Continuing Human Enabling Enhancing Restoring and Sustaining

The Continuing Human Enabling, Enhancing, Restoring, and Sustaining (CHEERS) Multiple Authority Announcement (MAA), issued by the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Human Effectiveness Directorate (AFRL/RH) and the United States Air Force School of Medicine (USAFSAM), outlines a flexible and adaptive funding framework to support a broad range of science and technology initiatives. Updated annually, the CHEERS MAA integrates multiple solicitation authorities into a single, overarching announcement to streamline access to research, development, and prototyping funds that align with evolving Air Force objectives. This MAA supports initiatives spanning from basic research through technology maturation and potential operational transition. It enables project solicitations under authorities such as Broad Agency Announcements (BAA), Other Transactions for Research and Prototypes, Procurement for Experimental Purposes, and traditional federal grants and cooperative agreements. Solicitations issued under this umbrella may be single- or multi-step and will be released as individual open periods or calls, each specifying their own objectives, submission instructions, and evaluation timelines. Currently, three active solicitations fall under the CHEERS MAA: a BAA, an ARA (Procurement for Experimental Purposes), and a CSO (Commercial Solutions Opening)—though the CSO is not eligible for grants. The CHEERS MAA is notable for its inclusive eligibility criteria. While unrestricted in nature, certain clarifications apply for Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and foreign-owned entities. FFRDCs must receive clearance from their sponsoring agency affirming the alignment of proposed efforts with their mission scope and must not be placed in direct competition with private domestic firms. Foreign entities are advised to consult with the Contracting Officer due to potential restrictions on participation. Key aspects of award administration, submission, and compliance vary by individual solicitation. These include proposal formatting, data rights expectations, required deliverables, and potential for within-scope contract modifications. The overarching framework also accounts for security requirements such as Operations Security (OPSEC), export control regulations (e.g., ITAR, EAR), and the possibility of access to government-furnished property and base support. Support contractors may assist with proposal processing and contract oversight under strict nondisclosure agreements. Though specific funding amounts and deadlines are defined by each solicitation, this annual MAA structure allows ongoing updates and new solicitations over time. Offerors are encouraged to monitor the CHEERS MAA for the latest opportunities. The overarching MAA does not currently solicit proposals directly but serves as the governance document under which future solicitations are announced. For general inquiries, interested parties may contact the CHEERS organizational email at [email protected].