CHEERS MAA Open Period 2 - All Technical Areas, 10 U. S. C. 4023 - Procurement for Experimental Purposes (ARA)
Open Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- FA238424S2335
- Agency
-
Air Force Research Laboratory
Air Force Materiel Command, Department of Defense
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Air Force Research Laboratory seeks white papers for experimental research across all technical areas under the CHEERS (Continuing Human Enabling, Enhancing, Restoring and Sustaining) program, with white papers due September 30, 2027. The procurement is conducted under 10 U.S.C. 4023, Procurement for Experimental Purposes, which limits acquisitions strictly to development, procurement, or integration of items, prototypes, or auxiliary services necessary for experimentation, technical evaluation, assessment of operational utility, or maintaining residual operational capability.
This is a two-step process: selected white paper offerors will be invited to submit technical and cost proposals in a follow-on Request for Proposals. The government anticipates multiple awards under a single solicitation (FA238424S2335) with a combined ceiling not to exceed $499.87 million, subject to government funding and offeror capabilities. White papers are limited to 5 pages and should be submitted to AFRL.711HPW.MAA@us.af.mil.
Proposals must explicitly address experimental utility, quantity limitations (strictly to quantities necessary for testing and operational assessment), and provisions for the government to retain residual operational capability if initial testing proves successful. The NAICS code is 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences); the PSC is AJ13 (General Science & Technology R&D Services). Offerors must comply with updated cybersecurity safeguarding requirements including NIST SP 800-171 SPRS verification and task-specific CMMC compliance. Offerors must refer to the revised CHEERS Industry Guide (Revision September 2026) posted on the parent MAA announcement. The government will review white papers within approximately 180 days and may award zero to multiple contracts. Offerors may submit multiple white papers provided each presents a unique approach.
Notice text
3 versions
Update #3 · Latest ·
**28 September 2026: Amendment 01 — Annual Update & 10 U.S.C. 4023 Scope Clarification**
Solicitation: FA238424S2335, "Open Period 2 - All Technical Areas, 10 U.S.C. 4023 - Procurement for Experimental Purposes (ARA)"
Solicitation Authority: 10 U.S.C. § 4023, Procurement for Experimental Purposes (formerly 10 U.S.C. § 2373)
The purpose of this update is to incorporate the annual solicitation revisions, update applicable procurement clauses and provisions, and incorporate clarified statutory criteria regarding acquisitions conducted under 10 U.S.C. § 4023.
SUMMARY OF REVISIONS:
- Clarified Statutory Authority Scope:
In accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 4023, acquisitions under this announcement are strictly limited to the development, procurement, or integration of items, prototypes, or auxiliary services specifically necessary for experimentation, technical evaluation, assessment of operational utility, or maintaining a residual operational capability. - Updated Statutory Submission Criteria:
Proposals submitted under this ARA must explicitly address:- Experimental Utility: Solutions must be utilized in an evaluative/experimental capacity directly supporting stated technical objectives.
- Quantity Limitations: Limited strictly to quantities necessary for testing and operational assessment.
- Residual Operational Capability: Provisions for the Government to retain residual operational capability if initial testing proves successful.
- Provisions and Clauses:
Updated applicable RFO provisions and cybersecurity safeguarding requirements (including NIST SP 800-171 SPRS verification and task-specific CMMC compliance). - Reference to Updated Overarching Industry Guide:
Offerors must refer to the revised CHEERS Industry Guide (Revision September 2026) posted on the parent MAA announcement.
List of Attachments:
- "Open Period Solicitation 2_ARA Amend 01.pdf"
- "Attachment 1 - List of Provisions and Clauses (ARA).pdf"
Related Notice: Multiple Authority Announcement (MAA) FA238424S2233, "Continuing Human Enabling, Enhancing, Restoring and Sustaining (CHEERS)"
Note: You MUST refer to the related notice identified above in order to obtain all additional attachments referenced herein (e.g. CHEERS Industry Guide, Statements of Objectives (SOO), and S&T Protection Appendices).
PREVIOUS AMENDMENT HISTORY
20 Nov 2025: Amendment 01 - Annual Update
Solicitation: FA238424S2335, "Open Period 2 - All Technical Areas"
Solicitation Authority: 10 U.S.C 4023 - Procurement for Experimental Purposes
List of Attachments:
1. "Open Period Solicitation 2_ARA Amend 01"
2. "Attachment 1 - List of Provisions and Clauses (ARA)"
Related Notice: Multiple Authority Announcement (MAA) FA238424S2233, "Continuing Human Enabling, Enhancing, Restoring and Sustaining (CHEERS)"
Note: You MUST refer to the related notice identified above in order to obtain all additional attachments referenced herein (e.g. CHEERS Industry Guide, Statements of Objectives (SOO), and S&T Protection Appendices)
Update #2 ·
20 Nov 2025: Amendment 01 - Annual Update
Solicitation: FA238424S2335, "Open Period 2 - All Technical Areas"
Solicitation Authority: 10 U.S.C 4023 - Procurement for Experimental Purposes
List of Attachments:
1. "Open Period Solicitation 2_ARA Amend 01"
2. "Attachment 1 - List of Provisions and Clauses (ARA)"
Related Notice: Multiple Authority Announcement (MAA) FA238424S2233, "Continuing Human Enabling, Enhancing, Restoring and Sustaining (CHEERS)"
Note: You MUST refer to the related notice identified above in order to obtain all additional attachments referenced herein (e.g. CHEERS Industry Guide, Statements of Objectives (SOO), and S&T Protection Appendices)
Update #1 ·
Solicitation: FA238424S2335, "Open Period 2 - All Technical Areas"
Solicitation Authority: 10 U.S.C 4023 - Procurement for Experimental Purposes
Related Notice: Multiple Authority Announcement (MAA) FA238424S2233, "Continuinig Human Enabliing, Enhancing, Restoring and Sustaining (CHEERS)"
List of Attachments:
1. "Open Period Solicitation 2"
2. "Attachment 1 - List of Provisions and Clauses"
**Note: Refer to the related notice identified above for additional attachments referenced herein (e.g. CHEERS Industry Guide)
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