J-0-Umbrella_PIA_SOO.docx

Umbrella Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) Statement of Objectives (SOO) Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) – AFRL / AFOSR Innovation, Partnership, Technology Transfer & Transition Enablement

1.0 Purpose

The purpose of this Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) is to provide the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), with execution oversight by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), a non-inherently governmental enabling mechanism to facilitate technology transfer, early-stage technology transition, partnership development, and ecosystem engagement activities, consistent with applicable statutory authority.

Under this PIA, the Partnership Intermediary provides facilitation, analytic support, coordination, and access to external scientific, academic, industrial, and innovation ecosystems in support of AFRL/AFOSR and Government-approved mission partners. These activities are intended to enhance awareness, connectivity, and readiness of research outcomes and technologies across varying levels of research maturity, enabling informed consideration of potential downstream maturation, adoption, or commercialization pathways by others, as appropriate.

This PIA supports the Department of the Air Force research-to-impact continuum by enabling technology transfer and transition activities aligned to mission context and research maturity, while preserving AFRL/AFOSR’s role in stewarding basic research and supporting early-stage transition awareness without presupposing acquisition, fielding, or operational decisions.

2.0 BACKGROUND

The Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), as a component of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), executes the Department of the Air Force’s basic research (6.1) mission to discover, shape, and champion high-risk, high-reward fundamental science that underpins future Air and Space Force capabilities. In this role, AFOSR advances foundational scientific knowledge and sustains the scientific ecosystem and workforce essential to long-term technological advantage. AFOSR also serves as the managing organization for this AFRL Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA).

More broadly, AFRL executes the Department of the Air Force’s science and technology enterprise across basic research, applied research, advanced development, and works in close coordination with mission partners to enable technology transfer, technology transition, innovation, and commercialization activities aligned with Department priorities. Accordingly, this PIA is structured to support AFRL-wide objectives across varying levels of research maturity, while remaining consistent with AFOSR’s stewardship of the basic research portfolio.

Within this context, AFRL and AFOSR require coordinated engagement with a diverse research, innovation, and mission ecosystem; broad awareness of emerging scientific, technical, and market trends; and effective mechanisms to disseminate research outcomes, foster collaboration, and enable awareness of potential future applications. Technology transfer and technology transition activities under this PIA are applied in a manner appropriate to research maturity and mission context, emphasizing knowledge dissemination, ecosystem connectivity, and early-stage pathway identification, while enabling informed consideration of downstream maturation, adoption, or commercialization by others, where appropriate.

The Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) mechanism, authorized under 15 U.S.C. § 3715 and 10 U.S.C. § 2514, enables the Department of the Air Force to enter into an agreement with a qualified partnership intermediary to facilitate technology transfer, early-stage technology transition, commercialization enablement, and collaboration activities between the Government and non-Federal entities, while maintaining a clear separation between inherently governmental functions and non-governmental intermediary activities. Under a PIA, the partnership intermediary extends Government access to external scientific, academic, industrial, and innovation ecosystems through facilitation, connectivity, and analytic capabilities not typically available through Government-only resources.

In this role, a PIA serves as a mechanism to amplify the reach and impact of federally funded research by leveraging external networks, expertise, and long-term partnerships with non-Federal entities, including academic institutions, industry, nonprofit organizations, and state or local affiliates. These partnerships support the effective dissemination and utilization of research outcomes and contribute to maximizing the return on Department of the Air Force research and development investments, consistent with statutory authority and mission objectives.

This Umbrella Statement of Objectives (SOO) establishes the overarching context, governing framework, and constraints applicable to all activities conducted under this PIA. Mission-specific objectives and emphasis areas are addressed through individual Collaborative Project Order (CPO) SOOs, while execution is carried out through Government-approved CPOs and associated Project Plans.

3.0 ROLES, AUTHORITIES, AND MISSION PARTNER FRAMEWORK

3.1 AFRL / AFOSR Role

AFOSR, as the managing organization for this AFRL Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA), serves as the Government’s central program authority responsible for oversight, direction, and stewardship of activities conducted under this agreement. AFOSR will:

· Establish strategic objectives and priorities for the PIA;

· Approve, modify, and oversee Collaborative Project Orders (CPOs) and associated Project Plans;

· Provide direction, constraints, and guidance to the Partnership Intermediary consistent with this SOO;

· Review deliverables and assess performance under approved CPOs; and

· Ensure compliance with statutory authority, policy requirements, and separation of inherently governmental functions.

3.2 Mission Partners / Co-Funders

Mission-aligned organizations (e.g., Space Systems Command (SSC), AFCENT Battle Labs, other DoD or U.S. Government science and technology organizations) may provide funding, priorities, or mission needs to AFOSR for execution through this PIA. These organizations participate as partners to AFRL/AFOSR, not as independent customers of the Partnership Intermediary. The Partnership Intermediary will work collaboratively with Mission Partners as defined in individual CPOs; however, Mission Partners are not authorized to provide the Partnership Intermediary with technical direction.

Mission Partners may:

· Identify mission needs and areas of interest;

· Collaborate with AFOSR in the development of CPO concepts; and

· Participate in governance, coordination, and review activities as appropriate.

Mission Partners shall not:

· Provide technical direction, tasking, or performance instructions directly to the Partnership Intermediary; or

· Approve deliverables or redirect work outside of AFOSR authorization.

The Partnership Intermediary shall not seek or accept direction, prioritization, or approval from Mission Partners without AFOSR authorization. Should a Mission Partner provide such direction, the PI's procedure is to refer the Mission Partner to the AFOSR COR and concurrently notify the COR of the communication.

The Partnership Intermediary shall not seek or accept direction, prioritization, or approval from Mission Partners without AFOSR authorization.

The Partnership Intermediary operates as a non-inherently governmental enabling mechanism under this PIA and shall:

· Facilitate, coordinate, and enable activities consistent with this SOO and AFOSR-approved CPOs;

· Execute work only as authorized through approved CPOs and associated Project Plans;

· Maintain AFRL/AFOSR as the sole Government authority for direction and approval; and

· Refrain from performing inherently governmental functions, legal determinations, acquisition actions, or procurement decisions.

4.0 SCOPE

This Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) enables the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), with execution oversight by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), and aligned Government-approved mission partners to conduct facilitative, analytic, and engagement-based activities supporting technology transfer, early-stage technology transition, partnership development, and ecosystem engagement, consistent with applicable statutory authority and Department of the Air Force policy.

For purposes of this PIA, technology transfer is applied as the process of sharing, developing, or transmitting ideas, data, information, and technologies between Government laboratories, industry, academia, and other non-Federal entities. Technology transition is applied as early-stage pathway identification, ecosystem engagement, and awareness activities that may enable downstream maturation, adoption, or commercialization by others, consistent with research maturity and Government direction.

Within the scope of this SOO, activities enabled under the PIA may include, when Government-directed:

· Partnership development, collaboration facilitation, and agreement enablement;

· Technology transfer and early-stage technology transition awareness, market intelligence, and pathway exploration;

· Technology scouting, industry engagement, and ecosystem analysis;

· STEM and workforce development, ecosystem development and engagement;

· Access to non-inherently governmental technical expertise, structured studies, and analytic assessments;

· Development and use of data tools, analytic platforms, and collaboration or innovation environments;

· Governance support, coordination across Collaborative Project Orders (CPOs), and facilitation of convenings, workshops, or engagement activities; and

· Production of communications, outreach and knowledge-transfer outputs related to technology transfer and transition (T3) activities.

Activities conducted under this PIA are intended to increase awareness, connectivity, and readiness of research outcomes and technologies for potential downstream maturation, adoption, or commercialization by others, without obligating the Government to pursue specific acquisition, fielding, or operational outcomes.

All work under this PIA shall be initiated solely through AFOSR-approved Collaborative Project Orders (CPOs) and associated Government-approved Project Plans. Task Areas define allowable scope only and do not constitute requirements. Mission-specific objectives, execution approaches, and emphasis areas are addressed in individual CPO SOOs.

Metrics, deliverables, and staffing for a given CPO are defined in Government-issued attachments and activated through the approved Project Plan. Unless otherwise specified in a CPO or Project Plan, Government-issued attachments apply across all CPOs under this PIA.

The Partnership Intermediary shall not perform work outside the scope of approved CPOs or beyond the Task Areas identified in Section 8.0 and shall not propose or execute contractor-initiated activities absent express Government direction.

5.0 OBJECTIVES

Outcomes under this Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) are layered to support the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) basic research mission, statutory technology transfer and technology transition objectives, and the distinct priorities of aligned mission partners. Foundational outcomes apply across all activities, while technology transfer, early-stage technology transition, and downstream commercialization awareness outcomes are enabled as appropriate based on mission context and are further defined at the Collaborative Project Order (CPO) level.

The objectives of this PIA are to enable outcomes that support the Department of the Air Force research-to-impact continuum by facilitating the sharing, development, and transmission of ideas, data, information, and technologies arising from federally funded research, and by strengthening partnerships and ecosystem connectivity that extend the reach and impact of Government research investments.

Specifically, objectives include:

· Advance technology transfer and early-stage technology transition awareness by increasing visibility, pathway identification, and feasibility understanding of opportunities arising from Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and AFOSR-funded basic research and related Department of the Air Force scientific and innovation activities.

· Enable informed consideration of downstream maturation, adoption, and commercialization pathways by facilitating early-stage transition insight, stakeholder connectivity, and ecosystem engagement, without presupposing acquisition, fielding, or operational decisions.

· Expand and sustain mission-aligned partnerships and collaboration networks across academia, industry, nonprofit organizations, state or local governments, affiliated entities, government laboratories, and other non-Federal partners to leverage external expertise, infrastructure, and innovation ecosystems.

· Support partnership and agreement readiness by enabling the effective use of non-FAR collaboration mechanisms and partnership instruments, consistent with statutory authority and Government determinations.

· Strengthen STEM, workforce, and talent pipeline outcomes aligned with AFRL and AFOSR scientific priorities and long-term Department needs, contributing to the sustainability of the research and innovation ecosystem.

· Improve data-enabled insight and decision support through analytics, studies, landscape assessments, and ecosystem intelligence that inform strategy, investment planning, and technology transfer and transition awareness across AFRL, AFOSR, and aligned mission partners.

· Enhance transparency, accountability, and effectiveness in the planning, execution, and assessment of PIA-enabled activities to support stewardship of Government research investments and maximize their potential long-term impact.

6.0 GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK

All work under this Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) shall be executed through Government-approved Collaborative Project Orders (CPOs) and associated Project Plans, which define authorized scope, funding, schedule, and deliverables.

Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), as the managing organization for this PIA, will establish appropriate governance constructs to oversee performance and alignment with mission objectives. Governance may be implemented at the PIA (umbrella) level, the individual CPO level, or both, and may include boards, working groups, review forums, or similar coordination mechanisms, as determined by the Government.

Aligned mission partners may participate in governance activities in an advisory or collaborative capacity only. Such participation does not convey authority to direct the Partnership Intermediary, approve deliverables, modify scope, or otherwise exercise decision-making responsibility, all of which remain solely with AFOSR.

The Partnership Intermediary shall support governance activities by preparing materials, facilitating coordination, tracking decisions, and documenting outcomes, but shall not function as a decision-maker or exercise approval authority.

7.0 ANTICIPATED ACTIVITY LEVELS (PLANNING RANGES ONLY)

The following activity ranges are provided per Collaborative Project Order (CPO), per year, for planning and proposal development purposes only. These ranges do not represent requirements, minimums, or guarantees, and are not intended to be interpreted as expected proposal targets. Actual activity levels will vary by mission objectives, scope, research maturity, and Government direction.

Offerors are not expected to propose to all ranges, and the ranges below do not apply simultaneously within a single CPO.

For planning context, the Government anticipates approximately 3–6 active CPOs per year under this Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA).

7.1 Level of Effort (Per CPO, Per Year)

Estimated annual level of effort per CPO: approximately 8,000–16,000 labor hours, generally corresponding to ~2–8 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff per CPO, depending on scope, complexity, and engagement model.

This estimate reflects total CPO-level effort across management, facilitation, analytic, technical, and support activities, and does not establish minimum staffing levels or staffing composition.

7.2 Events and Engagements (Per CPO, Per Year)

Depending on mission objectives and engagement strategy, each CPO may include a mix of in-person and virtual engagements, such as:

Major events:

Approximately 2–12 large-scale events (e.g., conferences, summits, industry days, technical reviews), typically involving large participant groups.

Minor events / engagements:

50–250 meetings, workshops, technical exchanges, working sessions, or virtual engagements Cross-functional teams or working groups:

5–30 active teams or cohorts

7.3 Analytics, Studies, and Data Products (Per CPO, Per Year) Depending on mission objectives and Task Area emphasis, each CPO may include analytic and data-driven outputs such as:

5–25 structured studies, assessments, or analytical reports;

3–12 dashboards, data tools, or analytic products (new or sustained);

Recurring updates, data refreshes, or performance tracking products, as Government-directed.

Metrics and outcome-tracking mechanisms are defined by the Government and may vary by Task Area, mission objective, or research maturity.

7.4 Partnership and Agreement Enablement (Per CPO, Per Year)

Each CPO may include facilitation and coordination support for non-FAR partnership instruments, subject to Government approval and authority, including:

Approximately 10–40 facilitated or supported MOUs, MOAs, EPAs, CRADAs, or similar collaboration instruments per year.

The Partnership Intermediary does not execute agreements on behalf of the Government and does not exercise approval authority.

7.5 SME and Specialized Expertise Support (Per CPO, Per Year) Each CPO may leverage subject-matter experts (SMEs) and/or specialized consultants, as appropriate, including:

Approximately 1–10 SMEs or consultants per CPO per year;

Approximately 50–1,000 hours per SME or consultant, depending on scope and mission needs.

7.6 Task Area Distribution (Per CPO, Per Year)

Individual Task Areas may represent approximately 10–35% of total CPO-level LOE per year, depending on mission priorities, research maturity, and Government direction.

CPOs are expected to activate multiple Task Areas in varying combinations, and Task Area percentages are not additive requirements.

7.7 PIA-Level Context (Informational Only)

Based on an anticipated 3–8 active CPOs per year, total annual PIA activity levels may vary accordingly. These figures are provided for context only and do not represent commitments

8.0 TASK AREAS (MENU OF SERVICES)

This section defines the Task Areas that constitute the menu of allowable facilitative, analytic, and engagement-based services under this Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA). One or more Task Areas may be activated only through Government-directed Collaborative Project Orders (CPOs).

Task Areas define allowable scope, not required work. Activities are authorized only when expressly directed by the Government and documented in a CPO. Task Areas and any subcomponents are illustrative and non-exhaustive.

The Partnership Intermediary may not perform inherently governmental functions; may not negotiate, execute, or commit the Government; and may not draft or revise legal instruments.

CPOs may require metrics, milestones, and reporting mechanisms to measure outcomes, progress, or mission effectiveness, as defined by the Government.

Task Area 1 — Partnership Development & Agreement Enablement Facilitative and analytic support to identify, assess, and engage mission-aligned partners and enable Government-directed partnership activities across academia, industry, nonprofits, research institutes, and other government organizations.

May include dynamic collaborations and horizon-scanning activities with allied partners, when Government-directed, conducted under an identified Government technical focal point and consistent with applicable authorities, security requirements, and approved agreements.

Task Area 2 — Technology Transfer, Technology Transition & Market Intelligence Facilitative and analytic support to enhance awareness, engagement, and readiness related to technology transfer and early-stage technology transition pathways, including laboratory-to-industry engagement, technology scouting, industry engagement, market and horizon intelligence, transition pathway exploration, and connecting to potential licensees, consistent with Government determinations.

Activities under this Task Area actively enable technology transfer and early-stage technology transition by serving as a force multiplier for Government laboratories through facilitation of lab-to-industry engagement, development and maturation of transition opportunities, identification and engagement of potential commercial or non-traditional partners, and advancement of technologies toward external uptake or follow-on mechanisms. Such activities may include market scans, technology scouting, licensing readiness analysis, SBIR/STTR transition pathway development, and coordinated outreach to external ecosystems, with progress and outcomes evidenced through Government-directed reporting such as technology transfer, transition, and IP activity reports.

Task Area 3 — STEM, Workforce & Talent Pipeline Development Support for DAF STEM, education, and workforce ecosystem activities aligned with T3 and scientific mission priorities and long-term talent pipeline objectives.

Task Area 4 — Technical Expertise, Studies & Analytical Assessments Access to non-inherently governmental technical expertise, subject-matter experts, consulting support, strategic planning, military and technology assessments, and structured analytic studies to support Government awareness, planning, and situational understanding.

Structured analytic studies under this Task Area may include market and technology landscape scans, comparative assessments, and descriptive analyses of invention disclosures or patent portfolios to inform licensing readiness, transition planning, and Government decision-making, with analytic outputs documented through Government-directed studies and transition or IP reporting.

Task Area 5 — Data Tools, Analytic Platforms & Innovation or Collaboration Environments Support for development and use of Government-owned data tools, descriptive analytic platforms, dashboards, and collaboration or innovation environments to integrate, visualize, and analyze information across Task Areas, with all data and analytic outputs remaining Government-owned and subject to applicable security and safeguarding requirements.

Data tools and analytic platforms may support ongoing tracking and visualization of technology transfer and transition activity, IP status, partner engagement, event outcomes, and portfolio-level metrics across CPOs, including maintenance of dashboards, data tables, and analytic products used to support recurring Government reporting, performance tracking, and portfolio oversight Task Area 6 — Program Management, Governance Support, and Engagement Support & Event Facilitation Program coordination, governance support, documentation, reporting, coordination across CPOs, and facilitation of Government-directed events, forums, workshops, conferences, working groups, and cross-functional engagements.

Governance and coordination support under this Task Area includes integration of activities across all Task Areas and Additional Capabilities; coordination of schedules, dependencies, and deliverables across CPOs; and preparation of execution, financial, and performance documentation required to support Government oversight, cost allowability, and disciplined program management, as evidenced through Government-directed reports, reviews, and briefings.

Task Area 7 — Outreach, Communication & Knowledge Transfer Preparation and dissemination of factual, outreach, communication and knowledge-transfer outputs in support of technology transfer, transition, partnership, STEM, and information-sharing activities, subject to Government review, approval, and public release controls.

Outreach and knowledge-transfer outputs may include success-stories, engagement capture; post-event, project, or program summaries; monthly or periodic activity narratives; T3 one-pagers; stakeholder briefings; roadshows; and executive-level presentations, websites and social media, provided such materials remain factual, non-advocacy, and subject to Government review, approval, and public release controls.

Task Area 8 — Other Government-Directed, T3-Aligned Facilitative Support Other facilitative, analytic, coordination, or enablement support activities expressly directed by the Government and authorized through a CPO, provided such activities remain non-inherently governmental and do not expand the scope of this PIA.

Scope Control The Partnership Intermediary may not propose or perform contractor-initiated offerings outside Government-directed CPO scope, regardless of similarity to the Task Areas described above.

Additional Capabilities (CPO-Activated; Non-Exhaustive) The following capabilities describe optional, cross-cutting enablement functions that may be incorporated into individual Collaborative Project Orders (CPOs) at the Government’s discretion.

These capabilities:

Do not constitute independent Task Areas

• Do not authorize work absent a CPO

• Do not expand the scope of this PIA

• May support one or more Task Areas simultaneously

Inclusion of any capability shall be explicitly identified in the applicable CPO or Project Plan.

A.1 Collaboration Environments & Technical Engagement Spaces Operation and support of unclassified collaboration environments as a baseline, including physical or virtual spaces used to support Government-directed technical engagement, workshops, cross-functional teams, and T3-related activities under a CPO.

Ad hoc access to unclassified and classified collaboration environments may be supported only when expressly directed by the Government and consistent with applicable security requirements.

Where Government-approved, this capability may include the leasing or rental of collaboration or event space aligned to the applicable CPO scope and period of performance, subject to Government approval and compliance with applicable policies.

A.2 Innovation Ecosystem Support & Cross-Sector Enablement Mapping, analysis, and facilitation of innovation ecosystems and cross-sector engagement to support Government awareness and coordination with incubators, accelerators, consortia, laboratories, and other relevant organizations.

This capability may include facilitation of standing or time-bounded, non-decision-making cross-sector working groups involving Government, industry, academia, and nonprofit participants to support technology transfer, transition awareness, and ecosystem alignment.

A.3 Prototype Awareness & Feasibility Enablement Descriptive feasibility analyses, pathway exploration, and awareness activities related to potential future prototyping, demonstration, or integration efforts.

For CPOs sponsored by organizations with applicable development, test, or operational authorities, this capability may include Government-authorized prototyping, pilot activities, demonstrations, or evaluations, provided such activities are expressly approved by the Government, consistent with sponsor mission authorities, applicable policies, and funding restrictions, and explicitly defined in the applicable CPO or through a separate Government-approved instrument.

For AFOSR-sponsored CPOs and other basic research activities, this capability is limited to awareness, feasibility, transition planning, and pathway exploration, and does not include independent design, development, testing, evaluation, or operational use.

A.4 Data-Enabled Insights & Cross-Portfolio Integration Integration and synthesis of Government-owned and Government-approved data sets across Task Areas to generate descriptive, multi-dimensional insights, dashboards, and leadership-level analytic products.

This capability may include use of commercial and approved data sources to support market intelligence, ecosystem analysis, and technology transition awareness, provided all outputs remain Government-owned and license terms are complied with.

A.5 Enterprise-Level Mission Support for AFOSR and Mission Aligned Partners Support for enterprise-level coordination, working groups, analytic synthesis, and portfolio-level activities spanning multiple organizations or CPOs, including activities supporting technology transfer and technology transition visibility and alignment, with all direction flowing through AFOSR authority.

A.6 Government-Approved Special Capability At the Government’s discretion, a CPO may authorize other specific facilitative or analytic capabilities not enumerated above, provided such capabilities:

Are expressly defined and bounded in the CPO

• Support one or more authorized Task Areas

• Remain non-inherently governmental

• Do not constitute stand-alone service offerings

• Do not establish precedent or expand the scope of this PIA

Contractor-proposed capabilities may be considered only at Government request and shall not be performed unless explicitly authorized through a CPO modification or Project Plan.

9.0 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

The Partnership Intermediary shall:

· Deliver accurate, well-organized, professional-quality outputs consistent with Government direction and Collaborative Project Order (CPO) requirements.

· Meet timelines, milestones, and reporting schedules established in Government-directed CPOs and associated Project Plans.

· Maintain timely responsiveness to AFOSR direction, requests, and governance actions, consistent with AFOSR’s role as the sole directing authority under this Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA).

· Ensure all activities comply with applicable laws, regulations, and Government policies, including security, safeguarding, and data protection requirements identified in the PIA and/or applicable CPO.

· Operate strictly within the authorized scope of Government-directed CPOs; refrain from contractor-initiated work outside CPO scope; and comply with all non-inherently governmental limitations, including no negotiation authority, no commitment authority, and no legal drafting

Performance will be assessed against CPO-defined outputs, metrics, and outcomes.

10.0 FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

The Partnership Intermediary shall maintain sound financial management practices and internal controls sufficient to ensure full compliance with statutory, regulatory, and Government-directed requirements applicable to this Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) and all Collaborative Project Orders (CPOs).

The Partnership Intermediary shall:

· Demonstrate their financial management system is adequate and compliant with the requirements of 2 CFR 200.302.

· Demonstrate the ability to maintain transparent financial reporting in a manner that is transparent, timely, detailed, and sufficient to support Government oversight, reconciliation, and the audit requirements of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F Audit Requirements.

· Demonstrate the ability to maintain internal financial management controls sufficient to ensure all costs are fully traceable to specific tasks and across orders, are supported by adequate documentation, and which prevents unallowable costs, improper allocation, duplication, or commingling of funds across CPOs or sponsors.

The specific requirements in the bullets that follow apply to Cost-Reimbursable CPOs. For Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) CPOs, these requirements are not applicable unless explicitly incorporated into the individual FFP CPO.

· Comply with 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance) cost principles, including allowability, allocability, reasonableness, consistency, and documentation requirements, as applicable to the nature of this PIA.

· Charge only allowable, allocable, and reasonable costs incurred solely for Government-directed activities authorized in an approved CPO and aligned to the associated Project Plan.

· Align all costs to approved Project Plans, budgets, and funding authorizations, and not incur, obligate, or commit costs outside AFOSR authorization or beyond the scope of an approved CPO.

· Maintain transparent financial reporting for all CPO, including labor, indirects, other direct costs (ODCs), and all other cost elements, in a manner sufficient to support Government oversight, reconciliation, and audit.

· Ensure costs are fully traceable to specific CPOs and Government-directed tasks, and supported by adequate source documentation, labor records, and cost substantiation.

· Operate within Government-approved ceilings, caps, or cost controls, as established in the PIA, individual CPOs, or subsequent Government direction.

· Obtain prior Government review and approval for any changes to labor rates, indirect rates, or cost structures.

· Refrain from incurring costs in anticipation of future CPOs, modifications, or funding, unless expressly authorized in writing by the Government.

· Provide timely access to financial records, supporting documentation, and cost data, as reasonably requested by the Government for oversight, reconciliation, audit, or review purposes.

· Immediately notify the Government of any actual or potential cost overruns, funding shortfalls, rate changes, or material financial risks that may impact performance.

· Maintain internal controls sufficient to prevent unallowable costs, improper allocation, duplication, or commingling of funds across CPOs or sponsors.

· Ensure subcontractor, partner, or third-party costs, if applicable, comply with the same cost principles, documentation standards, and Government-directed limitations applicable to the Partnership Intermediary.

Performance will be assessed against CPO-defined outputs, metrics, and outcomes.

11.0 DELIVERABLES FRAMEWORK

Deliverables under this Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) are defined at the Collaborative Project Order (CPO) and associated Project Plan level and are governed by Attachment J-7 (Reporting & Deliverables).

Deliverables may include, as applicable:

• Reports, studies, white papers, and other analytic products

• Event plans, agendas, materials, and after-action reports

• Dashboards, datasets, models, and analytic or visualization tools

• STEM, workforce, and outreach materials

• Governance, coordination, and program management documentation

All deliverables shall be:

• Reviewable and editable by AFOSR

• Delivered in Government-specified formats

• Government-owned with unlimited Government use rights

Deliverables specified in CPOs and attachments (e.g., Deliverables Frameworks) are execution artifacts only and do not expand or modify the scope of this PIA.

12.0 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS

The Partnership Intermediary shall comply with all applicable Department of the Air Force, AFRL, and AFOSR security requirements as specified in the PIA and/or individual CPOs.

The intermediary shall establish and maintain a comprehensive security program in accordance with all applicable Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of the Air Force (DAF) regulations. The contractor's Facility Security Officer (FSO) is responsible for the generation and management of all security plans and procedures.

12.1 Personnel Security & Clearances

This effort may require access to classified information, including North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Communications Security (COMSEC), Top Secret (TS), and Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).

· Clearance Levels: Contractor personnel shall possess a security clearance appropriate to their role. While some key personnel will require a final TS clearance, it is anticipated that only a limited number of positions will necessitate this level. Other personnel may require a final Secret clearance. The government will specify the required clearance level for each position.

· Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA): All contractor personnel supporting and associated with this effort must have a current NDA on file prior to accessing any sensitive or classified information.

12.2 Information & Operations Security (OPSEC)

The contractor is responsible for safeguarding all government information, from initial handling to final disposition.

· Governing Directives: The program is subject to the National Industrial Security Program (NISP) and will adhere to 32 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 117.

· Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI): The contractor shall identify, handle, and protect CUI in accordance with DoDM 5200.01, Volume 4, and DFARS 252.204-7012.

· Derivative Classification: Any classified information generated during contract performance shall be derivatively classified and marked consistently with the source material.

· OPSEC Program: The contractor must implement an OPSEC program consistent with AFI 10-701 to protect sensitive and critical information throughout the period of performance.

12.3 System & Communications Security

· System Security Plan (SSP): The contractor shall prepare and maintain an SSP for their information system(s) in accordance with established security categorization and impact levels.

· Communications Security (COMSEC): The contractor may require access to a COMSEC account and must manage all COMSEC equipment and materials in accordance with NSTISS 4005.

12.4 Common Access Cards (CAC)

· In support of long-term project assignments, a Common Access Card (CAC) will be issued to select contractor personnel whose duties require access to Department of Defense (DoD) computer networks, systems, and applications. The provision of CACs is on a strict, as-needed basis. All procedures related to the lifecycle of the CAC, from issuance to final return, will adhere to the Air Force Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (AFFARS) Subpart 5352.242-9001, "CACs for Contractor Personnel."

12.5 Required Training

Contractor personnel must complete all required security training, including but not limited to:

· Operations Security (OPSEC) Awareness

· Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)

· Information Security (AFI 16-1404)

· Antiterrorism and Force Protection (AFI 10-245)

13.0 DATA HANDLING AND TRANSFER REQUIREMENTS

The Partnership Intermediary shall ensure that all data, tools, documentation, and analytic outputs produced under this PIA are managed in a manner that supports Government ownership, continuity, and transition.

The Intermediary shall:

• Maintain data and documentation in formats that are fully transferable to AFOSR or a Government-designated successor.

• Ensure AFOSR retains ownership, full access, and reuse rights to all Government-funded data, tools, platforms, and outputs.

• Support orderly data transfer, handoff, and knowledge continuity at CPO closeout and upon PIA transition, recompete, or completion.

• Access to the technology developed under this agreement by foreign firms, institutions or individuals shall be controlled by the PI under applicable U.S. export control laws.

• The PI shall receive the Contracting Officer’s approval before assigning or granting access to any work, equipment, or technical data generated or delivered under this agreement to foreign persons or their representatives. The notification shall include the name and country of origin of the foreign person or representative, the specific work, equipment, or data to which the person will have access.

14.0 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Reporting requirements shall be defined by the Government at the CPO and Project Plan level and may include, as applicable:

• Monthly or quarterly technical, activity, or status reports

• Financial status reports aligned to approved Project Plans and funding authorizations

• Event-specific after-action reports and participation metrics

• Annual performance summaries, outcome metrics, or longitudinal trend analyses Reporting formats, frequency, and content shall be specified by the Government and may vary by CPO.

15.0 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED INFORMATION AND ACCESS

The Government may provide access to systems, facilities, data sources, strategic documents, S&T priorities, transition focus areas, portfolio information, and Government points of contact, as appropriate to support performance under this PIA and applicable CPOs.

No inherently governmental functions will be delegated.

16.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Work may occur at contractor facilities, Government locations, approved collaboration environments, and across CONUS regions supporting AFOSR and mission partners. Travel may be required.