MARIONETTE: A MULTI-DOMAIN COMMAND AND CONTROL (C2) DECISION CALCULUS FOR COMPLEXITY IMPOSITION
ID: FA875021S7005Type: Presolicitation
Overview

Buyer

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

PSC

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

    Presolicitation DEPT OF DEFENSE DEPT OF THE AIR FORCE is seeking innovative research for the development of a concept called Marionette: A Multi-Domain Command and Control (C2) Decision Calculus for Complexity Imposition. This research aims to create a framework for assessing the collective impact of courses of action against adversaries in specific operational contexts. The total funding for this project is approximately $9,900,000, with individual awards ranging from $500,000 to $1,000,000. Multiple awards are anticipated, and the type of instruments that may be awarded include procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or other transactions. For more information, contact Dr. Jessica Dorismond at jessica.dorismond@us.af.mil or Amber Buckley at amber.buckley@us.af.mil.

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    Amendment No. 1 to BAA FA8750-21-S-7005 updates submission information and modifies the performance period to 24 months, clarifying that only white papers will be accepted until 30 Sep 2024 with specific recommended submission dates for FY23 and FY24. The announcement will involve quarterly reviews and PI meetings to assess program progress, with evaluations communicated to offerors within 45 days of white paper submission. No other changes were made to the original document.
    Amendment No. 1 to BAA FA8750-21-S-7005 updates submission procedures and reflects a 24-month performance period for the Marionette program. The amendment specifies that white papers will be accepted until September 30, 2024, with suggested submission dates for FY23 and FY24, and outlines a schedule for project execution including quarterly reviews and annual PI meetings. Offerors will receive evaluation results within 45 days of submission, and all other aspects of the BAA remain unchanged.
    Amendment 2 to Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) FA8750-21-S-7005 republishes the original announcement with updated information on white paper submissions and various section revisions. The Air Force seeks innovative research to develop a mathematical framework for quantifying complexity in multi-domain military operations, with an estimated funding of $9.9 million available over four fiscal years. White papers must be submitted by 4 PM EST on Sept 30, 2024, and proposals will only be invited based on the relevance and potential of the submitted white papers.
    Amendment 2 to BAA FA8750-21-S-7005 revises the original announcement to incorporate updates regarding white paper submissions, terminology changes from Beta SAM to SAM, and various updates across sections in the Full Text Announcement. The BAA aims to solicit innovative research to develop a mathematical framework for quantifying complexity imposed by multi-domain military courses of action on adversaries, with total funding of approximately $9.9 million. White papers are requested until September 30, 2024, with an emphasis on leveraging scientific and mathematical constructs to shape adversarial decision-making in complex operational contexts.
    Amendment 4 to BAA FA8750-21-S-7005 modifies the original Broad Agency Announcement to include updates such as an FY23 white paper due date, changes to technology requirements, funding estimates, and proposal formatting guidelines. It invites innovative research proposals focused on developing a framework for analyzing complexity in multi-domain operations, with an estimated funding of approximately $9.9 million for various awards. The BAA will remain open until September 30, 2024, for white paper submissions.
    Amendment 4 to Broad Agency Announcement FA8750-21-S-7005 modifies and republishes the original announcement, adding a fiscal year 2023 white paper due date while updating technology requirements, estimated funding, and proposal formatting guidelines. The announcement seeks innovative research on complexity imposition to enhance military operational effectiveness, with an overall funding availability of approximately $9.9 million and individual awards typically ranging from $500,000 to $1 million for efforts lasting no more than 24 months. All proposals must focus on developing analytical frameworks for assessing complexity attributes that impact multi-domain operations in military contexts.
    Amendment 5 to BAA FA8750-21-S-7005 republishes the original announcement while incorporating prior amendments and updates related to white paper submissions, technical requirements, and funding details. The focus area seeks innovative research on developing a framework to measure six complexity attributes that can shape military operational outcomes against adversaries, with a total funding of approximately $9.9 million available through various instruments. The BAA will remain open until September 30, 2024, accepting white paper submissions to explore these complexity properties comprehensively.
    Amendment 5 to BAA FA8750-21-S-7005 revises the original announcement, updating various sections related to proposal requirements, submission deadlines, website references, and additional content on technology requirements, specifically focusing on measuring six attributes of complexity in military operations. The Department of the Air Force is soliciting innovative white papers to assess how complexity can be used to shape outcomes against adversaries, with an estimated funding of approximately $9.9 million and an acceptance window for white papers until September 30, 2024. Only U.S.-based offerors are eligible to submit proposals under this BAA, and response guidelines have been specified for both submissions and technical inquiries.
    The document outlines a comprehensive framework for analyzing complex adaptive systems (CAS) through their properties and actions, specifically in a military context. It emphasizes the importance of understanding systems as networks with interdependent components and the significance of adaptation, feedback, and emergent properties in their functionality. Additionally, it explores how systems can leverage principles of CAS to exploit adversarial vulnerabilities, minimize risks, and enhance operational effectiveness.
    The document outlines a framework for analyzing complex adaptive systems (CAS), emphasizing the need to assess both the properties of a system and its actions to determine its complexity and adaptability. It divides analysis into inward and outward looking indicators, evaluating factors such as network structure, multi-level organization, adaptation capabilities, and the ability to exploit adversary weaknesses. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding emergent properties and leveraging CAS principles to enhance operational effectiveness in military contexts, particularly for the Air Force.
    The Department of the Air Force has issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA FA8750-21-S-7005) seeking white papers for innovative research to develop a mathematical framework to analyze and quantify the complexity imposed on adversaries through multi-domain courses of action. The total funding available is approximately $9.9 million, with individual awards typically ranging from $500,000 to $1 million and lasting no more than 24 months. The submission period for white papers is open until September 30, 2024, with an emphasis on the development of metrics and models to assess the impact of complexity in modern warfare scenarios.
    The Department of the Air Force is issuing a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) FA8750-21-S-7005, open until September 30, 2024, seeking innovative approaches to develop a mathematical framework for quantifying the complexity imposed by multi-domain (MD) courses of action on adversaries in modern warfare. Approximately $9.9 million is available for funding, with individual awards usually ranging from $500,000 to $1 million over a 24-month period, and multiple awards are anticipated. The work will focus on complexity metrics and modeling to assess how these courses of action can effectively challenge adversary decision-making processes.
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