Cyberspace Operations for Resilient Tactical Engagement and Execution (CORTEX)

NAICS CODE: 541715

FEDERAL AGENCY NAME: Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AFRL - Rome Research Site, AFRL/Information Directorate, 26 Electronic Parkway, Rome, NY, 13441-4514

ARA ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Initial announcement

ADVANCED RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT (ARA) TITLE: Cyberspace Operations for Resilient Tactical Engagement and Execution (CORTEX)

ARA NUMBER: FA8750-26-S-7002

PART I – OVERVIEW INFORMATION

This announcement is for an Open, 2 Step ARA which is open and effective until 31 December 2030. Only white papers will be accepted as initial submissions; formal proposals will be accepted by invitation only. While white papers will be considered if received prior to 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 31 December 2030, the following submission dates are suggested to best align with projected funding:

FY26 by 8 APR 2026

FY27 by 30 SEP 2026

FY28 by 30 SEP 2027

FY29 by 30 SEP 2028

FY30 by 30 SEP 2029

Offerors should monitor the Contract Opportunities on the SAM website at https://SAM.gov in the event this announcement is amended.

CONCISE SUMMARY OF TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENT: Seeking innovative research to catalyze capability and technique development that stretches the boundaries of Cyberspace Operations and Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO) as well as the synergizes the intersection between Cyberspace Operations and EMSO. Technologies sought include: (1) microelectronics (including photonic and quantum) for airborne/edge computing and Software-Defined Radio (SDR); (2) gateware, firmware and software that advances Electronic Warfare (EW) and EMSO-enabled (e.g., Radio Frequency (RF)) Cyberspace Operations; (3) techniques for maneuver within mediums, modalities and phenomenology that cross between Cyberspace and the EMS; (4) analog and/or biological technology for SDR and EMSO that disrupts the battlefield far beyond incremental improvements; (5) anti-tamper, bootstrapping, hardening and spatial/temporal fencing technology for the...