Request for Information Trusted Partner Program | DEVCOM ARL RFI TPP

Opportunity Information: Apply for DEVCOM ARL RFI TPP

The "Request for Information Trusted Partner Program" (Funding Opportunity Number: DEVCOM ARL RFI TPP) is not a grant solicitation or an open call for proposals. It is a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the U.S. Army Contracting Command - Aberdeen Proving Ground, Research Triangle Park Division (ACC-APG-RTP) to collect input strictly for planning and market research. The Army is using this RFI to better understand what capabilities, structures, and resources exist in the marketplace, and to encourage early information exchange that could improve competition and readiness if a formal solicitation is released later. The notice is explicit that the government is not promising to issue a future Request for Proposal (RFP), is not committing to award any contract, and will not pay for or reimburse any costs associated with preparing an RFI response.

The activity is tied to the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and focuses on exploring an approach to build a cadre of "trusted partners." In practical terms, the Army is considering a program model that would pre-identify and organize external academic entities, including Institutes of Higher Education and affiliated or associated entities, that can quickly begin work on basic scientific research when needed. The emphasis on "rapidly spinning up activity" suggests the Army is looking for mechanisms that reduce startup time for new research efforts, broaden the pool of credible research performers, and enable ARL to access diverse disciplinary perspectives across a wide scientific and technical landscape.

Although the posting appears on the grants ecosystem (and notes that any future solicitation would be synopsized on SAM.gov and Grants.gov), the opportunity is categorized as a discretionary notice with a procurement contract as the expected instrument type, and it is associated with a science and technology / research and development activity area (CFDA/Assistance listing reference: 12.431). No funding amount is being offered at this stage, which is reflected in an award ceiling of $0 and no stated number of expected awards. The key deliverable the Army wants right now is information: feedback that helps shape how this Trusted Partner Program might be set up, what capabilities are available, and which organizations have the interest and capacity to support ARL's basic research needs.

There are also clear compliance boundaries for respondents. The government stresses that participation is voluntary, that choosing not to respond does not prevent an organization from competing in any later solicitation, and that respondents must not submit Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) or classified information. Any future competitive action, if it happens, will be announced through official channels, and interested parties are responsible for monitoring those sites for updates. The stated closing date for the RFI is 2025-12-31, indicating a long window for information gathering rather than an imminent procurement action.

• The Dept of the Army -- Materiel Command in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Request for Information Trusted Partner Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.431.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2025-09-22.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-12-31. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for DEVCOM ARL RFI TPP

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