The Project on Advanced Systems and Concepts for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (PASCC) at The Naval Postgraduate School | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is PASCC and what is this funding opportunity?

The Project on Advanced Systems and Concepts for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (PASCC) at the Naval Postgraduate School is a discretionary government research funding opportunity released as a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). It funds security studies research intended to strengthen the United States and its partners in countering weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and weapons of mass effect (WME).

What is the main purpose of the PASCC BAA?

The central purpose is to attract strong researchers and scholars to expand the knowledge base that supports national defense decision-making related to countering WMD/WME. The work is expected to be relevant to real-world policy choices and international cooperation for combating WMD threats.

What does PASCC mean by "security studies research"?

In this BAA, "security studies research" is defined broadly as investigations across essentially any discipline, field, or domain that contributes to national defense knowledge and that could improve policy and international relations for countering WMD/WME.

Is this opportunity limited to traditional defense or military studies?

No. While PASCC is defense-oriented, proposals are not restricted to traditional defense studies. The BAA explicitly welcomes interdisciplinary contributions and lists fields such as political science, sociology, history, biology, chemistry, economics, homeland defense, and public policy, among others.

What research areas and topics are of interest?

Topics of interest center on WMD/WME counterproliferation, nonproliferation, and strategy. The intent is to fund innovative work that improves understanding of how WMD programs emerge, how they can be prevented or disrupted, and how strategies can reduce the likelihood or consequences of WMD use.

What kind of outcomes does PASCC appear to value in proposed research?

The announcement signals a preference for work that is relevant to the security studies community and connected to real-world policy, operational planning, or international security outcomes. Proposals should aim for insights that could realistically inform decision-makers rather than purely academic exploration.

What is the anticipated performance period for projects?

The performance window described targets projects conducted roughly from January 2013 through September 2014.

What award types or funding instruments are used?

PASCC plans to make awards through grants and cooperative agreements.

What is the difference between a grant and a cooperative agreement under this opportunity?

The BAA structure suggests that grants may support more independent research efforts, while cooperative agreements may be used when the government expects closer involvement or coordination during the project. The specific instrument may depend on the project and its objectives.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broadly open to "all responsible institutions" in academia and industry, as described in the announcement.

Are Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs) encouraged to apply?

Yes. HBCUs and Minority Institutions are specifically encouraged to participate and to team with others.

Is funding set aside specifically for HBCUs or Minority Institutions?

No. The BAA states that no funding is formally set aside exclusively for HBCU/MI participation.

Are any organizations not eligible to receive awards directly?

Yes. Several categories of government-affiliated research organizations are not eligible to receive awards directly under this BAA, including Navy laboratories and warfare centers, other Department of Defense or civilian agency laboratories, and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), including Department of Energy national laboratories.

If my organization is a government lab or an FFRDC, can we participate at all?

The BAA indicates those entities should not submit directly. If they want to be involved, they are instructed to contact the Naval Postgraduate School technical point of contact identified in the full announcement to discuss their interests, suggesting there may be alternative coordination paths short of a direct award.

Does the BAA allow submission of white papers, full proposals, or both?

The solicitation allows submission of white papers and full proposals.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA listing provided is 12.300, Basic and Applied Scientific Research.

Is there a cost sharing or matching requirement?

No. The listing indicates there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

Which agency is associated with this opportunity in the source information?

Administratively, the opportunity is associated with the Naval Supply Systems Command as the agency name in the source data.

How is the opportunity categorized?

It is categorized under science and technology and other research and development activity.

What are the key dates listed for this BAA?

The source data lists an initial posting date of April 11, 2012. It shows closing dates as an original closing date of July 1, 2013 and a current closing date of March 31, 2013. It also lists an archive date of April 30, 2013.

Why are there multiple closing dates (original vs. current) in the listing?

The provided information includes both an original closing date (July 1, 2013) and a current closing date (March 31, 2013). This suggests the closing date may have been updated at some point in the posting history, but the listing itself is the only source provided here.

Who can be contacted for help accessing the full announcement?

The listed business contact for assistance accessing the full announcement is Christina Beal, Contracts and Grants Specialist, at 619-556-7329.

What should applicants keep in mind about PASCC's scope?

The scope is intentionally broad and interdisciplinary. A competitive proposal could range from strategy and deterrence analysis, to nonproliferation policy studies, to scientifically informed assessments that affect how decision-makers understand WMD/WME risks and responses.

What is the overall emphasis of PASCC-funded work?

The overall emphasis is on expanding knowledge that supports national defense decision-making while producing research that can realistically inform policy choices and international cooperation to counter WMD threats.