The Irregular Warfare Technology Support Directorate (formerly Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office) is on the lookout for bright ideas. The IWTSD posted their annual Draft Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) today in order to solicit concepts for innovative research and development projects in the following mission areas: Advanced Analytics (AA); Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE); Expeditionary Force Protection (EFP); Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Explosive Operations (EOD/EXO); Forensic Exploitation and Identity Operations (FEIO); Human Performance and Training (HPT); Indirect Influence and Competition (I2C); Protection, Survivability, and Recovery (PSR); Surveillance, Collection, and Operations Support (SCOS); and Tactical Offensive Support (TOS). IWTSD provides additional information on the Draft BAA and support for working with the federal government. The BAA has an anticipated release date of March 23, 2021, and vendor submissions are due April 22, 2021 at 3PM ET.
IWTSD Industry Week
To prepare for the BAA release date, IWTSD holds their Industry Week each year in order to encourage more discussion and interaction. Last year, in response to the pandemic, IWTSD carried out their Industry Week plans virtually as the wold shut down from COVID-19, which is a prime example of how the DoD continued to march forward with national security work despite a pandemic. In 2021, IWTSD will continue on with a virtual event. Industry Week is March 8-12, and it is an opportunity for industry, academia, and government labs — any entity that can conduct business with the U.S. Government and has an interest in submitting bids — to discuss draft requirements that will form IWTSD’s FY 2022 research and development portfolio.
This event is the only opportunity for participants to virtually interact with IWTSD program staff about FY 2022 requirements. Feedback received from the discussion and exchange of information during this event helps IWTSD clarify and refine requirements for the final broad agency announcements.
What Does IWTSD Do?
While the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) takes a deep dive into research and development efforts that look to advance our nation’s capabilities in the long run, the IWTSD has a different approach that seeks to get innovative solutions into the field as soon as possible. IWTSD focuses on identifying and developing capabilities for DoD to conduct Irregular Warfare against all adversaries -that includes Great Power competitors and non-state actors – and to deliver those capabilities to DoD components and interagency partners through rapid research and development, advanced studies and technical innovation, and provision of support to U.S. military operations.
