Barracks Resilience Through Industrialized Construction (BR-IC)
Executive Summary:
The Department of War, through the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), is soliciting proposals under its Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) process for the Barracks Resilience Through Industrialized Construction (BR-IC) initiative. This effort seeks to prototype and scale advanced manufacturing and modular construction solutions to modernize and rebuild military barracks that are energy-efficient, durable, and rapidly deployable.
Responses are due by November 25, 2025, meaning companies should begin preparing today and seek additional help in order to meet this deadline.
How much funding would I receive?
Funding levels are not pre-set. Awards are made under Other Transaction (OT) authority, which allows the government to negotiate prototype agreements of varying scale based on project scope and relevance. Vendors selected for Phase 2 will provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimate. Follow-on production contracts—potentially of significantly larger magnitude—may be awarded without further competition if the prototype is successful.
What could I use the funding for?
Problem Statement
The Department of War (DoW) faces a critical challenge in modernizing its aging infrastructure, particularly barracks, which continue to degrade due to poor environmental conditions, structural inefficiencies, and outdated building systems. Issues such as mold, pests, and inadequate HVAC performance directly affect the health, safety, and morale of service members, ultimately diminishing force readiness and retention.
Current military construction (MILCON) processes are characterized by lengthy design cycles, fragmented delivery models, and escalating costs. These legacy approaches cannot meet the speed or scalability required to align infrastructure modernization with operational tempo and strategic readiness goals.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, in announcing the formation of the Barracks Taskforce on October 7, emphasized this urgency: “How can we expect them to be ready for anything on the battlefield when their own living space is a constant source of stress and frustration?”
To address these challenges, the DoW seeks to prototype and scale advanced manufacturing and industrialized construction (IC) solutions capable of delivering high-quality, energy-efficient, and resilient facilities at accelerated timelines and reduced lifecycle costs. The objective is to establish repeatable, modular design and construction methodologies that can be rapidly deployed across installations—improving quality of life and ensuring the warfighter’s environment matches the standard of excellence expected on the battlefield.
Desired BR-IC Solution Objectives
DIU is seeking vendor solutions from the commercial sector that directly address the challenges listed above.
The Department is seeking a transformative approach to military construction, one that leverages controlled factory environments to shift significant portions of work off-site. This model enables automation, mechanization, and digital precision, allowing for simultaneous site preparation and module fabrication while ensuring superior consistency and quality. The result is accelerated delivery, improved cost predictability, and durable, high-performance structures that enhance warfighter readiness both domestically and abroad.
Through this effort, DIU aims to prototype IC solutions for repeatable military facility types, showcasing how commercial innovation can revolutionize defense construction. These prototypes will demonstrate how industrialized building methods can deliver faster timelines, reduced costs, and resilient, scalable infrastructure that meets the evolving demands of the DoW.
Proposed vendor solutions should address the following:
Innovative IC building methodologies, such as volumetric modular, hybrid, and Kit of Parts
Structure(s) that are adaptable for a variety of geographical locations, both domestic and international
Organization of specialized roles that often are siloed in traditional construction which need to come together to effectively implement Industrialized Construction, organized into project delivery lifecycle: Design, Manufacturing, Assembly, and onsite construction
Advanced manufacturing methodologies that can deliver high-quality barracks that ensure both performance and durability
Faster delivery by reducing design and build timelines 30% or more compared to traditional construction. Proposed structure(s) must be capable of being designed, reviewed, and approved within a 9 to 12 month time frame
Greater cost predictability by reducing design and construction costs by 20% or more as compared to traditional construction
A comprehensive prototype that encompasses BR-IC design, manufacturing, and building methodologies while employing advanced manufacturing techniques
Adaptable designs for barracks.
Process Efficiency: Describe in as much detail as possible, the vendor’s unique BR-IC process, through design and prototyping, as well as estimates for increased efficiencies in terms of scale, cost, and deliverability
High Performance Sustainable Buildings: Buildings must be energy resilient high performance sustainable buildings and validated by a third-party certification
Complementary Capabilities
In addition, the DoW is interested in the following optional complementary capabilities:
Utilities: Vendors may propose solutions that consider Enhanced Use Leases, Intergovernmental Support Agreement (IGSA), Energy Resilience Contracts and/or Power Purchase Agreements
Finance: Vendors may propose private capital investment, with little or no government upfront capital investment. For example, proposals may leverage third party/private financing, either independently or through a public private partnership
Owned, Operations and Maintenance Services: Vendors may propose post-construction building operations and maintenance services
Vendors are requested to provide BR-IC design, manufacturing, and construction solution briefs that include the following;
Effective cost and schedule control in all phases (design, manufacturing, construction, integration, performance and servicing)
Provide design construction process improvements
Demonstrate the use of technology/AI to provide a scalable, faster, and reliable aid to design efforts
Ensure design for manufacturing and assembly
DoD building standards are typically established by the Whole Building Design Guide (WBDG) and DoD Unified Facility Criteria (UFC). Vendors are free to propose alternative means of ensuring building longevity, life/safety requirements, and force protection standards are met.
Vendor Solution Brief Submission Options
Vendors have flexibility in how they submit their solution briefs, which can be proposed either independently or through a teaming arrangement:
Teaming: Vendors (e.g., Design/Build Firms, Design/Build Joint Ventures) are permitted to submit proposals as part of a team.
Scope of Objectives: Vendor or vendor teams may submit a solution brief that addresses one, multiple, or all of the BR-IC objectives.
Complementary Capabilities: Vendor or vendor teams may also submit a solution brief that focuses exclusively on one or more of the complementary capabilities.
Expectations
The successful vendor(s),or team will work collaboratively with DoW personnel to meet the following expectations:
Design, manufacture, construct, and commission BR-IC
Develop detailed project requirements to meet objectives
Submit detailed proposal(s) for completing the design, manufacturing and construction for barracks
Develop and negotiate design, manufacturing and construction agreements
Perform quality control and collaborate with DoW quality management personnel
Functions of quality control will be the responsibility of the vendor
Functions of quality assurance will reside with the DoW
Vendor(s) must have the ability to conduct the projects at DoW installations in CONUS and/or OCONUS
Desired solutions should demonstrate relevant and verified experience, as well as descriptions of past examples of designing and constructing BR-IC commercial buildings that are energy efficient with reduced life cycle costs.
Vendors or vendor teams are to provide examples and descriptions of designing and building three completed IC projects within the past 10 years with each project value exceeding $20,000,000. Past building projects must include achievement of sustainable third-party certification.
The selected vendors/teams will initially demonstrate these approaches by designing, constructing, and commissioning new building(s); some examples include:
(a) AND/OR ~100,000 SF for ~160 rooms (~300 personnel) multi-story Barracks
(b) AND/OR ~440,000 SF for a 600 room (1200 personnel) multi-story Student Housing
(c) AND/OR ~100,000 SF for 200 rooms (200 personnel) multi-story Unaccompanied Personnel dormitory
Are there any additional benefits I would receive?
Beyond the direct funding, BR-IC participation offers major strategic advantages:
Government Validation and Credibility:
Selection through the DIU CSO process signals that your company’s industrialized construction approach meets urgent defense infrastructure modernization goals. That endorsement strengthens credibility with defense primes, base infrastructure offices, and private investors.
Enhanced Market Visibility and Notoriety:
Awardees gain visibility through DIU announcements, government communications, and defense industry press—establishing your firm as a recognized innovator in resilient military housing and off-site manufacturing.
Follow-On Production Opportunities:
Successful prototypes can transition directly to follow-on production agreements without further competition, potentially unlocking multi-installation, multi-year build programs.
Nondilutive Growth and Exit Value:
Winning an OT award provides nondilutive capital and validation, often leading to higher valuations and stronger acquisition potential for defense and construction-tech firms.
What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?
Phase 1 Submission Deadline: November 21, 2025 (11:59 PM ET)
Phase 2 Pitches
Phase 3 Full Proposals
Awards: Prototype OT agreements are often executed within 60–90 days of selection under the above proce
Where does this funding come from?
Funding is provided through the Department of War (DoW) under the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) using Other Transaction (OT) authority (10 U.S.C. § 4022). This allows flexible, competitive awards to commercial vendors outside of traditional Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).
Who is eligible to apply?
This opportunity is open to both U.S. and international vendors across allied nations. To receive an OT award, companies must satisfy 10 U.S.C. § 4022(d) by demonstrating at least one of the following:
Significant participation from a nontraditional defense contractor.
All participants are small businesses.
At least one-third of project cost is funded with non-Federal sources.
What companies and projects are likely to win?
Teams with verified IC delivery experience: three completed IC projects in the last 10 years, each >$20M, with sustainability certification.
Solutions demonstrating repeatable, modular IC methodologies that:
Cut design/build timelines by ≥30% (capable of 9–12 month design/review/approval),
Improve cost predictability by ≥20%, and
Deliver durable, energy-resilient, high-performance facilities across CONUS/OCONUS.
Organizations showing integrated capability across Design → Manufacturing → Assembly → On-site construction, strong quality control, and scalable delivery.
Are there any restrictions I should know about?
Companies must be registered in SAM.gov prior to award.
Proposals must comply with CSO HQ0845-20-S-C001 evaluation criteria.
Vendors must meet DoD building standards (Whole Building Design Guide and Unified Facility Criteria) or propose equivalent alternatives ensuring durability and force protection.
Projects will be conducted at DoW installations in CONUS and/or OCONUS locations.
How long will it take me to prepare an application?
For a first-time applicant, preparing a competitive solutions brief will take 50-75 hours in total.
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.
How much would BW&CO Charge?
Our full service support is available for the Solution Brief for $5000. Pitch & Full proposal quoted upon invitation.
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.
Additional Resources
View the Solicitation Here.