All Eyes on Appropriations as Congress Barrels Toward September 30 Deadline
Congress has a busy fall legislative schedule with major deadlines and decisions looming as September 30th nears.  With the end of the fiscal year (FY), also comes the expiration of a variety of major legislative packages authorizing and funding critical federal programs.  Despite a tumultuous September forecast, Congress is expected to pass a short-term Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the Department of Defense and other federal agencies and programs at FY 2023 funding levels through December.  While the House and Senate Appropriations Committees advanced most of their 12 annual appropriations bills, including the FY 2024 defense appropriations bill, Congress has not fully passed any spending bill to-date and is not likely to before the end of the fiscal year on September 30.  The biggest uncertainty is whether Congress can pass a CR and avoid a government shutdown.  The impact on federal programs and associated grants and award management will depend on the length of the shutdown and guidance from the White House. On the other hand, the FY 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which sets policies and authorizes spending for national security programs, is expected to pass for the 63^rd consecutive year, though not without contentious negotiations.  The NDAA is often a "must pass" bill, as it authorizes pay for military servicemembers and serves as a legislative vehicle for other non-defense authorizations.  You can read the full article here. 

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NATIONAL SECURITY NEWS

Biden Administration Issues E.O. Addressing U.S. investments in National Security Technologies in Countries of Concern
On August 9, President Biden issued an Executive Order (EO) to address national security concerns posed by countries attempting to develop and exploit advanced technologies critical for military, intelligence, surveillance, and cyber capabilities.  Alongside the order, Treasury released an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) to clarify the program’s scope and to solicit public input before implementation.  You can read the full article here. 

DOD Announces Replicator Initiative to Innovate and Scale Autonomous Systems
On August 28 at the National Defense Industrial Association’s (NDIA) Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference, sponsored by Lewis-Burke Associates, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks announced a new project called the Replicator Initiative, a “comprehensive, warfighting-centric approach to innovation” for artificial intelligence and autonomous systems.  You can read the full article here. 

DOD Introduces Task Force to Implement Generative AI
In early August, the Department of Defense (DOD) announced the creation of a generative artificial intelligence (AI) task force, Task Force Lima, chartered “with assessing, synchronizing, and employing generative AI capabilities across the Department.”  Task Force Lima will be led by the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) and will work to utilize the growing capacity of cutting-edge technologies while ensuring national security.  You can read the full article here. 

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Opportunity	Agency    Name	Program Description	Posted Date	Close Date
HR001123S0037 Synthetic Hemotechnologies to Locate and Disinfect (SHIELD)	DARPA - Biological Technologies Office	Invites research to develop countermeasures to blood stream infections.	6/28/2023	9/27/2023
N00173-23-S-BA01 Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Basic and Applied Research	Naval Research Laboratory	Seeks proposals on technical topic areas including high frequency radar and optical sciences listed in the announcement.	10/3/2022	9/29/2023
DARPA-PA-23-03-03 Disruption Opportunity: Charge Harmony	DARPA - Defense Sciences Office	Invites basic or applied research concepts on plasma generation and air breathing electric propulsion.	8/15/2023	9/29/2023
HR001123S0028 Compartmentalization and Privilege Management (CPM)	DARPA - Information Innovation Office	Requests research with the objective of developing tools to restructure complex software systems.	4/4/2023	10/3/2023
HR001123S0050 Synthetic Quantum Nanostructures (SynQuaNon)	DARPA - Defense Sciences Office	Solicits research in synthetic quantum materials that enhance capabilities for quantum information science.	8/11/2023	10/10/2023
W911NF23S0015 DoD Research and Education Program for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions (HBCU/MI) Research Fiscal Year 2024	Dept. of the Army – Materiel Command	Seeks basic research projects with innovative approaches to develop a more robust base of scientific study related to long-term national security needs.	8/16/2023	10/30/2023
NSWC-DD-BAA-N00178-24-0002 Naval Engineering Education Consortium (NEEC) Broad Agency Announcement for FY24	NAVSEA – Naval Sea Systems Command Warfare Centers	Solicits research that supports the Naval Engineering Education Consortium, with a focus on Quantum Computing, Hypersonic Weapons Advancement, and more.	8/30/2023	10/30/2023
W911NF-23-S-0012 Foundations of Superconducting Digital Logic (FSDL)	Dept. of the Army – Materiel Command	Solicits proposals for research in superconducting electronics to increase reliability and circuit density.	7/12/2023	10/31/2023; 8/15/2023 (White Papers)
HQ003423NFOEASD13 Minerva Research Initiative's (Minerva) Defense Education and Civilian University Research (DECUR) Partnership	Office of the Secretary of Defense	Seeks proposals to enhance research on social sciences and expand partnerships between Professional Military Education (PME) and civilian institutions.	8/21/2023	12/12/2023
N00014-23-S-F007 FY24 Department of the Navy (DoN) Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions (HBCU/MI) Program	Office of Naval Research	Seeks to enhance research capabilities of HBCUs and MSIs in areas critical to the mission of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.	7/14/2023	12/15/2023; 9/8/2023 (White Papers)
W912HZ-23-BAA-01 ERDC Broad Agency Announcement	Dept. of the Army – Corps of Engineers	Solicits research proposals of interest to Army Corps Engineering Research and Development Center (ERDC).  Successful proposals require frequent engagement with ERDC program managers and congressional involvement.	3/31/2023	1/1/2024
N00014-23-S-B003 FY23 Science and Technology for Advanced Manufacturing Projects (STAMP) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)	Office of Naval Research	Seeks systems engineering proposals critical to the design, fabrication, and manufacture of key components at more desirable weights, performance, cost, and/or survivability.	6/27/2023	1/16/2024
N00014-23-S-F006 Class of 2024 Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship (VBFF) Program	Office of Naval Research	Seeks single investigators to conduct basic, unclassified research that could spark new and revolutionary capabilities. Sponsored by the Department of Defense Basic Research Office and managed by ONR.	7/18/2023	2/9/2024
HR001122S0030 Microsystems Technology Office (MTO)	DARPA - Microsystems Technology Office	Invites innovative research ideas not being pursued by current MTO programs.	3/16/2022	3/16/2024
N00014-23-S-F005  The Office of Naval Research (ONR) Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic (STEM) Program	Office of Naval Research	Develops efforts that correlate with ONR science and technology areas and that supply solutions that establish, build, and/or maintain STEM educational pathways and workforce opportunities.	4/03/2023	4/02/2024
N66001-23-S-4702 C4ISR, Information Operations, Cyberspace Operations and Information Technology System Research, Cryogenics and Quantum Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)	Dept. of the Navy – Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific	Seeks unique and innovative research to develop next generation C4ISR capabilities.	6/07/2023	6/08/2024
HR001123S0042 Broad Agency Announcement Redefining Possible – 2023	DARPA – Tactical Technology Office	Solicits abstracts, proposals, and executive summaries for research to redefine warfighting across air, ground, maritime, and space.	6/16/2023	6/14/2024
HR001123S0045 Biological Technologies	DARPA – Biological Technologies Office	Seeks research ideas for topics not currently being addressed by the Biological Technologies Office.	6/22/2023	6/20/2024
N00421-23-S-0001 Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Office-Wide Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)	Dept. of the Navy – Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division	Seeks white papers for research projects to advance and improve NAWCAD operations.	6/23/2023	6/22/2024
DARPA-PA-23-03-04 Disruption Opportunity: Drag Reducing Architected Geometries	DARPA - Defense Sciences Office	Seeks research projects in the area of drag reduction on objects with sprays or coatings.	8/7/2023	6/26/2024
NSWCDD-24-0001 Dahlgren University Research and Development (R&D) Projects and Capstone Projects	Dept. of the Navy – Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division	Seeks proposals for student and faculty projects in areas of interest to NSWCDD to develop student interest in Naval engineering.	7/18/2023	7/17/2024
DARPA-RA-23-02 Forward-Looking Experimentation (FLEX)	DARPA - Microsystems Technology Office	Seeks research proposals for ideas in information and communication technology addressing challenges for a data focused future.	8/9/2023	8/9/2024
W911NF-23-S-0003 DEVCOM Analysis Center Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Applied Research	Dept. of the Army – Materiel Command	Seeks proposals to maintain and expand professional competence fulfilling the ARO mission in collaboration with external research institutions.	1/5/2023	1/4/2028
N00421-23-S-0001 United States Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) Broad Agency Announcement	Dept. of the Army – Materiel Command	Soliciting research proposals of interest to ARI to improve human performance and Army Readiness.  Prospective awardees must meet certain standards on financial resources and responsibility, among others.	5/01/2023	4/30/2028
FA2391-23-S-2403 Pioneering Aerospace Capabilities, Engineering and Research (PACER)	Air Force Research Laboratory	Solicits white papers in research areas related to the BAA.  Calls may be issued over the period of the BAA to request white papers or proposals in specific areas of interest.	7/26/2023	5/10/2043

CDMRP Releases Additional FY 2023 Research Topic Solicitations
The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) is currently accepting proposals for the following fiscal year (FY) 2023 topics:

• Breast Cancer
• Chronic Pain Management
• Kidney Cancer
• Melanoma
• Neurofibromatosis
• Pancreatic Cancer
• Toxic Exposures

Remaining FY 2023 research program solicitations are expected to be released soon.  FY 2024 research program solicitations will not be released until they are funded by FY 2024 federal funding legislation.  All open funding opportunities and pre-announcements are available here.  Interested applicants can subscribe for real-time updates, including forthcoming solicitations here.  

ARPA-H Releases SHARE BAA Soliciting Proposals from Prior DOD Awardees
The new Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), launched in 2022 and following the “ARPA” model pioneered by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), recently released its Scaling Health Applications Research for Everyone (SHARE) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA).  The BAA solicits proposals from those with projects that were previously funded by DARPA and other Department of Defense (DOD) and can be adapted to support other, more broad populations, such as geriatric and pediatric.  Proposals to the SHARE BAA are due September 7, 2023.  However, ARPA-H is expected to reopen the BAA at a later date and/or continue releasing solicitations emphasizing prior DOD funding.  You can read the full article here. 

DARPA To Hold Contest to Increase AI Use in Cybersecurity
On August 9, the White House announced that the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) will be leading a two-year “AI Cyber Challenge” (AIxCC) that will see teams compete to design new and innovative cybersecurity solutions using artificial intelligence (AI) for potential government use.  Registration will open on November 1, 2023.  Interested teams or researchers can find more information here.  You can read the full article here. 

DTRA Chemical and Biological Technologies Department Announces 2024 Chemical and Biological Defense Science & Technology Conference Dates and Location
The Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s (DTRA) Chemical and Biological Technologies Department recently announced the dates and location of the 2024 Chemical and Biological Defense Science & Technology (CBD S&T) Conference.  The CBD S&T Conference will take place from December 2-5, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  Interested attendees can subscribe to the Conference’s mailing list to receive updates here.  You can find the full article here. 

DOD Energy & Environment Innovation Symposium Registration Now Open
Registration is now open for the 2023 Energy & Environment Symposium hosted by the Strategic Environmental Research & Development Program and the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (SERDP/ESTCP) held on November 28-December 1, 2023, in Arlington, VA.  The symposium allows researchers to meet with SERDP/ESTCP leaders and program managers, learn more about the SERDP/ESTCP solicitation and proposal process, and network with researchers in similar fields.  More information, including links to registration and agendas for the symposium, can be found here.  You can read the full article here. 

DARPA Issues Disruption Opportunity for Electric Propulsion and Drag Reducing Architected Geometries
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Defense Sciences Office (DSO) has issued the Charge Harmony and Drag Reducing Architected Geometries (DRAG) Disruption Opportunities (DO).  As previously reported by Lewis-Burke, DARPA DSO announced earlier this summer its Disruptioneering Program, which will issue DOs through pre-solicitation notices that will identify the specific technology domains that DARPA wants research conducted on with the goal of determining future investment and prototyping.  Proposals for Change Harmony are due no later than 4:00 PM ET on September 29, 2023. A link to the full opportunity description can be found here.  Proposals for DRAG are due no later than 4:00 PM ET on October 16, 2023.  The full opportunity description can be found here.  You can read the full article here. 
WHAT WE'RE READING

Capitol Hill Commission Urges Overhaul of Pentagon Budget Planning
DefenseNews reported in August the findings of the congressionally mandated Commission on Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution Reform.  The bipartisan commission, created under the provisions of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, released an interim report highlighting improvements the Department of Defense can take now to improve the department’s Planning, Programming, Budget, and Execution (PPBE) system.  Some of the “immediate implementation” recommendations include:

• “Improved Pentagon information sharing with Congress;
• Consolidating budget line items;
• Bolstering the Pentagon’s budget management workforce;
• Modernizing information systems; and
• Streamlining disparate budget data sets within Pentagon budget offices".

The interim report also highlights additional recommendations that require more feedback from Department and Congressional stakeholders, such as:

• “Making congressional appropriations available for two years, instead of one;
• More flexibility for the Pentagon to reprogram certain funds; and
• Allowing new initiatives to begin even when Congress only passes short-term funding bills instead of a full budget”.

Commission members, such as former Pentagon Comptroller Bob Hale and former Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Ellen Lord, see their work as essential to make the Department’s budgeting process more streamlined than our competitors in Russia and China in order to foster innovation in national security.  The Commission is expected to release its final report early next year before the deadline created in the FY 2022 NDAA. 

Why The China Cyber Threat Demands An Airtight Public-Private Response
In an opinion piece by network security leader Tom Guarente, the author argues the time is now for our nation’s security agencies to foster stronger public-private partnerships if they want to succeed in preventing cyber intrusions from well-resourced nation state actors like China.  In the unclassified Annual Threat Assessment released in February 2023, the U.S. intelligence community warned that China likely poses the most “persistent cyber espionage threat to U.S. Government and private-sector networks.”   Meanwhile, the American public grows increasingly vulnerable as more health, financial, and personal data is stored on public networks.  The U.S. interagency system remains stubbornly weary of sharing threat, intrusion and recovery information with non-government entities despite such benefits to collaboration as leveraging resources and reducing incident response times.  Guarente believes public-private collaboration will eliminate “disjointed, disorganized responses to important problems".