Notice2024-20919
Proposed Establishment of Federally Funded Research and Development Centers-Supplemental Notice
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 16, 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 a supplemental notice to address outstanding public comments received through August 15, 2024.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 179 (Monday, September 16, 2024)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 179 (Monday, September 16, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75627-75628]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-20919]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice: 12537]
Proposed Establishment of Federally Funded Research and
Development Centers--Supplemental Notice
ACTION: 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
a supplemental notice to address outstanding public comments received
through August 15, 2024.
DATES: Written comments are now closed. This will be the fourth (4th)
and final notice in this series.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of State leads US engagement
around the world building alliances and partnerships; facing up to
aggression; aiding and supporting emerging democracies; and preserving
US 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
[[Page 75628]]
and insights applied in near-term operational situations.
To meet this need, the Department seeks to establish and sponsor
one FFRDC under the authority of 48 CFR 35.017.
FFRDC Focus Areas
The FFRDC will be available to provide a wide range of support
including, but not limited to the activities listed below:
<bullet> Diplomatic Innovation and Modernization (DIM)
The purpose of the DIM is to strengthen global engagement and
humanitarian outcomes by pioneering research and development
initiatives that address emerging threats and foster international
cooperation.
<bullet> Global CyberTech Solutions (GCS)
The purpose of the GCS is to enhance global stability through
cutting edge research and development in IT, cyber defense, systems
engineering, and data analytics.
<bullet> Global Operations and Acquisitions (GOA)
The purpose of the GOA is to advance diplomatic effectiveness
through collaborative and cutting-edge acquisition methodologies and
tools, and data assessments of broad scale Departments needs,
international cooperation, and innovative operational practices.
The FFRDC 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).
Planned Request for Information/Sources Sought Notice
Based on public comments from the first three notices, the
Department has issued a Request for Information/Sources Sought notice
via <a href="http://SAM.gov">SAM.gov</a>. That notice along with all response instructions can be
found at the following link: <a href="https://SAM.gov/opp/1550c30441fc4879a3b6b5bbbca729f0/view">https://SAM.gov/opp/1550c30441fc4879a3b6b5bbbca729f0/view</a>.
Public Comments
During the comment period from May 17-August 15, 2024, the
Department submitted three notices for publication, which were
subsequently posted; however, due to the publishing delay for the third
notice, the Department is publishing this supplemental notice to
address comments received between August 9 and August 15, 2024.
The Department received seventeen (17) comments during this portion
of the public comment period. Three (3) comments were received via the
Federal Register public comment function without content or without
context for the information received. The remaining comments have been
addressed as described below:
Eleven (11) comments expressed interest in submitting responses,
capabilities, or eventually proposals for the FFRDCs. The Department
appreciates the interest from industry and looks forward to these
organizations' responses to the Sources Sought Notice.
Two (2) comments voiced concerns about the scope and clarity of the
focus areas. The Federal Register notices included a high-level list of
focus areas. The detailed list of functional areas is fully presented
in the Draft Scope of Services document attached to the Sources Sought
Notice. This should provide insight into the full scope of the FFRDC
program. The Department is conducting market research internally and
externally to continue to solidify the final scope of the FFRDC to
ensure the most effective FFRDC support.
Six (6) of the commenters provided feedback on the focus areas
listed in the previous notices. The Department appreciates this
thoughtful input, and the draft Scope of Services document attached to
the Sources Sought Notice reflects the Department's consideration of
these suggestions. The Department will continue to analyze this
feedback with other market research information to ensure the most
precise and accurate FFRDC scope definition prior to formal
solicitation.
The Department also received six (6) responses that provided input
on the FFRDC structure in areas such as procurement considerations,
number of centers, sponsoring bureaus, and governance processes. The
Department will continue to evaluate this feedback to determine
internally the ideal processes to govern the FFRDC.
Michael W. Derrios,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition & Senior Procurement
Executive, U.S. Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2024-20919 Filed 9-13-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-24-P
</pre></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on September 16, 2024.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.