Applications for Cyber Warfare: Genesis
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Department of the Air Force, AFRL Information Directorate has issued an Advanced Research Announcement (ARA), "Applications for Cyber Warfare: Genesis" (FA8750-25-S-7006), seeking white papers for the development of cyber operations prototypes. The goal is to transition these prototypes into operational DoD platforms to achieve superiority in the Cyber Domain. This open, two-step ARA has an estimated total funding of $999M, with individual awards typically ranging from $10M to $50M (up to $99.99M). White papers are accepted until September 30, 2030.
Scope of Work
This ARA focuses on advancing the nation's ability to prepare for and conduct cyber operations. Key requirements include the research, design, development, implementation, and refinement of cyber warfare capabilities, specifically focusing on cyber platforms and cyber weaponry. Technologies of interest span platforms and architectures for cyber operations, command and control, effects-based capabilities, predictive analysis, cross-domain capabilities, intelligence gathering and processing, stealth delivery and persistence, and planning utilities.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Advanced Research Announcement (ARA), two-step process.
- Instruments: FAR-based procurement contracts or Other Transactions (OT) under 10 USC 4021, 4022, and 4023. Successful prototype OTs may lead to follow-on production contracts.
- NAICS Code: 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences).
- Estimated Funding: Approximately $999M total.
- Individual Award Range: Normally $10M to $50M, with potential up to $99.99M.
- Period of Performance: Individual awards typically not exceeding 60 months.
- Submission Process: Only white papers are accepted for initial submission; formal proposals are by invitation only. White papers should be 4-5 pages, double-spaced, 12-point font.
- White Paper Deadline: Accepted until 6:00 PM EST on September 30, 2030.
- Suggested Submission Dates (for funding alignment):
- FY26: by December 30, 2025
- FY27: by September 30, 2026
- FY28: by September 30, 2027
- FY29: by September 30, 2028
- FY30: by September 30, 2029
Eligibility & Evaluation
- Set-Aside: None specified. The opportunity is closed to foreign participation (with exceptions for fundamental research).
- Eligibility: Offerors must be registered in SAM.gov. Specific requirements apply to FFRDCs and Government entities. Strict Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) policies and Science and Technology (S&T) Protection measures are mandatory.
- Evaluation Criteria (White Papers): Scientific/Technical Merit, Contribution/Relevance to Air Force Objectives, Demonstrated Technology/Domain Knowledge, and Reasonableness/Realism of Costs.
Additional Notes
Dialogue between prospective offerors and Government representatives is encouraged. For FAR-based awards, offerors must search SAM.gov for any applicable Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act (FASCSA) Orders.
- Technical Point of Contact: Thomas Parisi (AFRL.RI.HELLFIRE@us.af.mil, 315-330-2282)
- Contracting Point of Contact: Amber Buckley (Amber.Buckley@us.af.mil, 315-330-3605)