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.

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26-03 synopsis v8.docx

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.

NAICS CODE:  541715

FEDERAL AGENCY NAME: Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AFRL - Rome Research Site, AFRL/Information Directorate, 26 Electronic Parkway, Rome, NY, 13441-4514

ARA ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Initial announcement

ADVANCED RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT (ARA) TITLE: Research Engineering Development and Analysis for Cyber Targeting (REDACT)

ARA NUMBER: FA8750-26-S-7003

**PART I – OVERVIEW INFORMATION**

This announcement is for an Open, 2 Step ARA which is open and effective until 8 December 2030.  Only white papers will be accepted as initial submissions; formal proposals will be accepted by invitation only.  While white papers will be considered if received prior to 1600 Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 8 December 2030, the following submission dates are suggested to best align with projected funding:

*FY26 by 21 JAN 2026*

*FY27 by 01 NOV 2026*

*FY28 by 01 NOV 2027*

*FY29 by 01 NOV 2028*

*FY30 by 01 NOV 2029*

Offerors should monitor the Contract Opportunities on the SAM website at https://SAM.gov in the event this announcement is amended.

CONCISE SUMMARY OF TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENT:   Seeking innovative research to develop adversary system of systems analysis to support Air Force, USCYBERCOM and other mission partner entities. Research will include requirements evaluation, proof-of-concept technology development, and deployment of technology to operationally realistic environments for evaluation. This research will enable mission partners to create and optimize Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTP) against evolving threats.

ARA ESTIMATED FUNDING: Total funding for this ARA is approximately $999.9M.  Individual awards will not normally exceed Sixty (60) months with dollar amounts normally ranging from $1M to $100M. There is also the potential to make awards up to $499.9M.

ANTICIPATED INDIVIDUAL AWARDS:  Multiple Awards are anticipated.  However, the Air Force reserves the right to award zero, one, or more Procurement Contracts or Other Transactions, for all, some, or none of the solicited effort based on the offeror’s ability to perform desired work and funding fluctuations. There is no limit on the number of OTs that may be awarded to an individual offeror.

TYPE OF INSTRUMENTS THAT MAY BE AWARDED:

FAR based procurement contracts or other transactions (OT) under 10 USC 4021, 10 USC 4022 and 10 USC 4023 (previously 10 USC 4002, 2371, 10 USC 4003, 2371b and 4004, 2373)

*In the event that an Other Transaction for Prototype agreement is awarded as a result of this competitive ARA, and the prototype project is successfully completed, there is the potential for a prototype project to transition to award of a follow-on production contract or transaction. The Other Transaction for Prototype agreement itself will also contain a similar notice of a potential follow-on production contract or agreement.*

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION:  All white paper submissions and any questions of a technical nature shall be directed to the cognizant Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) as specified below (unless otherwise specified in the technical area):

ARA PROGRAM MANAGER:

*Aaron Gudrian*

AFRL/RIED

525 Brooks Rd

Rome, NY 13441-4505

Telephone: (315)330-2104

Email: AFRL.RIED.REDACT@us.af.mil

Questions of a contractual/business nature shall be directed to the cognizant contracting officer, as specified below (**email requests are preferred**):

    Amber Buckley

    Email:  Amber.Buckley@us.af.mil

Emails must reference the solicitation ARA number and title of the acquisition.

**Pre-Proposal Communication between Prospective Offerors and Government Representatives**:  Dialogue between prospective offerors and Government representatives is encouraged.  Technical and contracting questions can be resolved in writing or through open discussions. Discussions with any of the points of contact shall not constitute a commitment by the Government to subsequently fund or award any proposed effort. Only Contracting Officers are legally authorized to commit the Government.

**Offerors are cautioned that evaluation ratings may be lowered and/or proposal rejected if proposal preparation (Proposal format, content, etc.) and/or submittal instructions are not followed.**

SEE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL ANNOUNCEMENT DETAILS.

Buyer

NAICS

PSC

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