The objective of the iFAB program is to re-think the model for the factory of the future and to imbue defense manufacturing with a level of adaptability and adaptation timelines needed to meet the demands of rapidly changing threats and geopolitical environments. The technical challenges that underlie the iFAB program have significant policy implications, and to that end, in order to ensure successful technology transition at the conclusion of the iFAB program, DARPA is undertaking a one-day roundtable discussion to explore approaches for bridging the technology-policy divide associated with adaptive manufacturing.

The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) has demonstrated a unique level of thought leadership in this area as evidenced by several influential publications.  There is no known vendor with a comparable level of expertise in this area. Additionally, CNAS has an extensive established network of connections to senior industrial, academic, and government leaders and stakeholders critical to the success of the subject effort. Finally, CNAS has a unique capability to provide, within the Government's schedule and budget constraints, and with the requisite level of subject matter expertise, custom-designed content to drive the roundtable agenda and a custom reporting product summarizing the proceedings.

For the above reasons, CNAS is uniquely qualified and capable of delivering the required product to the timeline, technical sophistication, and quality required by DARPA, and it is deemed to be in the best interests of the Government to award this Purchase Order on a sole source basis. This announcement constitutes the only synopsis for this requirement. It is not a request for proposals (RFP) and is issued for notification purposes only.