a fraction of the time it traditionally takes, we evaluate and select projects with viable commercial solutions that have the potential to make a difference across DoD and have strong indicators for adoption.
We deliver leading commercial technology to our partners quickly by facilitating prototype contracts between companies and DoD entities. After a successful prototype, any interested DoD entity has the authority to enter into non-competitive follow on production contracts or agreements to procure the prototyped solution(s).
You get in touch with us about a mission-critical challenge your organization is facing. We’ll explore next steps if you can offer a dedicated DIU liaison and funding to prototype solutions.
Our team works with you to translate your challenge into a competitive, commercial solicitation designed to deliver innovative proposals.
We’ll solicit commercial solutions, and together we’ll award contracts for one or more prototype projects and begin to chart a path toward technology adoption.
Regional Outreach
DIU is committed to building a robust commercial technology network across the United States. We know that cutting-edge technology doesn’t just come from Silicon Valley. We are connecting the country’s key technology ecosystems to the Department of Defense. This regional outreach is about engaging stakeholders to ensure that we can harness early- to late-stage tech for current and future DoD capability needs. Learn more.
CAPT Jonathan Haase
Program Executive Officer, PMS 408
“DIU is PMS-408’s key partner to evaluate emerging technology and rapidly transition next-generation capability inside the acquisition system and budget cycle."