Notice2024-10842
Proposed Establishment of Federally Funded Research and Development Centers-First Notice
Primary source
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Published
May 17, 2024
Issuing agencies
State Department
Abstract
The United States Department of State (DoS), Bureau of Administration, intends to sponsor Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC) to facilitate public-private collaboration for numerous activities related to diplomacy and modernization. This is the first of three notices which must be published over a 90-day period in order to advise the public of the agency's intention to sponsor an FFRDC.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 97 (Friday, May 17, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 97 (Friday, May 17, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43499-43501]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-10842]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice: 12409]
Proposed Establishment of Federally Funded Research and
Development Centers--First Notice
SUMMARY: The United States Department of State (DoS), Bureau of
Administration, intends to sponsor Federally Funded Research and
Development Centers (FFRDC) to facilitate public-private collaboration
for numerous activities related to diplomacy and modernization. This is
the first of three notices which must be published over a 90-day period
in order to advise the public of the agency's intention to sponsor an
FFRDC.
DATES: Written comments must be received by 5 p.m. eastern time on
August 15, 2024.
[[Page 43500]]
ADDRESSES: Please send any comments by email to Jessalyn Lord at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c589aab7a18f8885b6b1a4b1a0eba2aab3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c884a7baac828588bbbca9bcade6afa7be">[email protected]</span></a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jessalyn Lord, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#15597a67715f585566617461703b727a63"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3c70534e5876717c4f485d4859125b534a">[email protected]</span></a> at
771-204-1366.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of State leads U.S.
engagement around the world building alliances and partnerships; facing
up to aggression; aiding and supporting emerging democracies; and
preserving U.S. interests abroad. In a rapidly changing world with
shifting politics, accelerated economic developments, global challenges
such as climate change, and the increasing role digitization plays for
both opportunity and threats, the Department is committed to leading
through both policy and operational engagement on behalf of the Nation
and our Government.
In a letter introducing the Department of State and U.S. Agency for
International Development Joint Strategic Plan for 2022-2026, Secretary
Blinken stated, ``we are working to modernize and equip the Department
and USAID to lead on 21st-Century challenges and deliver for the
American people.''
Achieving U.S. goals for global leadership over the next decade
will require the following:
<bullet> A diplomatic corps to use data in new ways to develop more
foresight and insight, to inform policy options, to take actions and
measure their effectiveness;
<bullet> New cross-sector partnerships and coalitions;
<bullet> Intergovernmental partnerships with the Department of
Defense, the intelligence agencies, the Departments of Commerce,
Treasury, Homeland Security, and Health and Human Services, and cross-
government Councils (e.g., National Economic Council, National Security
Council);
<bullet> New capabilities to plan, manage and execute initiatives
and programs;
<bullet> A workforce that uses digital technology as tools to
advance democracy and protect our interests and counter the use of
these same technologies as a threat; and
<bullet> An organization and operation that is agile and adaptive
to a changing environment; attractive to new talent; and fosters long-
term commitment between the organization and its people.
The Department requires long-term partnerships with organizations
that can bring research, development, innovation, and support needed to
guide the leadership and employees through this transformative period
in our history. This will allow the Department to focus on the mission
at hand, while adopting and integrating changes necessary to make
consistent progress on these goals and surge, when needed, to address
urgent issues that require data, partnerships, technology and insights
applied in near-term operational situations.
To meet this need, the Department seeks to establish and sponsor
three (3) FFRDCs. The FFRDCs will be established under the authority of
48 CFR 35.017.
The FFRDCs will be available to provide a wide range of support
including, but not limited to the activities listed below. The FFRDCs
will be separated into 3 areas:
Operational Support
[cir] Acquisition Planning and Development
[ssquf] Developing comprehensive acquisition policies and
implementation guidance that promote innovation by integrating new
technologies, methodologies, and best practices to enhance efficiency
and outcomes.
[ssquf] Developing and implementing integrated frameworks that
synchronize the acquisition priorities and budgeting lifecycle using
advanced data driven methodologies to ensure that acquisition
strategies and resource allocation align with strategic objectives.
[ssquf] Executing detailed assessments to analyze and document
acquisition requirements, facilitating joint requirements through
collaborative tools, and developing detailed requirements through
alternative solution analysis, trade-off studies and formal validation
processes.
[ssquf] Providing technical expertise and reviewing critical
acquisition documents.
[ssquf] Advising on the cost, schedule, and performance aspects of
the acquisition program.
[cir] Operational Analysis and Organizational Innovation
[ssquf] Designing, developing, and executing comprehensive
assessments to map existing operational capabilities, identify gaps,
and develop actionable plans to bridge the gap between current and
desired capabilities, including recommendations for resource
allocation, training, and technological upgrades.
[ssquf] Designing, developing and establishing innovative
organizational structures and business models that can better support
strategic and operational goals using best practices from both public
and private sectors to drive innovation.
[ssquf] Providing expert guidance on implementing strategic plans
and Key Performance Indicator systems, including scenario planning and
the use of contingency strategies to handle potential future
challenges.
[ssquf] Designing, evaluating, and refining human resources
management frameworks to align with Federal regulations, improve
organizational culture, and integrate best practices in workforce
analytics.
Emerging Threats, Concept Exploration, Experimentation and Evaluation
[cir] Developing concepts, models, simulations (for purposes of
conceptual experimentation and evaluation, not for operational
training), tools and metrics to evaluate system tradeoffs, integration
strategies, and support critical decision making.
[cir] Applying statistical analysis and evaluation techniques.
[cir] Developing prototypes and proof-of-concept demonstrations.
[cir] Designing, developing and establishing unique test-beds,
laboratories, and other experimentation environments.
[cir] Evaluating of alternative technologies and capabilities.
Information Technology (IT) and Cyber Operations
[cir] IT and Communications
[ssquf] Developing and evaluating--
(i) Data processing methodologies including data transmission,
storage, retrieval and manipulation
(ii) Computational algorithms, search engine technologies,
semantical relationships and non-structured data analytics
(iii) Networking, telecommunications and communications technology
(iv) Computer technologies, cloud services and enterprise
applications resource planning
[ssquf] Cyber Operations, Assessment, and Solutions
[ssquf] Leveraging big data analytics and using machine learning to
develop comprehensive threat intelligence capabilities that aggregate
and analyze threat data from multiple sources to enable the
identification of emerging threats and vulnerabilities, facilitating
timely and informed decision-making.
[ssquf] Developing of continuous monitoring systems that provide
real-time visibility into networks and devices and utilize advanced
forensic tools to conduct in-depth investigations into incidents.
[ssquf] Development of data security and risk assessment protocols
to safeguard Federal data within Federal systems and in external
environments where Federal data is process or stored.
[cir] Systems Engineering, System Architecture and Integration
[[Page 43501]]
[ssquf] Developing and reviewing systems design optimization and
trade-space considerations.
[ssquf] Designing and developing of integrating architectures and
frameworks for existing and emerging systems and applications.
[ssquf] Applying enterprise systems engineering principles to
overall systems integration and aggregation considerations.
The FFRDCs will partner with the Department of State in the design
and pursuit of mission goals; provide rapid responsiveness to changing
requirements for personnel in all aspects of strategic, technical and
program management; recognize Government objectives as its own
objectives, partner in pursuit of excellence in public service; and
allow for use of the FFRDC by non-sponsors.
The Department is publishing this notice in accordance with 48 CFR
5.205(b) of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) to enable
interested members of the public to provide comments on this proposed
action. This is the first of three notices issued under the authority
of 48 CFR 5.205(b).
In particular, we are interested in feedback regarding the proposed
scope of the work to be performed by the FFRDCs, and the presence of
any existing private- or public-sector capabilities in these areas that
the Department should be considering.
It is anticipated that the corresponding Request(s) for Proposal
(RFP) will be posted on <a href="http://sam.gov">sam.gov</a> in the Summer of 2024.
Alternatively, a copy of the RFP can be obtained by contacting the
person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section above once
the RFP is posted.
Michael W. Derrios,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition, & Senior Procurement
Executive, U.S. Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2024-10842 Filed 5-16-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-24-P
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