Amendment No. 1 to ARA FA8750-24-S-7007 modifies sections related to Security and Technology (S&T) protection for proposals submitted under this announcement. It mandates that each proposal undergoes a Security Risk Review, assessing foreign influence risks on funded research for the Air Force. Applicants must submit specific documentation such as a "Research and Related Senior and Key Person Profile" and a "Security Program Questionnaire" alongside their proposals. The document outlines requirements for both applicants and covered individuals, who must disclose current and pending research support and sign a “Privacy Act Statement.” During the project’s duration, annual updates to the profiles are required, and any security risks related to participation in foreign government programs must be reported promptly. The selection process emphasizes that only government employees will evaluate proposals, and the assessment includes considerations of technical, cost, and schedule risks. The government reserves the right to fund any part of a proposal or none at all, based on evaluations and funding availability. Overall, this amendment strengthens the security measures regarding research proposals to protect U.S. interests while fostering collaboration in defense-related research and development.

The Department of the Air Force has issued an Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) focusing on Signals Intelligence Focused Technologies for Exploitation and Reporting (SIFTER). This two-step ARA seeks innovative white papers investigating enhanced signal processing and analytics techniques, essential for advancing the operational capabilities of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms. Key areas of focus include onboard processing, signal detection technologies, cross-domain data analytics, and compliance with Open System Architecture standards. The total estimated funding for this ARA is approximately $99.9 million, with individual awards typically ranging from $1 million to $5 million for a maximum duration of 60 months. The announcement is open until September 28, 2029, with specific suggested submission dates for the next five fiscal years to align with funding availability. Eligible offerors must largely be U.S.-based entities, as foreign participation is restricted, except for certain exceptions involving fundamental research. The document outlines necessary evaluation criteria, submission formats, and eligibility details, emphasizing the importance of technical merit, experience, and cost realism. It invites diverse participants from the scientific community to collaborate, ensuring comprehensive solutions to enhance national defense capabilities. This ARA illustrates the Air Force's commitment to strengthening its SIGINT capabilities in response to evolving threats.