Government Acronym Dictionary

AFWERX

Air Force Works

The innovation arm of the U.S. Air Force and Space Force. Runs SBIR topics, challenges, and accelerator programs for startups.

BAA

Broad Agency Announcement

A government solicitation used to find research proposals. Common at DARPA and other agencies when they want to explore new technology areas.

CAGE

Commercial and Government Entity Code

A unique 5-character identifier assigned to companies that do business with the government. Required for SAM registration.

CMMC

Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification

A DoD framework requiring defense contractors to meet specific cybersecurity standards before bidding on contracts.

CO

Contracting Officer

The government employee authorized to enter into, administer, and terminate contracts on behalf of an agency.

COR

Contracting Officer Representative

A government employee designated to assist the Contracting Officer in monitoring contract performance.

COTS

Commercial Off-The-Shelf

Products available for purchase by the general public. The government prefers COTS when possible to reduce costs.

CPFF

Cost Plus Fixed Fee

A contract type where the government reimburses all allowable costs plus pays a fixed fee regardless of outcome.

CUI

Controlled Unclassified Information

Sensitive government information that requires safeguarding but is not classified. Handling CUI requires CMMC compliance.

DARPA

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

The DoD agency that funds high-risk, high-reward research. Created the internet, GPS, and stealth technology.

DIU

Defense Innovation Unit

A DoD organization that accelerates commercial technology into military use through Other Transaction agreements.

DoD

Department of Defense

The federal department responsible for U.S. military and national security. The largest government buyer of R&D.

DUNS

Data Universal Numbering System

A 9-digit identifier previously required for government contractors. Replaced by UEI in 2022.

EIN

Employer Identification Number

A tax ID number issued by the IRS. Required before registering on SAM.gov.

FAR

Federal Acquisition Regulation

The primary rulebook governing how the federal government buys goods and services.

FFP

Firm Fixed Price

A contract type where the price is set and does not change regardless of the contractor's costs.

FFRDC

Federally Funded Research and Development Center

Nonprofit organizations that assist the government with R&D. Examples include RAND and MIT Lincoln Lab.

GSA

General Services Administration

The agency that manages government property and procurement. Runs the GSA Schedule contract vehicle.

ITAR

International Traffic in Arms Regulations

U.S. regulations controlling the export of defense-related technology and information.

MOU

Memorandum of Understanding

A non-binding agreement between parties outlining intended cooperation. Common in early government partnerships.

NAICS

North American Industry Classification System

A system for classifying businesses by industry. Your NAICS codes determine which set-asides and opportunities you qualify for.

NIH

National Institutes of Health

A federal agency that funds medical and health research. One of the largest SBIR program participants outside DoD.

NSF

National Science Foundation

A federal agency that funds scientific research and education. Runs its own SBIR program for deep tech companies.

OT

Other Transaction

A contract-like agreement used for prototype projects that does not follow standard FAR rules. Faster and more flexible than traditional contracts.

OTA

Other Transaction Authority

A flexible acquisition mechanism that bypasses FAR regulations. Used by DARPA, SOFWERX, and DIU for prototype agreements.

PEO

Program Executive Office

A DoD office responsible for managing major acquisition programs. Key decision makers for large defense contracts.

PM

Program Manager

The government official responsible for a specific program or technology area. Building relationships with PMs is critical in defense contracting.

POC

Point of Contact

The designated person to contact about a specific opportunity, program, or agency.

PWS

Performance Work Statement

A document describing the work a contractor must perform. Used in service contracts.

R&D

Research and Development

Systematic work to increase knowledge and develop new products or processes. The focus of SBIR, STTR, and most innovation funding programs.

RFI

Request for Information

A market research tool used by agencies to gather information before issuing a formal solicitation. Responding to RFIs builds visibility.

RFP

Request for Proposal

A formal document soliciting proposals from contractors. The main way agencies procure goods and services above the simplified acquisition threshold.

RFQ

Request for Quotation

Used for smaller purchases. Simpler than an RFP and used when the government knows exactly what it wants.

SAM

System for Award Management

The central database for all government contractors. Registration is free and required to receive any federal award. Found at sam.gov.

SBIR

Small Business Innovation Research

A competitive program reserving a portion of federal R&D funding for small businesses. Small businesses propose R&D solutions to government-defined problems. Non-dilutive. Eleven agencies participate.

SDVOSB

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business

A set-aside designation for businesses majority owned by service-disabled veterans. Qualifies for reserved contract competitions.

SOFWERX

Special Operations Forces Works

The innovation arm of U.S. Special Operations Command. Runs challenges, prize competitions, and OT prototype agreements.

SOW

Statement of Work

A document defining the specific tasks and deliverables a contractor must provide.

STRATFI

Strategic Funding Increase

An AFWERX program that provides Phase II SBIR companies with larger follow-on funding to accelerate to production.

STTR

Small Business Technology Transfer

Similar to SBIR but requires a formal partnership with a university or research institution. At least 30% of work must be done by the research partner.

TACFI

Tactical Funding Increase

An AFWERX program similar to STRATFI but designed for smaller, faster follow-on awards after Phase II.

TRL

Technology Readiness Level

A scale from 1 to 9 measuring how mature a technology is. TRL 1 is basic research. TRL 9 is proven in operational use.

UEI

Unique Entity Identifier

A 12-character alphanumeric ID assigned by SAM.gov. Replaced the DUNS number in 2022. Required for all government contractors.

WOSB

Women-Owned Small Business

A set-aside designation for businesses majority owned and controlled by women. Qualifies for reserved contract competitions.