Defense Production Act Title III Expansion of Domestic Production Capability and Capacity; Call 006 ANSSQ Sonobuoys Production Capability Project | FA8650 19 S 5010 CALL 006

Opportunity Information: Apply for FA8650 19 S 5010 CALL 006

This funding opportunity is a U.S. Department of Defense effort, administered through the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), to strengthen and expand domestic industrial capability under the Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III authorities. The specific call is focused on AN/SSQ sonobuoys, which are expendable underwater acoustic sensors used for anti-submarine warfare and related maritime missions. In practical terms, the government is signaling that sonobuoy production is strategically important and that there is a need to increase U.S.-based manufacturing capability and/or capacity so the supply chain can meet defense demand reliably.

The opportunity is issued under a hybrid Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) identified as FA8650-19-S-5010, Call 006, titled "ANSSQ Sonobuoys Production Capability Project." The instrument type listed is a cooperative agreement, which usually means the government expects to have substantial involvement during the project compared with a standard grant. That involvement can include closer technical coordination, milestone reviews, and active program management, which is common for industrial base expansion efforts where schedule, qualification, and transition to sustained production matter.

It is categorized as a discretionary award in the science, technology, and other research and development area. While it sits in an R&D category, the emphasis of DPA Title III projects is typically on scaling or securing production capability rather than basic research. These projects often support activities like equipment procurement, facility upgrades, process development, tooling, supplier qualification, workforce and throughput improvements, testing/quality enhancements, and other investments that remove bottlenecks and increase dependable output inside the United States.

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning any type of entity may apply (industry, small business, large business, non-profits, academia, consortia, etc.), subject to any additional eligibility clarifications that would normally appear in the full FOA text. The listing includes CFDA numbers 12.777 and 12.800, which correspond to DoD assistance programs often used for R&D and related defense support activities.

The opportunity was created on March 13, 2020, with an original closing date of April 17, 2020, indicating a relatively short application window consistent with targeted industrial base calls. The government anticipated making about two awards. The award ceiling is shown as "0," which typically means the public synopsis did not specify a maximum dollar amount in that field; the actual funding range, cost share expectations (if any), and allowable cost details would be spelled out in the full solicitation package.

Overall, this call is best read as an industrial base strengthening initiative: AFRL and the DoD are looking for partners who can expand domestic sonobuoy production capability and capacity, reduce risk in the supply chain, and deliver measurable increases in output or resilience. Competitive applicants would generally be expected to present a clear plan tied to production outcomes (for example, added capacity, reduced lead times, improved yield, qualification of alternate domestic sources, or modernization of manufacturing lines), along with a realistic schedule, technical approach, and cost structure that supports sustained, scalable production aligned with defense requirements.

• The Department of Defense, Air Force -- Research Lab in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Defense Production Act Title III Expansion of Domestic Production Capability and Capacity; Call 006 ANSSQ Sonobuoys Production Capability Project" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.777, 12.800.
• This funding opportunity was created on Mar 13, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 17, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

Apply for FA8650 19 S 5010 CALL 006

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