The Defense Innovation Unit awarded 72 prototype other transaction contracts to commercial companies and transitioned eight commercial platforms to Department of Defense end-users in fiscal year 2021, bringing DIU’s cumulative transition rate to 41 percent.
The number of awarded prototype OT contracts reflects a 31 percent rise from FY 2020, according to DIU’s annual report.
The organization saw the number of commercial proposals received jump 10 percent to 1,116 and published 26 solicitations for commercial solutions, reflecting a 4 percent growth from FY 2020.
Since June 2016, DIU and DOD partners have awarded $892.7 million in contracts.
DIU took an average of 137 days to award a prototype contract and saw an average of 43 proposals per solicitation.
DIU said it will continue to scale commercial tech platforms across the Pentagon and seek opportunities to work with allies and partners in FY 2022 in order to reach integrated deterrence. The organization noted that DOD should continue to employ acquisition alternatives and streamline processes with “flexible funding cycles.”
Mike Madsen serves as director of strategic engagement at DIU and is a 2021 Wash100 Award winner.
