Funding Agencies: DOD

In order to assure funding for the Manage 2000 project, we have researched several agencies and companies who would benefit from having a product such as manage 2000. Among the sources most likely to fund this project, the Department of Defense seems to hold the most promise. Through contacts obtained which work with the DOD, we have learned that MS Project is used by DOD management to control and trace the progress on software development projects, as well as other tasks. With Manage 2000, the DOD would have a better grasp on its knowledge base and would be able to track information throughout the organization in terms of human resources.

Approaching the DOD with a new an innovative idea such as Manage 2000 is an unsolicited research and development proposal. In researching this funding route, the Manage 2000 team has obtained the guidelines for submitting a proposal of this nature. The URL is: http://www.acq.osd.mil/sadbu/publications/selling/index.html

What follows are the general guidelines for the drafting of such a proposal taken directly from this source:

GUIDE FOR PREPARING UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS

An unsolicited proposal is a written proposal independently originated and developed by the offeror and submitted to DoD for the purpose of obtaining a contract. To be considered for acceptance, an unsolicited proposal must be innovative and unique and in sufficient detail to allow a determination that DoD support would benefit the agency's mission responsibilities. An unsolicited proposal is not a response to an agency request or an advance proposal for an agency requirement that could be met by competitive methods.

There is no particular format to be followed in preparation of unsolicited proposals. Elaborate proposals are discouraged. The proposal should contain the following information to permit consideration in an objective and timely manner:

Basic Information. Offeror's name, address, and type of organization; e.g., profit, nonprofit, educational, small business, minority business, women-owned business.

Names and telephone numbers of technical and business personnel to be contacted for evaluation or negotiation purposes.

Names of other Federal, State, and local agencies, or other parties, if any, receiving the proposal or funding the proposed effort.

Date of submission and signature of a person authorized to represent and contractually obligate the offeror.

Technical Information. A concise, descriptive title and an abstract (200-300 words) stating the basic purpose, summary of work, and expected end result of the proposed effort.

A reasonably complete narrative in which the relevance of the proposed work to the DoD mission is discussed. State the problems to be addressed; the specific objectives of the research, and the expected consequences of successful completion of the research, including potential economic and other benefits.

Provide a full and complete description of the work to be performed, the method of approach, and the extent of effort to be employed. Indicate an estimated period of time in which to accomplish the objectives, and criteria by which success of the project can be evaluated.

Names and biographical information on the key personnel who would be involved in the project.

Any support needed from the agency; e.g., facilities, equipment, material.

Supporting Information. A breakdown of the proposed cost or price in sufficient detail for meaningful evaluation. Show the estimated cost of materials and how you established it. Show the estimated costs of labor by category (engineering, manufacturing, test, etc.) and show the salary rates for each category. Show the indirect expense rates (manufacturing and engineering overheads, general and administrative expenses) to be applied. Explain the basis for the labor and indirect expense rates included in your cost breakdown (e.g., current experienced rates, projected from current experience, budgetary, etc.). Identify and explain the basis for any other cost elements included in your proposal.

A statement as to the proposed duration of the effort, the type of contract preferred, and the length of time for which the proposal is valid (a 6 month minimum is suggested).

A brief description of any previous or ongoing R&D work performed in the field or in related fields. Describe briefly the facilities and any special equipment available to perform the proposed effort.

Unsolicited proposals may include proprietary data which the offeror does not want disclosed to the public or used by the Government for any purpose other than proposal evaluation. DoD cannot assume responsibility for use of such data unless it is specifically and clearly marked with the following legend on the title page:

Use and Disclosure of Data

The data in this proposal shall not be disclosed outside the Government and shall not be duplicated, used, or disclosed in whole or in part for any purpose other than to evaluate the proposal; provided that if a contract is awarded to the offeror as a result of or in connection with the submission of these data, the Government shall have the right to duplicate, use, or disclose the data to the extent provided in the contract. This restriction does not limit the Government's right to use information contained in the data if it is obtainable from another source without restriction. The data subject to this restriction are contained in Sheets _____. Each restricted sheet should be marked with the following legend: "Use or disclosure of proposal data is subject to the restriction on the title page of this proposal."

Additional information, such as contact information, small business programs, and other items of interest can be found on the link provided above.