DOD launches microelectronics research, development recompete

The Defense Department organization overseeing the delivery of microelectronics across DOD is now ready for industry to start working on proposals for the recompete of a major technology development contract vehicle.

Iteration number five of the Advanced Technology Support Program will have a potential 10-year duration and does not appear to have an official ceiling, according to the final solicitation released Friday. But the size and specs of the current ATSP4 contract suggest a potential multibillion-dollar opportunity for the new awardee pool.

The Defense Microelectronics Activity awarded ATSP4 in 2016 to eight companies and has obligated roughly $8.2 billion in work to-date, according to GovTribe data.

RTX and Northrop Grumman are by far the two largest recipients of that spend at 54.1% and 32%, respectively. Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems’ U.S. subsidiary and General Dynamics’ mission systems unit round out the top five of obligations received.

DMA has structured the program to be broad in scope as it focuses on developing, analyzing, designing, integrating, and testing sophisticated microelectronics for the hardware and software domains.

Computer chips power just about every system of importance the military uses, ranging from weapons to communications tools. DOD sees a problem of microelectronics obsolescence in many of those systems and is therefore looking to improve both their capability and durability.

The department does have a trusted network of suppliers to get the chips it needs. But as we were told at the height of the global chip shortage, that has resulted in many military systems having semiconductors generations behind those available in commercial sectors.

ATSP5 is designed to fund research-and-development work across areas such as quantum computing and nanoelectronics, three-dimensional and other additive manufacturing techniques, and submicron engineering to develop circuitry at smaller scales.

DMA is particularly interested in acquiring industry support for prototype development, system upgrades, performance enhancements, obsolescence resolution, and advanced technology insertion for defense systems.

Bids for the new ATSP5 contract are due no later than 3 p.m. Eastern time on April 4.