A University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) is a not-for-profit research laboratory affiliated with an educational institution that provides essential engineering, research, and development capabilities to the Department of War (DOW).

UARCs maintain strategic, long-term relationships with DOW by providing the following:

• Responsiveness to evolving primary sponsor requirements
• Comprehensive knowledge of the primary sponsor’s requirements and problems
• Staff with appropriate clearances for broad access to information, including proprietary data compliant with information security regulations
• Broad and current specialized knowledge, including knowledge of leading-edge information and technology, and forward-thinking anticipation and predictions of future DOW research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) needs
• Advanced and sophisticated engineering, research, and/or development capabilities essential to DOW mission and operations
• Independence and objectivity
• Quick-response capability
• Current operational experience and knowledge working with DOW organizations
• Mitigation of real or perceived COIs in compliance with DOW and federal regulations
• Ability to work across the full spectrum of research and development, including related operations and maintenance work

APL, as a UARC, delivers independent and objective advice to the government while acting as a bridge across industry and the DOW. We collaborate across government and private organizations and maintain long-term strategic partnerships with our primary sponsors and across the DOW. We also provide a vital link for the DOW to academia and an emerging STEM workforce.

UARCs have a primary contract with their primary sponsor that includes detailed justification of well-defined core competencies that are approved by the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (USW(R&E)). UARCs maintain a comprehensive conflict of interest (COI) policy covering both personal and organizational COI (OCOI). A UARC is required to operate in the public interest and conduct its business in a manner befitting its special relationship to the government.

APL’s primary sponsor is the U.S. Navy. APL is part of the Naval Research and Development Enterprise (NR&DE), which comprises naval warfare centers and research laboratories. The primary mission of the NR&DE is to mature new scientific and technological concepts into formal acquisition programs, including the development of rapidly prototyped capabilities for the warfighter.

The Lab also provides expertise and research on a wide variety of programs for an array of sponsors across the entire U.S. government.

APL adheres to strict noncompete policies based on our status as a UARC and partnership with the DOW. This noncompetitive approach allows us to focus on the work and best apply our expertise for impact.

However, as a UARC we are permitted to respond to competitive Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Requests for Information (RFIs), Broad Area Announcements (BAAs), and Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs) for research efforts that are aligned with our core competencies.

There are guidelines that UARCs must follow when responding to these opportunities:

• They may not compete for work that involves engineering expertise developed or sustained in core contracts.
• They may not perform work that is in conflict with, duplicates, or otherwise jeopardizes the UARC’s ability to perform its work for DOW and must not introduce an actual or perceived COI.
• Unauthorized use, dissemination, publication, or release of proprietary or privileged information is prohibited.
• There is no prohibition against UARCs working for industry, but all work must avoid the appearance of impropriety or COI consistent with the principles in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 9.5.

As a UARC, APL is also able to submit proposals for competitive space missions and related work, much like a NASA center (such as the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, or NASA Marshall Space Flight Center). These proposals often include extensive NASA and industry partnerships.