[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 97 (Friday, May 17, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43499-43501]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[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 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jessalyn Lord, [email protected] 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:
     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;
     New cross-sector partnerships and coalitions;
     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);
     New capabilities to plan, manage and execute initiatives 
and programs;
     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
     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 sam.gov 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