HOW TO INITIATE A RESEARCH TASK
Step 1 Contact OUSD(R&E)
- The sponsor e-mails a short description of the needed research to: osd.pentagon.ousd-re.mbx.communications[AT]mail.mil
- The Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) determines if the requirements are within the scope of the SERC contract and helps develop the Statement of Work (SOW).
- The OUSD(R&E) sends the sponsor instructions for sending funds for the research task.
Step 2 Provide Funding
- Send funding per instructions provided by the OUSD(R&E). This is typically in the form of a Military Interdepartmental Purchase Request (MIPR).
- The OUSD(R&E) sends a receipt for the MIPR.
- The contracting office sends the request for a proposal to the SERC.
Step 3 Develop Proposal
- The SERC submits a proposal to the contracting officer and the OUSD(R&E).
Step 4 Awarding of a Research Task
- OUSD(R&E) develops a draft technical evaluation which they coordinate with the sponsor.
- Depending on the proposal, additional funds may be required. Once sufficient funds are in place, the research task is awarded.
- Any remaining funds at the end of the award period are returned to the sponsor.
Step 5 Kick-off Meeting
- Once the research task is awarded, the SERC will develop a Technical and Management Workplan, and schedule a kick-off meeting to review the plan and address any concerns or additional requirements.
Step 6 Conduct/Complete the Research Task
- The SERC submits the deliverables associated with the research task to the sponsor, such as bi-monthly status reports, and the final report.
- Once all the deliverables have been received, any remaining funds are returned to the sponsor.
- The OUSD(R&E) sends the sponsor a survey requesting feedback on the SERC’s performance.