How DIU buys
Why it matters: DIU says its open solicitations and Other Transaction (OT) authority award prototype contracts "in months, not years" (diu.mil/about). Awards often come in 60 to 90 days.37
- Interest form Fill out DIU's interest form so you are on file.
- Watch for a fit Brief when a CSO's AOI (Area of Interest, the topic category it lists for pitches) fits your product.
- Solution brief Submit through the diu.mil submission page.
- Prototype OT Winners get a prototype agreement that can lead to production.
- Where DIU shows up DIU co-runs the Drone Dominance Program with the Test Resource Management Center (TRMC), and it tested the Army's Short Range Reconnaissance finalists (see the Skydio case).14 Travis Metz is acting director.9
- The catch DIU's open calls change often, and many are not for aircraft.37 Drone founders should get on file and watch.
Live notices
Live notices for this lane: see the opportunity tracker, DIU calls (dated) filter.
What this means for you
DIU moves fast when a CSO matches you, but its open calls change. Being on file means you can move the week one drops.
Next step: Submit the DIU interest form and set a reminder to check the open solicitations page.
In the tracker snapshot
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