Battery Network Broad Agency Announcement

The Broad Agency Announcement (BAA006-21) for the Battery Network (BATTNET), issued by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), is a solicitation for research and development related to battery technologies under the Department of Defense (DoD). Managed by DLA Contracting Services Office in Philadelphia, this BAA is structured to support experimental development initiatives aligned with national defense applications. It operates under the authority of FAR 35.016, allowing for broad exploratory proposals without the issuance of a separate solicitation document. The BATTNET BAA remains open for a five-year period beginning September 2, 2021, and concluding on September 1, 2026. The total contract ceiling is $20 million, though no specific funds are obligated under the BAA itself. Instead, funding is awarded through individual contracts that emerge from selected white papers and proposals. This structure allows for flexibility in funding depending on technical merit, mission alignment, and budget availability. Eligible offerors include those who meet FAR Part 9 standards regarding responsibility and performance, with added emphasis on contractor or subcontractor foreign affiliations as outlined in Amendment 1. Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial stability, accounting adequacy, technical capabilities, and operational resources to carry out the proposed R&D. Both traditional and non-traditional defense contractors are eligible to participate, but all must comply with updated eligibility rules effective March 5, 2024. The submission process begins with a white paper that outlines the technical concept. According to the revised language in the March 2024 amendment, white papers are no longer considered informal reviews—they are actively reviewed to assess technical feasibility, DoD compatibility, and DLA end-user adoption potential. White papers deemed of sufficient interest may lead to requests for full technical proposals. This BAA is classified under PSC AC33 (Defense-Related Experimental Development) and NAICS 541715, which covers R&D in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (excluding nanotechnology and biotech). Place of performance is identified as Fort Belvoir, Virginia, though work may occur elsewhere based on the scope of the selected projects. There is no requirement for matching funds or cost sharing. Funding is determined solely based on proposal merit and government priorities. Interested parties are reminded that the BAA is the only formal announcement and no additional solicitation documents will be released. All white paper submissions must adhere to the instructions within the BAA documentation. Updates or modifications, such as the March 2024 amendment, are made public through contract notice updates. This BAA provides a pathway for innovators to propose transformative solutions in battery technology to strengthen the DoD’s energy storage capabilities and readiness.