NAVWAR Wins Additional $400m in Funding
Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) announced on 17th August that its Information Warfare Research Project (IWRP) received approval for $400 million in funding.
The Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition, James Guerts, approved the ceiling increase in addition to an extra two year period of performance extension for NAVWAR’s IWRP following its successful initial 18 months.
The project began in October of 2018 with $100 million in funding for a two year period but managed to allocate the funds an entire year earlier than it was set to expire in the summer of 2021. The IWRP utilizes the DoD’s “Other Transaction” authority to speed up acquisitions and develop new technologies for the US Navy.
“This incredible milestone is a first for the Navy and really highlights the way NAVWAR is leading the way in Non-FAR-based acquisitions in order to provide rapid capabilities to our Sailors and Marines,” IWRP Executive Steering Group chair and Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic deputy executive director, Kevin Charlow, said.
The flexibility that comes with using the Other Transaction Authority allowed for the creation of new opportunities for traditional industry partners and unconventional new partnerships to turn new technological concepts into prototypes and bid for potential production and integration into the Navy’s fleets. Just within its first 18 months of operation, the IWRP, with its focus on warfighter and industry collaboration, facilitated over 800 opportunities for the different entities it coordinates to discuss and develop prototyping projects.
“IWRP has been a game changer and has proven to be a key enabler in rapid delivery of IW capability to the warfighter,” said Director of rapid prototyping – information warfare at NIWC Pacific, Nicole Stone. “Collaboration with our partners in industry, small business, and academia, with the flexibility necessary to adapt to evolving requirements, is critical to our success in winning the fight. IWRP provides that platform for us.”