Question and Answer 7.15.2026 Updated.pdf
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- Solicitation number
- SSTI5_Call016
About this file
This is a Question and Answer document for federal contract opportunity FA9453-21-S-0001 Call 016, Space Cyber-Cognitive Overmatch (SSTI 5), issued on 15 July 2026.
The solicitation is a two-step process requiring a minimum team of three universities, all of which must be identified in white papers. Eligible participants include universities, non-profits (501C organizations), and dual citizens. Non-U.S. citizens and green card holders require waivers with justification demonstrating unique skill sets. Foreign national faculty may participate with waivers. FFRDCs, service schools, large businesses, and foreign-owned organizations are prohibited from participating. UARCs may participate indirectly but cannot serve as lead organizations or receive funding. There is no limit on co-investigators per institution, no specific targeted Technology Readiness Level (TRL), and no advantage or disadvantage based on previous awards. Hardware and test bed implementations are "highly desired" but not required. The ceiling is $25 million, with no preference given to large versus small teams or budgets; the government may award none, one, or multiple awards. The anticipated award start date is 3-6 months following white paper submission, with proposed costs valid for one year. Letters of support are not evaluation criteria. All publications undergo review; researchers must treat materials as Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) until publication review is completed. ROM estimates are best-guess calculations adjustable post-award based on research requirements.
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Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Question and Answer 7.15.2026.pdf | ||
| Attachment III_STAR_Evaluation_Criteria_Call016.docx | DOCX document | |
| Attachment I_Statement of Objective for SSTI-SCCO.docx | DOCX document | |
| Attachment IV_Deliverables and Reporting Requiments_Checklist_Call016.docx | DOCX document | |
| Attachment III_STAR_Evaluation_Criteria_Call016.docx | DOCX document | |
| STAR_FISH CALL 016 SSTI 5-SCCO - 30 June 2026.docx | DOCX document | |
| Attachment II_STAR_FISH_White-Paper-Template_Call016.docx | DOCX document |
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Text version
FA9453-21-S-0001 Call 016 SSTI 5 – Space Cyber- Cognitive Overmatch (SCCO)
Question and Answer
15 July 2026
Topic Question Answer U.S Citizens Are non- US citizens allowed? We do allow non-citizens.
to participate in some situations, but there needs to be a waiver filed and there needs to be justification as to why the particular non-citizen possesses a unique skill set. Information to provide for waiver request:
their name, their nationality, and then why they are at the top of their field or why you couldn't find a US citizen to fill the position.
Can a foreign national faculty at lead partner university serve as CO-I’s key personnel on fundamental research portion of work?
To be part of the SSTIs in any form, a foreign national must have a waiver.
Dual Citizens Can dual citizens work on the program.
Yes, dual citizens can work on the program. We ask that dual citizen is denoted and provide other country information.
Green Card Does a green card holder fall within U.S. Citizens?
No, Green Card holders are not considered "U.S. Citizens". and will require a waiver, however please note in the request that they are Green Card holders.
Letters of Support Are letters of support part of the evaluation criteria?
Letters of support are not part of the criteria
Anticipated number of Awards How many awards are anticipated from this call?
One, none, or multiple awards are possible from this call
White Papers Can multiple white papers be submitted from a lead?
Yes, you can submit multiple white papers.
Can a university submit a white paper are a lead university and then be a partner university under another whitepaper?
There’s nothing in the call that precludes that.
Teaming Arrangement What is the minimum team requirement?
The minimum team bid is 3 universities.
Do all three universities need to be identified in the white paper?
Yes, all three need to be identified per the call on page 9.
Foreign Owned Organizations Can foreign owned organizations participate?
No, foreign owned organizations can not participate.
Unallowable Participants Can FFRDCs and/ or services schools (i.e USAFA, AFIT, Army War College, ect)
FFRDCs and Service schools can not participate in this call.
Can large business participate? No, large business are not allowed under this call.
Can a UARC (University Associated Research Center) be a lead for this effort?
No, this is an organization that is sponsored by the Department and approved by the USWR&E. They may not participate and receive funding but may participate in other roles indirectly (Partnerships, industry advisory boards, ect).
Previous Work Is there an advantage if a state has already received an award as a lead?
No, there is no advantage or disadvantage to having been previously awarded or having never participated.
ROM How to prepare ROM with possibilities of our years being at a Secret Level?
The ROM is a best guest estimate. Post award, if changes need to be made due to nature of the research, then that will be addressed at that time.
Publications What is the publication process?
There is a review process for all publications produced from an anticipated award. This will be outlined within the articles in the award.
How is CUI handled for research activities with Students?
We ask you to treat everything as if it was CUI or in a controlled manner until we get a chance to do a publication review.
Co-Investigators Is there a limit on Co-Is per institution?
No, there is not a minimum or maximum on Co-Is for this call..
TRL Is there a targeted TRL for proposed research?
There is not a specific starting or finishing TRL for this call.
Hardware and Test Beds Are hardware and test bed implementations encouraged or necessary for a complete research plan under this call?
Per the call: “highly desired” is the stated language.
Non-Profits Are non-profit (501C) organizations eligible under this call?
Yes
White Paper Submittal Authorized representative need to request the DOD safe link?
No, follow your internal submittal process. The link can be requested 7 days in advance.
White paper submission to proposal deadline?
This is a two-step call. The Prime is going to submit your white papers. We will review and then send your notification letters. That typically takes about a month. From those letters, you will know if you're notified to submit a full proposal and those deadlines and timelines are included in that letter as well.
Award Notional award start date for costing purposes?
Per the call the proposed costs are to be valid for 1 year. But anticipated start date would be 3-6 months for whitepaper submittal. Additional information will be provided in the notification letter to those selected for proposal.
Is there a preference for large team with a large budget versus a small team with a small budget?
No. Per the call, we can choose to make none, one, or multiple awards for the full ceiling of $25M. White papers or proposals are not preferenced by either a large or small team, part of the ceiling or the full amount.
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