Attachment 14 - FA2384-26-S-B001 HMDM QA.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 29 KB Posted
- Attached to
- Holistic Models for Decision Making
- Solicitation number
- FA238426SB001
About this file
This file is a Questions and Answers document for the Holistic Models for Decision Making (HMDM) Line of Effort under the CHEERS Multiple Authority Announcement (MAA). The solicitation FA2384-26-S-B001 is a one-step Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) issued by the Air Force Research Laboratory with a proposal submission deadline of 24 April 2026. The contract will be structured as an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) with incremental funding and multiple task orders, with an overall classification level of Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI). The initial Task Order 1 (TO1) is a kick-off meeting with a government estimate of $5,000, requiring a full cost proposal submission; however, no cost volume is required for the basic IDIQ proposal, which will be evaluated solely on technical merit using CHEERS MAA technical review criteria. Future task orders are anticipated to be Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee instruments and will require full technical and cost proposals at that time.
Key proposal requirements include: Technical/Management proposals must follow double-spacing for both IDIQ (30-page maximum) and TO1 (15-page maximum) submissions using 10-point Arial font; a standalone Statement of Work must follow the format of Attachment 8; all personnel must be identified at the proposal stage, with subcontractors identified for specific task orders moving forward; and offerors must use the editable PDF version of the Research & Related Senior and Key Personnel Profile from the CHEERS MAA SAM.gov page. The kick-off meeting will be held at the unclassified level, and personnel working on TS/SCI-level task orders must obtain TS/SCI clearances prior to that work. The government clarified that this is not a follow-on to any previous contract, funding will be provided incrementally per the Estimated Funding Profile in the Statement of Objectives, and no cost breakdown per focus area can be provided by the government.
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FA238426SB001 Amend 2 Q&As Holistic Models for Decision Making (HMDM) CHEERS Call, One-Step BAA
FA238426SB001
| Question # | Questions / Comments | Response | |
| 1 | Is this a re-release of (or a second call for) a similar HMDM Line of Effort? | No, this is the first call for the HMDM Line of Effort under the CHEERS MAA. | |
| 2 | Does the double-spacing requirement only apply to paragraph spacing? | The double-spacing requirement applies to paragraph and line spacing for the Technical/Management proposal for both the IDIQ and T01 proposals. Please note that the 30 page limit for the IDIQ proposal and the 15 page limit for the TO1 proposal are maximums. | |
| 3 | What spacing is required for the stand-alone SOW? | Please follow the general formatting of Attachment 8 of the solicitation, utlilizing the numbered sections and paragraph formats as included. | |
| 4 | What font type and font size are required for the stand-alone SOW? | Please use 10-point business font Arial and number the pages within the proposal. | |
| 5 | Attachment 6, SOO is dated August 15, 2025. Was an earlier version of this solicitation published on this date? | The SOO dated August 15, 2025 is the correct version of this solicitation and has not been previously posted. | |
| 6 | What are the classification requirements for the project overall? What portion of the work would be expected to occur at each classification level? | The overall classification requirements for the project are TS/SCI. The portion of the work accomplished at each classification level would be determined by the strategies outlined in the SOW. | |
| 7 | Does the contractor require a TS/SCI storage facility or can contractor personnel access USG TS/SCI facilities when necessary? | USG TS/SCI sotrage facilities are available dependent on the offeror's strategy for completing the work as outlined in their SOW. | |
| 8 | Attachment 13: SOW Supplemental Requirements (AFRL_PZL)" is in track changes/review mode; did the Government intentionally publish Attachment 13 in track changes? | Attachment 13 was originally published in track changes erroneously; the solicitation has been updated to reflect the correct version of the document. | |
| 9 | Can AFRL confirm that funding for Holistic Models for Decision Making is currently not available at this time? Is there a proposed timeline within which the USG would secure this funding? | An award made as a result of this solicitation would be incrementally funded – the Estimated Funding Profile provided in Attch 6 is the best projection for that funding, particularly when projecting to FY 28-30. | |
| 10 | Can AFRL confirm that this is a full submission (i.e. full technical/cost proposal with schedule, deliverables)? There’s wording in the solicitation calling this Initial Solicitation but that is followed up by “One Step Submission" | A full submission, including the full technical proposal with schedule and deliverables, is desired at this time. Please note that the submission date for proposals has been extended to 24 April 2026. | |
| 11 | Will the government consider a ROM as part of the “initial” submission of proposals? | Any information that your business would like to include as a part of the proposal, including a ROM, would be considered under the criteria outlined in the solicitation. However, please note the Government is requesting a Cost/Business Proposal for TO 1 (see Section 5.2.1(ii) of the announcement). | |
| 12 | Regarding the One-Step proposal instructions, is it the Government's intent that we price TO-1 (Kick-Off Meeting) and there are no pricing requirements for the Basic IDIQ proposal package? | For the IDIQ, a full cost volume is not needed. The TO 1 proposal should include a cost proposal at this time. | |
| 13 | What is the classification level for the Kick-off meeting, and what is the method of attendance? | The security classification for the Kick-Off meeting is unclassified; method of attendance is dependent on the contractor's proposal. | |
| 14 | Requesting the Government consider update of DD254 to include the potential for classified contractor facility work/connectivity. | The form that was attached to the Call is an initial document; the remainder of the DD254 will be completed with information that's provided by any prospective awardees, related to the personnel attached to the proposed method of completing the work. The classification level in the DD254 is TS/SCI. | |
| 15 | Requesting Government provide both the SCI and Non-SCI Addendums to the DD 254. | The SCI and Non-SCI addenda are being provided with Call Amendment 2. | |
| 16 | Is it the Government's intent to hold a Kick-Off Meeting and then pause execution in anticipation of follow-on TO solicitation process? | The current plan is to hold the Kick-Off meeting, then pause work as the future Task Orders are planned and awarded. Two additional Task Orders are currently being contemplated, subject to changes in the Government's needs moving forward. | |
| 17 | BAA solicitation, section 6.2 states "Since basic IDIQ proposals do not include a cost volume, offerors' basic IDIQ proposals will only be reviewed against the CHEERS Technical review criteria." Does any cost detail need to be included in IDIQ proposal? If so in what format? | The Basic IDIQ proposal will be reviewed against the CHEERS Technical Review Critieria, not for individal cost breakdown as that will be required at the Task Order level. Please follow Section 5.2.3.2 when submitting Cost Volume for proposals at the Task Order level. A cost sheet proposal for the Basic IDIQ is not required. | |
| 18 | Can the government please confirm that section 6.2 of the BAA is correct? (i.e., a cost sheet proposal for the Basic IDIQ across 5 years is N/A as this IDIQ may be multiple-award and the contract is anticipated to be Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee Task Orders) | ||
| 19 | Can offerors add a subcontractor after base contract award even if the subcontractor was not part of the offeror's base proposal? | The subcontractors will need to be included when submitting responses to RFPs at the Task Order level, as necessary based on the individual proposer's approach. | |
| 20 | What is the correct version for the "Research & Related Senior and Key Personnel Profile"? There are 3 different versions. The one posted with this BAA in SAM.gov is an un-editable pdf; file name, "Attachment 2b Research & Related". However, the CHEERS MAA Industry Guide amendment from Nov 2025 points to a different version that is an editable pdf. Last, there is an "Appendix 3 Research & Related Senior and Key Person Profile Worksheet" posted on the CHEERS MAA SAM.gov page. Which version should offerors use? | If possible, please use the editable pdf version of the document found on the CHEERS MAA SAM.gov page; this will allow the personnel to be reviewed more readily. | |
| 21 | The BAA solicitation posted on SAM.gov states that the 3 attached appendices are titled: Appendix 1 - Security Program Questionnaire; Appendix 2 – Research and Related Senior Key Person Profile Worksheet; and Appendix 3 – Privacy Act for Covered Individuals Fillable. However, the corresponding files posted on SAM.gov have different file names: "Attachment 2a-Security Program Questionnaire"; "Attachment2b-Research and Relate"; and "Attachment 2c AFRL Privacy Act fo" | ||
| Are the 2a, 2b, and 2c attachments posted in SAM.gov the correct versions that offerors should complete and submit? | Please utilize attachments 2a, 2b, and 2c as posted with the solicitation. | ||
| 22 | Can the government provide Exhibit B CDRLS, as stated in the BAA Solicitation File, Section 5.2.2? | The CDRLS provided at Attachment 4 are the only ones presently available; additional CDRLs may be necessary for future Task Orders. Those provided at Attachment 4 are the only ones that need to be addressed in the initial proposal. | |
| 23 | For the IDIQ and TO1 files, should the text be justified, or left-aligned? | Please format the proposal document to your preference; either justified or left-aligned is fine, so long as the information within is clearly legible. | |
| 24 | Have S&T Protection Plan requirements already been identifeid? If so, can the government provide them to offerors? | S&T Protection requirements will be further identified as necessary based on the information submitted according to the Security Risk Review - AFRLI 61-113. | |
| 25 | Is there an incumbent or predecessor contract in place? If so, can you share the contractor name and the contract #? | This requirement is not a direct follow-on of any other contract. | |
| 26 | Attachment 7, HMDM SOW Section 5 indicates that the kickoff meeting is at the TS/SCI level. Please clarify the personnel security clearance requirement for the Key Personnel that are part of mandatory attendance at the TO1 kickoff. | The kickoff meeting will be held at the unclassified level. The solicitation will be amended to revise the TO1 SOW and make that correction. | |
| 27 | Attachment 1, CHEERS MAA Industry Guide, provides guidance for evaluation of technical proposals. The Closed Call HMDM Solicitation does not appear to identify evaluation criteria for technical and management proposals. Please clarify the evaluation ratings or rubric to be used for proposals. | Proposals will be reviewed in accordance with Chapter 5 of the CHEERS MAA Industry Guide (see Section 6.0 of the closed call, titled "Proposal Review Information." | |
| 28 | Attachment 1, CHEERS MAA Industry Guide Section 6.f and Section 8 provide offeror instructions for submission of cost proposals. Section 6.f does not require the submission of an IDIQ cost volume. Section 8 does not specify the submission requirement for an IDIQ proposal. It appears that the cost volume requirement is for attendance at the kickoff, which is already identified as a one-time completion payment. Please clarify the cost volume requirements for this solicitation. | A cost proposal is not required at the IDIQ level, only for TO1. Any future proposals at the Task Order level would need to include a full cost proposal. | |
| 29 | Please confirm that participating personnel who do not currently have a TS/SCI clearance can be eligible for a TS/SCI clearance with an expectation that clearance will be completed after award. | The kickoff meeting will be held at the unclassified level. Any personnel who would work on material at the TS/SCI level would be expected to receive that clearance ahead of working on Task Orders that reach that clearance level. | |
| 30 | Could you please clarify of the pricing of Task Order 1 Kickoff Meeting pricing should be CPFF? | The Government anticipates that proposals will result in CPFF Task Orders; however, if an offeror proposed a different instrument that they feel would be better suited to the nature of the research involved, then the Air Force reserves the right to award those types of instruments. Please use your judgment in proposing what you feel would be best suited to the nature of the Statement of Work for TO1. | |
| 31 | Are teaming decisions required before the 24 April 2026 deadline? | The complete response depends on the type of teaming that the proposal entails. If this means forming a joint venture or partnership with another company then the answer would be yes, that determination would need to be made in the initial proposal prior to 24 April. However, if your intention is to partner with subcontractors, then the expectation is that those subcontractors would be identified when submitting proposals for specific Task Orders moving forward. | |
| 32 | My team is not clear on the $5,000 kick off meeting amount. What happens at that meeting? Can you confirm is we are required to bring our entire proposal package and volumes to the meeting? | The Kickoff meeting’s goals are outlined in the TO1 Statement of Work, and would help the requirement owner to clarify anticipated requirements at the Task Order level. An overall business proposal (at the IDIQ level) should be included in the initial proposal, the only cost volume required initially is for the work described in the TO1 SOW. | |
| 33 | In the solicitation, it states that “Funds are not presently available for this effort.” Is there more you can share? For example, is this effort waiting for FY26 funds or will it be funded by FY27 funds? | This effort will be funded incrementally over the lifetime of the IDIQ. The Estimated Funding Profile provided on p6 of the SOO (Attachment 6) is the most complete source of funding information that we are able to provide at this point. | |
| 34 | How much money is assigned to each focus area provided in the SOO (attachment 6)? | The Government cannot provide a breakdown of funds per SOO focus area; these will vary based on the proposed method of achieving the Objectives outlined within the document. | |
| 35 | It is unclear how section 2.5 (schedule), the "Statement of Work (SOW) - Kick-Off Meeting", and the proposal instructions align with a $5,000 estimated program cost for TO 1. Could you please confirm whether the $5,000 value is correct, or provide further guidance on how offerors should interpret and structure their proposals accordingly? | The amount of $5,000 is the Government's estimate for task order 1. Offerors are required to submit a cost proposal for the work described in the TO 1 SOW, including details about subcontracting, if applicable. | |
| 36 | If a cost proposal is not required at the IDIQ level, does this also mean that you do not require a labor rate table escalated over the years of the IDIQ in the business or cost proposal? | Information about labor rates is required for cost proposals, and at this point the only cost proposal requested by the Government is for TO 1. |
Technical questions
| Question # | Questions / Comments | Response |
| 1 | "We are wondering if you would have time to talk about the HMDM LOE yet this week?" | I was able to check with our team, and we are not taking phone calls. Please submit your questions via email, and we will respond with answers. To ensure transparency, we will compile all questions and answers into a PDF document, which will be made available to all interested parties. We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to addressing your inquiries. |
| 2 | We do a great deal of cognitive modeling and so we were naturally interested in the call, especially because the initial framing of it is very much on the computational end of that problem rather than focusing on data collection to enable the modeling. However, if we read the call right it does require us to do human subject studies on site at WPAFB (and potentially others) to acquire the data for building the models. Proposing to building/learning the models without doing the data collection on site would be non-responsive. Is that correct? | To maintain fairness and transparency, we are unable to provide any direction. You may submit a proposal however your company deems appropriate to reply to the solicitation. |
| 3 | We believe our decision-intelligence and socio-cognitive modeling capabilities could complement the sensory, perceptual, and physiological cognition research central to HMDM. We are interested in exploring whether a teaming arrangement -- potentially as a subcontractor to an established WPAFB incumbent or through an independent effort -- would be an appropriate path to contribute to this program. | Thank you for reaching out. To maintain fairness throughout the selection process, we are not setting up any meetings to discuss the work. You are welcome to submit a proposal however your company deems appropriate to reply to the solicitation. Please submit your questions via email, and we will respond with answers, but cannot give any direction. To ensure transparency, we will compile all questions and answers into a PDF document, which will be made available to all interested parties. |
| 4 | We are hoping to submit a proposal to the subject solicitation, would you happen to have the bandwidth to discuss the technical aspects in more detail? If so, please let me know of your availability, and I can help set up a virtual meeting for us. | Thank you for reaching out. To maintain fairness and transparency during the selection process, we are unable to take phone calls or provide any technical direction. You may submit a proposal however your company deems appropriate to reply to the solicitation. |
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