FY25-29 SI-ST BAA_Final_080224.pdf

CLASSIFICATION – DISTRO STATEMENT

STRATEGIC TRENDS RESEARCH INITIATIVE

FY25-29 STRATEGIC TRENDS RESEARCH INITIATIVE

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Strategic Trends Office

HDTRA1-24-S-0003

Disclaimer: The FY25-29 Strategic Trends Research Initiative Broad Agency Announcement solicits white papers for potential future international dialogues, analytical studies, and other research projects and directly supports DTRA’s mission to deter strategic attack against the United States and its allies; prevent, reduce, and counter weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and emerging threats; and prevail against WMD-armed adversaries in crisis and conflict.

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Table of Contents

I. Introduction

II. References

III. Overview of Research Opportunity

IV. Detailed Information About Research Opportunity

V. Federal Award Information

VI. Application and Submission Information

VII. Phase I—White Paper Submission

VIII. Phase II—Proposal Submission

IX. Evaluation and Selection Process

X. Submission Instructions

XI. Negotiation

XII. Contact Information

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I. Introduction

This is a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) soliciting strategic research on challenges related to weapons of mass destruction (WMD) 5–10 years in the future in support of the mission of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). The BAA covers Fiscal Year (FY) 2025–2029 with a total funding amount of $35,880,000, subject to availability of funds. This BAA will remain posted on the Government point of entry, https://sam.gov/content/home until superseded.

Within DoD, DTRA provides cross-cutting solutions to enable the DoD, the United States Government (USG), and international partners to deter strategic attack against the United States and its allies; prevent, reduce, and counter WMD and emerging threats; and prevail against WMD-armed adversaries in crisis and conflict.

In pursuit of its mission, DTRA serves two distinct yet complementary roles as a Defense Agency (DA) and Combat Support Agency (CSA). As a DA, DTRA supports strategic policies and priorities to reduce global WMD and emerging threats by deterring potential adversarial acquisition and use of WMD materials/components through nuclear assurance, treaty support, and building partner capacity programs.

As a CSA, DTRA leverages its unique capabilities and expertise to identify, develop, and field solutions to counter WMD and emerging threats in direct support of Joint Staff and Combatant Commands.

Within DTRA, the Strategic Integration Directorate (SI), Strategic Trends Office (SI-ST) is responsible for anticipating, understanding, and characterizing WMD trends and threats 5–10 years in the future and delivering timely insights and recommendations on how to adapt/respond.

SI-ST’s Strategic Trends Research Initiative (STRI) is a curated research portfolio sponsoring analytical studies and Track 1.5 and 2 international dialogues to generate timely, credible, and actionable insights into challenges related to WMD and emerging technology. SI-ST’s research explores a range of challenges related to nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, including the development of materials, methodologies, or technologies with potential to create new or increase the impact of existing WMD threats. SI-ST’s primary focus area is on WMD challenges 5–10 years into the future and the associated implications for DTRA, DoD, USG, and U.S. allies and partners in areas of deterrence, crisis and conflict prevention, risk reduction, arms control, escalation management, strategic competition, and prevailing during conflict with chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) possessing adversaries.

With its emphasis on examining and anticipating WMD threats and trends in the future, SI-ST’s research reinforces DTRA’s priorities of ensuring an actionable, forward-thinking countering-WMD (CWMD) mission focus; shaping the understanding of CWMD challenges across the policy, Military Service(s), and Combatant Command communities; and recommending solutions to those challenges.

SI-ST will update its research priorities via BAA amendments on, at minimum, an annual basis. This BAA and all other informational documents are available for prospective performers on SAM.gov.

II. References

Research conducted under funding from the DTRA Strategic Trends Office is considered applied research. It is not considered development.

According to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 35.001 – Definitions:

Applied research means the effort that (a) normally follows basic research, but may not be severable from the related basic research; (b) attempts to determine and exploit the potential of scientific discoveries or improvements in technology, materials, processes, methods, devices, or techniques;

and (c) attempts to advance the state of the art. When being used by contractors in cost principle applications, this term does not include efforts whose principal aim is the design, development, or https://sam.gov/content/home

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testing of specific items or services to be considered for sale; these efforts are within the definition of "development," given below.

Development, as used in this part, means the systematic use of scientific and technical knowledge in the design, development, testing, or evaluation of a potential new product or service (or of an improvement in an existing product or service) to meet specific performance requirements or objectives. It includes the functions of design engineering, prototyping, and engineering testing; it excludes subcontracted technical effort that is for the sole purpose of developing an additional source for an existing product (https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-35#FAR_35_001).

The results of strategic research funded under this BAA are expected to be fundamental without restrictions, in accordance with National Security Decision Directive (NSDD) 189, National Policy on the Transfer of Scientific, Technical, and Engineering Information and in agreement with the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 252.204-7000 – Disclosure of Information, but may be subject to restrictions at the discretion of the DTRA Director. According to NSDD 189:

Fundamental research means basic and applied research in science and engineering, the results of which ordinarily are published and shared broadly within the scientific community, as distinguished from proprietary research and from Industrial development, design, production, and product utilization, the results of which ordinarily are restricted for proprietary or national security reasons.

This BAA has been prepared in accordance with applicable federal acquisition regulations as referenced below.

Federal Acquisition Regulations System (FARS)

6.102(d)(2) – (i) Use of Competitive Procedures (https://www.acquisition.gov/far/6.102)

9.5 – Organizational and Consultant Conflicts of Interest (https://www.acquisition.gov/far/subpart-9.5)

15.305 – Proposal Evaluation (https://www.acquisition.gov/far/15.305)

25.7 – Prohibited Sources (https://www.acquisition.gov/far/subpart-25.7)

31.205-46 – Travel Costs (https://www.acquisition.gov/far/31.205-46)

35.001 – Definitions (https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-35#FAR_35_001)

35.016 – Broad agency announcement (https://www.acquisition.gov/far/35.016)

Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS)

204.1603 – Procedures (https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/204.1603-procedures.)

206.1 – Full and Open Competition (https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/subpart-206.1-full-and-open-competition)

206.102 – Use of Competitive Procedures (https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/subpart-206.1-full-and-open-competition)

207.103 – Agency-head responsibilities (https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/207.103-agency-head-responsibilities.)

217.2 – Options (https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/subpart-217.2-options)

225 – Foreign Acquisition (https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/part-225-foreign-acquisition)

234.005-1 – Competitive Selection Of A Proposal Resulting From A BAA (https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/234.005-1-competition.)

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-35#FAR_35_001 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/6.102 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/subpart-9.5 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/15.305 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/subpart-25.7 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/31.205-46 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-35#FAR_35_001 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/35.016 https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/204.1603-procedures.

https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/subpart-206.1-full-and-open-competition https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/subpart-206.1-full-and-open-competition https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/subpart-206.1-full-and-open-competition https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/subpart-206.1-full-and-open-competition https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/207.103-agency-head-responsibilities.

https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/207.103-agency-head-responsibilities.

https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/subpart-217.2-options https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/part-225-foreign-acquisition https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/234.005-1-competition.

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235 – Research and Development Contracting (https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/part-235-research-and-development-contracting)

235.006-71 – Competition (https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/235.006-71-competition.)

235.015-70 – Special use allowances for research facilities acquired by educational institutions (https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/235.015-70-special-use-allowances-research-facilities-acquired-educational-institutions.)

235.017 – Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/235.017-federally-funded-research-and-development-centers.)

252.204-7000 – Disclosure of Information (https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/252.204-7000-disclosure-information.)

252.227-7013 – Rights in Technical Data—Other Than Commercial Products and Commercial Services (https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/252.227-7013-rights-technical-data%E2%80%94other-commercial-products-and-commercial-services.)

Department of Defense Issuances

DoD Instruction 5230.24 – Distribution Statements on Technical Documents (https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/523024p.pdf?ver=JiZUVfNZrPKmcRMim _UnHg%3d%3d)

DoD Instruction 5230.27 – Presentation of DoD-Related Scientific and Technical Papers at Meetings (https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/523027p.pdf?ver=2019-04-04-095230- 883)

Other Guidance

National Security Presidential Memorandum – 33 on United States Government-Supported Research and Development National Security Policy (https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-memorandum-united-states-government-supported-research-development-national-security-policy/)

III. Overview of Research Opportunity

Federal Awarding Agency Name Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) Strategic Integration Directorate, Strategic Trends Office (SI-ST) 8725 John J. Kingman Road Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-6201

Funding Opportunity Title DTRA Strategic Trends Research

Announcement Type Broad Agency Announcement

Funding Opportunity Number

HDTR1-24-S-0003

North American Industry Classification System Codes (NAICS) https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/part-235-research-and-development-contracting https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/part-235-research-and-development-contracting https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/235.006-71-competition.

https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/235.015-70-special-use-allowances-research-facilities-acquired-educational-institutions.

https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/235.015-70-special-use-allowances-research-facilities-acquired-educational-institutions.

https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/235.017-federally-funded-research-and-development-centers.

https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/252.204-7000-disclosure-information.

https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/252.204-7000-disclosure-information.

https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/252.227-7013-rights-technical-data%E2%80%94other-commercial-products-and-commercial-services.

https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/252.227-7013-rights-technical-data%E2%80%94other-commercial-products-and-commercial-services.

https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/523024p.pdf?ver=JiZUVfNZrPKmcRMim_UnHg%3d%3d https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/523024p.pdf?ver=JiZUVfNZrPKmcRMim_UnHg%3d%3d https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/523027p.pdf?ver=2019-04-04-095230-883 https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/523027p.pdf?ver=2019-04-04-095230-883 https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-memorandum-united-states-government-supported-research-development-national-security-policy/ https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-memorandum-united-states-government-supported-research-development-national-security-policy/ https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-memorandum-united-states-government-supported-research-development-national-security-policy/

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541690: Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services 541713: Research and Development in Nanotechnology 541714: Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) 541715: Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) 541720: Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities 541990: All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 611310: Academies, College or University Including Military Service (college) 927110: Space Research and Technology

IV. Detailed Information About Research Opportunity

A. Program Mission and Objectives. To inform and support the Agency’s mission and programs, DTRA requires analytic research products focused on characterizing the battlespace, particularly aspects pertaining to WMD and related emerging technologies, in the 5–10-year future timeframe to enable DTRA and DoD to shape operations, activities, and investments in ways that will mitigate, delay, or eliminate anticipated threats. SI-ST seeks analytic, threat-forecasting research products that provide insights into the future battlespace in mission-relevant areas and identify credible and timely recommendations for how (in priority order) DTRA, DoD, and the broader USG can address the identified challenges, threats, and issues, including in cooperation with allies and partners. The unique value proposition of SI-ST-sponsored research contributes to the DTRA mission in the following ways:

1. With its emphasis on examining and anticipating WMD threats and trends 5–10 years in the future, SI-ST-sponsored research reinforces DTRA’s priority of implementing an actionable, forward-thinking CWMD agenda.

2. SI-ST-sponsored research supports DTRA’s unique position in shaping the understanding of CWMD challenges across the Agency, policy, Service, and Combatant Command communities and in recommending solutions to those challenges.

3. As the only DoD program sponsoring strategic Track 1.5 and 2 dialogues on the WMD problem set, the Strategic Trends research program enables DTRA to perform a distinct role in cultivating trust, enhancing credibility, and increasing collaboration with U.S. allies and partners to strengthen integrated deterrence and effectively counter adversaries.

B. Program Enduring Characteristics. SI-ST-sponsored research pursues a consistent set of principles across all projects, regardless of topic or contracted researcher. These aims are enduring characteristics of all projects in the research portfolio:

1. Promote nonpartisan, intellectually honest endeavors to achieve results with lasting impacts, ensuring balanced project participation regarding ideology, gender, orientation, ethnicity, religion, and age to embrace diversity of thought on critical future challenges.

2. Balance current priorities articulated in existing strategic guidance with as-of-yet uncharacterized future threats that could be integrated into future strategic guidance. This includes maintaining situational awareness of current threats while focusing on threat trends and emerging technologies up to 10 years into the future and ensuring all research priorities are appropriately traced to Agency strategic guidance and CWMD key stakeholder requirements and interests.

3. Balance geopolitical issues and technical issues for a robust understanding of CBRN threats and emerging technologies that can shape WMD outcomes.

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4. Foster integration of researchers between individual projects to share expertise, research results, and methodologies to create a comprehensive portfolio.

5. Embrace new and innovative approaches to solving problems and achieving results, allowing opportunities for unconventional approaches and methodologies to foster novel thinking about future concepts that are not yet well characterized.

6. Involve key stakeholders to ensure the portfolio is pursuing relevant topics and achieving useful results. This includes curating relationships with stakeholders to further enhance the portfolio’s impacts across the USG and with allies and partners as well as promoting transparency and informed discourse on WMD-related topics by widely disseminating research reports to decision makers in U.S., allied, and partner governments.

7. Sponsor emerging CWMD researcher efforts every year, in partnership with senior CWMD/Defense community mentors, to cultivate scholarship, innovation, and leadership in the CWMD community through opportunities to research topics of interest.

8. Expand the performer-base across the university, think tank, and non-government organization (NGO) ecosystem with the aim of cultivating a community of researchers prepared to tackle emerging threats and to promote a diverse, yet integrated, cadre of CWMD community leaders.

9. Ensure research insights and recommendations are shared broadly and communicated directly to those responsible for adapting and responding to future threats, including leaders, program managers, planners, strategists, and operations personnel.

C. Program Expectations

1. General

i. Given the complexity of WMD and emerging technology challenges, the diversity of topic areas, and the need to consider and incorporate a wide range of viewpoints and analyses, SI-ST seeks to partner with the expert community on sponsored research projects and analytic research products for broad consumption by USG, DoD, and DTRA. SI-ST does not have the personnel, full spectrum of technical expertise, or professional networks available to the broader research community (academia, NGO organizations, think tanks, federally funded research and development centers [FFRDC], and university-affiliated research centers [UARC]), which are required to monitor and assess the myriad of possible future threats and advise the Agency and CWMD community in a timely fashion. This partnering arrangement also increases SI-ST’s ability to raise and examine sensitive defense-related topics with external audiences.

ii. SI-ST acquires research services through a variety of arrangements, including contracts with private think tanks, companies, and universities; military interdepartmental purchase requests (MIPR) for research services from other DoD entities; and interagency orders (IO) for services from FFRDC or UARC associated with federal agencies other than DoD. Eligibility requirements are described in Section V.A (Eligibility for Competition). Award information is described in Section V.G (Award Type) and V.H (Number of Awards). SI-ST does not award grants.

2. Program Management

i. DTRA will work closely with all project awardees to ensure smooth and successful execution of research. All projects will have a dedicated SI-ST program manager (PM) who serves as the technical point of contact for the Principal Investigator (PI) and facilitates interactions with leadership and other staff in DTRA. For contracted projects, this PM also serves as the contracting officer’s representative (COR). The PM/COR will communicate technical guidance, facilitate review of deliverables, and work with the PI to schedule required briefings. The PI is

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responsible for fulfilling specified obligations under the contract, MIPR, or IO, including, as applicable, timely provision of data requirements detailed in the Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL), fulfillment of tasks specified in the Statement of Research Work (SoRW), and timely submission of invoices and cost vouchers. SI-ST expects PIs to maintain close, proactive contact with the PM/COR and to respond promptly to all communications.

ii. Invoices and cost vouchers for SI-ST contracts shall be submitted through the Wide Area Workflow (WAWF) system in the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE, https://piee.eb.mil/) without exception. Performing organizations must have or obtain an active PIEE account prior to the start of the contract period of performance. Performing organizations must submit draft invoices and cost vouchers to the PM/COR for review and approval prior to entering them into WAWF.

iii. For interagency acquisitions (e.g., MIPRs, IOs) financial transactions are initiated in the Intragovernmental Payment and Collection System (IPAC). Please see the Government Call for further information.

3. Deliverables

i. All research projects awarded under this BAA will result in the same core deliverables. The contractor should submit all deliverables to the PM/COR for review and acceptance.

Item Deliverable Requirements

001 Project abstract and keyword list

• The contractor shall provide a succinct abstract, of no more than 15 lines, outlining the scope and intent of the research project as well as a keywords list to support DoD research reporting requirements in the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) and Unified Research and Engineering Database, and to support project descriptions in other DTRA papers, products, and briefs.

• The keyword list should include no more than 20 keywords to facilitate efficient and accurate search queries and to support optimal promulgation of the report in DoD databases.

• The report shall be provided within 30 days of the start of the period of performance (PoP).

002 Monthly Progress Report

(MPR)

• The contractor shall provide a monthly summary (MPR) of the reporting period’s technical and financial activities, critical issues, technical accomplishments, engagements (include participants, date, location, summary of discussion and implications for the project), and plan for the next 30-day reporting period.

• The contractor shall submit one document covering the technical and financial elements. The contractor must use the DTRA template, which will be provided following the kickoff meeting. All content should be

UNCLASSIFIED.

• Reports shall be submitted no later than (NLT) 15 days after the end of each one-month period following the date of award (DOA) and shall cover the previous month’s progress. MPRs should be submitted at the same time as the monthly invoices. Invoices will not be approved in WAWF without the corresponding MPR.

https://piee.eb.mil/

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Item Deliverable Requirements

• Information provided in MPRs, including but not limited to, images, figures, and text, will be used by DTRA in programmatic briefings.

• MPRs are intended to provide DTRA with regular updates on project progress. They are not substitutes for emails that provide time sensitive information requiring decisions or action by DTRA or the contractor.

003 Technical Briefings (Kickoff, Midpoint, and Outbrief)

• The contractor shall provide three technical briefings: a project kickoff briefing, a midpoint in-progress review (IPR) briefing, and a project close out briefing (outbrief). These briefings are opportunities for the sponsor and contractor to discuss the project, assess progress, and exchange questions and answers (Q&A).

• The kickoff briefing should describe the project objective, key research questions, and technical methodology, as well as highlight any questions or issues requiring USG guidance and decisions.

• The midpoint IPR briefing should describe the status of implementing the project plan (including any changes) and highlight key findings, next steps, and key questions or issues requiring USG guidance and decisions.

• The outbrief, or project closeout brief, should provide a summary of the project objective, approach, and key findings and recommendations for a USG audience. The content should align with the draft/final technical report.

• Additional IPRs (i.e., formal touch points) are to be conducted as needed.

• The audience for the kickoff and midpoint IPR briefing is SI-ST and DTRA staff (including PM/COR and contracts office staff). Briefings may also be organized for other USG personnel by DTRA or the performer.

• The contractor shall provide briefing slides in Microsoft PowerPoint format using their preferred template. The title slide shall include the contract number, project title, date of meeting, PI name(s), and briefing type (kickoff, midpoint IPR, or outbrief). It shall also include the following language: “DISCLAIMER: The views expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, the DoD, or the United States Government.”

• Unless otherwise indicated in the SoRW, all briefing materials shall be unclassified and suitable for sharing within the USG. Each slide deck should contain no more than 15 slides.

• The contractor will coordinate meeting dates with the PM/COR via email. The contractor shall provide briefing slides to the PM/COR no later than 48 hours prior to each meeting. The email subject line

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should include the contract number and the briefing type (kickoff, midpoint IPR, or outbrief).

• Technical briefings are expected to last 90-120 minutes to include Q&A.

004 Technical Report and Executive Summary

• The contractor shall provide a final technical report (TECREP) not to exceed 15 pages detailing key findings and recommendations from the research, accompanied by a standalone executive summary (EXSUM) not to exceed 3 pages.

• The contractor shall provide a draft version of the reports no later than 30 days prior to the end of the period of performance and the final version of the reports no later than 10 days prior to the end of the period of performance. The Government shall provide acceptance of the draft reports within 10 days of receipt and of the final reports within 5 days of receipt.

• See Section IV.C.4 (Publications) for complete TECREP and EXSUM requirements.

005 Communication and Engagement Plan

• The contractor shall provide a project communication and engagement plan (not to exceed two pages) detailing:

o How the research team plans to engage with USG leadership they have identified at the one-star level or above (Senior Executive Service, General/Flag Officer) as well as regional and functional offices within DoD and Department of State specifically. This includes coordination (briefings, calls, meetings) and engagement with officials pre-, during, or post-project; and o How the research team plans to engage with senior foreign and non-government individuals they have identified (for example, former senior government officials) in support of studies, dialogues, workshops, etc.

• The contractor shall provide the plan to DTRA within 30 days of the start of project and preferably by the kickoff briefing.

• The contractor shall provide the plan in Microsoft Word format.

Contractor template is acceptable.

006 Risk Mitigation Plan

• The contractor shall provide a project risk mitigation plan (not to exceed 5 pages) that:

o Identifies potential risks to the project related to rapidly changing geopolitical circumstances, information security, cybersecurity, personnel security, mis/disinformation, and availability of key resources (experts, event space, etc.).

o Outlines mitigation measures to address the risks identified as most likely or that might cause catastrophic project failure.

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• The plan shall be provided to the Government within 30 days of the start of project and preferably by the kickoff briefing.

• The plan shall be provided in Microsoft Word format. Contractor template is acceptable.

007 Event invitation language and invitee list

• The contractor shall provide draft invitation language and a proposed invitee list for research events (e.g., dialogue, workshop, expert roundtable, tabletop exercise [TTX]) organized by the contractor no later than 60 days prior to the planned event. The Government shall provide acceptance or rejection within 5 days of receipt. If rejected, the Government shall provide proposed modifications or recommendations within 10 days of receipt.

• Contractor template for the invitation is acceptable but should clearly state DTRA sponsorship of the event upfront. Suggested language:

“This research was sponsored by the Strategic Trends Office, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, under contract HDTRA1-xx-x-xxxx.”

008 Event read-ahead package

• The contractor shall provide draft read-ahead materials for research events (e.g., dialogue, workshop, expert roundtable, TTX) organized by the contractor no later than 30 days prior to the planned event.

Materials shall include, as applicable, the agenda, participant list, briefs, exercise scenario narratives and game mechanics, facilitator guides, moderator questions, and commissioned papers. The Government shall provide acceptance or rejection within 5 days of receipt. If rejected, the Government shall provide proposed modifications or recommendations within 10 days of receipt.

• Contractor formats and templates are acceptable but should clearly state DTRA sponsorship of the event. Suggested language: “This research was sponsored by the Strategic Trends Office, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, under contract HDTRA1-x-x-xxxx.”

009 Closeout Report • The contractor shall provide a closeout report that captures the submission date of each required deliverable, the date and amount of all invoices, the total value of the contract, and any remaining funds for deobligation.

• The contractor should submit the above information in a single document, using the associated Government template, which will be provided following the kickoff meeting. All content should be unclassified.

• The report shall be provided no later than 10 days prior to the end of the period of performance (PoP).

ii. In addition to the core deliverables described above, SI-ST reserves the right to request additional deliverables during contract negotiation.

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iii. FFRDCs, UARCs, and other organizations awarded research projects by SI-ST separately from this BAA have distinct deliverable requirements. Please refer to the Government Call for details.

4. Publications

i. SI-ST requires analytical research products, specifically a 15-page technical report and a separate 3-page executive summary, as the primary output of all research projects. SI-ST seeks to limit the length of research products to encourage review by a broad audience, including senior Government leaders who experience substantial time constraints. SI-ST will entertain, in coordination with the performer, additional content beyond the specified page limits in the form of appendices. These appendices are optional. If used, they should provide additional detail that is supportive of the main report and may include additional information on methodology, key insights from literature reviews, commissioned papers, or similar. SI-ST provides report templates for both the technical report and executive summary.

ii. In most cases, SI-ST seeks public release clearance through a standard DTRA process for all reports to promote broad dissemination of the research findings and recommendations. All strategic trends research reports must include the following:

a. On the cover of the report:

Disclaimer: This research was sponsored by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) through the Strategic Trends Research Initiative as [contract #HDTRA1-XX-X-XXXX or MIPR or Interagency Agreement #HDTRA12XXXXX] between DTRA and ________ [company, organization].

The views expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of DTRA, the U.S. Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.

b. In an “Acknowledgements” section:

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), through the Strategic Trends Research Initiative, sponsors strategic research projects under Broad Agency Announcement HDTRA1-24-S-0003.

DTRA sponsored ______ [company, organization] to conduct this research examining _________.

This report [summarizes, identifies, analyzes, etc.] ___________. The views expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of DTRA, the U.S. Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.

iii. The above sections are included in the SI-ST-provided report templates.

iv. Once reports are final and cleared for release, DTRA will publish the reports on the Defense Technical Information Center website (https://discover.dtic.mil) for use across the USG. In addition, DTRA will publish project titles on the DTRA website (https://www.dtra.mil/) along with directions to the DTIC portal for report retrieval. DTRA will also publish full reports on the DTRA intranet for use by the workforce.

v. After all deliverable requirements have been met, SI-ST generally permits researchers to publish their cleared reports, as well as derivative products such as articles and op-eds, on their own websites and other media and using their own templates. SI-ST requests that PIs consult the PM/COR prior to publicizing findings from the project and to allow the PM/COR to review any products in non-DTRA templates. In addition, all performer-published versions of DTRA-sponsored research must include the standard disclaimer and acknowledgement of DTRA sponsorship included above.

vi. While SI-ST permits researchers to publicize their research as described above, they may not use USG funds to do so, particularly in publicizing research through non-Governmental media https://discover.dtic.mil/ https://www.dtra.mil/

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or to prepare products for publication or promulgation through non-Governmental media. All planned activities that are solely in support of researcher publication (including, but not limited to, editing, graphics, printing, and audio/visual taping), rather than in support of DTRA-required deliverables, may not use USG funds and should be excluded from cost proposals.

D. Security Considerations

1. SI-ST expects all contractors, teaming partners, and consultants to give due attention to security considerations related to sponsored research projects including, but not limited to:

i. Selecting event locations and venues that provide the maximum safety and security possible for all participants and ease of country entry and access for USG personnel.

ii. Safeguarding DoD information, including the names and contact information of USG personnel, foreign government personnel, and U.S.-based non-Governmental experts who participate in research activities. Report any unauthorized disclosure to the PM/COR within 72 hours.

iii. Demonstrating responsible cybersecurity practices and conduct, including prohibiting the use of personal computers, data processing equipment, or information storage devices (desktops, laptops, tablets, mobile devices, USB drives, personal email accounts, etc.) for conduct of the research tasks.

iv. Carefully vetting teaming partners, consultants, and sub-contractors. Contractors are prohibited from associating or partnering (doing business) with the entities listed in Section 1260H of the National Defense Authorization Act 2021 (Public Law 116-283) or with prohibited sources identified in FAR 25.7 – Prohibited Sources and DFARS Part 225 – Foreign Acquisition.

2. In addition, given potential exploitation by foreign malign influence (FMI) actors, it is important for researchers to consider measures to mitigate the risk of FMI campaigns during project planning.

FMI is any hostile effort undertaken by, at the direction of, on behalf of, or with the substantial support of, a foreign government with the objective of influencing, through overt or covert means.

This includes the use of disinformation and propaganda spread by nefarious actors.

Disinformation and propaganda campaigns often target DTRA programs as part of larger efforts aimed at discrediting the United States by undermining alliances, eroding trust in partnerships with beneficiary countries, and deliberately spreading false information. Because most of DTRA’s final strategic research reports are made available to the public, it is critically important that the contractor be mindful of the language they use when communicating with potential teaming partners and when selecting names, titles, and sub-titles for projects and research event names.

For more information on DTRA’s approach to countering FMI, please see https://www.dtra.mil/About/Foreign-Malign-Influence/.

3. Researchers should outline plans to address and mitigate such security concerns in white papers and in kickoff briefs when pertaining to awards.

E. Research Topic Areas

1. The DTRA Strategic Trends Research Initiative explores a range of challenges related to nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, including the development of materials, methodologies, or technologies with potential to create new or increase the impact of existing WMD threats. The program’s primary focus area is WMD challenges 5–10 years in the future and the associated implications for deterrence, crisis and conflict prevention, risk reduction, arms control, escalation management, strategic competition, and prevailing in case of combat.

https://www.dtra.mil/About/Foreign-Malign-Influence/

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The research portfolio has both general and specific areas of interest. The general areas of interest are topics reflecting enduring areas of interest that are anchored in DTRA’s core CWMD mission and therefore remain constant from year to year. Areas of general interest may be addressed through any of the three thrust areas described in Section IV.F (Research Thrust Areas), and by any eligible prospective researchers described in Section V.A (Eligibility for Competition), including from the private sector, FFRDC, and/or UARC community. Areas of general interest include the following:

i. Future concepts and approaches related to working with allies and partners on WMD-associated topics including, but not limited to, anticipating threats, building capability and resilience, nuclear assurance, and preventing or responding to crises.

ii. Impacts of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, data science, and uncrewed or remotely piloted systems on the pursuit or advancement of WMD programs, employment options for WMD, and associated risks.

iii. Future trends related to biological warfare, biodefense, biosecurity, and bio preparedness.

iv. Future trends related to chemical warfare including accidental and deliberate releases.

v. Future concepts and challenges to long-held assumptions related to deterrence theory, practice, and implementation.

vi. Changing or evolving drivers of leaders’ decision calculus regarding the pursuit of WMD and recommendations for how the international community can address those challenges.

vii. Emerging disruptive technologies (EDT) that may change the characteristics of WMD, shorten timelines associated with pursuing WMD programs, change forensic examination and attribution of WMD use, or increase opportunities to use and employ WMD. This includes, but is not necessarily limited to, the nexus of cyber and space domains with WMD and the implications for potential future conflicts.

viii. Attempts and activities focused on eroding international WMD norms. This may include foreign malign influence (“FMI,” or information operations by foreign countries to spread disinformation, misinformation, and malinformation) to complicate public and elected leaders’ understanding of issues related to WMD.

ix. Future trends related to over-the-horizon (OTH) challenges (that is, challenges that can be reasonably anticipated as future challenges but not yet directly observed), including proliferation of materials of concern, technology, and expertise that can be utilized for designing, creating, storing, or employing WMD.

x. The retention of U.S. operational advantage in a multi-polar, geographically dispersed, and/or overlapping crisis or conflict involving WMD.

xi. Future challenges, considerations, implications, and recommendations related to WMD risk reduction and arms control.

xii. Future areas of strategic competition with Russia, China, or other adversaries in any domain, region, or technology area that may impact the ability of the United States to deter, prevent, or prevail against WMD threats.

2. In contrast to areas of general interest, areas of specific interest stem from current priorities, special initiatives, leadership guidance, and emerging CWMD community interest. Therefore, they may change from year to year as DTRA seeks to respond and adapt to changes in the strategic environment. Such changes in priority topics of interest to DTRA are released at least once annually through BAA amendments and/or through specific, case-by-case Government Call

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requests to eligible members of the FFRDC/UARC community. Specific interests may include requests to leverage the unique capabilities, facilities, and communities of FFRDCs/UARCs. This may include requests for classified-level research, including the convening of classified research events and TTXs with USG participants from the defense and intelligence communities and crafting classified recommendations to address specific challenges. Amendments and specific Government Call requests may also identify particular thrust areas (see Section IV.F, Research Thrust Areas) for specific topics.

3. Amendments remain active and valid until superseded by subsequent amendments. Interested researchers should read the main BAA document and amendments in full to understand SI-ST research interests. DTRA will attempt to notify the research community of new amendments, but it is the responsibility of prospective performers to check SAM.gov periodically for updates.

F. Research Thrust Areas

1. SI-ST characterizes its preferred research approaches as “thrust areas,” broad research approaches that can accommodate many different types of research methodologies (e.g., workshops, studies, TTXs, interviews, or surveys) but are intended to define the overall character and direction of the project. To that end, SI-ST groups research into three key thrust areas: 1) strategic international Track 1.5 and 2 dialogues; 2) analytical studies to characterize the future battlespace and strategic threat environment; and 3) emerging CWMD researcher projects. (Note:

SI-ST will consider white papers that outline alternative approaches to conduct a specific research project.)

2. While the research thrust areas are enduring for the life of this BAA, the specific priorities within each thrust area may be modified at any time to address evolving DTRA mission needs and changes in the geopolitical environment. Changes to these thrust areas, and specific priorities within each, will be articulated in BAA amendments that are issued at least once per fiscal year

(FY).

i. WMD-relevant strategic international dialogues. SI-ST seeks research projects that involve the execution and analysis of findings from international Track 1.5 and Track 2 strategic dialogues to provide a venue and engagement framework for structured but informal discussions among subject matter experts, held under the “Chatham House Rule.”1 These dialogues can help provide the United States with strategic insights necessary to develop deeper, more meaningful relationships with existing allies and partners and/or establish new relationships with non-traditional partners as a mechanism to address mutual security challenges. These international dialogues can be bilateral, trilateral, or multilateral. They must include the United States as one of the parties.

a. Strategic dialogues are unofficial international meetings that provide an opportunity for American experts to discuss important, and sometimes sensitive, strategic issues with their foreign counterparts in a private, welcoming environment outside of official diplomatic channels. Track 1.5 dialogues involve a mix of government officials participating in an unofficial, off-the-record capacity and non-governmental experts. Dialogues can include government personnel on panels and as keynote speakers alongside non-government experts. Track 2 dialogues involve only non-governmental expert representatives, to include former government officials. Current government officials do

1 See https://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/chatham-house-rule.

https://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/chatham-house-rule

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not participate unless they are providing a keynote address or observing, which may be appropriate depending on the specific dialogue.

b. Because SI-ST-sponsored strategic dialogues serve a unique role in the DoD for cultivating trust and strengthening collaboration with U.S. allies and partners, all proposed dialogues should be international in nature and include participation from at least one (and potentially several) foreign country. For dialogues, SI-ST expects parity among participating countries in terms of participants’ titles and rank/seniority and number of each (e.g., a roughly equal number of academics, government, and military representatives from each country with similar titles/rank and roughly equal levels of seniority across delegations).

Please note that this requires careful advance planning to ensure that government participants are available.

c. Strategic dialogues and accompanying analysis shall primarily focus on identifying and analyzing points of convergence and divergence in threat perspectives, obstacles, opportunities for further collaboration and cooperation in military-relevant—and especially WMD-relevant—areas, and potential activities that might be undertaken in support of shared security objectives.

d. While the discussions should be strategic in nature and be aligned to DoD and USG priorities, the meetings that inform the larger analytic effort shall include at least one segment focused on topics that fall directly within DTRA’s WMD-focused mission. Please see Sections IV.F (Research Thrust Areas) and IV.G (Research Topic and Thrust Area Parameters) for additional guidance on general interest parameters. SI-ST especially encourages dialogue projects that have the potential to build from year to year, advancing discussion and understanding of important strategic issues.

e. Insights and recommendations generated at the dialogue will serve as the basis for the final technical report along with any additional analysis. The final technical report should not constitute a meeting summary or transcript but rather an analysis of the findings with the aim of answering the specified research question(s).

f. If awarded, dialogue PIs are expected to:

(1) Finalize salient research questions and conduct preliminary research to inform the development of the dialogue’s agenda in coordination with DTRA and other stakeholders.

(2) Develop, vet, and coordinate the invitation list and agendas for all meetings connected to the dialogue with SI-ST (please see Section IV.C.3 – Item 007).

(3) Select all participants, including plenary participants, panelists, and keynote speakers, to ensure the dialogue addresses and answers the identified research questions.

Ensure panelist and keynote speaker selections reflect parity among all delegations (e.g., seniority and experience).

(4) Promote and honor the enduring characteristics of the research portfolio as described in Section IV.B (Program Enduring Characteristics), including ensuring balance in dialogue participation regarding ideology, gender, age, technical/policy background, and organizational affiliation to avoid bias. This includes ensuring that dialogue events are non-partisan.

(5) Facilitate all dialogue sessions to ensure discussions remain aligned with the agreed agenda, including, but not limited to, introducing concepts, challenging assumptions of

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the audience, posing questions to promote thinking about answers or solutions, while also building rapport between participants.

(6) Lead the development of the final deliverables—the executive summary and full technical report—to ensure they reflect accurate and cogent analysis from the dialogue and put forward key insights and actionable recommendations suitable for a senior-level Government audience.

g. Because dialogues and other multinational research events are a key method for understanding the perceptions and perspectives of foreign partners and exploring potential avenues of new or deeper defense cooperation with foreign partners, it is important that dialogues include foreign participants with appropriate experience and expertise in defense-related, and, whenever possible, WMD-relevant topics. DTRA desires sponsored dialogue approaches that facilitate clear and effective communication on approved topics, support a substantive exchange of views, and enable collaborative development of actionable recommendations for Government officials from all represented countries.