Opportunity Information: Apply for W911NF 16 R 0005

  • The DOD-AMC in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences FY16 Foundational Science Research Unit Broad Agency Announcement" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.431.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Feb 01, 2016 and posted on Feb 01, 2016.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by May 06, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.
Apply for W911NF 16 R 0005

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Opportunity Summary:

The Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) FY16 Foundational Science Research Unit (FSRU) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is a competitive solicitation for new basic research proposals in behavioral and social science that can strengthen Army readiness and performance. ARI is the Army's lead organization for behavioral and social science research tied to personnel, organizations, training, and leader development, and this BAA is aimed at expanding foundational knowledge rather than delivering a near-term product or system. The emphasis is on work that advances theory, uncovers generalizable principles, and lays groundwork that could later support Army-relevant applications.

This opportunity is released under Federal Acquisition Regulation authorities (including FAR 6.102(d)(2) and 35.016) that govern broad agency announcements and competitive selection. Proposals chosen for award are treated as the result of full and open competition under the Competition in Contracting Act and related rules. ARI makes clear that only a government Contracting Officer or Grants Officer can legally commit government funds, which is a standard reminder that informal discussions do not constitute an award or funding guarantee.

Applicants are expected to align their ideas with the specific research areas listed in Section A of the full BAA (accessed through the posting's related documents). A key expectation is that the proposal explains how the work contributes to theory and why the resulting basic science would matter to Army needs over time. In other words, the Army relevance does not have to be an immediate operational fix, but the pathway from fundamental findings to meaningful Army impact should be credible and well articulated.

A notable feature of the process is ARI's strong encouragement to submit a white paper before investing in a full proposal. The purpose is to get early feedback on fit and funding potential, reducing the effort and expense of preparing full proposals that are unlikely to be selected. ARI also states that the costs of preparing and submitting white papers or full proposals are not allowable as direct charges to any award that might result; at most, they may be treated as indirect bid-and-proposal costs under the applicable FAR cost principles (for example, FAR 31.205-18), depending on the applicant's accounting practices and award type.

Funding details are intentionally flexible due to budget uncertainty. The BAA notes that awards depend on the availability of funds, that ARI may decide not to make any awards, and that no total funding amount has been set aside for the overall solicitation. It also does not establish minimum or maximum award sizes (no award floor or ceiling), so project scope and budget are expected to be justified by the science, the work plan, and the relevance to the stated research areas rather than by a predetermined funding band.

The BAA is open to a wide range of applicant types, including public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (including small businesses), and individuals. Both domestic and foreign organizations may apply, but foreign-owned, controlled, or influenced entities are cautioned that security and other restrictions could limit participation. At the same time, certain entities cannot serve as prime recipients: government laboratories, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), and U.S. Service Academies are not eligible as prime contractors or recipients, though they may be allowed to participate as subcontractors or subrecipients on a case-by-case basis.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Number W911NF-16-R-0005 and is categorized as discretionary research and development funding within science and technology. The solicitation allows for multiple award instruments, including grants, cooperative agreements, procurement contracts, and other mechanisms, depending on the nature of the work and the government role anticipated. The posted closing date for this FY16 announcement is May 6, 2016, and applicants are directed to use the attached BAA documentation for the detailed topic list, formatting requirements, submission instructions, and evaluation criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the ARI FY16 Foundational Science Research Unit (FSRU) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)?

It is a competitive solicitation issued by the Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) for new basic research proposals in the behavioral and social sciences. The goal is to expand foundational knowledge that can strengthen Army readiness and performance over time.

What kinds of research does this opportunity support?

This opportunity supports basic research in behavioral and social science. ARI emphasizes work that advances theory, uncovers generalizable principles, and creates foundational knowledge that could later enable Army-relevant applications, rather than delivering a near-term product or system.

How is this different from applied research or product development funding?

The emphasis is on foundational science (theory-building and generalizable findings). While the research should be relevant to Army needs, ARI does not require an immediate operational solution, product, or system as the outcome.

What is ARI and what role does it play?

ARI is the Army's lead organization for behavioral and social science research tied to personnel, organizations, training, and leader development. This BAA is one way ARI solicits new research ideas that can strengthen Army performance and readiness in the long run.

Is this a competitive opportunity?

Yes. The BAA is a competitive solicitation released under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) authorities used for broad agency announcements. Proposals chosen for award are treated as the result of full and open competition under the Competition in Contracting Act and related rules.

Under what authorities is this BAA issued?

The solicitation is released under Federal Acquisition Regulation authorities applicable to BAAs, including FAR 6.102(d)(2) and FAR 35.016, as described in the opportunity summary.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this announcement?

The Funding Opportunity Number is W911NF-16-R-0005.

What is the posted closing date for this FY16 announcement?

The posted closing date is May 6, 2016.

Where do applicants find the specific research topics and required proposal details?

Applicants are directed to the attached BAA documentation (the posting's related documents). Those materials contain the detailed research area list in Section A, along with formatting requirements, submission instructions, and evaluation criteria.

Do proposals need to match specific research areas?

Yes. Applicants are expected to align their ideas with the specific research areas listed in Section A of the full BAA.

How should a proposal explain Army relevance if the work is basic research?

The proposal should explain how the work contributes to theory and why the resulting basic science matters to Army needs over time. Immediate operational impact is not required, but the pathway from fundamental findings to meaningful Army impact should be credible and clearly articulated.

Is submitting a white paper required?

The BAA strongly encourages submitting a white paper before investing in a full proposal. The purpose is to obtain early feedback on fit and funding potential and to reduce effort on full proposals that are unlikely to be selected.

What is the purpose of the white paper stage?

ARI uses the white paper to provide early feedback on how well an idea fits the BAA and its potential for funding, helping applicants avoid unnecessary time and expense if a full proposal would not be competitive or well-aligned.

Can the cost of preparing a white paper or full proposal be charged to an eventual award?

No. ARI states that the costs of preparing and submitting white papers or full proposals are not allowable as direct charges to any award that might result. At most, those costs may be treated as indirect bid-and-proposal costs under applicable FAR cost principles (for example, FAR 31.205-18), depending on the applicant's accounting practices and award type.

Is there a set amount of funding available under this BAA?

No. The BAA notes that overall funding is intentionally flexible due to budget uncertainty. No total funding amount has been set aside for the solicitation.

Are there minimum or maximum award sizes?

No. The BAA does not establish minimum or maximum award sizes (no award floor or ceiling). Proposed scope and budget are expected to be justified by the science, the work plan, and relevance to the stated research areas.

Is ARI guaranteed to make awards?

No. Awards depend on the availability of funds, and ARI may decide not to make any awards under this solicitation.

What types of organizations are eligible to apply?

The BAA is open to a wide range of applicants, including public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (including small businesses), and individuals.

Can individuals apply directly?

Yes. Individuals are listed among the eligible applicant types.

Can for-profit companies and small businesses apply?

Yes. For-profit organizations, including small businesses, are eligible to apply.

Do nonprofits need to have 501(c)(3) status to apply?

No. Nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply with or without 501(c)(3) status.

Can foreign organizations apply?

Yes. Both domestic and foreign organizations may apply. However, foreign-owned, controlled, or influenced entities are cautioned that security and other restrictions could limit participation.

Are there restrictions for foreign-owned, controlled, or influenced (FOCI) entities?

Yes. The BAA cautions that foreign-owned, controlled, or influenced entities may face security and other restrictions that could limit participation.

Which entities are not eligible to serve as the prime recipient?

Government laboratories, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), and U.S. Service Academies are not eligible as prime contractors or prime recipients under this BAA.

Can government labs, FFRDCs, or Service Academies participate in some other role?

Yes. While they cannot serve as the prime, they may be allowed to participate as subcontractors or subrecipients on a case-by-case basis.

What types of award instruments might ARI use?

The solicitation allows for multiple award instruments, including grants, cooperative agreements, procurement contracts, and other mechanisms. The instrument depends on the nature of the work and the role the government anticipates playing.

Does talking with ARI staff guarantee funding or an award?

No. ARI notes that only a government Contracting Officer or Grants Officer can legally commit government funds. Informal discussions do not constitute an award or a guarantee of funding.

What category of funding is this opportunity listed under?

It is categorized as discretionary research and development funding within science and technology.

What should drive the proposed budget and scope if there is no award ceiling?

The budget and scope should be driven by the scientific approach, the work plan, and the relevance to the stated research areas, rather than by a predetermined funding band.

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