Source: United States General Services Administration
May 16, 2022
MOU Creates Path for Innovative Technology Solutions through GSA’s Multiple Award Schedule
Washington, D.C. and Mountain View, CA – The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) that will make it easier for federal agencies to access innovative technology solutions. The MOU establishes a framework for GSA to transition successfully-prototyped DIU technology solutions to GSA contract vehicles.
A Department of Defense (DoD) organization, DIU accelerates the adoption of emerging commercial technology into the U.S. military by lowering the barriers to entry and streamlining acquisitions via their Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) process.
“Partnering with GSA to more easily bring proven, innovative, and emerging technologies to meet agency missions across the U.S. government is a win-win for both the taxpayers and for the commercial companies working with DIU,” said Mike Brown, DIU director.
The MOU supports GSA’s mission and commitment to bringing innovative solutions to federal customers. The agreement will increase the speed at which all U.S. Government agencies can access non-traditional industry partners through GSA contracts. The two organizations are working together to leverage DIU’s use of the competitive Other Transaction (OT) authority and its follow-on production contracting, combined with GSA’s streamlined FASt Lane process to onboard DIU industry partners.
As a transition partner with DIU, GSA will enable both DoD and non-DoD entities to scale novel commercial technologies across the United States, including those needed at the federal, state, local, and tribal levels.
“Sharing expertise and intellectual resources between agencies is mutually beneficial to DIU and GSA’s missions,” said Laura Stanton, assistant commissioner for the Office of Information Technology Category (ITC). “We’re really excited to bring these innovative companies — many of which are small businesses — to GSA contracts.”
The six key areas of emerging commercial technology that DIU focuses on are:
Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML)
- Autonomy
- Cyber
- Energy
- Human Systems
- Space
The establishment of this MOU will be the second coordinated effort between the two organizations. The first effort focused on making National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)-compliant drones available through GSA, for DoD as well as any Government entity. This endeavor, called Blue UAS, is a holistic and continuous approach to rapidly prototyping and scaling capable and secure commercial unmanned aerial systems (UAS) technology to DoD as well as to any Government entity through GSA.
For more information please visit www.diu.mil or www.gsa.gov/itc.
About GSA
GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet, overseeing approximately $75 billion in annual contracts, and delivering technology services that serve millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA’s mission is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.
About DIU
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) accelerates the adoption of commercial technology and methodologies into the U.S. military to strengthen our nation’s security. With offices in Silicon Valley, Boston, Austin, Chicago, and the Pentagon, DIU connects the Department of Defense customers with leading technology companies to prototype and transition commercial solutions into the field within 12 to 24 months. Learn more at www.diu.mil.