The Broad Other Transaction Authority Announcement (BOTAA) 25-01, issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), invites proposals for prototype projects in specific focus areas related to military engineering and engineered resilient systems. This announcement aims to advance technologies that can enhance the effectiveness of military operations, including improving infrastructure, mobility, cybersecurity, and high-performance computing. The ERDC, under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 4022, seeks collaborations with nontraditional defense contractors, traditional defense contractors, and nonprofit research institutions to support prototype development in areas that directly benefit defense applications.

The ERDC identifies two main focus areas: Military Engineering (ME) and Engineered Resilient Systems (ERS). ME includes a broad range of topics, from protective structures and systems to global access engineering and infrastructure maintenance. ERS includes cutting-edge technologies such as cybersecurity, high-performance computing (HPC) enabled manufacturing, and advanced data analytics. The submission process is ongoing, and white papers may be submitted at any time for evaluation. These white papers should be in line with the focus areas described and will be reviewed for their feasibility, technical approach, and relevance to DoD mission objectives.

To submit a proposal, interested parties must submit a white paper via the ERDCWERX portal. White papers should include details such as the prototype project title, technical approach, and a rough order of magnitude (ROM) price. If a white paper is selected, further collaboration may be required, including a solution pitch, technical demonstration, or a Request for Prototype Proposal (RFPP). Funding decisions depend on the availability of funds and the quality of proposals. Successful projects may transition into production contracts upon successful completion of prototype development.

The announcement follows a competitive process, with all white papers and proposals evaluated based on their scientific and technical merit, feasibility, and how well they address specific capability gaps identified by the ERDC. The evaluation will also consider the participation of nontraditional defense contractors or nonprofit research institutions, the price realism of proposals, and the qualifications of the proposed project team.

Important contact details are provided for each focus area, with designated ERDC Agreement Officers available for queries. The expected timeline for responses to white paper submissions is typically 60-90 days, and the ERDC will notify offerors of the selection status accordingly. Proposals for funded projects may be subject to public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), with appropriate confidentiality measures in place for sensitive business or technical information.