U.S. ARMY RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND 

ENGINEERING COMMAND

Michael Codega

Soldier Protection & Survivability Directorate

Natick Soldier Research, Development & Engineering Center

Army RDTE Opportunities

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NSRDEC VISION AND MISSION

The Soldier’s RDEC – Ensuring dominance 

through superior scientific and 

engineering expertise

Vision

Providing the Army with 

innovative science and technology 

solutions to optimize the 

performance of our Soldiers. 

Mission

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NSRDEC MISSION AREAS

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TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER MECHANISMS

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Flexibility through non-funded federal partnering agreements

•One or more federal laboratories working with one or more 

non-federal partner(s) toward a common R&D objective.

Cooperative Research 

and Development 

Agreements (CRADAs)

•Straight fee-for-service testing, not a collaborative effort.

•Customer owns all test data, Gov’t release is prohibited

Testing Service 

Agreements (TSA)

•Non-exclusive, partially exclusive, or exclusive. Patent License 

Agreements (PLAs)

•For the purpose of encouraging and enhancing study in 

scientific disciplines at all levels of education.

Educational Partnership 

Agreement (EPA)
COOPERATIVE RESEARCH AND 

DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS (CRADA)

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Presumes alignment of government and 

commercial/academic technical objectives

• Each party retains ownership of solely invented IP and joint inventions will be 

jointly owned.

• Non-federal partners can provide personnel, services, facilities, equipment, and 

funds.

• Federal partners can provide personnel, services, facilities, equipment, but no 

funds to non-federal partners.

• Federal government retains a non-exclusive license to all IP arising under the 

CRADA, for use by or on behalf of the government.

• Government agrees to negotiate a royalty bearing exclusive license to 

government owned IP arising under the CRADA.
TESTING SERVICE AGREEMENTS

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Unique federal laboratory facilities/capabilities are 

available to the private sector for testing purposes

• The purchaser retains sole ownership of the test results and the government is prohibited 

from disclosing data to third parties.

• Cost to the purchaser is equal to the laboratory’s cost to provide the service.

• A Testing Service Agreement (TSA) is a simple two party agreement that can be turned 

around in a few days.

• The government does not derive any rights in or to the purchaser’s Intellectual Property. 

• The government is prohibited from directly competing with private testing service 

companies.
COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

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• Public Benefit

• Substantial involvement is expected between the agency and the 

recipient

• Funding Agreement

• Rigid Patent Rights

Cooperative 

Agreement (CA)

Under a Cooperative Agreement, a principle purpose is to 

transfer a thing of value to the recipient to carry out a public 

purpose of support or stimulation authorized by law of the U.S. 

instead of acquiring property or services for the direct benefit 

or use of the U.S. government
TECHNOLOGY READINESS LEVELS (TRL)

• TRLs are used to estimate the maturity of a technology, component or system

• Only funds from an appropriate Budget Activity (BA) may be expended on RDT&E efforts 

at a particular TRL 

TRL Definition Description BA

1 Basic principles observed 

and reported.

Lowest level of technology readiness. Scientific research begins to be translated into applied research 

and development. Examples might include paper studies of a technology’s basic properties. 6.1

2 Technology concept 

and/or application 

formulated.

Invention begins. Once basic principles are observed, practical applications can be invented. 

Applications are speculative and there may be no proof or detailed analysis to support the assumptions. 

Examples are limited to analytic studies.

3 6.2 Analytical and 

experimental critical 

function and/or 

characteristic proof of 

concept.

Active research and development is initiated. This includes analytical studies and laboratory studies to 

physically validate analytical predictions of separate elements of the technology. Examples include 

components that are not yet integrated or representative.

4 Component and/or 

breadboard validation in 

laboratory environment.

Basic technological components are integrated to establish that they will work together. This is relatively 

“low fidelity” compared to the eventual system. Examples include integration of “ad hoc” hardware in the 

laboratory. 6.3 5 Component and/or 

breadboard validation in 

relevant environment.

Fidelity of breadboard technology increases significantly. The basic technological components are 

integrated with reasonably realistic supporting elements so it can be tested in a simulated environment. 

Examples include “high fidelity” laboratory integration of components.

6 System/subsystem model 

or prototype 

demonstration in a 

relevant environment.

Representative model or prototype system, which is well beyond that of TRL 5, is tested in a relevant 

environment. Represents a major step up in a technology’s demonstrated readiness. Examples include 

testing a prototype in a high-fidelity laboratory environment or in simulated operational environment.

6.4

6.5

7 System prototype 

demonstration in an 

operational environment.

Prototype near, or at, planned operational system. Represents a major step up from TRL 6, requiring 

demonstration of an actual system prototype in an operational environment such as an aircraft, vehicle, or 

space. Examples include testing the prototype in a test bed aircraft.

8 Actual system completed 

and qualified through test 

and demonstration.

Technology has been proven to work in its final form and under expected conditions. In almost all cases, 

this TRL represents the end of true system development. Examples include developmental test and 

evaluation of the system in its intended weapon system to determine if it meets design specifications.

9 Actual system proven 

through successful 

mission operations.

Actual application of the technology in its final form and under mission conditions, such as those 

encountered in operational test and evaluation. Examples include using the system under operational 

mission conditions.

Product Manager

RD&ECs/Lab

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUNDED CONTRACTS

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BAA and Unsolicited Proposals must comply with the FAR but still 

provide the offeror with more flexibility than a typical contract 

solicitation.

• The BAA is an open solicitation for proposals.

• It is funded to fulfill requirements for scientific study and 

experimentation.

• The BAA does not focus on specific systems or hardware.

• The solicitation is divided into topic groups that are of 

interest to the sponsoring lab and identifies a POC for 

that area.

Broad Agency 

Announcement 

(BAA) • Innovative and unique;

• Independently originated and developed by the offeror;

• Prepared without Government endorsement or 

involvement;

• Include sufficient detail to permit a proper evaluation;

• Not be an advance proposal for a known agency 

requirement;

• Not address a previously published agency requirement.

Unsolicited 

Proposals (UP)

BAA and UP are 

always subject to 

availability of 

appropriate agency 

research funds in a 

fiscal year. 

Funds are limited, 

and we typically 

plan spending 1-2 

years in advance. 

Small Business Innovative Research Program • For Independent Small Business (less than 500 employees)

• Phase I determines the scientific, technical and commercial merit and 

feasibility of the ideas submitted. Typically $150,000 over a period of 

six months. 

• Phase II is the major R&D effort, contracts are up to $1 million and 

usually span 24 months. 

• Phase III (commercialization) is the ultimate goal of the SBIR program. 

Small Business Innovative Research 

(SBIR) Program

https://www.acq.osd.mil/osbp/sbir/index.

shtml
NSRDEC BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA)

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C. Warfighter Systems Technologies

1. Ballistic Protection for Individuals

2. Integrated Protective Headborne Equipment 

and Injury Diagnostic/Assessment Tools

3. Modular Personal Protection Equipment 

(MPPE) and Injury Diagnostic Assessment 

Tools

4. Chemical/Biological Protection for Individuals

5. Flame and Thermal Protection for the 

Individual Soldier

6. Biotechnology

7. Countersurveillance

8. Body Worn Interactive Materials

9. Body-Worn Systems, Hand Held Devices, 

and Smart-Lightweight Electronic 

Components/ Modules for Soldier 

Protection, Knowledge Management and 

Cognitive Improvement

10. Biomechanics

11. Materials Nanotechnology

12. Anthropometry

13. Advanced Protection, Integration 

Technologies/Systems and Assessment 

Methods

14. Warrior Performance

15. Soldier Power Sources, Power & 

Data Distribution and Management

16. Future Warrior Technology Integration

17. Technology Assessment and Simulation Tools

18. Ecological Approach to Warfighter Survivability; 

Perception-Action-Cognition

19. Tactical Medical Equipment and Systems

20. Integrated Sound, Light and Blast Management for 

the Ears and Eyes

21. Soldier Centric Information Portrayal & 

Management Technologies

Additional Information and POCs 

https://www.nsrdec.army.mil/img/pdfs/BAADec2016.pdf for each area are listed in the BAA
BROAD OTHER TRANSACTIONS AUTHORITY 

ANNOUNCEMENT (BOTAA)

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http://www3.natick.army.mil/NSRDEC-BOTAA.aspx 

What is considered a prototype project? A prototype project can generally be described 

as a preliminary pilot, test, evaluation, demonstration, or agile development activity used to 

evaluate the technical or manufacturing feasibility or military utility of a particular technology, 

process, concept, end item, effect, or other discrete feature. Prototype projects may include 

systems, subsystems, components, materials, methodology, technology, or processes. 

What is a non-traditional defense contractor? as per 10 USC 2302(9) this is an entity

that is not currently performing and has not performed, for at least the one-year period 

preceding the solicitation of sources by the Department of Defense for the procurement or 

transaction, any contract or subcontract for the Department of Defense that is subject to full 

coverage under the cost accounting standards prescribed pursuant to section 1502 of title 

41 and the regulations implementing such section.

What does Non-FAR Based Agreement mean? The resultant award of any OTA using the 

procedures under NSRDEC BOTAA are NOT made or issued under the provisions of the 

Competition in Contracting Act of 1984 (P.L. 98-369), FAR Part 6 or any other FAR based 

regulation. However, the information provided in the BOTAA is intended to ensure 

competitive procedures are used to the maximum extent practicable when entering into 

agreements to carry out these prototype projects.

“This Solicitation provides an 

opportunity for nontraditional 

defense contractors to work 

with the NSRDEC on mission 

enhancing prototypes. This 

new form of contracting 

vehicle is Non-FAR Based 

and can be utilized for rapid 

prototype development.”
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https://www.nsrdec.army.mil/#/workwithus
PM SPIE BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA)

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Solicitation Number: W91CRB-16-R-0005

https://www.fbo.gov/index?id=0345cc4bdd189fb404231b0b89e7ff28

Please note that PM SPIE BAA only funds 6.4 projects, 

Testing, evaluating and developing component and/or 

subcomponent prototypes of PM SPIE managed items 

(protection & clothing and individual equipment)

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) POC: 

Mr. Christopher Baker

Engineer, Project Manager Soldier Protection and 

Individual Equipment

703-704-0417

christopher.r.baker5.civ@mail.mil

Organizational Clothing & Equipment (OCIE) POC:

Ms. Suzanne Horner

Engineer, Project Manager Soldier Protection and 

Individual Equipment

703-704-0050

suzanne.e.horner2.civ@mail.mil

Program Executive Office - Soldier

Project Manager Soldier Protection and Individual Equipment

Technical Management Directorate

Fort Belvoir, VA 

Technical Areas

1. Hard and Soft Armor

2. Explosive Ordnance Disposal Soldier Capability

3. Personal Blast Protection

4. Integrated Head Protection

5. Test Methodologies and Test Standards

6. Personal Protection System Integration

7. Modeling and Simulation

8. Integrated Soldier Concealment

9. Personal Load Carriage

10. Thermal Threat Protection

11. Environmental Protection System Integration

12. Vector Protection

13. Personnel Air Drop

14. Hydration

15. Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear 

Protection
SOLDIER PROTECTION & SURVIVABILITY 

POINTS OF CONTACT

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Dr. Richard Green

Director, Soldier Protection & 

Survivability Directorate

508.233.4469

richard.j.green.civ@mail.mil 

Mr. Michael Codega

508.233.4224

michael.j.codega.civ@mail.mil

Follow us: 

Natick Soldier Research, Development & 

Engineering Center

Soldier Protection & Survivability 

Directorate

Attn: RDNS-SES

15 General Greene Ave

Natick, MA 01760