The National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebraska has received a $500 million indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract from U.S. Strategic Command to deliver innovative research and development solutions that keep U.S. forces safe and maintain America’s technological edge through rapid-response research capabilities.
With this contract, NSRI also retains its designation from the U.S. Department of War as a University Affiliated Research Center, sponsored by USSTRATCOM and affiliated with NU. There are only 15 University Affiliated Research Centers in the country.
While not a direct funding commitment, an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract establishes that an organization has demonstrated capability and has been vetted, enabling government agencies to rapidly issue funded task orders for specific research without lengthy procurement processes.
“This IDIQ represents far more than a contracting mechanism — it’s a vote of confidence in the institute’s continued and future execution of critical research to meet national defense requirements,” said Maj. Gen., USAF (Ret.) Rick Evans, NSRI executive director. “With emerging threats such as electromagnetic warfare and engineered pathogens evolving at an unprecedented pace, the DOW is accelerating critical research from concept to capability. This award expands the opportunity for NSRI and the University of Nebraska to meet the demand signal of the Department with proven flexibility, innovation and speed.”
Since it was established in 2012, the National Strategic Research Institute has delivered leading academic research and critical tools across two Department of War missions — strategic deterrence and countering weapons of mass destruction. Its research portfolio spans the threat spectrum and crosses multiple domains. The institute has provided research, technology, product and strategy development, training, exercises and subject matter expertise to more than 50 federal and state government sponsors, generating hundreds of products, many of which now are in the hands of defense operators and decision makers.
“Today’s evolving national security threats mean we need mission-critical research solutions faster than ever,” said U.S. Senator Deb Fischer, chair of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces. “I couldn’t be more proud of world-class expertise provided by University of Nebraska’s NSRI, and I look forward to seeing how U.S. Strategic Command and federal agencies will utilize this trusted strategic research organization.”
The new contract, which consists of a five-year base period and a five-year option period, is the largest in the history of the University of Nebraska System, and the fourth indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract that the National Strategic Research Institute has received from USSTRATCOM — in addition to $84 million in 2012, $92 million in 2018 and $107 million in 2020.
Recent initiatives funded by the previous contracts include:
- Electromagnetic operations analysis across the Joint Force: Rigorous technical reports to help draw precise, accurate and relevant conclusions regarding the performance of platforms, systems, tactics, techniques and procedures.
- Acute radiation syndrome prophylactic: Development of a first-of-its-kind therapeutic to help protect U.S. troops entering environments with high levels of radiation.
- Infectious aerosol risk study: Findings and conclusions from the study demonstrated how the Navy and Military Sealift Command protect medical staff and patients from aerosolized pathogens on the only two hospital ships in the fleet.
- Emergent gamma radiation technologies study: Assessment to help the Department of War leverage existing and next-generation capabilities for shielding from and delivering medical countermeasures against gamma radiation effects.
- CBRN assessments, readiness and training frameworks and exercises: Comprehensive chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear solutions to support U.S. and allied partners.
“Defending the American homeland requires the best minds working on our most pressing challenges,” Congressman Don Bacon said. “This IDIQ vehicle ensures NSRI, and the University of Nebraska’s four campuses, can rapidly deploy leading research towards nuclear deterrence challenges and emerging technologies. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I’m pleased that Nebraska continues leading the way in translating academic innovation into operational defense capabilities that protect American lives.”
To accomplish its many efforts, the National Strategic Research Institute’s team of experienced scientists collaborates with hundreds of researchers and students across NU’s campuses, including UNMC as an academic medical center in Omaha and a Big Ten Academic Alliance institution in Lincoln, as well as other national premier academic and research institutions. These partnerships demonstrate in real time the University Affiliated Research Center mission — connect university innovation with military requirements to deliver operational capabilities at the speed of relevance.
Rebecca Oberley-Deegan, PhD, professor at the UNMC Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, is a longtime contributor to the development of the acute radiation syndrome prophylactic funded by the Defense Health Agency through NSRI. She has authored more than 20 publications in radiation-induced toxicity, including a recently published article in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences for the acute radiation syndrome project, which has been awarded a total of $35 million through the National Strategic Research Institute by the Defense Health Agency.
“My background was purely academic until NSRI brought me onto this project,” Dr. Oberley-Deegan said. “Being a part of NSRI has allowed my research to have a more direct focus and impact on helping the mission to protect our military men and women for accidental radiation exposures.”
The specialized expertise NU faculty and student researchers provide to the Department of War is backed by a comprehensive, four-campus statewide research infrastructure. Facilities and centers across NU providing unique expertise and instrumentation include but are not limited to:
- Biological Processing Development Facility, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Biomechanics Research Building, University of Nebraska at Omaha
- Cyber-Physical Networking Lab, UNL
- Global Center for Health Security, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC)
- iEXCEL, UNMC
- Midwest Roadside Safety Facility, UNL
- National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center, UNO
- Nebraska Biocontainment Unit, UNMC and Nebraska Medicine
- Nebraska Drug Discovery & Development Pipeline, NU
- Nebraska Intelligent Mobile Unmanned Systems Lab, UNL
“This new contract continues our immediate national impact, and I am deeply grateful for this opportunity,” NU President Dr. Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, said. “Our infrastructure, combined with faculty who’ve spent decades supporting military missions and students eager to serve, creates a powerful force: a university system where academic excellence meets operational urgency to address our nation’s most critical defense needs.”