Advanced Cyber Effects for Strategic Operations (ACESO)

Amendment / Modification

This modification (Amendment 2) updates the ARA email address throughout the document. Specifically, the email address for the ARA Program Manager has been changed.

• Part I Overview Information
• Part II, Section VII Agency Contacts

No changes to proposal deadlines, requirements, or evaluation factors are indicated by this amendment. The primary change is the updated contact email for the ARA Program Manager.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment updates the ARA email address for the Program Manager throughout the document. Specifically, the email address for Tanya Macrina, ARA Program Manager, has been changed to AFRL.RI.Firehawk@us.af.mil.

• Part I Overview Information
• Part II, Section VII Agency Contacts

No changes to proposal deadlines, requirements, or evaluation factors are indicated by this amendment. Offerors should ensure they use the updated contact information for any future correspondence.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) seeks white papers for the "Advanced Cyber Effects for Strategic Operations (ACESO)" initiative. The goal is to develop cyber operations prototypes for transition into operational DoD platforms to achieve superiority in the Cyber Domain. The ARA is open until July 10, 2030, with suggested submission dates aligned with fiscal years (FY26-FY30).

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is soliciting research, design, development, testing, evaluation, implementation, and transition of Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) and Cyber technologies. Key areas of interest include:

• Cyber Assured and Zero-Trust Infrastructure
• DoDIN Battlespace Organization
• Command, Control, and Communications (C3) modernization
• Situational Awareness and Mission Assurance
• Effects-Based Defenses
• Cyber ISR Operations
• Cyber Operational Preparation of the Environment (C-OPE)
• Cyberspace Effects Operations
• Integration of Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), Electronic Warfare (EW), and Cyber Operations Technologies
• Offensive Cyber Operations (OCO)

Specific technology areas include cloud architectures, code analysis, cyber modeling, decision support, formal methods, mobile security, data security, secure development tools, trusted hardware/software, zero trust computing, cyber deterrence, global strike, cyber threat assessments, AI/ML in cyber, and D4M efforts. Platforms of interest include military systems, clouds, embedded devices, mobile platforms, ICS/SCADA, IoT, and various network types.

• Estimated Funding: Approximately $950M total.

• Individual Awards: Typically $10M to $50M, not normally exceeding 60 months. Potential for awards up to $99.98M.

• Anticipated Awards: Multiple awards are anticipated.

• Award Instruments: FAR-based procurement contracts or Other Transactions (OTs) under 10 USC 4021, 4022, and 4023.

• Follow-on Potential: Successful prototypes may transition to follow-on production contracts or transactions.

• Type: Two-step open ARA. White papers are the initial submission.

• Submission Dates: Suggested dates for FY26-FY30 funding alignment (e.g., Dec 30, 2025 for FY26), with a final deadline of July 10, 2030.

• White Paper Format: 4-5 pages, including Task Objective, Technical Summary, and Proposed Deliverables. Specific formatting requirements apply.

• Evaluation Criteria: Scientific/Technical Merit, Contribution/Relevance to Air Force objectives, Demonstrated Technology/Domain Knowledge, and Reasonableness/Realism of Costs.

• Eligibility: All qualified offerors. Closed to foreign participation unless specific exceptions apply (e.g., fundamental research with disclosure).

• Nontraditional Defense Contractors: Encouraged, especially for OT awards. Specific criteria for participation and cost-sharing apply.

• FFRDCs/Government Entities: Subject to competition limitations; must demonstrate work is unavailable from the private sector.

• Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence (FOCI): Requires mitigation plans.

• Offerors must register in SAM.gov.

• Security risk reviews will be conducted for key personnel.

• Specific requirements for handling classified information and export control apply.

• Detailed proposal preparation instructions are available via provided links.