Call for Solutions for an Advanced Manufacturing Research Center - Final Draft for Publication (1).pdf

Call for Solutions for an Advanced Manufacturing Applied Research &

Technology Development Center

Project Number W912CG-26-S-AdvARTMDC-01

Open Solicitation Number

W912CG-26-S-A002

https://sam.gov/opp/476c4481dc56499c9b1d9c6a9ce745a9/view

Call for Solution Title Advanced Manufacturing Applied Research & Technology Development Center

Issued By: Army Contracting Command – Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG) Orlando Division

Submission Instructions

To respond to this Call for Solution, please refer to Sections 7 and 8 of this Call for Solution.

Solution Briefs Due 22 July 2026, 16:00 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

Submit Solution Brief To:

Contracting Officer:

Corretta Benton; corretta.m.benton.civ@army.mil

Contract Specialist:

Kia McCormick, kia.s.mccormick.civ@army.mil

NAICS CODE: 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

*Any submissions that are received by the Contract/Agreement Officer after the suspense date/time listed above will be deemed late and not evaluated. It is the sole responsibility of the respondent to ensure that its submission is received in the inbox listed above before the deadline specified.

mailto:corretta.j.benton.civ@army.mil mailto:kia.s.mccormick.civ@army.mil

Table of Contents

1. Background

2. Problem Statement

3. Desired Applied Research Center Attributes

3.1 Core Competencies

3.1.1 Advanced Manufacturing (AdvM) Processes:

3.1.2 Composite Research in support of AdvM:

3.1.3 AdvM Technologies:

3.1.4 Design for Advanced Manufacturing:

3.2 Knowledge integration and conducting purpose-based research

3.3 Project Management

3.4 Information Assurance

3.5 External Communications

3.6 Workforce Development

3.7 Other Requirements

4. General Requirements

4.1 Program Management

4.1.1 Meetings, Reviews, and Events

4.2 Contract Management

4.3 Travel

4.4 Materials and Support

4.4.1 Contractor Acquired Property (CAP):

4.4.2 Government Furnished Equipment/Information (GFE/GFI):

4.5 Status Reports

4.5.1 Program Level Quarterly Status Reports (QSRs)

4.5.2 Other Reporting Requirements

4.5.3 Task Order (TO) Monthly Status Reports (MSRs)

4.5.4 Comprehensive Review Report

4.5.5 Report Format

5. Deliverables

5.1 Program-Level IDIQ Deliverables

5.2 Customer Satisfaction

6. Security

6.1 General Security Requirements:

6.1.1 DD254

6.1.2 Information Security

6.1.3 Threat Awareness and Reporting Program (TARP) Training

6.1.4 Access and General Protection Security Policy and Procedures:

6.1.5 Offboarding

6.1.6 Disposition of government furnished information

6.2 Cybersecurity:

6.2.1 Cyber Awareness Training (IA)

6.2.2 Army Training and Certification Tracking System (ATCTS)

6.2.3 Acceptable Use Policies (AUP)

6.3 Antiterrorism:

6.3.1 Antiterrorism Level I Training:

6.3.2 iWATCH:

6.3.3 Emergencies and Force Protection Conditions:

6.3.4 Operations Security (OPSEC):

6.4 Security Requirements:

6.4.1 Contractor Identification Requirements:

6.4.2 Access to Protected Information:

6.4.3 Common Access Cards (CAC):

6.5 Information Handling:

7. Awarding Instrument

7.1 Submission Dates and Times

7.1.1 Pre-Proposal Inquiries and Questions Deadline

7.1.2 Proposal Deadline

7.1.3 Solution Brief Receipt

7.1.4 Effect of Missing the Proposal Submission Deadline

7.2 Solution Brief Selection Process

7.3 Solution Briefs

7.3.1 Solution Brief Requirements

7.3.2 Solution Brief Contents

7.4 Request for Solution Proposals

8. General Information and Questions

9. Funding Restrictions

9.1 Proposal Preparation Costs

9.2 Allowable/Unallowable Costs

10. Evaluation Factors

10.1 Evaluation Factors – Solution Briefs

11. Non-Government Advisors

12. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in Proposal Evaluation

13. Organizational Conflict Of Interest (OCI)

14. List of Acronyms

1. BACKGROUND

In accordance with National, Department of War (DoW), and Army Advanced Manufacturing (AdvM) Strategies as well as recent DoW and Army policies and directives, the Army seeks to establish an Advanced Manufacturing Applied Research & Technology Development Center (referred to as “Applied Research Center” or “Research Center”). While AdvM research and development is being conducted by many universities and institutes across the country, this new Army Applied AdvM Research Center will coordinate research internally and from external sources to align to Army and DoW strategies. Responsibilities also will include working with and transitioning technologies to the Manufacturing Innovation Institutes, Organic Industrial Base (OIB), Defense Industrial Base (DIB) as well as Army and Joint Service stakeholders.

The Government intends to request Undersecretary of War for Research and Engineering (USW(R&E)) approval to designate the Center as a University Affiliated Research Center (UARC), post award. While it is not guaranteed that USW(R&E) will approve such a designation, the Center must be structured in a manner that is consistent with the function of a UARC.

Designation as a UARC will provide access to government and supplier data including sensitive and proprietary information, and to employees and facilities, beyond that which is common to a DoD contractual relationship. If designated a UARC the Center is required to operate in the public interest and conduct its business in a manner befitting its special relationship with the Government. DoW direction and guidance regarding UARCs can be found in the 2026 University Affiliated Research Center Management Plan.

2. PROBLEM STATEMENT

The Army seeks college and university laboratories and university-affiliated non-profits that have the core competencies and required capabilities listed herein. The awardee shall:

a) Serve as a central hub for advanced manufacturing research, development, and engineering (RD&E) to unify, de-conflict, and integrate ongoing efforts and align them with strategic objectives such as contested logistics, distributed manufacturing, and industrial base flexibility.

b) Develop the foundational tools, common standards, and rapid qualification pathways that will enable the OIB and DIB to function as an agile and responsive network.

c) Facilitate the deep collaboration required to integrate AdvM technologies into functional OIB, DIB solutions or a National Civil Reserve Manufacturing Network.

d) Execute applied research and development activities that are focused on how to best scale up key systems-of-systems technologies—like robotic automation for munitions and new AI-driven manufacturing methods—from laboratory concepts to field-ready production lines.

3. DESIRED APPLIED RESEARCH CENTER ATTRIBUTES

The goal is to establish an Army Applied Research Center to collaborate with the Government, academia, and industry to accelerate the transition of AdvM research by applying research concepts and advancing research and technology. The Army Applied Research Center would have knowledge and core competencies across a broad range of advanced manufacturing aspects. The Applied Research Center shall have no conflicts of interest in executing its role for the government which will prevent it from being designated as a UARC.

3.1 Core Competencies

3.1.1 Advanced Manufacturing (AdvM) Processes:

• Research and development of processes that support large scales, large volumes, adaptive and additive techniques for both air and ground domain system applications.

• Research and development in both conventional (subtractive) and next-generation (additive) manufacturing techniques as well as hybrid manufacturing which combines both techniques.

• Research and development of AdvM processes that enable composites to function at high operating temperatures (which enables lightweighting, weight shifting, and management of dynamic strains).

• Research and development of AdvM process modeling and simulation.

3.1.2 Composite Research in support of AdvM:

• Research and development of through-thickness composite research to increase understanding of the properties and behaviors of layered materials.

• Design and development of new materials (for example advanced composites, functionally graded materials, high entropy alloys).

• Research and development of microstructure-property relationships in manufactured parts.

• Research and development of high temperature resins that allow materials with differing thermal expansion coefficients to be paired together in system design.

• Research and development of improved modeling and material characterization to better determine failure modes of composite parts (polymer-matrixed / metal-matrixed / ceramic-matrixed / carbon-matrixed).

3.1.3 AdvM Technologies:

• Research and development in metal, polymer, composite and novel AM processes, for example powder bed fusion, directed energy deposition, binder jetting, material extrusion.

• Research and development in materials characterization and qualification for AM feedstock such as metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites.

• Development and optimization of AdvM and AM process parameters.

• Research and development of low cost additively manufactured tooling approaches for composite material systems.

• Research and development and Integration of AdvM technologies with traditional manufacturing technologies/facilities for enhanced manufacturing capacity.

• Research and development of analytical tools for characterization of multi-mode

AdvM processes integration.

3.1.4 Design for Advanced Manufacturing:

• Research and development of generative design and topology optimization.

• Research and development of lightweighting and part consolidation strategies.

• Research and development of computer-aided drafting tools and standards tailored to AdvM and AM.

• Research and development of methods for accurate modeling and predictive performance analysis of complex geometry composite material structures.

• Research and development of methods for in-situ inspection and/or real-time quality characterization.

3.2 Knowledge integration and conducting purpose-based research

• Act as a hub to gather AdvM knowledge from academic, industrial and government sources

• Transition technologies to partners and stakeholders such as government agencies, industry and Manufacturing Innovation Institutes (MII).

• Conduct applied and advanced development research methods to integrate knowledge from core research disciplines in support of AdvM and other areas where research and technologies may be applied.

• Apply a use-based research philosophy that addresses Department of War (DoW) and Army defined Science and Technology (S&T) gaps as they pertain to the threat(s) faced by the Joint Force in the future operational environment.

• Provide mission and public-service oriented research, engineering, evaluation, and systems analysis to respond to evolving DoW needs and requirements through the organization’s core competencies.

3.3 Project Management

• Project Management: Demonstrate the ability to manage large & complex research programs that include multiple individual research projects spanning multiple technology readiness levels (TRL) and core competencies over time.

• Program Management for this contract shall be at the base IDIQ contract (program) level as well as to the specific Task Order level.

• Contracting: Demonstrate the knowledge and ability to administer Army or DoW contracts.

• Cost Management: Demonstrate the knowledge and ability to track, manage, and forecast costs

• Property Management: Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and ability to properly manage Government Furnished Property and Government Furnished Equipment

3.4 Information Assurance

• Offerors must comply with the Phased Implementation of the Department of War's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Program in accordance with 252.204-7021. A Level 2 self- assessment for the prime contractor must be completed and acknowledged within the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) at the time of submission of solution brief. The prime contractor shall have and maintain for the duration of the contract a current CMMC status at CMMC Level 2 (Self) for all information systems used in performance of the contract that process, store, or transmit Federal Contract Information (FCI) or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Prime contractors are required to flow down the correct CMMC level to subcontracts and other contractual instruments, in accordance with 32 CFR 170.23.

• Any Offeror that is not compliant as of the close of this Call will not be considered for award..

3.5 External Communications

• Publish and maintain a public-facing website describing core competencies and basic information about the research center

• Contractor may issue news releases and other publications concerning the work performed under this Agreement. In order to avoid disclosure of confidential information and/or loss of patent rights as a result of premature public disclosure of information, the contractor will submit all proposed publications and a DD Form 882 ‘Report of Inventions and Subcontracts’ for review and comment at least forty-five (45) days prior to planned submission for publication (“Publication Review Period”). The Government must notify the contractor within the Publication Review Period whether such draft contains information deemed to be confidential or information that, if published, would have an adverse effect on the Government. In the event of such an objection, the Parties agree to negotiate in good faith an acceptable version of the publication. This obligation shall continue throughout the Term of this Agreement and for a period of thirty (30) days following expiration and/or earlier termination of this Agreement.”

3.6 Workforce Development

• The university or the university-affiliate (via appropriate agreement) must have ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering Technology), CHEA (Council for Higher Education Accreditation) or equivalent accredited engineering programs in relevant fields of study to support the recruiting and sustaining of subject matter experts at the Research Center.

3.7 Other Requirements

a) Maintain a comprehensive understanding of the technical areas in the core competencies.

b) Recruit and retain subject matter expertise aligned to evolving sponsor requirements and emerging technologies.

c) Maintain qualified research and management staff with the ability to obtain security clearances, as required, for DoW funded activities.

d) Ensure analytical impartiality; academic, scientific, and engineering independence and rigor; and absence of conflicts of interests.

e) Provide annual technical, financial, and workforce reports to the primary sponsor or designated management organization, as requested by the primary sponsor

f) Ensure all DoW-conducted or DoW-sponsored research involving human subjects complies with appropriate human subject research (HSR) regulations to include DoDI 3216.02.

g) Ensure all DoW-conducted or DoW-sponsored research involving animal subjects complies with appropriate regulations, such as DoDI 3216.01.

h) Operate in the public interest and conduct its business in a manner befitting its relationship with the DoW.

i) Have a comprehensive conflict of interest (COI) policy covering organizational, financial, and personal conflicts of interest to ensure that the integrity and objectivity of work is not compromised and does not appear to be compromised because of the presence of competing financial or personal interests. The COI policy shall be consistent with FAR Part 9.5, DFARS Part 209, and 5 CFR Parts 2635 and 3601 (“Standards of Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch” and “Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Department of Defense”, respectively).

j) Maintain the ability to conduct classified research as required by the primary sponsor and work sponsors.

k) Upon receiving notification of an award from industry or another DoW Component that will not be included on the primary sponsor contract, the contractor must notify its Primary Sponsor in writing. The written notification for such awards must include a OCI Disclosure Statement. This statement shall affirm the contractor has conducted a preliminary review of the proposed work against the OCI principles in FAR Part 9.5 and must include the outcome of the review, noting any potential conflicts and proposed mitigation strategies.

4. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Program Management

Program Management for this contract shall be at the base IDIQ contract (program) level as well as the Task Order (project) level.

4.1.1 Meetings, Reviews, and Events

The contractor shall:

• Conduct and participate in meetings, reviews, and events.

• Prepare, as applicable, briefings, multi-media content, and displays for presentation purposes.

• Document minutes, action items, coordinate resolutions, and track action items from these events. These items shall be archived for the length of the contract and be available upon request.

4.1.1.1 Kickoff Meeting

The offeror shall attend a base contract kickoff meeting and provide a PowerPoint overview of the IDIQ, programmatic details, technical plans, the status and details of any Task Orders awarded or pending and their technical approach and programmatic details.

4.1.1.2 Technical Advisory Board (TAB)

The offeror shall participate in a yearly Technical Advisory Board (TAB) meeting to review and approve research projects. This shall occur at the offeror’s place of performance or at another mutually agreed upon location.

4.1.1.3 Program Management Reviews (PMR)

The contractor shall participate in a quarterly meeting to review the Quarterly Status Report (QSR) (see section 4.5.1). The meeting may be in-person, phone call, or video conference.

The contractor shall provide slides to discuss overall program status.

4.1.1.4 Task Order Monthly Status Meetings

Each task order will specify the frequency of status meetings. Monthly Task Order status meetings with the customer are anticipated and will serve as the default if not otherwise specified.

4.1.1.5 Comprehensive Review

If designated a UARC, the contractor shall participate in a 5-Year comprehensive contract review process and deliver a report per government requirements.

4.2 Contract Management

The Contractor shall:

• Establish clear organizational lines of authority and responsibility to ensure effective management of the resources assigned to this requirement.

• Establish processes and assign appropriate resources to effectively administer this contract.

• Respond to Government requests for contractual actions in a timely fashion.

• Have a single point of contact between the Government and Contractor personnel assigned to support this contract.

• Assign work effort and maintain proper and accurate time keeping records of personnel assigned to work on this requirement

4.3 Travel

The contractor shall travel as needed to ensure effective execution of the base IDIQ contract and the Tasks Orders that follow.

4.4 Materials and Support

The contractor shall procure materials and provide support as needed to ensure effective execution of the base IDIQ contract and the Tasks Orders that follow.

4.4.1 Contractor Acquired Property (CAP):

Materials and equipment acquired by the contractor during the effort are considered Contractor Acquired Property (CAP). If not consumed and/or integrated into the end item, CAP shall be transferred to the Government at the conclusion of the effort if specifically requested. The Government may authorize transfer of property to the contractor if the property is no longer needed by the Government. The contractor shall manage the CAP by maintaining a list including a description, the model number, the serial number, and the cost for each piece of equipment.

4.4.2 Government Furnished Equipment/Information (GFE/GFI):

If the Government deems on-site support is required, the Government will provide workspace to include access to general office support such as automated information systems, office supplies and telephones. The Government will facilitate access to Government facilities (to include badges) provided that the security requirements of the contract are met. If other personnel security accesses are required, the Government will provide the sponsorship for additional accesses. The Government may provide access to information and data, relative to the tasks required, to include sponsoring classified network connectivity.

4.5 Status Reports

The contractor shall maintain records and document the status of work performed for each project. Documentation shall include the items identified in this section.

4.5.1 Program Level Quarterly Status Reports (QSRs)

The contractor shall develop and provide QSRs as a deliverable. The program status report shall provide, for each project:

• A description of the project

• Identification of military sponsor(s)

• Workforce Report concerning internal and subcontract staffing

• Financial Report concerning funding levels by type and Government Fiscal Year (GFY)

• Collaborations and leveraging successes

• Major milestones

• Progress and successes to date

• Publications and products to date

• A list of any DoW contracts outside of this agreement

• Tours Report (see 4.5.1.1)

• Warfighter Touchpoint Report (see 4.5.1.2)

• Human Subject Testing Report (see 4.5.1.3)

• GFP/CAP Report (see 4.5.1.4)

4.5.1.1 Tours Report.

The contractor shall develop and provide as a deliverable a Tours Report which identifies upcoming events, planned visitors, and maintains a historical log. The contractor shall notify the Government Program Manager (GPM) of all upcoming visitors that are General Officers, Senior Executive Service (SES) personnel, and members of Congress upon learning of the visit. Within 24 hours after conclusion, the contractor will report the results of the visit to the GPM answering the “5Ws.”

4.5.1.2 Warfighter Touchpoint Report.

The contractor shall report Warfighter involvement in projects from planning to transition of technology, technology demonstrators, prototypes, and information. Reports will include Army unit designation, number of Soldiers, and type of involvement such experiments, demonstrations, user groups, information collection, and/or exercises.

4.5.1.3 Human Subject Testing Report

All projects using human subjects shall be reported to include numbers of human subjects and the organization approving use.

4.5.1.4 Bi-Annual GFP/CAP Report

Every six months, as part of the QSR, the contractor shall deliver a report enumerating GFP, GFI, and CAP, highlighting any changes since the last period

4.5.2 Other Reporting Requirements

The contractor shall maintain a list of major accomplishments by GFY and update this list with each release of the QSR. The contractor shall include a listing of advances and project successes, awards and recognitions (e,g., best paper, presentation, demonstration, achievement, and poster awards, etc), keynote and plenary presentations, invited talks for conferences/symposiums, performances as conference chairs and leading committees/workshops, demonstrations of major innovations and research, major transitions of research and technology to other organizations (government, industry, and academia), technical reports and other publications, a list of patents and status (e.g., patents planned, in progress, or obtained), and any other major accomplishments. Provide the QSR to the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC).

4.5.3 Task Order (TO) Monthly Status Reports (MSRs)

Each TO will require more specific MSRs intended for the primary benefit of technical Task Managers. The TO MSRs are not to be duplications of the Program Level reporting (QSR) but shall cover similar issues as the QRS to the TO level only. Additionally, the contractor may have reviews tied to milestones identified in the project plan for each TO. Note that the TO’s will further define TO specific program reporting requirements and Deliverable Items.

4.5.4 Comprehensive Review Report.

If designated a UARC, the contractor shall participate in a 5-Year Contract review process and render the report per government requirements (see section 4.1.1.5).

4.5.5 Report Format

Reports can be provided in the contractor’s format. Specific instructions regarding reporting frequency and where reports shall be submitted, will be addressed in the contract award.

5. DELIVERABLES

5.1 Program-Level IDIQ Deliverables

Task-order project deliverables will be specified in each task orders.

Title SOW Section

Due Format

Bi-Annual GFP/CAP Report

4.5.1.4 16 days after the annual period Contractor defined;

Government approved

Quarterly Status Report (QSR)

4.5.1 Quarterly Contractor defined;

Government approved

Task Order Level Monthly Status Reports (MSRs)

4.5.3 Monthly, NLT the 16 of each

month

Contractor defined;

Government approved

Comprehensive Review Report

4.5.4 At the end of the 5-year PoP Government defined

Threat Awareness Reporting Program

6.1.3 To the COR within 30 days of

contract award or new hire date

Contractor defined;

Government approved

Cyber Awareness Training

6.2.1 To the COR within 30 days of

contract award or new hire date

Contractor defined;

Government approved

Army Training and Certification Tracking System (ATCTS)

6.2.2 To the COR within 30 days of

contract award or new hire date

Contractor defined;

Government approved

AT Level 1 Training 6.3.1 To the COR within 30 days of contract award or new hire date

Contractor defined;

Government approved

I WATCH 6.3.2 To the COR within 30 days of contract award or new hire date

Contractor defined;

Government approved

OPSEC Plan 6.3.4 To the COR within 90 calendar days of contract award

Contractor defined;

Government approved

5.2 Customer Satisfaction

The Contractor shall successfully integrate and coordinate all activity needed to execute the requirement with their U. S. Army customer. The Contractor shall manage the timeliness, completeness, and quality of problem identification. The Contractor shall provide corrective action plans, proposal submittals, timely identification of issues, and effective management of subcontractors (if applicable). The Contractor shall seek to ensure customer satisfaction with professional and ethical behavior of all of their contractor personnel.

6. SECURITY

This contract will incorporate classified and unclassified Task Order requirements. When Task Orders with specific security requirements are initiated, the contractor shall work with the sponsor to accredit the appropriate AIS and to build the requisite areas. Certain SCIFs may be candidates for shared space pending an approved Co-Use Agreement (CUA). Additionally, the contractor must ensure that participation in meetings and program discussions is partitioned to staff with proper classification levels by discussion topic.

6.1 General Security Requirements:

The Contractor shall comply with RFO FAR 52.240-92, Security Requirements. This clause involves access to information classified “Confidential,” “Secret” and requires contractors to comply with the Security Agreement (DD Form 441), including the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (DoD 5220.22-M) and its replacement 32 CFR Part 117 (NISPOM).

The NISPOM Cross reference tool is available at https://www.cdse.edu/documents/toolkits-fsos/32CFR_Part117_NIPSOM_Rule_Cross_Reference_Tool.xlsx. The highest level of security classification for anticipated work under this contract is Top Secret (TS) / Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI). Contractor personnel performing classified work are required to have active security clearances as required for access to U.S. Army facilities, when performing duties within classified environments, and for access to classified U.S. Army, JWICS, and NRO Contractor WAN Networks. Contractors are subject to a Counterintelligence Polygraph as requested by the Government for classified tasks.

6.1.1 DD254

For Task Orders with classified work, the TO requires an approved Department of Defense Form 254 (DD254) - Contract Security Classification Specification, and applicable security policies and regulations.

6.1.2 Information Security

The Contractor shall follow all applicable U. S. Army and DoD information security and operational security policies and guidance when accessing and transmitting data over networks during performance of contractual requirements.

6.1.3 Threat Awareness and Reporting Program (TARP) Training

Per AR 381-12, all contractor personnel assigned to this contract shall complete initial and annual TARP training. Completion of training shall be accomplished and reported to the COR within 30 days of contract award or new employee hire. Detailed requirements on TARP are stated in the DD Form 254.

6.1.4 Access and General Protection Security Policy and Procedures:

Contractor and all associated subcontractor employees shall provide all information required for background checks to meet installation access requirements to be accomplished by the installation Provost Marshal Office (PMO), Director of Emergency Services (DES), or Security Office. Contractor workforce shall comply with all personal identity verification requirements of RFO FAR Clause 52.204-9, Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Personnel. In addition to the changes otherwise authorized by the changes clause of this contract, should the Force Protection Condition (FPCON) at any individual facility or installation change, the Government may require changes in Contractor security matters of processes.

6.1.5 Offboarding

The Contractor shall inform the Government when its employees no longer support the contract (see DD254). The Government desires notification prior to the day the individual no longer supports the contract but requires notification no later than the day support ends. If contract personnel will no longer be supporting the U.S. Army via an U.S. Army contract, the items shall be turned in to the COR or designated Army office. If contract personnel are unable to turn these items into the appropriate Army office or COR, then it is the contractor’s security office’s responsibility to collect the items from the individual to include completing any debriefing paperwork needed and notify and seek further direction from the COR or Industrial Security. If the Contractor debriefs the employee, the Contractor shall send a copy of the debriefing statement, plus any Government items (i.e. CAC, courier card, parking passes, etc.) within 4 business days (timeline may be extended with authorized documented exceptions by U. S.

Army sponsor’s security officer) to an U. S. Army Site Security Office or the designated support center.

6.1.6 Disposition of government furnished information

Disposition of government furnished information released to the contractor or created in the performance of this contract will be provided to the contractor 30 days before termination of the contract or when no longer required in the performance of the contract.

6.2 Cybersecurity:

6.2.1 Cyber Awareness Training (IA)

All Contractor personnel, as a condition of access to Government information systems and networks, shall successfully complete all required initial and annual Cyber Awareness training as specified in AR 25-2, DA Pam 25-2-6, and as specified by the Government requiring activity within 30 days of contract award or new employee hire date. Training is available at https://cs.signal.army.mil

6.2.2 Army Training and Certification Tracking System (ATCTS)

Contractor employees and subcontractor employees performing work under this contract who have access to Government information systems and networks shall create a user account and profile in the Army Training and Certification Tracking System (ATCTS) website at https://atc.us.army.mil, under the unit container designated by the COR. Contractor employees shall document, update, and retain their training and certification status in ATCTS.

6.2.3 Acceptable Use Policies (AUP)

The Contractor shall ensure that all contractor employees and subcontractor employees sign an Acceptable Use Policies (AUP) at the same time the Cyber Awareness training is completed at the start of work performance on this contract and annually thereafter for the duration of this contract. The AUP is available in ATCTS under documents or at https://cs.signal.army.mil.

6.3 Antiterrorism:

6.3.1 Antiterrorism Level I Training:

All Contractor employees, including subcontractor employees, requiring access to Army installations, facilities, and controlled access areas shall complete AT Level I awareness training within 30 calendar days after contract start date or effective date of incorporation of this requirement into the contract, whichever is applicable. The Contractor shall submit certificates of completion for each affected Contractor employee and subcontractor employee to the COR or to the KO, if the COR is not assigned, within 30 calendar days after completion of training by all employees and subcontractor personnel. AT Level I awareness training is available at the following website: https://jko.jten.mil.

6.3.2 iWATCH:

The Contractor and all associated subcontractors shall brief all employees on the local iWATCH program (training standards provided by the requiring activity Antiterrorism Office). This local developed training will be used to inform employees of the types of behavior to watch out for and instruct employees to report suspicious activity to the COR. This training shall be completed within 30 calendar days of contract start date and within 30 calendar days of new employees commencing performance with the results reported to the COR no later than 30 calendar days after contract start date. The Contractor shall maintain all iWATCH training records and shall provide copies for the COR upon request.

6.3.3 Emergencies and Force Protection Conditions:

During declared emergencies and/or elevated Force Protection Conditions (FPCONs) Charlie or Delta, Contractor performance under this contract shall be determined by the COR or KO. All Contractor employees providing services under this contract are required to report for duty as scheduled and remain on duty during declared emergencies and/or elevated FPCON levels unless otherwise directed by the KO or COR. The Contractor PM shall keep the COR apprised of all personnel whereabouts when in a temporary duty (TDY) location.

6.3.4 Operations Security (OPSEC):

The Contractor shall develop an OPSEC Standing Operating Procedure (SOP)/Plan within 90 calendar days of contract award, to be reviewed and approved by the responsible Government OPSEC Officer. This plan will include a process to identify critical information, where it is located, who is responsible for it, how to protect it, and why it needs to be protected. The Contractor shall implement OPSEC measures as ordered by the commander. Additionally, the contractor shall have an identified certified Level II OPSEC coordinator per AR 530-1. Per AR 530-1 Operations Security, the contractor employees must complete Level I OPSEC Awareness Training. New employees must be trained within 30 calendar days of their reporting for duty and annually thereafter. OPSEC Awareness for Contractors is available at the following website:

https://securityawareness.usalearning.gov/opsec/index.htm

6.4 Security Requirements:

Contractor shall comply with all applicable security regulations, guidance, and procedures, including U.S. forces regulatory, force protection security requirements both local and referenced in this this PWS and DD form 254, Contract Security Classification Specification and in effect at all work locations. Contractor personnel shall attend all Government provided security and security awareness training as specified by the Government requiring activity. This includes successful completion of all required on-line security training, as directed by the Government requiring activity.

6.4.1 Contractor Identification Requirements:

IAW RFO FAR 37.302-1(b), all contractor personnel attending meetings, answering Government telephones, and working in other situations where their Contractor status is not obvious are required to identify themselves as such to avoid being mistaken for Government officials. Contractors performing work at Government workplaces shall provide their employees with an easily readable identification (ID) badge indicating the employee’s name, the Contractor’s name, the functional area of assignment, and a recent color photograph of the employee. Contractors shall require their employees wear the ID badges visibly when performing work at Government workplaces. Contractor personnel shall also ensure that all e-mails, documents or reports they produce are suitably marked as Contractor products and/or that Contractor participation is appropriately disclosed. All signature blocks on e-mails shall indicate that the sender is a Contractor employee and include the Contractor’s name. Contractor Identification badges shall be worn in conjunction with any Government provided identification cards or badges.

6.4.2 Access to Protected Information:

Protected information means all non-public information, including, but not limited to, trade secrets or proprietary information of other Contractors, Government source selection information, Privacy Act, Personal Identifiable Information, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), or any other information with distribution limited by the U.S. Government. If, during the performance of this requirement, Contractor personnel obtain access by any means to protected information, they shall not disclose, publish, divulge, release, or make known, in any manner or to any extent, the information except as necessary to carry out duties under this contract.

Protected information shall be given only to persons specifically granted access to this sensitive information and may not be further divulged without specific prior written approval from an authorized U.S. Government individual. Further, contractor employees may use any non-public information only for official/authorized U.S. Government purposes, and they shall not use the information for their personal gain, the gain of their employer, or the gain of anyone else. The Contractor shall notify the KO of any potential Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) created by any such access; however, a nondisclosure agreement will not overcome an OCI as defined in FAR Subpart 9.5. Moreover, the Trade Secrets Act prohibits releasing proprietary information without the owner’s consent. Accordingly, all Government Contractors are required to mark their proprietary information, and any time the Contractor is given inadvertent access to such marked information, the Contractor shall inform the KO of the access.

6.4.3 Common Access Cards (CAC):

The Government will provide special access badges as necessary. The Prime Contractor Facility Security Officer (FSO) shall ensure that all contractor personnel acquire and maintain CACs. The approving Government Trusted Agent (TA) may give access to the FSO using the online Trusted Associate Sponsorship system (TASS), https://tass.dmdc.osd.mil/tass.

Contractor eligibility remains in force during employment under the contract for those employees who have a valid and recurring requirement for access to Government facilities or automation systems to perform those duties stipulated in the contract. The Contractor shall use a valid CAC to access the Government domain. The Contractor shall immediately return the CACs to the COR when the Contractor employee’s employment is terminated or upon expiration of the contract. The CACs expire when Contractor employee’s eligibility terminates or three (3) years from the issuance date, whichever occurs first. The Contractor is responsible for all CACs and shall report all lost or stolen CACs to the COR immediately.

6.5 Information Handling:

The Contractor will comply with the U. S. Army and DoD, policy and regulations (to include, but not limited to) the U. S. Army Security Classification Guide to properly mark classified, unclassified, and controlled unclassified information (CUI) to include documents, imagery, imagery support data, software, etc. Markings will be in accordance with the lowest security classification possible to ensure the confidentiality and integrity for greatest release to partners in accordance with U. S. Army and mission partner marking guides for classified information.

Information handling will be in accordance with applicable security policy and regulations, and U. S. Army compliance documents.

7. AWARDING INSTRUMENT

• This Call for Solution solicitation will be awarded in accordance with the Army Open Solicitation procedures detailed within Solicitation W9128Z-25-S-A002, Method 2 - Call for Solutions.

• The government intends to award a single FAR-based indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract (cost plus fixed fee & firm-fixed-price) with a 12-month base period and four (4) 12-month option periods. The estimated combined ceiling for the base and option periods is not to exceed $100,000,000 funded by task orders for the direct procurement of solutions that are determined to meet the government's requirements. Offerors should familiarize themselves with this type of funding instrument and applicable regulations governing IDIQ contracts before submitting a proposal.

• All awards are contingent upon the availability of funds. The government reserves the right to make no award at all.

• Solicitation Procedure o The Government intends a two-step procedure for this Call. The first step solicits solution briefs as outlined in sections 7.2 and 7.3 below, Based on the government's evaluation, the Solution Brief will be categorized as 'Selected for Further Consideration' or 'Not Selected for Further Consideration'. Evaluation factors and criteria for the solution brief are outlined at Section 10.1. Those offerors whose solutions briefs have been Selected for Further Consideration will be invited to participate in the second step. The second step solicits full proposals.

o Deadlines for submission of solution briefs are outlined at Section 7.1, below. An overview of the evaluation process/criteria and content requirements are outlined in Sections 7.2 and 7.3, respectively.

o Requirements for submission of full proposals will be provided to those offerors that are invited to participate in Step 2.

7.1 Submission Dates and Times

7.1.1 Pre-Proposal Inquiries and Questions Deadline

• All technical or general pre-proposal inquiries and questions should be submitted no later than Friday, 10 July. We may not be able to answer questions if received later.

Your questions may be consolidated with other questions. Our replies will be provided as soon as practicable and posted to SAM.gov so that all offerors receive the same information.

• Submit all questions or comments concerning this announcement in writing by e-mail to the POCs listed at the top of this Call. If you submit a question by telephone call, fax message, or other means you will not receive a response. Applicants are encouraged to submit questions as early as possible.

• We expect to provide answers no later than Friday, 17 July 2026. We may provide an individual response by email if: your question does not apply to any other offeror and the answers provided do not change the requirements of this Call. Future amendments to this Call will be issued via an amendment posted in SAM.gov.

7.1.2 Proposal Deadline

• Solution Briefs must be received prior to Wednesday, 22 July 2026 at 4:00 PM Eastern Time to the e-mail addresses listed at the top of this Call. Receipt by any other government server, gateway, or IT infrastructure does not constitute receipt by the designated government installation.

7.1.3 Solution Brief Receipt

• We use the date and time stamp on your email to determine when your solution briefs are received. It is the offeror's sole responsibility to ensure that the proposal is received by the Contracting Officer and Contracting Specialist prior to the deadline. Offerors are strongly encouraged to submit proposals at least 24 hours in advance and to request an email confirmation of receipt.

7.1.4 Effect of Missing the Proposal Submission Deadline

• We will not accept late submissions unless it’s in the best interest of the government.

7.2 Solution Brief Selection Process

• Based on the evaluation (see Section 10), the Solution Brief will be categorized as ‘Selected for Further Consideration’ or ‘Not Selected for Further Consideration’.

o Selected for Further Consideration: The submitted Solution Brief has been determined to be of technical merit, presents a viable management & security approach, and an achievable solution. As such, the Government intends to invite the offeror to participate in next phase should funding be available.

o Not Selected for Further Consideration: The submitted Solution Brief does not represent either the necessary degree of technical merit, technical innovation, or relevance to agency priorities to warrant further proposal effort or consideration.

• The Army anticipates Calls for Solutions may routinely receive more Solution Briefs than resources to award. All submissions will be fairly evaluated; however, only select Solution Briefs will be invited to provide a full proposal. The government reserves the right to limit the number of Universities invited to full proposal submission. As such, a solution may be evaluated to be of merit but not invited to submit a full proposal. Solution Briefs that are chosen for full proposal will be notified in writing as soon as practicable.

• The Government anticipates inviting up to three (3) offerors to submit a full proposal.

• Full Proposal instructions will be made available at the time of proposal request(s).

7.3 Solution Briefs

7.3.1 Solution Brief Requirements

• Do not include CUI in the solution brief.

• Page Limit: Maximum 10 pages (excluding cover page, executive summary and other sections as outlined in Section 7.3.2)

• Font: 11pt Arial o Smaller font allowed for graphics, figures, tables, and diagrams provided the content remains clearly legible without magnification, consistent with the solicitation's requirement for a standard, readable font.

o The Government retains sole discretion in determining whether submitted content meets the readability standard. Offerors shall ensure all submitted content is easily readable. There shall be no hidden text.

o The Government will not consider inserted textboxes/pop-ups or internet links to additional information as part of the Solution Brief and will not consider such information in its evaluation. Solution Briefs are intended to be clear and concise.

• Format: Adobe PDF. Email attachments are limited to no more than 20 MB. Email attachments exceeding this limit will be rejected by the agency's server, and the agency assumes no responsibility for delivery failures due to file size limitations.

• File Name: “[Offeror Name] – AdvM Solution Brief.pdf”

• Email Address: See POCs contact information listed at the top of this Call

• Subject Line: “Solution Brief Submission – AdvM Applied Research Center [Offeror Name]”

• Markings:

o Mark the title page with the following legend:

“This proposal includes data that shall not be disclosed outside the Government and shall not be duplicated, used, or disclosed—in whole or in part—for any purpose other than to evaluate this proposal. If, however, a contract is awarded to this offeror as a result of, or in connection with, the submission of this data, the Government shall have the right to duplicate, use, or disclose the data to the extent provided in the resulting contract. This restriction does not limit the Government's right to use information contained in this data if it is obtained from another source without restriction. The data subject to this restriction are contained in sheets [insert numbers or other identification of sheets]” o Mark each sheet of restricted data with the following legend:

“Use or disclosure of data contained on this sheet is subject to the restriction on the title page of this proposal.”

7.3.2 Solution Brief Contents

• Title Page (one-page limit)

• Include: Offeror Name, Address, Title, Date, Point of Contact Name, E-Mail Address, Phone, and Call reference number. If registered in SAM.gov, include the Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code and Unique Entity Identification (UEI) code.

Specifically identify the Call for which the Solution Brief is submitted. Tax-exempt status and university affiliations that demonstrate eligibility to be designated a UARC.

• Executive Summary (one-page limit)

• Provide a concise, high-level overview of the proposed solution, its key benefits, and the offeror's relevant experience. The summary must be a "one-page snapshot" of the solution that clearly and succinctly addresses the following points:

o Solution Overview: A summary of the proposed capabilities, and how they meet the desired attributes in Section 3.

o Key Discriminators: A description of the unique features, innovations, or primary advantages of the proposed solution.

o Experience: A brief overview of the offeror’s experience and proven expertise in core areas.

• Main Body: Research Center (10-page limit)

• Describe the research center solution including, but not limited to, its core capabilities, organization, principal investigators, management and oversight, contracting capabilities, approach and ability to meet the desired attributes in this Call.

• Information Requested o Technical Capabilities: A description of research areas related to the Core Competencies, including a description of current and projected industrial and specialized AdvM facilities (including floor space, environmental controls, and HAZMAT capabilities). Information that demonstrates leadership in AdvM including university affiliations, years of AdvM experience, annual research volume in AdvM-related areas, accreditations, number of Ph.D. scientists and engineers with expertise in Core Competency areas, qualifications of key personnel in AdvM-related fields, relationships with the broader academic AdvM research community; any unique geographic advantages.

o Management & Security: A description of the proposed Center’s organizational structure, management approach (including cost and quality…