The National Strategic Research Institute (NRSI) at the University of Nebraska has received a $500 million contract to conduct cutting-edge research and development on warfighting technologies to protect and serve U.S. forces.
The indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract from U.S. Strategic Command retains NSRI’s designation as a University Affiliated Research Center (UARC). Notably, the contract does not constitute a direct funding commitment, instead vouching for the institute’s capability and reliability. Government agencies may now skip the procurement process to quickly issue task orders for specific research from the NRSI.
The contract will cover a five-year period with a five-year option and constitutes the largest amount the NRSI has received since its establishment in 2012. The institute is one of 15 UARCs across the country and has advanced academic research and critical tools across two Department of Defense (DoD) missions – strategic deterrence and countering weapons of mass destruction.
Over the past 14 years, the institute has delivered research, technology, product and strategy development, training, exercises and subject matter expertise to more than 50 federal and state government sponsors. Its research portfolio contains hundreds of products spanning the threat spectrum across a variety of sectors. Some of the most recent projects include:
- Electromagnetic operations analysis across the Joint Force.
- Acute radiation syndrome prophylactic.
- Infectious aerosol risk study.
- Emergent gamma radiation technologies study.
- Comprehensive chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) assessments, readiness and training frameworks and exercises.
Solutions developed through these contracts typically result in immediate real-world application, taking potentially life-saving solutions from development to deployment. The removal of clunky bureaucratic review and procurement processes empowers the institute to rapidly respond to pressing needs and emerging threats by directly supporting strategic deterrence and decision-making efforts.
The IDIQ contract is the university’s fourth since the NRSI was founded. Past contracts include $84 million in 2012, $92 million in 2018 and $107 million in 2020.
Photo by Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, from Wikimedia Commons
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