SIA3 Solutions for Intelligence Analysis: $17B DIA Small Business IDIQ

Introduction

Are small businesses ready to break into one of the biggest intelligence support contracts in 2025? The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has opened the Solutions for Intelligence Analysis 3 (SIA3) Small Business On-Ramp, a competitive $17 billion IDIQ contract designed exclusively for small businesses. This blog dives deep into what the DIA SIA3 on-ramp is, its benefits, and how small businesses can position themselves to win this prime federal contracting opportunity.

What is the DIA SIA3 Small Business On-Ramp?

The DIA SIA3 Small Business On-Ramp is a competitive set-aside within the larger Solutions for Intelligence Analysis 3 contract vehicle. It offers small businesses an entry point to provide vital intelligence analytical support services to the Defense Intelligence Enterprise, both within the U.S. (CONUS) and overseas (OCONUS), including in hostile environments. This initiative aims to grow and diversify the pool of qualified small business contractors supporting national security.

Contract Detail

Total Ceiling Value: $17.1 billion over 10 years (5-year base plus 5-year option)
Contract Type: Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)
Contracting Agency: Department of Defense, Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)
Contract Vehicle: Small Business Set-Aside IDIQ, focusing on professional services (NAICS 541990)
Estimated Awards: Multiple (6-8 or more anticipated)
Period of Performance: Aug 2019 to Aug 2029 (ongoing with new awards from the on-ramp)
Place of Performance: CONUS and OCONUS, including hostile zones
Solicitation Timeline: Pre-RFP released in mid-2025, with awards anticipated by late 2025.

Eligibility and Small Business Set-Aside Focus

The on-ramp is exclusively reserved for small business entities meeting the SBA size standard ($19.5 million in average annual receipts). Its core intent is to deepen small business participation in a historically large and complex intelligence support contract, ensuring agility and innovation from smaller firms that can address evolving DIA mission needs.

Scope of Work and Mission Priorities

The contract covers several key intelligence mission areas:

Intelligence Analysis
Scientific and Engineering Support
Analytic Enabling Technologies
Counterintelligence + human intelligence collections

The complexity and scale of SIA3 task orders mean that supply chain and subcontractor networks are critical. This encourages collaboration among diverse firms to deliver comprehensive solutions.

Contract Structure and Award Process

The SIA3 IDIQ’s on-ramp will use a gated, tiered evaluation to efficiently handle the volume of small business proposals, aiming for quicker awards than previous iterations. A two-phase source selection process evaluates technical qualifications, corporate experience, and oral presentations. Winning firms gain access to compete for task orders under this high-value IDIQ for a five-year base term plus options.

Small Business Capture Strategy: Teaming, Past Performance and Pricing

Winning a place on SIA3 is more than a good writeup, it’s a capture effort. Below are strategic moves small business offerors should plan now.

Build a winning team

Team up with other companies that fill skill gaps. For example, combine analysis experts, data engineers, and deployment support teams.
Look for partners who already worked on SIA 3 or have related experience with the Intelligence Community (IC) or Department of Defense (DoD).
If your company or employees don’t have security clearances, find a partner who does.

Past Performance and Staffing

Collect proof of your successful government work with contract references, past task orders, and measurable results.
Show a plan for staffing that explains how you will keep enough cleared analysts ready to work, including training and vetting processes. This is important for safe and smooth work especially overseas in dangerous areas

Pricing and Floor Rates

DIA expects you to use predefined labor categories and floor rates on task orders.
Prepare clear explanations for your pricing and how it is fair and realistic.
Organize prices by Time & Materials (T&M) or specific contract lines (CLINs) to show efficiency.
Include how you will handle staffing in risky overseas locations where special precautions are needed

Strategic Tips for Small Businesses to Compete

Build strong teaming partnerships to offer comprehensive intelligence solutions.
Clearly demonstrate past performance and relevant experience in DIA or defense intelligence support.
Develop clear, compliant proposals tailored to firm fixed price and cost-plus fixed fee contract types.
Engage early in industry days, RFIs, and pre-solicitation events to gather intel and network.
Focus on capabilities that address diverse mission task areas including OCONUS operations in hostile environments.

Small Business Timeline, Risks and Practical Tips

Timeline

Industry notices in late 2024 and 2025 signaled an on-ramp process and RFI activity (RFI releases and windows have appeared in 2025 industry posts). Watch SAM.gov and DIA PMO pages closely for official dates.

Risks to plan for

Classified submission requirements or classified task orders.
High clearance/staff churn in deployed roles.
Tight teaming windows and incumbents with SIA3 experience.
Cost realism scrutiny be conservative and transparent.

Practical Tips

Start capture now: line up teammates, validate past performance, and run mock price models.
Invest in people security and clearance pathways — that barrier is one of the strongest differentiators.
Keep records tidy (contractor financials, HR, policies) so you can respond fast to an RFP.

Conclusion

The DIA’s $17 billion SIA3 Small Business On-Ramp IDIQ offers a transformative opportunity for small businesses eager to grow within the federal intelligence contracting space. Understanding the contract structure, mission priorities, and competitive landscape will be key to securing a position on this vital vehicle. Small businesses should actively prepare, network, and build robust offerings to compete effectively in this strategically important contract.

At Contragenix, we specialize in helping small businesses break into complex federal opportunities like DIA’s SIA3. Contact Contragenix today to position your business for success in the SIA3 Small Business On-Ramp and turn this $17 billion opportunity into your next big win.