# National Security Innovation Capital (NSIC) - Commercial Acceleration Opportunity (CAO)

Canonical: https://abierto.us/opportunities/hq084524sn001

- Solicitation number: HQ0845-24-S-N001
- Notice type: Special notice
- Status: No response deadline
- Department: Department of Defense
- Agency: Immediate Office of the Secretary of Defense
- Contracting office: Defense Innovation Unit (HQ0833)
- NAICS: 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Product or service code: 9999 Miscellaneous Items
- First posted: March 20, 2024
- Last posted: June 20, 2025
- SAM.gov: https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/dba88354e1af4614b531b38b925ec2a2/view

## Description

NSIC’s mission is to strengthen the national security innovation base by addressing the shortfall of private investment from trusted sources in early-stage technology startups developing dual-use hardware products - technologies which have both commercial and national security applications. NSIC funding will enable companies to further develop their products, reducing future technical risk and time to market and increasing prospects for private investment.

NSIC provides funds to hardware startups which have achieved Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 or higher. Under the authority of 10 U.S.C. § 4022 (2022) (previously 10 U.S.C 2371b), NSIC seeks to award Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) to early-stage technology startups at various stages of prototype development.

The products which eventually result from awarded agreements will be valuable in commercial markets as well as in defense applications, enhancing the future mission effectiveness of military personnel and the supporting platforms, systems, components, or materials proposed to be acquired or developed by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).

The current Topics of Interest are found at the NSIC website: https://www.nsic.mil/ This announcement is continuously open; Pitch Decks may be submitted and will be evaluated for the general requirements of the Commercial Acceleration Opportunity (CAO) at any time throughout the year. The availability of funds may limit the ability of the U.S. Government to make awards in specific areas. Pitch Decks are sought under Topic of Interest referenced on the NSIC website.

This CAO is intended to ensure that to the maximum extent practicable, competitive procedures are used when entering into agreements to carry out these prototype projects. This announcement satisfies the competition requirements in 10 U.S.C. § 4022 (b)(2).

## Publications

- March 20, 2024: Special notice. Notice 31813aee32314ddc992df3b1dbbeb505. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/31813aee32314ddc992df3b1dbbeb505/view
- May 6, 2024: Special notice. Notice 65acb2631c464f3d97cabd86064c1401. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/65acb2631c464f3d97cabd86064c1401/view
- May 6, 2024: Special notice. Notice 742d43847c4d4f888e66ac121115977e. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/742d43847c4d4f888e66ac121115977e/view
- March 26, 2025: Special notice. Notice 2331be4d12db446e84770124aaa55da0. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/2331be4d12db446e84770124aaa55da0/view
- March 26, 2025: Special notice. Notice 467ab1de4ae64caf8b339c476782f446. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/467ab1de4ae64caf8b339c476782f446/view
- March 26, 2025: Special notice. Notice 8283567dee564052be1d2f343fedf0c2. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/8283567dee564052be1d2f343fedf0c2/view
- March 26, 2025: Special notice. Notice f7981507e4f647348e2e00468dc9d503. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/f7981507e4f647348e2e00468dc9d503/view
- June 20, 2025: Special notice. Notice dba88354e1af4614b531b38b925ec2a2. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/dba88354e1af4614b531b38b925ec2a2/view

## Points of contact

- Norman Bonano, nbonano@diu.mil
- DIU contact email, info@diu.mil

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Source: SAM.gov Contract Opportunities bulk extract. Confirm deadlines on SAM.gov before responding. Cite https://abierto.us/opportunities/hq084524sn001.