# Request for Information – University Partnership Models

Canonical: https://abierto.us/opportunities/devcomarlrfi2501

- Solicitation number: DEVCOM-ARL-RFI-25-01
- Notice type: Sources sought
- Status: Closed. Deadline was December 6, 2024 at 5:00 PM EST
- Department: Department of the Army
- Agency: Department of the Army
- Contracting office: W6QK ACC-APG Durham (W911NF)
- NAICS: 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Product or service code: AJ11 General Science And Technology R&D Services; General Science And Technology; Basic Research
- First posted: October 24, 2024
- Last posted: November 22, 2024
- SAM.gov: https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/62bd985c640843c6a0b2e388c8f74ab6/view

## Description

This is a Request for Information (RFI) issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. Respondents are advised that the Army Research Lab (ARL) is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted under this RFI.

**Request for Information (RFI):** University Partnership Models ARL is seeking input from the academic community on agile teaming approaches to enable ARL to rapidly access a broad range of experts that can support the unique needs of the future Army. Additional information on the requested approaches to established trusted partnerships with the academic community is provided below.

This RFI is issued for planning purposes only, and it does not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals or suggest the procurement of any goods or services. The following sections of this announcement contain details on the specific scientific areas of interest, along with instructions for the submission of responses. How is this effort meant to be different than previous efforts?

ARL recognizes that to deliver the science and technology needs for the Army of 2040 and beyond, we need to work with the world’s leading experts. In addition, to tailor our research to the unique needs of the Army we need to work as a team with our university partners. This means that we need to collaborate on open (public releasable) basic science and on classified problems that incorporate an understanding of Army challenges.

Although the business models that focus on working with individual principal investigators is still necessary and will continue, ARL is seeking ideas to improve partnerships with universities by collaboratively developing strategies that leverage the universities’ capabilities (e.g. personnel, facilities, and infrastructure) to address the Army’s science and technology gaps that exist to deliver for the Army of 2040 and beyond.

ARL is interested in learning about unique mechanisms you may have in place with other organizations. Suggestions for modifications to existing contracting and partnership mechanisms are also welcome.

**Amendment 01:** This RFI is amended to extend the submission to no later than 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on 06 December 2024. Also, to notify that the issues with the mailbox has been resolved.

## Publications

- October 24, 2024: Sources sought, due November 21, 2024 at 5:00 PM EST. Notice a81aa55a391547b580fd7824b1566f67. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/a81aa55a391547b580fd7824b1566f67/view
- October 24, 2024: Sources sought, due November 21, 2024 at 5:00 PM EST. Notice f1d27ca9539f47a9860a6a053ec78992. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/f1d27ca9539f47a9860a6a053ec78992/view
- November 22, 2024: Sources sought, due December 6, 2024 at 5:00 PM EST. Notice 62bd985c640843c6a0b2e388c8f74ab6. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/62bd985c640843c6a0b2e388c8f74ab6/view

## Points of contact

- Mr. Karl A. Kappra, UniversityRFI@army.mil
- Dr. David Stepp, UniversityRFI@army.mil

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Source: SAM.gov Contract Opportunities bulk extract. Confirm deadlines on SAM.gov before responding. Cite https://abierto.us/opportunities/devcomarlrfi2501.