The Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is looking to expand its regional presence by establishing new hub zones in Kentucky, Minnesota, and Montana. This initiative aims to enhance outreach to technology companies involved in commercial and dual-use technologies. Liz Young McNally, the DIU’s deputy director for commercial operations, expressed enthusiasm for this opportunity at the Apex Defense forum on a Wednesday, emphasizing the importance of having a regional presence for better engagement with the commercial tech sector.
In addition to the proposed new hub zones, the DIU already has personnel in locations such as Pittsburgh and New York, which helps them identify existing commercial technologies and assist companies in navigating collaboration with the Department of Defense (DOD). On the same day, the DIU released a “sources sought” memo to gather market research concerning the planned locations.
The memo outlines that recipients of upcoming awards will be tasked with improving collaboration between non-traditional companies and the DOD. These new hubs are expected to enhance regional defense innovation ecosystems, oversee various projects, and mitigate barriers to working with the DOD. Coordination with other OnRamp Hubs and DIU and U.S. government organizations will also be a requirement.
The OnRamp hubs will serve as a “front door” to the Pentagon, providing a physical space for mentoring, events, and programming. They will also offer support services including cyber hardening and access to research, development, testing, and evaluation. Since its establishment in 2015, the DIU has significantly influenced how the Pentagon procures and integrates commercial technologies.
Headquartered in Mountain View, California, the DIU has regional offices in Austin, Texas; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; and Washington, D.C. There are also existing OnRamp hubs located in Arizona, Hawaii, Kansas, Ohio, and Washington state.
