Maintenance and Sustainment RD Projects | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the name of this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Maintenance and Sustainment RD Projects."

2) Who is the sponsoring agency?

The sponsoring agency is the Department of Defense (DoD).

3) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is HQ0034 14 01 1030.

4) What is the overall purpose of the opportunity?

The opportunity focuses on establishing a "Maintenance and Sustainment Managing Partner" to support research and development (R&D) projects tied to maintenance and sustainment priorities.

5) What kind of award instrument is being used?

The opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement.

6) What does a cooperative agreement imply for how the project will be run?

A cooperative agreement typically means the government expects substantial involvement during execution rather than simply providing funds and stepping back.

7) What is the funding activity category?

The funding activity category is listed as Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

8) What types of work does the category suggest this program supports?

Based on the category description provided, it signals an emphasis on applied technical work, development, and potentially demonstrations or transition-oriented efforts that improve how systems are maintained, supported, and kept operational over time.

9) What is the maximum potential award amount?

The potential award ceiling is up to $100,000,000.

10) Is there a minimum (award floor) amount?

No minimum award amount is stated; the award floor is listed as $0.

11) What does the combination of a high ceiling and a $0 floor suggest?

It usually indicates the sponsor anticipates a range of possible award sizes depending on the scope, maturity, and quantity of projects supported under the arrangement, leaving room for anything from smaller starts to very large portfolios.

12) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity does not require cost sharing or matching.

13) What does "no cost share required" mean for applicants?

It lowers the barrier to entry for organizations that might not have discretionary funds available to contribute alongside the federal award.

14) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning it is open to any type of entity, as long as the full announcement does not add special conditions in the detailed eligibility language.

15) When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on November 4, 2014.

16) What was the closing date?

The original and current closing date was December 3, 2014.

17) What is the archive date and what does it mean?

The archive date was January 2, 2015. Since it is archived, it is no longer open for applications.

18) How long did applicants have to apply based on the posted and closing dates?

In practical terms, it was a time-limited competition with about a month for applicants to prepare and submit.

19) Is this opportunity still accepting applications?

No. The opportunity is archived and is no longer open.

20) Why might an archived opportunity still be useful?

It can still be useful as a reference point for understanding DoD priorities and typical structures for similar maintenance and sustainment R&D partnership vehicles.

21) Where are the detailed technical requirements and instructions located?

The short public description references attachments for details. The specific technical areas, required capabilities, deliverables, reporting expectations, and the exact meaning of "Managing Partner" are contained in the attached documents rather than in the brief synopsis.

22) What is meant by "Managing Partner" in this context?

The brief synopsis does not define it fully, but it indicates a role supporting R&D projects tied to maintenance and sustainment priorities, with details contained in the attachments.

23) What kinds of responsibilities might a "Managing Partner" have in many DoD contexts?

In many DoD contexts, a managing partner role can involve coordinating multiple R&D efforts, handling project intake and selection processes, managing subcontracting or subawards, tracking performance and technical progress, ensuring compliance with program rules, and helping transition successful technologies into operational use.

24) How does the cooperative agreement structure relate to day-to-day coordination with DoD?

The cooperative agreement format suggests ongoing coordination with DoD program staff, technical representatives, and possibly multiple stakeholders across sustainment communities.

25) Who was the point of contact for help accessing the full announcement?

The listed point of contact was Courtney Holbrook, Contract Specialist/Grant Specialist.

26) What contact information was provided?

Courtney Holbrook could be reached by phone at 703-545-0699.

27) What was the point of contact expected to help with?

For applicants who had trouble accessing the full announcement electronically, the contact was the route to obtain or clarify the official materials, especially the full package and attachments containing complete requirements, submission instructions, and evaluation criteria.

28) Does the synopsis list the exact evaluation criteria?

No. The synopsis indicates that evaluation criteria and other complete requirements were expected to be in the full announcement package and attachments.

29) Does the synopsis specify the exact deliverables or reporting requirements?

No. It states those items are contained in the attached documents rather than in the brief synopsis.

30) Does the synopsis identify specific technical areas within maintenance and sustainment?

No. It notes that specific technical areas are in the attachments, not in the short public description.