Open Period Solicitation 3 - CSO Amend 01_20Nov2025.pdf

As of 20 Nov 2025

Continuing Human Enabling, Enhancing, Restoring and Sustaining (CHEERS)

Open Period Solicitation 3 – All Technical Areas

FA2384-24-S-2336

Contents

1.0 Overview Information

2.0 Full Text Announcement

2.1 Program Description

2.2 Statement of Objective/Description of Technical Areas

2.3 Deliverable Items

2.4 Schedule

2.5 Other Requirements

2.6 Science and Technology (S&T) Protection

2.7 Other Information

2.7.1 Government Furnished Property (GFP) Availability

2.7.2 Base Support/ Network Access

2.7.3 Multiple awards subject to Fair Opportunity

2.7.4 Data Rights Desired

2.7.5 Military Equipment Valuation

2.7.6 Human or Animal Subject Use

2.7.7 Hazardous or Radioactive Materials

2.7.8 Ozone Depleting Substances

2.7.9 Ground or Flight Testing

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

6.1 White Paper Review Criteria

6.2 Proposal Review Criteria

6.3 Review and Selection Process

7.0 Award Administration Information

7.1 Award Notices

8.0 Other Information

8.1 Acquisition of Commercial Items:

8.2 Representative List of Clauses

List of Attachments

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

Open Period 3 - 2 - Step

To access hyperlinks from this electronic solicitation – Hit CTRL and click on the link.

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 and Attachment 3 of CHEERS MAA.

Solicitation Authority

10 U.S.C. 3458 – Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO)

Solicitation Number and Title

FA2384-24-S-2336

Open Period 3 – All Technical Areas

Solicitation Type Initial Solicitation Solicitation Format Open Period 2-Step

Step 1 White Paper Submission Due Date

WHITE PAPER DUE DATE AND TIME: White papers will be accepted through 30 September 2028. Only white papers are due at this time.

Submit white papers to AFRL.711HPW.MAA@us.af.mil

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

TBD - Dependent upon the approach proposed. Note: Total value of all awards issued under this Open Period CSO Solicitation will not exceed a value of $80.12M.

mailto:AFRL.711HPW.MAA@us.af.mil

Anticipated Number of Awards

TBD – The Air Force anticipates multiple awards for this solicitation. 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

The Air Force anticipates the award of a Firm-Fixed Price type contract in accordance with FAR Part 12. Offerors are encouraged to review FAR 52.212-4 and 52.212-5 for standard terms and conditions of a FAR Part 12 contract. In addition, the Air Force reserves the right to award an Other Transaction (OT) in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 4021 & 10 U.S.C. 4022.

Agency Contacts

Program Manager(s):

Kelly Kaleda, AFRL/RHW, kelly.kaleda.4@us.af.mil Stacey Martens, AFRL/RHD, stacey.martens@us.af.mil Dr. Lindy Lutz, AFRL/RHB, lindy.lutz.2@us.af.mil Linda Armstrong, AFRL/USAFSAM, linda.armstrong.7@us.af.mil

Contracting Officer:

Amber Taylor, AFRL/RAKH, amber.taylor.9@us.af.mil Ashlee Green, AFRL/RAKH, ashlee.green.1@us.af.mil

Address general MAA questions as stated in paragraph 2.3 below to: AFRL.711HPW.MAA@us.af.mil mailto:kelly.kaleda.4@us.af.mil mailto:stacey.martens@us.af.mil mailto:lindy.lutz.2@us.af.mil mailto:linda.armstrong.7@us.af.mil mailto:amber.taylor.9@us.af.mil mailto:ashlee.green.1@us.af.mil

Notice:

All terms of MAA and Industry Guide apply unless specifically addressed in Call.

2.0 Full Text Announcement

2.1 Program Description:

The Air Force Research Laboratory, Human Effectiveness Directorate (RH) and the United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM), is soliciting white papers (and potentially later technical and cost proposals) for innovative solutions or innovative capabilities that fulfill the requirements, close capability gaps, or provide potential innovative technological advancements in meeting the objective of the MAA SOOs (Attachments 2 and 3 of the MAA). Further, this Solicitation provides a mechanism by which the government can partner with industry. To do so, the government must broaden its horizons – in order to bring innovative solutions required to accelerate the efficiency and effectiveness of our nation’s mission. Awards and agreements will be issued to industry partners offering “innovative solutions” to the described objectives, desired end states, or capability gaps. To be considered, the solutions offered must meet the definition of an innovative solution. For the purposes of this CSO, innovative means any technology, process, or method, including research and development, that is new as of the date of the proposal submission, or any new application of an existing technology, process, or method as of the proposal date. Additionally, this CSO may result in the award of contracts/agreements ranging from advanced component development through operational systems development.

2.2 Statement of Objective/Description of Technical Areas:

Please see all Technical Areas listed under Attachment 2 and Attachment 3 of CHEERS MAA.

Address technical questions to the org box listed below:

AFRL.711HPW.MAA@us.af.mil

Address contracting questions to the org box listed below:

AFRL.711HPW.MAA@us.af.mil

2.3 Deliverable Items:

a. Data Items: TBD

b. Software: TBD

c. Hardware: TBD

d. Other: TBD

2.4 Schedule:

a. Overall Period of Performance: TBD

b. Data Item Delivery: TBD

c. Software Delivery: TBD

d. Hardware Delivery: TBD

2.5 Other Requirements:

a. Program Security Classification: TBD – See CHEERS MAA, Section 2.7 (a) Program Security Classification for further information.

b. Export Control: TBD – See CHEERS MAA, Section 2.7 (d) Export Control for further information.

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

2.6 Science and Technology (S&T) Protection:

See MAA paragraph 2.8 Science and Technology (S&T) Protection and CHEERS MAA Industry Guide, Chapter 3 for further information.

2.7 Other Information:

2.7.1 Government Furnished Property (GFP) Availability:

See CHEERS MAA, Section 2.9.1 Government Furnished Property (GFP Availability) for further information.

2.7.2 Base Support/ Network Access:

See CHEERS MAA, Section 2.9.2 Base Support/Network Access for further information.

2.7.3 Multiple awards subject to Fair Opportunity:

Not applicable.

2.7.4 Data Rights Desired: Variation from CHEERS MAA Industry Guide, Chapter 3, Paragraph 3:

This Solicitation, and any subject awards, are subject to DFARS 252.227-7015, Technical Data– Commercial Products and Commercial Service. Any subject award will include the clause at 252.227-7015, Technical Data–Commercial Products and Commercial Services, when the awardee will be required to deliver technical data pertaining to commercial products, commercial components, or commercial services, or commercial processes.

Data rights Desired:

i. Other Than Commercial Technical Data: Unlimited Rights

ii. Other Than Commercial Computer Software: Unlimited Rights

iii. Other Than Commercial Software Documentation: Unlimited Rights

iv. Commercial Computer Software Rights: Customary Commercial License consistent with Federal statutes and regulations

• Customary Commercial Licenses may require a Rider to address items that conflict with

Federal statutes/regulations.

2.7.5 Military Equipment Valuation:

TBD - Dependent upon the approach proposed.

2.7.6 Human or Animal Subject Use:

2.7.7 Hazardous or Radioactive Materials:

2.7.8 Ozone Depleting Substances:

2.7.9 Ground or Flight Testing:

3.0 Award Information:

Anticipated funding: TBD - No award will be made under this solicitation until funds are available.

4.0 Cost Sharing or Matching:

Cost Sharing is not required.

4.1 Other:

4.1.1 Foreign Participation:

See CHEERS MAA, Section 4.4.1 Foreign Participation for additional details.

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.

5.0 White Paper / Proposal and Submission Information:

5.1 Overview:

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.

ONLY WHITE PAPERS ARE BEING SOLICITED AT THIS TIME.

5.2 First Step (White Paper) Instructions:

See CHEERS MAA, Industry Guide Chapter 4.

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 further interest to AFRL.

6.0 White Paper / Proposal Review and Selection Information: Variation from CHEERS MAA Industry Guide, Chapter 5, Paragraph 1 and 2:

6.1 White Paper Review Criteria:

AFRL/RH or USAFSAM will review White Papers to determine which of them have the potential to best meet AFRL/RH or USAFSAM’s needs based on the following criteria, which are listed in descending order of importance:

a. Does the technical approach meet the definition of innovative per DFARS 212.7001?

b. Is the technical approach consistent with the technologies listed in the SOOs under the CHEERS MAA Attachment 2 and Attachment 3?

c. Is the technical approach of interest to the 711 Human Performance Wing?

d. Affordability (Proposed ROM cost estimate)

6.2 Proposal Review Criteria:

Proposals will be reviewed against the criteria listed below. The technical aspect, which is ranked as the first order of priority, shall be reviewed based on the following criteria that are of descending order of importance:

a. Technical:

1) Innovative solutions or potential capabilities that fulfill requirements, close capability gaps, or provide innovative technological advancements;

2) The offeror’s understanding of the scope of the technical effort;

3) Soundness of the offeror’s technical approach;

b. Price:

The cost/price criterion includes the realism of the proposed cost. Cost/Price is a substantial factor, but ranked as the second order of priority. (If an offeror proposes the use of GFP other than any GFP identified in the Solicitation, and that proposed GFP provides the offeror an unfair competitive advantage, then FAR 45.202 requires rental equivalent be applied to the Cost Factor for evaluation purposes only).

6.3 Review and Selection Process:

a. Based on the Peer or Scientific Review, proposals will be categorized as Selectable or Not Selectable (see definitions below). The selection of one or more sources for award will be based on the Peer or Scientific Review, as well as importance to agency programs and funding availability.

Selectable: Proposals are recommended for acceptance if sufficient funding is available.

Not Selectable: Even if sufficient funding existed, the proposal should not be funded.

Note: AFRL/RH or USAFSAM reserves the right to award some, all, or none of proposals. When AFRL/RH or USAFSAM elects to award only a part of a proposal, the selected part may be categorized as Selectable, though the proposal as a whole may not merit such a categorization.

b. No other criteria will be used.

c. Prior to award of a potentially successful offer, the Contracting Officer will make a determination regarding price reasonableness.

d. AFRL/RH or USAFSAM will conduct a S&T Protection Initial Risk Review only for those proposals categorized as Selectable and selected for funding and negotiations. In the event a security risk is identified, and the Government has determined the security risk exceeds the acceptable threshold, the Applicant/Offeror will be notified and informed of the decline of award. The Government will provide as much rationale for the decision as Government OPSEC measures allow for. Challenges under awards made solely for Fundamental Research shall follow the OSD R&E Memorandum dated 6 June

2023. Challenges under any other type of award shall follow the Ombudsman procedures.

7.0 Award Administration Information:

7.1 Award Notices:

An email response will be sent notifying offerors that their white paper has been received.

Offerors will be notified of the disposition of their white paper.

Please note: 180 days is a notional timeframe for white paper to be reviewed and could be longer based on the government white paper review cycle. 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. 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:

Based upon market research, the Government is using the policies contained in FAR Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items, in this solicitation.

Commercial Solutions Opening Authority (10 USC §4001/DFARS Part 212) will be limited to the uses described in DFARS 212.7002.

8.2 Representative List of Clauses

Attachment 1, Representative List of Provisions and Clauses is provided for informational purposes. Individual Representations and Certifications may be requested as part of an RFP issued to those offerors who submitted White Papers determined to be of further interest to AFRL. The FAR(S) clauses referenced in the attachment may not apply to awards made pursuant to Non-FAR authorities, however those efforts may utilize the attachment as a starting point for negotiation of articles.

ATTACHMENTS

1. Representative List of Provisions and Clauses