Submitting a proposal to EMC is a structured process that ensures all applicants meet eligibility requirements. Submissions uploaded to BIDS are secure from public access. All data is considered source selection sensitive and protected accordingly. Submissions are reviewed by the user and authorized evaluators only.

Below is a step-by-step guide on how to successfully submit to BIDS including how to access proposal submission guides and early preparation steps.

Before submitting a proposal, the submitting organization (also known as the prime contractor) must meet the following criteria:

• Must be an active EMC member. If you are not currently a member but are interested in joining, please review the membership page for additional information. Ready to join? Click here:
  • It is encouraged that subcontractors are also EMC members to benefit from the EMC ecosystem, although this is not required for submission of a proposal.
• Member Organization must have reviewed the EMC Base Agreement, which will be required, if and/or when a proposal is selected for the award. You can view a draft version of the ase Agreement here.
• Member organizations must have an active Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), System for Award Management (SAM) registration, and a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code

All proposal submissions must be completed through the BIDS platform. Ensure your account is active and you know your organization’s username and password in advance to avoid last-minute issues. If you do not have a BIDS account a guide on “How to Register for BIDS” is available in the Proposal Resources dropdown below.

NOTE: Only those individuals uploading a submission to the BIDS site need to register for a separate BIDS log-in. This can be done at any time after an RPP is released. Members are strongly encouraged to register well in advance of submission deadlines. If you have a valid BIDS account from a previous RPP, you do NOT need to re-register for each RPP.

Once registered, follow the step-by-step “Proposal Submission” guide in the Proposal Resources below. Proposals must be submitted through BIDS before the deadline specified in a Request for Information (RFI) or Request for Protoype Projects (RPP). Late submissions will not be accepted for any reason.

Proposal Preparation documents are available on the Member’s Only site. Additional information on accessing the member’s only site is available in the Proposal Resources section below.

Each submission undergoes an evaluation process to assess the proposal based on the criteria set forth in the solicitation documentation. To enhance your proposal’s competitiveness, we encourage early engagement with the technical points of contact to clarify requirements and align your proposal with technical areas of interest.

Once your proposal is submitted, you will receive an email confirmation.

After submissions are evaluated and feedback is released, proposals rated as “Met” are placed in the Basket and become eligible for award. Once the Government makes a selection, the award process begins. ATI will notify the selected member and provide guidance to start Statement of Work (SOW) negotiations.

After the SOW is finalized, the Government will instruct ATI to request a full cost proposal from the performer. The member then has 21 days to submit a complete cost proposal in accordance with the most current RPP requirements.

The full timeline from selection to award is approximately 190 days.

Visit the EMC Members Only website to view documentation related to a Request for Prototype Projects (RPP) including:

• Request for Prototype Projects
• Required Templates
  • Statement of Work
  • Milestone Schedule
  • Quad Chart
  • Other Transaction Information
• Proposers Conference material

Step by step guides to setting up your BIDS registration necessary for submitting a proposal.

How to Register for BIDS Guide

How to Submit a Proposal on BIDS Guide

The NSTIC Base Agreement outlines the terms and conditions governing project awards, including compliance requirements, intellectual property rights, reporting obligations, and funding procedures. Members submitting proposals must acknowledge their understanding of these guidelines, ensuring alignment with NSTIC’s mission and federal contracting standards. This document serves as the foundational framework for all NSTIC-funded projects, establishing clear expectations for award recipients. The NSTIC Base Agreement is largely non-negotiable.

If and or when a project is selected for award, ATI will coordinate the most current version of the program Base Agreement for review and signature by the awardee organization.

LINK TO REQUEST BASE AGREEMENT

What does it mean when a proposal is placed in the Basket?

All proposals that are rated as Met are placed in the Basket and available for selection for award by the Government. The Government can choose to select any proposal from the Basket for a period of 3 years from the submission deadline and all notifications will be initiated by ####### Acquisition to ATI, and ATI will provide notification of next steps to the offeror.  Being placed in the Basket does not constitute a selection for award nor should any action be taken on behalf of the offeror unless they receive an official selection for award notification from ATI.

When are members allowed to the communicate with the Government regarding a specific Statement of Need or their proposal feedback?

The communication window is open until the proposal submission deadline, as published in the Request for Prototype Projects. It re-opens once feedback being released. Note, while the Government is encouraged to communicate once feedback is released, they may do so at their discretion.

How do offerors know if a selection has been made for a specific Statement of Need?

All executed awards under the EMC OTA are posted to the EMC public website, and include reference to the specific SON the award was made under. Note, proposals that are not selected are available for a period of 3 years from the submission deadline to be selected for award.

What is a nontraditional defense contractor?

The term Nontraditional Defense Contractor is a business unit that has not, for a period of at least one-year prior to the issue date of the EMCRequest for Project Proposals, entered into or performed on any contract or subcontract that is subject to full coverage under the cost accounting standards (CAS) prescribed pursuant to section 26 of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 422) and the regulations implementing such action. “Full” coverage applies when an organization receives either one CAS-covered contract of $50 million+ in the current accounting period, or in the preceding cost accounting period, multiple CAS-covered contracts cumulatively totaling $50 million.

This guide will help Academic Institutions determine if they are a Traditional or Nontraditional Defense Contractor

LINK TO TRAD/NON