Advanced Cyber Effects for Strategic Operations

The U.S. Department of Defense, through the Department of the Air Force’s Air Force Materiel Command and its Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Information Directorate located in Rome, New York, has issued an Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) titled Advanced Cyber Effects for Strategic Operations (ACESO). This announcement invites proposals for innovative research that can advance the development of cyber operations prototypes with the explicit aim of transitioning those solutions into operational Department of Defense platforms. The initiative underscores the Air Force’s priority of achieving and maintaining superiority in the cyber domain, which has become a critical theater of modern military operations. The ACESO program is structured as a two-step process. Interested applicants must first submit white papers, which serve as preliminary concept documents. Only those offerors whose white papers are reviewed favorably will be invited to submit formal proposals. This process is designed to streamline engagement with the government and ensure that detailed proposals are only developed for efforts of genuine interest to AFRL. White papers will be accepted at any time prior to the final closing date of July 10, 2030, though the government has provided recommended submission dates aligned with its fiscal year funding cycles. These suggested dates are intended to increase alignment between offeror submissions and projected resource allocations. The total estimated funding for the ACESO ARA is approximately $950 million. Individual awards will typically range from $10 million to $50 million in value, although the government reserves the flexibility to issue awards as high as $99.98 million. Each award is expected to span up to 60 months in duration. A variety of contract instruments may be used, including traditional procurement contracts under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Other Transaction Authority agreements under Title 10 of the U.S. Code. Prototype projects awarded under this ARA may also be eligible for follow-on production contracts if successfully completed, which provides a pathway for operational transition. Multiple awards are anticipated, though the Air Force retains the discretion to issue zero, one, or several depending on proposal quality, offeror capability, and budget availability. Proposals will be evaluated for technical merit, feasibility, and potential impact on advancing operational cyber capabilities. Offerors are cautioned that failing to follow proposal format and submission instructions may negatively affect evaluations. The government encourages dialogue between potential offerors and its representatives to clarify technical and contractual questions. However, only contracting officers may commit the government to funding agreements. Eligibility for this program is broad and includes universities, nonprofit research organizations, for-profit businesses, tribal entities, and state or local government entities capable of conducting research in relevant fields. This inclusivity is designed to maximize innovation by leveraging expertise from academia, industry, and government. There is no explicit cost-sharing or matching requirement indicated in the announcement, and the government has signaled that it will make awards based on technical merit and funding availability. For technical inquiries and submission of white papers, applicants should contact the designated program manager, Tanya Macrina, AFRL/RIGA, via phone at (315) 330-2282 or email at afrl.ri.aceso@us.af.mil. Contractual or business-related questions should be directed to contracting officer Amber Buckley at (315) 330-3605 or via email at amber.buckley@us.af.mil. Attachments and updates are posted to the official SAM.gov opportunity listing. Offerors are encouraged to monitor the site for amendments, including updates to contact details. The announcement remains open until July 10, 2030, with suggested submission dates aligned to fiscal year cycles: December 30, 2025; September 30, 2026; September 30, 2027; September 30, 2028; and September 30, 2029. Given its recurring cycle and multi-year availability, offerors may strategically plan submissions over several years. This ensures ongoing opportunities for participation and positions the ACESO program as a cornerstone investment in the Air Force’s long-term cyber capabilities strategy.

Ensure compliance with instructions; proposals may be downgraded if format/content not followed