BRIDGES: Bringing Classified Innovation to Defense and Government Systems

The BRIDGES initiative is a pilot effort sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to connect innovation from small companies that traditionally do not work with the United States Government to classified Department of Defense (DoD) research and development (R&D) efforts. 

Specifically, the goal is to connect innovators directly to the challenging problems that exist in the classified realm and to help develop solutions to those problems. BRIDGES aims to provide companies that demonstrate they can provide innovation and value to the DoD the means to obtain a facility clearance, and interact directly with DoD customers at classified levels.

To participate in BRIDGES, companies can submit short (~4 page) proposals against topic areas provided by the government indicating what value they could bring to that area. The government will review all proposals, evaluate them, and invite selected companies to join the consortium, where each team within the consortium will be aligned to one of the topic areas. 

As a member of the consortium, a company will be sponsored for a facility clearance and provided access to classified work areas and networks where they can perform classified work. They will also be invited to quarterly, in person meetings where they can interact with government personnel at classified levels up to TS/SCI/SAP.

FAQs

Q1: What is a facility clearance and why do I need one?
A: A facility clearance (FCL) is a determination made by the U.S. government that a contractor is eligible for access to classified information. A contractor must have a facility clearance commensurate with the highest level of classified access required for contractor performance. A facility clearance is a clearance of a business entity, and does not automatically clear a physical business structure or facility for storage of classified information; an FCL with storage approval grants the authorization to store classified information.

Q2: What are the requirements to get a facility clearance?
A: In order to obtain a facility clearance, a company must meet the eligibility requirements listed in the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), section 2-102, and meet personnel security clearance requirements for certain essential Key Management Personnel (KMPs). The brief version of the NISPOM 2-102 requirements are:

- The company must require access to classified information in connection with a legitimate U.S. Government procurement
- The company must be organized and existing under the laws of any of the fifty states, the District of Colombia, or Puerto Rico, and be located in the United States or its territorial areas
- The company must have a reputation for integrity and lawful conduct in its business dealings
- The company must not be under Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence (FOCI) to such a degree that the granting of the facility clearance would be inconsistent with national interest

For the full list of requirements, please refer to the NISPOM, section 2-102.

Q3: Are non-U.S. companies eligible for BRIDGES?
A: Since the goal of BRIDGES is to bring companies into the U.S. Government classified workspace, only companies and personnel that are able to obtain and hold clearances are eligible. According to the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), only companies that are organized or existing under the laws of the fifty states, the District of Colombia, or Puerto Rico and located in the United States or its territorial areas are eligible for BRIDGES.

Q4: What is the process for getting a facility clearance?
A: Once selected to join the consortium, a company will be added to the Other Transaction contract and will complete the FCL sponsorship form from the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) website and submit to DARPA. DARPA will add the company to the consortium DD254 and send the DD254 and FCL sponsorship form to DCSA for processing. A copy of the consortium DD254 will also be sent to the company. DCSA will process the personnel clearances (PCLs) for the performer’s requested key management personnel (KMPs), to include the Facility Security Officer (FSO), in tandem with the FCL. Once DCSA approves the FCL, personal clearances will be transferred from DCSA to the performer, who can then submit additional personnel for PCLs. The performer can now hold personal clearances and rent or build classified environments to support classified government work.

For more information on FCLs or the process for obtaining an FCL, please refer to the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency website: https://www.dcsa.mil/mc/isd/fc/.

Q5: How long does it take to get a facility clearance?
A: The amount of time this will take varies, and partially depends on how responsive the company is to DCSA. For a Secret level clearance, we estimate that it should take 4-6 months. Higher level FCLs will take longer.

Q6: How much does a facility clearance cost?
A: There is no cost to the company for an FCL; the government funds the processing of FCLs for access to classified information.

Q7: What security guidance will be provided to govern how we mark classified materials we develop in the consortium?
A: DARPA security will identify or develop appropriate security classification guides (SCGs) to govern the development of classified materials for each topic area.

Q8: In addition to the facility clearance, what is the process and timeline for getting a security clearance for personnel?
A: When applying for a facility clearance, the company must provide information on their designated key management personnel (KMP), such as the Facility Security Officer (FSO). This will initiate the process for getting personnel security clearances for the KMP. While timelines can vary, interim Secret clearances should take about 1 month, and full Secret clearances should take about 3 months.

Q9: Our company has employees that already have clearances; when can they get to work on BRIDGES?
A: Once your company has its facility clearance, you can hold personnel clearances up to the level of your facility clearance. Once your personnel have their security clearance, they can get to work on BRIDGES at the level their clearance allows.

Q10: What level of classified work will be occurring on BRIDGES?
A: Work can be performed from the collateral Secret up to the TS/SCI/SAP level, depending on the level of clearance held by personnel within the topic area. The associated DD254 will be used to document and validate clearance/access requirements for work performance.

Q11: Do facility clearances expire?
A: Facility clearances are valid as long as there is an active classified contract and there is a need to access classified information in performance of the classified contract.

Q12: How many companies will be allowed in the consortium?
A: There is not a defined limit, however, the nominal number of companies accepted for each topic area will be 6-10 companies. Admittance to the consortium will be determined by topic area, and the government sponsor(s) for that topic area.

Q13: How do I join the consortium?
A: Submit a 4-page proposal to the topic area you are interested in via the email address provided in the posted topic area. The government sponsor(s) for that topic area will review your proposal, evaluate it against the evaluation criteria provided in Section 3.3 of the research solicitation, and reply to you via email on whether you have met the qualifications for and will be selected for invitation to join the consortium.

Q14: What is the deadline for submitting a proposal to a topic area?
A: Topic areas will be posted as they become available and will stipulate the due date for proposals. The expected initial due date is 45 days after the topic area has been officially posted. Subsequent to the initial date, the government plans to accept proposals for a period up to one year from the topic posting date and may admit companies to the consortium subject to availability of funds.

Q15: When can I expect to be notified of acceptance/selection into the consortium?
A: DARPA aims to evaluate each proposal submission within 20 business days. After the review and evaluation is complete, you will receive an email letting you know if you will be invited to the consortium.

Q16: How long will it take for the contract modification to take place and how soon will I be able to start work?
A: This depends on many factors, including how many companies are being added to the OT agreement at one time, but adding a new member to the consortium should not take more than a couple of days.

Q17: If accepted to the consortium, what classified facilities and networks will I have access to?
A: Once admitted to the consortium, you will have access to classified work spaces provided by MITRE in Bedford, MA and McLean, VA. Additional work spaces may become available at other MITRE locations (e.g. Los Angeles, CA). The specific networks will be discussed as part of the classified consortium meetings.

Q18: Who will manage the consortium?
A: The consortium will be bound by its Articles of Collaboration, with MITRE serving as the lead consortium member. As the lead member, MITRE will help facilitate operation of the consortium, as well as provide meeting spaces for quarterly consortium meetings, and classified work locations for consortium members. MITRE will also issue payment to other members of the consortium.

Q19: Who owns any intellectual property we develop at the classified work facilities?
A: You will maintain ownership of all intellectual property you develop in support of BRIDGES.

Q20: If selected to join the consortium, what type of contract will the government issue?
A: The Government has an Other Transaction (OT) for Research agreement with the BRIDGES consortium. If selected to become a consortium member, the company will be added to the BRIDGES OT for Research agreement, and collectively the BRIDGES consortium members will execute the agreement. In addition to the OT agreement, the BRIDGES consortium will be established under a separate Articles of Collaboration. In order to participate in the BRIDGES effort, consortium members will be bound by the Articles of Collaboration.

Q21: Can I join the consortium on more than one topic area?
A: Yes, companies can submit proposals to multiple topic areas. To do so they must submit a distinct proposal to each topic area and be selected by that topic area’s government sponsor.

Q22: How long can I stay in the consortium?
A: BRIDGES is a pilot initiative and will run for 30 months, starting in March 2023. Each company in the consortium is eligible to remain in the consortium for the duration of the BRIDGES pilot. Membership in the consortium remains at the discretion of the Program Manager and contingent on active participation.

Q23: What is the purpose of the quarterly consortium meetings?
A: At each consortium’s quarterly meeting, government representatives will speak to consortium members about current DoD interests and efforts within that topic area. They will also engage consortium members in one-on-one meetings to discuss how their expertise aligns to ongoing or future efforts, the progress they’ve made to date, and provide guidance and mentorship to the company.

Q24: What work are we supposed to perform once on contract?
A: Unlike a traditional government contract where you’re expected to develop something specific or perform specific services, the primary expectation while on contract with BRIDGES is to innovate at the classified level. The delivered outputs will be to develop classified white papers and compete for classified work. BRIDGES’ goal is to serve as an incubator for companies that have the potential to bring value to classified DoD efforts, so the focus of effort for your company as a consortium member is to take the steps necessary to develop new program concepts and allow you to compete for classified DoD contracts.

Q25: How do I know if my company is eligible?
A: To be eligible for BRIDGES, a company must meet the qualifications of a small business as defined by the Small Business Administration (SBA) for the company’s NAICS code or the definition of a nontraditional defense contractor as defined in 10 U.S.C. § 2302(9).

Q26: What is an Other Transaction (OT)?
A: Other Transactions are contractual instruments other than standard procurement contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements. OTs can include flexible business arrangements to acquire research and development activities to advance new technologies, and prototypes or models to evaluate technical or manufacturing feasibility or military utility of new or existing technology. This may apply to processes, concepts, end items, and systems from non-traditional defense contractors (as well as from traditional defense contractors when statutory requirements for small business participation or cost-sharing arrangements are satisfied) allowing the government access to cutting edge solutions.

OTs provide opportunities to structure agreements that may leverage commercial business practices and remove barriers to entry such as cost accounting system (CAS) compliance and intellectual property rights requirements, to encourage non-traditional defense contractors to do business with the government.

Q27: What is the payment schedule?
A: Companies who join the consortium will be paid $50,000 per year.

Q28: How do we get paid?
A: As the lead member of the consortium, MITRE will issue payments to each member of the consortium at a rate of $50,000 per year.

Q29: Is any cost sharing expected?
A: As part of the Other Transaction for Research, members of the consortium will be expected to have a cost share of 50%

Q30: How do I stay up to date on BRIDGES? Is there an email list?
A: The best way to stay up to date with information on BRIDGES is via the BRIDGES website: https://www.darpa.mil/BRIDGES.

Q31: How many topics will be released by the government?
A: Topic areas will be released as they become available, but there is no minimum or maximum amount of topic areas planned by the government. The government anticipates that the first topic will be released in April 2023.

Q32: How will I know a new topic area has been released?
A: All new topics will be posted as addendums to the research solicitation on SAM.gov, and links will be provided to the topic area from the BRIDGES website at https://www.darpa.mil/BRIDGES.

Q33: What happens at the end of BRIDGES?
A: The goal of BRIDGES is for a company to “graduate” out of the effort. To do so, the company must be awarded a non-BRIDGES contract for classified work in order to maintain their facility clearance.

Q34: Are BRIDGES members allowed to pursue other classified contracts?
A: Absolutely. It is DARPA’s hope that BRIDGES members are able to secure classified contracts while members of the consortium. This will enable the company to maintain their FCL at the conclusion of BRIDGES.

Q35: Can members of the BRIDGES consortium use non-MITRE SCIF space if they would prefer?
A: BRIDGES members can use whatever SCIF space is available to them. Since it takes time and costs money to build or rent SCIF space, the government has coordinated with MITRE to provide a limited amount of SCIF space to BRIDGES members at specific locations. If a BRIDGES member has access to other SCIF space, they may use that SCIF space at their discretion. The government will not reimburse the BRIDGES member for the cost of renting or using other SCIF spaces.

Q36: Can BRIDGES be utilized as a contract vehicle for other efforts outside of BRIDGES, as well as a method of getting a DD254?
A: No, BRIDGES can not be used as a contract vehicle for efforts outside of BRIIDGES. The intent is to find a government customer that will issue a new contract to you based on the ideas you’ve generated in BRIDGES.