The US Defense Department, as part of a new initiative entitled the Cyber Fast Track (CFT) program, is extending its reach beyond its traditional supplier base to seek proposals from what it describes as non standard, cutting edge organisations and individuals throughout the cyber community with the aim of strengthening the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Cyber Security capabilities.
One goal of this program is to demonstrate the ability for cyber projects to be performed at an ‘asymmetric advantage in time, cost, and contribution of the efforts in comparison to more traditional applied research areas’.
This will apply not only to the performance of individual efforts but also to the contracting required to engage performers in this program.
The program is the brainchild of Peiter Zatko, a respected hacker known as “Mudge,” who last February took on the role of program manager at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the Defense Department’s central research organisation.
The CFT Program objective is to capture multiple small cyber projects with a focus on shorter time frames, low cost, and with the expectation of results demonstrated in less than 12 month periods.
The program will accept proposals for any/all technologies related in the area of cyber.
Specifically excluded in this effort is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice.
Full details of the program including the PDF can be obtained from https//www.fbo.gov