ALCHEMY WHITE PAPER
The Problem
The United States cannot afford the POM-induced two-year delay between identifying a military requirement and meaningfully funding a solution. Our existing processes create a structural gap that our adversaries do not face. They move immediately. We cannot.
The Alchemy Approach
Alchemy unifies government, companies, and investors to mature capabilities before POM funding arrives. The result is faster fielding, reduced risk, and better outcomes for the warfighter using authorities and offices that already exist.
There are two defining elements of the Alchemy approach: Clear Communication and Prize Challenges.
Clear Communication: Alchemy functions as a marketplace that aggregates relevant data from both government and commercial sources, presenting it to government, companies, and investors in a single environment. This data-driven sensemaking enables government users to assess commercial viability and publish clear problem statements on the Alchemy dashboard. Companies and investors receive unambiguous demand signals and compete to accomplish key phases aligned to each government problem statement.
Prize Challenges: Incentives are applied to each phase under a problem statement using the existing Prize Challenge authority outlined in Title 10 U.S. Code § 4025. Companies compete to rapidly build and validate capabilities. Investors enter earlier because uncertainty declines and return potential becomes clearer. The Prize Challenge authority also satisfies the competition requirement for follow-on contracting, ensuring that when traditional funding arrives, mature capabilities are ready for immediate procurement.
Bottom Line
Alchemy requires no new authorities or offices. It leverages data, incentives, and authorities that already exist to close a structural gap in our budgeting system. Alchemy harnesses private capital and commercial innovation so the Department can shape outcomes early rather than react late.
Learn More Here! - This link is not accessible through the DoW network.
MVP Release Scheduled for 10 April
Reach out to alchemy@wildbluehorizons.org if interested in signing up to test and provide feedback