Congress Holds Marathon of Hearings Ahead of FY 2022 Budget Release
As the Biden-Harris Administration installs senior leadership in the National Security community and prepares the President’s fiscal year (FY) 2022 budget request, the House and Senate Armed Services Committees have hosted a dizzying series of hearings with key Department of Defense (DOD) leaders.  Hearing topics have included issues like the challenges posed by China, artificial intelligence, recent extreme weather events, and senior DOD appointee nominations.  These hearings reflect priorities Congress may put forth in the FY 2022 Defense appropriations bill or the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
  
Below is a list of hearings held in March with links to testimony and videos.

House Armed Services Committee (HASC) Hearings:  

• March 10, Full Committee, “National Security Challenges and U.S. Military Activities in the Indo-Pacific,” available here. 
• March 10, Subcommittees on Readiness and Military Personnel Joint Hearing, “Privatized Military Family Housing: Update on Implementation of Housing Reforms,” available here. 
• March 12, Subcommittee on Cyber, Innovative Technologies, and Information Systems and the House Committee on Oversight & Reform’s Subcommittee on National Security Joint Hearing, “Final Recommendations of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence,” available here. 
• March 16, Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations, “Disinformation in the Gray Zone: Opportunities, Limitations, and Challenges,” available here. 
• March 16, Subcommittee on Military Personnel, “Military Criminal Investigative Organization Reform Recommendations from the Fort Hood Independent Review Committee,” available here. 
• March 18, Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, “Unmanned Systems of the Department of the Navy,” available here. 
• March 19, Subcommittee on Readiness, “Investing in an Organic Industrial Base to Support Service Modernization Plans,” available here. 
• March 19, Subcommittee on Cyber, Innovative Technologies, and Information Systems, “Department of Defense Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations: Challenges and Opportunities in the Invisible Battlespace,” available here. 
• March 23, Subcommittee on Readiness, “Learning From and Preventing Future Training Mishaps,” available here. 
• March 24, Full Committee Hearing, “Extremism in the Armed Forces,” available here. 
• March 26, Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations, “SOF Culture and Climate: The Future of the Force,” available here. 
• March 26, Subcommittee on Readiness, “Installation Resiliency: Lessons Learned from Winter Storm Uri and Beyond,” available here. 

Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) Hearings:  

• March 2, “Global Security Challenges and Strategy,” available here. 
• March 4, “Nomination Hearing for Colin Kahl for Undersecretary of Defense for Policy” available here. 
• March 9, “United States Indo-Pacific Command,” available here. 
• March 11, “Final Recommendations and Report of the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service,” available here. 
• March 16, “United States Southern Command and United States Northern Command,” available here. 
• March 23, “Nomination Hearing for Admiral John C. Aquilino for Commander, United States Indo-Pacific Command” available here. 
• March 24, “Sexual Assault in the Military,” available here. 
• March 25, “United States Special Operations Command and United States Cyber Command,” available here. 

Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense (SAC-D) Hearings:  

• March 4, “Review of the FY2021 Budget Request for the National Guard & Reserve,” available here. 
• March 11, “Review of the FY2021 Budget Request for the Navy & Marine Corps,” available here. 

House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense (HAC-D) Hearings: 

• March 4, “U.S. Space Force Organizational Plan,” available here. 
• March 4, “U.S. Navy/Marine Corps Budget Request for FY 2021,” available here. 
• March 5, “Defense Health Program (DHP),” available here.  
• March 10, “U.S. Army Budget Request for FY 2021,” available here. 

Congress also held several hearings under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including emergency response during the COVID-19 pandemic, domestic terrorism, and cybersecurity threats.  Relevant DHS hearings include: 

House Homeland Security Committee: 

• March 17, “The Way Forward on Homeland Security,” available here. 
• March 24, “State and Local Responses to Domestic Terrorism: The Attack on the U.S. Capitol and Beyond,” available here. 

Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee (HSGAC): 

• March 18, “Understanding and Responding to the SolarWinds Supply Chain Attack: The Federal Perspective,” available here. 
• March 24, “Preparing for Future Crises: Examining the National Response Enterprise,” available here. 

House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee: 

• March 10, “Modernizing the Federal Civilian Approach Cybersecurity,” available here. 
• March 16, “The Role of FEMA and Emergency Management in COVID-19 Response,” available here. 
• March 17, “DHS Management Challenges,” available here. 

NATIONAL SECURITY NEWS

White House Unveils National Security Priorities in New Guidance 
The White House has released its Interim National Security Strategic Guidance, providing a window into the Administration’s thinking on National Security issues.  The document will help federal agencies, departments, and organizations align their activities with the Administration's overarching strategic intent as the National Security Council prepares a new National Security Strategy (NSS).  This interim guidance signals the Biden-Harris Administration's intent to take a more holistic consideration of National Security policy that encompasses the Administration's domestic policy priorities, including addressing inequality, strengthening American democracy, and upholding American values. For example, the document notes that efforts especially international economic and trade policies must improve economic prosperity and opportunity for all Americans, rather than “corporate profits or aggregate national wealth.”  

This increased domestic emphasis in national security policy comes as the U.S. faces several complex global threats and policy challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and the rise of autocracy across the globe.  Great power competition with near-peer adversaries such as Russia and China continue to be a concern for which the Administration calls for a whole of nation response.  The document states that China's assertive ability to wage multidimensional power in economy, military, technological, and diplomatic areas pose a grave threat to American security.  The Biden-Harris Administration notes that China’s influence and espionage campaigns threaten supply chain security and could inhibit U.S. advances in science and technology, while Russia’s disinformation campaigns may lead to destabilization and strategic uncertainty.

To address these challenges, President Biden's Interim National Security Guidance features pillars under which future federal efforts will support:

• Defending sources of American strength (people, economy, national defense, and democracy); 
• Promoting a favorable distribution of power to deter adversarial threats; and  
• Leading a stable, democratic international system of law with partners and allies.  

Under these broad pillars, the Interim National Security Guidance details many specific actions and plans, from rejoining the Paris Climate Accords to renewed commitment to NATO.  This interim guidance also foreshadows key science and technology investments that may be reflected in the President's Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Request.  The Administration highlights priorities including 5G networks, biotech, clean climate technology, cyberspace, space innovation, artificial intelligence, and STEM education.  These investment areas, and the strategic challenges they are meant to address, will be more fully explored in the Administration's first full NSS and corresponding revised National Defense Strategy, likely due before President Biden's first State of the Union address in 2023.

Administration Announces Additional National Security Leadership 

• Dr. Stefanie Tompkins as the 23rd director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) after serving the agency for 11 years in multiple positions including acting deputy director in 2017.  
• Barbara McQuiston will continue performing the duties of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E)).  President Biden has not yet announced a nominee to serve as the permanent USD(R&E). 
• Dr. Jason Matheny will become the National Security Council's Coordinator for Technology and National Security.  Matheny, who previously led the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) from 2015 to 2018, will also serve as Deputy Assistant to the President for Technology and National Security and Deputy Director for National Security at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
• Victoria Coleman, former DARPA Director, was publicly announced as the new Chief Scientist of the Air Force at the Women's Science and Technology Senior Leadership Forum.  

DOD Research and Engineering Leadership Discuss Modernization Priorities
Science and technology officials at the Department of Defense (DOD) discussed their modernization priorities in several key emerging technology areas as part of an event hosted by the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA).  The conversation, featuring technical directors in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E)) focused on DOD strategies and future plans in quantum science, 5G, and directed energy.  Highlights include:

• Paul Lopata, Principal Director for Quantum Science at DOD, spoke about the four essential groupings of quantum technology development: atomic clocks, sensors, computing, and networks.  Lopata said the Department is working toward mitigating the threats of spoofing and jamming on tactical radar and GPS through these technologies.  While full deployment of quantum technologies may seem distant, Lopata shared how basic research led by DOD is having an impact on current and near-term operations.
• Joe Evans, Principal Director for 5G at DOD, shared that a future goal of the Department is to integrate DOD 5G technologies with the commercial sector.  Evans spoke about ongoing 5Gprojects at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and SpaceX's Starlink as key enablers of the technology.
• James Trebes, Principal Director for Directed Energy, spoke about breakthroughs in directed energy weapons used by enlisted soldiers in live training scenarios.  DOD is currently focusing on developing 300-kilowatt lasers, which could be delivered in the next two years.  Long term, the Department will develop 500-kilowatt lasers with the goal of reaching megawatt laser capability.  Directed energy weapons will be used to counter cruise missiles, hypersonic missiles, and ballistic missile capabilities of adversaries, and remain a top priority for offensive considerations as well.

More information about R&E and modernization priorities can be found here. 

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DOD Releases FY 2022 MURI BAA  
The Department of Defense (DOD) released its broad agency announcement (BAA) for the fiscal year (FY) 2022 Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI), as part of the larger University Research Initiative (URI) aimed at institutions of higher education.  The MURI program is one of the signature DOD research programs for the university community and stands as the benchmark for building a defense-oriented research capability on campus.  The Army, Navy, and Air Force basic research offices have released 25 topics this year, all of which can be found in the full analysis by Lewis-Burke Associates here. 

DOD expects $190 million for the program with individual awards ranging between $1.25 - $1.5 million.  White papers are due on June 7, 2021, at 11:59 PM ET and full proposals are due on September 27, 2021, at 11:59 PM ET.  Additional information, including specific topic areas and submission dates, can be found in the complete writeup.  The full FY 2022 MURI solicitation issued by each Military Service is available at  www.grants.gov by searching “N00014-21-S-F004” (Navy), “W911NF-21-S-0008” (Army), or “FOA-AFRL-AFOSR-2021-0003” (Air Force). 

AFOSR Releases FY 2021 DOD Space University Research Initiative (SURI)  
The Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Chief Technologist Office has issued a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) for the fiscal year (FY) 2021 Department of Defense (DOD) Space University Research Initiative (SURI).  This program, eligible only for U.S. educational institutions, looks to establish connections between academia and the U.S. Space Force (USSF) and foster collaborative research to address space-related science and engineering challenges facing USSF.  This pilot program represents the first step in creating the congressionally mandated University Consortium for National Space Research.  The SURI FOA outlines two broad topics with specific research areas that applicants should address. All topic areas can be found in the full analysis by Lewis-Burke Associates available here. 

AFOSR intends to fund two awards, one per topic, of up to $5 million in total, including $1 million annually, for a performance period of up to five years.  White papers are due no later than April 28, 2021 at 11:59 PM ET and proposals should be submitted to www.grants.gov by June 16, 2021 at 11:59 PM ET.  The full solicitation can be found on www.grants.gov under Notice ID “FOA-AFRL-AFOSR-2021-0004” or here. 

DOD Announces Biotechnology and Materials Science Centers for HBCUs/MSIs 
The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) released two requests for proposals (RFPs) to establish respective Centers of Excellence on Materials Science and Biotechnology at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) or Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs).  The RFPs will provide one cooperative agreement per center for an HBCU/MSI to work collaboratively with scientists from the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and another institution of higher education (IHE) to execute a materials science, or biotechnology research program.  

The RFPs are solicited under the Research and Education Program for HBCU/MSIs, which seeks to enhance research and engineering capabilities of interest to the Department of Defense (DOD) and encourage educational collaborations.  Two total awards are anticipated, with one award in the form of a $1.5 million cooperative agreement for each center. HBCU/MSIs are invited to apply as principal investigators (PIs).  Proposals must be submitted by April 30, 2021 at 4:00 PM ET.  The full proposal for the Materials Science Center of Excellence RFP can be found here or at www.grants.gov under solicitation number “W911NF-19-S-0013-RFP-02.”  The Biotechnology Center of Excellence RFP can be found here or at www.grants.gov under solicitation number “W911NF-19-S-0013-RFP-01.”  The Research and Education Program for HBCUs/MSIs can be found here or at www.grants.gov under solicitation number “W911NF-19-S-0013.”

Department of Defense Releases FY 2022 DURIP BAA   
The Department of Defense (DOD) released a broad agency announcement (BAA) for the fiscal year (FY) 2022 Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP) competition.  DURIP, an annual program under DOD’s University Research Initiative (URI), provides acquisition funding for equipment and instrumentation used to support defense-related research activities.  DURIP funding supports the purchase of major, state-of-the-art equipment (from $50,000 to $1.5 million) that augments current research institutions’ capabilities or develops new capabilities to perform cutting edge defense research in disciplines of importance to DOD.  DURIP remains an extremely competitive funding program with the decline in similar instrumentation programs across federal agencies.  In FY 2021, DOD awarded $50 million to 150 university researchers at 85 institutions in 33 states.  Questions to respective program managers concerning the BAA are encouraged and must be submitted by April 23, 2021.  Appropriate points of contact can be found in each of the respective agencies’ BAAs.  Full proposals should be submitted no later than May 14, 2021 at 11:59 PM ET.  DOD anticipates awarding approximately $48 million under the FY 2022 DURIP competition, with individual awards ranging from $50,000 to $1.5 million.  The full FY 2022 DURIP solicitation issued by each military Service is available at www.grants.gov by searching “FOA-AFRL-AFOSR-2021-0002” (Air Force), “W911NF-21-S-0004” (Army), and “N00014-21-S-F002” (Navy).  A complete analysis of the FY 2022 DURIP BAA can be found here.  
 
ONR Releases FOA for FY 21 STEM Program  
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) released an open funding opportunity announcement (FOA) for the fiscal year (FY) 2021 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Program.  ONR is seeking proposals that create STEM educational pathways and workforce opportunities related to naval science and technology (S&T) workforce needs.  Proposals should aim to increase engagement in STEM and must address one of the following naval S&T thrust areas:

• STEM cybersecurity education and cyber awareness focused on 6th to 12th grade students 
• STEM interests supporting warfighter performance 
• ONR Global STEM interests 
• Naval Accelerator STEM interests  

Details and points of contact of each thrust can be found in the full FOA announcement.  Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss STEM proposals with an ONR point of contact.  Applicants from academia, non-profit organizations, and industry are eligible to apply, but ONR will not consider any proposals from foreign entities.  In addition, applicants are encouraged to consider under-represented and under-served populations, including women and minorities, in project plans.

All white papers and proposals must be submitted through FedConnect by 11:59 PM on March 30, 2022, and selections for awards will be made between March 31, 2021 to March 30, 2022.  Funding amount and period of performance will vary depending on the technology area and approach.  The full FOA can be found on www.grants.gov under solicitation number “N00014-21-S-F005” or here. 

AFRL Releases Capabilities for Cyber Advancement BAA    
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has issued a broad agency announcement (BAA) for the Capabilities for Cyber Advancement program.  The program seeks to develop new technologies for warfighting capabilities to achieve the mission of obtaining cyber superiority to ensure success in cyberspace-dependent missions within the Air Force and the Space Force.  To meet this goal, AFRL is seeking research pertaining to specific technologies of interest, including:

• Cloud architecture  
• Code analysis and evaluation  
• Cyber modeling and simulation 
• Decision support for cyber missions 
• Design frameworks  
• Evaluation and measurement technique 
• Mobile and embedded device security 
• Means for recovery from attack 
• Methods/means for non-traditional cybersecurity 
• Methods for data security in non-trusted environments 
• Protocol development and analysis 
• Risk management approaches 
• Secure processors 
• Secure development tools and techniques 
• Standards for information exchange 
• Trusted hardware and software 
• Virtualization 
• Zero trust computing 

Submissions for the BAA is a two-step process, as AFRL will review white papers before inviting proposers to submit formal proposals.  AFRL will consider white papers submitted under this BAA until December 1, 2025 at 6:00 PM ET, though the BAA lists recommended timelines for each fiscal year (FY) to align with projected funding.  White papers should be submitted by April 5, 2021 at 6:00 PM ET to be considered for FY 2021 funding or September 30, 2021 at 6:00 PM ET for FY 2022 funding.  AFRL will fund multiple awards over the course of the six-year program. Individual awards may range from $100,000 to $99 million, with a period of performance up to 60 months.  The BAA is closed to foreign participation, including foreign ownership and foreign nationals as employees or subcontractors, more information can be found in the full solicitation.  All other potential proposing organizations are eligible to apply.  The full AFRL solicitation can be found on https://beta.sam.gov under Notice ID “FA875021S7001” or here. 

DARPA Hybrid AI to Protect Integrity of Open Source Code (SocialCyber) 
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has issued an Artificial Intelligence Exploration (AIE) Opportunity inviting submissions for Hybrid AI to Protect Integrity of Open Source Code (SocialCyber).  SocialCyber is looking for research concepts that can detect cyber-social operations, such as misleading bug reports, negative social media campaigns, flawed code, etc., that target open source software (OSS) developer communities.  

The program includes two phases, each lasting a duration of nine months and each phase with an award value of $500,000.  Phase 1 will focus on code and its role in an OSS project, whereas phase 2 will focus on updated OSS situational awareness capabilities.  Proposals are due no later than April 6, 2021 at 12:00 PM ET.  The full solicitation can be found on https://beta.sam.gov under Notice ID “DARPA-PA-20-02-07" or here. 

DARPA I2O Releases BAA for Perceptually-enabled Task Guidance Program 
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Information Innovation Office (I2O) released a broad agency announcement (BAA) for the Perceptually-enabled Task Guidance (PTG) program.  The goal of PTG is to develop artificial intelligence (AI) technologies that can assist humans and provide providing just-in-time feedback and instructions for physical tasks. DARPA seeks to enable mechanics, medics, and other specialists to perform complex tasks within and beyond their skillsets.  PTG is soliciting research in two technical areas: fundamental research into knowledge transfer, perceptual grounding, perceptual attention and user modeling, and integrated demonstrations of technical area one.  DARPA anticipates approximately six awards with a total of $30 million available for technical area one, and up to two awards with a total of $10 million available for technical area two.  Full proposals are due May 14, 2021 at 12:00 PM ET.  The full solicitation can be found on https://beta.sam.gov under Notice ID “HR001121S0015." 

DARPA MTO Releases BAA on Low Temperature Logic Technology  
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) released a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) seeking proposals for its Low Temperature Logic Technology (LTLT) program.  The LTLT program will develop a semiconductor technology optimized for low temperature (77K) operation based on advanced VLSI manufacturing platforms and will demonstrate a 25X improvement in performance/power of state-of-the-art (SOA) CPUs compared to room temperature (RT) operation.  The program objective is to realize these improvements in a FinFET device structure in 14 nm or below nodes and to establish scalability to future technology nodes with similar performance/power improvement.  Proposers are strongly encouraged to submit an abstract in advance of a full proposal.  Abstracts may be submitted via DARPA’s BAA website no later than April 2, 2021 with full proposals due May 18, 2021.  The entire solicitation can be found here or at www.grants.gov under funding opportunity number “HR001121S0019.” 

DARPA MTO Forecasts Future AI Exploration Topic 
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) released a special notice to announce a future funding opportunity within the Artificial Intelligence Exploration (AIE) program.  The In Pixel Intelligent Processing (IP2) program seeks to enhance the artificial intelligence (AI) processing of video and advance the functionality of deep neural networks in power constrained sensing platforms.  The ultimate objective of IP2 is to embed AI at the sensor edge by solving issues related to data complexity and implementation of accurate, low-latency, low size, weight, and power (SWaP) AI algorithms.  The special notice does not constitute a formal solicitation and is intended for information and program planning.  The full notice can be found on https://beta.sam.gov/ under notice ID “DARPA-SN-21-20.” 

Army Releases Special Notice for Advanced Artificial Intelligence Analytics
Army Futures Command (AFC), via the Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Data & Analysis Center (DAC), issued a special notice for an analytical simulation framework for artificial intelligence and assistive automation (AI/AA) systems.  This simulation framework seeks to enable the Army to assess and evaluate new AI/AA capabilities for possible integration into Army operations and systems.  A thorough understanding of the Army's simulation modalities and concepts is encouraged for success.  AFC anticipates a single award of up to $40 million over five years.  A base award of $8 million will be made through a cooperative agreement for the first year with four option years actionable at the Army’s desire.  AFC and DEVCOM are using the Army Research Laboratory’s (ARL’s) open BAA to solicit proposals and make an award for this requirement.  Proposals are due by April 12, 2021.  Interested bidders are encouraged to read here or at www.grants.gov under solicitation number “W911NF-17-S-0003-ADVANCED-AI-AA-ANALYTIC” to understand the complete requirement and submission instructions.  Proposers are encouraged to interface with the DEVCOM personnel, with contact information listed in the notice, before submitting to best determine applicability of their capabilities to this requirement.

CDMRP Releases PRMRP and Additional FY 2021 Solicitations 
The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) is currently accepting research proposals for the following fiscal year (FY) 2021 research topics:   

• Prostate Cancer 
• Kidney Cancer 
• Multiple Sclerosis 
• Lupus 

Additionally, CDMRP released its FY 2021 Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP) solicitation.  Congress has allocated $370 million in FY 2021 for PRMRP in 42 topic areas.  Although Congress decides which topic areas are funded, DOD program managers and Joint Program Committees (JPCs) retain authority in program directions and are influential in shaping the direction of CDMRP programs.  Additional information about the two-tier review process is available here.  Lewis-Burke's full analysis of the PRMRP opportunities as well as the full list of FY 2021 topic areas can be found here. 

DHS S&T to Host Industry Day Webinar on April 6 
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) will host a webinar on Tuesday, April 6, from 2:00-3:00 PM ET to give potential partners an overview of how to work with S&T and how to navigate its Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (LRBAA).  DHS S&T works with industry and academia to develop new technologies that can help DHS component agencies including the U.S. Coast Guard, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), among many others.  This webinar is part of DHS S&T’s INSIGHTS OUTREACH campaign, which hosts webinars on the first Tuesday of every month for external partners on how to work with DHS.  Attendees may register here.  S&T’s February 2 webinar, entitled “How to Work with S&T” can be found here, with presentation slides found here. 

DHS S&T and MOPS Seek U.S.-Israeli R&D Partnerships in New Call for Proposals 
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and the Israeli Ministry of Public Security (MOPS) released their 2021 call for proposals under the Israel-U.S. Binational industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Homeland Security (HLS) program.  Established in 2016, the BIRD HLS program seeks to facilitate strategic partnerships between the U.S. and Israeli industry and academia to develop joint technologies relevant to the first responder community in both nations.  The 2021 call for proposals seeks efforts that will have both commercial potential and relevance to needs of DHS and MOPS, specifically in the following areas: 

• “Technologies and methods to secure critical infrastructure and public facilities 
• Technologies focused on safe and secure cities 
• Border protection, including maritime security 
• Law enforcement-supporting technologies to combat cyber crime 
• Unmanned aerial systems 
• Advanced first responder technologies” 

MOPS and DHS S&T will accept proposals for cooperation efforts between two companies or a company and a university/research institution.  One proposer must be from Israel and one from the U.S.  BIRD has previously funded multiple projects and anticipates funding conditional grants of up to $1 million, with BIRD HLS grants being no more than 50 percent of proposed projects’ research budgets.  Executive Summaries should be submitted though the BIRD website at http://www.birdf.com/upload-system/ by April 27, 2021, with full proposals due by June 15, 2021.  More information on the BIRD Foundation Homeland Security program, included previously funded projects, can be found at https://www.birdf.com/what-is-bird-hls/.

DOD Releases Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate BAA 
The Department of Defense's (DOD's) Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate (IWTSD) has released its annual Broad Agency Announcement (BAA).  IWTSD, formerly the Combatting Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO), seeks research and development (R&D) for new capabilities to address all facets of irregular warfare including for great power competition and in conflict with non-state actors.

Interested proposers have until April 22, 2021 to submit first phase quad charts for review.  IWTSD coordinates R&D for specific end user requirements in DOD and across the government on these efforts.  The BAA contains a list of these requirements to which interested bidders may propose.  IWTSD typically awards 12- to 18-month projects from $100,000 to $5 million.  Successful projects are those often planned to produce prototypes for operational employment.

Requirements are organized across IWTSD's 10 Subgroups: 

• Advanced Analytics (AA) 
• Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) 
• Expeditionary Force Protection (EFP) 
• Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Explosive Operations (EOD-EXO) 
• Forensic Exploitation and Identity Operations (FEIO) 
• Human Performance and Training (HPT) 
• Indirect Influence and Competition (I2C) 
• Protection, Survivability and Recovery (PSR) 
• Surveillance, Collection, and Operations Support (SCOS) 
• Tactical Offensive Support (TOS) 

The solicitation includes requirements in equipment manufacturing, course curriculum for special operations forces, unmanned aerial systems, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and 5G networking.  Certain Subgroups also solicited an Unspecified Requirement where submitters may propose any concept under a broader topic area.

There is no limit to the number of quad chart proposals submitted.  Submitters must use the IWTSD Business Information Delivery System (BIDS at https://bids.cttso.gov) to submit quads.  Potential applicants should read the full BAA, linked here, to ensure proposals are aligned with IWTSD’s requirements. 

WHAT WE'RE READING
 
Research, Procurement Could Get Squeezed in Biden Budget   
Defense News reports that due to the lack of growth in the Defense budget, presumed to be in the $704-$708 billion range in President Biden’s upcoming budget, funding for Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) programs will be reduced compared to other programs and areas of the Pentagon.  The author notes that proposals for a flat budget would be rebuked from both progressive democrats, who advocate for a decrease in the Defense top-line budget, and conservative republicans who believe the Defense budget should increase at a minimum rate of 3-5% annually to counteract inflation.  House Armed Services Committee (HASC) Chairman Adam Smith (D-WA) notes his opposition to the 3-5% increase and would prefer to debate how exactly funding is being prioritized and spent.  Smith believes that DOD should emphasize more “modest, cost-effective goals for the military” and ensure that the government is not wasting money on programs and systems that have ended in “complete disaster.”  Read more here. 

Business Executives Help Bring DARPA Research to Market  
Defense One explains how the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) plans to accelerate commercialization of research projects, through a new Embedded Entrepreneurship Initiative (EEI).  EEI is a partnership with Intelligence Community venture capital organization In-Q-Tel, which will help DARPA research teams create market strategies in the Defense and broader commercial industries with the help of seasoned business executives.  The author shares that EEI will utilize a fund to hire executive talent for promising research and to provide business experience and connection to investors.  DARPA ultimately hopes key technologies with large commercial markets will grow and benefit the Department in the long run.  Read more here.

'Quad' Summit: Biden Looks To Boost Coordination Against China   
President Joe Biden and the leaders of Austria, India, and Japan held a “Quad Summit” as a significant step in coordination in the Indo-Pacific region.  NPR offered a preview of the Quad Summit and President Biden’s efforts to counter China’s influence through strengthening partnerships and allies.  The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or “Quad,” made up of representatives from India, Japan, Australia, and the United States, has served as an informal regional alliance since the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.  While the four countries have held meetings in the past including regional military exercises, the four heads of state had never held a summit.  Highlighting the importance of the meeting, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that the President “made this one of his earliest multilateral engagements speaks to the importance we place on close cooperation with our allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific.”  At the summit, the four leaders announced their cooperation in three areas: COVID-19 vaccines, climate change, and emerging technologies.  A joint statement detailing the new partnerships can be found here.  Read more here.

New Strategy Aims To Up DOD, IC Game To Counter Disinformation 
As reported by Breaking Defense, the Department of Defense (DOD) acknowledged that an updated Defense Intelligence Strategy prioritizes countering disinformation coming out of Russia and China.  At a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations, Director for Defense Intelligence, Collection and Special Programs Neill Tipton said the new strategy will provide more timely information to Combatant Commanders (CCMDs).  He also noted under the strategy, DOD and the Intelligence Community plan to declassify information about adversary information-warfare activities by September to help the military better respond.  Tipton said the new strategy is in part a response to an internal DOD memo from a group of CCMDs asking the Intelligence Community for greater assistance in countering Chinese and Russian misinformation campaigns, especially those aimed at US military personnel.  Read more here.