FA2384-24-S-2233, Continuing Human Enabling, Enhancing, Restoring, and Sustaining (CHEERS)
Continuing Human Enabling, Enhancing, Restoring, and Sustaining (CHEERS) Multiple Authority Announcement (MAA) Open Period 1 – 2 – Step
Initial Solicitation – Call for White Papers
Due Date: White papers will be accepted through 30 September 2027.
Only white papers are due at this time.
Submit to AFRL.711HPW.MAA@us.af.mil
CHEERS is an Open Two-Step MAA with the ability to issue Calls that enable study efforts on novel concepts as well as R&D contracts to mature specific technologies to appropriate Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) depending on end use. This MAA allows consideration of white papers as well as calls issued by the Government when specific requirements are identified. Submitted white papers and/or proposals should target specific research challenges within the Product Line (PL), Core Technical Competency (CTC) and/or Core Research Areas (CRA) and exactly identify the technical requirement(s) (by nomenclature below) for which they are proposing.
The Air Force Research Laboratory, Human Effectiveness Directorate (RH) and the United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM), is soliciting white papers (and potentially later technical and cost proposals) on the research located in the following areas shown below.
The Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) Airman Systems Directorate (RH) is a key component of the 711th Human Performance Wing (711HPW). The directorate is composed of a diverse group of scientists and engineers studying developing technologies specific to the human element of warfighting capability. We are leading the United States Air Force (USAF) in its human-centered research, and we integrate biological and cognitive technologies to optimize and protect the Airman’s capabilities to Fly, Fight, and Win in Air, Space, and Cyberspace.
The Airman Systems Directorate (RH) is the heart of Airman-centered science and technology for the USAF. RH is focused on enduring challenges to enable, sustain, and enhance multi-domain capable Airman and Airman-machine operations. RH leverages five primary Technical Competencies to deliver technology options for future USAF capabilities: Training, Adaptive Warfighter Interfaces, Bioeffects, Bioengineering and Warfighter Medical Optimization.
The RH Directorate develops Airman-related technology for systems crucial to continued aerospace superiority. We work to transfer the same or similar technology to civilian applications when appropriate. We are organized into three divisions located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio and Joint Base San Antonio, Texas.
- Airman Biosciences (RHB): Discover, demonstrate, and transition knowledge products and technology solutions from the full spectrum of bioscience, biotechnology and aerospace medicine, to enable, enhance, sustain, and restore the health and performance of the multi-domain Airman.
- Bioeffects (RHD): Protects against and exploits the bioeffects of battlefield environmental stressors.
- Warfighter Interactions & Readiness (RHW): Enable a more informed, agile, and lethal force by delivering revolutionary capabilities that enhance preparation and mission execution across the full range of military operations.
The Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM) is one of the mission units within the 711th Human Performance Wing (711HPW). The USAFSAM mission is to ensure ready Airmen, ready Guardians, and ready Medics in any environment, and is composed of globally recognized experts in Aerospace and Operational Medicine. This expertise is leveraged to provide relevant operational medical solutions that support current and future DoD missions by anticipating and meeting the future demands of the Air Force Aerospace Operational Medicine Enterprise (AOME), through a combination of consultation, education and training, and knowledge generation through Studies & Analysis (S&A), and research, within the areas of Aerospace Medicine, En Route Care, Occupational and Environmental Health, and Public Health and Preventative Medicine. These focus areas typically align with the USAFSAM departments.
The AOME seeks to maximize Airman performance and readiness, as well as the development of mitigation measures for physical and psychological stressors, illness and injuries during Airman training and operations by executing S&A as well as R&D studies. Focus areas for these studies can be broadly categorized into the following areas of interest for both S&A as well as R&D: Aerospace Medicine and Physiology, Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Occupational Medicine and Bioenvironmental Engineering, and En Route Care/Expeditionary Medicine/Prolonged Field Care. Collectively, these areas can be referred to as the AOME. S&A studies must be appropriate for one-year (12 month), short- term investigations and not be basic research.
2.1 Aerospace Medicine and Physiology
- 2.1.1 Aerospace Physiology: Solutions relating to physiologic assessment of aircrew in high altitude Fighters/Trainers.
- 2.1.2 Aerospace Medicine
2.2 Public Health and Preventative Medicine
- 2.2.1 Development, optimization, and validation of pathogen detection methodologies
- 2.2.2 Cancer analysis in the Air Force population
- 2.2.3 Assess methodologies to prevent wound infection.
- 2.2.4 Assess infectious disease conditions in Air Force populations.
2.3 Occupational Medicine and Bioenvironmental Engineering
- 2.3.1 Enhancement of capabilities to detect, measure, and assess occupational and environmental health hazard contaminants and extreme environmental conditions.
- 2.3.2 Evaluation/development of mitigation technology capable of reducing or eliminating occupational and environmental health hazard risks.
2.4 En Route Care/Expeditionary Medicine/Prolonged Field Care: Needs in this area include medical capabilities to support in route care to/from remote, austere settings, and in extreme environments.
- 2.4.1 Training methodologies to improve operational readiness for individuals and teams responsible for delivering basic and advanced en route care capabilities within the aeromedical evacuation system.
- 2.4.2 Technology assessment/development to support the Air Force Surgeon General’s medical modernization priorities with a focus on modernizing outdated technologies and techniques to promote en route care growth/preparation for future peer/near-peer conflicts involving mass casualty care.
2.5 Education and training technologies and methodologies to support efforts to generate, develop, and maintain skillsets across the AOME.
2.6 Applications of data science to analyze medical and operational data and outcomes across the AOME, which may include implementation of AI and machine learning to answer operationally relevant questions.
If you would like any further information or to let us know that you intend to submit a white paper, please contact Todd Travis in the SRS office. (Todd Travis, Research Administration Advisor II/Preaward Team Lead , ttravis@clarkson.edu)