Logistics has always been a critically important part of military power. But it is also, frankly, boring. There is no sizzle and little glory in moving supplies. It has always been this way. But great masters of strategy have always known the importance of transport.

Here is the way Winston Churchill put it:

“Victory is the beautiful, bright-colored flower. Transport is the stem without which it could never have blossomed.”

The US DoD has long understood this and operates an incredibly advanced modern logistics program, it is arguably the best in the world. But it is in continuous need of innovation. Below we review what DoD is looking for.

DoD is articulating a need for innovative commercial capabilities in four categories of capabilities.

• Sustainability and Demand Reduction
• Global Logistics
• Agile Distribution
• Resilient Logistics Systems

Here is a bit more detail on each:

Sustainability and Demand Reduction

• Renewable energy generation and storage
• Additive manufacturing
• Point of need sourcing / production for materials and water
• Weight reduction / lightweight packaging
• Biotechnology for in-place production
• Energy efficiency enhancement

Global Logistics

• Visibility of DoD resources at a global level
• Logistics analytics
• Needs prediction and sourcing
• Advanced & interoperable logistics computing / communications systems and software
• Improved human machine interfaces
• Resilient infrastructure / technologies

Agile Distribution

• Autonomous distribution platforms
• Innovative material handling equipment and systems
• Long range & long endurance autonomous systems
• Flexible power / communications systems

Resilient Logistics Systems

• Alternative energy
• Multi-source power production
• Logistics, node resiliency, and robustness
• Automated and Integrated edge sensors / computing
• Low-profile packaging and distribution

If your business has a firm that addresses any of those please reach out asap and we will help connect you with the appropriate office in DoD for follow up.