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Office of the Director of National Intelligence seal

Office of the Director of National Intelligence

Abbreviation: ODNI

Director of National Intelligence (as of 2026): Tulsi Gabbard

2026 Budget: Classified

SAM.govCGAC Code: 11

Website: odni.gov

ODNI leads the U.S. Intelligence Community and serves as the President's principal adviser on intelligence matters related to national security. Created by the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, ODNI integrates 18 elements across the federal government.

Its components include the National Counterterrorism Center, the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, and the National Counterproliferation and Biosecurity Center.

How to Win ODNI Contracts

Winning work at the Office of the Director of National Intelligencemeans understanding a procurement culture that blends rigorous compliance, deep mission focus, and a preference for vendors who can speak the agency's language from day one. This guide walks through how ODNI buys, the vehicles it uses, and the steps your company should take to go from registered vendor to awarded contractor.

Understanding ODNI Procurement

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence obligates contract dollars largely in the classified envelope. Unclassified estimates place spend in the $300-500M range. ODNI coordinates the 18-agency Intelligence Community and runs cross-IC programs like ICITE, IC security, and analytic integration.

ODNI procurement is cleared and relationship-driven. Primes are established IC integrators; innovative technology enters through IARPA (Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity) or IC-specific pilots.

How ODNI Buys

ODNI uses IC-wide cleared vehicles, OASIS+, and NITAAC CIO-SP4 for unclassified work. Many contracts are classified and not SAM-visible.

IARPA issues BAAs for advanced research. ICITE vehicles drive cross-IC IT.

Major Contract Vehicles

  • ICITE Vehicles— Intelligence Community IT Enterprise contracts across all 18 IC elements.
  • IARPA BAAs— Research funding for advanced intelligence-oriented technology.
  • OASIS+ and CIO-SP4 (unclassified)— Professional services and IT modernization.
  • Cleared Task Orders (classified)— Most ODNI flow runs through classified channels not publicly described.

Step 1: Get Registered and Compliant

Required Registrations

SAM.gov registration with UEI and CAGE code, full FAR representations and certifications.

ODNI-Specific Requirements

TS/SCI clearance is baseline; polygraph often required. FCL at Secret or TS. ICD 503 compliance for IT work.

Certification Programs

8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, SDVOSB with cleared personnel. ISO 27001 and IC-specific certifications.

Step 2: Identify Opportunities

Primary Sources

SAM.gov for unclassified surface. Cleared contract channels for most flow.

Key Offices

ODNI Acquisition Office (classified specifics not public).

Top Contract Types

Cost-plus for R&D. FFP for commodity. IDIQs for services. Many classified-specific structures.

Step 3: Position Your Company

Build Relationships

Attend AFCEA Classified, INSA, IARPA Proposer’s Days, and IC industry days.

Relevant NAICS Codes

  • 541715–Scientific R&D
  • 541512–Computer Systems Design
  • 541690–Technical Consulting
  • 541611–Management Consulting

Step 4: Develop Winning Proposals

Technical Approach

Ground narratives in IC mission integration. Tradecraft, data sharing, and cross-IC interoperability are evaluation themes.

Past Performance

Cleared IC past performance at ODNI, CIA, NSA, DIA, NGA, NRO, or service intelligence.

Pricing Strategy

Market rates for cleared labor; cost realism rigorous on cost-type work.

Winning Strategies

  1. Build a cleared workforce.
  2. Use IARPA BAAs as an entry path for technology innovation.
  3. Team with cleared IC integrators for subcontract entry.
  4. Track ICITE evolutions for cross-IC IT spend patterns.
  5. Invest in cross-agency reciprocity on facility clearances.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Assuming DoW clearances translate automatically into IC reciprocity.
  2. Pursuing ODNI without an IC network.
  3. Under-investing in polygraph-eligible personnel.

Small Business Programs

Small-business utilization at ODNI is meaningful but opaque. Cleared 8(a) firms and SDVOSBs can compete for subcontract positions.

Key Contracting Offices

  • ODNI Acquisition Office — Washington, DC (McLean, VA)

ODNI by the Numbers

Annual Contract Spend
Classified (est. ~$400M)
Contract Actions / Year
Classified
Top NAICS
541715
Scientific R&D (est.)

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