[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 179 (Monday, September 16, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75627-75628]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-20919]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 12537]


Proposed Establishment of Federally Funded Research and 
Development Centers--Supplemental Notice

ACTION: Notice.

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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:
     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

[[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:

 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.

 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.

 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 SAM.gov. That notice along with all response instructions can be 
found at the following link: https://SAM.gov/opp/1550c30441fc4879a3b6b5bbbca729f0/view.

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]
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