Closed Call IMCW Solicitation as of 20250806.pdf

As of 1 Nov 2022

FA2384-25-S-B007, Information Mastery in Cognitive Warfare

Contents

1.0 Overview Information

2.0 Full Text Announcement

2.1 Program Description:

2.2 Communication Between Prospective Offerors and Government Representatives:

2.3 Statement of Objective/Description of Technical Areas:

2.4 Deliverable Items:

2.5 Schedule:

2.6 Other Requirements:

2.7 Science and Technology (S&T) Protection:

2.8 Other Information:

2.8.1 Government Furnished Property (GFP) Availability:

2.8.2 Base Support/ Network Access:

2.8.3 Multiple awards subject to Fair Opportunity:

3.0 Award Information:

4.0 Cost Sharing or Matching:

4.1 Other:

4.1.1 Foreign Participation:

4.1.2 White Paper Limits:

5.0 White Paper / Proposal and Submission Information:

5.1 Overview:

5.2 First Step (White Paper) Instructions:

5.3 Second Step (Proposal) Instructions:

6.0 White Paper / Proposal Review Information:

7.0 Award Administration Information:

7.1 Award Notices:

8.0 Other Information:

8.1 Acquisition of Commercial Items:

8.2 Support Contractors:

8.3 Feedback Sessions:

8.4 Item Unique Identification and Valuation:

8.5 Pre-Award Clearance………………………………………………………………………………………8

8.6 Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters:

8.7 Adequate Price Competition (APC / Proposal Adequacy Checklist:

8.8 Associate Contractor Agreements (ACA)………………………………………………………8

ATTACHMENTS

Continuing Human Enabling, Enhancing, Restoring, and Sustaining (CHEERS) Multiple Authority Announcement (MAA)

Call for Proposals, Two-Step

1.0 Overview Information

Federal Agency Name

Air Force Research Laboratory, Human Effectiveness Directorate & the United States Air Force School of Medicine (AFRL/RH &

USAFSAM)

MAA Number and Title

FA2384-24-S-2233, Continuing Human Enabling, Enhancing, Restoring, and Sustaining (CHEERS)

Applicable MAA Technical Area(s)

All Technical Areas listed under Attachment 2, paragraph

3.3.2.2.1.2 of CHEERS MAA.

Solicitation Authority

10 U.S.C 4001 - Federal Acquisition Regulation and its Supplements (FAR(S))/ FAR 35 Part 35.016 (Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs))

Solicitation Number and Title

FA2384-25-S-B007, Information Mastery in Cognitive Warfare

Solicitation Type This is the Initial Solicitation Solicitation Format Call 2-Step

Step 1 White Paper Submission Due Date and Method

WHITE PAPER DUE DATE AND TIME: 6 September 2025 at 5:00PM Wright-Patterson AFB, OH local time. SUBMISSION METHOD: electronically, via E-mail, to the Contracting Officer and Contract Specialist identified below.

Only white papers are due at this time.

Step 2 Proposal Due Date

PROPOSAL DUE DATE AND TIME: To be provided in the Requests for Proposals sent to offerors that submit White Papers considered to meet the needs of the Air Force.

Estimated Program Cost

$24.12M - Each individual award will be based on an individual proposed approach and funding availability.

Notice to Offeror(s)/Supplier(s): Funds are not presently available for this effort. No award will be made under this solicitation until funds are available. The Government reserves the right to cancel this solicitation, either before or after the closing date. In the event the Government cancels this solicitation, the Government has no obligation to reimburse an offeror for any costs.

Anticipated Number of Awards

The Air Force anticipates awarding one or more contracts for this announcement. However, the Air Force reserves the right to award zero, one, or more contracts for all, some or none of the solicited effort based on the offeror’s ability to perform desired work and funding fluctuations.

Contract/Instrument Types

A Cost Reimbursable (CPFF) Contract is anticipated, however, the Air Force reserves the right to award the instrument best suited to the nature of research proposed, such as any appropriate contract type under the FAR or a grant or cooperative agreement; A C type contract is anticipated

Anticipated Award Date

3 March 2026

Agency Contacts

Program Manager (PM):

Captain Denita Guthery, denita.guthery@us.af.mil

Primary Contracting Officer (PCO):

Michelle Goss, michelle.goss.1@us.af.mil

Contract Specialist:

Emily O’Connor, emily.oconnor@us.af.mil

Address general BAA questions to Capt. Guthery.

Note: To preserve the integrity of competition, a moratorium on white paper acceptance under Open Period solicitations will be issued in cases where a Call for Proposal is released covering the same topic areas as the Open period. The Open Period Moratorium will last 6 months and go into effect upon the closing date for proposal receipt under Call for Proposals. (See CHEERS MAA Industry Guide Chapter 1).

mailto:denita.guthery@us.af.mil mailto:joshua.cole.30@us.af.mil mailto:emily.oconnor@us.af.mil

2.0 Full Text Announcement

Notice: All terms of the CHEERS MAA and the CHEERS MAA Industry Guide apply unless specifically addressed in Call. The MAA is available in SAM.gov. The MAA Industry Guide is also available in SAM.gov and as Attachment #5 to this Solicitation.

2.1 Program Description:

The Air Force Research Laboratory, Human Effectiveness Directorate (RH) is soliciting white papers (and later technical and cost proposals) on the following research effort: this Program seeks to address Information-Related Capability (IRC) gaps related to information maneuvers by using analytic methods, models, and tradecraft that enables operators to improve Information Related Capability (IRC) as stated in paragraph

3.3.2.2.1.2 in the MAA.

2.2 Communication Between Prospective Offerors and Government Representatives:

Please direct all questions to the Contracting Officer listed in paragraph 1.0.

2.3 Statement of Objective/Description of Technical Areas:

See Attachment #4, Statement of Objectives.

2.4 Deliverable Items:

a. Data Items: See Attachment #2, Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL)

b. Software: As identified in the SOO and in attachment #2, Contract Data

Requirements List (CDRL).

c. Hardware: N/A.

d. Other: TBD

2.5 Schedule:

a. Overall Period of Performance: The Government intends to award a technical effort period of performance of 63 months, 60 months for the technical effort and 3 months for preparation and delivery of the final report. Actual dates will be specified in the resulting contract(s).

b. Data Item Delivery: TBD

c. Software Delivery: TBD

d. Hardware Delivery: TBD

2.6 Other Requirements:

a. Program Security Classification: See Attachment #3, DD254. Offerors must verify their Cognizant Security Office information is current with Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) at www.dcsa.mil.

b. Export Control: Export Control does not apply.

c. Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS): It is anticipated that CPARS will apply to FAR-based awards resulting from this Solicitation. See CHEERS MAA Industry Guide, Chapter 6 for additional details.

2.7 Science and Technology (S&T) Protection:

S&T Protection requirements are governed by Air Force Research Laboratory Instruction (AFRLI) 61-113, “Science and Technology (S&T) Protection for the Air Force Research http://www.dcsa.mil/

Laboratory.”

See Attachment #1, Security Risk Review – AFRLI 61-113, and associated appendices. The Government may require the offeror to submit additional information and/or a mitigation plan for any identified S&T protection risks. If the Government determines the offeror failed to provide adequate additional information; or an acceptable mitigation plan; or it is determined the offeror’s S&T protection approach is high risk & does not provide adequate protection of S&T information, the Government may reject the proposal & withdraw it from consideration for award.

2.8 Other Information:

2.8.1 Government Furnished Property (GFP) Availability:

Not anticipated.

2.8.2 Base Support/ Network Access:

Available Base Facilities: Office/research laboratory space, standard office/research equipment.

All base support is provided at:

Building 441, 2610 Seventh Street, WPAFB, OH 45433 Building 248, 2252 H. Street, WPAFB, OH 45433 Building 852, 2620 Q Street, WPAFB, OH 45433

2.8.3 Multiple awards subject to Fair Opportunity:

Not applicable.

2.8.4 Data Rights Desired:

This is a Research and Development contract where the Government anticipates funding the development of the data for which the Government desires the following data rights:

(1) Other than Commercial Technical Data: Unlimited Rights

(2) Other than Commercial Computer Software: Unlimited Rights

(3) Other than Commercial Software Documentation: Unlimited Rights

(4) Commercial Computer Software Rights: Customary Commercial License consistent with Federal statutes and regulations.

Refer to CHEERS MAA Industry Guide Chapter 3.3 for further information.

2.8.5 Military Equipment Valuation:

Not anticipated, however TBD dependent upon the approach proposed.

2.8.6 Human or Animal Subject Use:

Animal Subject Use is not anticipated. Human Subject Use is anticipated. See SOO for details.

2.8.7 Hazardous or Radioactive Materials:

Not anticipated, however TBD dependent upon the approach proposed.

2.8.8 Ozone Depleting Substances:

2.8.9 Ground or Flight Testing:

3.0 Award Information:

See paragraph 1.0.

4.0 Cost Sharing or Matching:

Cost Sharing is not required.

4.1 Other:

4.1.1 Foreign Participation:

Foreign industry participation is not authorized at the prime contractor level.

4.1.2 White Paper Limits:

There are no limits on the number of white papers an offeror may submit. If an offeror submits multiple white papers, each white paper must provide unique approaches.

4.1.3 Eligible Offeror:

This is an unrestricted solicitation. Small businesses are encouraged to propose.

4.1.4 Ineligibility:

You may be ineligible for award if all requirements of this solicitation are not met on the above-listed white paper (and later proposal) due date.

5.0 White Paper / Proposal and Submission Information:

5.1 Overview:

5.1.1 This Solicitation consists of a Two-Step Process described in detail below. White

Papers/Proposals submitted shall be in accordance with the CHEERS MAA, the CHEERS MAA Industry Guide, and this Solicitation. The Government intends to review white papers/proposals and award some, all, or none of the proposals received without negotiation/discussion; however, the Government reserves the right to negotiate with those offeror(s) whose proposal is selected for funding.

5.1.2 Offerors should monitor SAM.gov for any MAA and/or Solicitation Amendments.

ONLY WHITE PAPERS ARE BEING SOLICITED AT THIS TIME.

5.2 First Step (White Paper) Instructions:

See CHEERS MAA Industry Guide Chapter 4.

5.2.1 Variation from CHEERS MAA Industry Guide, Chapter 4 paragraph 5(b)(1):

The White Paper shall be limited to 10 pages, prepared and submitted in Word format.

5.3 Second Step (Proposal) Instructions:

See CHEERS MAA Industry Guide Chapter 4. Any deviations from the CHEERS MAA Industry Guide will be identified in the Request for Proposal (RFP) issued to those offerors who have submitted White Papers identified as being of further interest to AFRL.

6.0 White Paper / Proposal Review Information:

See CHEERS MAA Industry Guide Chapter 5.

7.0 Award Administration Information:

7.1 Award Notices:

7.1.1 Those offerors submitting white papers assessed as meeting Air Force needs will be asked to submit a technical and cost proposal. An offeror submitting a proposal without first submitting a white paper will not be eligible for an award. Offerors will be notified whether their proposal is recommended for award on or about 3 December 2025. The notification is not to be construed to mean that any contract award is assured, as availability of funds and successful negotiations are prerequisites to any award.

7.1.2 The cost of preparing white papers in response to this Solicitation is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resulting or any other contract; however, it may be an allowable expense to the normal bid and proposal indirect cost as specified in

FAR 31.205-18.

8.0 Other Information:

8.1 Acquisition of Commercial Items:

This Call does not intend to use the policies contained in Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items. However, in any case, interested offerors may identify to the CO their interest and capability to satisfy the Government’s requirement with a commercial item within 15 days of solicitation release.

8.2 Support Contractors:

See CHEERS MAA, para 8.2

8.3 Feedback Sessions:

See CHEERS MAA, para 8.3

8.4 Item Unique Identification and Valuation:

See CHEERS MAA Industry Guide, Chapter 6, paragraph 2.

8.5 Pre-Award Clearance: Variation from CHEERS MAA Industry Guide, Chapter 6 paragraph 3: Pre-Award clearance does not apply to this Solicitation.

8.6 Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters:

See CHEERS MAA Industry Guide, Chapter 6, paragraph 4

8.7 Adequate Price Competition (APC / Proposal Adequacy Checklist:

See CHEERS MAA Industry Guide, Chapter 6, paragraph 5. Adequate Price Competition is anticipated for this Call.

8.8 Associate Contractor Agreements (ACA):

Not applicable.

ATTACHMENTS

1. Solicitation Language for Security Risk Review AFRLI 61-113

a. Appendix 1 – SF 424 Research and Related (R&R) Key Person Profile (Expanded)

b. Appendix 2 - Security Program Questionnaire

c. Appendix 3 – Research and Related Senior Key Person Profile Worksheet

d. Appendix 4 – Privacy Act for Covered Individuals Fillable

2. Contract Data Requirements List (CDRLs)

3. DD254

4. Statement of Objectives

5. CHEERS MAA Industry Guide

6. Section K Representations and Certifications