UNITED STATES ARMY RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR THE BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES (ARI) BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT FOR BASIC, APPLIED, AND ADVANCED SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides answers to questions regarding the "Impacts of Organizational and Contextual Factors on Technological Fluency: Model Expansion" opportunity, clarifying the scope and methodological expectations for offerors.

• Approach Flexibility: Offerors are encouraged to propose innovative approaches. The current Technological Fluency (TF) model focuses on the individual, and this effort aims to expand it to include organizational and contextual factors.
• Methodological Preference: The Army Research Institute (ARI) does not have a preferred methodological approach (e.g., qualitative vs. quantitative, survey vs. observational) and will allow offerors to propose what best fits the model expansion.
• Prior Work Scope: Ongoing work is focused on the individual. No other ARI-funded work has previously examined organizational or contextual factors impacting TF, indicating a new area of exploration for this effort.

This Q&A document clarifies that offerors have flexibility in their proposed methodologies and encourages innovative approaches to expand the existing TF model. It highlights that the scope of work is novel in its focus on organizational and contextual factors.

Sources Sought Notice / Request for White Papers

This notice is a Sources Sought for White Papers related to Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF-23-S-0010, Topic II A.2.d: ASSESSING AND DEVELOPING TECHNOLOGICAL FLUENCY FOR THE FUTURE FORCE, specifically focusing on "Information Management Assessment for Personnel (IMAP)". The U.S. Army Research Institute (ARI) is seeking innovative solutions to assess Soldiers' information management capabilities to develop a reliable and valid instrument for measuring key information management competencies. This assessment will inform Soldier selection, assignment, and training decisions to enhance the effectiveness and resilience of the Force in a complex information environment.

• Develop a reliable and valid instrument for measuring information management competencies within the Technological Fluency (TF) model.

• The instrument should be designed and scalable for specialty occupations and General Purpose Forces, applicable to multiple MOSs, and suitable for both deployment and garrison settings.

• Consider novel hardware and software technologies and be informed by existing military research.

• Describe methods for identifying and incorporating relevant technological contexts and tools.

• Outline techniques for eliciting and evaluating construct-relevant responses.

• Propose a validation plan and a plan for iterative refinement based on pilot testing and feedback.

• Describe how items will be refined for reliability and validity, including statistical analysis and expert review.

• Outline a method for developing a scalable product considering administration time, resource requirements, and ease of interpretation.

• Provide a plan for validation, including evidence of discriminant and predictive validity.

• The award will be a 24-month period of performance (Base: 12 months, Option 1: 12 months).

• The total budget is not to exceed $600,000 ($450,000 for base, $150,000 for option).

• The Army Contracting Command reserves the right to award a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement.

• White Paper Submission Deadline: July 3, 2025, 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.

• White Papers must be submitted electronically via email to the POCs listed in the document.

• White Papers are limited to six (6) pages (including cover page) plus an addendum for biographical sketches.

• Evaluation criteria for White Papers include: Scientific and Technical Merit, Potential Contribution, Qualifications/Capabilities, and Cost.

• A request for a full proposal may be issued based on the White Paper evaluation.

• Not specified in this document.

• Interested applicants must submit a White Paper electronically to be eligible for a formal proposal.

• Self-report inventory approaches are not preferred for assessment methods.

• Proposals will be considered for realism, affordability, and appropriateness, and may be grounds for rejection independent of other factors.

• The government will assume unlimited rights to technical data or computer software unless proprietary data is identified.

• White Papers may be subject to release under the Freedom of Information Act.

Sources Sought Notice / Request for White Papers

This notice is a Sources Sought for White Paper submissions related to Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF-23-S-0010, specifically Topic II A.2.d: ASSESSING AND DEVELOPING TECHNOLOGICAL FLUENCY FOR THE FUTURE FORCE. The U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) is seeking research and development in this area, focusing on "Impacts of Organizational and Contextual Factors on Technological Fluency: Model Expansion." The goal is to expand the current Technological Fluency (TF) model by incorporating organizational and contextual factors that interact with TF attributes and KSAs to produce TF behaviors. This effort aims to inform future research, training, and policy recommendations for the Army.

Offerors are requested to submit a White Paper that includes:

• A literature review identifying macro and meso organizational and contextual factors impacting technological fluency.

• Data collection from Soldiers to inform the expansion of the current TF model.

• Synthesis of results.

• Recommendations for supporting technological fluency assessment and training in the Army.

• A budget for travel.

• Consideration of the existing ARI TF competency model, garrison/training/combat factors, and impact on TF KSAs.

• The anticipated award is a 12-month period of performance.

• The budget is not to exceed $350,000.

• The Army Contracting Command- Aberdeen Proving Ground, RTP Division has the authority to award a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement, with the intention to award a contract for this notice.

• White Papers must be submitted electronically by July 3, 2025, 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.

• White Papers are limited to six (6) pages (including a cover page) plus an addendum for key personnel biographical sketches (up to 300 words per individual).

• Evaluation criteria for White Papers include: Scientific and Technical Merit, Potential Contribution to ARI's mission, Qualifications/Capabilities of key personnel, and Cost (realism, affordability, appropriateness).

• A White Paper submission may lead to a request for a formal proposal, but does not guarantee an award.

• Not specified in this document; implies full and open competition.

• Contractual Questions: Ms. Megan Deluca (megan.a.deluca.civ@army.mil)

• Technical Questions: Dr. David Martinez (david.martinez689.civ@army.mil)

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the "Creative Performance Behaviors with Technology" opportunity.

• Data Collection Population: The project plan should include a timeline for preliminary validation. Contractors can request government support for data collection if needed.
• Leveraging Existing Research: Previous ARI research projects on creativity in the SSN with publicly available technical reports should be leveraged. Results from ongoing projects establishing the nomological network of Technological Fluency (TF) will be shared at the project's start.
• Number of Awards: Only one contract will be awarded.
• End User: Anticipated end users include General Purpose Force Soldiers, with other stakeholders potentially identified during the project.
• Instrument Preference: There is no preference for the type of instrument (e.g., self-report, SJT, simulation); proposals of all types are welcome, but the measure should be an outcome measure.
• Funding: Funding is planned for the next fiscal year, but cannot be committed until a full procurement package is submitted to the budget office.
• Validation Expectations: The contractor may request government support for conducting studies, collecting data, and performing analyses for preliminary measure validation within the 12-month contract period.
• Participant Pool: Soldiers are the expected sample for data collection.
• Measure Utility: The developed measure could serve as both a proximal and distal predictor of performance and may be used as a predictor measure in the future.

No specific impact on requirements, due dates, or submission rules was noted, but the clarifications provide essential details for proposal development, particularly regarding research leveraging, data collection support, and validation expectations.

Sources Sought Notice / Request for White Papers

This notice is a Sources Sought Notice for White Papers related to Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF-23-S-0010, Topic II A.2: ASSESSING AND DEVELOPING TECHNOLOGICAL FLUENCY FOR THE FUTURE FORCE. The U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) is seeking research and development (R&D) in Applied Research and/or Advanced Technology Development focused on creating, assessing, and developing a technologically fluent force. The goal is to develop a criterion measure of individual-level creative performance with technology for future assignment and classification validation efforts within the U.S. Army.

• White Papers should describe proposed research methods to address:

  • What content should be included in the measure?
  • What typology should be used?
  • What assessment method (e.g., SJT, self-report, computerized, simulations)?

• Successful White Papers will demonstrate measures designed and scalable for General Purpose Forces, applicable to multiple Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) and settings, considering novel hardware/software technologies, and leveraging existing ARI creativity research.

• Offerors must also describe the method for developing and refining the measure for reliability and validity, outlining a scalable product development method, and detailing a preliminary validation plan.

• The anticipated award is a contract with a 12-month period of performance.

• The budget will not exceed $320,000.

• White Papers are due by 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time on September 26, 2024.

• Submission is electronic via email to the U.S. Army Contracting Command POC (wilveria.a.sanders.civ@army.mil) with a CC to the ARI Technical Point of Contact (margaret.j.toich.civ@army.mil).

• White Papers must be in MS Word or PDF format, with the subject line: "ARI BAA W911NF-23-S-0010, Creative Performance Behaviors with Technology".

• White Papers are limited to six (6) pages (including a cover page) plus an addendum for biographical sketches.

• Evaluation criteria for White Papers include: Scientific and Technical Merit, Potential Contribution to ARI's mission, Qualifications/Capabilities of key personnel, and Cost.

• Based on White Paper evaluation, ARI may request a formal proposal.

• Not specified in this document; the BAA W911NF-23-S-0010 allows for competitive selection.

• This is a Sources Sought Notice to gauge interest and capabilities; submission of a White Paper is required to be eligible for a subsequent proposal request.

• The Army Contracting Command (ACC) RTP Division has the authority to award various instrument types (contract, grant, cooperative agreement), but the intention for this notice is a contract.

• Offerors are cautioned that only a Government Contracting or Grants Officer can obligate the Government.

Amendment / Modification

• Amendment 0001 was posted on July 28, 2023.
• Amendment 0002 was posted on August 13, 2024.

Not specified in the provided text.

Not specified in the provided text. Amendments may be issued more frequently at the discretion of the Government.

Sources Sought Notice / Request for White Papers

This notice is a Sources Sought for White Papers related to Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF-23-S-0010, Topic II A.2-8.a.2: Enhancing Job Classification and Assignment. The U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) is seeking white papers to inform potential research and development efforts in applied research and/or advanced technology development. The specific topic is a "Review of Army Aptitude Area Composites of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)". The goal is to improve the military occupational specialty (MOS) assignment process by reviewing and potentially updating ASVAB composite scores to better predict recruit performance.

• The primary deliverable requested at this stage is a White Paper, not a full proposal.

• The White Paper should detail the proposed research approach, innovation, Army relevance, potential impact, and estimated cost.

• Specific research objectives include identifying redundancy in current ASVAB composites, empirically examining relationships between composites, and exploring the creation of new composites using existing ASVAB subtests.

• The potential award instrument could be a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement, with the intention for this notice being a contract.

• The anticipated period of performance is 24 months (12-month base, 12-month option).

• The total budget is not to exceed $1,000,000.

• White Papers must be submitted electronically by 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time on July 19, 2024.

• Submission is via email to Ms. Wilveria Sanders (wilveria.a.sanders.civ@army.mil) with a CC to Dr. Kirby Hockensmith (kirby.j.hockensmith.civ@army.mil).

• The email subject line must be: "ARI BAA W911NF-23-S-0010, Your Title".

• White Papers are limited to six pages (including a cover page), with an addendum for key personnel biographies (up to 300 words per individual).

• Evaluation criteria for White Papers include Scientific and Technical Merit, Potential Contribution to ARI's mission, and Qualifications/Capabilities of personnel and resources. Cost will also be considered.

• ARI will provide written or telephonic feedback on submitted White Papers and may encourage submission of a full proposal.

• Not specified in this document; implies full and open competition.

• Interested applicants must submit a White Paper to be eligible for a subsequent formal proposal request.

• The Army Contracting Command (ACC) Aberdeen Proving Ground, RTP Division has the authority to award.

• Contact information for contractual questions (Ms. Wilveria Sanders) and technical questions (Dr. Kirby Hockensmith) is provided.

Sources Sought Notice / Request for White Papers

This notice is a Sources Sought for White Paper submissions related to Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF-23-S-0010, specifically for Topic 1: Basic Research Areas of Interest concerning "Theories of Self-Regulated Learning." The U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) is seeking foundational research to develop state-of-the-art theory, methods, and models to support future Army capabilities and needs related to personnel readiness. This effort focuses on basic research, not applied research, and aims to stimulate new research that could lead to improved Army personnel performance.

• The primary deliverable is a White Paper, limited to six pages (including a cover page) plus an addendum for biographical sketches.

• The White Paper should describe a novel program of basic research in self-regulated learning, detailing theoretical contributions, research questions, methods, data, analysis, novelty, benefits, and risks.

• It should also include an estimate of total cost and any requested Government support (GFE, GFI, GFP, GFD).

• The research should focus on ecologically valid in situ self-regulation, sustained self-regulation, self-regulation of multiple goals, self-regulation for interpersonal/soft skills, higher-order capabilities, and leader development.

• Proposals should not use Soldier data, have direct applications, or propose specific tools/interventions as their primary contribution.

• The BAA allows for various instrument types (contract, grant, cooperative agreement), but for this notice, the intention is to award a Grant.

• Past basic research awards have typically had a performance period of two to three years with a mean total award of approximately $750,000.

• White Papers must be submitted electronically via email to wilveria.a.sanders.civ@army.mil with a CC to meghan.i.huntoon.civ@army.mil by 05 January 2024, 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.

• The email subject line must be "ARI BAA W911NF-23-S-0010, Your Title."

• White Papers will be evaluated based on Scientific and Technical Merit, Potential Contribution to ARI's mission, Qualifications/Capabilities of key personnel, and Cost.

• Scientific and Technical Merit will be weighted most strongly.

• ARI may provide written or telephonic feedback and may request a formal proposal if the White Paper merits it. A request for a proposal does not guarantee an award.

• Not specified in this document; full and open competition is implied.

• This Sources Sought Notice is part of a larger BAA (W911NF-23-S-0010) publicized on SAM.gov and Grants.gov on May 1, 2023.

• Applicants are cautioned that only a Government Contracting or Grants Officer can obligate government funds.

• White Papers should not contain classified, sensitive, or critical information.

• Applicants agree to hold their White Paper and subsequent proposal valid for 180 calendar days from submission.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to questions submitted by potential vendors regarding the Enlisted Soldier Career Progression opportunity.

• Survey Instrument Changes: ARI anticipates making further changes to the existing survey instrument beyond those documented in Carre et al. (2023). These changes may include adding topics of high interest, tailoring items as Soldiers advance in rank, incorporating psychometric analysis findings, and reducing survey burden.
• Data Collection Methods: ARI's preferred method is online data collection. However, due to limited computer access for junior enlisted Soldiers, they supplement with in-person data collection (historically) and mailing paper surveys to a point of contact (POC).
• Participant List: ARI can identify Soldiers from Army administrative data for data collection purposes.
• Anticipated Participants: Annually, ARI anticipates sending approximately 50,000 survey invitations and 1,200 paper surveys.

This Q&A document clarifies aspects of the data collection process and survey methodology, which may influence how vendors approach their proposals or understand the scope of work related to survey administration and analysis.

Request for White Papers

This document is a Sources Sought Notice requesting White Papers in response to Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF-23-S-0010, specifically Topic II A.2.b.ii: "Multifaceted Development Pathways for Organizational and Strategic Leaders," focusing on "Self-Development Decision-Making in Army Officers." The U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) is seeking research to understand how Army officers value and engage in self-development, and to develop interventions and tools to improve this engagement. The goal is to enhance the Army's capability to tailor self-development opportunities to individual officers' motivations, learning needs, and time constraints.

The research should focus on:

• Building a framework for how Army leaders attribute value to self-development opportunities in relation to time.
• Developing assessment/diagnostic tools to measure key decision-making processes related to self-development outcomes.
• Producing a handbook/job aid with guidance and recommended courses of action to leverage behavioral economic principles in the timing and design of self-development opportunities.

Key products include empirical evidence of decision-making behaviors, science-based recommendations for interventions, and an assessment tool.

• The anticipated award is for a 24-month period of performance.

• Base period: 12 months, not to exceed $250,000.

• Option 1: 12 months, not to exceed $250,000.

• Total budget not to exceed $500,000.

• The Army Contracting Command reserves the right to use the most appropriate instrument (contract, grant, or cooperative agreement).

• White Papers must be submitted electronically by email no later than 08 December 2023, 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.

• White Papers are limited to six (6) pages (including a cover page), plus an addendum for biographical sketches.

• Evaluation criteria for White Papers include: Scientific and Technical Merit, Potential Contribution to ARI's mission, Qualifications/Capabilities, and Cost.

• A request for a formal proposal may follow the White Paper submission.

• Not specified in this document; the BAA generally provides for full and open competition.

• Interested applicants must submit a White Paper to be eligible for a formal proposal.

• Contact information for contractual questions (Ms. Wilveria Sanders) and technical questions (Dr. Stefanie Stancato) is provided.

Sources Sought Notice

This notice is a Sources Sought for White Papers in reference to Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF-23-S-0010, Topic II A.2.a.ii: Holistic Personnel Assessment, specifically focusing on "Influences on Enlisted Soldier Career Progression." The U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) is seeking information to support its longitudinal cohort research on enlisted Soldier careers. The overall objective is to examine factors influencing career continuance and progression.

• The notice requests White Papers to describe proposed research, its innovativeness, and its potential to advance the state of science and Army relevance.

• Key project tasks include collecting annual survey data, leveraging Army administrative data, constructing a longitudinal database, applying advanced statistical methods for measurement and analysis, and providing data-driven recommendations for talent management policies.

• ARI is interested in innovative approaches for modeling enlisted career progression.

• The anticipated award instrument is a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement.

• The period of performance is approximately 48 months (12 months Base + 3 x 12-month Options).

• The total budget will not exceed $1,350,000, with specific budget allocations for the base and option periods.

• White Papers must be submitted electronically by 04 November 2023, 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.

• White Papers are limited to six (6) pages (including a cover page) with an addendum for biographical sketches (up to 300 words per individual) of key personnel.

• Evaluation criteria for White Papers and subsequent full proposals include Scientific and Technical Merit, Potential Contribution, Qualifications/Capabilities, and Cost.

• Scientific and Technical Merit will be weighted more strongly than other non-cost factors.

• ARI will provide written or telephonic feedback on submitted White Papers and may request a formal proposal.

• Not specified in this document.

• Contractual Questions: Ms. Wilveria Sanders (wilveria.a.sanders.civ@army.mil)

• Technical Questions: Dr. Kim Owens (kimberly.s.owens10.civ@army.mil)

• This notice is a Sources Sought and does not constitute a solicitation for proposals.

• A request for a full proposal does not guarantee an award.

• White Papers and subsequent proposals must be submitted electronically.

Sources Sought Notice / Request for White Papers

This notice seeks White Papers to identify potential research capabilities for Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF-23-S-0010, Topic II A.2.a.i: "Improving Talent Management Through Data Science." The focus is on understanding how organizational and professional identity influences career pathing and retention within the U.S. Army, particularly for roles with direct civilian equivalents where training is expensive and retention is a concern.

• Understanding the development and evolution of professional beliefs and identities across an Army career.

• Examining how non-Army identities may conflict with or supplement Army identities.

• Investigating how professional and Army identities influence career plans and retention intentions.

• Identifying effective retention strategies for professions with high training costs and civilian alternatives.

• Identify characteristics of profession identities and differentiate them from overall Army identity.

• Outline a mixed-methods approach (qualitative and quantitative) to examine retention issues.

• Develop a sampling plan for positions with direct civilian equivalents in areas like Cyber, Aviation, Health Services, Logistics, and Judge Advocate General.

• Propose research methods to examine how individuals in these professions identify with the Army and how these identities evolve.

• Describe analytic approaches for understanding the role of identities in recruitment, career pathing, and retention.

• Develop practical recommendations for recruitment, career pathing, and retention strategies tailored to specific career fields.

• White Papers are limited to six (6) pages, plus a biographical sketch addendum.

• Submissions are due by 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time on October 7, 2023.

• White Papers will be evaluated on Scientific and Technical Merit, Potential Contribution to ARI's mission, Qualifications/Capabilities, and Cost.

• Based on White Paper evaluation, the Army may request a full proposal.

• The anticipated award is a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement.

• The period of performance for the award will be 36 months (Base: 12 months, Option 1: 12 months, Option 2: 12 months).

• The total budget is not to exceed $1,200,000 ($400,000 per 12-month period).

• Contractual Questions: Ms. Wilveria Sanders (wilveria.a.sanders.civ@army.mil)

• Technical Questions: Dr. Ryan Royston (ryan.p.royston.civ@army.mil)

• Submission of a White Paper is required to be eligible for a formal proposal.

• The Army may choose not to select any award due to funding availability or other factors.

Sources Sought Notice / Request for White Papers

This notice is a Sources Sought for White Papers in reference to Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF-23-S-0010, Topic II A.2.a.i: Improving Talent Management through Data Science. The U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) is seeking research and development (R&D) in Applied Research and/or Advanced Technology Development related to an "Army Resume Profiling and Matching System." The goal is to improve how Army units and hiring managers identify suitable candidates by analyzing resumes and comparing them with position descriptions.

White papers should ideally suggest research to address the following objectives:

• Identify relevant resume features for person-job fit and unit hiring decisions, and KSAOs/KSBs amenable to extraction.

• Develop and test a proof-of-concept for extracting and analyzing KSAOs/KSBs from resumes using Natural Language Processing (NLP).

• Recommend best practices for creating and structuring resumes for optimal processing and usefulness.

• The anticipated award is a 36-month period of performance (Base: 12 months, Option 1: 12 months, Option 2: 12 months).

• The total budget is not to exceed $1,200,000 ($400k per period).

• The Government intends to award a contract, but may also consider grants or cooperative agreements.

• White Papers are due by 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time on October 4, 2023.

• Submissions must be electronic, via email to specified POCs.

• White Papers are limited to six pages (including a cover page) plus an addendum for biographical sketches.

• Evaluation criteria for White Papers include Scientific and Technical Merit, Potential Contribution, Qualifications/Capabilities, and Cost.

• A request for a formal proposal may follow a successful White Paper submission.

• Not specified in this document; however, the BAA is issued under provisions for competitive selection of basic and applied research.

• This is a Sources Sought Notice, not a solicitation for proposals.

• A White Paper submission is required to be eligible for a formal proposal request.

• The Government may choose not to select any award due to funding availability or other factors.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document contains responses to questions posed by potential offerors regarding the "Developmental Experiences Assessment for Officer Strategic Thinking Development" research opportunity.

• Definition of Strategic Thinking: The government references Sackett et al. (2016) for a conceptualization of strategic thinking, specifically in relation to systems thinking.
• Scope of Experiences: Both formal learning experiences (e.g., PME) and informal on-the-job experiences are of interest, with no preference stated.
• Inhibiting Experiences: While the primary goal is to identify experiences that develop strategic thinking, the government is open to alternative ideas that creatively accomplish the research objectives, including those that might inhibit strategic thinking.
• Measurement Tool Transition: The contractor will be responsible for transitioning the measurement tool to government-identified stakeholders. The government is interested in the contractor's role in identifying end users.
• Target User Group: The research is primarily interested in field-grade Army officers.
• Final Deliverable: The final deliverable includes a final report and a guidance/handbook. This handbook should contain a tool that is ready for use, not just a framework for further development.
• Related Documents: The government is unable to share documents or reports from the FY23 "Roadmap to Develop Complex Cognitive Skills for Officer Strategic Thinking" at this time.

These clarifications provide specific details on the scope of research, the target audience, and the expected deliverables, which may influence how offerors structure their proposals.

Sources Sought Notice / Request for White Papers

This notice is a Sources Sought for White Paper submissions related to Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF-23-S-0010, Topic II A.2.a.ii: Holistic Personnel Assessment, specifically "Influences on Officer Career Progression." The U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) is seeking research and development (R&D) in applied research and/or advanced technology development to understand factors influencing officer career continuance and progression. The goal is to inform policies for recruiting, managing, and retaining talent.

• The effort involves longitudinal cohort research on officer careers, tracking attitudes, experiences, and outcomes annually.

• Data requirements include collecting annual survey data and leveraging Army administrative and research data sources.

• Construction of a longitudinal database for up to ten officer cohorts.

• Application of advanced statistical methods and modeling.

• Conceptualization and provision of data-driven recommendations.

• The award period of performance is approximately 48 months (12 months Base, 12 months Option 1, 12 months Option 2, 12 months Option 3).

• The total budget will not exceed $1,350,000, with specific budget allocations for each period.

• The government intends to award a contract, but may use other instrument types (grant, cooperative agreement).

• White Paper Submission Deadline: September 13, 2023, 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.

• White Papers must be submitted electronically via email to the specified POCs.

• White Papers are limited to six (6) pages (including a cover page) plus an addendum for biographical sketches (up to 300 words per individual).

• Evaluation criteria for White Papers (and subsequent proposals) include: Scientific and Technical Merit, Potential Contribution, Qualifications/Capabilities, and Cost.

• Scientific and Technical Merit will be weighted most strongly.

• A request for a formal proposal may be initiated by ARI based on White Paper evaluation.

• Not specified in this document; however, the BAA generally provides for full and open competition.

• Contractual Questions: Ms. Wilveria Sanders, (919) 549-4328, wilveria.a.sanders.civ@army.mil

• Technical Questions: Dr. Julia Whitaker, (703) 383-4791, julia.h.whitaker.civ@army.mil

Sources Sought Notice / Request for White Papers

This notice is a Sources Sought for White Paper submissions related to Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF-23-S-0010, Topic II A.2.a.ii: Holistic Personnel Assessment, specifically focusing on "Influences on Enlisted Soldier Career Progression." The U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) is seeking to fund applied research and/or advanced technology development in this area. The goal is to examine individual, organizational, and other factors that support or constrain career continuance and progression for enlisted soldiers.

• The project is a 4-year effort to support ARI's longitudinal cohort research.

• Key tasks include collecting annual survey data, integrating it with Army administrative data, constructing a longitudinal database, performing advanced statistical analysis, and providing data-driven recommendations for talent management policies.

• The research will track the careers of FY17-27 enlisted accessions cohorts.

• The anticipated period of performance is approximately 48 months (12-month Base + three 12-month Options).

• The total budget will not exceed $1,350,000, with specific budget allocations for the Base period and each Option period.

• The Government intends to award a contract, but may also consider grants or cooperative agreements.

• White Paper Submission Deadline: 13 September 2023, 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.

• White Papers must be submitted electronically to the U.S. Army Contracting Command POC (wilveria.a.sanders.civ@army.mil) with a CC to the ARI Technical POC (julia.h.whitaker.civ@army.mil).

• White Papers must be limited to six (6) pages (including a cover page) plus an addendum for key personnel biographical sketches (up to 300 words per individual).

• Evaluation criteria for White Papers (and subsequent full proposals) include: Scientific and Technical Merit, Potential Contribution to ARI's mission, Qualifications/Capabilities of personnel and institutions, and Cost (realism, affordability, appropriateness).

• Scientific and technical merit will be weighted more strongly than other non-cost factors.

• ARI will provide written or telephonic feedback on White Papers and may request a full proposal.

• This is a full and open competition.

• This Sources Sought Notice is part of a sequence leading to a potential award.

• Interested applicants must submit a White Paper to be eligible to submit a formal proposal.

• Applicants are cautioned that only a Government Contracting or Grants Officer can obligate the Government.

• Contact information for contractual and technical questions is provided.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF-23-S-0010, focused on "Developing NCO Promotion Situational Judgment Test".

• Scope: The effort aims to develop a single assessment for all junior NCO ranks and MOS, though an approach that scales from an initial rank/MOS is acceptable.
• Assessment Focus: The assessment should measure a subset of leadership KSAOs identified as important in the referenced job analysis report, rather than all listed in the Army Talent Attribute Framework.
• "High Stakes" Definition: Refers to an assessment outcome important to the test taker, with the intended application being the promotion process.
• Technical Hosting: The Army Analytics Group (AAG) will support hosting and delivery. Bidders should consult with AAG regarding platform compatibility and file types (e.g., JSON, Python, .net), noting that files must be scannable for vulnerabilities.
• Innovation: Various ideas for a computer adaptive SJT are welcomed, including simulation-based or virtual environments, but may be limited by AAG's support capabilities. Adaptation can go beyond just increasing/decreasing item difficulty to efficiently assess leader attributes.
• Participant Access: ARI will assist in gaining access to NCO participants for data collection, critical incident gathering, item selection, and validation studies, aiming to minimize burden.
• Prototype Level: The deliverable is a significant development towards a computer-adaptive measure, not a deployment-ready prototype.
• Validation: Criterion-related validation of the computer-adaptive SJT is not a requirement within the scope of this project.

These clarifications refine the understanding of the project's scope, technical requirements, and deliverable expectations. Bidders should incorporate this information into their proposals, particularly regarding the assessment's focus, technical implementation, and the expected level of prototype development.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Sources Sought Notice (SSN) for a White Paper submission related to Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF-23-S-0010, Topic II A.2.b.ii: "Multifaceted Development Pathways for Organizational and Strategic Leaders - Self-Development Decision-Making in Army Officers." The U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) is seeking research to understand how Army officers value and engage in self-development opportunities, applying behavioral economic principles to improve the design and timing of these opportunities.

• The research should focus on understanding Army leaders' perception of self-development value in relation to time.

• Develop assessment tools to measure key decision-making processes related to self-development.

• Produce a handbook/job aid with guidance on leveraging behavioral economic principles for timing and design of self-development opportunities.

• Key products include empirical evidence of decision-making behaviors, science-based recommendations for interventions, and an assessment tool.

• The anticipated award is for a 24-month period of performance (12-month base, 12-month option).

• The total budget is not to exceed $500,000 ($250,000 for base, $250,000 for option).

• The Army Contracting Command may award a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement.

• Interested parties must submit a White Paper (max six pages, plus a cover page and addendum for bios).

• White Papers are due electronically by September 1, 2023, 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.

• Submission is via email to specified points of contact.

• White Papers will be evaluated based on Scientific and Technical Merit, Potential Contribution, Qualifications/Capabilities, and Cost.

• ARI may provide feedback and may request a full proposal based on the White Paper evaluation.

• Not specified in this document; the BAA W911NF-23-S-0010 is for competitive selection.

• This SSN is a call for White Papers to gauge interest and potential approaches before a formal proposal request.

• The research aims to enhance the Army's talent management and leader development efforts.

• Points of contact are provided for contractual and technical inquiries.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Sources Sought Notice (SSN) for a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF-23-S-0010, specifically referencing BAA Topic II A.2.b.ii: MULTIFACETED DEVELOPMENT PATHWAYS FOR ORGANIZATIONAL AND STRATEGIC LEADERS. The U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) is seeking white papers to identify potential sources for research and development (R&D) in applied research and/or advanced technology development related to enhancing metacognition across the leader development lifecycle. The goal is to identify challenges in officers' metacognitive development and design tools to support diagnosis and intervention.

• The research should integrate theoretical models of adult development with Army doctrinal perspectives on leader responsibility.

• Proposals should include plans for interviews with field-grade officers and subject-matter experts.

• A creative vision for a diagnostic and developmental tool for metacognition is required.

• Ideal white papers will demonstrate expertise in Human Development, Army stakeholder collaboration, and research experience in metacognition assessment/development.

• The anticipated award is a 36-month period of performance (12-month base, two 12-month options).

• The total budget is not to exceed $800,000.

• The Army Contracting Command reserves the right to use the most appropriate instrument type (contract, grant, or cooperative agreement).

• A White Paper is required first, limited to six pages (including a cover page) with an addendum for biographical sketches.

• White Papers must be submitted electronically by 31 August 2023, 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.

• Evaluation criteria for White Papers include Scientific and Technical Merit, Potential Contribution, Qualifications/Capabilities, and Cost.

• A request for a formal proposal will be based on the White Paper evaluation.

• Not specified in this document; ARI contracts with educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and private industry.

• This SSN is a preliminary step to gauge interest and identify potential sources before issuing a formal Request for Proposal (RFP).

• Interested applicants must submit a White Paper to be eligible for a formal proposal request.

• Classified, sensitive, or critical information should not be included in White Papers.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Sources Sought Notice (SSN) is issued by the U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) to identify potential sources for white paper submissions related to BAA Topic II A.2.b.i: COMPLEX COGNITIVE COMPETENCIES FOR ORGANIZATIONAL AND STRATEGIC LEADERS, specifically "Accelerating Innovative Thinking Proficiency in Army Officers." The goal is to select basic and applied research and development efforts that can enhance innovative thinking in Army officers to meet future operational challenges.

The research should focus on developing an accelerated competency development program for innovative thinking in Army officers. Key objectives include:

• Developing a framework for expert-level innovative thinking.

• Specifying performance characteristics of innovative thinking from novice to expert levels.

• Leveraging design features for a deliberate practice model to accelerate competency development.

• Producing a training exemplar for accelerating innovative thinking proficiency.

• The anticipated award is a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement.

• Period of Performance: 36 months (Base: 12 months, Option 1: 12 months, Option 2: 12 months).

• Total budget not to exceed $900,000 (Base: not to exceed $300,000; Option 1: not to exceed $300,000; Option 2: not to exceed $300,000).

• White Paper Submission: White papers are due by 31 August 2023, 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.

• Format: Electronic MS Word document or PDF file.

• Submission: Via email to the U.S. Army Contracting Command POC (wilveria.a.sanders.civ@army.mil) and CC to the ARI Technical POC (cary.r.stothart.civ@army.mil).

• White paper limit: Six (6) pages (including cover page) plus an addendum for biographical sketches.

• Evaluation Criteria for White Papers (and subsequent proposals):

  1. Scientific and Technical Merit
  2. Potential Contribution to ARI's mission
  3. Qualifications/Capabilities of key personnel and institutional resources
  4. Cost (realism, affordability, appropriateness)

• Scientific and technical merit will be weighted more strongly than other non-cost factors.

• ARI may request teleconferences for white paper evaluation but is not required to.

• A request for a full proposal does not guarantee an award.

• This is a call for white papers under a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), indicating full and open competition.

• White papers are required for eligibility to submit a formal proposal.

• Applicants should include a brief cost estimate in their white paper.

• Proprietary data must be clearly identified.

• White papers may be subject to release under the Freedom of Information Act.

• The Government reserves the right to use the instrument type most appropriate for the effort.

Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from the U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) solicits proposals for basic, applied, and advanced scientific research. The BAA is continuously open from May 1, 2023, to April 30, 2028. It aims to advance research in behavioral and social sciences relevant to Army readiness, personnel, organization, and Soldier/leader development.

• Basic Research: Focuses on fundamental knowledge without immediate application, aiming to develop innovative concepts for future Army capabilities. Key areas include:

  • Science of Measurement of Individuals & Collectives
  • Understanding Multilevel and Organizational Dynamics
  • Context of Behavior in Military Environments
  • Formal and Informal Learning and Development

• Applied Research and Advanced Technology Development: Seeks to systematically expand knowledge to develop strategies, techniques, methods, tests, or measures for specific Army needs. This includes:

  • Holistic Personnel Assessment and Statistical Innovations for Talent Management
  • Leader Competences for Complexity & Uncertainty
  • Team Assignment & Performance
  • Assessing and Developing Technological Fluency for the Future Force

Awards may be made in the form of procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, technology investment agreements (TIAs), or other transactions for prototypes (OTAs). The specific instrument will be determined by the ACC (APG) RTP Division.

• Process: A three-step sequence is recommended: initial contact with ARI TPOC, white paper submission (optional), and then proposal submission.

• White Papers: Encouraged but not required, to minimize applicant effort. Feedback will be provided.

• Proposals: Must stand on their own merit and include all specified information.

• Evaluation Criteria: Scientific and Technical Merit (most important), Potential Contribution, Qualifications/Capabilities, and Cost.

• Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, and for-profit organizations (domestic or foreign).

• Ineligible: Government Laboratories, FFRDCs, and U.S. Service Academies as prime contractors.

• Cost Sharing: Generally not required, but may apply for OT instruments.

This is a continuously open announcement valid from May 1, 2023, to April 30, 2028. New awards are normally obligated early within each fiscal year. Amendments will be posted to SAM.gov and Grants.gov.

Sources Sought Notice / Request for White Papers

This notice is a Sources Sought Notice requesting White Papers in reference to Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF-23-S-0010, Topic II A.2.b.i: COMPLEX COGNITIVE COMPETENCIES FOR ORGANIZATIONAL AND STRATEGIC LEADERS, specifically focusing on "Systems Thinking: State of the Science and Practice." The U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) is seeking to understand and integrate efforts related to developing Army officers' systems thinking skills. The ultimate goal is to produce an anthology summarizing the current state of science, theory, and practice, culminating in recommendations for the Army.

• The primary product will be an anthology on how Army officers' systems thinking skills are being developed, including a synthesis chapter.

• Offerors should identify relevant organizations (primarily Army, but also other military branches) for inclusion.

• Offerors must foster and maintain relationships with anthology contributors.

• ARI is open to alternative ideas that creatively achieve the objective.

• The award will be a 24-month period of performance (Base: 12 months, Option 1: 12 months).

• The total budget is not to exceed $400,000 ($200,000 for base, $200,000 for option).

• The Army Contracting Command may award a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement.

• White Paper Submission Deadline: August 28, 2023, 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.

• White Papers must be submitted electronically via email to the U.S. Army Contracting Command POC and CC the ARI POC.

• White Papers are limited to six (6) pages (including cover page) plus an addendum for biographical sketches.

• Evaluation Criteria for White Papers: Scientific and Technical Merit, Potential Contribution, Qualifications/Capabilities, and Cost.

• A request for a formal proposal will be based on the White Paper evaluation.

• The evaluation of the White Paper will be weighted more strongly on scientific/technical merit than cost.

• Not specified in this document; the BAA W911NF-23-S-0010 should be referenced for further details.

• Contractual Questions: Ms. Wilveria Sanders (wilveria.a.sanders.civ@army.mil)

• Technical Questions: Dr. Ava Loer (ava.j.loer.civ@army.mil)

• White Papers are considered procurement sensitive information before award.

• Classified, sensitive, or critical information should not be included.

• Offerors are cautioned that portions of White Papers may be subject to release under the Freedom of Information Act.

Sources Sought Notice / Request for White Papers

This notice is issued by the U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) to request white papers in reference to Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF-23-S-0010, Topic II A.2.b.i: COMPLEX COGNITIVE COMPETENCIES FOR ORGANIZATIONAL AND STRATEGIC LEADERS. The research aims to understand how developmental experiences of field-grade Army officers contribute to the development of strategic leadership skills. The goal is to enable the Army to design targeted training and development programs, identify gaps in strategic leadership development, and create a diagnostic assessment tool for Army officers.

• Develop a framework linking officers' developmental experiences to strategic thinking competency development.

• Design, pilot, and refine measurement tools for developmental experiences across Army officer career stages.

• Empirically test, validate, and transition the measurement tool to Army stakeholders.

• Develop guidance for incorporating the assessment into career planning and talent management.

• The anticipated award is a 36-month period of performance.

• Base period (12 months): not to exceed $325,000.

• Option 1 (12 months): not to exceed $300,000.

• Option 2 (12 months): not to exceed $275,000.

• Total budget not to exceed $900,000.

• The Army Contracting Command reserves the right to use contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements.

• White papers are limited to six (6) pages (including a cover page) plus an addendum for key personnel biographical sketches (up to 300 words per individual).

• White papers must be submitted electronically by 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time on 28 August 2023.

• Submission is via email to wilveria.a.sanders.civ@army.mil, with a CC to cary.r.stothart.civ@army.mil.

• Evaluation criteria include Scientific and Technical Merit, Potential Contribution, Qualifications/Capabilities, and Cost.

• White paper evaluation will inform decisions on requesting full proposals.

• Not specified in this document; however, the BAA generally provides for competitive selection of basic and applied research.

• This is a Sources Sought Notice to gauge interest and gather information; it does not constitute a solicitation for proposals.

• A white paper submission is required to be eligible for a formal proposal request.

• The sequence of steps includes white paper submission, feedback, potential proposal request, formal proposal submission, evaluation, and award.

• Contact for contractual questions: Ms. Wilveria Sanders.

• Contact for technical questions: Dr. Cary Stothart.

Sources Sought Notice / Request for White Papers

This notice is a request for white papers in response to Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF-23-S-0010, specifically for Topic II A.2.b.i: COMPLEX COGNITIVE COMPETENCIES FOR ORGANIZATIONAL AND STRATEGIC LEADERS, with the theme "Envisioning Futures With Probability and Risk." The U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) is seeking to fund basic and applied research and development not related to specific systems or hardware. Awards are subject to funding availability and priorities.

White papers should detail proposed research, including:

• Innovative aspects and potential to advance the state of science.

• Army relevance and potential impact.

• Estimated total cost for base and option periods.

• Technical approach, including scientific objectives, methodology, level of effort, and anticipated results.

• Any requested Government support (e.g., GFE, GFI, GFP, GFD).

• A brief cost estimate (research hours, burden, material, travel).

• Biographical sketches of key personnel (Principal Investigators and Co-Principal Investigators).

• The anticipated award instrument is a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement.

• Period of Performance: 36 months total (Base: 12 months, Option 1: 12 months, Option 2: 12 months).

• Total Budget: Not to exceed $800,000 (Base: not to exceed $200,000; Options 1 & 2: not to exceed $300,000 each).

• White papers are due electronically by 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time on 28 August 2023.

• Submission is via email to the U.S. Army Contracting Command POC and CC'd to the ARI POC.

• White papers must be no more than six (6) pages (including a one-page cover page), with an addendum for biographical sketches.

• Evaluation criteria for white papers include: Scientific and Technical Merit, Potential Contribution, Qualifications/Capabilities, and Cost.

• ARI will provide written or telephonic feedback on white papers and may encourage submission of a full proposal.

• Not specified in this document; implies full and open competition.

• This is a Sources Sought Notice to gauge interest and identify potential offerors for future research.

• ARI may choose not to select any award due to unavailability of funds or other factors.

• Applicants are cautioned that only a Government Contracting or Grants Officer can obligate the Government.

Sources Sought Notice / Request for White Papers

This Sources Sought Notice (SSN) is issued by the U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) in reference to Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF-23-S-0010, Topic II A.2.d: Assessing and Developing Technological Fluency for the Future Force, specifically concerning "Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems KSBs: Leader training and utilization." The purpose is to solicit White Papers to identify potential sources for research and development (R&D) in Applied Research and/or Advanced Technology Development related to how Army leaders effectively employ Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS).

• The primary deliverable sought is a White Paper describing proposed research to address the identification of Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviors (KSBs) needed by leaders and SUAS operators for effective SUAS operations in current and future operating environments.

• Research should include a methodology and approach for projecting future SUAS KSBs and how prototype training would be developed and validated.

• White Papers should outline a scientific and systematic approach to the research questions and how training is based on solid training theory.

• The potential award is for a 36-month period of performance.

• Base period (12 months) not to exceed $350,000.

• Two 12-month option years, each not to exceed $400,000.

• Total budget not to exceed $1,150,000.

• The Army Contracting Command (ACC) reserves the right to award a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement.

• White Papers are due by August 30, 2023, 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.

• White Papers must be submitted electronically via email to the ACC POC and CC'd to the ARI POC.

• The White Paper is limited to six (6) pages (including a cover page), with an addendum for key personnel biographical sketches (up to 300 words per individual).

• Evaluation criteria for White Papers include: Scientific and Technical Merit, Potential Contribution to ARI's mission, and Qualifications/Capabilities of proposed personnel and institutional resources. Cost will also be considered.

• A White Paper submission is required to be considered for a potential request for a full proposal.

• This notice is for full and open competition.

• Contractual Questions: Ms. Wilveria Sanders, U.S. Army Contracting Command (ACC) (APG) RTP Division.

• Technical Questions: Dr. Jonathan Kochert, ARI.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the "Developing NCO Promotion Situational Judgment Test" effort (BAA W911NF-23-S-0010).

• Assessment Scope: The effort aims to develop a single assessment for all junior NCO ranks and MOS. An approach that starts with one rank/MOS and scales is acceptable.
• Leadership Attributes: The assessment should focus on a subset of leadership KSAOs identified by importance in the referenced job analysis report, rather than all listed in the Army Talent Attribute Framework.
• "High Stakes" Definition: Refers to assessments with outcomes important to the test taker, specifically intended for use in the promotion process if research is successful.
• Hosting & Delivery: The Army Analytics Group (AAG) will support hosting and delivery. AAG programmers will attend the kickoff meeting and provide consultation. Files must be scannable for vulnerabilities, with acceptable formats including JSON, Python, and .net (versions may vary).
• Innovation: A variety of ideas for computer adaptive SJTs are welcome, including simulation-based or virtual environments, but may be limited by AAG's support capabilities. Text-based approaches with multimedia are also considered.
• Adaptation Methods: Adaptation is not limited to increasing/decreasing item difficulty; the goal is efficient assessment of Army leader attributes.
• Participant Access: ARI will assist in gaining access to NCO participants for data collection (critical incidents, item selection, validation studies), aiming to minimize burden by building on prior research and external consultants.

These clarifications provide further detail on the scope, technical requirements, and development approach for the Situational Judgment Test, potentially influencing how vendors structure their proposals.

Sources Sought Notice / Request for White Papers

This notice is a Sources Sought for White Papers in reference to Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF-23-S-0010, Topic II A.2.a.ii: Holistic Personnel Assessment, specifically concerning "Developing NCO Promotion Situational Judgment Test." The U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) is seeking to identify potential sources for research and development in this area. The goal is to develop validated measures for Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) to assess leadership potential and predict performance, conduct, and attitudes, ultimately aiming to improve leadership across the force.

• Develop and validate a static Situational Judgment Test (SJT) for junior NCO promotion.

• Develop a computer adaptive SJT prototype applicable across NCO ranks.

• Review Army resources on NCO attributes and leader development.

• The BAA allows for various instrument types (contract, grant, cooperative agreement), but the intention for this notice is to award a contract.

• Period of Performance: Approximately 48 months (12 months Base, 12 months Option 1, 12 months Option 2, 12 months Option 3).

• Total budget not to exceed $1,800,000, with specific limits per period.

• White Paper Submission Deadline: August 2, 2023, 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.

• White Papers must be submitted electronically via email to the U.S. Army Contracting Command POC and CC'd to the ARI Technical POC.

• White Papers are limited to six (6) pages (including a cover page), plus an addendum for biographical sketches.

• Evaluation Criteria for White Papers: Scientific and Technical Merit, Potential Contribution, Qualifications/Capabilities, and Cost.

• A request for a formal proposal may be made based on the White Paper evaluation.

• Not specified in this document.

• This notice is for informational purposes to gauge industry interest and identify potential sources. It does not constitute a solicitation for proposals.

• The Government may choose not to select any new award due to unavailability of funds or other factors.

• Applicants are cautioned that only a Government Contracting or Grants Officer can obligate the Government.

• Contact information for contractual and technical questions is provided.

Sources Sought Notice / Request for White Papers

This notice is a Sources Sought Notice (SSN) for White Paper submissions related to Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF-23-S-0010, specifically BAA Topic II A.2-.b.4: "Tactical Decision-Making Exercises to Assess and Develop Leader Critical Thinking Competencies." The U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) is seeking to understand how to develop a diagnostically focused tactical decision-making system to assess and develop junior leader critical thinking competencies for Multidomain Operations.

• The primary deliverable requested at this stage is a White Paper.

• The White Paper should detail the proposed research, its innovation, how it advances the state of science, Army relevance, potential impact, and estimated total cost.

• Research should be theory-driven and focus on building exercises to probe individuals' task-relevant problem representations to diagnose misconceptions and knowledge gaps.

• The research may involve building small-scale and large-scale tactical decision-making exercises.

• The research should leverage advances in AI to develop a system that allows leaders to explain their thought processes.

• The anticipated award is a contract, though other instruments like grants or cooperative agreements may be considered.

• The period of performance is approximately 36 months, with a 12-month base period (FY24 $350,000) and two 12-month option years ($350,000 and $250,000 respectively).

• The total budget is not to exceed $950,000.

• White Papers must be submitted electronically by email to the U.S. Army Contracting Command POC and the ARI Technical POC.

• The deadline for White Paper submission is 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time on 17 August 2023.

• White Papers are limited to six (6) pages (including a cover page), plus an addendum for key personnel biographical sketches (up to 300 words per individual).

• Evaluation criteria for White Papers include: Scientific and Technical Merit, Potential Contribution, Qualifications/Capabilities, and Cost.

• ARI may request a telecon with an applicant for technical matters.

• A White Paper submission is required to be eligible for a formal proposal request.

• Not specified in this document; the BAA W911NF-23-S-0010 is issued under provisions allowing for full and open competition.

• Contractual Questions: Ms. Wilveria Sanders, wilveria.a.sanders.civ@army.mil, (919) 549-4328

• Technical Questions: Dr. Jayne L. Allen, jayne.l.allen3.civ@army.mil, (706) 761-7611

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to questions raised by potential bidders regarding the C3 SSN opportunity, clarifying requirements and technical details.

• Validation Effort: The primary purpose is to update construct definitions and measurement methods, followed by construct validation.
• New Constructs: While the focus is on updating existing constructs, modifications to items and paradigms are open within defined parameters.
• Proposal Type: Proposals should be submitted as contracts, not grants or cooperative agreements.
• Deployment Platform: The application uses Node.js, Angular.io, and MongoDB. Assessments should be uploaded as .NET DLLs and must be compatible with Edge, Chrome, or Firefox, avoiding ActiveX, applets, or Flash.
• Assessment Demonstration: No direct demonstration will be provided; bidders should refer to the Adis et al. (2022) technical report.
• Personality Traits: Personality traits are not included as the Army already has separate assessments for selection and assignment. C^3 focuses on the potential to learn and succeed in cyber jobs.
• Social Cognitive Biases: The assessment focuses on cognitive skills for cyber work, not social cognitive biases.
• Security Clearance: Contractors will need to use an Army-provided computer and obtain a clearance for its use.
• Number of Awards: Only one contract will be awarded.
• Existing Instrument Access: The full existing assessment battery, including editable code and a setup guide, will be provided to the contract recipient.
• Team Responsibilities: Project teams must be able to edit the assessment and support its transition to the Army's platform; ARI will not provide technical support.
• Functionality Definition: "Improve functionality" refers to guidelines for the revised battery, including a length of 30-40 minutes and user-friendliness.
• Test Length Reduction: Constructs cannot be eliminated, but test length can be reduced by replacing existing measurement methods with new ones.
• IRB Approval: An IRB is in place through the Army for research using Army personnel.

These clarifications refine understanding of technical requirements, team capabilities, and the scope of work, particularly regarding the assessment's structure, measurement, and deployment. Bidders should incorporate this information into their proposals. The existing assessment battery and its code will be provided and are editable.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the C3 SSN (Cybersecurity Skills and Knowledge) opportunity, clarifying aspects of the assessment, proposal requirements, and contract details.

• Validation Effort: The primary purpose is to update construct definitions and measurement methods, followed by construct validation to support these changes, rather than being solely a validation effort.
• New Constructs: While the focus is on updating existing constructs identified by SMEs and cross-referenced with O*NET, modifications including adding or changing items are open within the defined parameters.
• Proposal Type: Proposals should be submitted as a contract, not a grant or cooperative agreement.
• Deployment Platform: The application uses Node.js, Angular.io, and MongoDB. Assessments must be uploaded to the research platform, preferably as a .NET DLL, and must function on Edge, Chrome, or Firefox without ActiveX controls, applets, or Flash.
• Assessment Demonstration: No direct demonstration will be provided; bidders should refer to the technical report (Adis et al., 2022) for an overview.
• Personality Traits: Personality traits were excluded as the Army already has separate personality assessments for selection and assignment. C^3 aims to measure the potential to learn and succeed in cyber jobs.
• Social Cognitive Biases: The assessment focuses on cognitive skills for cyber work (e.g., technical problem-solving) rather than social cognitive biases.
• Security Clearance: Contractors will need to use an Army-provided computer and obtain a clearance for its use to analyze data collected from Army personnel.
• Number of Awards: Only one contract will be awarded.
• Instrument Provision: The existing assessment battery, including its editable code and a setup/maintenance guide, will be provided to the contract recipient.
• Team Responsibilities: Project teams must be capable of editing the assessment and supporting its transition to the Army's hosting platform. ARI will not provide technical support.

These clarifications do not appear to alter key requirements or due dates but provide essential details for proposal preparation and understanding the scope of work.

Sources Sought Notice / Request for White Papers

This notice is a Sources Sought for White Papers related to Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF-23-S-0010, Topic II A.2.b.v: DEVELOPING NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS FOR THE FUTURE FORCE. The objective is to identify potential sources for research aimed at enhancing the interpersonal competencies of junior Noncommissioned Officers (NCOs) to build cohesive teams and develop effective leaders.

• The primary goal is to design, develop, and validate developmental tools and resources to support or accelerate the development of key interpersonal knowledge, skills, and behaviors (KSBs) for junior NCOs.

• Research objectives include:

  • Identifying pertinent NCO interpersonal KSBs and current developmental methods.
  • Identifying gaps between these KSBs and current Army developmental methods.
  • Designing and developing developmental tools and resources (e.g., training, job aids) to address critical gaps.
  • Refining and validating these tools and resources for junior NCO use.

• Efforts funded will include Applied Research and/or Advanced Technology Development.

• Potential award is a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement.

• Period of Performance: 36 months (Base: 12 months, Option 1: 12 months, Option 2: 12 months).

• Not to exceed $300k per period, with a total budget not to exceed $900k.

• White Paper Submission Deadline: July 16, 2023, 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.

• White Papers must be submitted electronically via email to the POCs listed in the document.

• White Papers are limited to six (6) pages (including cover page), with an addendum for biographical sketches (up to 300 words per individual).

• Evaluation criteria for White Papers include: Scientific and Technical Merit, Potential Contribution, Qualifications/Capabilities, and Cost.

• A request for a full proposal may be initiated based on the White Paper evaluation.

• Not specified as a set-aside. Full and open competition is anticipated.

• Contractual Questions: Ms. Wilveria Sanders, wilveria.a.sanders.civ@army.mil

• Technical Questions: Dr. James Deller, james.c.deller2.civ@army.mil

Sources Sought Notice / Request for White Papers

This notice is a Sources Sought for White Paper submissions related to Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF-23-S-0010, Topic II A.2.c.ii: TEAM STAFFING AND COMPOSITION, specifically focusing on "Computational Modeling for Team-Based Assignment." The U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) is seeking to develop computational approaches to optimize team composition for team effectiveness. This effort will involve Applied Research and/or Advanced Technology Development.

• Develop and validate computational approaches for team composition.

• Create a tool that can optimize team composition with respect to team effectiveness.

• The tool should be driven by extant team research literature and be explicitly multi-level.

• Potential modeling approaches include network-based, agent-based, neural networks, or genetic algorithms.

• The tool must be usable by researchers without advanced modeling knowledge, scalable, and transparent.

• Potential award is a 36-month period of performance (12-month base + two 12-month options).

• Budget not to exceed $910,000.00.

• The Army Contracting Command may award a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement.

• White Paper Submission Deadline: 30 June 2023, 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.

• White Papers must be submitted electronically via email to the specified POCs.

• White Papers are limited to six (6) pages (including cover page) plus an addendum for biographical sketches.

• Evaluation criteria for White Papers include Scientific and Technical Merit, Potential Contribution, Qualifications/Capabilities, and Cost.

• A successful White Paper may lead to a request for a formal proposal.

• Not specified in this document.

• Contractual Questions: Ms. Wilveria Sanders, wilveria.a.sanders.civ@army.mil

• Technical Questions: Dr. Jessica Darrow, jessica.b.darrow.civ@army.mil

Sources Sought Notice / Request for White Papers

This notice is a Sources Sought Notice calling for White Paper submissions related to Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF-23-S-0010, Topic II A.2-c.3: "Identifying, Operationalizing, and Developing Transportable Multiteam System Competencies for the Future Operational Environment." The U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) is seeking research and development (R&D) in Applied Research and/or Advanced Technology Development to address the challenges of the future operational environment (FOE), specifically focusing on multiteam systems and transportable competencies.

• Identify, describe, and conceptually articulate transportable multiteam system competencies for the FOE.

• Integrate these competencies with organizational training literature to provide recommendations for developing multiteam system competencies.

• Conduct an initial proof of concept for training Soldiers/units in multiteam systems, followed by a field test.

• The anticipated award is a contract with a 48-month period of performance (12-month base, three 12-month options).

• Total budget not to exceed $800,000.00.

• White Paper Submission Deadline: 15 July 2023, 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.

• White Papers must be submitted electronically via email to the U.S. Army Contracting Command POC and the ARI Technical POC.

• White Papers are limited to six (6) pages (including a cover page) plus an addendum for key personnel biographical sketches (up to 300 words per individual).

• Evaluation Criteria for White Papers (and subsequent proposals) include: Scientific and Technical Merit, Potential Contribution, Qualifications/Capabilities, and Cost.

• The Army may request a formal proposal based on the White Paper evaluation.

• Not specified as a set-aside. The BAA allows for competitive selection.

• Contractual Questions: Ms. Wilveria Sanders, wilveria.a.sanders.civ@army.mil

• Technical Questions: Dr. Nathanael Keiser, nathanael.l.keiser.civ@army.mil

Sources Sought Notice / Request for White Papers

This notice is issued by the U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) to solicit White Papers in reference to Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF-23-S-0010, Topic II A.2.c.iii: DEVELOPING TEAMS FOR THE FUTURE OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENT. The specific focus is on "Mitigating the Impacts of Personnel Turnover for Teams in the FOE." This is a request for information to determine potential sources for research and development (R&D) in Applied Research and/or Advanced Technology Development.

• The research aims to identify critical individual and collective Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviors (KSBs) needed for teams to maintain effectiveness despite personnel turnover in the Future Operational Environment (FOE).

• The research will also identify current Army training methods for these KSBs and provide recommendations for improvement, including developing proof-of-concept training methods.

• White Papers should detail the proposed research approach, Army relevance, potential impact, and an estimate of total cost.

• The anticipated award is for a contract with a period of performance of approximately 36 months (12-month base, two 12-month options).

• The total budget is not to exceed $750,000.00.

• The Army Contracting Command (ACC) RTP Division has the authority to award contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements.

• White Papers must be submitted electronically no later than 30 June 2023, 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.

• White Papers are limited to six (6) pages (including a cover page), with an addendum for biographical sketches (up to 300 words per individual).

• Evaluation criteria for White Papers include Scientific and Technical Merit, Potential Contribution, Qualifications/Capabilities, and Cost.

• A request for a full proposal may be initiated based on the White Paper evaluation.

• Not specified as a set-aside. The BAA allows for competitive selection.

• Contractual Questions: Ms. Wilveria Sanders, wilveria.a.sanders.civ@army.mil

• Technical Questions: Dr. Barton Crum, barton.c.crum.civ@army.mil

Sources Sought Notice / Request for White Papers

This notice is a Sources Sought Notice calling for White Paper submissions in reference to Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF-23-S-0010, Topic II A.2.a.ii: Holistic Personnel Assessment, specifically "Refinement of the Common Cyber Capabilities Assessment." The U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) is seeking to identify potential candidates for training in Cyber jobs by assessing underlying skills and abilities associated with success in these roles. The goal is to identify high-potential candidates with little or no formal IT education but high potential, and invest in their training. This process aims to improve selection accuracy, predict performance, and reduce attrition during training.

• White Papers are requested to describe proposed research for the base and option approaches, detailing innovation, scientific advancement, Army relevance, potential impact, and estimated cost.

• The White Paper should include a Technical Approach, Requests for Government Support, and Key Personnel Biographical Information.

• The White Paper must be limited to six (6) pages (including a cover page), with an addendum for biographical sketches (up to 300 words per individual).

• The effort is anticipated to be a 42-month period of performance (Base: 12 months, Option 1: 12 months, Option 2: 18 months).

• The total budget is not to exceed $1,700,000.

• The Army Contracting Command may award a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement.

• White Papers must be submitted electronically via email by 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time on 15 June 2023.

• Submission email address: wilveria.a.sanders.civ@army.mil (POC for U.S. Army Contracting Command), with CC to colin.l.omori.civ@army.mil (ARI Technical POC).

• Evaluation criteria for White Papers (and subsequent full proposals) include: Scientific and Technical Merit, Potential Contribution to ARI's mission, Qualifications/Capabilities of personnel and resources, and Cost.

• Scientific and Technical Merit will be weighted more strongly than other non-cost factors.

• ARI may provide written or telephonic feedback on White Papers and may request a full proposal.

• Not specified in this document; BAA W911NF-23-S-0010 allows for full and open competition.

• This is a Sources Sought Notice, not a solicitation for proposals. A White Paper submission is required to be eligible for a formal proposal request.

• The Common Cyber Capabilities (C^3) assessment is a computer-administered measure designed to assess skills and abilities relevant to Cyber jobs without relying on existing Cyber knowledge.

• Key personnel include Principal Investigators and Co-Principal Investigators.

• Proprietary data must be clearly identified. Classified, sensitive, or critical information should not be included.

• White Papers and subsequent proposals must be valid for 180 calendar days from the date of submission.

Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from the U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) solicits proposals for basic, applied, and advanced scientific research. The BAA is open continuously from May 1, 2023, to April 30, 2028. ARI's mission is to conduct research, development, and analysis for Army readiness and performance through advancements in behavioral and social sciences, focusing on personnel, organization, and Soldier/leader development.

1. Basic Research Areas:

• Science of Measurement of Individuals & Collectives
• Understanding Multilevel and Organizational Dynamics
• Context of Behavior in Military Environments
• Formal and Informal Learning and Development

2. Applied Research and Advanced Technology Development Areas:

• Holistic Personnel Assessment and Statistical Innovations for Talent Management
• Leader Competences for Complexity & Uncertainty
• Team Assignment & Performance
• Assessing and Developing Technological Fluency for the Future Force

Awards may be made in the form of procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, technology investment agreements (TIAs), or other transactions for prototypes (OTAs). The specific instrument will be chosen by the ACC (APG) RTP Division based on the proposed effort.

• Process: A three-step sequence is recommended: initial contact with ARI TPOC or Manager, white paper submission, and then proposal submission.

• White Papers: Encouraged but not required, to minimize labor and cost. Feedback will be provided.

• Proposals: Must stand on their own merit and include all specified information.

• Evaluation Criteria: Scientific and Technical Merit (most important), Potential Contribution, Qualifications/Capabilities, and Cost (realism, affordability, appropriateness).

• Deadlines: Continuously open from May 1, 2023, to April 30, 2028. New awards are typically obligated early in each fiscal year.

• Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, and for-profit organizations (domestic or foreign).

• Ineligible: Government Laboratories, FFRDCs, and U.S. Service Academies as prime contractors.

• Cost Sharing: Generally not required, but may apply to OT for research or prototype instruments.

• Amendments will be posted to SAM.gov and Grants.gov.

• Interested parties should periodically check these websites for updates.

• Contact information for ARI Managers is provided for each research area.