CHEERS Open Period 2 - All Technical Areas

The CHEERS Open Period 2 – All Technical Areas solicitation (FA238424S2335) is administered by the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Human Effectiveness Directorate (AFRL/RH) in collaboration with the United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM). The program is governed under the Continuing Human Enabling, Enhancing, Restoring, and Sustaining (CHEERS) Multiple Authority Announcement (MAA), which outlines a broad set of objectives to support experimental and test-purpose acquisitions authorized under 10 U.S.C. 4023. This legal authority enables the Department of Defense and military departments to procure supplies and services necessary to improve national defense through research, development, and testing. This funding opportunity is designed to solicit white papers, and later potentially full proposals, across all technical areas described in Attachments 2 and 3 of the CHEERS MAA. The solicitation targets scientific and technical advancements in areas such as ordnance, signal systems, transportation, energy, medical technologies, spaceflight, telecommunications, and aeronautics. Projects must align with the development of experimental or test supplies deemed critical to national defense. Funding will be distributed through a two-step process. Initially, only white papers will be accepted, with a due date of September 30, 2027. White papers must be submitted to AFRL.711HPW.MAA@us.af.mil and will be reviewed over a notional 180-day period. Those selected for further consideration will receive Requests for Proposals (RFPs) with instructions for full technical and cost proposal submissions. White papers must offer unique approaches, and multiple submissions per offeror are permitted. Proposals submitted without a preceding white paper will not be considered for funding. Although the estimated total program funding is not fixed, the aggregate value of all awards under this solicitation will not exceed $499.87 million. The Air Force anticipates making multiple awards depending on the quality of submissions and available funding but reserves the right to make zero, one, or more awards. Various contract mechanisms may be employed, including contracts, IDIQs, and procurement instruments under 10 U.S.C. 4021, 4022, or 4023. No cost-sharing or matching is required, and both U.S. and foreign entities may participate, subject to MAA-specific conditions. All eligible applicants are welcome to apply, as the solicitation is classified as “Unrestricted.” However, participation is subject to additional details outlined in the CHEERS MAA. All technical and contracting questions should be directed to AFRL.711HPW.MAA@us.af.mil. Named contacts include Program Managers Kelly Kaleda, Stacey Martens, Nathan Baldwin, and Linda Armstrong, as well as Contracting Officers Amber Taylor and Ashlee Green. Contact details for each representative are provided in the solicitation for direct communication. White paper submissions are currently being accepted as of the posted date of August 7, 2025, and will remain open until the closing date of September 30, 2027. While this is not a rolling opportunity, the solicitation format indicates recurring engagement, implying future rounds may follow. However, the next cycle has not yet been announced. All award-related timelines, deliverables, and requirements will depend on the specifics of each awarded proposal and will be addressed in respective agreements.