USSTRATCOM Analytic Agenda Research

**Updated 31 May 22- Ref new question Section 3 c (5) **Updated 18 May 22- Ref Section B 3 c (1) **Updated 12 May 22 - Ref Section C pargraph 1 b and paragraph 2 **Updated 9 May 22-Ref Section B 3 a and Section C 1 b SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR UNITED STATES STRATEGIC COMMAND (USSTRATCOM) ANALYTIC AGENDA RESEARCH A. INTRODUCTION 1. This is a Sources Sought synopsis. This is for planning purposes and there is no solicitation available at this time. This is an initial step in the planning process for the acquisition of a USSTRATCOM research effort focused on research in strategic concepts of deterrence, stability, competition, information operations, strategic communications, nuclear command and control, declaratory policy, missile defense, and nuclear force posture. 2. The 55th Contracting Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, seeks research organizations to perform research and development in the areas outlined in Section D. B. RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS 1. Objective: The responses to this Sources Sought shall demonstrate expertise in Department of Defense (DoD) essential research and/or development capabilities outlined in Section D. 2. Tasks: Institutions may be tasked with providing support in research and development in support of USSTRATCOM’s Analytic Agenda. 3. The following are the Analytic Agenda research categories and questions: a. Understanding and anticipating change in the environment and impacts to deterrence strategies: (1) What are useful new models for understanding the relationships among multiple nuclear-armed actors? (2) What are strategies for deterring two nuclear-armed peer/near-peer competitors simultaneously? (3) What impact does two nuclear-armed peer/near-peer competitors have on extended deterrence and assurance? *** Added - (4) How can deterrence be restored? Is a nation's first response its best opportunity to do so? b. Understanding the changing deterrence mission and how to accelerate adaptation: (1) What are ways to operationalize integrated deterrence across the whole of government? (2) How can we shape deterrence of non-nuclear attacks that employ multi-domain and simultaneous effects rising to the strategic level? (3) How might the methods by which we deter nuclear use need to be adapted after nuclear use by an adversary? (4) How do non-state entities taking actions in a crisis or conflict impact escalation and deterrence? (5) What is the risk (probability and consequence) that strategic deterrence will fail given a set of relevant independent variables? c. Understanding the requirements of strategic competition and improving the competitive posture of the US and its allies : **Updated- (1) Is strategic stability possible in a tripolar long term competition? (2) How does strategic competition, crises, and/or conflict impact extended deterrence? Conversely, how can extending deterrence impact great power competition? (3) How has the use of economic warfare and sharp power impacted great power competition? (4) How might the U.S. enhance its resilience to counter nuclear coercion? What policies, postures, and/or capabilities could prevent us from being deterred? **Added- (5) What integrated deterrence lessons learned can be drawn from the Ukraine crisis? d. In addition, the response shall include the following : (1) Have a comprehensive conflict of interest policy compliant with DoD policy and will be need to comply with any future contract’s conflict of interest requirements. (2) Indicate whether the interested party is a small business in relation to this potential effort. (3) Indicate whether they have an approved accounting system, which would be required if the Government chose to pursue a cost type contract. (4) Provide information on current contracts or sources from which this type of effort could be procured without establishing a new stand-alone contract. Examples could include current contracts from which a decentralized order could be placed for this type of effort. Period of Performance: It is anticipated that the agreement period will be from 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023. Security: Ability to perform classified research and process classified material is optional and not required. C. INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS 1. All interested parties capable of providing these services are invited to respond. Any information provided to the Government as a result of this sources sought synopsis is voluntary and the government will not pay for any information submitted. Respondents are requested to submit capability packages electronically, as described below. a. Capability packages shall be one electronic copy. Capability package files should be in MS Office format (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or Adobe pdf format, and should not exceed 5MB in one email. All packages should only contain UNCLASSIFIED material. Please contact POC if you wish to submit a classified annex. **Updated -- b. Capability packages should not exceed 20 pages, each single side counting one page, 8.5 x 11 inch, with one-inch margins, and font no smaller than 11-point Times News Roman. Capability packages must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. (Central) on 20 June 2022. c. Respondents must include the following information within their statement of capability package: Organization Information: Your company’s name, address, a point of contact with email address and telephone. ** Updated -- 2 . Responses and questions for this notice should be submitted electronically via email addressed to the Contracting Officer, Ms. Paula Owen, [email protected]. Questions regarding Section B or Section D can be forwarded to the above individual NLT COB 1 June 2022 . Please provide the questions in a Microsoft Word document. All questions will be combined (with company name redacted) and answered by USSTRATCOM. The combined document will be posted to this Sources Sought announcement NLT COB 10 June 2022 D. CAPABILITY PACKAGE AND EVALUATION: 1. The Government will identify capable sources by evaluating the capability packages using the following evaluation criteria. Potential submissions should be specific in referring to capabilities in the areas listed below. a. The ability to conduct research in number one below plus any of two through five of the following areas is considered mandatory in meeting the requirements of the essential research and/or development capabilities. b. The submission must provide supporting rationale for any stated research abilities, such as past experience, qualifications or any other information that could support the stated abilities. (1) International Relations , including deterrence, great power competition, strategic stability, information warfare, nuclear/conventional command and control, declaratory policy, escalation dynamics, assurance, extended deterrence, and force posture. (2) Psychology , including decision making, rational choice theory, perception and misperception, cognition, biases and heuristics, competing narratives, and influence strategies. (3) Communications , including cultural studies, linguistic analysis, strategic communications, digital media, mass communication, technology and society, and political economy of media systems (4) Economics , including energy, finance, trade, sanctions, economic entanglement, resource competition, cryptocurrencies, and fintech. (5) Information technology , including block chain, machine learning, quantum computing and sensing, autonomous systems, deep fakes, and other disruptive technologies. E. GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY: This Sources Sought Notice is not a solicitation and should not be construed as a commitment by the Government for any purpose, nor does it restrict the Government to an ultimate acquisition or source. Any information submitted by respondents to this sources sought is strictly voluntary and any response submitted will be evaluated without prejudice. Questions on this sources sought shall be submitted via email to only the contracting officer.