Defense Production Act Title III Expansion of Domestic Production Capability and Capacity

The Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III Expansion of Domestic Production Capability and Capacity is a substantial federal initiative led by the U.S. Department of Defense, specifically the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Materials and Manufacturing Directorate (AFRL/RX). The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), designated FA8650-19-S-5010, is to leverage the unique authorities granted under Title III of the Defense Production Act of 1950 to expand and strengthen the domestic industrial base for critical components, technology items, and industrial resources necessary for national defense. The initiative reflects the federal government’s ongoing commitment to ensure reliable and resilient production capabilities for defense-critical materials and technologies through targeted investments and cost-sharing mechanisms. The FOA is structured as a hybrid opportunity, offering two distinct paths for engagement: (1) an Open FOA, which uses a two-step process involving the submission of white papers followed by potential full proposals upon favorable review; and (2) a FOA with Calls, which issues specific project-focused solicitations requiring full proposals directly. Across both avenues, the program supports projects that address one of three overarching topic areas: the sustainment of critical production, the commercialization of government-sponsored R&D for defense or civilian use, and the scaling of emerging technologies for national security applications. These broad topics allow the program to remain adaptable and responsive to a wide array of industrial base needs. Each award made under this FOA will typically take the form of a Technology Investment Agreement (TIA) governed by the Department of Defense Grant and Agreement Regulations (DoDGARs), though Cooperative Agreements may be considered where appropriate. The FOA specifies a total program funding ceiling of $9 billion, with a 50% cost-sharing requirement between the federal government and recipients. Individual project awards are expected to range between $10 million and $25 million, although exceptions may occur depending on specific mission needs. The initiative is focused exclusively on domestic sources as defined under the DPA, encompassing entities performing substantially all required work in the U.S., its territories, Canada, Australia, or the United Kingdom. Foreign entities and government organizations are not eligible. The FOA remains open for a total of 84 months, with a current closing date of July 12, 2026. As of Amendment 5, the acceptance of white papers has been suspended until further notice, but the issuance of Calls continues. Applicants must provide clear documentation demonstrating compliance with DPA Title III eligibility, including proof of being a domestic source and detailed explanations of how their proposals meet the three statutory criteria of Title III: national defense necessity, lack of private-sector capability without federal intervention, and cost-effectiveness of federal action. Further requirements include financial system audits to ensure Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) compliance and a recent Basic NIST SP 800-171 cybersecurity self-assessment with a minimum score of 110 published in the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS). Applications are submitted electronically through designated channels, and evaluations are conducted based on several criteria: manufacturing capability and experience, quality of technical approach, business viability, merchant supplier orientation, and cost realism. Successful projects are expected to produce deliverables such as strategic business plans, financial reports, and quarterly progress updates. The period of performance for individual projects may extend up to 10 years. Applicants should direct technical questions to Jeffrey T. Hubert, the Acting Program Manager, and submit proposals in coordination with the designated contracting officers at AFRL. Though the FOA does not provide a specific notification timeline, award decisions will depend on technical merit, funding availability, and alignment with national defense priorities.

Highlight merchant supplier orientation and publish a compliant NIST 800-171 score of 110+ in SPRS to qualify.