The contract process for the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications program

AAWSA program contract process

One aspect of the whole business of the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications (AAWSA) program, is the process of the selection of an organisation to undertake work for the Defense Intelligence Agency.

The New York Times dated 16 December 2017 stated that AATIP started in 2007 but that "Contracts obtained by The Times show a congressional appropriation of just under $22 million beginning in late 2008 through 2011."

In a January 2018 interview between journalist Giuliano Marinkovic and Luis Elizondo, Elizondo stated that the AATIP started in 2007; there was an open bid for a contract put out by the Defense Intelligence Agency and this was won by Bigelow Aerospace in an open process.

Internet search for confirmation

It would seem logical to try and locate some documentation on this aspect. I therefore searched the Internet for information about the general process, which agencies of the US government undertake, when seeking organisations to undertake work for them.

I found out that a "Broad Agency Announcement" is the way in which the US government solicits proposals from outside bodies for research and development which it wishes to undertake. I therefore searched the Internet, using key words such as Broad Agency Announcement, Defense Intelligence Agency, AAWSA etc, but located nothing of interest. Someone suggested trying the US Federal Register, "The Daily Journal of the United States Government" but nothing there either.

Virginia Contracting Activity

I then learned that the public interface for the Defense Intelligence Agency on the contract side, is something known as the "Virginia Contracting Activity."  A web search using these words, plus Defense Intelligence Agency turned up a few websites such as this, but little more.

George Knapp

Then among a digital piece by George Knapp, date 4 May 2018, I noticed something unusual. There was an image which contained the words "Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program." Below this, in faded typing appear the words "Solicitation Number" then "Agency (?) Other Defense agencies" then " (Office?) Virginia Contracting Activity" then " (Illegible) DIA (illegible) AFB."

http://www.lasvegasnow.com/news/i-team-documents-prove-secret-ufo-study-based-in-nevada/1160375205

If this is a genuine image of a document, then George Knapp may well have located, and currently holds a copy of the DIA equivalent of the "Broad Agency Announcement," used by other US government agencies, for the AAWSA contract. I have therefore dispatched an email to George Knapp asking if this is so, and if he might be willing to share this document with others?

Knapp's piece went on to say that "In Aug. 2008, DIA posted a solicitation for bids. Weeks later, the contract was awarded to Bigelow Aerospace, the initial amount was $10 million."

Other sources of documents

I understand from a variety of individuals, that attempts have been made to secure information about copies of the DIA contract etc from such sources as one of the journalists who wrote the New York Times piece of December 2017; and others, but that these attempts have lead nowhere. It is a pity that there is not more open and transparent dealings around this topic. After all, we are all interested in factual information, supported by documented evidence.

Update 

Barry Greenwood in the USA enhanced the image and the wording is:

Solicitation Number
Agency: Other Defense Agencies
Office: Virginia Contracting Activity
Location: DA Bolling AFB.

Thanks Barry.

Update 8 May 2018

I have just located an online copy of the DIA "solicitation" of August 2008. I will report on its contents in my next blog.