CHEERS MAA Open Period 2 - All Technical Areas, 10 U.S.C. 4023 - Procurement for Experimental Purposes (ARA)

Solicitation FA238424S2335, titled Open Period 2 - All Technical Areas, is issued by the Air Force Research Laboratory Human Effectiveness Directorate and the United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine. Operating under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 4023 for experimental purposes, the program aims to fund research for the Continuing Human Enabling, Enhancing, Restoring and Sustaining (CHEERS) initiative. The total value for multiple awards under this solicitation may not exceed 499.87 million dollars. The procurement follows a two-step process where offerors must first submit white papers by September 30, 2027, to be considered eligible for a subsequent request for full technical and cost proposals. The scope of work is defined by the Statements of Objectives in the CHEERS Multiple Authority Announcement, focusing on the procurement of experimental supplies and designs for national defense development. Key administrative requirements include the use of the WAWF system for electronic invoicing and strict adherence to MIL-STD-130 and MIL-STD-129 for item identification and shipment labeling. Compliance obligations include safeguarding covered defense information per DFARS 252.204-7012 and adhering to the Buy American and Balance of Payments Program. A 10 percent price evaluation preference is granted to HUBZone small business concerns.