Research Engineering Development and Analysis for Cyber Targeting (REDACT)
ID: FA875026S7003Type: Presolicitation
Overview

Buyer

DEPT OF DEFENSEDEPT OF THE AIR FORCEFA8750 AFRL RIKROME, NY, 13441-4514, USA

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715)

PSC

NATIONAL DEFENSE R&D SERVICES; DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE - MILITARY; APPLIED RESEARCH (AC12)
Timeline
    Description

    The Department of the Air Force is seeking innovative research proposals under the Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) FA8750-26-S-7003, titled "Research Engineering Development and Analysis for Cyber Targeting (REDACT)." The objective is to develop adversary system-of-systems analysis to support the Air Force, USCYBERCOM, and other mission partners, focusing on requirements evaluation, proof-of-concept technology development, and deployment in realistic environments to enhance Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) against evolving cyber threats. This initiative is critical for advancing capabilities in Target Engineering and Analysis, Agile Cyber Mission Adaptation, and Rapid Non-Kinetic Cyber Capability Development. The total funding available for this ARA is approximately $999.9 million, with individual awards ranging from $1 million to $100 million, and a maximum duration of 60 months. Interested parties must submit white papers by December 8, 2030, and can direct inquiries to Aaron Gudrian at afrl.ried.redact@us.af.mil or Amber Buckley at Amber.Buckley@us.af.mil for contractual questions.

    Point(s) of Contact
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    Title
    Posted
    The Department of the Air Force's Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) FA8750-26-S-7003, titled "Research Engineering Development and Analysis for Cyber Targeting (REDACT)," seeks innovative research to develop adversary system-of-systems analysis. This open, two-step ARA, effective until December 8, 2030, invites white papers as initial submissions, with formal proposals by invitation only. The research aims to support Air Force, USCYBERCOM, and other mission partners by evaluating requirements, developing proof-of-concept technology, and deploying it into realistic environments to optimize Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) against evolving cyber threats. Key focus areas include Target Engineering and Analysis, Agile Cyber Mission Adaptation, and Rapid Non-Kinetic Cyber Capability Development. Total funding is approximately $999.9M, with individual awards ranging from $1M to $100M, potentially up to $499.9M, over a maximum of 60 months. Multiple awards are anticipated, utilizing FAR-based procurement contracts or Other Transactions (OTs). Foreign participation is generally closed, with exceptions for fundamental research or FOCI-mitigated companies. Submissions require specific formats, adherence to security guidelines, and compliance with various federal regulations, including those related to S&T protection, SAM registration, and accounting systems. White papers are reviewed based on scientific merit, related experience, solution maturity, and cost reasonableness.
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