CHEERS MAA Open Period 2 - All Technical Areas, 10 U.S.C. 4023 - Procurement for Experimental Purposes (ARA)
ID: FA238424S2335Type: Solicitation
Overview

Buyer

DEPT OF DEFENSEDEPT OF THE AIR FORCEFA2384 USAF AIR FORCE MATERIEL COMMAND AFRL PZL AFRL RAKHWRIGHT PATTERSON AFB, OH, 45433-7541, USA

NAICS

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

PSC

GENERAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY R&D SVCS; GENERAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY; EXPERIMENTAL DEVELOPMENT (AJ13)

Original Source

https://sam.gov/opp/a9e916fd2a084951adbcf0f83a82531a/view
Timeline
    Description

    The Department of Defense, specifically the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, issues an open solicitation for experimental purposes, governed by 10 U.S.C. 4023. This multi-step procurement process, referred to as Continuing Human Enabling, Enhancing, Restoring, and Sustaining (CHEERS), seeks innovative solutions in various technical areas related to human effectiveness for national defense.
    The Air Force invites contractors to submit concise five-page white papers outlining their approaches. These submissions will undergo a review process, and successful candidates will be invited to present detailed proposals. The AFRL retains the discretion to award multiple contracts, IDIQs, or purchases under specific authorities.
    The focus areas include a wide range of supplies and services, from medical and aeronautical to signal and energy supplies for defense purposes. Offerors should be prepared to provide data items, software, and hardware, although the exact requirements will be established later. The process allows the AFRL to explore diverse solutions, with potential contracts valued at up to $500 million.
    The legal and contracting clauses detailed in the procurement aim to ensure compliance with federal regulations and manage contractual relationships. These clauses cover various topics, including security, employee rights, and intellectual property, and will be incorporated into the contracts. Contractors will also be responsible for flowing down these clauses to their subcontractors.
    This solicitation serves as an initial request for information or a draft, as key evaluation criteria and dates are absent. The AFRL seeks to protect proprietary data and may impose security and export control regulations. The submission deadline for the initial white paper step is 30 September 2027.
    For clarification or questions, interested parties may contact Amber Taylor or Ashlee Green via email.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Amber Taylor
    amber.taylor.9@us.af.mil
    Ashlee Green
    ashlee.green.1@us.af.mil
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    Attachment 1 - List of Provisions and Clauses.pdf
    The primary objective of this procurement is to obtain a range of legal and contracting clauses for incorporation into contracts. These clauses span various topics, including security requirements, employee rights, payment terms, change order accounting, and representations and certifications. The clauses are primarily focused on ensuring compliance with federal regulations and managing contractual relationships. Numerous federal acquisition regulations (FAR) and Department of Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) clauses are included, covering topics such as cybersecurity, anti-discrimination, and intellectual property rights. These clauses aim to mitigate risks, ensure contractor compliance, and safeguard sensitive information. Contractors will be responsible for incorporating these clauses into their subcontracts, ensuring a comprehensive approach to contract management and adherence to legal requirements. The clauses are applicable to a wide range of contract types, including fixed-price and cost-reimbursement contracts, and cover goods and services procurements. Key dates and evaluation criteria are not explicitly mentioned, indicating that the solicitation may be an initial request for information or a draft for future procurements. The focus is predominantly on the administrative and legal aspects of contracting, with the procurement process itself being a secondary concern.
    Open Period Solicitation 2.pdf
    The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine seek innovative solutions through a multi-step procurement process outlined in the Continuing Human Enabling, Enhancing, Restoring, and Sustaining (CHEERS) Multiple Authority Announcement (MAA). The primary objective is to acquire research services in various technical areas related to human effectiveness, with a focus on experimental and test purposes for national defense. In the first step, vendors will submit concise white papers outlining their unique approaches, limited to five pages each. These white papers will be reviewed, and successful candidates will be invited to submit detailed proposals. The AFRL reserves the right to negotiate and award multiple contracts, IDIQs, or purchases under specific authorities. The overall period of performance is undetermined, with individual project timelines needing clarification. The key areas of interest span from medical and aeronautical supplies to signal and energy supplies for defense purposes. Offerors should prepare to provide data items, software, and hardware, although the exact quantities and specifications are yet to be confirmed. The AFRL aims to protect proprietary data rights and may require compliance with security and export control regulations. The submission deadline for the initial white paper step is 30 September 2027, with evaluations conducted based on the uniqueness and relevance of the proposed approach. Cost sharing is not mandatory, and foreign participation is subject to specific guidelines. This procurement process allows the AFRL to explore a wide range of solutions, fostering potential contracts worth up to nearly $500 million in total.
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