The 774th Enterprise Sourcing Squadron, on behalf of the Defense Technical Information Center, is pending RFP release for the Next Generation DoD Information Analysis Centers Multiple Award Contract (IACMAC).
IACMAC is the only DoD contract established specifically to acquire customized research and development across highly specialized focus areas, and the only one that mandates investigation and reporting of Scientific and Technical Information for government-wide reuse. Customers span every Service, the Combatant Commands, and DoD labs.
The scope covers the technical focus areas below, each mapped to one or more of the Department’s six Critical Technology Areas:
- Advanced materials, AI, alternative energy, autonomous systems, bio, biometrics, CBRN, C4ISR, critical infrastructure protection, cybersecurity, directed energy, energetics, hypersonics, medical, military sensing, modeling and simulation, quantum, space, survivability, weapons of mass destruction, and weapons systems
The headline for small businesses is the two-pool structure. Pool 1 is full and open using cost-plus-fixed-fee scenarios. Pool 2 is a dedicated small business pool using firm-fixed-price scenarios, chosen deliberately so offerors without a DCAA-approved accounting system can still propose. Pool 2 offerors respond to one scenario and Pool 1 offerors respond to two.
OPPORTUNITY SNAPSHOT
- Opportunity: Next Generation DoD Information Analysis Centers Multiple Award Contract (NG IACMAC)
- Agency: 774th Enterprise Sourcing Squadron, for the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC)
- Estimated RFP Release: TBD
- Estimated Value: TBD
- Status: Market research complete; no solicitation scheduled; archives 31 December 2026
- Structure: Multiple award IDIQ
- NAICS: 541715, R&D in Physical, Engineering and Life Sciences; PSC AC32
WHY THIS OPPORTUNITY MATTERS
DTIC has designed more small business accommodation into this vehicle than almost any comparable DoD R&D contract. What the contemplated strategy includes:
- Firm-fixed-price scenarios so non-traditional and commercial offerors without approved accounting systems can compete; a single scenario requirement instead of two
- A SBIR Phase III and Other Transaction entry path judged on demonstrated innovative or emerging capability
- A set-aside dollar threshold that escalates over the ordering period to keep pace with inflation
- A small business outgrows Pool 2, the option to on-ramp to Pool 1 rather than simply being pushed off
Two provisions worth noting. First, proposals at the qualification stage are offeror-only, teammates are not permitted. A firm cannot borrow a partner’s past performance to earn a seat and teaming matters later at task order level. Second, once on-ramped holders may need to propose 10 to 30 percent of opportunities per year, win a minimum number of task orders, submit no-bid responses rather than staying silent, and avoid marginal CPAR ratings.
What firms can do now:
- Identify which Critical Technology Area you would bid as your primary scenario
- Document R&D past performance showing outcomes and transition, not just period of performance
- Assess whether a SBIR Phase III or OT in your portfolio qualifies as an alternate entry
- Determine whether your accounting system limits you to Pool 2
- Model whether you can sustain the annual bid rate
WHO SHOULD CONSIDER THIS OPPORTUNITY
This vehicle is built for firms performing genuine research and development for defense customers across specialized technology domains. Firms with experience in the following should assess their fit now:
- Small businesses performing defense R&D under NAICS 541715 in any technical focus area
- AI, autonomous systems, quantum, and advanced computing research organizations
- Advanced materials, energetics, hypersonics, and directed energy researchers
- CBRN, WMD, biometrics, and medical research firms serving DoD customers
- C4ISR, military sensing, cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure protection researchers
- Firms holding SBIR Phase III awards or Other Transactions within scope of a Critical Technology Area
- Non-traditional and commercial technology firms without DCAA-approved accounting systems
HOW OST CAN HELP
With the draft and final RFP’s pending release there is time to validate if you can qualify for and benefit from this solicitation. Qualification depends on work you document rather than partners you recruit. OST supports firms preparing for pool-based IDIQ competitions with:
- Bid/No-Bid assessment: Evaluating which pool fits, which focus areas you can win, and whether you can sustain the bid-rate obligation
- Capture planning: Selecting your primary Critical Technology Area and building the evidence base ahead of the RFP
- Teaming strategy: Positioning for task order teaming via OST’s partnering portal (200+ companies), since teammates cannot be used to qualify
- Past performance strategy: Documenting R&D references that demonstrate outcomes, transition, and government benefit rather than level of effort
- Proposal development: Scenario response development, past performance narratives, and compliance for a subjectively rated qualification
The Next Gen IACMAC will replace a vehicle carrying a $48 billion ceiling, and DTIC has built an unusually deliberate set of on-ramps for small businesses into the follow-on. No solicitation date has been announced, which means firms have time to choose a focus area, document the right past performance, and decide which pool they belong in. If this interests you, please book a call with OST Partner and President Bill Schalik via the button below.
