Strengthening America’s Manufacturing and Defense Industrial Base (SAMDIB) – Cornerstone Consortium (DoD)
Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).
Executive Summary:
The Cornerstone Consortium is accepting white papers on a rolling basis under the Strengthening America’s Manufacturing and Defense Industrial Base (SAMDIB) initiative to fund prototype projects that enhance U.S. defense manufacturing capacity, workforce resilience, and supply chain security. Awards are made via Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) to eligible consortium members to address priority industrial base sectors supporting DoD mission readiness. White papers may be submitted anytime while the CIR is open, with evaluations conducted periodically based on Government need.
How much funding would I receive?
$2 million to $200 million. The Government does not disclose a fixed award size or total budget for this initiative but past awards reflect a range of levels from $2 million to $200 million. Funding levels vary by project scope, technical maturity, and negotiated milestones, and multiple awards may be made subject to availability of funds.
What could I use the funding for?
Cornerstone accelerates research, development, prototyping, demonstration, qualification and integration of manufacturing capabilities and capacities into the US Industrial Base and supply chains. Cornerstone integrates the diverse and currently fragmented collection of industry sectors across a range of manufacturing disciplines to ensure Industrial Base resiliency and assurance and a robust manufacturing innovation ecosystem. To this end, the technical focus of Cornerstone shall be comprised of, but not limited to, these Sector and Requirement Focus Areas:
Sector Area 1: Aircraft
Fighters, bombers, cargo, transport aircraft, combat/combat support/combat services helicopters, unmanned aircraft systems/vehicles and the associated components, equipment, networks and personnel to control unmanned aircraft.
Sector Area 2: Radar and Electronic Warfare
Semiconductor, captive monolithic microwave integrated circuits, and the related microelectronic manufacturing/assembly facilities required for continual upgrade of military radar, electronic warfare, and other related equipment.
Sector Area 3: Shipbuilding
Aircraft carriers, submarines, surface combatants, amphibious warfare, combat logistics force, and command and support vessels.
Sector Area 4: Ground Vehicles
Tactical vehicles, armored multi-purpose vehicles, and the associated products required for improvements to legacy systems such as the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, M1 series tank, High-Mobility Multi-Purpose Vehicle and Light Armored Vehicle.
Sector Area 5: Soldier Systems
Personal protective and individual systems such as clothing, boots, helmets, parachutes, chemical protective clothing, sensors and lasers, body armor, small arms, shelters, rations, clean water, laundry, and food services.
Sector Area 6: Space
Satellites, launch services, ground services, satellite components & subsystems, networks, engineering services, payloads, propulsion, and electronics.
Sector Area 7: Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN)
Passive protection, contamination avoidance and mitigation measures taken and the applicable associated equipment used in situations where CBRN hazards may be present.
Sector Area 8: Critical Minerals & Materials
Minerals, materials, production technology, and the associated international trade supply chains that are integral to the U.S. manufacturing base and the Nation’s overall economic and national security.
Sector Area 9: Machine Tools
Machines for shaping, machining, cutting, boring, shearing, extruding, turning and the associated tools/fixtures required for holding/constraining/guiding the work piece being machined.
Sector Area 10: Cyber for the Industrial Base
A body of technologies, processes and practices designed to protect networks, computers, and programs essential to military communication and data systems from being compromised.
Sector Area 11: Optics
Enhanced night vision goggles, thermal weapons sights, monocular night vision devices, aviator’s night vision imaging systems, sniper night sights, multifunction aiming lights, mini integrated pointed illuminator modules, integrated laser white light pointers, individual and crew served weapons lights, aircrew laser pointers, green laser interdiction systems, family of weapons sights, laser target locators, lightweight laser designator rangefinders, small tactical optical rifle mounts, micro-laser rangefinders, and joint effects targeting systems.
Sector Area 12: Advanced Technology and Advanced Manufacturing
Items of equipment developed with the most advanced technology available and used by the majority of the economy. Advanced technology and advanced manufacturing advances the state of the art and, therefore, has the most growth potential.
Sector Area 13: Electronics
Consumer electronics, computers, automotive, industrial/medical equipment, telecommunications, and aero/defense. The industrial base consists of engineering companies that design integrated circuits (IC); front end companies that manufacture ICs; back end manufacturers that assemble ICs into packages; IC vendors that design and market ICs; systems integration companies that combine ICs into electronic systems; and others as applicable.
Sector Area 14: Command, Control, Communication, and Computers (C4)
Major defense acquisition programs and major automated information systems that integrate doctrine, procedures, organizational structures, personnel, equipment, facilities and communication designed to support commanders.
Sector Area 15: Munitions and Missiles
Smart bombs, tactical cruise, air-to-air, air-to-ground, and surface-to-surface missiles as well as dumb bombs, ammunition, mortars, and large caliber rounds.
Sector Area 16: Industrial Base and Manufacturing Skills
Collaborative efforts to engage the highest industrial, academic, and Government technical resources to define and address strategic manufacturing value chain vulnerabilities and program specific technical issues in support of the defense industrial base.
Sector Area 17: Trusted Capital
U.S. or NTIB Integration-partner capital. Efforts will focus on identifying relevant sources of innovation, identifying and leveraging trustworthy sources of capital, and bringing together the right sources of innovation with the right trustworthy sources of capital to accelerate financial arrangements that obviate adversary strategies.
Sector Area 18: Special Operations Forces (SOF) Operational Requirements
Capabilities that rapidly explore any relevant technologies that provide material solutions for Electronic Warfare, Intelligence/Surveillance/Reconnaissance, Computer Network Operations, C4, Weapons, Visual Augmentation Systems, Fire Support Systems, SOF Enablers, and Mobility Systems.
Are there any additional benefits I would receive?
Beyond direct nondilutive funding, Cornerstone awards offer several strategic advantages:
Government Validation and Credibility: Selection through a DoD-managed OTA consortium signals strong alignment with national defense industrial base priorities and increases trust with primes, partners, and investors.
Enhanced Visibility Across DoD: Awardees gain exposure to multiple DoD programs and stakeholders through a standing, Government-managed consortium vehicle.
Faster Contracting and Flexible Terms: OTAs allow negotiated data rights, milestone-based payments, and streamlined acquisition compared to FAR-based contracts.
Follow-On Production Potential: Successful prototype projects may be eligible for non-competitive follow-on production OTAs or transition to FAR-based production contracts, though follow-on awards are not guaranteed.
What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?
White papers (15 pages) may be submitted at any time while the CIR is active. Submissions are typically evaluated within three months of receipt. If invited, full proposal timelines are set by the Government based on project complexity. Funding is received through negotiated milestone payments after OTA award.
Where does this funding come from?
Funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Defense through the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program and executed by Army Contracting Command – Rock Island in support of DEVCOM Chemical Biological Center.
Who is eligible to apply?
Only Cornerstone Consortium members with an executed Consortium Management Agreement, active SAM registration, and favorable responsibility status may apply. Eligible organizations include:
Small and large U.S. businesses
Non-traditional defense contractors
Traditional defense contractors
Academic institutions
Federally Funded Research and Development Centers
Private capital entities
Foreign participation is restricted and approved only on a case-by-case basis.
What companies and projects are likely to win?
Competitive selections prioritize projects that:
Address one or more priority industrial base sectors with clear DoD relevance
Demonstrate strong technical merit and feasibility
Strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity or supply chain resilience
Present reasonable cost sharing and milestone plans
Offer innovative or differentiated technical approaches
Are there any restrictions I should know about?
Yes. Key restrictions include limits on foreign participation, export-controlled information handling, cybersecurity compliance (NIST SP 800-171), restrictions on non-U.S. research programs, and Government Purpose Rights for technical data unless otherwise negotiated.
How long will it take me to prepare an application?
Most first-time applicants should expect 80–120 hours of effort over 8–12 weeks, including technical writing, budget preparation, and internal reviews.
How can BW&CO help?
Our team specializes in complex federal R&D proposals and can:
Triple your likelihood of success through proven strategy and insider-aligned proposal development
Reduce your time spent on the proposal by 50–80%, letting your team focus on technology and operations
Ensure you are targeting the best opportunity for your project and positioning your company for long-term growth under Federal & State R&D Initiatives.
How much would BW&CO Charge?
Our full service support is available for the 15 page white paper for a flat fee of $9,000. Upon invitation, full proposal is an additional $9000 + 5% Success Fee.
Fractional support is $300 per hour.
For startups, we offer a discounted rate of $250 per hour to make top-tier grant consulting more accessible while maintaining the same level of strategic guidance and proposal quality.