Congressman Bill Young, the Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee, asked that we share with you two tremendous business opportunities from the Department of Defense.

Congress has established a Rapid Innovation Fund (RIF) to encourage the Department of Defense to better utilize small businesses to provide for the rapid, responsive acquisition of innovative technologies that address some of our most pressing national defense needs. According to the request for proposals (the full details of the Army and Navy requests are linked below - the Air Force will follow shortly) the RIF "is seeking projects that address innovative technology that resolve operational challenges or other critical national security needs, and has a demonstrated path into a defense acquisition program, including, but not limited to capabilities that:

• Accelerate or enhance a military capability;
• Reduce the development, acquisition, sustainment, or lifecycle costs of defense acquisition programs or fielded systems;
• Reduce technical risk; and,
• Improve the timeliness and thoroughness of test and evaluation outcomes."

A complete schedule for submissions is included in the packets, but please note the tight timelines and the final deadline for white papers is September 17, 2012.

Pinellas County small businesses have played a vital role in providing for the security of our nation and this is another great opportunity for you to find other areas in which to support that mission.

Sincerely,
C. W. Bill Young
Member of Congress

• Click here to view the Army Rapid Innovation Fund BAA
• Click here to view the Navy Rapid Innovation Fund BAA