# FA9453-21-S-0001-Call016 - Space Strategic Technology Institute (SSTI) - Space Cyber-Cognitive Overmatch (SCCO)

Canonical: https://abierto.us/opportunities/ssti5call016

- Solicitation number: SSTI5_Call016
- Notice type: Solicitation
- Status: Closed. Deadline was August 13, 2026 at 1:00 PM EDT
- Department: Department of the Air Force
- Agency: Department of the Air Force
- Contracting office: FA9453 AFRL RVK (FA9453)
- NAICS: 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Product or service code: AC11 National Defense R&D Services; Department Of Defense - Military; Basic Research
- First posted: June 30, 2026
- Last posted: July 30, 2026
- SAM.gov: https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/8eb92a3b3b354fb696c9557ea1b37e4b/view

## Description

The ultimate objective of this initiative is to create disruptive, cutting-edge technologies that fundamentally alter the strategic landscape of space operations. While proposed solutions must improve overall system resilience and strictly optimize size, weight, and power (SWaP) constraints, their true value will be judged by their capacity to enable entirely new operational concepts.

The goal is not seeking merely incremental upgrades; it is for transformative capabilities spanning the cyber and electromagnetic (EM) spectrums, the entire distributed architecture (space, ground, and links), and advanced human-machine teaming. Crucially, this disruption cannot come at the cost of current mission viability. For example, a novel cyber defense mechanism will be deemed unviable if its computational overhead degrades primary satellite operations.

Consequently, proposals will be rigorously evaluated on two interconnected fronts: their potential to achieve true cognitive and cyber overmatch, and their realistic maturity for transitioning out of the laboratory and into government program offices or industry applications.

## Publications

- June 30, 2026: Solicitation, due August 13, 2026 at 1:00 PM EDT. Notice 8543b8563c104c63907aa120618f6d08. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/8543b8563c104c63907aa120618f6d08/view
- July 1, 2026: Solicitation, due August 13, 2026 at 1:00 PM EDT. Notice 09a4a499755a4f08a290838ed8aabb89. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/09a4a499755a4f08a290838ed8aabb89/view
- July 1, 2026: Solicitation, due August 13, 2026 at 1:00 PM EDT. Notice df06ade07d8e4cd9a1c13c590af9177a. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/df06ade07d8e4cd9a1c13c590af9177a/view
- July 21, 2026: Solicitation, due August 13, 2026 at 1:00 PM EDT. Notice abd9bc94318d4fa988175155d9b512a6. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/abd9bc94318d4fa988175155d9b512a6/view
- July 30, 2026: Solicitation, due August 13, 2026 at 1:00 PM EDT. Notice 8eb92a3b3b354fb696c9557ea1b37e4b. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/8eb92a3b3b354fb696c9557ea1b37e4b/view

## Points of contact

- Lauren Rice, lauren.rice.3@spaceforce.mil
- Raquel Schildgen, raquel.schildgen@spaceforce.mil

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Source: SAM.gov Contract Opportunities bulk extract. Confirm deadlines on SAM.gov before responding. Cite https://abierto.us/opportunities/ssti5call016.