CyberNext: Advance Cybersecurity and AI Readiness
Contract Overview
Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.
AI Contract Overview
The CyberNext: Advanced Cybersecurity and AI Readiness program is a U.S. Department of State initiative led by the U.S. Mission to Albania aimed at strengthening Albania’s cybersecurity and artificial intelligence capacities through direct engagement with American expertise, technology, and standards. Designed to build on previous American Corners programming, the initiative targets young Albanian professionals and emerging talent to close critical skill gaps, enhance digital resilience, and foster long-term partnerships aligned with U.S. strategic interests in regional stability and digital openness. Activities must demonstrably integrate U.S. best practices in AI and cybersecurity, with a clear focus on measurable behavioral and knowledge-based outcomes that advance American leadership and protect critical digital infrastructure. The program runs from October 2026 through October 2027, with all projects required to be completed within a 12-month period, and performance will be centered at American Corners in Tirana, Vlora, and Kukes. The solicitation requires applicants to submit a comprehensive proposal including an SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, a six-page narrative, a three-page project overview, a ten-page optional Statement of Interest, organizational information, key personnel resumes (one page each), letters of support from partners, and proof of non-profit status or NICRA documentation where applicable. All submissions must be in English, use U.S. dollars, and be filed via email to tiranapdresources@state.gov by July 5, 2026, with mandatory registration in SAM.gov and a valid UEI. The estimated contract value is $140,372.93, covering direct and indirect costs for training, equipment, travel, and sub-awards. Evaluation prioritizes Monitoring and Evaluation (10 points) and Sustainability (5 points), with award decided on a trade-off basis balancing technical merit and cost-effectiveness. Compliance with 2 CFR 200, 2 CFR 175, 2 CFR 182, and other federal regulations is mandatory, and high-risk applicants may face enhanced oversight including monthly reporting and withholding of 10% of funds. No construction, direct social services, or funding to UNRWA is permitted, and pre-award costs are non-reimbursable. Proposals must clearly articulate linkage to U.S. innovation while ensuring proprietary materials are labeled “Confidential – Proprietary.”
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Full Description
Albania has experienced multiple cyberattacks in recent years, placing increasingly digital government services and critical institutions at significant risk. While Albania is actively embracing AI, substantial skill gaps remain – gaps that American expertise is uniquely positioned to address. The “CyberNext: Advanced Cybersecurity and AI Readiness” program strengthens Albania’s cybersecurity and AI capabilities by leveraging U.S. technology, standards, and expertise. The program moves beyond basic awareness to build practical skills, improve resilience against digital threats, and deepen understanding of U.S. leadership in technological innovation.
This initiative builds on previous American Corners programming in cybersecurity and AI that established a cohort of young people with baseline knowledge and awareness. It complements ongoing U.S. Embassy efforts to strengthen Albania's cyber resilience and digital infrastructure in alignment with American technology standards. The program creates a foundation for sustained engagement with Albanian youth and professionals who will shape the country’s digital future.
The program advances key U.S. policy objectives by promoting American leadership in AI and cybersecurity, thereby defending digital openness and protecting space for open and authentic communication in the digital sphere. It equips Albanian professionals with skills and knowledge essential to shared security responsibilities, strengthening their capacity to contribute to regional stability, protects American interests abroad, consistent with the America First foreign policy that prioritizes building capable Allies and defending critical infrastructure against shared threats.
All activities must demonstrate strong linkages to U.S. expertise, technology, and best practices in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Proposals should clearly articulate how these connections advance program objectives while serving U.S. interests in regional security and digital infrastructure development. The program must reaffirm its core purpose: equip Albanian audiences with cybersecurity and AI capabilities through results-focused engagement that produces measurable changes in the attitudes and behaviors of young cybersecurity professionals.
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