FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
NSTIC ORGANIZATION AND PURPOSE
A consortium is an association of individuals, companies, organizations or governments (or any combination of these entities) with the objective of participating in a common activity or pooling their resources for achieving a common goal.
The Naval Surface Technology & Innovation Consortium (NSTIC) has established an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) to engage industry and academia to develop and mature technologies in the field of surface technology innovation that enhance Navy mission effectiveness. Join NSTIC to access business and research opportunities focused on research, development, testing, and integrating complex naval warfare systems across a broad range of technology areas and disciplines. Please visit www.nstic.org for more information.
A Consortium Management Firm (CMF) is a critical link between Government and Industry. The CMF provides administrative and other specialized services to help ensure that the needs of both are met in an efficient and expeditious manner. Advanced Technology International (ATI), a not-for-profit corporation, is the consortium management firm for the Naval Surface Technology & Innovation Consortium (NSTIC).
Learn more about ATI here: https://www.ati.org/
NSTIC MEMBERSHIP
Please visit How to join for the Membership Agreement Form. For questions, please email nsticconsortium@ati.org.
This is the Agreement that governs the rights and obligations of the NSTIC Member Organizations as they relate to the organization and operation of NSTIC.
Membership Obligations
The Parties agree that Membership has the following obligations:
- Unless directed otherwise by the Government, be a U.S. firm or institution organized or existing under the laws of the United States, its territories, or possessions. For the purposes of this CMA, any agency or instrumentality of a foreign government shall not be granted Membership;
- Not be barred from contracting with or receiving funds from the United States Government;
- Clearly demonstrate in their Membership application that they are capable of making a technical contribution in the NSTIC areas listed in the PURPOSE section above, and other relevant subject, technology, and capability domains as may be required in order to fully support the needs of the S. Government;
- Contribute their respective talents and resources to the NSTIC for activities such as periodic meeting attendance, committee and subcommittee participation, and other activities as may be appropriate;
- Maintain an active Military Critical Technical Data Agreement (Form DD 2345) certification with the U.S./ Canada Joint Certification Office, Defense Logistics Information Service, Federal Center, 74 Washington Ave., North Battle Creek, MI USA 49037-3084;
- Not transfer Membership to any third party;
- Provide all cost and technical data as required in any NSTIC solicitation to which it responds; and
- Abide by the terms of this CMA and the Base Agreement.
- Opportunity to become active partners in the development of the Naval Surface communities technology requirements.
- Work closely with government program sponsors to develop research and development funding priorities.
- Direct access to government funding sponsors and technology managers as well as information regarding ongoing research and development activities, future research and development requirements and strategic visioning.
- The ability to compete for funding executed under Section 815 for Prototypes Other Transactions Agreement.
- Outreach and networking opportunities with other industry and academia members, as well as government stakeholders.
- Access to training, webinars, assistance, and information about doing business with the government, navigating through the associated processes, and forecasting future trends.
- Access (through the members-only portal) to information and points of contact for all NSTIC members.
Typically 1-2 days if the application is complete. If an application is incomplete, the Consortium Management Firm will reach out to the applicant to discuss any missing elements.
NSTIC members are required to maintain an active DD2345. United States (U.S.)/Canada Joint Certification Program (JCP) certification establishes the eligibility of a U.S. or Canadian contractor to receive technical data governed, in the U.S., by Department of Defense (DOD) Directive 5230.25 and, in Canada, by the Technical Data Control Regulations (TDCR). Certification is required for United States (U.S.) or Canadian contractors who wish to obtain access to unclassified technical data disclosing militarily critical technology with military or space application that is under the control of, or in the possession of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) or the Canadian Department of National Defense (DND). In order to obtain a certification, contractors must submit a DD2345 Form to the United States (U.S.)/Canada Joint Certification Office, along with supporting company documentation. Please visit the DLA website for more information regarding the DD2345 process, including the form itself as well as instructions and FAQs. According to the JCP’s website, the processing time for DD2345 Form applications fluctuate depending on the delivery method to their office and the volume of applications received. If there are problems with the application, e.g. incomplete or incorrect information, delays will occur. The website includes tips for avoiding these mistakes. Recent experience indicates a range of a few days to a few weeks.
The DD2345 form and instructions are available on DLA’s website: https://www.dla.mil/HQ/LogisticsOperations/Services/JCP/DD2345Instructions/
A non-traditional defense contractor is defined in 10 U.S.C § 2302(9) – Any entity that is not currently performing or has not performed in the last one-year period preceding the solicitation of sources by the Department of Defense (DoD), any contract or subcontract for the DoD that is subject to full CAS coverage.
Collaboration events will be held, in conjunction with the release of solicitations to the NSTIC member organizations. These events give NSTIC Members an opportunity to meet with Naval Surface Warfare technology requirement submitters to discuss their opportunities and for members to share their technology solutions. They also give NSTIC members an opportunity to network with other members to develop teaming relationships.
The public website can be accessed at www.nstic.org which includes publically available information about the NSTIC. The public site contains a link to access the Members Only site which contains solicitation information, the latest information on Government requirements, meeting proceedings, etc. If your organization is a NSTIC member, and you do not already have a log-in you can request one by clicking here. In order to gain access to the Members only site you must be a US Citizen/Person. The Primary POC for each organization must approve all requests.
NSTIC ASSESSMENTS
The NSTIC assessment is the primary means of raising revenue to pay for the operations of the consortium. These operations include administrative and member support activities, industry days, membership meetings, business development, customer outreach, training, process improvement initiatives, and website management. In addition to the foregoing member benefits, the assessments support member-only access to the growing NSTIC data repository with enhanced data mining and member networking capability.
Per the NSTIC Consortium Membership Agreement, each NSTIC Member receiving a Project Agreement under an OTA executed between the Government and the NSTIC is subject to a project award assessment. This project award assessment shall be established by the NSTIC Executive Committee and shall not exceed one percent (1%) of the authorized funded agreement value. The NSTIC Executive Committee will evaluate this assessment percentage on a periodic basis and may adjust it upward or downward by NSTIC Executive Committee Resolution.
Effective June 14, 2019, the NSTIC Assessment on all initiatives is 0.15% of all awarded funding (not ceiling).
Effective October 1, 2021, the NSTIC Assessment on all initiatives is 0.75% of all awarded funding (not ceiling).
No, NSTIC Assessments are not a Government requirement and are not an allowable direct cost on any Initiative/Project Agreement.
Yes, the assessment can be included in your profit/fee as the use of an organization’s fee is its own business decision. However, there is no need to break out the proposed fee in order to show the assessment in a cost proposal.
Yes, the assessment may be included as part of your indirect rate structure (e.g. with the G&A pool). Because of organizations’ differing regulations, disclosure practices, and polices, NSTIC cannot provide advice on the specific calculations or appropriateness of this approach for individual NSTIC members.
No, because of the mechanics of the Other Transaction Agreement, the CMF is unable to utilize these other methods. The member must pay the assessment directly to the NSTIC through the CMF per the instructions on the invoice. The invoice will be sent to the NSTIC member Primary POC, the NSTIC member Financial POC (if provided), and the Initiative’s/Project’s Technical and Contractual POCs. Please contact the CMF if additional POCs are required for your initiative/project.
Yes, the funding generated from the NSTIC Assessments is used to support the administration and management of NSTIC affairs, while the Administration Costs support administration of the Other Transaction Agreement. The Administration Costs are paid by the government.