DARPA Kicks Off Prep for $1B Contract
An automous vehicled develop by the University of Washington as part of a DARPA competition. DARPA
By
Nick Wakeman
Work is underway on the recompete of this technical services vehicle that supports research efforts.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has started to develop the next version of a technical and analytical support services that could have a $1 billion ceiling.
DARPA awarded the first Technical and Analytical Support Services contract to seven companies in 2018 and that vehicle is slated to expire in August 2023.
In a new sources sought notice, DARPA says it likely will make between five and 10 awards for the new five-year contract. DARPA hopes to have the new vehicle in place by August 2023.
DARPA is using that request for information develop its strategy for the acquisition, including opportunities for small businesses to compete for and perform the work.
The TASS vehicle covers technical support such as subject matter expertise to help in the oversight of research-and-development programs, acquisition analysis and support, and assessments and evaluation support.
Financial management, front office support and meeting planning are other areas DARPA is interested in.
Contractors under TASS also help in the management of program events such as the DARPA Robotics Challenge, Cyber Grand Challenge and Spectrum Challenge. There also are ad hoc special projects, studies and assessments.
Examples of DARPA offices that tap TASS for support include the director’s office, the biological technologies office, defense sciences office, microsystems technology office and the contracts management office to name a few.
Feedback on the RFI is due Nov. 7.
Current incumbents for TASS are Amentum, Avantus Federal, Booz Allen Hamilton, ECS Federal, ManTech and Strategic Analysis Inc.