AMENDMENT 2 to FOA FA8750-21-S-7007 increases the ceiling value of the funding opportunity and makes various changes to the FOA, including updating references to BetaSAM to SAM.gov, changing the FOA closing date to September 30, 2025, updating the estimated program cost to $99.9M, and correcting the anticipated number of awards. The FOA is open to accredited institutions of higher education and includes specific guidelines for white paper and proposal submissions.

The document is an amendment (Amendment 2) to Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) FA8750-21-S-7007, which pertains to the AFRL Regional Research Convergence Hub (ARRCH). The amendment primarily adjusts the ceiling value and extends the FOA closing date to September 30, 2025, with an updated estimated program cost of $99.9 million and a corrected total of four anticipated awards. It details the eligibility criteria for accredited higher education institutions to apply for funding to develop and operate the ARRCH, which focuses on supporting advanced technology clusters relevant to national security. The proposal calls for collaboration among educational institutions, industry partners, and governmental laboratories to foster innovative research and development. The document outlines submission requirements for white papers and proposals, the evaluation process, and eligibility constraints, particularly regarding foreign participation. Emphasis is placed on fundamental research, workforce development, and the need for federal compliance in human subject research. Additionally, it provides contacts for technical and contractual inquiries and stresses monitoring the SAM.gov for potential updates. This FOA aims to cultivate a collaborative research environment, crucial for the U.S. Air Force's pursuit of technological advancements.

Amendment No. 2 to BAA FA8750-21-S-7007 outlines updates regarding Security and Technology (S&T) protection measures for proposals under the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). Key changes include refinement of S&T review language and security risk assessment processes for applicants. Each proposal must undergo a Security Risk Review to evaluate potential foreign influence, regardless of nationality, based on specific risk factors. Applicants must submit a comprehensive set of documents, including the Research and Related Senior and Key Person Profile and Security Program Questionnaire, with their proposals, which aids in compliance with federal regulations. The amendment emphasizes the importance of disclosing all research support for covered individuals and necessitates annual updates throughout the award performance. It also outlines the proposal selection process, which comprises white paper reviews leading to formal proposals and assessments based on funding prioritization. The Government retains discretion over final selections, with potential for risk assessment impacting award determinations. Overall, these amendments aim to reinforce national security protocols while streamlining proposal evaluation and funding decisions for research and development initiatives.

The Department of the Air Force is seeking white papers from universities to develop an AFRL Regional Research Convergence Hub (ARRCH). The hub will enable rapid invention of transformational capabilities for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force through the pursuit of impactful research and collaboration with academic institutions, industry, venture firms, national laboratories, and other R&D organizations. The selected university will enter into a cooperative agreement with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and implement a concept of operations that facilitates collaboration across a regional network of member nodes.

The AFRL Regional Research Convergence Hub (ARRCH) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) FA8750-21-S-7007 aims to foster research collaboration among accredited higher education institutions to enhance technology development for national security challenges. Open until September 30, 2024, the program anticipates funding of $40 million, awarding two cooperative agreements with a university to establish a hub for innovative research benefiting the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and U.S. Space Force (USSF). White papers are required for initial submissions, detailing the applicant’s research capabilities, collaborative network, and workforce development plans). Proposals will be evaluated based on criteria such as academic and research excellence, operational collaboration with AFRL, and contributions to workforce development. Notably, the FOA restricts foreign participation, requiring a U.S. citzenship status for personnel in the proposed research. Offerors must ensure registration with the System for Award Management (SAM) and adhere to federal guidelines, including research involving human subjects. This announcement seeks to expand the Air Force's scientific footprint by linking leading research institutions to drive technological advancements relevant to national defense.